Sri Lanka is one of the few countries in the world that offers a stunning combination of alluring landscapes, countless pristine beaches, captivating cultural heritage, and numerous national parks. No wonder it is one of the top tourist destinations amongst travelers from all around. Hi, this is Sarah. Time Camel. In this video, I'm going to tell you the 10 best things to do and see in Sri Lanka. Don't forget to like this story. Now, let's begin.
Climb to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress
This is one of the prime tourist attractions of Sri Lanka. During the peak season, thousands of tourists make it to the top of the Sigiriya Fortress, located between the towns of Dambulla and Habarana. This ancient palace and fortress complex stands on a massive rocky plateau, 370 meters above sea level.
The term Sigiriya originates from the word "Sihagri" which means "Lion Rock." It is believed the fortress was designed in the form of a huge stone lion, whose feet have survived to this day. To reach the top, one has to pass through the boulder gardens and ancient bathing pools, followed by climbing 1,200 steps. The views from the top of the rock are truly mesmerizing, making the hike well worth it.
Climb Pidurangala Rock
Slightly lower than Sigiriya, Pidurangala Rock is adjacent to Sigiriya Rock and is unarguably the best viewing point of Sigiriya Rock. It's a 30-minute hike to the top.
The last two meters high towards the peak is challenging, which makes the height thrilling and a lot more exciting. Once you are at the top, you will be amazed at the mesmerizing views of the surrounding Sigiriya town with a dramatic Sigiriya Rock dominating the skyline. If you are into hiking or rock climbing, then you should not miss it.
Dambulla Cave Temple
Dambulla Cave, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla. The Dambulla Cave Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The complex has a total of five caves under a vast 150-meter-high overhanging rock. Inside these caves are paintings and statues related to Gautama Buddha and his life.
The ceilings are further painted with intricate patterns of religious images. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings, and four statues of gods and goddesses.
Sri Lanka Beaches
One of the most amazing Sri Lankan experiences is to spend some time lazing on an idyllic, tranquil beach. Sri Lanka's coastline is fringed with numerous golden beaches. Situated on the west coast, Unawatuna is known for its long sandy beaches and centuries-old fishing industry.
It is a great stopover point to acclimatize to the Sri Lankan culture, and witness its vibrant nightlife with music, drinks, and delicious food. If you are looking for a beach close to the airport, then Unawatuna beach is the best choice.
Situated on Sri Lanka's southwest coast, enjoy the beautiful, pristine beach of Mirissa. The beach offers several watersports for adventure lovers, you can surf or simply take a gentle stroll along the beach and enjoy the sunrise and sunset. You have good chances of coming across locals who release baby sea turtles into the ocean, a delightful sight.
Sri Lanka Wildlife and Safari
People visit Sri Lanka from all over the world not only for its stunning beaches and historical cities but also to see the wildlife up close. The island nation boasts a rich biodiversity, making it one of the best places in Asia for seeing wildlife Out of the many national parks in Sri Lanka, Yala National Park, Minneriya National Park, Wasgamuwa National Park, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Horton Plains, and Bundala National Park are the most popular and the most visited ones.
Sri Lanka safari is all about exploring the untamed side of life in the country, dominated by the population of elephants, leopards, deer, boars, and flamingos. The wildlife in Sri Lanka will surprise you at every turn during a safari. Spread across 979 square kilometers, Yala National Park is the second-largest national park in Sri Lanka. The park is home to many different species of birds, including peacocks, hornbills, bee-eaters, and other water birds.
Crocodiles are often spotted near the banks along with mongoose, white balls, and chameleons. Apart from the birds, alligators, and lizards, herds of sambar deer and spotted deer can often be spotted near the water bodies inside the park. There are around ten to fifteen tusker elephants in Zone 1, if you are lucky enough, you can see these majestic creatures crossing your path.
Minneriya National Park
The Minneriya National Park is documented as the largest known gathering place of Asian elephants in the world. Herds of elephants numbering around 200 to 700 gather near the lake and the grass fields during the dry season to quench their thirst.
This is certainly one of the best places to see elephants in the wild. It will be difficult to hold back the excitement of witnessing countless elephants in one place. One should definitely not miss the Safari while covering the Sigiriya region.
Bundala National Park
Bird lovers may head out to Bundala National Park located 251 kilometers southeast of the capital of Colombo. The Bundala National Park is considered the most important birding destination in Sri Lanka. The park boasts nearly 200 species of birds of which 150 are endemic, and the rest migratory.
Sea Turtle hatcheries
If you are a sucker for sea creatures, in particular sea turtles, then you may just get lucky to hold and release them. The sea turtle hatcheries in Sri Lanka work towards the conservation of sea turtles and provide visitors with lots of useful information about the different varieties and their preservation.
The hatcheries collect sea turtles caught in fisherman's nets or washed up on the beach, and also collect eggs laid on the beaches so they can be stowed and protected from predators and then safely released into the sea. You can hold the baby turtle in your hands and later release them into the ocean.
Explore Sri Lanka’s hill countries
Explore Sri Lanka's hilly countryside in the region of Ella, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, and the Haputale area. But it's pretty bungalows and front yard gardens, the hill country of Sri Lanka offers some of the most beautiful views of Sri Lanka.
Among the most iconic imagery of the hill country is the tea estates that are swept over vast terraces of land like a green carpet. Some of the finest tea produced in the world comes from these hills and a visit to a tea factory is highly recommended.
Indulge in some adventure
Apart from taking in the scenic views of the verdant tea gardens, indulge in some adventure activities. The countryside is studded with small hills, caves, and spectacular waterfalls and is a heaven for adventure seekers.
Sri Lanka Train Ride
The train ride between Nuwara Eliya and Ella is an adventure in itself. The journey takes about two to three hours and goes through a beautiful landscape of tea plantations. Just three kilometers away from the elevated station is the popular Nine Arch Bridge.
The British architectural ingenuity and the lush greenery in the nearby hillsides make it a popular tourist attraction. Trains pass through the bridge at different times throughout the day. Don't miss out on the opportunity of clicking that classic photo as the train crosses the bridge.
Hiking Paradise
Sri Lanka is a paradise for hikers. Little Adam's Peak and Ella Rock are popular amongst hikers. Little Adam's Peak, 1,141 meters high, is fairly easy to climb. The path goes through beautiful lush green tea plantations all the way up. The top offers beautiful views of the tea gardens, mountains, and valleys with a number of viewpoints from where you can take some really cool pictures of yourself with the valley in the background.
Hike to Ella Rock is fairly easy with a clear path all the way up to the peak. The views from the top of the rock are breathtaking, it's a beautiful place to spend some time enjoying the chill in the air with mesmerizing views of the mountains and valleys.
Stay in one of the luxury resorts in Sri Lanka
A secret gateway to experiencing extreme luxury and irresistible beauty is to stay in one of the luxury resorts in Sri Lanka. Equipped with luxury and grandeur, these resorts offer a perfect getaway from the hub of city life to experience peace amidst the splendid nature
Enjoy Sri Lankan Cuisine
Unique to its culture, seafood plays an important role in Sri Lankan cuisine. The central feature of Sri Lankan cuisine is boiled or steamed rice served with a curry of fish, chicken, or mutton along with other curries made with vegetables, lentils, and fruits. Foodies will never fall short of options
Sri Lanka shopping experience
Shopping in Sri Lanka is nothing less than a delight, and anyone who has visited this stunning island nation would surely agree. From beautifully crafted jewelry to handicrafts, and more, there is a lot to take home at reasonable prices. Not just this, but popular cities like Colombo and Kandy also sell anything and everything from regular street to high-end products.
So, these were the 10 best things to do in Sri Lanka. I hope you enjoyed watching this article. Don't forget to like it. If you like share it with love.
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Comments (1)
I Visited Sri Lanka last year. Yes, It's a really beautiful Country.