The land of serendipity. Your Sri Lankan journey commences outside the capital Colombo where you will see many attractions and some of the friendliest people anywhere. The unspoiled beaches appear to go on for ever.

The best time to visit Sri Lanka is between December and March when it is usually dry. Avoid May to September which is the monsoon season.

Dambulla Cave Temple – 92 miles from Colombo. Dambulla is famous for the five cave Temples on a rock.  The first 03 caves are better, older and larger than the other two.  Some caves dates to 1st C.B.C. All the 5 cave walls and ceilings are covered with Buddhist murals and there are more than 130 Buddha statues, statues of Gods and Kings are also found here.

Your Sri Lankan journey continues with a Habarana Village Tour – villages in Sri Lanka remains largely unchanged. You can feel how people live simply in harmony with the environment, responding to the seasons as they unfold. Specially you can visit traditional village and observe villager’s day to day life pattern, domestic activities, and cultural framework. This tourist village tour includes the track winds its way on a flat terrain through the village past patches of jungle, Chena cultivations, Bull cart ride, local catamaran boat ride (as per the above image) in the village lake, visit a traditional mud house and you can have Sri Lankan Lunch (Rice and curry) by simple and very friendly village folk going about their daily routine

Polonnaruwa – another “World Heritage Site” was the Capital of Sri Lanka from 11th – 13th Centuries, contains some splendid and spectacular statues. Lankatilake, Tivanka and Thuparama are the most beautiful and largest Image Houses and Tivanka has the best example of frescoes of the Polonnaruwa period. Rankoth Vehera and Kirivehera are well preserved large stupas, and Gal Vihare – a rock shrine, has four Buddha statues, two seated, one standing and one reclining and Parakrama Bahu statue are examples of Sinhalese stone carver.

Minneriya National Park – This National Park 8889 hectares in extent is famous for its large population of Elephants in herds of 100 to 150 roaming in the jungle and seen in the catchment area of the lake. Entrance is at Ambagaswewa about 6 km from Habarana on the main Habarana Polonnaruwa road. Office is by the side of the main road. Elephants, about 300 wild Elephants, Wild Buffaloes, Wild Boar, Spotted Deer, Sloth Bear, Sambhur, Crocodiles, Jackals, 9 kinds of amphibians, 25 kinds of reptiles, 160 species of birds.

Sigiriya – is a “World Heritage Site” and the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the Palace on the summit of the 600-foot high rock. On its summit are the foundations of the Royal Palace, Water Tanks to supply water and all other buildings and at the edges the guardhouses. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of Frescoes of 21 life sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original colour. The Water Gardens, Fountain Garden, summerhouse, Boulder Gardens and the Caves with the enclosed are should not be missed.

Temple of the Tooth Relic – Houses the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, is an important landmark in Kandy. The Tooth is kept in a two-storey shrine fronted by two large elephant tusks and rests on a gold lotus flower, encased in jewelled casket that sits on a throne. The temple is decorated with beautiful local paintings and architectural features.

Concept of dancing in Sri Lanka originated in fear of natural power which people regarded as the supernatural building. Dance was then initiated in Sri Lanka during the 4th century B.C for the purpose of expelling natural disasters, sickness and so on. At the end of Polonnaruwa period (15th century A.D.), South Indian influence came into Sri Lanka and was adopted in Sri Lanka folk dancing. In the course of time, a dancing form was developed and varied from each other according to regional and local traditions.

Thotupola Residence – Our kitchen can provide you both spicy and non spicy Sri Lankan recipes prepared just for your appetite. Western dishes or simple salads made from fresh ingredients collected from local village farms. Experience the significant dining overlooking the Mahaweli River with live buffet or have a campfire under the magnificent moon light. If you interested, you could also try our traditional timber burnt kitchen cooking. Our open-air restaurant with comfortable furniture clean and modern cutlery is specially set up for you to enjoy the beauty of the nature while tasting the food.

Next on your Sri Lankan journey we visit a Tea plantation, a huge industry in Sri Lanka. Ceylon Tea is world famous for its taste, quality and the health benefits as well. You will see how the tea pickers with their baskets and bags pluck tea leaves from the plantations. With women of various ages engaging in this activity, seeing the tea plucking activity is fun and exciting. The trick is to pluck the right tea leaves with the correct properties. These tea leaves are then taken into the factories where the selection process starts. The fresh and best leaves are put into the machines for the processing. The rolling, withering, processing is all done with the help of the machines and a lot of helping hands gather around to do the packaging, storing activities as well. You will also get the chance to taste a fresh cup of tea straight from the factory and you will love it.

Nuwaraeliya – The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coolest places in the Island, but it is just like an English spring day, although the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwaraeliya you will see evidence of the British influence, houses like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions.

The Hill Train – Sri Lanka is a fabulous place – safe, friendly and remarkably hassle-free.  Taking the train is a great & inexpensive way to get around, the train journeys are real cultural experiences and the most scenic routes will be highlights of your visit – the wonderful journey from Colombo to Kandy and up into Tea Country.

Yala National Park – Yala National Park is 378 sq. miles in extent. Yala was established in 1938 from, what originally was a Sportsman’s shooting reserve. This is the most famous and well-developed National Park where wild animals and birds could be observed. The Wild animals include Elephants in herds of varying sizes, Leopards, Wild Boar, Wild Buffalo, Crocodiles, Peacock, Jackal, Sloth Bear and other animals. The birdlife comprises of about 130 species including the resident and migrants.  Painted storks, Sea Eagle, Black-Necked Stork, Spoonbills, and Pelicans add colour to the birdlife in the park.

Galle – Explore the vigorous impact made by the Dutch colonial architecture to the Sri Lankan heritage during the era of their governance in specific parts of the island It’s an observable factor to anyone who visits the island. Dutch era in Sri Lankan history lasted for 150 years, where the architectural erections of fortresses, hospitals, churches, residencies are constructed. Fortunately, some of them remain as ruins and evidencing to the Dutch era in the island.

Colombo – Sightseeing highlights include the Colombo Gangarama Buddhist Temple, Town Hall, Colombo Museum and the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall. Apart from excellent shopping, Colombo offers visits to one of the world’s leading tea auctions, an 18-hole Golf Course, seasonal Buddhist and Hindu pageants, enjoyable evening entertainment and excellent restaurants. State-of-the-Art communications and Cyber services are available in the hotels and other outlets. The Pettah area, which is in the heart of Colombo, is a beehive of activity. Traders and payment hawkers of all kinds flock to Colombo and it’s a well-known fact that Pettah is where the best bargains are available.

Links to Other post for Sri Lanka

Top 10 Places in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Safari

Nuwaraeliya

Sri Lankan Journey

Sri Lanka Page