Trekking in Sri Lanka

Nestled among forested hills, Kitulgala is a small Sri Lankan town in the western region of the country. Best known for being the most popular location in Sri Lanka for white water rafting, a visit to Kitulgala is a terrific combination of nature and thrill. It is also one of the wettest places in Sri Lanka. The Kelani River which flows through the town served as a filming location for the Oscar-winning movie ‘The Bridge On the River Kwai’, released in 1957.

Best Time: December - March

Knuckles Mountain range is an unusual terrestrial landform located in Matale and Kandy, in Central Province, Sri Lanka. The name was given by the British, and the locals call this range 'Dumbara Kanduvetiya', which means mist-laden mountains. Knuckles Mountain Range is called so because of its uncanny resemblance to the fingers of a clenched fist. The range is a World Heritage Conservation Area and is relatively untouched. The range features 34 peaks, ranging between 900 metres to 2000 metres. Five of these mountain peaks make the formation of a clenched fist.

Known For : World’s End (Horton Plains) Gommolli Kanda Ohiya

Horton Plains National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated at an altitude 2,100–2,300 metres and located in Central Sri Lanka. It is a government protected area which is surrounded by massive cloudy forests and never-ending grasslands. Horton Plains National Park is a popular destination to visit the famed ‘World’s End Cliff’, a long, steep plunge of 880m where the plateau comes to a dramatic stop.

Best Time: January to March

6 Horton Plains Attractions

Sinharaja Forest Reserve is one of the very few virgin rainforests in the world, which is why it is one of the UNESCO World Heritage! The unique relation of flora and fauna in this forest makes it one of the hotspots in the world. The forest is only 13 km in the stretch and around 7 to 8 km from north to south. The entire forest has remained untouched till date due to its inaccessibility. The ecosystem of this forest has been an essential part of it being termed as also a Biosphere Reserve.

Best Time: January to March; August to September

Known For : Gregory Lake Hakgala Botanical Garden Victoria Park Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya is Sri Lanka's hill station famed for its tea production. With a multitude of gorgeous attractions ranging from waterfalls and tea plantations to gardens and lakes, Nuwara Eliya is the epitome of scenic beauty. Add to that the colonial-style buildings dotting the area, a golf course and the cold climate— and you'll feel like you have entered a world unlike Sri Lanka's iconic landscape; no wonder it is also called Little England!

Best Time: February - April

30 Nuwara Eliya Attractions

The Pidurangala Rock is a few kilometres away from the famous UNESCO site, the Sigiriya Rock. It is known for the view of Sigiriya Rock from the top of the rock, the white temple situated at the base of the cliff, and the enormous reclining Buddha statue located under an ancient boulder. The Pidurangala Rock is also called the Sister Rock of Sigiriya as both the rocks are just a few kilometres away from each other. The Pidurangala Rock also has a white temple called the Pidurangala Vihara, where the monks live and Buddha is worshipped.

Known For : Nine Arches Bridge Little Adam's Peak Diyaluma Falls

Ella is a beautiful town located in the Badulla district of the Uva Province in Sri Lanka. The pride of Sri Lanka, Ella showcases some fantastic views of the valleys, tea gardens and cafes while offering a pleasant climate throughout the year. The town is most famous for its iconic nine arches railway bridge which is a fine example of colonial-era construction in Sri Lanka. A trek down the railway track to the bridge is a popular activity, especially around the time the train arrives.

Best Time: December - March

31 Ella Attractions

Yala National Park was originally a hunters arena during British colonial rule but now has the highest population of leopards on earth. Not only animals but it also provide a quaint environment for birds as well. It is Sri Lanka’s largest national park with a total area of 900 Sq Km. Yala National Park attracts a lot of tourists throughout the year due to its high density of leopards, sloth bears, crocodiles, and deers.

Best Time: February to June

Famous for its waterfalls such as Bambarakanda Ella, Brampton Falls, Hirikatuwa Oya, Pahanthuda Ella, Surathalee Ella and Papulagala Ella, the village of Belihuloya is 150 km away from Colombo.

In the Uva Province, Ohiya is a village in the Badulla District. Some of the main attractions in Ohiya are The Devil's Staircase, Horton Plains National Park, Ohiya Gap/Dondra Watch, Bambarakanda Falls, the Dondra Head Lighthouse, Ohiya Forest and Rahangala Mountain. The Ohiya Railway Station is the third highest in the country at a height of 5820 ft above the sea level.

With a population of a mere 400, Meemure is on the border of Matale and Kandy district, 175 km from Colombo. This remote village has no cellular connectivity or a direct postal service. The staple crops here are cardamom, pepper, ginger and paddy.

Located in the Central Province of the country, the Spice Garden in Inamaluwa houses a wide range of spices such as cardamom, black pepper, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, turmeric, cinnamon and cardamom. Visitors can gain insights on how these spices are grown on such a large scale.

The Ranweli Spice Garden located near Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden also provides a pick-up service available from Kandy to the Ranweli Spice Garden. They organize guided tours for visitors where the English-speaking guide explains the essentials of flavor generation and its history.

The National Spice Garden located in Matale has an Information Center as well as a Sales Center where visitors can learn about the plants and buy spices respectively. Some of the spices available for sale here are cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger and pepper vines. The herbal brew they serve here is a must-try.

You can explore the Royal Spice Garden in Matale to understand how the herbs and spices are grown and processed. Ayurvedic medicines for conditions such as diabetes are available at the Garden’s sales counter. Visitors must be cautious while purchasing using their debit/credit cards as card cloning fraud is a common worry in and around the place.

The Luckyland Spice Garden, located in Hingula, grows, cultivates and commercially sells spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, pepper and cardamom. The special Sri Lankan curry powder produced with the organically grown spices is a good buy. Visitors can also see ornamental plants such as cocoa, saffron and sandalwood at the Luckyland Spice Garden.

The Luckyland Spice Garden, located in Hingula, grows, cultivates and commercially sells spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, pepper and cardamom. The special Sri Lankan curry powder produced with the organically grown spices is a good buy. Visitors can also see ornamental plants such as cocoa, saffron and sandalwood at the Luckyland Spice Garden.

Arunalu Spice Garden is one of the most popular spice gardens in Matale, Sri Lanka. Visitors have to pay a small entry fee to embark on an aromatic journey among the plantations and learn more about their cultivation. Relaxing massage packages are also available at the Arunalu Spice Garden for those who want to indulge in a calming experience.