sri lanka tour packages | The Adventure Travel Site

YALA NATIONAL PARK

The Yala National Park is the second largest National Park in Sri Lanka and lies in the south eastern part of the island and stretches from the Southern Province to the Eastern Province. Yala consists of five blocks including Ruhuna National Park (block 1) and the Kumana National Park (Yala East). Yala was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1900 and then a National Park in 1938. This is also a historic area and the ancient sites of Sithulpauwa (once home to 12,000 Arahaths) and the Magul Maha Viharaya (associated with Queen Vihara Maha Devi) is within the area. Two of the earliest mentions of Yala is made by a Spanish cartographer Cipriano Sanchez (1560). A big attraction of Yala is that it is leopard country and has one of the world’s highest densities for leopards. This and the other attractions of Yala make it a prime destination for Sri Lanka tour packages and if you are looking for adrenaline rush wildlife experiences with comfort and convenience then Jetwing Eco Holidays would be a good choice.

The variety of eco systems within Yala including moist, monsoon, semi-deciduous and thorn forests, grasslands, marine wetlands and sandy beaches. Forty four species of mammals roam this vast sanctuary including elephants, sloth bear, wild boar,monkeys, red slender loris, golden palm civet and deer. Yala is one of the 70 important bird areas in Sri Lanka with Kumana (Yala East) being a bird watchers’ paradise. Of the 215 bird species recorded at Yala 07 are endemic to Sri Lanka and include the Sri Lanka grey hornbill and Sri Lanka jungle fowl. Many migrants fly here including the white billed pelican. The grey heron and black headed ibis are among the common water birds while rare species include the black necked stork.

All five of the globally endangered turtles (leather back, Olive Ridley, logger head, hawks bill and green turtle) nest along the Yala coastline. The mugger crocodile is another inhabitant of Yala. Eighteen species of amphibians and 21 species of fresh water fishes also inhabit Yala.

Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+

Devon Falls Nuwara Eliya

Ideally located 6km from the heart of Thalawakele lies a spectacular cascade that has captured the hearts and minds of locals and tourists since time immemorial. Propelling down an impressive 97m, the Devon Falls as it is popularly known is the 19th tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka. Towering above the surrounding landscapes at an altitude of 1140m, this breathtaking waterfall is one of the chief tourist attractions in the hill station of Nuwara Eliya. Deriving its name from a well-known British coffee planter of the same name, the plantation which was cultivated by the pioneer Englishman is located within a stone’s throw of Devon Falls.

Fed by the Kothmale Oya which is a main tributary of the Malaweli River, Devon Falls is a tiered waterfall with three visible drops. Easily accessible to those travelling the Nuwara Eliya – Hatton main road, visitors can catch a glimpse of the famed waterfall from places along the way. Reaching the Devon Falls involves a short 1km trek which allows visitors an up-close view of the natural wonder. Locals in the area profess that the best view of the falls is visible from Midigama where the frontal view is unhindered by natural or manmade elements.

Surrounded by lush greenery and dense foliage that is typical of the Nuwara Eliya District, this natural wonder gushes earthbound in milky sheets of white and frothy water all year long although it is particularly ferocious during the rainy season. A Hindu kovil is also located near the falls and is a sacred venue revered by the Tamil plantation workers of the area. Just opposite the Devon Falls lies a colonial bungalow constructed by a former English governor in the early 1920’s. Innumerable hospitality establishments and residential areas have also propped up near the famed waterfall due to the influx of visitors all year round.

Travellers on the lookout for advantageous Sri Lanka tour packages this season should look to Country Feeling Holidays for the widest range of vacation options. Offering visitors a plethora of engaging Sri Lanka holidays this reputed name in the hospitality industry pulls out all the stops when it comes to unforgettable excursions in the emerald isle.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Whale Watching in Galle

Located along Sri Lanka’s famed South coast, the city of Galle is also becoming a popular destination from which to embark on whale watching tours. Those planning family tours to Sri Lanka and looking to stay in and explore Galle can make use of the variety of Sri Lanka tour packages offered by Sri Lankan Dreams. Whale Watching in Galle which is carried out by a number of tour operators including the Sri Lankan Navy, lets you enjoy adventure on the high seas as you go in search of one of the world’s most majestic creatures. Depending on the time of year and luck to some degree, you may get a chance to see such species as Blue, Bryde’s, Sperm or False Killer whales. It is also common to see bottle nose and spinner dolphins while on your journeys.