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Known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, this is the perfect destination for a holiday packed with ancient history and a taste of South Asian culture, a wonder of beautiful wildlife, hikes and treks in the mountains, and a whole host of watersports.
Within a few hours, you can travel through different ecosystems in Sri Lanka. Where else in the world can you visit a mountain resort in the hills for lunch, where you need a sweater to go out, and then have a dip in the warm waters of a sparkling blue ocean in the evening before dinner?
Sri Lanka is blessed with magnificent landscapes, historic capitals and temples that are so unique, they are considered to be of global importance. The country is even home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
A safari in Yala’s National Park – Sri Lanka’s second-largest park – is the best way to spot the elusive leopard. Alternatively, Wilpattu National Park would be the best , if you have a little bit more time in hand and like to avoid the crowds.
Read More2. See the biggest land and sea mammals
Sri Lanka is the only country where you can see both the elephant and the blue whale – the largest land and sea mammals on the planet and all within a few hours of each other.
We have our own “big five” – Blue Whales, Sperm Whales, Leopards, Asian Elephants and Sloth Bears, along with one of the highest species densities in the world.
You can see elephants at Udawalawe National Park, Yala National Park, Lunugamvehera National Park, Wilpattu National Park and Minneriya National Park.
The southern coast around Galle and Mirissa are the best places for guided blue whale watching.
Watching these magnificent animals converge is a sight to behold. Different herds travel together as one with just a single goal in mind – water and sweet new grass shoots.
But don’t be mistaken: this is not a migration but an annual coming together [a gathering] of wild animals that come to enjoy the grassland and sip the waters of the Minneriya Tank at the end of the dry season.
Read More4. Go on one of the most beautiful train rides in the world
Selfies taken hanging out of trains rolling through the tea plantations are one of the most recognisable images of Sri Lanka. But there’s a reason for this.
The train routes in Sri Lanka are some of the most beautiful in the world. A train through the hill country gives you scenic views, snaking through thick verdant jungles and the aforementioned tea plantations.
Aim for the Kandy to Ella route. It’s a 7 to 10 hour ride which may sound long, but it will be one of the highlights of your trip. Traveling over the colossal Nine-Arch Bridge is another unmissable experience. Also called ‘Bridge in the Sky’, it is a viaduct bridge and one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country.
If it’s too long to fit into your schedule, at least try the Kandy – Nanuoya [Nuwara Eliya] stretch which is notably longer.
5. Go sailing on the south coast
For those who want to see Sri Lanka’s southern coastline in all its glory, while avoiding the tourist crowds, this seven-day sailing trip is something befittingly perfect for you.
Stepping aboard a 53 ft catamaran, you’ll embark on a journey along the coastline, stopping at historic port towns, tiny fishing villages and coves along the way. With a chef and skipper on board, you’ll be treated to delicious seafood meals.
With an abundance of marine life, you will also visit the deep-sea trench, frequented by dolphins and whales, who use it for feeding.
Being an awesome place to see the incredible wildlife, Sri Lanka is considered the best safari destination outside Africa. It is an animal lovers’ paradise to witness different kinds of wild critters.