Dambulla -
Dambulla is famous among tourists for its wonderful cave temple complex of 2nd century BC. Dambulla is situated in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, about 148 km north-east of Colombo and 72 km north of Kandy. Located on the main road from Sigiriya to Kandy about 19Km from Sigiriya, Dambulla is a part of the Sri Lanka tourism Cultural Triangle declared by UNESCO.

Major tourist attractions of the Dambulla include the largest and best preserved cave temple complex of Sri Lanka, and the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, famous for being built in just 167 days.

Sigiriya -
One of the major tourist attractions of Sigiriya is the ancient castle built by King Kasyapa in 5th century AD. The Sigiriya site has remains of upper palace located at the flat top of the rock, a mid-level terrace that includes a Lion gate and the mirror wall with its frescoes. Archaeologically, the best feature of the Sigiriya rock is the Lion staircase, a gigantic figure towering majestically against the granite figure, leading to the palace garden on the summit. The Sigiriya site is both a palace and fortress that despite now being in ruins give an amazing picture to travellers of the creativity of its builders in Sri Lanka.

Elephant Riding -
Elephant Back Safari in Sri Lanka brings in multifaceted joys. The majestic beast, the locations in close proximity to the cultural attractions and the terrain rich with bird life all add up to bring in memorable experiences to the tourists holidaying in Sri Lanka. Elephant Back Safaris are one of the newest and most thrilling safari experiences in Sri Lanka. These Elephant Back Safari not only make it possible to view wildlife from the back of an elephant, but perhaps more importantly, provide the unique opportunity to share a day in the life of the elephant.

Elephant Back Safaris not only make it possible to view wildlife while riding an elephant, but also to view the wildlife enthusiasts chances to be familiar with the nature and behaviour of tamed Elephants. The holiday makers may opt to share a day with the majestic beast by picnicking in the bush in the shadow of the elephant or by swimming, grooming, feeding the elephant too. The most popular locations of Elephant Back Safaris are Habarana, Sigiriya and Kaudulla.

Kandy -
Kandy is one of the most beautiful cities of Sri Lanka that is known for its scenic beauty and rich cultural value. Spread over an area of around 1940 square kilometers, it is counted amongst the world heritage sites of UNESCO. The city promises a number of tourist attractions that include the Old Royal Palace and the famous Temple of Tooth. The latter consists of the sacred relic of Buddhas tooth because of which Kandy is regarded as one of the most sacred places by Buddhists. Other holy spots include the Gadaladeniya Temple and the Lankathilake Temple.

Kandy offers an exciting shopping experience with souvenirs ranging from precious stones and handmade laces to stone and wooden carvings. If you visit the city in the month of August, you can get a taste of Kandy Esala Perehera, an annual ritual of the Sacred Tooth Temple. Thus, your vacation can be an enriching and cultural uplifting one if you choose this sacred and beautiful city.

Temple of Tooth -
Sri Dalada Maligawa, or Temple of the Tooth Relic, is the holiest Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. It is located in the city of Kandy, the ancient capital of the Kandyan kingdom. During my visit to Kandy with a small group of AsiaExplorers members, I had the privilege not only to visit the temple, but also to enter the holy sanctuary. Our tour guide was able to arrange with the temple escort for us to be ushered to the inner sanctuary, a place where normal pilgrims would not have a chance to visit. Directly before us is the doorway to the holy of holies. However, as I am not a Buddhist, the visit is merely of cultural rather than religious value to me.

Botanical Garden -
After the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, Hakgala, 10km (6 miles) south of Nuwara Eliya, is the second most important garden in Sri Lanka. Though on a smaller scale than those at Peradeniya, Hakgalas plantations of roses, shrubs, ferns and montage woodland are delightfully located, with scenic views. Above the gardens, a forest trail leads into virgin woodland - the home of a troop of purple-faced leaf monkeys, a species endemic to Sri Lanka, and to endemic bird species including the Sri Lanka white-eye, Sri Lanka wood pigeon, and Sri Lanka whistling thrush. Open daily from 07:30 to 17:00.

Nuwara Elliya -
Nuwara Eliya is a mountain station at 1,868 m (6,128 ft) of altitude, in a splendid landscape. The city pretends to be particularly well-kept and neat, and the always green grass gives to the locality an aspect of colonial British style.

Nuwara Eliya was built entirely during the 19th century and its architecture mimics that of an English country town, with red-brick walls, country house like hill club and mock-Tudor half-timbering. Blessed with salubrious climate, breathtaking views of valleys, meadows, mountains and greenery; its hard to imagine that Nuwara Eliya is only 180 Km from the hot and humid Colombo. Temperatures are 14C-21C (Jan- April) 16C-18C (May-Aug) 15C- 18C (Sept-Dec).

Hakgala Gardens -
Hakgala Botanical Garden is situated on the Nuwara Eliya-Badulla main road, 16 km from Nuwara Eliya. It was established in 1861 for the purpose of experimentation and promotion of Cinchona cultivation in Sri Lanka. Once after the Tea replace the Cinchona, it was turned into an experimental Tea cultivation. In 1884 it transformed to a garden since then many sub tropical and some temperate plants were planted in the gardens. Now the garden is famous for number of species of Orchids and Roses.

Hortain Plains -
Horton Plains National Park, Sri Lanka is undoubtedly one of the worlds best nature reserves and eco tourism venues. It is characterised by a beautiful landscape of rolling hills, covered in upper montane forest and wet patana grassland.

The Plains feature many interesting attractions such as Bakers Falls, Chimmini Pool and the famous Worlds End (a 3700 ft sheer drop that offers fabulous views of the tea estates below and all the way out to the distant southern coastline).

Train Ride -
The Train trip will take you through manmade tunnels, places to look out for are Nawalapitiya – Hatton, and Haputale – Ella, grey stone cliffs and rivers will flash past your window with occasional views of enormous waterfalls cascading down the mountainside, while the Train keeps climbing steadily through to Hatton then Nanu Oya, if you are going to Nuwara Eliya you need to break journey here.

Little Adams Peak -
A hike up the conical Adams Peak is one of the top things to do in Sri Lanka. Legions of people complete the hike daily, both pilgrims and travelers. Jürgen and I are always primed for an adventure… as long as its convenient. After learning that you must embark for the the summit at 2am, we immediately,instantly scratched Adams Peak from our list. Call us lame if you want, I wont protest. But no way. Besides, we had just read about another hike called Little Adams Peak, near Ella. Close enough!

Rawana Falls -
The 25m-high Ravana Falls cascades from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. In the dry season, the flow of water is markedly reduced, whereas rain turns the fall into what is said to resemble an areca flower with withering petals.

Forming part of the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary, the source of the fall is the Bandarawela Hill Oya Reservoir, and it flows to the Kirindi Oya Reservoir. It is situated in the Badulla District, Ella Divisional Secretariat and is visible from Ella railway station, 2km away

Buduruwagala Temple -
Buduruwagala is located about 5 km from the Wellawaya on the Thanamalwila road. The name Buduruwagala means the rock with the statue of Buddha And this is exactly what it is. Seven figured are carved in this rock with a massive 51 foot Buddha statue in the Abhaya Mudra gesture at the centre. The rock itself has shape of a kneeling elephant with its head own. Although there is no documented information about this site in the ancient scriptures, it is now believed this carvings were done during the last days of the Anuradhapura period. (between 8 - 10 Century).

Yala National Park -
Distance : 350km from Colombo Famous for its Elephants. Several species of other wild animals and birds can also be seen in the Yala National Park. Spotted Deer, Sambhur Deer, Barking Deer, Monkey, Wild Baffalo, Sloth Bear, Wild Boar, different varieties of birds endemic and migratory are seen in Yala. Peacock is the most famous bird in Yala. The Peacock dance is a treat to watch in the morning at Yala.

Wawurukannala Temple -
A famous temple two kilometers from Dikwella town on the Matara Beliatta Road in the Dikwella Divisional Secretarial area in Matara District in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka.This temple is built on a beautiful hill with a large building complex in an extent of Eight acres land, This sacred place which is in a beautiful environment is a historical temple that contributes social, Religious and educational service.

Blow Hole -
At Kudawela, 6 kilometres to the east of Dikwella, secreted in a beautiful beach of golden surf and turquoise sea is found the only blow hole in the country; one of the handful found in the world. This is locally known as the Hoo-maniya - named thus because of the sound the blow hole makes before the water spurts upward.

Wheherahena Temple -
The reason why this temple was historically kept as a hidden temple was the fact that Buddhists wanted to save it from outside interference and other many problems in this regard. This upgraded and present temple was built in the year 1990 for the worshippers. There is a magnificent red clothed Buddha statue that is sitting outside the temple and presents a spectacular look and religious appeal to the onlookers. The Buddha is in fact shown as sitting in the Samadhi or the squatting position and it is a statue of 39 meters in height. There are overall not relics or artefacts of the historic importance or significance of this temple.

Turtle Hatchery -
On the fringes of Koggala town is a small turtle hatchery that first opened in 1996. In an effort to promote responsible tourism and conservation, the hatchery buys turtle eggs off fishermen, in an attempt to discourage them from poaching & selling the eggs for food. Visitors are educated on the importance of protecting turtle life, via the hatchery’s facilities that care for newborn turtles until they are ready to be released back into the ocean, an experience that some lucky visitors may even have the opportunity to do themselves first-hand. The wide sandy beaches that exist round the island of Sri Lanka are utilized by several of the marine turtles for laying their eggs. The commonest of these are the Loggerheads and the Leathery turtle while the green turtle is less common.

Stilt Fishing -
An age old method of catching fish, very primitive and poor in results terming with todays commercial fishing perspective, but ads on beauty and uniqueness to the countries deep south coast line, as a icon of the fishing folk in Sri Lanka. A major attraction at the south cost, stilt fishing till date is continued by the locals owing to the good will gifts by the locals and the foreign visitor that adds on apart to the catch from the sea.

A stick standing up with another piece of wood tied to it to create a seat where fisherman climb on to during the low tide to fish in the rising waters of the high tide, though is a lovely sight is a hard and uncomfortable task of few hours for a small catch of fish enough to feed few mouths.

Koggla Lake -
The largest lake in the island, Koggala lake is an unspoilt ecological haven a few hundred meters away from the resort. The small islands scattered in the lake ideal for bird watching at sunset. This beautiful turquoise lagoon is just a couple of kilometers away from the town; dotted with rocky islands & fringed with mangroves. The lagoon teems with birdlife & supply prawns in abundance. Motor boat trips & catamaran rides take you to the smaller islands around the lagoon, each showcasing a unique experience in itself.

Galle Fort -
The Capital city of the Southern Province, Galle Fort was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and is designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. The old part of town is compact so you can explore by foot. A tour of the forts fortified walls is the highlight of a visit to Galle.

Hikkaduwa Corals -
Hikkaduwa is located About 100 km from Colombo and it one of most popular beach resort of Sri Lanka. Hikkaduwa is treated as the diving center of Sri Lanka, with many diving schools. If you are a experienced scuba diver you can rent equipment from these diving schools, if you are a beginner try PADI courses from professionally qualified diving instructors. Hikkaduwa was once popular for its astonishing Coral Sanctuary and glass bottomed boat rides on this beautiful Sanctuary. But unfortunately this magnificent coral garden is no more there, only patches of surviving corals are there with variety of tropical fish. The beautiful coral garden is killed mainly because of the Elnino effect and the human activities.

Moonstone Mine -
Have you ever wondered where that pretty little moonstone on your finger actually comes from? Head inland 7km to Mitiyagoda and you can descend (not literally) into the mucky world of mining – 18th-century style! Moonstone has been mined in these sweltering forests forever and the moonstone mines, little more than muddy rabbit holes, 6m or 7m long, are fascinating – as is the process of filtering out the precious stones, cutting them up and polishing them up ready for sale. Entrance is free, but expect a hardcore sales pitch in the on-site shop afterwards. To get there head towards Kahawa and turn inland to Mitiyagoda after which its clearly signed.

Battik Factory -
Board Sri Lankas very own tie-n-dye industry. Popularly known as Batik, Ambalangoda is well-known for this creative activity on fabric, décor and accessories. Meetiyagoda and Gintota are the two most known villages for Batiks. Paints and cloth of a number of vibrant shades and patterns can be seen around the area.

Ask your guide or your hotel for tips and suggestions for times to visit the villages and witness the amazing process of tie-n-dye that you have only heard about. You may even pick out your own pattern and fabric! It is a trip you shouldn’t miss out on.