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Sri Lanka is the teardrop that falls from the southern tip of India and is becoming increasingly popular as a travel destination –and not only for sports fanatics who want to play a proper game of cricket. About twenty million people reside on this relatively small island that used to bear the name Ceylon. Although a lot of people come over to Sri Lanka to have a nice beach holiday (finished off with a touch of culture), there is definitely more to see and to do than sunbathing on one of the many excellent beaches. Hikkaduwa, for example, is very well-known for its beach-resorts and for its brooding turtles.


History
 
Sri Lanka has more than 2,500 years of continuous written history by means of the Mahawansha, and was also mentioned in several ancient Indian texts. One of the most famous is the Ramayana, in which the island, which was referred to as Lanka, was the island fortress of the king Ravana, who captured the wife of Rama an incarnation of the Hindu God, Vishnu. Legend has it that Hanuman the monkey god flew over to Lanka and destroyed the capital by setting it on fire, while Rama and his remaining troops later crossed over from the mainland by building a land bridge across the sea.

The Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century BC, probably from northern India. Buddhism was introduced beginning in about the mid-3rd century BC, and a great civilization developed at such cities as Anuradhapura (kingdom from c.200 BC to c.1000 AD) and Polonnaruwa (c.1070 to 1200). Other notable but relatively more recent kingdoms are Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, Gampola, Kandy and Jaffna Kingdoms.
Occupied by the Portuguese in the 16th century and by the Dutch in the 17th century, the island was ceded to the British in 1796, and became a crown colony in 1802. As Ceylon, it became independent in 1948; the name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972.

With end of the 30 year prolonged bitter separatist war in the May 2009 it seems this island nation is on a new chapter of its history.

Climate

Since Sri Lanka is a tropical country, you can expect the rain anytime of the year in most parts. However, the two major rainy seasons are North-East monsoon (October to January) and South-West monsoon (May to July).

Being an island, the climate of Sri Lanka changes dramatically from one part of the country to another. For example at Nuwara Eliya, in the hills of Central Sri Lanka, has a temperature around -5-20 C throughout the year, whereas Hambanthota, located in the dry zone, has a temperature consistently around 30-35 C.

Two weeks in Sri Lanka

Big city and big rocks

 

Start at Colombo

Start with a two-night stay in the capital city of Colombo, the closest experience you’ll find in Sri Lanka to big-city hustle and bustle. Take a full day to wander through the sprawling collection of ancient artifacts and colonial-era relics at the must-see National Museum, take a quiet walk through nearby Viharamahadevi Park (be careful not to disturb the hordes of giant fruit bats hiding in the tree tops), and make your way through the mazes of Pettah Market. At sunset, topple a cold bottle of Three Coins lager at the Galle Face Hotel‘s vintage seaside patio.

Next stop – Kandy

Next it’s three nights and two days in Kandy. (Take the Intercity Express train from Colombo via the central highlands – this spectacular journey will be one of the highlights of your trip.) Spend the first day exploring Kandy proper: make a requisite stop at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (which purportedly contains a tooth from the Buddha), take a stroll around languid Kandy Lake, and tour the British Garrison Cemetery (perhaps meeting its stately caretaker, Mr. Charles Carmichael).

 

Temple of the Tooth

On the second day, ask your guesthouse to arrange for a driver to take you to the ancient Royal Rock Temple at Dambulla, and then on to imposing Sigiriya, a Unesco World Heritage Site. Kandy Cottage, located in the hills just outside town, is a highly recommended and affordable place to rest.

From Tea Country to Tissamaharama

 On to Nuwara Eliya

Hire a driver in Kandy to take you to Nuwara Eliya, the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country. The town itself is unremarkable, but the landscape of the surrounding region, lined with rows upon rows of verdant tea bushes, is stunning (as is the ride up to the city). Though somewhat touristy, the secluded Heritance Tea Factory offers well-appointed rooms and a quiet place to relax high amidst the tea plantations.

 

Tea plantations

Currently the drive down from Nuwara Eliya to Tissamaharama is a slow, winding one marked by bad roads and construction, but the reward is a safari at Yala National Park, where, if you’re lucky, you’ll spot elephants, tropical birds, lizards – and, maybe, spotted leopards. Spend two nights here in Tissa; most guesthouses can arrange the safari for you. Book it for the following morning upon arrival.

 

Relaxation on the Southern Coast

After bumpy roads and a dusty safari, it’s time to kick back and relax for four days on the southern coast, which is lined with postcard-perfect, empty beaches that rival the best in South Asia. Head for serene Goyambokka Beach in Tangalla; or you could head further west is tiny Mirissa, the young backpacker’s choice, or Unawatuna, which is the most developed beach resort in Sri Lanka.

It’ll be tempting to never leave the beach, but give yourself enough time for two nights in atmospheric Galle. Reserve your days for wandering through the Old Fort, where locals teeter around on vintage bicycles, goats and cows roam freely past modern art galleries, and the morning call to prayer from the Muslim mosque reverberates around the fort’s southern walls. Mama’s Guest House serves the best food in town, and also offers spacious, clean, and affordable lodging.

Finally, finish your time in Sri Lanka with an exhilarating ride along the coast of the Indian Ocean on the express train from Galle to Colombo
 

Sri Lanka Tourist Map