Must-Visit Places

Negombo

Negombo, Sri Lanka is a bustling city close to the Bandaranaike International Airport, Located at the lagoon-mouth, Negombo is a major tourist destination with an old, large and thriving fishing industry. Famous fishing village North of Colombo, with a Dutch built Canal. The canal itself is a hive of activity with fishermen traveling up and down in their daily-painted boats. On the shores of the canal you will find many homes and many species of birds including spectacular Kingfishers.

Colombo

Colombo- a drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area, where is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings, and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha & the Independence Square. Shopping in Colombo.......visit ODEL Unlimited provides ample opportunity indulge, not only in shopping for designer wear apparel for the whole family, but also take taste buds on a voyage of discovery.

Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya - The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coolest places in the Island, but it is really just like an English spring day, although the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence, houses like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions. The Victoria Park, in the middle of the town, is a lovely place for a stroll or a picnic and is also good for Birding as you get some rare birds in this Park. Seasons may be absent elsewhere in Sri Lanka, but here you can read them by the flowers, which bloom in the spring (March to May) and the fall (August and September). These are the “seasons” when low-country folk flock to Nuwara Eliya to escape the sea level heat and humidity.

• Victoria Park – Best Maintained Park In South Asia
• Gregory Lake – Family Picnic Spot
• Strawberry Fields – Pick Your Own Strawberries
• Ambewela Farm – Little New Zealand
• Moon Plains – Get A Dose Of Fresh Air
• Hakgala Botanical Garden – Place for nature savvys
• Ramboda Falls – Scenic landscapes
• St. Clair’s Falls – Get close to nature
• Laxapana Falls – 8th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka
• Thotupola Kanda – 3rd Highest Mountain
• Devon Falls – Veil Of The Valley
• Horton Plains National Park – A UNESCO Heritage Site

Ella

Ella has all the best parts of Sri Lanka rolled into one: beautiful jungle mountains, rolling tea plantations, and epic waterfalls. As one of the biggest tea producers, travelers can look forward to spending their days among the greenest surroundings, enjoying the views from hilltop houses and adventurous hiking trails. Even the train ride to Ella is one of life’s most remarkable experiences, as you travel by iconic blue train through bamboo forests and tropical mist.

• Mini Adams Peak
• Nine Arch Bridge
• Ravana Falls
• Ella Rock Hike
• Lipton Seat Tea Plantation
• Adisham Bungalow

Galle

The Dutch Forth in Galle

The South Coast’s major city is Galle, whose oldest landmark is the massive Portuguese and Dutch Fort which is a “World Heritage Site” in which the central city is contained. But the city may be much older. Some scholars believe it to be the “Tarshish” of the Old Testament, to which King Solomon sent his merchant vessels, and to which Jonah fled from the Lord. Today, the 90-acre Galle Fort shows no evidence of the Portuguese founders. The Dutch incorporated the Portuguese northern wall in a great rampart in 1663. A second, taller wall was built inside of it. Between the two walls, a covered passage connected the central bastion with the Fort’s two half bastions overlooking the sea. The Dutch also installed a sophisticated drainage system, complete with brick-lined underground sewers that were flushed twice a day by the high and low tides. The original gate to the fort was by the harbor. It is still there, marked by the British Coat-of-arms on the front and the Dutch V.O.C. (Vereenigde OostIndische Compagnie) with the Coat-of-arms with a rooster crest, on the inner side of the Fort.

Kandy

The hill capital is another “World Heritage Site”. It was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings during the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule and finally ceded to the British in 1815 after an agreement. To the Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the World, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the “Dalada Maligawa” - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Close by are the remains of the Royal Palace (“Maha Wasala”), “Palle Wasala”- where the Queens stayed-now used for the National Museum, “Meda Wasala” where other close relatives lived, Audience Hall, Natha Devala and Vishnu Devala are situated close by. The Bathing Pavilion (“Ulpenge”) is by the Lake and in the Center of the lake is the Island called “Kiri samudraya” (Milk white ocean) used by the kings as the summerhouse.Today, it is the centre of Buddhism, arts & crafts, dancing, music, and culture. Visitors can see these dance & music activities at the daily cultural performances held at several places in the city.

• Kandy Temple of tooth
• Peradeniya Botanical Garden
• Udawaththa Forest Garden
• 03 Temples Visit

Pinnawala

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - App. 55 miles from Colombo, off the Colombo - Kandy road is Pinnawala, where an orphanage was started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded elephants. The number of elephants has increased to more than 65 now; including baby elephants brought from various parts, as well as the 23 babies born, as a result of the captive breeding programme. The best time to visit is the feeding time from 0930-1000 hrs and 1330-1400 hrs and the bathing time from 1000-1030 hrs and 1400-1430 hrs when all the elephants are taken to the river close by.

Sigiriya

Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress - The Eighth World Wonder - Sigiriya is a “World Heritage Site” and the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the Palace on the summit of the 600-foot high rock. On its summit are the foundations of the Royal Palace, Water Tanks to supply water and all other buildings and at the edges the guardhouses. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of Frescoes of 21 life sized damsels still shining in their original colors. The Water Gardens, Fountain Garden, Summerhouses, Boulder Gardens and the Caves within the enclosed area should not be missed (The excursion will take approx: 3hrs for climb and decent)

Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa, the 2nd most ancient kingdom of Sri Lanka is an interesting mix of Buddhist and Hindu structures that are a testament to the different kings who reigned over this ancient kingdom. Polonnaruwa rose to prominence between the 11th and 13th centuries and thrived during the reign of the famous monarch, King Parakramabahu I, who did much to create a resplendent city. His greatest achievement was the construction of the sea of Parakrama, a huge water reservoir spanning an area of 6280 acres.

The ruins at Polonnaruwa are within walking distance and many of them set in tree-shaded areas, a welcome refuge from the tropical sun.


This ancient city is one of the best planned archeological relic sites in the country, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom's first rulers. Duran, Duran used Polonnaruwa as a back drop to their music video 'Save a Prayer' in 1982.

Anuradhapura

The capital of Sri Lanka from the 05th Century B.C. to the end of the 10th Century A.D. was the most celebrated of Sri Lanka’s ancient ruined cities. The city’s greatest treasures are its dagobas constructed of bricks and are hemispherical in shape. The most notable of these dagobas are the Ruvanveliseya dating back to the 2nd Century B.C. and is 300 feet in diameter, the Jetawanarama is 370 feet and the Thuparama Dagoba is enshrined with the collarbone of the Buddha.
The city’s most renowned relic is the sacred Bo Tree, which is said to have grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha gained Enlightenment. It was planted 2250 years ago and is the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world. Anuradhapura is a “World Heritage Site”

Sri Maha Bodhi (Sacred Bo Tree)
According to popular belief, the tree was grown from a cutting, from the original Bo Tree in Buddhagaya, India, under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. This was brought to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC by Princes Sangamiththa. The tree is the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world. Ruvanvaliseya (also known as the Maha Temple or Great statue) The most revered Dagoba in the city, built in the 2nd century BC, is popularly believed to enshrine various remains of the Buddha. This dagoba is fully restored, painted white and always filled with pilgrims throughout the day. It stands on a terrace whose outer face is decorated with elephant herds.

Dambulla

Visit Dambulla cave temple.

Dambulla Cave Temple - Dambulla cave is a vast isolated rock mass 500 feet high and a mile around the base. Here is found the famous Rock Temple dating to the First Century B.C. The caves of Dambulla sheltered King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne he built the most magnificent of Rock Temples to be found in the Island. In the first Cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha 47ft long cut out of the Rock. There are images of deities associated with Buddhism all around. The frescoes on the walls and the ceiling are the oldest here but they are over painted in the Kandy period. In the Second Cave, the finest and the largest of all, there are 150 life-size statues of the Buddha in various postures with few statues of Gods and Kings. The ceiling is also covered with frescoes, which depict great events in the life of the Buddha and landmarks in the history of the Sinhalese people. (The excursion will take approx: 1 & 1/2hrs for climb and decent)

Yala Safari

Yala National Park covers 126,786 hectares including the Strict Natural Reserve (Block II). The most familiar is Block I (14,101 hectares) and these blocks were established in 1938. Yala is famous for its big herds and large number of elephants, Leopards, Spotted Deer, Sambhur, Crocodiles, Mongoose, Wild Boar, Wild Buffalo, and many other animals. More than 130 bird species are recorded which includes the resident and winter visitors.There are 7 bungalows inside the park with few camp sites.

Spice Garden Sri Lanka

Spice Garden Sri Lanka (The excursion will take approx: 30 minutes) You will see many spice gardens at Matale and in Mawanella on the Colombo-Kandy road where cinnamon, cardamom, pepper creepers, and all other spice trees, plants and creepers are planted for visitors to see them. Spice products are also available for those who would like to buy them. At all Spice Gardens visitors are taken round explaining each tree and plant and at the end explaining the use of them in food preparations.

Mirissa Whale Watching

Mirissa is the ideal place for whale and dolphin watching between the months of November to April, as the waters become a playground for a myriad of whales and dolphin species. Some of the most commonly spotted whales include sperm whales, killer whales, Bryde’s whales, short finned whales, while you’ll be able to see schools of bottlenose dolphins and striped dolphins as they playfully frolic around your boat! However, the main whale type to look out for is the blue whale – the largest animal in the world! Whale and Dolphin watching in Mirissa is ideal for nature lovers as they set sail into the ocean. The best time to embark on your adventures is at dawn, and since most boats leave the harbour by at least 6am, an early rise is required. Base yourself at one of our boutique hotels in Mirissa so you can’t save on the extra travel time and get a few more winks in before your day out in the sea begins!

South Beaches In Sri Lanka

Classic South, an arc of honey coloured shores from Galle in the west to Tangalle in the east. This coastal belt of South Beach, wrapped in rural tranquillity, untouched nature and colonial grandeur, is the most popular tourist region in Sri Lanka. Stunning aquamarine beaches against emerald forested highlands, every curve unveils hidden coves to explore. UNESCO World Heritage Site of Galle Fort, the region’s pride, has been drawing visitors for decades for it still stands glorious even after 400 years. Unawatuna, owning the most beautiful beach, has a plethora of underwater activities. Home of the blue whale, Mirissa, a renowned whale watching and surfing destination, enveloping this entire region, entices every intrepid traveller.

Train Ride

The journey affords spectacular views of the rolling tea country. Subject to availability we will get you tickets in the 1st Class Observation car, which means you can have a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.

White Water Rafting

This high adrenaline adventure on the white water section of the Kelani river, is suitable for first time 'go for it' rafters and experts alike. During the run you will experience the thrill of shooting rapids and the euphoria of making it through. The rivers clear water is born in the heart of the peak wilderness reserve and tumbles through a rocky gorge just above Kitulgala (about 2 hrs drive from Colombo). As the river widens we pass the scenic location used for the film 'Bridge over the River Kwai' which is also a good place to jump in for a refreshing swim. Our journey ends close to Kitulgala town where food and snacks are available. For those who would like to enjoy the river and its wonderful scenery without the thrills and spills of large rapids, we raft through the flatter section of the lower gorge. Suitable for children over six and family groups! Lunch at a restaurant in Kitulgala.

Bentota Sightseeing

Bentota is the first National Holiday Resort developed by the Ceylon Tourist Board as a planned resort. There are 6 tourist hotels in the beach span of 5 miles with all the facilities a resort would require. Water sports facilities are available as in the Beruwela Resort. Many interesting sightseeing tours are possible from here, such as the Turtle Hatchery, Mask factory, Galle Fort, Mini Zoo, Garden Brief, Boat trips on Bentota River etc.

Bentota's water-sports capital of Sri Lanka location is ideal for many activities ranging from water sports to excursion along the river, passing many small villages, temples and, of course, an abundance of tropical wildlife and plants.

The Maadu river offers very popular boat trips down the river where you can arrange to visit temples, cinnamon estates and other nature resorts. This area is a preserved wild life sanctuary