LOCATION | SIGHTSEEING:
We cannot BEGIN to tell you how beautiful this paradise island is! Nor how cheap
to live and get around. It is almost too good to be true! But it is true.
Towering Pagodas, Hindu temples and ancient fortresses to holy rivers and sacred
mountains. The local people are very welcoming and friendly, especially in the rural
areas. The tea plantations are a must, the lace making, monuments and architectural
splendours, etc., but the most appealing is the Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawala.
Not to be missed! It's an emotive sight that you'll never forget!
SRI LANKA'S FANTASTIC BEACHES!
Sri Lanka has miles and miles of amazing beaches. Some of our favourites are:
MIRISSA: Perhaps a contender for the most beautiful beach in the
world. Long, deserted and hot. You know you have got away from it all as you sit
and watch the sunset over this horizon…The snorkelling is also incredible here.
NEGOMBO: To the north of Colombo lies Negombo, a busting fishing
town with golden beaches and a pallet of colour provided by sails and boats against
the deep blue of the ocean.
UNAWATUNA: A sleepy peaceful cove with deep still water and a temple
overlooking the bay from the protecting cliffs.
HIKKADUWA: A long stretch of beach with plenty of hostels, restaurants
and some nice bars, not forgetting the impromptu beach parties held on the beach
front bars blaring Bob Marley, Eric Clapton, Led Zeplin and many other classics!
Sri Lanka is a conservative island brimming with culture and Hikkaduwa offers an
exciting opportunity to holiday for the odd celebratory weekend! Many a volunteer
birthday has been seen in over Hikkaduwa cocktails. You can also body board and
even surf on this beach.
ARUGAM BAY: This tiny fishing village is Sri Lanka’s newest hot
spot and hosts the best surfing and an easy going happy party atmosphere. With its
wide sweeping beach in front of the village and year round gorgeous swimming it
is no surprise that this bay has developed into a low budget travellers haunt.
ADRENALIN JAUNTS:
White Water Rafting:
Sri Lanka’s boulder stream rivers are the ideal setting for white water rafting.
This is the best way to see the stunning environment what this region has to offer.
Many tours are available and many begin with days of action, rafting the white waters.
This high adventure is suitable for fish time ‘go for it’ rafters and experts alike.
Rafting has become a very popular exciting yet safe adventure sport option.
Rock Climbing and Mountaineering:
Mountaineering is an adventure sport that requires skills and levels of fitness
that few other adventure sports can match. The mountain ranges in Sri Lanka offer
breath taking, enthralling, climbing routes. Climbing is all about discovering the
natural world around and with you.
Hiking and Trekking:
There’s no better way to explore the natural scenic beauty of this island with diverse
climatic zones. Trekking is an excellent way to explore a country, people, their
traditions and beliefs. Paths and campsites have been set up to give nature lovers
the experience of a lifetime. All possible steps are taken to ensure local community
benefit and nature conservation in keeping with all international camping guidelines.
Canoeing & Kayaking:
This relatively new sport is rated as the most adventurous of all adventure sports.
It involves descending a stream as it drops over waterfalls and boulders. In Sri
Lanka they have low waterfalls for beginners and some as high as 700 feet for the
very experienced - all surrounded by breathtaking scenery.
CLIMATE:
The driest and best seasons are from December to March on the west and south coasts
and in the hill country, and from May to September on the east coast. December to
March is also the time when most foreign tourists come, the majority of them escaping
the European winter.
The coastal stretch south of Colombo offers palm-lined sandy expanses as far as
the eye can see. The Kandyan dances, a procession of elephants or the masked devil
dances. Then there are the ruins, ancient and inspiring architecture in the cities
of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa to satisfy any archaeologist.
TRAVEL:
Read about Travel arrangements and what happens when you arrive in your new country.