10/22/2018
Sri Lanka, an island nation filled with history, religion, peppered with rolling hills of tea trails, land of the roaming giants and lined with beautiful coastlines.
How would you spend a 8 nights in Sri Lanka? Read on....
-Start in Colombo or Negombo. (1 night)
Have a meal at the Ministry of Crab and tuck into the famous godzilla size crabs. Yum!
Cultural Triangle (2 nights)
-Make your way to the cultural triangle in the north to see ancient cave temples in Dambulla, climb the Sigiriya Rock or visit Polonaruwa to see some of the remaining architectural ruins from kingdoms past. Yala may be the most visited national parks but don't forget about some the smaller national parks in the area. You may get lucky and see large herds of elephants grazing in the open fields or gathering by the waterholes there.
Take a 2 hour car ride to Kandy to catch your train to the tea trail. Or spend a night or so there to see the Buddha's tooth relic, perhaps visit the Elephant Freedom Project for a close encounter with a rehabilitating elephant there. This is one of the rare places observe ethical practices with their resident elephant/s.
Tea Trail (1 nights)
-Next, climb on board the old train for a slow and scenic ride through the tea county. You can visit Nuwara Eliya-that is also know as a little England and stop in Ella. Dangle your feet out of the train cars while soaking in the scenery that unfolds before your eyes....tea pickers bent over, hard at work in the fields, tea terraces spilling over the countryside or waterfalls in the distance.
Spend some time in this area and trek Adam's Peak.
Wildlife Safari (1 night)
-Sri Lanka is well known for it's national parks housing abundance of wildlife. Elephants, the elusive leopards, water buffaloes, flocks of peacocks to name a few. As you make your way south west, there are 2 well know national parks. Yala-being the largest, home to the leopards but also most crowded with safari tour jeeps. You can also stay in a tented resort deep in the park for a night. Ulawalawe is smaller but has families of elephants tucked within. Not far from Ulawalawe is an elephant orphanage. Visit it at feeding time and you will see the tender aged elephants trooping in for their meal.
Tangalle/ Galle (3 nights)
-Finally, unwind after your adventure around the country and spend a few nights by the coast and the coastal city of Galle. High end resorts are nestled in Tangalle. Incredible beaches with white sand, coconut lined shores and azure waters to be found here. To see some history, go to Galle to visit the fort and if you are looking for some interesting souvenirs for your home, be sure to stop at Paradise Road shop in Galle.
Sri Lanka is spread out and a lot of time commuting from one point to the next has to be expected. So, manage your expectations and you won't be disappointed. The friendly and warm Sri Lankans will impress you with their hospitality. This country has certainly won me over and I shall return.
