Activities and Adventures in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s diverse landscapes means there are a number of opportunities for adventure activities whether it is trekking through virgin rainforest, biking through the mountains, white water rafting, and snorkelling over the amazing coral reefs or surfing at Arugam Bay, one of the world’s best surf destinations.
Trekking and Camping
There are many areas that can be explored within the rugged hills and wilderness areas and where you will see the untamed jungle. The mountains of the central hill country especially offer very good mountain trekking opportunities:-
• The Sinharaja Rainforest is one of the last virgin rainforests in the world and covers an area of 11000 hectares– one of the treks here will take you up to the top of Mulawella some 760m high but which rises at alarming rate. The views from the top are some of the most splendid in Sri Lanka as it looks out over the canopy of the rainforest below. The treks here, are through Tropical Lowland Rainforest or Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest and there is a profusion of flora and fauna and most particularly, it is a bird-watching paradise.
• The Area around Ella offers good hikes up Little Adams Peak, and Ella Rock where you will be able have fantastic views of the southern part of the Island.
• The area around Bandarawela offers amazing treks up through the green lush perfectly manicured tea plantations connected with flights of stone steps and dry stone walling to St Catherine’s Viewpoint and then on up to Lipton’s Seat- one of the finest viewpoints in the country.
• Horton Plains also offers very good trekking through sub-montane vegetation (cloudforest) and is at a height of about 2,300m.A real highlight of the trek would be World’s End where the ground drops 1000m to the plains below and offers some of the best views of the Southern Plains. Baker’s Falls, a famous waterfall would also be seen on this trek together with Kirigalpoththa, the 2nd highest mountain in Sri Lanka and Thotupala, the 3rd highest mountain.
• The Knuckles Mountains is an area that is definitely off the main tourist route. There are 17 mountains here with 5 climatic conditions within 62 km. There are a number of species of birds and butterflies that are only found here.
Biking
The hill country with its fantastic lush mountains with the cooler atmosphere is perfect for mountain biking where you can meander through the tea plantations or if you prefer, something more challenging.
Water Sports
Sri Lanka offers a wide range of water sports to the visitor including white water rafting, snorkelling, diving, surfing and windsurfing.
White Water Rafting
The main base for white water rafting is the village of Kithulgala by the Keleni River on the edge of the hill country. The village is famous for the location of the classic film “The Bridge over the River Kwai”. There are opportunities on this river to either do Grade 3 rapids or Grade 1 with much calmer waters. Whichever level you decide to do, you will travel through spectacular scenery with the jungle running down to the edges of either side of the river.
Diving and Snorkelling
Sri Lanka is well known for its diving and snorkelling and has a range of very good PADI diving schools. The majority of the dive centres are found along the west and south coasts, particularly at Bentota and Hikkaduwa with fascinating dives to see numerous tropical fish. Unawatuna offers good snorkelling over the reef.
Surfing
Sri Lanka’s premier surfing location is Arugam Bay on the east coast where the magnificent waves have travelled the length and breadth of the Indian Ocean. It is said to be one of the top surfing destinations in the world and in June, it plays host to the British Pro Surfing Association annual competition. Sri Lanka’s location means there is year round surfing to be had also on the west coast at Hikkaduwa and Midigama on the south.
Sports
Cricket
Most Sri Lankans are fanatical about cricket. They now have one of the best Test teams in the world. Wherever you go on the Island, you will see cricket being played whether it is being played with a bit of old wood in the school playground, on the beach or at one of the world class stadiums such as -
R. Premadasa Stadium
Galle International Stadium
Rangiri Dambulla Cricket Stadium
Sinhalese Sports Club
Golf
This is becoming increasingly popular with tourists and locals with 4 well established courses at:-
Royal Colombo Golf Club (6,560yd, Par 71), - had its 1st tournament in 1891 and is the second longest running in the world
The Water’s Edge, Colombo - (7,000yd, Par 72)
The Victoria Golf and Country Resort, Kandy, (6,877yd, Par 73) rated by Golf Digest as one of the 100 most beautiful in the world
The Nuwara Eliya Golf Club established in 1889 which nestles in the tea plantations
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