Colombo

Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka is the largest city and main port of Sri Lanka. It is also the commercial and financial center of Sri Lanka. A bustling metropolis, the city is an attractive blend of old and new. It has a lazy charm of the bygone era combined with the verve and vivaciousness of a modern city. Colombo is an ideal location to start your Sri Lankan adventure.

Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, World famous for its well preserved ruins of the Great Sri Lankan Civilization. The Civilization which was built upon this city was one of the greatest civilizations of Asia and in the world. The city now a UNESCO heritage site lies 205km north of the current capital Colombo in the north central province of Sri Lanka, on the banks on the historic Malvathu Oya. Founded in the 4th century BC it was the capital of the Anuradhapura Kingdom till the beginning of the 11th century AD. During this period it remained one of the most stable and durable centers of political power and urban life in South Asia. It was also a wealthy city which created a unique culture and a great civilization. Today this ancient city of Sri Lanka, which is sacred to Buddhist world, which its surroundings monasteries covers an area of over sixteen square miles and its one of the world’s major archaeological sites.

Negombo

About 37km north of the capital and only 6km from the international airport, Negombo is more fascinating and picturesque in its Dutch Portuguese colonial days. The Negombo lagoon is famous for its harvest of lobsters, crabs and prawns and fish auctions on the beach are worth a look. Old world fishing crafts such as the outrigger canoe and the catamaran are still used to bring in seer, skip jack and herrings, the gourmet can enjoy seafood in plenty.

Sinharaja Rain Forest

Located in south west Sri Lanka, Sinharaja is the country’s last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. More than60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare. There is much endemic wildlife, especially birds, but the reserve is also home to over 50% of Sri Lanka’s Endemic species of mammals and butterflies, as well as many kids on insects, reptiles are amphibians.

Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe National Park is situated in both intermediate zone and the dry zone. Udawalawe Park is approximately 30821 hectares and is situated 170km south east of Colombo. This park lies between Rathnapura and Monaragala districts. Though rain forests, scrub lands and teak plantations are the habitat types of this park, grasslands with tall grass and occasional trees and bushes decorates the land for the living herds of wild elephants. Udawalawe is probably one of the best places to see wild elephants in Sri Lanka.

Polonnaruwa

The second most ancient city of Sri Lanka’s kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital by king Vijayabahu, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 to reunite the country once more under a local leader. While Vijayabahu’s victory and shifting of kingdoms to the more strategic Polonnaruwa is considered significant, the real hero of the history book is actually his grandson, Parakramabahu.

The Horton Plains National Park

The Horton Plains National Park is the only national park situated in the wet zone of the country and falls within the Nuwara Eliya district. Situated 2300m above sea level this national park has different climatic conditions and the habitat to all the other national parks. Almost all the life forms in Horton plains are adapted to the high altitude conditions. There are a lot of endemic flora and fauna found in the plains itself. Bear monkey, sambhur, leopard are some interesting mammals. One would also find several endemic hill country birds in Horton plains national park. The famous World’s End and the Bakers Falls are major attractions. The Kirigalpotta, second highest peak and the Thotapola, third highest peak of the country are also situated in the Horton plains.