Sri Lanka Tours

Sri Lanka Is Neighbor to India, this island country is a democratic social republic and Buddhism is given preference in Sri Lanka’s constitution but it’s not recognized as a state religion. This island is home to many cultures, languages, and ethnicities. The landscape is very beautiful and is filled with beaches, forests, parks, and religious buildings. There is a lot to see here in this small island, some of the sites that intrigue the curiosity of travelers are listed below take a look! Nuwara Eliya- With a cool climate, picturesque landscape and serene surroundings Nuwara Eliya is one of the most famous tourist spots in Sri Lanka. This city has very open and spacious farms that provide its visitors with fresh air that helps them relax their mind. Also called ‘little England’ this city encapsulates the feeling of a British country village with its tea plantations, colonial architecture, and pretty gardens. Victoria park which is one of the most maintained parks in South Asia, this park is a spectacle for kids as it contains big flowers, ferries, and numerous swings. There are a huge number of tea estates in Nuwara Eliya and one of them is Pedro Tea Estate, its scenic beauty, and clean air revitalizes the mind. Gregory lake a man-made water expanse presents another picturesque with tranquil waters where you can go for a serene boat ride this lake is truly a magnificent experience. You can purchase handicrafts made by local artisans at Bale bazar.

Places worth a notice- Gregory Lake, Victoria Park, Pedro Tea Estate

Kandy- One of the major cities in Sri Lanka, Kandy is surrounded by mountains and forests. This place has cultural and historical significance, its development through the years can be traced through the difference between its map from 1815 and the present one. Present here is the temple of the tooth relic which holds the remains of Lord Buddha which were smuggled into Sri Lanka by Princess Hamali on orders of her father King Guhasiva, this relic was under the protection of the king and it became the duty of the king to protect this tooth relic. Eventually, it started denoting the right to rule. Kandy lake which lies in front of the temple is also very beautiful. This lake is surrounded by a wall called Walakula bamma which was built to increase the beauty of the lake, this wall covers only half of the lake as the ruler who had commissioned to build this wall was made to relinquish his kingdom by the Britishers before the completion of this wall. Fishing is prohibited here but one can go for a boat ride on this peaceful lake with a scenic view. the amazing Gem Museum, producing the world's finest quality gems and semi-precious stones including glistening sapphires in different shades like green, white, red, blue and even more.

Places worth a notice- Temple of Tooth relic, Gem museum, Kandy Lake

Colombo- This city was given its name by the Portuguese in the early 16th century. Colombo is the commercial capital of the country with a mixture of modern life, colonial buildings and ruins. The National Museum which is the largest museum in Sri Lanka and houses collections which are historically important to Sri Lanka including the throne, crown and garb of the Kandyan monarchs as well as other artifacts enumerating the history of this country. The suburb of Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia offers an attractive proposition to its visitors. The beach here is the main sea-bathing spot in Sri Lanka, the current here varies making swimming difficult for every season. National Zoological Gardens present here houses a variety of animals and birds, other than putting them on display in their zoo they place special emphasis on protecting animals. Viharamahadevi Park which was constructed during the colonial rule was originally named Victoria park but its name was changed to its present name following independence. Present here is an enormous Buddha statue and an artificial lake that is swarmed by Muscovy ducks. Also, present here are the two World Trade Towers which used to be the most recognized landmark of Sri Lanka.

Places worth a notice- National Museum, National Zoological Gardens, Viharamadevi Park, The World Trade Center

Anuradhapura- This is one of the major cities in Sri Lanka known for its well-preserved ruins of the Sinhala kingdom. This entire city has been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site because of being one of the oldest cities on the planet. This city was also the center of Theravada Buddhism for many centuries. Located here are the eight sacred places where the Buddha had visited during his three trips to the country including Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, Ruwanwelisaya, Thuparamaya, Lovamahapaya, Abhayagiri Dagaba, Jetavanarama, Mirisaveti Stupa, and Lankarama. The Mahamewma gardens present here contain within its boundaries the progeny of the original Maha Bodhi tree in India. This tree is surrounded by statues, water canals and golden fences which together give a picturesque view. One can tour all the eight sacred places when in Anuradhapur, this is the most spiritual tour in Sri Lanka. This is truly a cathartic experience.

Places worth a notice- Go for a pilgrimage of all eight sacred places

Ampara- Ampara district is one of the 25 districts of Sri Lanka. Its vast expanse includes many towns and sites that are worthy of one’s notice. Here you will get to visit Lahugala Elephant Sanctuary which is one of the smallest sanctuaries in Sri Lanka, despite its small size it still contains a wide array of flora and fauna. Inside the park one can find Magul Maha Viharaya which was built for the marriage of King Kavan Tissa, it was offered to the San community after fulfilling its purpose. On Pottuvil beach you will find the legendary Pottuvil surfing point other than that you can enjoy a tuk-tuk ride. Deegawapiya is an ancient monastery complex known for its historical recordings that dates back to 3rd century basis. Kudumbigala, a forest hermitage practicing 2500 years old monastic tradition, situated amidst the Kudumbigala Wildlife Sanctuary. Located in Kumana Penawa jungle is Okanda Devalaya, a Hindu temple is situated close to the famous Okanda beach where one can see the boat that according to mythological stories has turned into a rock, it is said that in this boat God Skanda first sailed into Sri Lanka.

Places worth a notice- Okanda Devalaya, Okanda Beach, Magul Maha Viharaya, Pottuvil beach

Galle- Galle is the administrative capital of the city, a fortified city created by the Portuguese this city shows the interaction between Portuguese architectural style and native traditions. The city suffered great losses after being hit by a Tsunami in 2004 but the majority of the damage done to the infrastructure has been restored. The Galle Fort has been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage because of its fusion between south Asian traditions and European architecture. The National Maritime Museum present here was severely damaged in the 2004 Tsunami and lost a majority of its exhibitions. It was closed for 3 years for its restoration. Now even though it’s smaller than its previous version, it still displays a decent collection in its two galleries including models and replicas of local fishing communities and marine ecosystems. The historical Amangalla hotel has also been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. One of the Dutch buildings that have survived the test of time, it maintains its British culture ever since it was colonized by the British.

Places worth a notice- National Maritime Museum, Amangalla Hotel, Galle Fort

Udawalawe national park- Located on the boundary of Sabragamuwa and Uva provinces this national park was created to relocate the wild animals that lost their habitat due to the construction of Udawalawe reservoir, as well as to protect the catchment of the reservoir. It's famous for its elephants and water birds, it’s one of the best locations to view Asian elephants. Species recorded from the park include 94 plants, 21 fish, 12 amphibians, 33 reptiles, 184 birds (33 of which are migratory), and 43 are mammals. Park is open all year round but the best time to visit the park is between October to January.

Park is open everyday between 6:00 am – 6:00 pm.

Sinharaja- Designated as a forest reserve and a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Sinharaja is the last viable source of primary local rainforest in Sri Lanka. This forest reserve is a lush green expanse that provides its visitors with serenity. One gets engulfed in the peaceful green surroundings when here. This forest reserve serves a treat to bird watchers, present here are Sri Lankan Crested Drongo, the noisy orange-billed blabber, red-faced malkoha and many more. One can also observe plants while here with over 1000 trees present. Negombo- This is another major city in Sri Lanka known for being a major commercial hub. Filled with beaches and colonial architecture this city is a delight for the tourists. Other than the obvious tourist spots one can also visit popular temples and churches. Present here is Brown Beach, known as the most popular beach in Negombo this beach is famous for its cleanliness and gorgeous palm trees. It’s also present in close proximity to the fishing village. One can visit the ruins of Negombo Dutch fort which played an important part in the history of this city. Holistic places include Angurukaramulla temple and St. Mary’s church. Angurukaramulla temple is known for its unique entrance, a dragon mouth that is believed to get rid of any evil spirits whereas St. Mary’s church built in neoclassicism style with columns and plain walls is one of the largest cathedrals in Sri Lanka. The fishing village which is the backbone of the local community is also a good spot to stroll and experience the local culture.

Places worth a notice- Brown Beach, Negombo Dutch Fort, Angurukaramulla, St. Mary’s church

Mirrissa- This small town located on the South coast of Sri Lanka is one of the island’s main dolphin spotting locations. Here you will get to see Blue whales, Bryde´s whales, Sperm whales, Fin whales, bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, and spinner dolphins. Other than that you can also enjoy fishing and water sports on clear waters of the beaches of Mirissa. Also, present here is the coconut tree hill that as the name suggests is fringed with coconut trees. It presents a scenic view to tourists, you will find a lot of people here trying to take photographs. Places worth a notice- Mirrissa Beach, Coconut tree hill, Parrot beach