From peaceful nature walks to tough hilly jungle treks; quaint bike rides to extreme down hill mountain biking; gentle boat rides to some heart thumping white water rafting; sea kayaking to riding the waves on your surf or kite board; helicopter or balloon rides to paragliding from the top of a mountain; abseiling from a mountain ledge to climbing a sheer rock face… what ever the scale of adventure you seek Sri Lanka pretty much offers it all.
Trekking and Camping
The diverse and luscious landscapes of Sri Lanka provide ample opportunities for hikers and trekkers. Notable amongst these is Belihuloya in the hills which one could use as a base and then trek through the surrounding forests and mountains. The Horton Plains is another such area which is characterised by lush forest patches and is excellent for treks. Other highlights of this area include the magnanimous Bakers Falls and the 880 m drop at what’s called the ‘world’s end’ for the dramatic views in provides. Banadarawela in the mountain ranges and the nearby town of Ella are renowned for their many walking trails including the Ella Rock, Little Adams Peak and Namunukula Mountain range. You could also explore the aptly named Knuckles Mountain range which is spread over a 150 sq km area and is characterised by forests, many endemic flora and fauna and stunning scenery.
Last but not the least, the Sinharaja rainforests which is the Island’s top bio diversity spot offers treks through some fascinating jungles.
Biking
The Island’s landscapes offer the perfect settings for biking with its riveting scenery and temperate climate. The landscape provides opportunities for both novices who would just prefer to bike effortlessly along scenic routes and the experienced biking professionals who want to engage in some proper adrenaline pumping rides that will test their fitness. A number of interesting trails are available including forest patches, tea hills, spice and rubber plantations. You could build a biking excursion into your tour by speaking with one of our Sri Lanka experts. Die hard cycling enthusiasts can avail our exclusive biking tour.
Mountain Climbing
The dramatic craggy mountains of the hill country rise to over 2000 m in places offering challenging mountain climbing opportunities. A climb to the Adam’s Peak is one of the country’s best mountain climbing experiences. A needle like peak southwest of Nuwara Eliya, the Adams Peak is the country’s highest mountain at 2234 metres. It’s considered best to begin your ascent at night in order to arrive at the top in the morning to witness the magical sunrise.
White Water Rafting
Water sport lovers can engage in some heart racing white water rafting at Kitugala where the Oscar winning movie ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’ was filmed. The rapids here have varying gradients and are set in spectacular surroundings providing you with a very unique experience. A number of professional companies offer trips on the river for novices as well as for experts.
Water Sports (Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Para Sailing, Kite Surfing)
More than a hundred rivers and a network of swamps, lagoons and interconnected waterways across the island provide opportunities for some great water sports. You could choose to take a peaceful boat ride in one of the many calm lakes, canoe down beautiful rivers or try kayaking in one of the many waterways.
The premier destination for water sports in Sri Lanka is at Bentota on the west coast where a variety of activities can be organised on the Bentota River. The winds along the coast and the clear shallow waters are perfect for kite flying and para sailing.
Surfing
Not surprisingly, Sri Lanka is one of Asia’s premier surfing destinations owing to its location which guarantees a year round supply of magnificent waves against the islands shores. Arugam Bay on the east coast is a leading surfing destination which boasts of a range of breaks to suit all abilities. Arugam Bay also hosts the British Pro Surfing Association’s annual competition in June every year. On the west coast, Hikkaduwa is popular with surfers as it provides some powerful breaks and a well set up surfing scene. On the south coast the small village of Midigama is gaining popularity as a surfing destination.
Diving & Snorkelling
The Island offers world class opportunities for scuba diving and snorkelling. Its colourful coral reefs, multitude of tropical fish and mysterious ship wrecks can be explored from several locations along the coast. The large number of PADI registered diving schools makes Sri Lanka an attractive and affordable place to learn to dive. The majority of the Island’s diving centres can be found along the west and south coats, particularly at Hikkudawa and Bentota which offer a fascinating range of dive sites including reefs, spectacular underwater caves and a wealth of marine life ranging from colourful tropical fish to sharks and manta rays.
Hot Air Ballooning
What better landscape than Sri Lanka to experience a hot air balloon trip that will take you over lush carpets of green, national parks (and herds of elephants) and ancient ruins. Get a bird’s eye view of the breathtaking landscape and enjoy the marvels that will unfold under you. A large number of professionally managed companies offer this experience. All the balloons are manufactured in the UK and balloon pilots are trained by instructors licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka. An experienced ground crew follows the flight path by jeep and stays in touch with the balloon pilot to ensure a smooth operation so you can relax and enjoy this breathtaking experience.
Para Gliding
Another thrilling way of enjoying the thrills of flying is paragliding which is growing in popularity the world over. Sri Lanka’s climatic conditions are conducive to flying throughout the year. Generally lasting about half an hour, a flight over the stunning landscapes will leave you with an experience of a life time.
Helicopter Rides
It is also possible to enjoy the lush landscapes by taking a helicopter ride that usually lasts between 40 minutes to 2 hours. A number of helicopter taxis provide this service and you could get a helicopter ride included on your tour by speaking with one of our Sri Lanka Travel Experts.
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