Recently updated on January 22nd, 2020 at 11:12 pm
Situated within the Indian Ocean south of India, Sri Lanka exhibits a unique diversity of landscape, from sandy shores to the tea country, with rainforest in between, alongside a wealth of Buddhist and Hindu heritage. And amidst these unique surroundings, it’s Sri Lanka’s people and fragrant cuisine that welcome every visitor in. Our new trip to this captivating island gives visitors an immersive introduction to Sri Lanka, with insider experiences each step of the way.
An Island of Fusion Heritage
With almost 3,000 years of history, Sri Lanka is home to bountiful ancient sites: some reflecting the island’s Buddhist roots – including Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya, which lies just outside the capital – alongside Hindu sites such as Colombo’s largest Hindu temple, Sri Kailasanathar Swamy Devasthanam. Meanwhile, the UNESCO World Heritage city of Galle, which is located to the south of Colombo on Sri Lanka’s sun-kissed coast, reflects another era of the island’s history through its colonial ramparts, bastions and towers.
One of the country’s greatest cultural draws, the Cultural Triangle, is spread across the highlands north of Kandy, fascinating those who pass through with its ancient city ruins, cave temples and forest monasteries, which date back as far as the 4th century BC. The triangle’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dambulla Rock Cave Temple, is especially celebrated for its unique sculptures and murals, while the 5th century rock fortress of Sigiriya impresses with its distinctly carved Lion Rock.
Lush Landscape and Abundant Wildlife
Of course it’s not always these historic sites and heritage rich cities that we remember the most; sometimes it’s the journey itself. This is certainly the case for those who travel through the tea country by train. It’s here in the hills that people can see how Ceylon tea is made, with the experienced enriched by being shown how to pluck the tea shoots from the fields, and taste the plantation’s tea like a true connoisseur.
In contrast to these undulating tea fields is the red earth, grassy plains, and lowland forest of Udawalawe, which is noted for being inhabited by elephants, buffalo and sambar deer, and even the elusive leopard. From night safaris to visiting the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, opportunities to see the local wildlife abound in this part of Sri Lanka.
Warm People and Fragrant Fare
A journey through Sri Lanka simply wouldn’t be complete without connecting with local people encountered along each step of the way. In Sri Lanka, this can mean observing the religious procession at dusk in Kandy, meeting a Buddhist monk to discover the art of meditation, or being welcomed into a local villager’s home to cook and eat with their family.
In fact, it’s the local cuisine that so often brings people together as they settle down to dine in each other’s company. With rice as the staple, guests are served a delicious array of aromatic curries made with fresh fish and spices that have been grown on the island, alongside chillie sambol (a grated coconut accompaniment), bowl-shaped hoppers (pancakes made with fermented rice batter and coconut milk), and the sweet fruit that’s so abundant here in the tropics.
Get an unforgettable introduction to Sri Lanka with Trafalgar on the brand new Wonders of Sri Lanka trip.
Image credits: Cover photo of Sigiriya © iStock / Givaga. Tea pickers in Sri Lanka © iStock / Bartosz Hadyniak. Polonnaruwa Vatadage © iStock / helovi. A monk at a temple near Kandy © iStock / Bartosz Hadyniak. Elephants in Sri Lanka © iStock / Kyslynskyy. Fishermen in Galle © iStock / chuvipro.