ATTRACTIONS

Sinharaja Rain Forest

Sinharaja rain Forest is the Sri Lanka’s last viable area of primary tropical rainforest which is one among a few virgin forests left in the world. It’s also a UNESCO world natural heritage site. Sinharaja rain forest is situated in the South-West lowland wet zone of Sri Lanka and it covers a huge area of 8,864 ha. Including a big part from three major districts of country. Streams, springs, rivers, waterfalls, leopards, monkeys, butterflies and moth, rare trees, valuable shrubs and medicinal herbs are all found within its green canopy. More than 60% of the trees grown are endemic and most of them are considered rare. Also there is much endemic wild life. Especially this reserve is also home for over 50% of Sri Lanka’s endemic species of mammals, butterflies, many kinds of insects, reptiles and rare amphibians. Some of those animal and plant species are also included in the red data book. How about a trek along these described paths? Exactly it would provide a never to be forgotten experience of sight and sounds not only for nature lovers but also for any other person who has a sense in beautiful things.

Yala National Park

Yala National Park is the most visited and the second largest national park in Sri Lanka. It’s a huge area of forest, grassland, and lagoons bordering the Indian ocean, in southeast Sri Lanka. It was first designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900. Along with Wilpattu it was one of the first two national parks in Sri Lanka, having been designated in 1938. The park covers 979 km² (378 sq. m) and it is consisted of five blocks. two of them are now open to visitors.

It is Ranked 6th in Best 100 National Parks by National Geographic’s Book,”100 Parks 5000 Ideas” which was issued in 2019 . Also in July 2019 Forbes named Sri Lanka as Best Safari Destination Outside Africa. Considering all these factors Yala can surely be named as One of the Best National Parks except Africa to Feel the real Wild Life.

The park is best known for its variety of wild animals. It is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan Elephants and aquatic birds. Herds of Asian elephants can be seen here during the day time. Sri Lankan leopards have an iconic value in this sanctuary as they are very rare but often can be seen in this environment. Also There are Sri Lankan sloth bears, Sambhar deers,giant sqirrels,Birds and many other kinds of animals. It is one of the 70 bird areas (IBAs) in country. Yala is home for 215 species of birds including 6 endemic species. Also there are about 44 species of mammals living in Yala.

Surely, anyone enters here can have an unforgettable experience with this wonderful environment and wild life.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

Pinnawala elephant orphanage is an orphanage, nursery and a captive breeding ground for Asian elephants and also it has the largest herd of captive Asian elephants. It covers 13km from the northeast of Kegalle, Sri Lanka. This was first established in 1975 with a land of 25acres to care and protect the many orphaned unweaned wild elephants found wandering in and near the forests by the Sri Lanka department of wildlife conservation (DWC).

In their quest for water and food, elephants often fall into pits and ravines. And also sometimes they get wounded diseased or hurtled by human. In such occasions wild life officers rescue those lives and then direct them to the elephant orphanage for further attention.There are about 50 mahouts (handlers) who take care of the elephants. They handle elephants to the river for drink and be bathed twice a day. Each adult elephant is given around 250kg of food for and they are trained to do some little works to attract visitors.Most of elephants in pinnawala are healthy and well cared. Visitors can see their activities and sometimes they are allowed to feed elephants and to go a little ride with them.

Kandy

Kandy is the last capital of the ancient kings’ era of Sri Lanka. It’s also a major city which is an administrative and a religious as well as the capital of the central province. The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea.

This city is the home of the Temple of the tooth relic, the most sacred religious place in the country.  Also it was declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1988.There’s the scenic Bogambara lake in the middle of the city. It’s considered as the heart of this city and also it’s popular for strolling. Also there are  Royale park, Ambakke, Gadaladeniya, Udawatta kele Sanctuary,  Hanthana mountain and many other beautiful places  to visit.

Arugambay

Arugam bay is a bay situated on Indian Ocean in the dry zone of Sri Lanka’s southeast coast. It’s a beautiful piece of coast which looks like a moon shaped curve of soft sand and also known as the best surfing spot in the country. It  attracts anyone at the first sight.

Arugam bay is very famous among surfers all around the world.  It’s also a good launching-pad from which to explore the gorgeous surrounding countryside and its varied attractions, from the elephant-rich Lahugala National Park and the little-visited Yala East National Park to the atmospheric forest hermitage at Kudimbigala.

Galle

Galle is the administrative capital  of the southern province of Sri Lanka and the district capital of Galle District. Galle is an ancient city which had a major commercial port in the kings’ era. In the times which Portuguese ruled the country, they built the Galle Fort and a developed a city in it. Each and every building in the fort are built according to the Portuguese architectural styles and native traditions. UNESCO has named Galle fort as a world heritage site and also it’s the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers.

Other than Galle fort, there are many more places to visit. Namely, city’s natural harbour, the national maritime museum, St. Mary’ s cathedral, Galle international stadium, Unawatuna, Rumassala and Gin river are some of them. This city is rich of natural beauty and the proudness of  ancient eras. No one will step out of this city without being wondered of what they see here. 

Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa is a small town located in the southern coast of Sri Lanka.  This place is very famous among tourists because of the beautiful coral sanctuary located a few hundred meters offshore. Approximately, seventy varieties of multi  coloured corals are living in this sanctuary. Many people often come to see those beautiful creations of nature. Hikkaduwa beach has been reputed  as the second best surfing spot in Sri Lanka. People from all around the world are coming  to spend their holidays here in luxury hotels.

Mirissa

Mirissa is a small town in the south coast of Sri Lanka. Because of it’s beach and nightlife, Mirissa has become a popular destination among tourists. The white beaches with slight sea waves make a beautiful view in eyes.

It’s a main dolphin and whale  watching location in the island. Whale watching is an amazing activity for leisure as they attract eyes for a number of hours and takes you into a dreamy world of thoughts with their voices and movements. Mirissa is the largest fishing port on south coast and it’s well known for tuna, mullet and butterfishes. Many people here find their living with fisheries industry.

Nuwara Eliya

Sri Lanka is an amazing place to live. There are different  Climatic conditions which are  unique  to different areas. So anyone can choose where to live with their favours. Nuwara Eliya is the coldest among all other districts in Sri Lanka. It’s a city in  hills in central country. The city is located high above the sea level.With climatic conditions, it’s considered as the most appropriate location for the tea cultivation.The city is overlooked by a group of mountains including Piduruthalagala, the highest mountain of Sri Lanka.

There are so many places to travel around this district. Namely, Lake Gregory, Victoria park, Galway’s land national park, Golf club, Moon plains, Hakgala botanical gardens,  Lovers leap waterfall are some interesting places.

Unawatuna

Unawatuna is a major tourist attraction in Galle District and known for it’s beach. , corals and the valuable forest reserve. This area has a mythical history that tells a story of the time of great King “Rawana”. People say that this land was a part of Himalayan mountains and “Hanuman” who was a monkey warrior of king Rama’s army brought that part of mountain because  he was forgotten the names of medicinal plants which were ordered to bring to cure Lakshmana.  

This land is rich of various kinds of medicinal plants and animal species.  Also it is home to the endangered endemic  purple faced langur, as usually a shy monkey species that can only be found in Sri Lanka’s forests.

Negombo

Negombo is situated in west coast of the country. This city is very famouse because of its long sandy beaches and the fishing industry which is old for centuries.  Negombo’s geography is totally a mix of a land and water.

The dutch canal flows through the city. The city is situated near the negombo lagoon which is one of the most scenic landmark. The lagoon is fed by a number of small canals and the dutch canal. There are about 190 species of wildlife and plenty of birds in its mangrove. The lagoon supports a variety of flora and fauna as well as other animal species. Negombo features a tropical rainforest climate. The city receives rainfall mainly from the south western monsoons.

Sigiriya

Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress in Dambulla. In ancient times, king Kashyapa selected this huge rock to build his castle. He built his kingdom in this rock and ruled it. But The city was abandoned after the death of the king.  Later this place was used as a Buddhist monastery.

UNESCO named Sigiriya as a world heritage site. Ancient technology and the creations here are amazing. Still   There aren’t anyone  who can understand or recreate that technology which was used to pump water from the ground level to the top of the fortress. There’s no one c to recreate those stone carvings.Sigiri wall paintings and Mirror wall are the most attractive remaining of a proud history and a technology which was great and improved but does not exist anymore.

Dambulla

Dambulla is an ancient city which consists a lot of ancient ruins and historic places to visit. And also it’s a city of a huge number of population. Not only the Sigiriya, but also The largest and the best preserved  cave temple of Sri Lanka which is also known as golden temple of Dambulla is situated in Dambulla city which is in the central part of the country.  Dambulla temple is also a world heritage site which was named by UNESCO in 1991.

Dambulla city is also famous with the largest rose quartz mountain range in South Asia and the Iron wood forest. Those are all national heritages which are paid attention of the government and named as to be highly protected national treasures.