Sri Lanka, the land of endless tea and cinnamon plantations, gorgeous beaches, colonial towns and historical heritage sites, amazing wildlife and unspoiled nature – it is the most exotic holiday destination of your dreams and you will love every piece of the trip! Here are 5 must-do activities in Sri Lanka.
- Wildlife Spotting
Sri Lanka is a top destination when it comes to wildlife! The island is home to some amazing national parks such as Udawalawe and Yala where you can spot elephants, leopards, monkeys, deer, wild boars and a whole range of exotic birds. Apart from seeing the biggest and wisest mammal that walks on the surface of planet earth, you can also see the biggest sea creature – the whale. A once-in-a-lifetime experience and during the whale spotting trip, you may also get to see dolphins and orcas.
- Climb Adam’s peak
Adam’s Peak is the highest mountain in all of Sri Lanka and so it is said, that the footprint found on top of the mountain is from Adam himself as he first set foot on the earth after being cast out of heaven. The place is considered sacred, not only by the Christians but also by the Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus. It takes 5.000 steps to get to the stop but you will be rewarded with jaw-droppingly beautiful views that take your breath away.
- Tea, tea and more tea
The highlands of Sri Lanka are home to endless lush green tea plantations. A great way to enjoy these beautiful, almost enchanting surroundings, is by taking a scenic train ride from Ella to Kandy. You won’t believe your eyes!
- Try out all of the local food
One of the best things about visiting a new country is that you get to try out delicious, authentic food that you never tasted before. To find the best local food, get in line at busy street stalls or head towards the markets. There, the food is authentic, freshly made and truly local. Sri Lanka has got some delicious slow-cooked curries to try out, from fish to goat, chicken and jackfruit cooked tender with local herbs and spices. The curries are best eaten with rice or flatbread, using your hands and believe me, you will be licking off your fingers.
- See the UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Sri Lanka’s got a few of those UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Sure, they are touristic places but they are also very impressive and not to be missed! In the beautiful town of Kandy, you can visit the famous Temple of the Tooth relic, believed to be home to an actual tooth of Lord Buddha himself. Sigiriya Rock is another highlight of the country. This ancient rock fortress, also known as Lion’s Rock, was home to the Kasapa Kingdom and while climbing up there, you get to see ancient drawings and stone carvings. Anuradhapura is an ancient sacred city established around what is believed to be a cutting from the Buddha’s ‘Tree of Enlightenment’. Wander around and see the ruins of this ancient city and its civilization that left interesting archaeological finds, artifacts and statues. From there, continue to Polonnaruwa, the second capital of Sri Lanka after Anuradhapura where you can see tombs, temples, stupas and ancient Buddha sculptures. Last but not least, Galle Fort is a great historical site showing the country’s colonial past.
Written by Stephanie of Villa-Finder.
