Sri Lanka is a country full of magical places like ancient palaces and Buddhist temples carved out of unimaginable corners, but it is also a fun place full of things to do like safaris, whale watching and water sports on palm-lined beaches and golden sand.
Selection of plans
Elephant riding
There are several nature parks and historic towns in Sri Lanka where you can go on an elephant trek. In Kandy, for example, one of the cities where the country’s Cultural Triangle begins, you can ride an elephant across the lake to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, one of the most sacred places in the area as it preserves one of the country’s main relics for Buddhists.
Whale watching
This is one of the attractions offered by Sri Lanka and is very popular with tourists. In Mirissa, in the south of the country, as well as enjoying a palm-lined beach and golden sand, you can take a boat out into the Indian Ocean to watch whales in their natural habitat.
The good thing about Mirissa is that it is the place with the highest concentration of blue whales in the world, so it is relatively easy to see them interacting normally.
The best time of year to see them is from November to April, although it is also possible to see some specimens outside these dates.
Along with whales, Mirissa is also home to sperm whales, killer whales, dolphins, turtles and even some flying fish.
Surfing in Arugam Bay
This bay in eastern Sri Lanka is considered a surfer’s paradise. In this area, there are several points that are a delight to catch waves such as Peanut Farm, Elephant Rock and Main Point.
The great thing about this spot is that the waves are perfect for both experienced surfers and beginners.
Elephants can also be seen in the wild at Arugam Bay on their way to the various points and there are areas of pure jungle that are best explored with a local guide due to the presence of other animals. You must not miss the beaches at sunset, especially Whiskey Point with its golden sand and crystal clear waters.
Climbing Little Adam’s Peak
This is one of the most famous treks in Sri Lanka as it is a simple trail but offers incredible views. Starting from the centre of Ella, a beautiful colonial town with the most beautiful Ceylon tea fields in the country, it takes about two hours to climb to an altitude of 1,141 metres, which is one of the peaks. There are actually three mountains from which you can also see the Diyaluma Falls.
On the way back, you must not miss the incredible Nine Arch Bridge where the train passes through to Kandy.
Lion Rock
The ruins of this palace on a high volcanic plateau are the most famous throughout Sri Lanka. It is a magical place with incredible views and where it is assumed that there has been urban planning since ancient times. The rock is known to have been inhabited since prehistoric times, but the remains of the palace that can be visited today date from the 5th century. Its highlights include the frescoes preserved in a gallery depicting the Apsaras (celestial nymphs) and King Kashyapa’s concubines, plus Lion Gate, whose paws have given Sigiriya Rock its name.
Swimming with turtles
Those who have tried it say that snorkelling among 1.5 metre long turtles is a unique experience. Moreover, it is a free activity that you can do in the south of Sri Lanka, and always with great respect for the animals and their habitat.
Specifically, you can find them in Unawatuna and its most famous beach, Jungle Beach, and also in Dalawella.
If you go to Unawatuna, you can enjoy the famous stilt fishermen who show tourists how this type of fishing was once done, and also see reefs and a rich marine life in places where the jungle seems to enter the sea.
Safari at Yala National Park
The safaris in this national park start very early in the morning so that you can see as many animals as possible. That is why they start almost at dawn and usually last between four and six hours, depending on the type of safari you book. This is a fun activity because almost all of them have breakfast service and some of them even include a picnic.
Families of elephants, crocodiles, buffalo, monkeys and even sloth bears are most commonly seen, although the king of the safari is the leopard. If you are lucky, you may even see this animal hunting.
Walking along the walls of Galle
The walls of this southern Sri Lankan city were built by the Portuguese to defend themselves in the war against the kingdom of Kandy. They were then enlarged by the Dutch, who built them even thicker. The tour takes in the walled city and the many bastions that were created in this area and which have incredible views over the ocean. The tour can end at the lighthouse, which is the symbol of Galle.
