Rock Climbing | The Adventure Travel Site

In the Hills of Sri Lanka’s Tea Country

The city of Kandy, compared to other cities in Sri Lanka, still maintains a firm grip on its past of kings and traditions. It was after all, resilient, withstanding the onslaughts of the Portuguese and the Dutch finally succumbing to the British colonial rule with the expulsion of the last king.

The City in Rain

Kandy has a very tightly packed city centre despite being the second biggest city in Sri Lanka after Colombo. It is one of the cities that is navigable even when it is raining. The rain adds a sheen of mystery to the city and covers it in a comfortable and cold mist.

The Lake, the Gardens, the Palace

Staying at any of the hotels in Kandy Sri Lanka will put you in very close vicinity to the Kandy Lake which is a small man-made lake in the middle of the city with a very bloody history. You will also be able to visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic which is set in the middle of the former palace and the expansive Royal Botanical Gardens which are about a 15-minute drive from each other.

Tea All Around

Stay at a hotel like Cinnamon Citadel Kandy and tour the many tea estates around the city. The tea museum and Loolecondera; which is the first estate in the country are places that should be part of any itinerary. Have a cup of tea and meet a planter to understand all the work that goes into making the perfect cuppa.

Hiking in the Hills

You can experience a different side of the country that is a far cry from the sun and surf of its world-class beaches by going into the mountains. At 2,000 m above sea level, Ella Rock is 5 km from the town and one of the most picturesque stretches of rolling moorland in the hills.

Ella Rock | Image Credit : A-wiki-guest-user, Ella Rock near waterfall, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Right Path

There are several trekking trails in Ella and not all of them are clearly marked so it would be beneficial to do some thorough research on which trails you plan to use on your hike. Hiring a tour specialist such as Nature Odyssey would ensure that you get to see all the hidden treasures and be guaranteed to make it safely up and down the slope.

Railway Stations Frozen in Time

An independent hike would take approximately 3 – 4 hours beginning and ending at the Ella Railway Station which, in itself is an image from a postcard, frozen in its colonial elegance. Trekking in Sri Lanka from such locales can take you through a myriad of beautiful locations, both man-made and natural, that are usually overlooked.

Through the Tall Grass

You can walk up the tracks to the next station, Kithal Ella and turn left at the 166 ½ marker. After a while, you will come to a footbridge crossing and a fork in the road. Take the path to the left. Traversing past a tea plantation and a narrow stretch of long grass will bring you to the interim viewing point.

Bird’s Eye View

After that, it’s a straight road to the top. The whole world spills away into the distance as far as your eye can see. A bird’s eye view of paradise awaits

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The Story of Sigiriya

In Sri Lankan history, King Kashyapa I is known famously as the king who murdered his father and built a rock fortress in fear of retaliation from his brother. This story is just as fascinating as the attraction itself!

Staying in Sigiriya

Before reading on for more, do make sure you book a Dambulla resort or hotel in Sigiriya Sri Lanka that’s within easy reach of the rock fortress. Staying at properties the likes of The Paradise Resort & Spa make it convenient to plan a morning climb to the summit of Sigiriya.

The Tragedy of Sigiriya

Now back to the story! Kashyapa was the elder son of King Dhatusena, the warrior king who repelled Indian invaders and established peace in the kingdom of Anuradhapura. As he was not born of the royal consort as his brother Mogallana, Kashyapa was not the heir to the throne despite being the eldest.

Betrayed by Family

The king’s nephew General Migara instigated Kashyapa to usurp the throne. There was resentment between Dhatusena and the general, though the real reason is not known. This led to Kashyapa ordering his father killed in a murderous rage. And it was Migara that had King Dhatusena plastered into the wall of his irrigation tank.

The Aftermath

Kashyapa’s brother fled in terror and Kashyapa was devastated by his father’s death. He heard from Migara that Mogallana was amassing an army in India and that might have been what triggered Kashyapa to move his capital to Sigiriya; however, alternate stories say he was just trying to complete a project started by his father.

The End of a Legend

Mogallana did come back to claim his rightful place and had Kashyapa remained in his impenetrable fortress, he would not have lost the battle. But heeding Migara’s words, he came down to the plains to fight his brother. The story goes that something spooked Kashyapa’s royal elephant causing it to turn away from the front and Migara seeing this told the gathered soldiers that their king had fled. Kashyapa on seeing his army scatter fell upon his sword and died.

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Conquer the rocks in Oman

With Oman being a rather mountainous nation, it comes as no surprise that it’s an ideal location to go rock climbing. Want to know more about the perfect places in Oman to go climbing.

Image Credit: Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort

The Wall

Whether it’s before or after your climb, treat yourself to some comfort at a nice Nizwa hotel, you’ll find plenty around like the Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort for instance. The Wall is a great place to start as it is Oman’s only indoor rock gym. Here you can inquire about the climbing scene and the local routes and get some gear. You can even hire a local guide to help you out.

5 O’Clock Rock

Located just 5 minutes up Al Amerat Road, you can drive up here. It’s a big slab of limestone and has 10mm expansion bolts equipped to make things easier for you.

Qantab (Bandar Al Jissah)

Invoking the feel of sea-cliffs off southern Thailand or eastern Spain, Qantab will most definitely leave you pumped and asking for more.

Khubrah Canyon (Secret Canyon)

Located around an hour from the busy capital of Muscat, Khubrah Canyon offers a thorough sense of solitude and independence. It features beautiful weather and a boundless rock that is ideal for any skill level.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Top rock-climbing spots in Oman – A rock climbers paradise! – Explore the vast rocky outdoors of Oman

Known as the Riviera of Middle East Oman attracts a substantial number of rock-climbing enthusiasts due to its mountainous topography. While in Oman luxury resorts the likes of Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort provide speciality packages for guests to experience rock climbing with the aid of a guide, you always have the option find adventure on your own in the rocky terrains. Here are four locations for you to explore if you are planning to go rock climbing.

5 ‘o’ clock Rock

A slab of limestone which is just a five-minute walk from the Al Amerat Road towards Wadi Adai. This rock is easily accessible even by your 4×4.

Qantab

For those searching for a deep-water Soloing experience, Qantab is the ideal climb. With mountains ridges, the likes of sea cliffs in Eastern Spain or Thailand Qantab is for those searching for that extra thrill. There are nine spots overall for you to climb and take the plunge.

Khutbah Canyon

Experience miles and miles of boundless rock. Ten hours away from the nearest rescue base this sparsely populated canyon is the epitome of rock climbing in Oman. Khurabh or the secret canyon as it is known has something to offer for all types of skill and taste. The climb, even the lower reaches can be a struggle but is always worth it when considering the scenic views and the amazing weather.

La Georgette

This crag considered one of the steepest climbs in Oman and is surrounded by beautiful camping spots.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Mt. Tengu

The Mt. Tengu sits at a breathtaking the height of 532.4 meters above sea level and happens to a be quite a famous place known for offering spectacular views of Otaru city and the Ishikiri Bay.

How to Get There

The mountain can be reached through a ropeway which will take around 4 minutes from the base of the mountain to the observatory point on top. For those who wish to take an alternative mode of transport, driving and hiking too are possible.

Things to See

Apart from providing some stunning views of the picturesque town of Otaru and the beautiful bay beyond, the summit has a seasonal chipmunk park, a shrine and a ski museum to see. There is also an interesting display hall with a Tengu Goblin mask which people touch to have a wish come true.

Things to Do

For those with a sense of adventure, there is hiking course to make use of and a restaurant/ shop to get a bite to eat and maybe a couple of souvenirs while enjoying the beautiful views.

Mt. Tengu in Winter

During winter Mt. Tengue transforms into a ski slope, where many snowboarding and skiing enthusiasts flock for some fun in the snow. With 6 ski courses and 3 ski lifts being installed annually, the place is quite a popular spot for tourists. The winter wonderland can easily be accessed by many an Otaru hotel near Jr. Station including the likes of Grand Park Otaru.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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Trails Leading to Adam’s Peak

Adam’s Peak, commonly referred to as Sri Pada by the local populace, is one of the most sacred places on the island. Each of the major religions present within the island has their own beliefs about the nature of the mountain, especially in regards to the footprint-shaped formation that is located at the summit. It is one of the most essential experiences involving Sri Lanka destinations which are bound to be a part of packages offered by any vacation provider the island has to offer such as Aitken Spence Travels.

The footprint is the hallmark of the mountain, and the name is derived from a belief that Sri Lanka was once the biblical land of Eden and the first man was the one who caused the footprint. The Buddhist majority of Sri Lanka believes that the footprint belongs to the Lord Buddha and is a mark of his visit to Sri Lanka after being invited by the god that resides over the mountain.

There are various trails which can be utilised to reach the summit of the mountain, and the most popular of which is the Hatton-Nallathanni route. It is also the shortest since it starts off at a fairly high elevation, reducing the required distance. For the most demanding experience, there’s the Ihala-Maliboda trail where the majority of the trail is through thick jungle. Venturing through this trail will also require you to cross a number of lakes, which are known to contain flash floods. The initial eight kilometres of the Ihala-Maliboda trail are through very isolated terrain.

The ideal season to visit Adam’s Peak is from December through till May. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, there are night tours that can be arranged as well for those looking to scale the mountain after sun-down. Regardless of what time you choose, scaling this mountain is an essential experience if you find yourself in Sri Lanka.

Adams Peak, Sri Lanka, Img. Src;[Aitken Spence Travels]

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+