Joanna James
Ranked among the world's most breathtaking beach holiday hubs, Sri Lanka is also a cultural Mecca for the masses. From exploring its wild terrains to touring its UNESCO heritage sites, here are 5 of the most engaging things to do during a trip to Sri Lanka.
The Sigiriya Rock Fortress is not only the most popular UNESCO Heritage Site on the island but the main reason some travellers head to Sri Lanka in the first place. Dating back to the 5th Century B.C, this mammoth castle among the clouds was the brainchild of King Kashyapa who spent his years of exile from the royal court in this rock palace complete with Apsara Frescoes and a Mirror Wall. Located near the Cultural Triangle, the trek up to the summit of the palace takes less than an hour. Visitors should not forget to drop by the adjacent Sigiriya Museum to understand the ancient engineering practices that allowed the monarch and his retinue to enjoy the comforts of palace life in the heart of the wilderness.
More than 20 national parks occupy Sri Lanka; this must be the reason why Truly Sri Lanka and other travel resources call the country a nature lover's dream destination. All those who travel to Sri Lanka must experience the thrill of embarking on a wildlife safari at least once as the large number of elephant herds, deer and bear species occupying the national parks is truly staggering. The Yala National Park and the Udawalawe National Park are two of the best safari hotspots in Sri Lanka where one can enjoy daytime and nighttime game drives while the Minneriya National Park and the Wasgamuwa National Park are just as enchanting. Birdwatchers, on the other hand, should spend time in the Kumana National Park.
A beach getaway should be part of everyone's Sri Lankan travel itinerary. The south coast beaches including Bentota, Beruwala, Galle, Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna are easy to reach thanks to the Southern Expressway and boast water sports facilities and some of the best beach resorts in the country. Those who love to surf and scuba dive, however, may want to drive up to the northeastern beaches of Sri Lanka as Arugam Bay and Passikudah are stunning coastal areas suited for a wide variety of water-bound activities.
A trip to Sri Lanka would truly be incomplete without touring a tea estate and a tea factory in the Central Highlands. Sri Lanka is one of the world's leading tea producers, and Ceylon Tea is world renowned for its rich flavour and aroma. Pop by the colonial-era tea factories in Kandy and Nuwara Eliya to learn about the local tea industry and stock up on high-quality Ceylon Tea.
Called Sri Pada in the local tongue, Adam's Peak is a holy mountain that has spiritual significance to Buddhists, Catholics and Muslims. Signing up for a pilgrimage to the top of the mountain is not only a must-have experience for the religiously inclined but also for nature lovers and avid hikers.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
