Sri Lanka, the rain drop shaped island is a place filled with beauty and charm. Many of the ancient world sailors described it as a cradle of great civilizations and cultures.
Today Sri Lanka holds many gems in its hidden pockets. The country is an incredible ecotourism spot for travellers from all corners of the world. Below, we present to you 7 of the best locations in Sri Lanka to add to your itinerary when visiting this lovely island.
1. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Elephants are one of the most intelligent animal species to roam the earth. As a result, Sri Lanka realized early on that some of the baby elephants are endangered in the wild. Hence a sanctuary was erected in Pinnawala village to nurture and cater for these lovely animals.
Expect to see baby elephants bathing in the water, as well as herds of elephants walking straight by you. These lovely creatures are very peaceful. Therefore a visit to this shelter will add value to existing and new ones brought over frequently.
On the other hand, you will walk out of the orphanage filled with high spirits and overflowing with tranquility.
2. Dambulla Cave Temple
Sometimes referred to as the Golden Temple of Dambulla. This is a huge temple made up of caves decorated with lavish paintings and statues that depicts the life of Gautama Buddha. It is filled with lessons and wisdom in every corner about life and its meaning.
On your way out, you will feel a deep relaxation in your shoulders and neck, as you would have been looking at 360 degrees all the time, trying to capture most of the art surrounding you.
3. Adam's Peak
This place is for outdoor enthusiasts. The scenic location of the peak and its connection to spirituality in many faiths, had made this place famous among tourists from all religions, creeds and races.
Adam’s Peak also known as Sri Pada, stands at 2,243 m (7,359 ft) high. It is centrally located in a well connected spot in Sri Lanka, accessible from various main cities.Accordingly, you can best experience the trail when you commence the trip at midnight to reach the peak at breaking of dawn. The result is a lifetime experience with breathtaking views and a glorified ambiance.
4. Sigiriya Rock Fortress
The famous Lion fortress is a must see attraction in Sri Lanka as it’s a UNESCO world heritage site. King Kasyapa built this fortress on top of a rock near the town of Dambulla.
Sigiriya rock plateau is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Sri Lanka and it is of high importance to the local communities as well. Visitors arriving to the location are astonished by the huge gardens, water canals and many other nature and man-made fortifications.
The rock is originally the remnants of an extinct volcano standing at 200 meters higher than the surrounding lands.
5. Old Dutch Fort At Galle
A fortress erected by the Portuguese and later fortified by the Dutch. It is a place where west meets the east in terms of architecture and traditions. Strategically located on the Southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, the fortress changed many European hands over the centuries.
Today, the uniqueness of the fort lies in the gates and their inscriptions, crowned with an artistic lighthouse. Relatively speaking, it was recently added in the 1900s. The charm of the fortress location is best experienced at sunset, where all the magic happens.
A small visit to this place will unveil the strategic mindset of the Europeans like Portuguese, Dutch and English, and why it held this important status during their presence on the island.
6. Yala National Park
One of the best parks in the world for wildlife experience. The park keepers promise that you will depart as a different person, holding new perceptions for life.
This is a recurring theme in most places you visit around the island. Hence, this idea goes to the extent at which some tourists claim that, a trip to Sri Lanka is more of a transformation rather than a pure leisure activity.
The beauty of the park lies in its proximity to nature, where you get to experience the best of the two worlds of wild life and the serenity of the vast Indian Ocean. As most visitors say, a trip to Sri Lanka is never complete without visiting Yala National Park.
7. Polonnaruwa
Polonnarua, a magnificient ancient kingdom in Sri Lanka is emerging in recent years as a very important site to visit in Sri Lanka. As much of Sri Lanka’s great history and culture lies in the rocks of this kingdom. The place is a UNESCO world heritage site.
The toque macaque are the gatekeepers, and they surely welcome you with a great enthusiasm. This brown to red colored monkey is endemic to Sri Lanka and is very pleasant to have an encounter with.
Monkeys are often seen around Polonnarua having grooming sessions or simply enjoying their free time in one of the best locations in the world.
