Sri Lanka is quickly becoming a major tourist destination. With ecotourism adventures, a wide variety of things to do and see, and the government’s involvement in creating a sustainable tourism industry this is one place that you must experience on a family holiday.
1. Work with the Elephants: These elephants have been offered placed in a sanctuary and no longer are forced to work. They are not chained up and are allowed to roam freely. You can help maintain their living quarters, work in the gardens that grow their food and help them wash in the river. You can also help wash them in the river and play games with them to help socialize them.
2. Dambulla Cave Temple: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must when on a luxury holiday in Sri Lanka. This Buddhist Temple is spread over five caves and contains paintings and statues pertaining to Gautama Buddha’s journey through life.
3. Join a Bicycle Tour: A diverse bike ride that takes you from the west coast beach past rich cultural heritage deep into the rain forest where you can interact with monks. Continue your journey to Kandy where you will see tea plantations and botanical gardens before ending your ride at the rock fortress of Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa.
4. Bundala National Park: This is a must for bird watchers of all ages. This wetland sanctuary covers 62km and over 150 species visit here. If you arrive between January and July you may also get to witness sea turtles (olive ridley, green, leatherback and loggerhead) lay their eggs on the coast.
5. Arugam Bay: This area is considered by many to be the best place for surfing in the country. If you want to spend your days relaxing on beautiful beaches, sleeping in hammocks, playing in the water and eating in restaurants by the ocean this is the place for you.
6. Safari in Uda Walawe National Park: Take a safari and see: sambar deer, elephants, wild buffalo, crocodiles, water monitor lizards, sloth bears, mongooses, jackals, and maybe even a leopard. There are also more than 200 kinds of birds and 30 varieties of snakes to watch out for.
7. Anuradhapura Temple: The ruins of Anuradhapura are a combination of archaeological and architectural wonders. There are huge dagobas, statuesque brick towers, pools and ancient temples. It was built during Anuradhapura’s 1000 years of rule over Sri Lanka and several of the sacred sites are still used by worshippers today
8. Stay in a Treehouse: Saraii Village has been rated or as one of the top ten in tree house experiences in the world by Trip Advisor. Their luxurious tree houses, and mud huts, are naturally cooled by the canopy of the 1000 trees that they are surrounded by.
9. Experience life in a village: Visit a coconut plantation, tour through rice paddies, visit farmhouses and visit vegetable farms. You may even get your hands dirty and plant something yourself. The best way to experience this is to book through a Sri Lanka tour specialist.
10. Visit the beautiful beaches: This small island is known for its beaches. Experience the beach vibe that is perfect for you by finding the perfect beach for parties, the perfect beach for soaking up the rays and swimming, and the perfect beach for water sports. Explore these beaches that range from golden to white sand and enjoy your holiday!
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