Things To Do in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka South Coast and East Coast is popular for its beach and the water Sports activities; there are number of water activities such as windsurfing, wave boarding, banana-boating, jet-skiing, Whales and dolphin watching, scuba diving and much more… This is one place which you will never forget. The peak season to do the water sports in the South coast is November to April and East coast is May to Sep.

Wind surfing is a surface water sport combining the aspects of surfing and sailing. This thrilling adventure sport will engage your adrenalin in a way that it would give you a totally different experience on surfing that you would only want to come back for more. It’s thrilling, exciting and a very interesting water sport to take up.

The estuary of the Madu Ganga River is a complex coastal ecosystem of mangroves and islands. It may be one of the last remaining tracts of pristine mangrove forests in Sri Lanka. A boat trip is a wonderful way of seeing some of the hundreds of species of plants, animals and Cinnamon garden.

Go fishing in local style in the Lake or Sea. 2 hours of fishing experience in a scenic lake or sea with all fishing gear provided. Test your skills with the locals and enjoy local refreshments tea and sweet meats

Sri Lanka, often known as the ‘Perl of the Indian Ocean’ offers the finest world class Snorkeling and Scuba Diving. Huge variety of tropical fish, breath taking coral reefs and ship wreaks can be experienced in several places around the island. Snorkeling is seasoned during November to April in the southern coast of the island and from April to October in the northern coast.

Going into the deep blue for fishing has never been better. The deep sea fishing tour will give you an adventure of a life time. The boats will take you into the deep sea and you will have the opportunity to experience how, using the different types of techniques, fishermen fish. You will also be able to participate in these activities and have a fun-filled, new experience.

Kiting is a fun filled, stimulating surface water sport combining the aspects of windsurfing, surfing, paragliding, wakeboarding and gymnastics into one extreme sport. For adventure seekers, this sport is one which would be most interesting because of its unique style and fun involved in, together with a whole lot of speed on the surface of water.

Hot air ballooning is the oldest successful human carrying technology. Use this old but exciting technique to fly through the open skies and view the country having a helicopter-view. This fun-filled event will offer you something to remember a lifetime giving you the exhilaration and excitement of flight as a whole new experience.

Kosgoda is famous for its turtle hatchery operated by the Wild Life Protection Society of Sri Lanka. It was established in 1981 to protect Sri Lanka’s turtles from extinction. Kosgoda Sea Turtle Sanctuary does not only gather the turtle eggs to let them hatch and release the turtles as soon as they are ready to go out to see.

Wild Safari’s in Sri Lanka will let you experience the nature in ways which you would never forget. The diverse flora and fauna, the avifauna and the wild creatures of the National parks of Sri Lanka will all together offer you a safari like no other. The nature is wonderful, the landscapes are breath-taking and the animals in their wild are just marvelous as you have this wonderful experience on your safari.

Yala National park is the second largest National Park in Sri Lanka. Lying in the Southern and Uva provinces, the national park covers an area of 979 Km2. It is most famous for its elephants but also consist of other animals such as, leopards, monkeys, and peacocks which would make a jeep safari in the national park a much interesting one. The beautiful landscapes and the surrounding nature would add its magical touch to make the safari all the more interesting.

Go for a short trek in the Hanthana Mountain Range. The Hanthana Mountain range is made up of various peaks which make this mountain a high solid favourite of mountain hikers. At 3,800 feet above sea level, the mountain also has the University of Peradaniya neighboring it. The Hanthana mountain range comprises of more than seven peaks dotted gracefully. Among the seven peaks, the forth peak is the highest and the Katusukonda is the last peak and slightly dangerous part of this mountain range. If you’d like to cover the entire Hanthana range, you can start the hike from the Nilambe Meditation Center and end from Kandy.

Allow Mother Nature’s sublime beauty to inspire and re-energize you as you take an adventurous nature trail through Sri Lanka’s rich and diverse natural environments while admiring the flora, fauna and quaint villages. Experience the nature in the closest way possible by hiking through its mesmerizing beauty. The flora and fauna, the sound of birds chirping echoing through the forest, and the wonderful sceneries of waterfalls and other hidden streams in the rainforests will offer you a remarkable adventure.

Bird watching or birding is the observation of birds in their wild, by naked eye or by any visual enhancement device such as binoculars. Bird watching in Sri Lanka will expose you to the beauty of its various birds, the migrant, the endemic and the innate avifauna and will offer you an experience like no other.

Caving, also known among the experts, as speleology involves, exploring, and mapping, surveying and photographing caves in this beautiful country of Sri Lanka. Some caves date back to 500 million years and holds much historical as well as traditional value as they also expose lifestyles and other aspects of Sri Lankan pre-historic man.

Hiking and trekking in Sri Lanka will offer you a close view of the breath-taking scenery of nature. Discovering the nature trails, forests and waterfalls, and trekking through and towards them will bring you exultations as you explore the nature in the best and the closest way possible. Exploring and hiking through the rain forests of Sri Lanka will let you experience the nature in more ways than you ever have

Cycling in Sri Lanka will offer you an experience to remember a life time. The cycling tour through the trails of paddy fields, small clay houses will give you the opportunity to experience the nature and its surrounding in a more inimitable manner. Cycling through small, low-lying villages will let you explore the rural village life of typical Sri Lankans too. Cycling or walking through the surrounding nature of the most beautiful trails of Sri Lanka will offer you a much varied adventure. The tea estates, rubber estates and the other surroundings along with small villages will give you a taste of how life is in the hilly and low-lying areas of Sri Lanka.

White water rafting is one of the very famous events among foreigners who visit the Kitulgala area. The 6.5 Km run down the Kelani River will be sure to give you one of the most thrilling adventures of your life. There are about seven rapids to tackle in this run down the river which are of their own distinct character. White water rafting will be an adrenaline pumping activity for all those who love great adventure.

Waterfall trekking will offer you a close view of the breath-taking scenery of a waterfall. Discovering waterfalls and trekking towards it will bring you exultations as you discover the origin of great rivers and the beauty of a stream turning into a waterfall. A much enjoyable event would be a cool dip in the waterfall after the trekking activity.

Pinnawella elephant orphanage which is situated northwest of the Kegalla town. This orphanage was designed to provide care and protection to many baby elephants found in the jungle without their parents. Next visit would be to the Millennium Elephant Foundation, a home for retired old elephants, where you can go on elephant rides and plenty of other activities; it’s simply getting closer to the magical creatures.

There are 103 rivers and wealth of swamps, lagoons and interconnected old canals. There is a endless posibility to try out canoeing or kayaking. Srilanka’s famous river the Kalu Ganga flows from the heart of the island down to the west coast town of Kalutara where it finally meets the Indian Ocean. During a leisurely canoe trip down this beautiful river, canoeists can marvel at ever-changing landscapes and a fascinating variety of flora and fauna. For an alternative to river canoeing, head to one of the countries many vast tanks and reservoirs!

Sri Lanka tradition, the practice of Paada Yatra or foot pilgrimage demonstrably embodies profound metaphysical truths while serving as a working framework or matrix for the exploration of progressively subtler levels of religious practice that have long escaped the attention of non-participant observers. Far from being a merely outward practice suitable only for laity or the exceptionally naive religious specialist, pilgrimage in the Kataragama Pada Yatra tradition is a comprehensive exercise of body, mind and spirit having ramifications far exceeding the suppositions of 20th century indological scholarship.

Dolphin and whale watching tours in Sri Lanka is the best and the most exciting way to view Dolphins and whales in the surrounding ocean of Sri Lanka. November to April being the best season for dolphin watching tours in the Southern part of Sri Lanka, May to September is the best season in the East. The boats leave the shores early in the morning or in the afternoon as two trips from which you can choose either one to enjoy your dolphin watching tour upon your

Enjoying the view of a waterfall or swimming in one gives you an amazing feeling. But Abseiling takes this adventure to a whole new level. The strong and powerful feeling of the water combined with the fact that you are hanging on a rope while the rushing waters try to push you down, will give you an adventure to remember a lifetime.

Flat water rafting along the Kelani River will bring you multiple joys as you view the surrounding nature, the flora and fauna from within a boat while floating along the river. It is one of the most ideal and enjoyable activities if you’re with kids and family.

Galle Fort, in the Bay of Galle on the south west coast of Sri Lanka, was built first in 1588 by the Portuguese, then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. It is a historical, archaeological and architectural heritage monument, which even after more than 423 years maintains a polished appearance, due to extensive reconstruction work done by Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka.

Sigiriya is a UNESCO listed world heritage site and is also one of the most favoured cultural sites in Sri Lanka. Being located in the Central province, in the Matale district, the massive rock fortress is approximately 200 meters high. According to the chronicle “Culavamsa” the rock fortress was built by king Kasyapa (477 – 495 AD) as his new capital. If you’re visiting Sri Lanka, Sigiriya rock fortress is a must see site and will not fail to offer you great

Negombo fish market probably has no equal in this part of the world for both its selection and the ingenuity of its fishmongers. Negombo fish market is a small market but definitely a perfect place to view some exiting varieties fishes.

Dambulla is a small town located 72km North of Kandy. It is most famous for its Rock cave temple which is also known as the Golden temple of Dambulla. This was also declared a world heritage site in the year 1991. It is one of the largest and well preserved cave temple complexes in Sri Lanka. It is also recorded that there are over 80 caves in the surrounding area. The trek to the top of the rock gives you a wonderful feeling since it overwhelms you with a feeling of

Bullock cart tours in Sri Lanka will bring you multiple joys as you travel through serene villages and the beautiful nature in a cart being dragged by a bull. These tours will let you experience the life of rural Sri Lankans and also the beauty of the surrounding nature and the picturesque landscapes which you’d come across along the way.

This museum occupies the 1925-vintage Hanthana Tea Factory, 4km south of Kandy on the Hanthana road. Abandoned for over a decade, it was refurbished by the Sri Lanka Tea Board and the Planters’ Association of Sri Lanka. There are exhibits on tea pioneers James Taylor and Thomas Lipton, and lots of vintage tea-processing paraphernalia. Knowledgeable guides can answer the trickiest of questions – trust us, we tried to stump them – and there’s a free cuppa afterwards in the top floor tea room. Commandeer the telescope for great views while you’re up there.

Sinharaja rain forest is considered the most famous rain forest and the “bio-diversity hotspot” of Sri Lanka. It covers an area of 88.64 Km2 and is designated a Biosphere Reserve and a world Heritage site by UNESCO. The forest reserve is home to diverse flora and fauna and consists of endemic, migrant, and other unique species some of which are only found in this forest. It is also a wonderful trekking site and a forest filled with adventures for the adventure lover.

Adam’s peak, also known as the “Samanala Kanda” is located in the southern reaches of the central highlands, in the Ratnapura district of Sri Lanka. The mountain is 7359 ft. tall and is conical in shape. It is known for its ‘sacred footprint’, which Buddhists believe is of Lord Buddha which can be seen on rock, at the top of the mountain. The view throughout the trek to the top of the mountain is one of the most picturesque and breath-taking sights.

Udawattakelle is the forest reserve which is located right behind the Temple of the tooth in Kandy. This reserve is often seen in the background of the pictures of the Temple of the tooth. The reserve received its name derived from “Udawasalawatta” in Sinhala meaning, ‘the garden above the royal palace’. The sanctuary is one of the best places for bird watching because of the presence of a vast number of unique birds in the avifauna.

The ancient Bogoda temple and the magnificent wooden bridge are two of the must visit edifices of Bandarawela. The Bogoda temple was built inside a cave and a flight of steps leads to this wondrous establishment which is located right next to a beautiful river which flows over the plateau of rocks beneath the famed wooden bridge. The architecture and the olden technology in building these structures will only leave you amazed about it.