Sri Lanka: A world in a single island

Sri Lanka is a type of locations that everybody’s speaking about in the intervening time. It’s an up-and-coming vacation spot and a type of particular locations with one thing for nearly everybody.

Are you seeking to mix wealthy historical past, various tradition, nature, wellness, wildlife, unimaginable delicacies and extra, multi functional journey? Then Sri Lanka is the place to be. With 8 UNESCO websites, historic cities, lush rainforests, palm-fringed seashores, nationwide parks, fabulous tea estates and beneficiant, heat, welcoming folks; this compact, teardrop-shaped island doesn’t disappoint. It doesn’t matter what you’re searching for, Sri Lanka has one thing for you.

Colombo

The business capital and the nation’s most populated metropolis, Colombo is a port metropolis, with a wealthy colonial heritage.

The town is a heady mixture of architectural and cultural influences, with historic temples, bustling bazaars, colonial relics and sprawling parks. Take a tuktuk trip to go to the labyrinthine of Pettah market. Alternatively, do because the locals do, and head to Galle Face Inexperienced for sundown, or have excessive tea at one of many colonial type inns overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Among the most lovely and vital temples in Sri Lanka are hidden amongst the bustling, chaotic streets of Colombo. The putting Sri Kaliawasanathar Swami Devasthanam Temple is among the oldest and most ornate Hindu temples within the metropolis. You’ll be wowed by its tiered towers adorned with colourful miniature statues of Hindu. Situated within the bustling inner-city close to the picturesque Beira Lake, the putting Gangaramaya Temple is among the oldest Buddhist temples in Colombo. Koneswaram Temple perched atop a rocky promontory surrounded by the ocean, is a technicolor deal with with intricate carvings, sculptures and colourful shrines.

The place to remain: Uga Residence was as soon as a grand Victorian townhouse, constructed within the nineteenth century. Its nice halls and expansive gardens as soon as entertained British governors, Indian maharajas, European the Aristocracy and the cream of the colonial Ceylon society. Immediately it’s a centrally situated boutique resort with 11 luxurious suites.

Anuradhapura

A four-hour drive from Colombo is Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s authentic royal capital and a UNESCO World Heritage web site. Historical cities don’t get a lot larger than Anuradhapura, and few capitals around the globe have ever lasted as lengthy. Relationship again to the fourth century BC, Anuradhapura was the religious and secular capital of the island for properly over a millennium. At its peak, the town was dotted with monasteries and was residence to over 10,000 monks. Protecting an space of over sixteen sq. miles, many of those monasteries and colossal dagobas (stupas) can nonetheless be seen immediately and nonetheless entice Buddhist pilgrims within the 1000’s.

Among the many large stupas are Jetavanarama, constructed within the third century AD and nonetheless the biggest brick-built monument on the planet, Thuparamaya Stupa, the primary dagoba to be constructed within the nation, and Ruwanwelisaya, one of many tallest monuments on the planet.

We opted for a non-public guided cycling tour that took us by means of a dozen of the websites together with the three colossal stupas and the Sri Maha Bodhi, a sacred fig mentioned to be a department from the tree underneath which Buddha was enlightened.

The place to remain: Uga Ulagalla is a 150-year-old mansion, set in 58 acres of lush gardens and rice fields. Solely a 30-minute drive to Anuradhapura and an hour away from the good rock fortress of Sigiriya it’s properly situated for exploring the realm’s archaeological treasures.

Sigiriya (Lion Rock Fortress)

Probably the most iconic of Sri Lanka’s seven UNESCO World Heritage Websites, Sigiriya was constructed through the reign of King Kassapa I (AD 477 – 495) and doesn’t fail to impress. Surrounded by a lush expanse of jungle, the sheer rock rises nearly vertically 650ft upwards. On the highest lies the stays of a royal palace and citadel, and at its foot lies the stays of an intensive community of historic pleasure gardens. Recognized for its historic work (frescos), in its time Sigiriya has been each a royal palace and a Buddhist monastery.

Professional tip: Go early, so keep away from the warmth of the day and the crowds and be sure to’re ready for the 1,200 step climb.

Dambulla Cave Temples

This UNESCO web site is among the most lovely and well-preserved cave temples in all of Asia. Nonetheless residence to Sri Lankan Buddhist monks, the spectacular Dambulla cave temples, hewn right into a granite outcrop, tower 520ft over the encompassing plains, date from the third and second centuries BC. 

Unfold over 5 caves, underneath an enormous overhanging rock and with intricately painted ceilings, there are a complete of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings and 4 statues of gods and goddesses.

Kandy was the final capital of the traditional kings of Sri Lanka. It’s a fairly place, tucked beside a lake within the nation’s central highlands. That is Sri Lanka’s second largest metropolis and residential to Sri Dalada Maligawa, The Temple of the Tooth Relic, a teeming temple advanced which homes the relic of the tooth of Buddha. Since historic occasions, the relic has performed an vital function in native politics as a result of it’s believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the nation – Wars have been fought over this relic! Monks conduct every day worship within the temple’s internal chamber and rituals are carried out thrice every day – at daybreak, at midday and within the evenings.  The Temple of the Tooth Relic may be very a lot an integral a part of life in Sri Lanka and you may be a part of the religious with your personal petal choices and lightweight votive candles do you have to need to.

After visiting the temple, browse Kandy’s bustling marketplaces, with vivid, contemporary produce, native delicacies and aromatic spices, or spend the day exploring opulent temples and studying concerning the metropolis’s historical past.

The place to remain: King’s Pavilion, situated within the peaceable hills on the outskirts of Kandy, is a renovated bungalow with conventional rustic appeal and chic touches of luxurious.

The practice

There’s a very good likelihood you’ve seen photographs of vacationers leaning out of a vivid blue practice and looking out on the vibrant inexperienced tea plantations of Sri Lanka. That’s the well-known practice trip from Kandy to Ella and it’s a must-do on each Sri Lankan itinerary.

Immediately recognizable, the Hill Nation rail route is arguably essentially the most lovely in Sri Lanka. We took a 3-hour practice journey from Kandy so far as Hatton, passing by means of attractive tea nation. The route is described as one of many prettiest practice journeys on the planet,  and with good purpose!

The tea estates

For the reason that first tea bush was planted right here in 1867, Sri Lanka has develop into the world’s fourth-largest tea producer on the planet – 17% of the world’s tea crop is grown right here. Sri Lanka’s tea nation is a beautiful expanse of undulating inexperienced hills and luxurious plantations. When you love your tea and want to study extra concerning the historical past of tea, otherwise you’re simply searching for some peace and tranquility, a go to to a tea plantation is a pleasant escape.

Relationship again to colonial occasions, the bungalows on the Dilmah tea firm’s property have astounding views and exemplary, personalised service. Take lengthy, leisurely walks by means of the tea plantations, take a tea manufacturing facility tour to study all concerning the historic course of of constructing tea, take pleasure in excessive tea with views of Castlereagh Lake or maybe a recreation croquet.

The place to remain: Ceylon Tea Trails have restored and renovated 5 historic tea-planter bungalows on the estates of the well-known Dilmah Tea. Friends right here want for nothing and the service is impeccable.

Galle

On the southernmost tip of the nation and surrounded on three sides by ocean, the walled and cobblestoned metropolis of Galle is a should on any go to to Sri Lanka. Constructed by the Dutch in 1663, the imposing Galle Fort is the biggest and best-preserved sea fort in all of South Asia. A UNESCO World Heritage Website, contained in the fort you’ll discover Dutch Colonial buildings, historic mosques and church buildings, museums and plenty of quirky boutique cafés and eating places.

Spice merchants and retailers have been changed by a cosmopolitan crowd of artists, writers and designers, and Galle’s small streets are filled with boutique outlets, buzzing bars and cafes.

The place to remain: Fort Bazaar is Galle Fort’s hippest retreat. Its 18 rooms are all organized round a central courtyard and the restored 18th-century service provider’s home is a cool retreat from the recent streets of historic Galle.

Balapitiya

There are many superb issues to do and see in Sri Lanka, however some days you simply may simply need to calm down. Not removed from Galle, Balapitiya on Sri Lanka’s west coast is a stunning place to cease, calm down and unwind.

With its palm tree lined idyllic sandy seaside, there’s a number of actions you may fill your days with, however for those who favor you may simply laze by the pool, speak walks on the seaside, or swim within the sea.

The place to remain: Kumu Seaside is a contemporary, smooth boutique resort solely steps from golden sand seashores.

When you haven’t found the ‘pearl of the Indian Ocean’ but, it’s time to place it on the prime of your bucket record. So, earlier than is will get too crowded, now’s the time to plan your go to.

Seeing Sri Lanka in sustainable type

It’s pretty to journey, to go to far-flung locations around the globe and take within the historical past and tradition of a spot. However our craving to tick locations off our journey ‘bucket lists’, has resulted in a couple of of those locations being destroyed by tourism. The unfavorable influence of tourism is present in approach too many standard locations today; thanks in no small half to all that fastidiously curated journey content material on social media.

London based mostly Jacada Travel creates custom-designed itineraries for travellers to greater than 70 nations throughout six continents. Crafting distinctive journey experiences and once-in-a-lifetime journeys, for individuals who respect luxurious and are searching for that private contact.

There’s a whole lot of ‘greenwashing’ within the journey business today. Whereas is it’s all very properly for a resort to say it’s inexperienced, eco or sustainable, however it’s fairly one other for them to have the ability to show it. Jacada not too long ago launched a Optimistic Impression Assortment, to assist take the guesswork out of it. The gathering is a curated collection of properties, from Africa to Latin America and Europe to the Asian Pacific – properties which have been fastidiously vetted and have confirmed their sustainability credentials.

The properties that certified to affix the gathering are all devoted to selling constructive change within the journey business, by decreasing their carbon footprint, conserving pure assets, selling neighborhood engagement, preserving native tradition, and implementing a spread of revolutionary climate-conscious practices.

Jacada Journey’s Optimistic Impression Assortment is a good useful resource for travellers and one that allows them to decide on luxurious properties that contribute to the well-being of a vacation spot – an awesome instance of how, when carried out proper, tourism is usually a pressure for constructive change.

Jacada deliberate the right Sri Lanka itinerary for my household they usually can do the identical for you.

Sarah Kingdom

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, earlier than transferring to Africa on the age of 21, Sarah Kingdom is a mountain climber and information, journey author, yoga trainer, path runner, and mom of two. When she just isn’t climbing or touring she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia. She guides journeys usually in India, Nepal, Tibet, Russia, and Ethiopia, and takes climbers up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro quite a few occasions a 12 months.