A Guide to Sri Lanka’s Scenic Land

A Guide to Sri Lanka’s Scenic Land

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Arabiers Digital

16 November 2024 | 13 min read

A Guide to Sri Lanka’s Scenic Land

Sri Lanka is among the most popular tourist destinations in the world. This is as a result of its diverse scenic landscape that ranges from mountains, planes, waterfalls, ranges, beaches among others. The country is full of luxurious hotels ideal for romantic getaways, honeymoon and experiences that are best for families. Check out our specially designed Sri Lanka holiday packages to explore the country’s stunning landscape. 

Sri Lanka is an island located in the cost of Indian sub-continent, and is full of diverse landscapes.  The country has very beautiful landscapes and sceneries especially along the central highlands. 
 


Sri Lanka’s Scenic Hill Country


Some of the beautiful places that you should consider visiting in your visit to Sri Lanka include:

Rainforest

Sri Lanka is known for its lush rainforest which is as a result of it’s of the country’s proximity to the equator.  One of the most popular places in the island of Sri Lanka is the Kanneliya forest reserve which is frequent by most tourist who visit the country.  Kanneiya is one of the most biodiverse places in the country and this makes it an ideal place to relax and enjoy the nature for the visitors in Sri Lanka.

Northern Plains

Sri Lanka Island is dominated by plains and most of is left for the Minneriya National Park.  This area is ideal spot for wildlife spotting and once you visit the plains you can be assured of seeing some animals such as elephants.  This are is also full of bird life and i9f you love birdwatching this is the ideal place to visit.  Some of the unique species you can find here include; Carmona’s, painted storks, open-bills and pelicans.

Bambarakanda Waterfall

Another impressive landscape that stands out in Sri lanka is the Bambarakanda waterfall. This stunning waterfall is located in the Kalupahana which is a hill town near Haldumulla in the south eastern slopes of central hill. This waterfall will need a lot of effort to reach to where it is located due to the terrain but once you get there it is worth every effort.
This area is unique and beautiful and it has more to offer besides the waterfall and this makes it a place you should plan to visit if you are visiting Sri LANKA. This place offers a mix of rugged terrain and scenic views that makes it ideal place to visit and get lost for a few hours as you refresh and relax from the bustling city life.

Savannahs in the South

Savannas mainly dominate the southern part of Sri Lanka. These savannas are known to be home to most of the rarely found wild animals in Asia.  If you are a lover of wildlife you can plan to visit the place while in Sri Lank and spend a few nights in the luxury safari lodges and you will have an opportunity to spot some animals such as elephants, spot bears, panthers, buffaloes, crocodile and deer. This part of the country is sparsely populated and many nature reserves have been developed. There is plenty of flora within these reserves and you can visit to experience the beauty that you will rarely find anywhere else in the world.

Madu River

Locally referred as Madu Ganga it is the second biggest water body in Galle district of Sri Lanka. It is an outstanding wetland that consist of network of beautiful river channels, mangrove forest and small islands and all this beauty can be explored in a boat.  This river also stands out since the salt water and freshwater mixes through the tides.
 If you visit this river, you will be able to see how the local people live along the river doing their activities with the farmers doing their farming activities along the e river as the fishermen do their fishing from the river. The children also play by the river and doing fun activities such as swimming. This area is full of wildlife such as monkeys, water monitors crocodiles and birdlife.  You should consider visiting this place to experience the beauty and the diversity of the stunning landscape of Sri Lanka.

Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya is found in the central highland of Sri lanka which is rich in scenic views of the tea plantations, mist covered mountain and waterfalls.  It is commonly referred as little England as it is surrounded by lush and scenic tea plantations, amidst rolling hill, cool temperature and colonial architecture. 
If you want to experience the beauty of Nuwara Aliya consider travelling through the train as you capture the actual views of this beautiful landscape.  As you move by train you will view the cascading waterfalls, green vegetation through the mist filled valleys. Once you are done with the carpet like tea plantation on the mountains you can visit the traditional factory to learn how tea is picked and processed to the end [product. You can thereafter indulge in tea tasting.

Sri Lanka Coastline

To add to the beautiful landscapes of Sri Lanka is the beautiful coastline with numerous beaches with luxurious beach view resorts. The coast si famous of golden sands, swaying palm trees and turquoise waters.  Some of the famous beaches along the coast include the Unawatuna beach which is popular for its calm waters that is ideal for swimming and other water activities such as snorkeling.

The Mirissa beach is known for its crescent shaped beach, palm fringed coastline where you can go for whale watching tours. It is also home for the famous coconut tree hill that is the best spot for watching sunsets.

The beautiful but laid back Arugam bay is a stunning beach that is surrounded by sand dunes and wildlife reserves.  Tangalle is another beach that is ideal for relaxation and water sports.

Beautiful Coastal City of Galle

Galle city is another outstanding landscape with vibrant history.  It is the centers for those curious of the stories about the beautiful landscapes.  The main attraction is the Galle fort which is found at the coast of Galle and dates back to the 26th century.  It is surrounded by time warped cobblestone streets and colonial Dutch houses.

From the city the beautiful vie2ws of the Indian Ocean are another beautiful landscape from this beautiful city. If you visit Sri LANKA Galle City is one of the beautiful cities that you should consider visiting for lasting memories.

Dagobah, Temples and Monasteries

The Island of Sri Lanka is filled with temples, Dagobah and monasteries, which is major attraction in the country.  Most of these attractions are well preserved to preserved the history and they are found in most interesting locations. You are likely to find yourself in a beautiful place with scenic views in the middle of nowhere and a historic temple nearby.
Dagoras are religious shrines for the people of Sri Lanka and the larges of them all are the home to a part of Buddha’s body. These Dagoras are in different sizes with some being small mound of earth while others are as large as the pyramids.


Tips When Visiting Sri Lanka


Scenic landscape in central highlands of Sri Lanka

 Sri Lanka is home to beautiful landscapes and the ideal place to visit for a lover of beautiful landscapes and views. If you are planning to visit Sri Lanka and experience the natural beauty, there are some tips you need to know as you plan; They include;

Get a Visa on Time

If you are not eligible for a on arrival visa to Sri Lanka, you need to get a prepaid tourist visa to Sri Lanka on time. Plan accordingly and get it in time to avoid last minute rush.  You can apply online or contact our team at Arabiers to help you with the application.

Eat Local Food

When travelling to Sri lanka outside the major cities such Colombo and Kandy you are not likely to find authentic western foods and other foreign foods. Therefore, it is advisable to stick to local dishes since they are delicious and well prepared. The local food is also affordable in Sri Lanka.


Do not Expect to Party

There is not much of night life in Sri lanka outside the major cities such as Colombo and other tourist areas. You do not have a high change of finding a drinking joint in the local villages. If you love drinking you can always get your drink and have it from your guesthouse since the country is not big in nightlife.

Hire Tuk Tuk

If you are a budget traveler who is looking forward to exploring on a budget always opt for tuk tuk to move from one point to another over short distances.  Most tuk tuk drivers are honest and they will help you save a lot.

Travel by Train

Train is a bit slower means of travelling especially between cities. However, it is cheaper and the best ways to enjoy the scenic landscape of Sri Lanka.  Travelling by train lets you connects with nature since it passes through scenic parts of the country which is not possible from roads or air. Do not forget to ride a train along the famous Hatton to Ella which gives you a chance to explore the different landscapes along the way.

Plan During Monsoons

Sri Lanka experiences two different monsoons in a year and so the country experiences two different weather conditions in the east and the west. If you are planning on visiting the beaches in the southern region the ideal time is between December to march while April to September is best to visit the north or eastern side.