Top five things to not be missed in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a fascinating place – alive with lush national parks, astonishing waterfalls and some of the most fantastic wildlife seen anywhere in the world. Sri Lanka is also a very spiritual place and its many temples and shrines are testimony to the strong beliefs of its people. The Sri Lankan faith system will always be intrinsically linked to nature and their countries rich bounty in that respect is awe-inspiring to see.
We’ve put together our top 5 things to do in Sri Lanka – and it was extremely hard to narrow it down!
1. Yala National Park
Yala National Park
Yala National Park is the second largest of its kind in Sri Lanka; home to 22 beautiful national parks scattered across this small island country, and is located in south Sri Lanka. It’s a beautiful home for some fabulous wildlife and countryside. This is also the most visited park in Sri Lanka so be sure to plan ahead.
Yala has been a wildlife sanctuary since 1900 and is home to aquatic birds, elephants, leopards, buffalo, bears, crocodiles, turtles and even flying snakes! The animals are kept in their natural environments, with Yala boasting an array of different ecosystems; from dense rainforests, to rocky outcrops and sandy dessert – so it’s no wonder Yala is the most popular park in Sri Lanka.
Elephants in Sri Lanka
2. Adam’s Peak
Adam’s peak – conical mountain on the horizon at right
Adam’s Peak is a cone shaped mountain believed to be the site where the first man; Adam, descended to the earth. Adam’s Peak is 2,243 metres in height and can be found in central Sri Lanka. The mountain holds significance for various religions, with the footprint at its peak being attributed to Buddha, Adam and Shiva.
The mountain is certainly a glory to see encased in lush greenery and sacred legends. The footprint can be found marked into a boulder at the very peak of the mountain and this, along with its proud figure, seems to mark the spot out as supernatural. Whatever you believe, a visit here is certain to astonish you.
3. Royal Botanical Gardens
Located in Peradeniya are the Royal Botanical Gardens, filled to the brim with the most beautiful blossoms on earth. The main attraction here though? The orchids, which draw in over 2 million visitors a year. Alongside the orchids sit palm trees, medicinal plants and many more beautiful and rare species.
The Gardens have a rich history dating back to 1371. The original plants were brought over, in fact, from our very own Kew gardens to begin the project which so many still enjoy today. At 147 acres and housing over 4000 varieties of plant, the Royal Botanical Gardens is a great place for a day trip with sandwiches and picnic snacks for the whole family.
4. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Elephants in Sri Lanka
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was created in 1975 in order to look after and help raise orphaned elephants. Now it also houses a nursery and helps to continue the elephant species through captive breeding programmes.
Elephants are ancient and majestic creatures and watching them in their natural habitat is a joy to behold – at Pinnawala they have 25 acres to revel in and can be seen washing themselves, relaxing in the sun and playing with the youngsters. Three generations of elephant have lived and raised their young here and it is a fantastic place to visit with your own children.
5. Dambulla Cave Temple
Dambulla Cave Temple
Also referred to as the golden temple; Dambulla Cave Temple, is a place enshrined in myth and spirituality. This naturally formed cave became a Buddhist temple, when the religion arrived in Sri Lanka way back in the third century BC, and is now one of the oldest remaining cave temples in the area.
At over 2,000 metres squared it is also the largest cave temple on the whole island; having overcome all the odds in remaining so well preserved. The cave is obviously a spiritual place, and a complete natural wonder, which contains over a hundred statues of Buddha along with statues of kings, gods and goddesses (in far fewer numbers).
The wonderful sites Sri Lanka has to offer don’t stop there – you could spend a month in this country and not see all the beauty it holds. The Knuckles Mountain Range, Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple and Kandy Lake are just a few more of the amazing places Sri Lanka has to offer, making any trip to this picturesque paradise an amazing one.
Below are some more images of the beautiful Sri Lanka.
Health Holidays
Traditional Sri Lankan Dancing
Sigiriya Rock
Dolphin in Sri Lanka
Cycling Activities
Sigiriya Rock
Tea Plantations
