Aww!! Look how adorable, these baby elephants are!!, was my expression when I had visited Pinnawalla Elephant Orphanage on my visit to paradise land of Sri Lanka. From its dense wildlife concentration, thrilling mountains, lush green tea estates, this tropical island nation holds true to its virtue of being awestruck. This place is a natural blend of nature, history and vibrant culture reflected every nook and corner of this island. The window of your hotel room opening to the widespread tropical forest, waking up to chirping birds or simply the sight of elephants on the main road, this island has remarkably endless things to offer on your visit to Sri Lanka. This mesmerizing island nation is a must part of bucket list of places to visit once in a lifetime and trust me you would want to keep coming back to this paradise.
Confused? Where to begin planning, read through to get a glimpse of Sri Lanka for your next holiday planning.
Best time of visit?
To visit the entire country- January-April and Mid July-September
For beach fun-January-April (south) and May-July (east)
Wildlife fun-December-April (Birds and whale watching), November-April (Dolphins) and July-September (Gathering of elephants and leopard spotting)
How to reach?
Bandaranaike International airport located at 30 Kms from Colombo and Mattala Rajapaksa International airport located 30 Kms from Hambantota of Sri Lanka. Both the airports are well connected worldwide. Also, various luxury cruises ply to this island.
Without miss experiences:
What to look out for while visiting Sri Lanka?
- Begin with some wild-life fun:
An interesting fact is that Sri Lanka is the hub of national parks with about 25 National parks. It seems as such this island nation is a huge national park in itself with elephants wandering the streets. Although the famous ones are Pinnawalla Elephant Orphanage for some fun with the baby elephants, Yala National Park for leopard spots. And if you are fortunate enough to visit during the months July-October, you can head to Minneriya Reservoir to enjoy high density of elephants. One can also head to Mirissa for some guided dolphin watching. You can also take a chance of camping in the wildlife surrounding in the Yala Safari camping.
- Hill stations and mesmerizing tea estates:
Hill station visits with the famous Kandy for its cloud-kissed mountains and sprawling tea estates. One can take a train to Ella another mesmerizing hill station of Sri Lanka. The train ride from Kandy to Ella is to die for with its tea plantations, rugged mountains routes and rustic villages en-route. Pay a visit to a tea factory in the hill station of Nuwara Eliya with widespread of tea estates.
- Beach hopping:
Here, in this island nation, how can you miss some beach fun and activities? You can begin with Colombo and head in the south to Mirissa and Hikkaduwa for dolphin watching or whale watching and scuba diving respectively. One can also head to Arugam Bay for some water surfing.
- History re-winding:
Climbing the Sigiriya Lion Rock to get a feel for Sri Lankan art and architecture. On reaching Sky Palace for astonishing views. You can also head to ruins of Polonnaruwa to get a glimpse of ancient living.
- Colourful festivities:
If visiting in months July-August, then the streets of Kandy is illuminated due to Esala Perahera festival with its most spectacular procession of flag bearers, fire dancers and bejewelled elephants.
- Journey to spiritualism:
One can opt to take the age-old mythology i.e. Ramayan Tour which is must-to-do among spiritual travellers. The tour includes places such as Muneeswaran Temple in Chilaw, Sri Baktha Hanuman Temple in Ramboda, Ravana Ella falls and Ravana Cave in Ella etc.
For some peace and spirituality, you can also head to:
- Dambulla Cave Temple
- Gangaramaya Temple
- Temple of Tooth Relic in Kandy.
- Shopping delights:
Places to head to shop till you drop are:
- Floating market of Pettah
- Odel and House of Fashion
- Laksala for wooden items
- Hemachandras Kandy Limited (gems and jewellery)
- Culinary treats
Head here to tickle your taste buds with some local cuisine:
- Isso Vedi- Food vendors in the streets of Colombo
- Kottu-Head to Nana
- Hoppers (Pancake serving with egg or curries)-Green Cabin or Café on the Fifth.
- Triangles of Sri Lanka- Street food
- Saravita(Shredded coconut wrapped in betel leaf- Street food dessert
What are you still waiting for? Pack your bags and head to Sri Lanka this holiday season!!
Book your Trip to Magnificent Sri Lanka with Destino’s India