June 2022 - Mahaweli Tours & Holidays

Safari Tour at Udawalawe National Park

Possible Starting / Pick-up Locations :
Udawalawa, Ella, Tangalle, Mirissa,Galle, Unawatuna, Arugambay, Badulla, Bandarawela, Thissamaharama (You can let us know your exact location for us to check and confirm the possibility)

Duration : Safari Tour will take around 3 ½ on average.

Tour Type : A private tour. Vehicle and the Guide / Chauffer guide are dedicated to you / your group. Safari tour will be done by an off road vehicle and traveling to the starting point and back will be done by Comfortable Car / Van / Mini coach

Sri Lanka is an island compact with many natural blessings. It is amazing to see so many natural beauties on one soil. Tourists from all around the world come to Sri Lanka to see its magnificent wildlife, beautiful waterfalls, deep blue seas, and glorious mountains. This tour is arranged for you or/and your groups to experience the wildlife and nature in Udawalawe National Park. This safari tour is designed by us to give you a matchless experience of seeing wildlife in their element. We provide excellent guides who are thorough with the local knowledge and English Language. Other language specific guides can be arranged on special request. It is our great and genuine passion to serve you with the best of Sri Lanka’s beauty.

A little bit about the Park

Udawalawe National Park is located on Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces’ boundaries. The northern part of the park is crowned with a range of mighty mountains and it is a sight to see. The park is overlooking the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River and it gives a cooling sensation throughout the day. The park consisted of endless flora and fauna which are endemic and endangered, thus being protected and preserved by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. With lush forests and scattered ponds, the park is a home for many species in the animal kingdom.

Flora and Fauna

The whole premise is full of greenery that is endemic to Sri Lanka. You will come across many species of trees that are highly appraised by the locals. It also has many kinds of animals such as Asian Elephants, Peacocks, Crocodiles, and Elephants. If you are an animal lover, you will not be disappointed. The best part of the safari is seeing elephants with their families. You will see baby elephants hiding behind their mothers, elephants washing themselves in the scattered ponds and reptiles in their own zone.

From the beginning of the safari, you will experience unpolluted, undisturbed fresh air because of the many trees that stand tall around the park. They cover the entire area and give a cooling atmosphere throughout. For all you travelers, this is one of the places you must visit to get the best of experiences with wildlife and nature. Truly, nature is incomparable to anything in the world. You will be amazed at the beauty and harmony between flora and fauna. Mother Nature is built in such a way, to accompany animals and trees together to work hand-in hand.

One of the most loved wildlife sanctuaries in the entire island!

With elephants wandering across, with peacocks dancing to the nature’s tune with their mighty feathers, leopards hopping and running in the wilderness, and trees covering them all with it breeze is a full treat! Ensure to capture as many moments as you can because Udawalae National Park is one of the most beloved places in the entire island. Safari-lovers come to get a full serving of nature and beauty at Udawalawe National Park.

(Cover Image Source: Kvn Poupi from Instagram)

The scenic train-ride in Sri Lanka

This particular train ride is from the capital to the city called Badulla. We have arranged to take you on this ride by providing an excellent guide to guide you through. If you require language specific guides, they can be arranged upon request. We will assure you that you get the best of experiences during this ride. This island has beautiful cities and villages that are in the midst of these rail roads. We will provide you with all the information and guidance necessary to take the best train at the best time. Keep reading to see and understand the amazing ride to one of the most beautiful cities in the country.

This will give you a comprehensive idea about Sri Lanka’s railway system, the best time to go and the activities to do.

The best way to get to Badulla…

Train rides have generally become a tourist’s favorite because of many reasons. It is inexpensive and give a very cultural experience. It gives you a very cultural experience, helping you see all the beautiful sceneries that pass by. This train ride starts from the Colombo Railway Station to Kandy. It then takes an onward to Badulla. The way from the transit is utterly breathtaking!

People’s favorite travel mode when they come to this island…

The best thing about this ride is, you can relax on the way, sleep if you want to, sit and watch the beauty, go to the loo, take pictures, and eat the unlimited snacks sold by many sellers that get in. Take the chance of trying country’s unique spiced fruits called ‘Achcharu.’

Railway system in Sri Lanka

Initially during British colonization, they built a railway system from the inlands to Colombo for merchandising purposes. They built it to bring tea, coffee and other spices via train to Colombo to import. But today, all Sri Lanka’s major cities have a railway station and trains operate throughout the country. We can reserve the tickets for you on advance requests.

There are separate classes of travel such as 1^st Class Observation with reserved seats, unreserved 2^nd class, and unreserved 3^rd class. Either way, this is an interesting way of commuting in Sri Lanka, especially for tourists, to gain the maximum vision of nature. This extension to Badulla is called “Podi Manike” train.

It has become an important mode of transportation used both by locals and foreigners alike. It is maintained by the authorities of the country, and unlike those days, trains have become a main public transport mode.

The Bottom line: The way to Badulla will not disappoint you

If you love nature and would like to experience one the most loved train rides in the world, make it on top of your to-do list when you come to visit this unbelievably blessed island. It is impossible to miss the rich and untouched nature of this beautiful island. So come with your cameras and bag packed!

(Cover Image of Kandy to Ella Train Ride Credit Goes to: @kelsddddd from IG)

Peacock Hills in Pussellawa

Peacock Hills is a nice place to go for a hike in central Sri Lanka. The mountain is situated in the Pussellawa area of the Nuwara Eliya District. It is a fantastic view point with a panoramic view. The height of the Peacock Hills is 1518m above sea level. Locals call this mountain “Monara Kanda”.

How to reach Peacock Hills

You first need to come to Pussellawa town to start the journey. The distance to Pussellawa from Kandy is 35km and from Nuwara Eliya it is about 45km. It is a town on the border of the districts of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. After the pussellawa, you must travel another 5 kilometers to the starting point. The road is small with poor conditions. You will see many beautiful tea plantations along that route. It is not difficult to find the starting point of the trail.

This is not a hard hike and you can come to the top within 30 minutes. You will see communication towers along the road. But you don’t need to get permission to cross them. The narrow footpath through pine trees will generate a nice feeling for anyone.

What you can observe from the Monara Kanda

As we mentioned earlier, the view from the peacock hills is amazing. The panoramic view is superb for photographers. Just sit on the large rock there and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings. You can see many cities, villages, and the nearest mountains from there.

Gampola Town, Nawalapitiya Town, Pussellawa Town, Nuwara Eliya Town, Ambuluwawa, Dolosbage Mountain Range, Piduruthalagala Range, Bible Rock, Ramboda Falls, Poona Ella, Kothmale Reservior, and Mahaweli River are some of the clearly visible things that you can observe.

More Facts About the Mountain

The mountain got its name because of its shape. From a distance, it looks like the front neck of a peacock. That caused them to adopt the name ‘Peacock Hill’.

Kothmale is the nearest village to the mountain. It is a historical village in Sri Lanka. The king, Dutugemunu, lived in this village in his youth. He was a heroic king in Sri Lankan history and ruled his kingdom with great prosperity.

Peacock Hill is a superb place for campers. You can camp on the top of the mountain. But you need to bring enough water. Early morning sunrise and evening sunset are the perfect times to take some amazing photographs. You are not allowed to take drone shots. The place is normally crowded during the holidays.

So, visit Peacock Hills if you are love hiking, trekking, camping and photography. It is a nice place to visit in both Kandy and Nuwara Eliya areas. But keep in mind to don’t destroy the place with rubbish.

(Cover Image Credit: Dhani_sparkly from Instagram)

Temple of the Tooth Relic

Introduction to the Temple of the Tooth Relic

When you think of visiting a rich culture, Sri Lanka always pops into your head. A lot of tourists visit Sri Lanka because of its rich culture and history. This tiny island has so much history, with tales of kings, kingdoms, and temples. One of the most admired places in the whole world is the Temple of the Tooth Relic. In Sinhalese, it is called “Sri Dalanda Maligawa.” It has significant connections to the history of our country.

When you visit Sri Lanka, Put this on top of your must-see list because it is indeed a must-see. Our excellent guides will take you through the temple complex to give you a clear idea of the historical value of the place. Come ready to receive an experience of a lifetime with us in this beautiful place. You will be given a guide who is thorough with local knowledge. If you require language specific guides, they can be provided as well.

The history and architecture of the temple

The importance of this temple is that it accommodates the sacred tooth relic of Buddha. The temple is situated in Kandy, where the royal palace was, during the reign of the Kandyan Kingdom. The tooth relic was preserved and protected in India and was brought to Sri Lanka by Princess Hemamali and her husband, Prince Dantha.

The entrance of the temple has one of the main architectural symbols in the Kandyan Kingdom. It is called a Sandakada Pahana (Moonstone). It has the shape of a half-circle with many carvings that symbolize prosperity, peace, culture, and other religious figures. This is placed at the entrance below the staircase. The main gate is called ‘Mahawahalkada’ and it was once completely destroyed. But afterwards, it was renovated, along with its symbols and figures, that are similar to the original.

The Tooth Relic

The Tooth Relic is safely kept in a chamber called ‘Handun Kunama.” It is protected by seven caskets which are engraved with precious stones and gems. One of these caskets is used in the pageant, which happens once a year. These caskets have the shape of a‘stupa.’

Why is this temple important?!

Sri Lanka was originally a Buddhist country. Hence, the Temple of the Tooth Relic is utterly treasured and protected by the community. First of all, it is situated in one of the main cities in Sri Lanka. It was built in the times of the Kandyan Kingdom, and to this date, the temple has not lost its importance. It houses the sacred tooth relic of Buddha. Devotees from all over the island come to worship at this temple because they believe it to be a sacred and holy place.

Pay a visit to one of the important religious spots in the country

Come and enjoy a matchless evening in the Temple of the Tooth Relic premises. See the devotees worship in reverence and honor towards their belief. It is indeed a sight to behold

(Cover Image Source: @fake_or_real_ from Instagram)

Bambarakiri Ella Waterfall in Matale

June 15, 2022 June 15, 2022
admin
Waterfalls
Bambarakiri Ella, Matale, Waterfalls in Sri Lanka

Bambarakiri Ella is a scenic waterfall located in the Rattota of the Matale District. This is a fabulous place to visit in Matale. The waterfall cascades in three parts. The height of the waterfall is 10 m. The area is considered the northern side of the Knuckles Mountain Range.

How to Reach Bambarakiri Ella Waterfall?

If you are coming from Kandy, Kurunegala, Dambulla, or Colombo, you must first arrive in Matale town. After Matale, you need to follow the B274 road from Matale-Illukkumbura-Girandurukotte. The distance from Matale to Bambarakiri Ella is 16 km. However, the distance from Rattota to the location is 6km.

Those who are starting from Ampara, Mahiyangana, Badulla or Polonnaruwa can follow the same route starting from the Hasalaka side. You can easily use Google Maps to find the exact location. Riverston is another well-known travel destination in the area. You have to follow the same route as B274 to reach that place also.

More information about Bambarakiri Waterfall

You have to walk at least 200m to get to the waterfall from the main road. The notice board with a bend has made it easy to find the place. There is a parking facility available for visitors. A few vendors and shops are also available near the waterfall. First you will see the old suspension bridge, from which you can clearly see the second cascade of the waterfall. The picture is absolutely enchanting for anyone. However, you should be careful when crossing the bridge.

You can walk very close to the waterfall. But don’t try to bathe in the nearest pool. It is dangerous and has caused a few deaths in the past few years. Anyhow, you can take selfies and beautiful photos there. Anyone can walk further to reach the first cascade of Bambarakiri Ella. But they need to walk a few meters towards the upper direction.

The Kunckles Mountain Range

The Knuckles Mountain Range and its forest reserve are an important biodiversity area of Sri Lanka. The Mountain Range covers a large area of both the Matale and Kandy Districts. The high plant diversity has made it difficult to enter the forest. There you can find many animal and plant species.

However, there are many beautiful travel destinations in the Knuckle Mountain Range. The Bambarakiri Ella and Riverston are some of the most popular places in the northern part of the Knuckles Range. The area is also superb for hikers and trekkers.

So, we request that you visit Bambarakiri Ella Waterfall during your tour in Matale. Sera Ella is another beautiful waterfall that is situated near the Riverston Mountains.

(Cover Image Credit: @srilankan_views from Twitter)

Best Places for Surfing in Sri Lanka

Do you want to have an exhilarating surfing experience with nature’s finest beauty? Or are you looking for the best places for surfing in Sri Lanka? And what is more relaxing than an exciting surfing session, good food, a sea breeze, and music? When surfers visit Sri Lanka, they have an exquisite experience in the sea. There is a time period for each coast. But around the island, there is always a spot for surfing. This beautiful island has so many activities to do and places to see. Water sports are one of the things Sri Lanka is famous for. Of all of them, surfing is their top-notch water activity.

A little bit about surfing coasts in Sri Lanka

Generally, the southern side of the island is ideal for surfing between November and May because the waves are at their best. The best time for surfing in the eastern part of the island is between April and October.

Here’s the deal:

Let us see the best surfing spots in Sri Lanka.

Hikkaduwa is the most famous surfing spot in Sri Lanka. Situated on the southwest coast of the island, Hikkaduwa makes a beautiful beach. It is always full of life because of the surfing, coral, and many other beach activities. This coast is loved by locals and foreigners alike. Hikkaduwa’s major surfing spots are Benny’s, Main Reef, North Jetty, and Beach Break.

Unawatuna Bay is another famous spot for surfing. It is more suitable for family vacations as the nightlife is not as happening as in Hikkaduwa. But the waves are as good as the other ones, making it one of the famous spots. The best surfing spots in Unawatuna Bay are Dalawella Reef, Unawatuna Beach Break, Bonavista Bay, South Beach, and Kabalana Beach Break.

If you’re new to surfing, Weligama is a great place to start .It has suitable waves for surfing all around the year.

Arugam Bay on the east is one of the most loved surfing spots. It is best to visit this bay in April and September. These famous spots in Arugam Bay will give you an exciting surfing experience: Pottuvil and Whiskey Point, Baby Point and Main Point, and Elephant Rock. Most people believe that this is the best place to surf in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka is surrounded by the Indian Ocean, and the rain hits the waves in different directions throughout the year. Generally, the country always has a surfing spot available for surfers, bringing them from all around the world throughout the year.

The Bottom Line:

Sri Lanka has surfing spots for beginners as well as experts. There are best surfing places in Sri Lanka that is suitable for each category. You can experience a happening surfing experience followed by all-night entertainment in Hikkaduwa, or you can go with your family for an enjoyable surfing experience followed by amazing Sri Lankan food at Unawatuna Bay. Either way, you can experience bouncy waves and water crashing on the rocks while surfing blue waters.

So, what is your best places for surfing in Sri Lanka? Don’t forget to share this article among your friends by mentioning it!

Read our other posts;

Beautiful Beaches of Sri Lanka

(Cover Image Location is Arugam Bay. The Image Credit goes to @c.h.r.u.e from Instagram)

Trekking at Sinharaja Forest

Sinharaja Trekking is an absolutely awesome activity to do for nature lovers. It is a world famous rain forest situated in Sri Lanka. In this guide we will explain all the information about Sinharaja Forest and how you can plan a trek to Sinharaja with Mahaweli Tours and Holidays.

Here’s what’s amazing about Sinharaja:

Sinharaja is full of flora and fauna that are endemic to Sri Lanka. According to research, more than 60 percent of the forest’s trees are considered rare and endemic. How amazing is that? A lot of natural elements are hidden inside this forest. There are waterfalls, rainforest vegetation, streams, and canopies. It is situated in the south-west lowland of Sri Lanka and is surrounded by local villages.

History and formation of the forest

According to some old folklore, the territory was once royal, belonging to ancient kings during the colonial era.It also has a name called “Rajasinghe Forest.” Nonetheless, this rainforest is untouched by any alteration by humans. Trekking in this virgin rainforest, which is the last viable one in Sri Lanka, is truly an exquisite experience. The forest gets thicker with every step you take. Once the trekking starts, you will feel yourself detaching from your world and attaching yourself to nature with every step you take. Sinharaja still has many places where a single human foot has not yet stepped in. It is full of biodiversity.

Calling out all nature lovers to join trekking at Sinharaja Rainforest

If you are a nature lover who loves seeing the beautiful diversity, Sinharaja is the best place in Sri Lanka. When you start venturing into the forest, you will understand that the forest consists of only the sounds of nature. There is no human intervention whatsoever. It is beautiful to experience endless birds chirping and see snakes and reptiles in their truest element. You will even hear leaves falling off the trees because there is no other sound other than the dominating sound of nature. It is the truest dimension of natural beauty.

There is no such thing as “the best time to go” to Sinharaja forest. But if you need to avoid the monsoon, then it is better to avoid February, March, May, and July. Depending on the amount of it you want to see, the time duration varies. There is a research center inside the forest. So for all you nature lovers and researchers, you have everything you need to know right inside the forest. We will take you on an unforgettable trekking session where you will get to see the endemic amphibians and birds of Sri Lanka. The Sinharaja Rainforest is one of its kind. So come with your backpack prepared to go trekking at this majestic site.

Sinharaja Trekking with Mahaweli Tours

Sinharaja is none other than the last sustainable rainforest on this small island. Trekking in a place as prestigious as this is a privilege. This tour is uniquely constructed and designed to give you an experience of the natural world at its best. We will provide you with a guide who will communicate with you effectively in English. If you require language-specific guides, they can be arranged upon request. This is a forest reserve that has been declared a World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. It is amazing to know that this tiny island has so many natural treasures, such as Sinharaja.

Duration: Approximately 6 hours

Inclusions: Snacks, Lunch, Bottled water, All Fees and Taxes

Meeting Point: Mederipitiya Bus Station, Poddana, Mederipitiya Dombagoda Rd, Deniyaya

End Point: The activity concludes at the meeting point.

Pickup Details: Kindly send us a message or WhatsApp message with the name of your hotel. If your hotel is in close proximity to the Sinharaja Forest entrance gate, our guide will personally visit your hotel for the meetup.

Additional Information:

Confirmation will be provided upon booking.
Please note that this tour/activity is not wheelchair accessible.
The location is conveniently located near public transportation.
Infants must be seated on laps during the tour.
Participants are recommended to have a moderate level of physical fitness.
This is a private tour/activity, exclusively for your group’s participation.

Cancellation Policy

A full refund will be provided if you cancel the experience at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled start time.

To receive a full refund, please ensure that you cancel your booking no later than 24 hours prior to the experience’s start time.
If you cancel within 24 hours of the experience’s start time, the amount paid will not be refunded.
Please note that any changes made to the booking within 24 hours of the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
All cut-off times are based on the local time of the experience.

So, it’s your time to book your Sinharaja Trekking Tour with us. For more information, please contact +94777 111553 or info@mahaweli.lk

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Read More About Safaris:

Kumana National Park Safari

(Sinharaja Rain Forest Cover Image by: Walk Through Sri Lanka)