Adventure Sports

Trekking and Hiking

With multitude of roads winding through expanding mountains, lush green forests, paddy fields, parks and sleepy villages, Sri Lanka offers a plethora of opportunities to the Keen hikers and trekkers. The highlands of Sri Lanka with virgin rain forests, sacred mountains, lush tea gardens and plains filled with rare birds and insects coupled with mild temperatures and welcoming smiles of the villagers provide the ideal setting to an unforgettable walking experience.

Diving

Surrounded by the Indian Ocean with its coral gardens, multitudeof exotic fishes and ancient wrecks Sri Lanka offers one of the best diving experiences in the world. The colorful coral gardens along southern coasts and old and new ship wrecks around the Galle harbor and little and great basses are the favourite Sri Lankan dive sites yet Kalpitiya, Ampara and Trincomalee in Eastern and Western coasts offering rare chances of wreck diving, skin diving and diving with dolphins.

Deep Sea Fishing

Surrounded by the Indian Ocean and filled with fresh water reservoir inland, Sri Lanka is the hidden paradise for extreme anglers. With a shoreline of 1,140 miles and a continental shelf of 10,000 square miles, the seas around Sri Lanka is one of the most challenging marine game fishing locations while The outfalls of 103 major river basins and hundreds of estuaries, lagoons and coastal lakes all around the country are yet to be fully explored by sporting anglers.Surrounded by the Indian Ocean and filled with fresh water reservoir inland, Sri Lanka is the hidden paradise for extreme anglers. With a shoreline of 1,140 miles and a continental shelf of 10,000 square miles, the seas around Sri Lanka is one of the most challenging marine game fishing locations while The outfalls of 103 major river basins and hundreds of estuaries, lagoons and coastal lakes all around the country are yet to be fully explored by sporting anglers.

Rock Climbing

Experience the thrills of crumbling rocks beneath the feet, head spinning heights and the earth expanding beneath conquering the mountains of Sri Lanka. The ranges of mountains standing guard around the highlands of Sri Lanka including the Knuckles range, Ella range, Habarana, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Horton Plains and Buttala provide challenging climbs to armature as well as experienced climbers. The newest experience in mountaineering in waterfall climbing with exciting climbs like the rock face of Bambarakanda waterfall, the tallest in the country.

Hot Air Ballooning

Roam the skies of Sri Lanka enjoying the signs and sites from the heavens above. Floating at heights of 500 to 2000 feet on average,effortlessly drift over the treetops, wildlife, lakes & rivers, cultural sites, local urban homesteads & landmarks like Sigiriya Rock. The sunrise rides are offered at day break to enhance the experience by accompanying the sights and sounds with magical experience of dawn.

Whale Watching

The ocean around Sri Lanka is the home to the gentle giants and the performers of the ocean. Dolphins and whales parade their presence at various locations around Sri Lanka during the months of December, January, February, March and April. Being situated on and around the migrating routes of whales and dolphins, Sri Lanka is in a vantage point to observe the migration of 26 species of cetaceans including blue whales, sperm whales, pilot whales, fin whales and a large variety of dolphins.

The Galle Face Hotel

Galle Face Hotel is located in the heart of the city. This was built by British Entrepreneurs at that time in 1864 and the Galle Face Hotel is a Luxury Heritage masterpiece boasting Victorian architecture and having offered exceptional hospitality over the year.

Amangalla - Galle

In the historic port of Galle, Amangalla sits within the ramparts of the 17th-century Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Named after the Sanskrit word for ‘peace’, and galla, the Sinhalese word for the town of Galle, the resort reveals the Fort’s daily activities and its rich legacy, the narrow streets lined with buildings from the Dutch and British colonial eras.

Amaya Lake Resort-Habarana

A tropical haven complete with sweeping views of Kandalama Lake, Amaya Lake surrounds you with natural beauty. Choose your oasis from one of our 120 guest rooms and suites, designed in harmony with the unspoilt environs of the resort. Enjoy waking up each morning to the humming of birds and let the airy breeze and quiet whispers of rustling trees enliven your senses. Each room resonates a home-away-from-home impression, with soft, earthy tones to let your mind escape from the cares of the world.

Cinnamon Lake Side - Colombo

Ranked the Best Five Star City Hotel by Sri Lanka Tourism twice over, Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo is the epitome of indulgence and elegance. This luxury hotel overlooks the tranquil Beira Lake and offers rooms that have been completely refurbished. Awarded Best Luxury Hotel, Sri Lanka at the Business Destinations Travel Awards 2012, its inimitable blend of luxury, personal attention, sincerity and warmth gives you the opportunity to operate at your own pace and in your own space, regardless of whether you are visiting for a business luncheon or dropping in for a quick coffee; planning your dream wedding, organising a conference; attending to important business or on a well-deserved vacation.

Sprawling over 7 acres of land, this uniquely serene city hotel of the Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts chain presents you with innumerable choices of perfect accommodation, a wide array of restaurants, state-of-the-art facilities, entertainment for all ages and moods, comfort and peace of mind - the selection is before you to indulge in! You only have to choose the memories you want to make. 

Enhancing all this is our own brand of Cinnamon hospitality, giving you the liberty to decide what you want, when you want it and where you want it. After all, we believe that it is the little things that make a great difference. 

Kandy Esala Perahara - August 1st to 11th

The month of Esala (July), during which period this annual pageant is usually held, had been considered a month of celebrations and festivity, both among Indians and Sri Lankans. Even from the lifetime of the Buddha in the 6th century BC, the Esala festival was held to commemorate the Buddha's Conception, his Renunciation and the First Sermon. Esala is also considered to be the beginning of the raining season (Vassana) when the monks commence their Retreat. Also, this month is considered to be the period when ritual performances to the protective divinities are held, (eg Pattini puja) as recorded in the text 'Pattini-Halla'. Being considered a 'chaste' month, the period is held sacred for the availability of water, hence prosperity.

Eco - Tourism

Enjoy Sri Lankan ecotourism which is a growing niche sector. It gives you the opportunity of enjoying multifaceted attractions such as the highest mountains, the longest sea beaches, the world’s greatest religions (Buddhism & Hinduism), magnificent civilization, glorious traditions, artistic monuments, incredible diversity of landscapes, climates, flora and fauna, unparalleled bio-diversity, topographical variations etc. Ours is the ultimate in diversity, beauty and culture, all combined with one of the best treasures of the world a warm, friendly and smiling people. When you choose an ecotourism resort, you choose to preserve the environment, culture and heritage and benefit local communities who are the key custodians of natural resources and play an active and critical role in conserving valuable biodiversity.

When you choose to travel this way, you are not part of mass tourism but part of up market niche tourism which specializes in small groups and in depth “ on the field” knowledge.

As part of your travel plans, you consciously choose to enjoy your holiday as a learning and enrichment experience whilst also:

• Minimally impacting on the environment
• Learning about and respecting the local culture and environment
• Obtaining positive experiences for all
• Employing and benefitting local people
• Learning about the local political, social and environmental issues
• Ensuring that your spending contributes to the conservation of the area
• Assisting in preserving a special habitat such as wildlife, farming, nature, water etc
• Learning and taking back new ideas back to influence your own environment
• Obtaining new unmatched experiences
• Helping to benefit not only Sri Lanka but the world as well

Enjoy Ecotourism – the unmatched nature based personalized experience

Sri Lanka's Saraii Village

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Eco tourism and eco friendly destinations have become catch phrases in the tourism industry recently so it was no surprise to see the world's most popular travel rating site TripAdvisor put out a list of the 10 most extraordinary Treetop Hotels. It was a pleasant surprise however to find Sri Lanka's very own Saraii Village www.saraiivillage.com on the list - a relative newcomer to the field of sustainable tourism and green travel.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/InfoCenter-a_ctr.treehouseEN1

Being rated by TripAdvisor among ten exclusive treetop hotels worldwide gives Saraii more than one reason to celebrate its sustainable message. CEO and founder of Saraii Charitha Abeyratne said "We are grateful to TripAdvisor for considering us worthy enough for this remarkable rating. It feels good when you know you are being appreciated and recommended by your customers. This makes us very excited about the future of Saraii and the experience we offer our guests”

Saraii Village started as an idea few thought plausible, some laughed at and others dismissed. But one person defended it and that was Charitha Abeyratne the founder and CEO of Saraii Village who was involved in building an organic Agro-Forestry business with her husband Prasanna, which inspired her to create a sustainable tourism business with an agro/eco platform.

Research Tourism

A Vacation of Discovery

With many of Sri Lanka’s leading universities and research institutes allowing individual participation in their field work, research and research forums, many foreign students find time to share and gain expertise in the fields ranging from Arts, environmental science, archeology, anthropology, agriculture and engineering.

Sri Lanka had been celebrated for its well regulated education system as old as two thousand years and the country is one of the few to boast a literacy level over 90% in the South Asian region.

Long considered a nursery for intellectuals and academics Sri Lanka continues to attracts an increasing number of international students as well as international academics for research and study.

Being a biodiversity hotspot Sri Lanka is one of the favorite research destinations for botanists, zoologists, oceanologists and environment scientists. Although country’s Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance and other related laws prevent foreign nationals conducting independents research foreign students are involved in many researches and studies conducted by local organizations.

Archeological and anthropological studies and research in the country too are well sought after research fields due to the country three millennia long civilization. Research and excavations conducted into Sri Lanka’s heritage sites and pre historical sites by Archeology Department and Archeological Research Institute provides space for number of foreign students and research assistants, who apply through recognized universities.

Due to its unique geographical position Sri Lanka is considered one of the best locations in the world to astronomical research, a fact held by late Sir Arthur C Clerk himself and continues to be celebrated by many star gazers.

Although astronomy, environment science and archeology are the most celebrated research options in Sri Lanka for international students, the countryprovides ample opportunities to many students of various fields.

Volunteer Tourism

Volunteering in Sri Lanka - A Holiday with a Difference

Make a difference while enjoying a dream holiday in the paradise island of Sri Lanka, a country emerging from a thirty year old long war and a devastating tsunami, yet with misty mountains, shimmering beaches and rolling surf.

With many a parts of rural Sri Lanka still waking up into development there are many opportunities for an extra helping hand. May it be teaching English or IT, helping a community to develop a clean drinking water project, helping to eradicate dengue or enhance sustainable forest use and save animals, a traveler with right expertise, knowledge and enthusiasm can make a big difference among the communities wanting knowledge and direction.

Travelers who volunteer among the local communities in Sri Lanka too gain from their firsthand experience of a different culture with its own traditions, beliefs, food and festivities. Working with a community and living among them exposes the travelers to their dreams, joys and aspiration; the difficulties they face and their victories over them, providing an understanding of a community who lives a different life yet smiles and weeps like them.

Volunteers are encouraged to combine holiday with volunteering to give them the best out of their stay. A homestay with a Sri Lankan family helps them bond and communicate better with the country and its people while locals too continue to respect and cherish the volunteers are lending a hand in improving themselves, the community and village.

Colombo City Tour

The Colombo City Tour is Colombo's first ever open deck city tour service launched by Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and Ebert Silva Holidays (Pvt) Ltd. The Colombo City Tour adds flavor and excitement to the touristic experience the city of Colombo has to offer.

Shopping

Shopping in Sri Lanka can take many forms haggling with a handicraft-seller while sunbathing on the beach choosing fruit from the traditional village store, 'the kade' while side-stepping sacks of rice or checking out the bargain-priced latest international fashions (Sri Lanka is a major garment exporter)  while enjoying the ambiance of a luxurious shopping centre in Colombo.

And there’s much inbetween. Visit a handicraft shop and familiarize yourself with traditional designs such as makara (a mythical animal, lion, swan, elephant and lotus which are most evident in brasswork (boxes, trays, lanterns, vases) and silverware (ornately carved and filigree jewellery, tea-sets) that make excellent souvenirs. In addition, ritual masks, lacquer ware, batik and handloom textiles, lace, and wood carvings are popular.

Last but certainly not least, Sri Lanka has the widest variety of precious stones among the world’s gem producing countries - blue sapphires, star sapphires, rubies, cat’s eye, garnets, moonstones, aquamarines and topazes being just a dazzling handful. What’s more, Sri Lanka naturally has a tradition in jewellery-making, so you can bring your gems to life.