Target Travels blog

Anuradhapura Sri Lanka

If you only have a week to experience Sri Lanka, you’d better get your skates on! The ‘Classic’ 7 day tour of Sri Lanka would head straight to Kandy, either on the scenic railway or by car (stopping at Pinnawela in time for the elephant feeding and bathing time). On day two, after exploring the city of Kandy and its surrounds, travel north to Dambulla and spend the night at Sigiriya. Climb the rock first thing the next morning (before it gets too hot!), and then head east to explore Polonnaruwa (The 2^nd ancient capital of Lanka) in the afternoon. Those interested in Sri Lanka’s ancient ruins could then head northwest to Anuradhapura and Mihintale, returning to Colombo on the puttalam road; or for those who prefer relaxation on the beach return to Colombo and spend a couple of days on the west coast.

This trip can also be done in reverse, starting in Negomboand then heading

Sri Lanka Beaches

north.

An alternative one-week trip by car might head straight along the coast, via Galle, for a day on one of the south’s beautiful beaches, then to Tissamaharama for a safari at Yala National Park, perhaps with a side trip to the temple town of Kataragama. From there it is a picturesque drive into the highlands, where you could explore the tea estates, walking trails and fading colonial grandeur of Nuwara Eliya, and return to Colombo via Kandy.

What to see in Sri Lanka

Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s superb beaches lie all along its coastline, with sandy coves and estuaries and long palm-fringed stretches. They vary greatly in character. Beaches on the west coast of the island, conveniently close to Colombo and the airport, tend to be the most crowded, but offer opportunities for water sports and buzz with busy bars and restaurants. Here, also, away from the package hotels, are some of the most exquisite places to stay, notably in Bentota. For many travellers however, the picturesque beaches of the south coast, often with magnificent sweeps of white sand, are the biggest draw. Quieter than the west coast, Unawatuna and Tangalla are the best established here, offering opportunities for diving and packed with reasonably priced accommodation. Picture-perfect, laid-back Mirissais increasingly

Arugambay Sri Lanka

popular with budget travellers, and there are plenty of other options in this area that you might just get to yourself. Further off the beaten track, but at last accessible once more, the beautiful and deserted beaches of the east coast are
worth seeking out during the off-season in the west coast. Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka’s surf capital, is the latest hotspot, while north of Trincomalee, Nilaveli and Uppuveli, with gentle clear waters perfect for swimming, are beginning to come alive again.

However, most of Sri Lanka’s beautiful and interesting sights are away from the coast. By venturing a few hours inland you can explore the island’s abundant cultural Heritage. ln lush verdant hills, the last Buddhist capital of Kandy is found. To the north are the other two points of the Cultural Triangle – the ancient capitals of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa – and the extraordinary royal citadel atop the giant rocky outcrop of

Pinnawela Sri Lanka

Sigiriya, decorated with its world famous frescoes. Close to Anuradhapura is Mihintale where the first royal conversion to Buddhism was inspired, while Dambulla has impressive paintings in its rock cave. While visiting Kandy you can also see baby elephants at bath time at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. Nearby, are interesting spice plantations and several temples.

The central mountains provide a refreshing break, with spectacular waterfalls and some great walking trails around Nuwara Eliya, surrounded by tea gardens. To the east,

The ‘gaps’ at Ella and Haputale provide spectacular views, while some travellers are lured by the attractive gem capital of Ratnapura.

Sri Lanka’s varied wildlife can be explored in its impressive network of national parks, such as Ruhuna or Yala to the southeast where the fortunate traveler may even spot a leopard, and Uda Walawe, famous for its herds of elephants. There is plenty of bird watching along the shallow coastal lagoons, while Sinharaja Biosphere Reserve is the last significant stretch of pristine rainforest in left in the island.

Choosing a route obviously depends on your interests, the time of year and to

Sri Lanka Tea Country

certain extents your mode of travel. Hiring a chauffeur driven car allows you greater flexibility. Using public transport may not be the best option for tourists as the systems are yet unorganised and fairly chaotic for travellers who are unable to converse in the native language. Even if you are staying at a beach hotel on the southwest or south coast it is easy to get up to Kandy and make that a base for further exploration.

At Uddapuwa between Mundal Lagoon and the sea, the terrain changes dramatically as you enter the Dry Zone. The fishing villagers here are descendants of a north Indian warrior caste who settled on this coast over a thousand years ago. They were the first converts to Catholicism when the Portuguese arrived and mass baptisms were held during which the converts acquired surnames like Mendis, de Silva and Fernando—though despite Christian influence, Uddapuwa is home also to a notable group of small Hindu temples along the coast.

The A3 coast road continues to the town of Puttalam, another busy fishing settlement whose proximity to the north has made it a major collecting point for Muslims evicted from the north by the Tamil Tigers. At Puttalam the A 12 turns inland to Anuradhapura, offering an alternative route to the Cultural Trian­gle. En route. the road passes Wilpattu National Park. Wilpattu is the largest national park in the country, and before the civil war was also one of the most popular, famous for its leopards, as well as plentiful other wildlife. Its proximity to the front line of the war, however, led to it being placed out of bounds for the duration of the conflict, and although small parts of the park were reopened in 2003, work to restore dam­age to the park’s environment and wild life continues.