The measure of any great travel destination is the diversity of things to see and do. Sri Lanka is packed with great activities! In this post we will outline our top 4 Highlights of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is a fantastic travel destination for those looking for a bit of adventure, a place to relax, find stunning beaches and national parks full of wildlife. The center north is home the beautiful Ancient ruins of Sigiriya and Anuradhapura. The center is home to the city of Kandy the spiritual heart of the country. Great train journeys snaking through lush tea plantations. Adams peak, where you can join the pilgrimage at sunrise to climb the holy site. Also, some of the best wildlife safaris outside of Africa. The south coast is lined with beautiful beaches perfect to relax for a few days or catching a few waves.
If you are interested is seeing the best that Sri Lanka has to offer, the following is our recommendations for the top Highlights of Sri Lanka that should be included in any travel itinerary.
Highlights of Sri Lanka
Sigiriya
Sigiriya or Lion rock, a UNESCO World Heritage listed site is a must see destination for anyone interested in ancient history, historical sights and natural beauty. This Ancient site is located in lush jungle located approximately 7km by road east of Dumbulla, in the central province of Sri Lanka. The site is surrounded by giant moat and well tended gardens. Sigiriya is a spectacular 180m high granite rock standing alone in the otherwise flat surroundings. A top the rock are the ruins of the ancient city. Sigiriya is without doubt one of top highlights of Sri Lanka.
View of Sigiriya from the gardens surrounding the ancient city
The rock can be easily climbed in 2 hours round trip to take in the sights and enjoy the spectacular views from the top. We recommend starting early or climbing later in the day to avoid the heat and crowds. Gates open at 7.30am and last tickets sold at 5pm.
Sigiriya is an easy day or half day trip from Dumbulla or you may choose to stay in the village lining the main road to Sigiriya. From our experience accommodation in the area can be of varied quality. Dambulla is a hectic Sri Lankan town. It is however located close to the Golden Temple of Dumbulla the other UNESCO site in the area. It also has good transport connections to other destinations. For those looking for a more laid back stay with better accommodation and food options we recommend staying in Sigiraya Village, along Sigiriya road.
Buses run from Dumbulla run 6:30AM to 6:00PM daily every 30 minutes and cost approximately LKR40. The more convenient and fun alternative is to wave down one of the many colourful tuk-tuks found throughout Sri Lanka. These should cost around LKR800-1000 but remember to bargain!
Kandy
Named the cultural heart of Sri Lanka, Kandy is the countries second largest city. Far more manageable than Colombo. Kandy offers the countries best city to get a taste for Sri Lankan urban life and culture.
The main attraction for visitors to Kandy is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, another of Sri Lankas famous pilgrimage sites. Visitors can't view the actual tooth but the casket containing the tooth can be viewed twice a day. The best time to visit the temple is in the early evening at 6.30pm. Make sure to cover up with pants and short sleeve tops to cover legs and shoulders (Otherwise you will not be allowed in!).
The other highlight of Kandy is the opportunity to sample some of the best Sri Lankan food. We found delicious home made Sri Lankan curries, pastries and flat breads. Be sure to visit the Kandy Muslim Hotel. An authentic eatery serving delicious samosa, rotti and curries.
Delicious homemade vegetarian curries at Golden View Kandy family hotel
Udawalawe National Park
Sri Lanka has several high quality national parks perfect for Wildlife viewing. We chose Udawalawe National Park because of the quality of Elephant and Bird sightings also its relative ease of access from Kandy and the southern beaches. Other national parks such as Yala, Wilpattu and Wasgamuwa would also be excellent choices for Safari tours.
Elephant encounter in Udawalawe National Park
Udawalawe is a days train and mini bus ride from Kandy or a few hours bus from Tangalle on the southern coast. The village at Udawalawa junction services the park with accommodation, food and safari tours. There are several safari resorts located along the Pelmadulla - Embilipitiya highway.
Peacock perched on a branch at sunrise at Udawalawe National Park
Visiting the park in the early morning is recommended to catch the sunrise and for the best Wildlife sightings. Organising a Safari with a group reduces costs significantly. Costs are quoted per 8 seater jeep. With a group of 4 picked up from your hotel total jeep cost should be approximately 5000 LKR (30 USD). Cheaper jeeps can be hired from the park entrance. Park entrance fees are additional (3000LKR or 20 USD per person).
Thalalla Beach
Once considered a secret alternative to the popular, over developed and increasingly polluted beaches of Unawatuna or Tangalle Beaches. Thalalla beach remains in the early phase of developing into a beach resort destination. If you are looking for a pristine beach with a tranquil setting, Thallala is an ideal choice.
Fishing boat and rigging laying out drying after the mornings catch
Nestled away from the mainroad between Tangalle and Matara. Thalalla maintains it's original fishing village charm. A handful of guest houses, budget hotels, and high end resorts hide (mostly) behind the jungle lined beach front and there a few restaurants servicing tourists to the area. Despite the limited facilities, Thalalla beach is without doubt one of our Highlights of Sri Lanka for its natural beauty and peaceful charm.
Thalalla is best accessed by buses travelling between Tangalle and Matara and you will need to ask the driver to stop.
An excellent option to treat yourself for a few nights is a stay at the beautiful Thalalla Retreat, Yoga and Surf Resort, an excellent way to finish any trip through Sri Lanka.
If you have any questions or would like some further advice about the our highlights of Sri Lanka. You can Contact Us here or leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you
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