Bespoke Sri Lanka Holidays

Horton Plains is a spectacular 2000m high plateau  interspersed with grass lands and small forests, which are safe havens for many endemic species of birds and animals. Probably the most dramatic  feature of the National Park is `World’s End’ where the plateau abruptly ends as it drops vertically over 1000 m.

A  protected zone, the park can be best explored on foot though jeep safaris are also popular options to explore the grassy  plains. As the mist sets in by afternoon, make sure to reach there early in the morning. The diverse landscape punctuated with rolling hills, grasslands, upper montane forests  and waterfalls like the Baker's Falls  attracts a lot of tourists.

Nestled on the Poonagala hills, Lipton's Seat is one of the best viewing points of Sri Lanka. Located at  Dambetenna in the Haputale Mountain region,  Lipton's Seat was  the  look-out point for surveying the surrounding region of his tea plantations of Sir Thomas Lipton, the well known tea planter.

On a clear day, you can see as many 5 provinces of Sri Lanka from this viewing point and the dramatic  sights are something that have to be experienced at least once in your life time. Enjoy the surreal charm of nature   and the dramatic appeal as you glance over the endless territory towards South, East and South West of Sri Lanka from this point.  

How to reach : The viewpoint is over 4 Km from Poonagala  and a short walk of 1 Km up the hill through the tea plantations.

Best time to visit: March and  August are the best months to visit Lipton's seat.

Ella is a quiet village perched high on the mountains. Ideal for nature trails and trekking, Ella is well suited to take a break from the mundane and to  chill out.  Located at a distance of  8 km from Bandarawela, Ella forms the base camp for the trekking expeditions to the surrounding countryside.

The breathtaking natural finery around Ella makes it a hot spot in Sri Lankan  tourist itineraries. The  hot days and cold nights of Ella are quite unlike the typical tropical climate of  Sri Lanka. So, if you are planning to climb the peaks in  Ella, do not forget  sun protection and water!

The mighty mountains of Ella  would make you feel on top of the world literally. Some of the  attractions in Elle  include the   Ella Gap, Ravana Ella Falls and Bambaragala Peak- just to list a few. Ella has  a lot of things to keep you on your toes, so make sure to stay in Ella a bit longer.

A trekker's haven and a major eco tourist spot,  Knuckles Range takes its curious name because of its resemblance to a set of knuckles in a closed fist.  Declared as a conservation area, Knuckles Range located in Kandy, spreads around 155 sq km and spans over  five major forest formations and some of the best mountain views of Sri Lanka, not to forget the unique flora and fauna of the region.

Knuckles Range in ideal for adventure sports like mountain biking and trekking and above all some of the most spectacular views and colors of  the tropical finery. The verdant forests interspersed with fast flowing rivers and tumbling water walls to vast expanses of tea plantations that run along terraced paddy fields and the well kept  home gardens present a rare spectacle.

Knuckles Mountain Range is deep rooted in history and  would take  you to a trip to its rich past. Considered as one of the priceless heritages in Sri Lanka, the saga of Knuckles goes back into prehistoric periods  dating back to several millennia.

Adam'a Peak, located over 7,360 ft above the sea level,  is one of the most remarkable sights in Sr Lanka. A depression in the rocky summit that resembles a huge footprint is considered as the Buddha's footprint by Buddhists, whereas Hindus consider it as that of Shiva and Muslims as Adam's. So for all religions in Sri Lanka, Adam's Peak hold significance.

Touted as one of the most sacred sites in the world, Adam's peak is frequented by pilgrims all year round. Pilgrims climb up thousands of steps in an ascent that takes many hours during the main pilgrimage season that extends from December to May.

Adam's Peak is a major eco tourism destination as well. The Adam's Peak Wilderness Sanctuary attracts many nature enthusiasts and adventure lovers for the matchless nature trails through dense tropical rain forests across rivers and lush green tea plantations.

Most climbers start their ascent at night to make sure that they reach the top before sun rise when  the mystical triangular shadow of the peak can be seen drifting downwards. As the sun rises higher this eerie shadow inches back towards the peak, to slowly disappear into its base!