What to do in Sri Lanka : Activities on land

Trekking

The Hill Country is ideal for trekking, to start with the Adam’s Peak, the Horton Plains’ National Park, the Knuckles Mountain Range and the tea plantations providing ample trails. Besides stunning landscapes, you will also enjoy the amazing fauna of the island. Don’t forget about the Sinharaja Rainforest and its endemic bird species.

Camping

Go camping in special eco-lodge or in more primitive campsites. The Hill Country is full of walking possibilities surrounded by peaceful Sri Lankan nature. You will find magical areas next to Belihul Oya, Kithulgala or in the Knuckles Range, just to name few.

Rafting and Kayaking

You will experience rafting and kayaking mainly in western Sri Lanka. A kayak ride takes you from Ratnapura to Kalutara, or to the Samanalawewa Reservoir in the mountainous region. You can also kayak by the sea, or on the river in Bentota. Go to Kitulgala for a rafting trip on the Kelani River.

Cycling

Go for cycling city tours in Galle, Kandy, Batticaloa or Colombo and visit the ruins of the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa by bicycle. Long cycling excursions with professionals are also available all over the island.

Yoga and Ayurveda

Ayurveda is a traditional medical practice native to India but strongly followed in Sri Lanka as well. Many hotels provide ayurvedic treatments. Yoga is getting more and more famous around the world, with great benefits for your body. You can find many hotels offering yoga classes, or even yoga retreats.

Gems

Sri Lanka is an important gem producer and exporter and the industry centered in the mining town of Ratnapura is an integral part of the culture. Gem shops are liberally scattered across the island and a few mines can be found in Hikkaduwa and Kataragama.

Tea Plantations

Visiting the tea plantations is a must-do in Sri Lanka. Majority of the tea plantations are located in the Hill Country, mostly near Nuwara Eliya and Haputale. You can also find low grown tea between Galle and Sinharaja. Visit a tea factory, take a walk in the plantations and enjoy peaceful landscapes.

Gardens

The most famous gardens are the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens in Kandy. They are the biggest in Sri Lanka and include a spice garden. Hakgala Botanical Garden, in Nuwara Eliya, is probably the second most impressive garden on the island. Brief Garden or Lunuganga, near Bentota, are privately owned and also worth visiting.

Cooking Lessons

Learn how to prepare spicy and tasty Sri Lankan food from a local expert and take the recipes home! Most of the cooking lessons take place in the Hill Country, where the ingredients are often found. Your culinary experience can take place in a family or with an experienced chef. Rice and curry will have no more secrets for you!

Golf

As a former British colony, Sri Lanka has some good golf courses around. Colombo, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and Hambantota are the most famous locations with a smaller course on the East Coast, in Trincomalee. We particularly recommend Colombo Golf course, and Shangri La Hambantota Golf course, which are both participating in OnCourse® programme, (committed to continual improvements in the important sustainability areas of Nature, Resources, and Community).

Casinos

The economic capital of Colombo is home to the majority of the country’s casinos and most of them are located in the Colombo 3 district.

City Walks

We can organize special city walks in Colombo, Kandy, Batticaloa and Galle. Immerge yourself in the local culture and history of the city.