Sri Lanka Travel Guide Itinerary

The teardrop-shaped island that floats in the vast Indian Ocean is a haven of tropical bliss. The country owns a rich culture coming from the variety of ethnic groups that make up the population. Apart from the gorgeous beaches, there is much to see and do on this small island.

Sri Lankan Leopard – Yala National Park | Img by: Thimindu Goonatillake via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Explore the Kandyan Kingdom

This is the last of the ancient kingdoms of Sri Lanka and is the second biggest city on the island. One of the must visit in Kandy would be the Dalada Maligawa also called the Temple of the Tooth Relic which charms visitors with the essence of the Kandyan culture. What’s more, visit the Royal Botanical Gardens which is a great place for a chilled time out.

The Lion Rock

More commonly known as Sigiriya Rock, the humongous boulder is now a World Heritage Site and is one of the most popular sought-after places in Sri Lanka. Climbing up is quite a thrilling experience. A few dozen steps to the top, you will see the queer Sigiriya frescoes and the mirror wall. Once you reach the top you will have the most beautiful panoramic view of the area. Another rock you might like climbing is a short distance away from Sigiriya Rock and is called Pidurangala.

Nuwara Eliya

This is the city with the coolest climate in Sri Lanka, located in the hill country. The best way to get here is by train observing the scenic views that you pass by. There are tea factories situated in this area, therefore the surroundings are filled with neatly arranged terraces of tea. Here and there you may spot a few tea pluckers carrying big baskets on their backs.

Yala National Park

Find rich wildlife in Yala National Park. Monkeys, elephants and sloth bears are some of the animals that can be observed in this nature reserve. However, the magnificent leopard species that is indigenous to Sri Lanka is the most amazing of them all. It is one of the most visited wildlife sanctuaries in Sri Lanka. Hotels with good facilities, such as properties of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts are available for a very comfortable stay.

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Hot Air ballooning, view the world from above in peace

Heritance Kandalama is a Sri Lanka Hotel with a combination luxuriousness and the eco friendliness woven together also protecting the rich Sri Lankan culture. Because of this uniqueness this hotel is rated as one of the best Sri Lanka Hotels. While relaxing in this exquisite hotel in Dambulla, visitors would get the rare opportunity sail over this beautiful land in a hot air balloon.

This can be one of the best ways to explore the beauty in the country which would avoid all the hassle that comes with the road traffic. An early morning ride would give you the opportunity to view the waking countryside. While the sun is rising and the sky is filling with warm sunlight the experience that the visitors would get can be described as magical. The forests, lakes and temples below are surely a sight to see. The peacefulness that can be felt up there would be hard to find anywhere else in the tour.

Kottawa Rainforest Reserve

Sprawled across 37 acres in the heart of the emerald isle’s southern coast, lies one of its most secluded nature reserves. Located along the road to Udugama this tranquil quarter of Galle in Sri Lanka is known as the Kottawa Rainforest Reserve and serves as one of the island’s most verdant lowland rainforests. Travellers to the region in search of luxurious Galle hotels can choose Jetwing Lighthouse for all their accommodation needs. Providing guests the best in modern amenities in the ‘Down South’ area of the island, this stylish rest is one of the finest Sri Lanka hotels on the coastal belt.

Relatively unknown to the visiting multitudes to the island, the isolated Kottawa Rainforest Reserve is well worth the visit for nature lovers in search of breathtaking natural beauty off the beaten track.

Displaying all the features of a lowland rainforest, the area’s vegetation mainly consists of wet evergreen trees that tower above the canopies of other plants that struggle to feed off the sun’s ray due to the dense foliage above. The lack of sunlight penetrating the lower reaches of the rainforest has lead to a great propagation of Dipterocarpus variety plants and other fern species which occupy the forest bed in addition to orchids that depend on large tree trunks for nourishment.

An impressive 170 species of trees are believed to inhabit the Kottawa Rainforest Reserve of which a hundred have been identified as those endemic to Sri Lanka alone. More than 80 non-endemic tree species are also found in the rainforest and have been labelled with their botanical name for easy identification. As a part of the Kottawa Kombala Conservation Forest which occupies an impressive 1,800 hectares, the Kottawa Rainforest and Arboretum is a highlight for wildlife enthusiasts touring Galle; the Kottawa Arboretum showcases well over 70 species of winged beauties from all across the world.

The endemic bird species which have been identified to number around a dozen include the spot-winged thrush, yellow-fronted barbet, grey hornbill, brown-capped babbler and the Sri Lankan spurfowl. Stunning butterflies are another attraction at the venue as Tree Nymph, Birdwing and Blue Oakleaf butterflies are abundantly found here. Giant squirrels, purple-faced leaf monkeys and toque monkeys are also frequently spotted in addition to non-venomous Sri Lankan snake varieties and lizards.

Scuba Diving in Negombo

Negombo is an idyllic coastal town located in the western coast of the tropical island of Sri Lanka. A massive city, it is located roughly forty kilometres from Colombo, the country’s capital. Negombo is known for its bustling fish markets, gorgeous beaches, and active night scene. It is also the place to try out a variety of water sports such as surfing, jet skiing, snorkelling and scuba diving.

Negombo has twelve major scuba diving spots and all of them are suitable for novices except for two. Adams Peak does not have an extensive coral network but is rich in aquatic fauna. Home to Lion Fish, Bullseye, Glass Fish, Cardinal Fish and Snappers it presents a terrific opportunity for taking photographs underwater. Barracuda Point is named after the fierce ocean predators that are found there. This gorgeous diving spot is also home to Sting Rays and Scorpion Fish. Bandara Rocks is known for its excellent visibility and a profusion of lobsters and cuttlefish. Ahas Yatra Gala is another terrific diving spot. Although one can find a plethora of aquatic life here, the main draw of Ahas Yatra Gala is the wrecks of fighter planes from World War II.

Thanthiri Gala is a somewhat shallow diving spot which nevertheless has a large network of coral. Standard Reef, with a maximum depth of around fifteen metres, offers good visibility. Route 66, also called the Oceanic Highway, is an underwater coral lined path that trails north. Lobster Reef is named after the creatures found here in large numbers and is another terrific diving spot. The other two diving spots suitable for novices are Muttiyan Gala and Hanova, where one can also try diving at night. Both Diyamba Gala and Derana Gala are more suited for divers with some experience.

Since Negombo is located so close to the airport it is convenient to stop here for a few days either on the way from or to the airport. Tourists looking for a good Negombo hotel can try the Jetwing Blue. Situated by the sea it is one of the best Sri Lanka hotels around and is sure to make one’s stay memorable.