Sri Lanka; Sun, Sea, Sand and So Much More
Why Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka is a paradise awaiting your arrival. This beautiful sunny island is blessed with multiple attractions and on an expedition to Sri Lanka, you will be able to marvel at ancient palaces, snorkel on coral reefs, watch great herds of elephants wander about in their natural habitats and simply relax while strolling barefoot on tropical beaches.
If you want to visit a destination that is easy to travel – cover a multitude of experiences within a span of days, good-value for accommodation and hassle-free, then Sri Lanka is just the right place for you and here are some of the must-visit destinations/ must-do activities for you to consider.
The Central Highlands
Looking for cool climes while enjoying tea and extravagant experiences such as golf, horse racing? The Central Highlands is just for you.
Blessed with acres of emerald green tea yards, cascading waterfalls, cool weather and quaint colonial-style buildings, this Central Highlands of Sri Lanka is a fantastic location to spend your holiday in relaxation and pleasure.
For a more laid back and tranquil holiday with your family, there’s the quaint city of Nuwara Eliya, which offers exquisite experiences such as visiting tea estates/factories, visiting the Hakgala Botanical Gardens that hosts thousands of exotic florae, enjoying a day at the Racecourse and the Golf Course, spending the day with your family in fun and frolic at Gregory lake engaging in activities such as boat rides, sculling, fishing and paddle boating.
For the thrill-seekers and adventurous at heart, Hatton could be more interesting you can sigh yourself up to trek the Horton plains and witness the World’s End, trek up Adam’s Peak, explore majestic waterfalls such as Lover’s Leap, Devon falls, Laxapana falls, Ramboda waterfalls all the while experiencing the best of Sri Lanka’s cool climes and the most picturesque environments.
The Cultural Triangle
Are you an architecture, history and culture enthusiast? The Cultural triangle of Sri Lanka – spanning from and between Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Sigiriya, Dambulla – could be just the place you’re looking for.
The celebrated Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka is a treasure-trove of ancient monuments, royal cities and Buddhist temples that boasts of the historic Sinhalese civilization. The hill capital of Kandy, the first Sinhalese capital – Anuradhapura and the medieval city of Polonnaruwa formulates the points of the cultural triangle.
Travellers are attracted to this region like no other region because it presents the opportunity to explore the ruined cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, to climb Mount Sigiriya – a 5th century King’s fortress, discover the fascinating Dambulla cave monastery which is a declared (1991) World Heritage Site or the Buddhist centre at Mihintale - believed to be the spot where Buddhism was introduced and originated in Sri Lanka.
Aside from these famous attractions, other lesser-visited sites include the abandoned citadel of Yapahuwa, the rock-carved standing Buddha at Aukana, the mysterious forest monastery of Ritigala and the colourful cave temple of Aluvihara. The cultural presents for its visitors the best locations to absorb the island's unique cultural heritage and incredible history.
The Long Stretches of Beaches
Being a quaint island in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka’s beaches are legendary, and nothing should hold you back from these tropical havens. However, the East and South coasts have the best beaches Sri Lanka has to offer.
The East Coast is a serene destination where you can enjoy the finer things in life; the sultry breeze of white-sandy beaches, the tranquil music of ocean waves rising and falling as they crash against rocks and white sand, tastes of authentic local street food and so much more. Some of the best beaches in the East Coast include Arugam Bay (best for Surfing), Uppuveli and Nilaveli (best for its serence charm), Passikudah and Kalkudah (best for safe swimming).
The South Coast on the other hand, offers its visitors a chance to wind down and relax at its many golden sanded beaches, a chance to explore UNESCO heritage sites, an opportunity to observe witnessing whales at the deep blue oceans, the South Coast of Sri Lanka offers a plethora of experiences for travellers looking to spice up their winter holidays. Some of the best beaches in the South and West coasts include Unawatuna, Tangalle, Mirissa (best for observing sea wildlife) Bentota (known for year-round watersports activities), Hikkaduwa, Negombo (closest to the international airport) and Alankuda (best for seeing dolphins and kitesurfing).
Also, water sports! Sri Lanka’s beach coasts of the East West and South offer a plethora of activities such as surfing, jet skiing, scuba diving/snorkeling, kite surfing, deep sea surfing, sailing, white water rafting for all travelers that revel in the exhilarating adrenaline rush.
Wildlife on parade
The tropical atmosphere in Sri Lanka provides home to a multitude of fauna. With several national parks and reserves home to healthy elephant populations, colourful bird species and elusive big cats, you will surely be treated to fantastic observations of wildlife in their natural habitat. While being one of the top five hotspots for biodiversity in the world, Sri Lanka also claims one of the highest rates of biological endemism. Given all this, it would be an absolute shame to pay a visit to Sri Lanka and not make the most of the range of exotic creatures in the stunning national parks of the country.
Safari parks and sanctuaries, particularly in the southern and central zones, offer the easiest way to see animals in their natural habitat. Some of the most famous wildlife experiences that Sri Lanka offer includes
- Bird Watching – The tropical climate of the country attracts a diverse range of birds from over 400 species. The country even has 33 endemic birds that you can observe!
- Mammals on Land - 102 terrestrial mammals have been discovered so far, of which 90 are indigenous species and of them, 14 are endemic to Sri Lanka. From elephants to leopards to sloth bears to toque macaque, grey langur and purple-faced leaf monkeys, Sri Lanka is a sanctuary waiting to be explored.
- Marine Life – The country also is home to whales and dolphins, eels, sting rays, whale sharks, dugongs and five species of endangered marine turtle, as well as various colourful tropical fish and intricate, mesmerising corals.
The Minneriya National Park, Horton Plains National Park, Yala National Park, Udawalawe National Park, Wilpattu National Park are some of the most renowned national parks in the country where you observe wildlife in their natural habitats.
Whether it be to relax and have some fun or to nurture your adventurous instincts or to immerse yourself in a culture filled holiday, Sri Lanka is where you need to be! Travel to this spectacular island in the Indian Ocean, not only because of its enchanting beauty but also because you will be able to tick off many items off your bucket list in this paradise! The best part is that you can experience a multitude of different experiences at each corner of the country, all with the ability to travel within 24 hours to any specific location. You can further enhance your travelling with Cinnamon Air’s daily scheduled and charter flights to any destination across the country in less than hour.