A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 m2 ) are of particular importance, as are the 157 statues.A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 m2 ) are of particular importance, as are the 157 statues.

In the same vein as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa is an ancient city occupying a pretty lakeside location offering visitors views of temple and palace remains dating back to the Indian Chola dynasty of the 11th century. The remains are remarkably well preserved and as the city is somewhat smaller than Anuradhapura, its attractions can be experienced on an overnight trip. Polonnaruwa is 135 miles from Colombo.

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Bentota used to be a place to rest on the way to Galapatha Temple which legend claims is linked by a maze of subterranean tunnels with all other temples in the area. Today Bentota is big on sea sports and activities; so you may well need a holiday after you get back! On Bentota lagoons calm waters you can enjoy everything from jet skiing and windsurfing to wakeboarding and canoeing. Boat trips up the river and deep sea fishing trips depend on weather conditions. Many independent diving schools operate along the beach front during diving season, between December and March/April.

But if thats too much like work, take a brief respite to see the results of a labour of love at the very private Brief, a Jardin tranquille near Kalawila. Sculpted over forty years, it was anything but a brief diversion for Capability Bawa- brother of the renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa who designed some of the most enchanting buildings in Asia, including Lunuganga with an equally magical garden. Brief has a Japanese garden, a Folly, several walled gardens and hidden surprises as well as a private museum of Art inside the house and out.

Hill climb of a different type to witness a spectacular sun rise or just for the thrill of the panoramic views of Sri Lanka or for pleasure . Not just a trail but a prilgimage to a summit secred to all of the world's major releigions. The most popular hill trail in Sri Lanka to 2200m above sea level. The season is between December and April when the summit is not misty and relatively dry. There are two popular starting points from the directions of Hatton or Ratnapura.

Easily recognisable from many areas of the western / southern parts of the country because of it's triangle shape summit as well as from the sea to the west. Secret to Christians Muslims as well as Hindus while to Buddhist it is one of the places where Buddha has visited and left a footprint. Today it has been covered by a boulder. The first climbs dates back to 1000AD by then king Vijayabahu I who had built resting places for travellers. Travellers like Ibn Batuta a Arab pilgrim (1304-1377), and Marco Polo (1254-1324) have recorded visiting the summit. 

There are few routes to Sri Pada the most used routes are from Ratnapura side or from Hatton/Maskeliya. Public bus services are available from both towns as well as from Colombo and other major towns during the season.
From Ratnapura Side. The difficult path start from about 30km from via Kuruwita, Gilimale, Ratnapura. The climb is about 4-6 hours.
Busses are From Hatton, Special Bus service to Sri Pada is available from various destinations. Alternatively visitors by bus from Colombo (or else where) may first go to Maskeliya and then to Delhousie where vehicular approaches end. The trail is around 8 kM. And the climb would take 2-3 hours minimum depending on how fit you are.
The forest around the area is a wild life sanctuary famous for its butterflies but also and contains a wealth of flora and fauna. 

Sri Pada, or Adam’s Peak, is sacred to all four religious groups in Sri Lanka – the Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and the Christians. During the climbing season from December to April, thousands of devotees from many faiths make the pilgrimage to the peak of this 2,234 meter mountain. Young and old give courage to each other and recite traditional stanzas while climbing to the peak. The climb is best attempted at night where you reach the mountain top to see the sunrise and the awe-inspiring view from the top.

HIKKADUWA NATIONAL PARK

Hikkaduwa national park is one of the two marine national parks in Sri Lanka.  The park contains a fringing coral reef of high degree of biodiversity. The area was declared a sanctuary on May 18,1979, and then on August 14, 1988, upgraded to a nature reserve with extended land area and the reef was declared a national park on September 19, 2002.

Covering an area of about 101 ha Hikkaduwa National park is home to a highly diverse fringing coral reef located at a depth of 5m that extends about 4 Km out to sea from the beach.  The reef is home to about 175 species of reef fish, sea grass and algae which in turn nourishes, crab , prawns, shrimps, oysters, sea worms and many species of ornamental fish. Blacktop reef sharks have been found along the outer edge of the of the  reef while Hawksbill, green and olive ridely turtles visit the reef and have been declared as endangered.

Over the years the reef has experienced several catastrophi c events including a bleaching set off by a hot spell in 1998 when a good part of the reef was destroyed. The 2004 tsunami itself did little damage but the need for proper reef management is very much a concern. The reef experiences daily threats particularly from the removal of ornamental fish.

Hiriwaduna village safari and Village Lunch and Trekking at Hiriwaduna Take a ride in a bullock cart swaying from side to side on an unpaved trail, enjoy a nature walk through a scrub jungle, wade through a local stream with low hanging branches, cross a lake in an ‘oruwa’, the traditional mode of over water transport, spend time with a farmer harvesting crops under his guidance and taste authentic village cuisine prepared by the framer’s family with freshly picked produce and local herbs cooked in clay pots over an open hearth fuelled by firewood. Visitors to Habarana are afforded the opportunity of experiencing Sri Lanka’s dry zone and village life in the region through a trek to the Hiriwaduna hamlet that showcases the ecological setting of the area and provides a snapshot of village life as it unfolds. An excellent way to catch bits of village life as the inhabitants go about their daily chores, it also throws light on traditional methods of farming and life in a farming community such as the tree house where the farmer spends his nights to protect his crops from elephants and other nocturnal marauders.