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Kosgoda > Hikkaduwa > Galle > Hambantota > Yala/Udawalawe
> Ella > Nuwara Eliya -
Bentota
Kosgoda is famous for its turtle hatchery- operated by the Wild Life Protection Society of Sri Lanka. It was established in 1981 to protect Sri Lanka's turtles from extinction. The hatchery pays fishermen for eggs that they collect at night along the sandy beach. Visitors can see huge tanks filled with new born turtle hatchlings. After being fed, the baby turtles are taken to the sea and released when they are 2-4 days old, usually during the safer hours of darkness. Although October to April is the main laying season, some eggs can be found at Kosgoda throughout the year. |
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Bentota > Pinnawala > Peradeniya > Kandy
Situated in the Galle District of the Southern province, Bentota is a coastal
city famous for golden beaches. The town is a popular tourist attraction and
also a favourite destination for water sports. It is especially famous among the
foreign tourists. The name comes from a mythical story which dates back to the
time of the kings, which says a demon called Bem ruled this river (tota = river
bank). Bentota hosts a handful of world proclaimed hotels. It is home of the
famous Sri Lankan Jeweler Aida. Bentota is also home to the ancient art of
indigenous healing called Ayurveda. Bentota is famous for its production in
Toddy; an alcoholic beverage made out of coconut nectar. The city's population
is estimated to be between 25,000-50,000.
See baby jumbos wondering around their cramped foster home or bottle fed and bathed by their human foster fathers at Pinnawala, about 90Km from Colombo towards Kandy is the home to some 60 or more elephant orphans. A place you will really enjoy and never forget. Most orphans are accustomed to their curious human visitors are harmless.
Started in 1972 the Elephant Orphanage was relocated to at the present site in 1975 Bathing time at Ma Oya just in front of the orphanage is sharp at 10.00am and 2.00pm. Feeding time is about and hour earlier. |
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Bentota > Pinnawala > Dambulla > Sigiriya > Polonnaruwa/Anuardhapura
Sigiriya, the spectacular 'Lion rock' fortress, stands majestically overlooking
the luscious green jungle surroundings, and is one of Sri Lanka's major
attractions.
This was built by King Kasyapa, a son of King Dhatusena, by a palace consort. As
legend goes, King Dhatusena was overthrown and walled in, alive by Kasyapa in
473 AD. Mogallana, Dhatusena's son by the true queen fled to India, vowing
revenge.
Kasyapa fearing an invasion built this impregnable fortress at Sigiriya.
When the invasion finally came in 491, Kasyapa rode out to battle in his war
elephant.In an attempt to out-flank his half-brother, Kasyapa took a wrong turn,
where his elephant got stuck in the mud. His soldiers, thinking Kasyapa was
retreating fled abandoning him, and he took his own life.
Sigiriya later became a monastic refuge, but eventually fell into disrepair. |
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Bentota > Pinnawala > Dambulla > Sigiriya > Polonnaruwa
> Anuardhapura
Polonnaruwa lies 216 km northeast of Colombo, 140kms northeast of Kandy and 104kms southeast of Anuradhapura. Sri Lanka's medieval capital (11th - 12th Century AD) is a well-preserved city of ancient dagobas, moonstones, beautiful parks, massive buildings and stunningly beautiful statues. The majestic King's Council Chamber, the Lotus Bath, the Lanka Thilaka Viharaya, the Gal Viharaya (rock temple) and the statue of one of Polonnaruwa's great kings, Parakramabahu, are a few of this capital's memorable sights. The Sea of Parakrama - a vast 12th century man-made reservoir dominates the city. Although it is nearly 1000 years old, it is much younger than Anuradhapura, and in much better repair. Moreover, the monuments here are located in a more compact area, and their development is easier to follow |
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Bentota > Pinnawala > Dambulla > Sigiriya > Polonnaruwa
> Anuardhapura > Jaffna > Trinc > Arugambay
Arugam Bay has been known as a top surfing area for many years now. During the season, from about May to November, it is easily the most popular destination for foreign visitors to the east coast. It’s a working fishing beach and there is quite a lot of rubbish on the sands, compared with the southern beaches, and is perhaps not the best place to come just for a beach holiday: most foreigners I met were there for the surfing. Many locals want to clean up the beach, however – see below – so this may change. For now it’s still very pretty, and quiet, if you want a place to gather your thoughts, and you can visit nearby mangroves on Pottuvil lagoon, or go to Kudimbigala Forest Hermitage to see Buddhist shrines. The Lahugala-Kitulana National Park is 16km inland from Pottuvil and large herds of elephants move there during the dry seaso |
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