Joanna James
The land of serendipity, Sri Lanka, may be expansive only so much, but you are never out of things to do in the minuscule island nation. Come — explore and discover what the teardrop island has in store for you for a quintessentially Sri Lanka holiday, full of nature, art, culture, and history.
The undisputed crown jewel of the Indian Ocean island nation, Sigiriya — or Lion Rock, as it is more familiar among the many travellers to Sri Lanka — hardly needs any introduction for the world-renowned historical wonder it is. What is considered arguably Sri Lanka’s No. 1 attraction is certainly not without reason and never fails to leave its visitors amazed. Nestled in all its glory, the massive column of rock is unambiguously imposing at 180 metres high, exuding mind-blowing splendour. The 1,000 steps up to the top of the rock surely will not be easy-breezy, but if you know anything about the fabled Lion Rock, it certainly wouldn’t be in vain.
On the way back from the illustrious Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a sight that never fails to strike everyone’s eye is the massive, the majestic, the gleaming Golden Buddha sitting atop Dambulla Royal Cave Temple. Ascend the long flight of stairs beneath the Buddha, at the end of which awaits the largest as well as the best-preserved cave monastery in all of Sri Lanka. Feast your eyes on the striking wall paintings and Buddha sculptures galore and experience the quintessence of the island’s cultural triangle.
No matter where you go and what you choose to do in the tiny island nation, your holiday wouldn’t be complete without one of the most exciting Sri Lanka wildlife tours, offered by the likes of Ceylon Tours. Make your way to Yala National Park, the most visited national park in the country and get up close and personal with fascinating island fauna.
The gateway to the central highlands and the cultural capital of Sri Lanka, Kandy, would hardly be on the map if it wasn’t for its star tourist attraction and sacred place of worship — the majestic Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. The gold-roofed temple is charming more than in a few ways, which makes it the tourist magnet it is, but what unequivocally gives it its renown is the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha himself — the most revered relic of all Buddhists across the world — which is housed in the sanctum of a golden casket in the temple.
Nestled high away in the misty mountains of the central highlands, Horton Plains National Park welcomes you to a world of ultimate seclusion unlike anywhere in the tropical island country. Trek your way through montane grasslands and cloud forests to the World’s End — a sheer cliff with a drop of mind-boggling 4,000 feet.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
