Kandy

The popular Capital of the Hill Country. The last King of Sri Lanka, King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe ruled in Kandy until he was captured by the invading British and was taken into custody. The Kings palace known as the “Dalada  Maligawa” also known as the temple of the tooth, is where the Relics of the Buddha are being kept. Devotees from all over the world visit this temple.

Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage

Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is an orphanage and breeding ground for wild elephants which is situated northwest of the town of Kegalle, Sri Lanka. It was established in 1975 by the Department of Wildlife Conservation on a 25-acre (10 ha) coconut plantation on the Maha Oya river. The orphanage was originally founded in order to afford care and protection to the many orphaned elephants found in the jungle. As of 2008, there were 84 elephants.

Dambulla Rock Temple

A massive rock temple built by King Wickramabahu in the 1st century BC. See the  remarkable carvings the beautiful paintings of 21,000 sq ft of ceiling painted so many years ago!

Dating back to the 1st Century BC, this is the most impressive cave temple in Sri Lanka. It has five caves under a vast overhanging rock, carved with a drip line to keep the interiors dry. In 1938 the architecture was embellished with arched colonnades and gabled entrances. Inside the caves, the ceilings are painted with intricate patterns of religious images following the contours of the rock. There are images of the Lord Buddha and bodhisattvas, as well as various gods and goddesses.

Anuradhapura

The ancient city of Anuradhapura was first settled in circa 900BC. and served as the capital kingdom of the Singhalese until 1100 AD when  the capital moved further south. The city is quite large and therefore there is quite a lot of archeology to see.  When Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka 2500 years ago, it is said that Mahinda arrived from India and presented a Bo sapling from the Bo tree under which the Buddha meditated and finally attained enlightenment, “Nirvana”.  This tree has been closely guarded for over 2000 years making it the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world. This is the second holiest place in Sri Lanka, the “Dalada Maligawa” being the first.  The “Ruwanvelisaya” is the most voluminous Stupa in Anuradhapura and built by one of the most famous sons of Sri Lanka, King Dhutugamunu.

Polonnaruwa

Steeped in history, this ancient city is a Treasure Trove for Archeologists and even for the curious and interested traveller. The master ful civil engineering fetes of the civilization that lived thousands of years ago shows how developed some parts of the world were even as far back as 2000 years ago!

The second most ancient of Sri Lanka’s kingdoms Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 AD to reunite the country once more under a local leader.

Sigiriya

This is a rock fortress built by a King in the year 477 AD. A magnificent rectangular (almost square) rock stands alone in the flat lands of the North Central Province which is 1221 feet high from the ground below to the summit. The four sides of the rock are vertical like four walls. King Kashyappa who wrested power from hare this father and had him assassinated, built his palace on top of this rock for fear that he will be killed by his brother who was the rightful heir to the thrown. The remarkable fete of building a large palace on top of a rock and see the world renowned paintings of the 21 damsels on the western side of the rock is a must see.

Nuwara Eliya

Visit the Hill country of Sri Lanka which is situated in the center of the island. The mountains climb up to 8500 feet above sea level.Sri Lanka is the second largest producer of tea and the best tea come from the Hill country. Drive through the mountains covered with acres and acres of well manicured tea fields and cascading water falls! Nuwara Eliya is a premier holiday resort due to the temperate climate up in the mountains at an elevation over 6500 feet.

Yala and Wilpattu

Visit the two largest wild life sanctuaries in the island. Here you will see all the animals one would like to see such as  Leopard, Wild elephants, Bear, wild Buffalos, wild pigs, Crocodiles, monkeys etc.

Kumana

This is a world renowned Bird sanctuary where there are thousand and thousands of different species of birds, both migratory and indigenous. This is a bird lovers paradise.

BEACHES IN SRI LANKA

In the south of the island you will find some of the most popular beaches in the word in Hickkaduwa, Bentotta, Kalutara, Galle, Tangalle and Hambanttotte. If you are interested in surfing, then there are certain beaches that you should visit, and if you are just keen on sunbathing and swimming there are plenty of beautiful places you could go to.

On the East coast is the exotic vacations spot that is something totally different during the season which is between April and August. The beaches are pure white, and the sea is so calm in certain areas that you could walk practically half a mile into the sea and still be up to waist deep in water!

The Maldives  These little atolls boast of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the world!