If you’re looking for that perfect holiday destination that has something for everyone, then Sri Lanka should be your top choice and here are some reasons that will help prove this!
Rich History & Culture
The island is steeped in history dating back more than 2,500 years and on your trip to Sri Lanka, culture tours offer insights into this rich heritage. You can look to visit key UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the ancient kingdoms of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the iconic Sigiriya rock fortress and the Golden Temple of Dambulla; also of note is the Sacred City of Kandy home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic that’s revered by Buddhists as well as the Old Town of Galle and its fort that dates to colonial times.
Exotic Wildlife
The country is also blessed with rich biodiversity and exotic wildlife that can be encountered in their natural habitats. The Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a great place to explore, while national parks like Yala are ideal for safaris to spot leopards, deer, elephants, monkeys, sloth bears, and diverse endemic and migrant bird species. Tour specialists such as NKAR Travel House also organise excursions to not only witness the famed “Gathering” of hundreds of elephants in Minneriya but whales in Mirissa too!
Natural Diversity
Though Sri Lanka may be relatively small, its natural diversity is simply amazing. You can look forward to idyllic beaches at places like Unawatuna, Negombo and Pasikuda and enjoy thrilling water sports including surfing at Arugam Bay. For a change of scenery, visit thriving mangroves and wetlands, while not to be missed is a train ride to the hill country; you will be awe-struck on this journey that takes you to mist-shrouded mountains where you can go hiking, visit tea plantations and find an old-world charm.
Delicious Food
A key part of any visit to Sri Lanka is sampling its eclectic cuisine thanks to its multicultural and multi-ethnic communities. While rice and curry are staples here, there are plenty more dishes to try not forgetting fresh fruit too. Popular culinary creations include hoppers which are like pancakes though shaped like a bowl with crispy edges, kottu roti which is a street food favourite and a variety of seafood delights; for dessert, you can try buffalo milk curd drizzled with sweet syrup made from the kithul palm.
