Tour Plan-2

*Start in Colombo,where you can absorb some of Sri Lanka's new found energetic vibe before you head right of the map almost Kithulgala is a gate way for rafting the Kelaniya Ganga, as well as for jungle hikes and birdwatching . Movie buffs might recognize scene from Bridge on the river Kwai here.Take the short hop to misty Hatton, Dikoya and Maskeliya, there small towns in some of the most scenic parts of the Hill Country. Spend a few days tasting fragrant single state teas and bed town in luxurious ex colonial tea plantations bungalows or cosy guesthouses in Dalhousie, the traditional starting point for the pre down ascent of Adam's peak.

*Head east to Ella for more hiking, wonderful views and guesthouses renowned for having some of Sri Lanka's tastiest home cooked food.

*Travel southeast to Monaragala, a low key gateway to the east and the jumping off point for one of Sri Lanka's most atmospheric ancient Buddhist sites at Yudaganawa. Also nearby,Maligawila is home to an 11m tall standing Buddha that's over a thousand years old.

*Continue east to Arugam Bay, with its easygoing surfers' vibe, excellent seafood and few travellers compared with the southern beaches. It's easy to spend an extra day or three here, swinging in a hammock at one of the beach guesthouses. Don't miss a boat trip exploring the nearby Pottuvil Lagoon. After a few days on the beach, veer back inland via Monaragala to Wellawaya, and find time for a brief detour to Sri Lanka's tallest standing Buddha at Buduruwagala. Soak up the beauty of the tiny lakes and listen to the birds.

*Descend from Wellawaya to the coastal plains of Kataragama, the terminus of the Pada Yathra, a pilgrimage that begins at the other end of the island. One of Sri Lanka's oldest and most venerated dagobas (stupas) is in nearby Thissamaharama, which is also a convenient entry point for forays into Yala National Park, where you can spot most of Sri Lanka's iconic critters. From 'Tissa', beach hop via Tangalle along the south coast to laid back Mirissa, a good base for whale watching.

Tour Plan

*Start in Colombo, exploring the markets and visiting the cities vibrant Buddhist temples. Then take the new Southern Expressway south and you will be in Galle in no time, avoiding the often traffic clogged road on the west coast and the ho hum towns along it. Explore the languid streets of Galle's 17th century Dutch city within a fort. From Galle, go get some beach time. Mirissa has a wonderful village for tourists. You can enjoy Whale Watching, relax in the wonderful beach and more guest like surfing this beach (Wonderful surfing paradise). After that you can go next beach in Southern Province. Tangalle has a growing selection of groovy beach places on its lovely and uncrowded ribbon of sand. Head inland and venture up to Udawalawe National Park, where you'll see dozens of elephants and many pother animals. Take the winding road up in the heart of the Hill Country and put down roots for a few days in Ella, a cool town with a fun travellers'vibe. Walk to waterfalls and mountain peaks.

*Take one of the world's most beautiful rides to the stop for the British colonial heritage town of Nuwara Eliya, where you'll enter a time warp. Visit tea plantations and stop in iconic Kandy for temples and gardens. From here it's an easy jaunt back to Colombo or the airport.

Every Celebrating Festivals in Sri Lankan People!

January

At the peak of the tourist season when crowds are at their largest, many popular towns have special events such as the fast growing literary festival at Galle.

Duruthu Perahera

Held on the poya (full moon) day at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya in Colombo and second in importance only to the huge Kandy Perahera (procession) this festival celebrates Buddha first of three visits to Sri Lanka.

Thai Pongal

Held in mid January this Hindu winter harvest festival honours the sun god Surya. It is important to Tamils in Sri Lanka and South India. Look for the special sweet dish, pongal, which is made with rice, nuts and spices.

Galle Literary Festival

An annual event held in mid to late January, this five day festival brings together renowned Asian and Western writers. It is well regarded and attracts big names. A parallel fringe festival covers current issues and other creative pursuits.

Kala Pola Art Market 

The original Kala pola Art Market is an annual event held the third Sunday of January. Up to 500 artists from across Sri Lanka display their work. It's a kaleidoscope of creativity and has spawned a smaller weekly version.

February

The tourist crowds continue strong, with wintering Europeans baking themselves silly on the beaches. This is a busy month for Sri Lankans, with an important national holiday.

Independence Day

Sri Lanka gained independence on 4 February 1948 and this day is commemorated every year with festivals, parades, fireworks, sporting events and more across the nation. In Colombo, motorcades shuffle politician from one event to the next.

Navam Perahera

First celebrated in 1979, Navam Perahera is one of Sri Lanka's biggest and flamboyant peraheras. Held on the February poya, It starts from the Gangaramaya Temple and travels around Viharamahadevi Park and Beira Lake in Colombo.

March

This is an important month for many of Sri Lankan's Buddhists and you'll see observance of Maha Sivarathri in the Ancient cities and areas and portions of the west coast where they are in the majority.

Medin Poya Day

3rd Poya day (full Moon Day) in year.

Maha Sivarathri

In late February or early March the Hindu festival of Maha Sivarathri commemorates the marriage of Shiva to Parvati with all night vigils and more. It's the most important day for Shaivites, who comprise the majority of Sri Lanka's Hindus.

April

Although Christians comprise only 6% of Sri Lankan's population, secularised versions of Christian holidays are popular. Don't be surprised when you see an Easter bunny at the mall.

Sinhala, Hindu New Year (Aurudu)

New Year's Eve (13 April) and New Year's Day (14 April) are non religious holidays. There is a period between the old and new year called the "neutral period" all activities are meant to cease, otherwise buses and trains are jammed.

Art Trail

As if Galle wasn't enough of a work of art, the whole Fort area virtually becomes one giant artist's easel during the Art Trail,a bi annual event (The next is due to be held in 2013)

Bak Poya Day

4th Poya day (Full Moon Day) in year.

May

The southwest monsoon blows in for five months, bringing huge rains from the Indian Ocean that drench the Hill Country and the beach towns in the southwest.

Vesak Poya

This two day holiday poya day and the day after commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha. Amid the festivals, the high point is the lighting of paper lanterns and oil lamps outside of every buddhist home, shop and temple.

June

Sri Lanka's Buddhists barely have a chance to catch their breath after Vesak before another major religious event occurs and they'll want to catch their breath.

Poson Poya

The Poson Poya day celebrates the bringing of Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Mihinda. In Anuradhapura there are festivities in the famous temples, while in nearby Mihintale thousands of white clad pilgrims ascend the 1843 steps to the topmost temple.

July

Light bulb vendors do a huge business as buddhists gear up for Esala Perahera, which begins at the end of the month. Light displays are an integral part of the Kandy festivals, with a parade of light bulb decorated elephants.

Vel

This festival is held in Colombo and Jaffna. In Colombo the gilded chariot of Murugan (Skanda), the god of war, is ceremonially hauled from Pettah to Bambalapitiya. In Jaffna the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil has a 25 day festival.

Kataragama

Another important Hindu festival is held at Kataragama, where devotees put themselves through a whole gamut of ritual masochism. It commemorates the triumph of the six faced 12 armed war god Skanda over demons here.

August

The Kandy Esala Perahera is important but smaller versions are held across Sri Lanka. Many celebrations feature dancers and other performers such as stiltwalkers who practise all year.

Kandy Esala Perahera

The Kandy Esala Perahera, Sri Lanka's most spectacular are prominent festival, is the climax of 10 days and nights of celebrations during the month of Esala. This great procession honours the sacred tooth relic of Kandy and starts in late July.

Nallur Festival

Jaffna's Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil temple is the focus of an enormous and spectacular Hindu festival over 25 days in July and August, which climax on day 24 with parades of juggernaut floats and gruesome display of self mutilation by entranced devotees.

September

Binara Poya Day

9th Poya Day in the year.

October

This is a month of meteorological mystery as it falls between the two great monsoon seasons. Rains and squalls can occur almost any place at any time.

Vap Poya Day

10th Poya day in the year.

Deepavali

The Hindu festival of lights takes place in late October or early November. Thousands of flickering oil lamps celebrate the triumph of good over evil and the return of Rama after his period of exile.

November

The second to last month of the year is a time of waiting waiting for the tourist throngs, waiting for Christmas, waiting for the coming monsoon rains in the dry North and East.

Ill Poya Day

11th Poya day in the year.

European Film Festival

Sri Lanka's nascent film industry gets its chance to show off during this new festival held at venues across the island, including Jaffna, Kandy, Colombo and Galle. It's held in either October or November.

December

The other great monsoon season of the year begins this month and lasts until March. Winds come from the northeast and that's just the part of the island that sees huge rains.

Adam's Peak

The pilgrimage season when pilgrims of all faiths (and the odd tourist) climb Adam's Peak near Ella, starts in December and lasts until Vesak Poya. The trek begins shortly after mid night so that everyone can be in place for sunrise.

Unduvap Poya

This full moon day commemorates Sangamittha, who brought a cutting from the sacred Bodhi Tree in India in 288 BC to Anuradhapura. The resulting tree, The Sri Maha Bodhi, is considered the oldest living tree in the world. The ceremonies attract thousands in their finest.

Christmas

Outside of Sri Lanka's christian communities mostly around Colombo this day has be come a popular secularized holiday. Ersatz versions of Western Christmas traditions can be found across the nation from bone thin Santa's in strange masks to garish artificial trees.

POYA

Every poya (Full Moon) day is a holiday. Poya causes buses, trains and accommodation to fill up, especially if it falls on a Friday or Monday. No alcohol is supposed to be sold on poya days and some establishments close. Some hotels and guesthouses discreetly provide their thirsty guests with a cold beer "under the table".
Note that the official full moon day for poya does not always coincide with the same designated full moon day in Western calendars. Because of the religious time used to calculate the exact moment of full moon the poya day may be a day earlier or later than that shown on regular calendars.
For more on these important days.



 

Interesting Things.

Beaches

If Sri Lanka looked outlined in white form space it's due to the beaches that encircle the island. You can rarely travel any part of the coast for long without coming upon a simply stunning stretch of sand. More amazing is that many are almost empty.

01.Thalpe;

For Galle expats Thalpe with its smattering of boutique guesthouses and quiet sands, is the new Unawatuna and not a moment too soon.

02.Marakolliya Beach;

So what if the swimming isn't always safe for us this beach is simply stunning.

03.Arugam Bay;

Classic hangout for surfers and anyone who likes mellow easy vibes.

04.Uppuweli &Nilaveli;

Beautiful beaches near the old front line the location has kept them quiet and natural.

05.Batticaloa;

Most of the coasts around here are totally isolated for explorers adventurers and dreamers only.

Diving & Snorkelling

Sri lanka's diving scene is developing along with its tourist scene. Excellent places for diving and snorkelling can be found right around the coast but most are still seldom visited. The west coast south of Colombo has been the centre of diving but other better areas are ready to take off as the infrastructure develops.

01.Bar Reef;

Little exploited and near pristine reefs where dolphins play in their hundreds.

02.Great Basses Reefs;

It's tricky to access and conditions are very fickle but this might be the finest dive site in Sri Lanka.

03.Pigeon Island National Park;

A shallow coral reef with tons of fish and sharks that's equally satisfying to snorkel or dive.

04.Batticaloa;

The HMS Hermes a WWII era wreck is for Tec divers but the rock dives around here are for everyone.

Walking 

Sure it's bit hot during the day and it might rain but there are oodles of places where you can stretch your legs and appreciate Sri Lanka's remarkable natural beauty rich culture ancient monuments or maybe just go shopping.

01.Colombo;

The main streets maybe choked but other roads in the capital are tree lined and have a genteel charm. Stroll from the buzzing neighbourhoods from cinnamon Gardens to Galle Face Green

02.Polonnaruwa;

The ancient monuments here are in a lush park like setting that rewards workers ready to explore.

03.Adam's Peak;

On Adam's Peak you can walk in the footsteps of the Buddha with hundreds of pilgrims.

04.Knuckles Range;

Rain soaked and densely vegetated the Knuckles Range is no walk in the park but if offers the most exciting hiking in the country.

Buddhist Temples

More than 2500 years of religious heritage can be found in the temples great and small that dot this small island. Time your visit to a festival for an extraordinary experience.

01.Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic;

Containing a tooth of the Buddha, this is the heart and soul of Sri Lankan buddhism

02.Sri Maha Bodhi;

The world's oldest documented living tree is the focus of this very sacred site in the heart of Anuradhapura.

03.Mihintale;

This temple of legends has over 1800 legendary steps to its mountaintop location.

04.Colombo;

Gangnramaya Temple is one of the several temples in the capital that have high profile celebrations through the year.

05.Mulkirigala;

Hiding inside a series of cleft like caves and dangling off a rocky crag is this beautiful and little visited temples.

06.Nagadipa;

A simple temple on a little island in the far north where the Buddha legend goes once visited.

Wildlife

The island may be small but the animals are big especially the herds of Asian elephants that live inside and outside the national parks. Leopards and water buffaloes are just some of the other creatures.

01.Yala National Park;

Still drawing crowds like only a spotty big cat can a leopard safari in Yala National Park is a Sri Lankan highlight.

02.Udawalawe National Park;

If you've ever wanted to see a wild elephant you're unlikely to find a better place to do so that this park.

03.Minneriya National Park;

Already a good place to see elephants and other animals this park is the site of "the Gathering" When over 400 pachyderms gather in an awesome spectacle.

04.Kumana National Park.

Leopards, elephant and birds galore at this park that's much less crowded than its popular neighbour Yala.

05.Pottuvil;

Lagoon safaris may bring you titillatingly close to elephants, monitor lizards and crocodiles.

Shopping

Being a lush country it's not surprising that some of Sri Lanka's best goods are what it grows. Tea is an obvious purchase all manner of spices another. In addition there are various handicrafts and a growing range of designer items.

01.Colombo;

Of course the capital has good shopping. What's surprising is just how good it is. Stylish designer boutiques galleries and all manner of markets sell just about anything you might want with plenty of surprises on offer.

02.Negombo;

Charming and ramshackle Negombo has a busy town centre full of shopping Sri Lankans add a beachfront lined with tourist souvenir shops.

03.Galle.

With a surfeit of classy little galleries independent clothes shops and boutique bric a brac shops, Galle is a fascinating place for shoppers to explore.

04.Hill Country;

At tea plantation and factories you can buy excellent teas many hard to find elsewhere at good prices.

Ayurveda

Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine and therapies designed to heal and rejuvenate. Ayurveda is widely used in Sri Lanka for a range of ailments and draws many visitors each year some book into clinics and spas and stay for weeks.

01.Colombo.

The backstreets of the old market district of Pettah have some Ayurveda shops where you can browse the vast rang of unguents, ointments, oils, scrubs and many other potions.

02.Siddhalepa Ayurveda Hospital;

South of Colombo this is a full service clinic where you can stay for a week or more getting treatments.

03.Suwamadura;

You can cleanse your mind on walks around the lush hills of lovely Ella, then head to this noted spa to get your innards cleansed and your kinks removed.

04.Sanctuary Spa;

A hard day swimming in the energetic surf of Unawatuna can be followed by long sessions getting your inner balance restored.

Heritage Sites

UNESCO has recognized eight World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka an impressive number for a small island.

01.Galle;

The Dutch Fort forms Sri Lanka's most beautiful urban environment stroll the walls at sunset.

02.Kandy;

The royal city and temples are the heart of culture.

03.Sinharaja Forrest Reserve;

One of the last remaining slabs of dense Montana rain Forrest in Sri Lanka is a bird watcher's dream.

04.Dambulla;

The cave temples and their extraordinary paintings are works of art.

05.Sigiriya

The rock monastery which yes many people still think was a fort or temple on a clear day you can almost see forever from the top.

06.Polonnaruwa;

A vast range of surviving structures of the medieval capital.

07.Anuradhapura;

The sacred and the secular come together in a sprawling precinct that spans centuries of history.

08.Central Highlands;

The forests and peaks of Sri Pada Peak Wilderness, Horton Plains and Knuckles Range house outstanding biodiversity.

Colonial Architecture

The Portuguese, The Dutch, The British, The Klingon, er, not them. Many of the world's great colonial powers had their way with Sri Lanks at one point. Their legacies are today's atmospheric sights.

01.Colombo;

The Dutch built Old Dutch Hospital is just one of many colonial beauties you can enjoy in the capital. The National Museum is in an Old British compound.

02.Galle Fort Walls;

Take a sunset walk along the perimeter of Galle's Dutch built fort walls and you can almost feel history seep out of the ground around you.

03.Nuwara Eliya;

Stay in one of the grand old hotels of Sri Lanka's favourite colonial hill station and the days of the Raj seem to come flickering back to life.

04.Jaffna;

Nineteenth century homes and Portuguese era churches, though damaged in the war, pepper the city's suburbs.
  

What's New

01.Renovations in Colombo

The 17th century Old Dutch Hospital in Colombo's historic Fort is leading the way for renovations across the city. It's restaurants and shops bring a dash of style to the capital.

02.Maritime Museum Galle.

Galle is kinding an interest in its maritime past,present and future with this new states of the art museum full of flashing lights and nautical displays.

03.New Dolphin Tours, Kalpitiya.

A huge project is under way to turn the area around Kalpitiya in to a major package tour hotspot. But a better reason for venturing here is the newly launched dolphin boat safaris.

04.World Buddhism Museum, Kandy.

Kandy's latest attraction is a flash new museum that uses photographs maps and artefacts to showcase Buddhism around the planet.

05.Gregory Lake.

Gregory Lake has long been a forgot ten expanse of water on the fringes of Nuwara Eliya but no more! A new walkway has brought it firmly into town life.

06.The A9 to Jaffna.

Not only is this road open but you no longer need permission from the Ministry of Defence to travel it. Same goes for most of the North.

07.Keerimalai Spring & Tellippalai, Jaffna Peninsula.

The road to the ancient healing water of Keerimalai spring through a fascinatingly creepy militarised zone is open for the first time in 20 years.

08.Jaffna Music Festival.

Jaffna hosts this new biennial festival in March of odd number years. Folk music and dance from across the North and East are performed.

09.HMS Hermes, Batticaloa.

Dives to this WWII wreck not far from charming Batticaloa have recently started up run by a great dive school guesthouse combo.

10.New Highways.

The new Southern Expressway to Matara shaves hours off the journey down the west coast. It's the first of new roads that will shrink travel times around the island.

11.New Places to Stay.

 

Visitors to popular Sigiriya can choose from great new guesthouses that are a cut above the norm and it's happening in other popular spots like Ella and Galle too.