Scenic Sri Lanka

………..With geography as diverse as its culture and communities, boredom is not something you are likely to experience when traveling in Sri Lanka. From rolling rice paddies in the coastal lowlands to the manicured slopes of the lush, green tea gardens in the central highlands, the scenery here is ever-changing.

Tea Country

The tea country, home to the legendary Ceylon Tea makes for a good escape from the heat and humidity of the lowlands. And Nuwara Eliya, fondly coined “Little England”, courtesy of pioneering planters who settled here adopting typical English architecture, lies at is center. Horton Plains with its moor-like landscape, offers a brisk trek in crisp mountain air, and a visit to Baker’s Falls, the birthplace of the country’s longest river, the Mahaweli. Other spectacular waterfalls in the hill country include Bambarakanda – Sri Lanka’s tallest, Dunhinda, and St Clare’s Falls which are well worth the stop if passing.

The Highlands

If you are willing to break a sweat, Sri Lanka’s numerous mountains provide indescribably picturesque views. Adam’s Peak, rising like a sentinel from the swirling mists, is one of Sri Lanka’s most revered sites of pilgrimage. Therefore, sunrise on a clear day from the summit of this 7,000-foot monolith is truly a magical experience when the shadow of the mountain recedes towards you and the vista of the Southern plains reveals itself.

Botanic Gardens

The hill capital of Kandy is home to the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, which is a must-see for the horticulturally inclined. Originally, a recreational area for Royals of the ancient Kandyan kingdom, it was re-laid under British rule and holds an impressive collection of orchids amidst meticulously maintained grounds.

Nature Treks

For nature lovers, the Sinharaja Rainforest and the Knuckles Mountain Range are a must-do. Sinharaja, with its verdant, mist-covered hills offers excellent bird watching and the montane forests on the slopes of the Knuckles Range are home to numerous species of endemic wildlife.

Written by Jonathan Roelofsz for Travel Lanka Compass