Cultural Triangle

Anuradhapura

Once the capital of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura is today an archaeological site , among the main in the world, so much so that it is a UNESCO world heritage site . Founded in the fourth century BC, it still conveys an aura of royalty and exudes history. In Anuradhapura you can visit the Bodhi Temple , the second holiest place in Sri Lanka after the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, and see the Bodhi Tree, born from the branch of the ancient sacred fig tree under the which Buddha achieved enlightenment (bodhi). The thousand-year-old Bodhi tree was planted in 288 AD and is the only one, among the oldest in the world, whose date is known.

Mihintale

The cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka Mihintale is very close to Anuradhapura. It dates back to 247 BC, when King Devanampiyatissa met Arhat Mahinda, the great Buddhist monk son of the great Indian emperor Ashoka: this meeting gave rise to Buddhism in Sri Lanka . Mihintale is precisely the mountain of Mahinda, and symbol of the great monastic city. The King, after having embraced Buddhism, wanted the forest where he had met the monk to become a sanctuary, the first historically documented in the world. The rock, dotted with shrines, is much visited, particularly in June during the day of the Full Moon of Poson,

Dambulla

Dambulla is an ancient city, rich in history, dating back to the first century BC. Its Golden Temple (or Temple of the Caves) is a UNESCO world heritage archaeological site . King Valagamba, exiled from his kingdom Anuradhapura, took refuge in the caves of Dambulla. As a sign of gratitude towards the Buddhist monks, who offered him shelter and protection, once he reconquered his kingdom, he built a wonderful rock temple there . It is the largest and best preserved cave temple in Sri Lanka, it consists of over 80 caves , of which 5 house the main attractions, magnificent statues and frescoes on the life of Buddha.

Kandy

Kandy and the temple with the relic of the Sacred Tooth of Buddha If you are unable to visit Kandy during the Esala Perahera festival, you can still see the relic of the Sacred Tooth of Buddha kept in the temple , restored and preserved over the years, inside the Royal Palace. Here prayer ceremonies take place three times a day accompanied by traditional Hevisi Puja drums, a spectacle for the ears and eyes. Before the British colonization of Sri Lanka, Kandy was the last capital of the reign of King Sri Vikrama Raja Sinha. Many of the architectures are still well preserved today.

Hill Country

Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya is a unique town , and is known as “ Little England ” for its tea cultivations and climate . It can be reached from Ella with a relaxing train journey, among green tea plantations and small mountain villages. You get off at Nanu-Oya station, 10 kilometers from the city center, and you can immediately appreciate the cool temperatures. Nuwara Eliya is in fact located at 1,868 meters and is the most pleasant, in terms of climate and beauty, of the towns on the hills of the island.

Horton Plains

Early in the morning, around 5am, we set off for a trek in the Horton Plains and World's End National Park. Hortan Plains is unlike any other place in the country and is often compared to the Scottish Highlands with breathtaking scenery. With an altitude of over 2000m, the park is on the highest plateau in Sri Lanka; the terrain is characterized by rolling meadows alternating with dense rainforests, rock formations and waterfalls. Hortan Plaines are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Little Adam's Peak

At sunset we take an easy hike to Little Adam's Peak. The path that leads to the summit passes through tea plantations where it is easy to come across pickers with bags on their backs (morning only).

Nine Arches Bridge

During our tour we visit Nine Arches Bridge over which the train we will take passes. The bridge was built by the British in 1920 entirely with bricks and concrete without any steel implementation. The curve that is drawn in the gorge between the tea and the forest can be appreciated from above from the kiosk selling fresh juices and coconut for travellers.

Beautiful coastals

Negombo

Located just 40 kilometers north of the country's largest city, Colombo, and very close to the airport, Negombo is surrounded by lush coconut palm groves . Here you can breathe the air and spirit of the sea . The city is famous for fishing and is a paradise for fish lovers, with seafood and shellfish in abundance. The boats, such as the outrigger canoe and the catamaran, fish for herring, mullet, mullet and amberjack, while lobsters and prawns are caught in the lagoon . In the multicultural city,

Galle

Among the most beautiful fortified cities , there is undoubtedly Galle, with its Dutch fort built on the Indian Ocean , the best preserved in South-East Asia. The old city and its fortifications have become a world heritage site, protected by UNESCO. Galle was the main port of Sri Lanka and has a European (Portuguese and Dutch) influence , with many colonial-era buildings, including the Dutch Reformed Church - which includes other carved and richly decorated monuments -, the lighthouse and restored villas . Around 150 families descendants of the first Portuguese and Dutch merchants still live in Galle today,

Hikkaduwa

It is one of three marine national parks in Sri Lanka and is home to a coral reef made up of as many as 60 different coral species and a high degree of biodiversity. The best time to visit is the dry season. Around 170 species of fish live in the splendid and colorful coral reef, and it is the perfect natural habitat for dugongs, sea turtles, numerous invertebrates (for example: prawns, crabs, prawns, oysters and marine worms) and aquatic plants.

Bentota

The long beach, further north, becomes a thin sandy strip, known as Paradise Island (the name says it all), parallel to the lagoon. In Bentota it is possible to go on memorable and fantastic dives to admire the corals, but also have fun in the water with surfing and canoes Furthermore, on the Bentota river stands the centuries-old temple of Galapota, where you can contemplate the large and colorful statue of the Buddha .

Trincomalee

It is one of the largest natural harbors in the world. It has a fantastic climate as it is sunny all year round. The beaches where you can relax in peace are numerous and white, with warm and placid waters, ideal for underwater activities and for observing whales up close. The beautiful beaches of Nilaveli and Uppuveli are also not far away; Pigeon Island is the ideal place for diving, snorkeling and satisfying swims in the clean sea.

Pigeon Island

The Island is one of a kind and a masterpiece of nature. It takes its name from the Blue Rock Pigeon, an endangered species that nests and reproduces right among the rocks of the island, which became a national park in 2003. Since 1963 it has also been a Marine Sanctuary because its habitat is rich in corals. The island is surrounded by a labyrinth of smaller islets and rocks that emerge from the water

National Parks

Minneriya National Park

Minneriya National Park, on the road from Habarana to Polonnaruwa, and bordering the ancient Minneriya Tank reservoir . The park extends for almost 9 thousand hectares and is covered with dense scrub and forest that provide a natural habitat for numerous animal species, including bonnet macaques , sambar (similar to deer), leopards and elephants . The best time to visit Minneriya Park is the dry season, therefore from May to September.

Yala National Park

Yala National Park, the most visited park and the second largest national park in Sri Lanka. It includes 5 areas, with a surface area of ??1268 km², and its establishment as a reserve and then a National Park dates back to 1938. Being an arid area, only 1000 mm of rain falls in this area every year during the north-east monsoon from November to January , while in the rest of the year this area remains dry. Yala National Park comprises diverse habitats including dunes, forests, coastal forests, rocky hills, coastal lagoons and mangroves.

Wilpattu National Park

Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka’s largest national park, spans an impressive 1317 square kilometers. It is a haven for elusive leopards, sloth bears, elephants, nearly 150 varieties of birds, and numerous other animals, making Wilpattu National Park an ideal destination for wildlife enthusiasts eager to experience Sri Lanka’s rich biodiversity. Located 150 kilometers from Colombo International Airport, Wilpattu National Park is accessible with a drive time of approximately four hours.

Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe National Park is a national park on the boundary of Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces in Sri Lanka. The park was created to provide a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River, as well as to protect the catchment of the reservoir. Udawalawe is an important habitat for water birds and Sri Lankan elephants. It is a popular tourist destination and the third-most visited park in the country.