Anuradhapura Day Tour By Mahaweli Tours & Holidays

Plan Your Anuradhapura Day Tour with Mahaweli

Our Anuradhapura day tour is specifically designed to take you around the city to give you an unforgettable experience of its opulent culture, pilgrimages, and people. Anuradhapura is one of the major cities up to date in terms of its size, ancient ruins, and demographics. You will be given a guide with excellent local knowledge and communication skills. Language-specific guides can be provided upon special request as well. For people who are in love with culture and history, this is the ideal tour to enlighten their spirits.

 

Before talking more about our Anuradhapura day tour, let us give you a brief introduction about Anuradhapura city. 

 

The Great Kingdom: Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura was one of the seven kingdoms in the history of kingdoms in Sri Lanka. It is the oldest, largest, and most prosperous of all. In 377 BC, it was declared a kingdom, and King Pandukabhaya made it prosperous. It is still considered the capital of the North Central Province. This kingdom lasted almost 12 centuries ago until it was destroyed in the 10th century AD.

The ancient city of Anuradhapura is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka. It is a must-see on your trip as it can give you a broad perspective of Sri Lanka’s history. There are so many ancient monasteries, temples, lakes, and ruins available to watch. The technology for that construction is wonderful to see. Our guides will explain these things further to you. We cover all these things within our Anuradhapura Day Tour.

 

The series of sacred places: Atamasthanaya

This little island is full of nature, culture, history, and food. This tour will be educational and informative for all tourists. The guides will guide you through important historic ruins and places where the stories behind them will also be explained. Leaflets or brochures are available at the entrance of most places.

There are eight significant icons that represent Sri Lanka’s connection to Buddhism, and all of them are situated in Anuradhapura, thus calling this collection “Atamasthanaya,” meaning “eight sacred places.” There is a unique story or history connected to each one of them. Most of them were built by kings that ruled the Anuradhapura Kingdom. You will visit all these places on our Anuradhapura City Tour.

  • Sri Maha Bodi

This is a fig tree that was planted in 288 BC and is considered sacred because it is believed that Buddha achieved enlightenment while meditating under this tree.

  • Ruwanwelisaya

It is a “stupa” that is built by King Dutugamunu and is one of the biggest completed ones to date.

  • Thuparamaya

It is the oldest ‘dagoba’ in Sri Lanka, and possibly the oldest visible one in the world.

  • Lovamahapaya

The significance of this building is that the roof was once covered in bronze tiles.

  • Abhayagiri

It is one of the biggest viharas in Anuradhapura. It was a monastery of 5000 monks.

  • Jethavanaramaya

It is a sacred world heritage site and had accommodated some 3000 monks at the time. It is also quite similar to Abhayagiri.

  • Mirisavetiya

This stupa was built by King Dutugamunu after defeating King Elara.

  • Lankaramaya

This is also built by a king called King Valagamba in the Anuradhapura Kingdom times and is one of the eight sacred places in the city.

There are plenty of other places to see and enjoy. Join us on this day tour to see the biggest contributors in Sri Lankan history. Your love for culture will be expanded after seeing the richness of the city.

 

Anuradhapura Day Tour with Mahaweli Tours & Holidays.

You can plan your Anuradhapura day tour with us. Here are more details about this city tour.

Possible Starting/Pick-up Locations:

Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Colombo, Negombo, Tincomale, Nilaveli, Kandy (You can let us know your exact location for us to check and confirm the possibility).

It takes around 3 hours to complete the visit of Anuradhapura, the ancient city. You can walk or we can arrange some bicycles if you prefer some cycling.

Tour Type: Our Anuradhapura Day Tour is a private tour. The vehicle and the guide/chauffeur guide are dedicated to you and your group. The safari tour will be done by an off-road vehicle and traveling to the starting point and back will be done by a comfortable car, van, or mini coach.

So, visit our Contact us page to connect with us. We will provide all the essential details regarding this tour! Polonnaruwa is another place in Sri Lankan cultural history, and it was the second kingdom of Sri Lanka. Likewise, Anuradhapura, there are so many ancient places to explore in Polonnaruwa too. You can also plan your Polonnaruwa tour with us!

 

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(Cover Image Source: Spin The WindRose from Pinterest) 

Hunas Falls Waterfall in Matale

Hunas Falls Waterfall in Matale

Hunas Falls Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall that is situated in the Matale District of Sri Lanka. This is a nice place to visit if you are seeking the best places in both the Matale and Kandy areas. The distance to the waterfall from Kandy City is 25km. But the distance from Matale City is 21km.

Hunnasgiriya Mountain is a prominent peak in the Knuckles Mountain Range. Situating at the bottom part of the mountain, the waterfall has got this name. Elkaduwa is the nearest town to the waterfall. The route from Elkaduwa to Hunas Falls is dotted with a lot of spice plants. The entire area is very calm and beautiful.

You can use Google Maps to find the location. There is a parking facility available to stop your vehicle. Then you need to buy a ticket to enter the waterfall. The place and its surrounding tea gardens are managed by Elakduwa Plantation Company.

Hunas Falls Waterfall is not a natural waterfall. It is a recently constructed artificial waterfall. Height of the waterfall is 48m. This consists of two parts, and travelers can reach it near the waterfall. The place is safe for anyone to travel to. You can see a small bridge between those two parts. The picture of the waterfall is really amazing in the mornings and afternoons. Please don’t forget to bring a camera.

There is a park at the bottom of the waterfall. You can wait and rest in the summer huts that are placed in the park. After watching the waterfall, you can visit the upper parts of the Hunnasgiriya Mountain. But you need to get permission to go there.

Hunnas Falls Waterfall is a nice place to travel with your family. Here are some of the places to visit in the Matale area:

  • Sembuwaththa Lake
  • Riverston Mountain
  • Kalebokka Division
  • Sera Ella

 

(Featured image source: Thaproban and credit should goes to the original owner) 

Best places for surfing in Sri Lanka

Best Surfing Places in Sri Lanka

Do you want to have an exhilarating surfing experience and looking surfing places in Sri Lanka ? And what is more relaxing than an exciting surfing session, good food, 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. Out of all, 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 to October.

Here’s the deal:                                                   

Let us see the best surfing places in Sri Lanka

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

Unawatuna Bay is another famous spot for surfing. It is more suitable for family vacations as nightlife is not so happening like 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 are a beginner in surfing, Weligama is the most ideal place to start from. 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.

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 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.

Read More: Beautiful Beaches of Sri Lanka

(Cover Image Credit: TZ-Sportfotos)

Hakgala Botanical Garden

Hakgala Botanical Garden in Sri Lanka

Hakgala Botanical Garden is a nice place to visit in the Nuwara Eliya region of Sri Lanka. It is considered one of the five botanical gardens in the country. The other four botanical gardens are as follows:

  • Peradeniya Botanical Garden.
  • Mirijjawila Botanical Garden
  • Henarathgoda Botanical Garden.
  • Seethawaka Botanical Garden.

Hakgala Botanical is the second largest of those five gardens. This was established in the British Era in 1861.

You need to turn your vehicle into the Badulla–Nuwara Eliya route in the Nuwara-Eliya main town. Driving 6km along that road will take you to the garden. It is really easy to find the location. You can use Google Maps. Buying a ticket is essential to enter the garden.

Annually, 500,000 visitors come to the Hakgala Garden to enjoy its beauty. It contains a variety of plants and species, over 10,000. You can also see a lot of floral verities. The orchid garden and rose gardens always attract visitors. Nobody forgot to take some nice photographs from there. All around, the entire garden is comprised of beautiful landscapes. The place is managed and operated by the Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka.

Hakgala Botanical Garden is situated near the Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve. But you can’t go to the nature reserve. The elevation of the place is 5400 ft. from sea level. It has spread over 28 hectares. You can experience a cool climate all around the year. But the December through February season is the coolest time period. The average temperature is between 16C and 30C.

April is considered the best month to visit here. The period is the spring season in Nuwara Eliya. So, a lot of travelers never forget to come here. March is the off-season for many floral plants, so you will not see many flowers. Hakgala Botanical Garden is open all year round and the opening times are 8am to 6pm. It is a very relaxing and ideal place to visit with your family and friends.

(Cover Image Source: Ceylon Footprint Holidays Facebook Page)

Beautiful Beaches of Sri Lanka

Beautiful Beaches of Sri Lanka

Let’s find Beautiful Beaches of Sri Lanka

If you are wondering where to go to experience the best sea breeze, Sri Lanka should come on top of your list. This island is a hotspot for beach lovers all around the world. This island is surrounded by golden sands and blue waters from all four corners. There are breathtaking beaches that will give you a relaxing experience when you come to Sri Lanka. We have excellent guides to take you around to amazing beaches. For everyone that is working hard throughout their lives, coming to Sri Lanka to experience a relaxed day at the beach is the ideal getaway.

Where to go? We will tell you

The Western Province of Sri Lanka is the most developed of all provinces. It contains the capital of Sri Lanka as well. Despite the commercial and cosmopolitan state of the province, it has a chain of amazing and breathtaking beaches tagged with a lot of beach resorts. They accompany a great deal to everyone who visits these beaches. From cocktails to seafood, to music, the entire coastal area is a must-see when you visit Sri Lanka. This coastal line is a year-round happening place since it has many resorts attached.

Another beautiful beach that gets a lot of attention is Mirissa. It attracts all kind of tourists. Surfers go there to experience the exhilarating waves. Swimmers go there to bathe in the beautiful waters, sunbathers go there to enjoy a refreshing drink and relax. Either way, Mirissa Beach has got to be one of the most popular beaches in Sri Lanka. November, April, August, and October are the best times to visit since the weather is at its best.

Hiriketiya Beach, also known as the Hiri Beach is an upcoming popular place for tourists because of its calming nature. If you want to step on the golden sand and ponder upon, this is the spot for you. Go there in August, October or April to get the best of the feelings ever!

Trincomalee and Nilaveli are situated next to each other and are two of the most beautiful beaches on the island. When you go between March to August, you will get the chance of seeing whales and dolphins since these places are most famous for those.

Paradise seeker, come to Tangalle Beach to experience paradise on earth. It is truly a remarkable beach that this island possesses. You will get the most tranquil experience when you go between May to November.

Arugam Bay in the eastern coast of Sri Lanka is a famous spot for surfers and swimmers. It attracts tourists from all around the world for its beautiful waves all around the year.

Apart from the above-mentioned beaches, Unawatuna, Koggala, Hikkaduwa, Arugambay are a few other beautiful coastal lines on the island. Sunbathers, you will not be disappointed in Sri Lanka. We have ample of beaches that would give you a relaxing and calming experience. Sri Lanka’s beaches are truly nature’s most beautiful element. Come and visit these amazing miracles of nature, you will have memories to cherish!

(Cover photo display the Mirissa Beach and Photo Credit should goes to the Photographer: Matthew Williams-Ellis) 

Adams Peak Tour & Hike

Adams Peak Tour and Hike
The Adams Peak Tour is an amazing experience for someone who likes hiking in Sri Lanka. As a leading tour agency in Sri Lanka, Mahaweli Tours & Holidays offers amazing tours to Adams Peak for tourists. Please check this detailed guide for further details.

Introduction to Adams Peak

Sri Lanka is an Asian island that looks like a tiny dot on the world map yet is filled with many natural beauties. The center of this little island is covered by a crown of mountains and many rocky and green mountains signify the importance of the country’s culture and religions. Our Adams Peak Tour is specially designed to take you to one of the most sacred mountains in Sri Lanka. You will be accompanied by a guide who is well-versed in the local knowledge and the hike. If you require language-specific guides, that can be arranged upon request too. This sacred hike is highly appraised by Sri Lankan and by name it is Adams Peak/ Sri Pada.

The religious beliefs of the mountain

A lot of people climb the mountain because of the significant footprint that is covered and protected because of many reasons. In the Buddhist tradition, it is said to be the footprint of Buddha and in the Hindu belief, it is said to be Hanuman’s or Shiva’s. Some Christian and Islamic believers say it is the footprint of Adam. Because of this, Adams Peak is a regularly visited place in Sri Lanka. Tourists from all around the globe come to visit this place because of its cultural and religious importance.
 

The hike!

Generally, the hike starts in the middle of the night, so you can reach the top of the mountain to see the sunrise. The tiring hike will be worth the spectacular sunrise you get to see on top. If you are up for an adventurous night hike, this will be it. The climb is a mixture of an inclined walk and crumbled stepping stones. You will be guided throughout, providing information and breaks necessary. The best is at the top of the mountain where you get to see the beautiful city. It is truly a nostalgic moment after an adventurous hike. Our Adams Peak tour is dedicated to all audacious travelers with excitement and information. Adams Peak is admired and appreciated by Sri Lankans and tourists alike. Out of all the mountains in the country, Sri Pada (Adams Peak) is considered a sacred one by all beliefs. The truth of the matter is it depends on who believes what. Nonetheless, it is an amazing hike that is trekked by most tourists. It is also a well-renowned mountain because of its cultural value, thus making it a condensed place.
 

Get ready to hike!

Make sure to bring your water bottle to quench your thirst and your camera to capture the stunning sunrise. You will find restrooms and refreshments along the way. It is best if you get there just before dawn because just after dawn comes the stunning view. Adams Peak has one of the most unique views of the sunrise every single morning. This is the reason many travelers take up the challenge of hiking the mountain to grab an unforgettable experience.  

Adams Peak Tour with Mahaweli Tours & Holidays

Possible Starting / Pick-up Locations : Kandy, Colombo, Negombo, Airport, Nuwara Eliya, Galle, Benthtoa, (You can let us know your exact location for us to check and confirm the possibility) Duration: It takes around 10 hours to reach the peak of the mountain and come back. Season: December – May Tour Type: This tour is a private tour. Vehicle and the Guide / Chauffer guide are dedicated to you / your group. The Safari tour will be done by an off-road vehicle and traveling to the starting point and back will be done by a Comfortable Car / Van / Mini coach   Lakshapana and Aberdeen are two waterfalls that you can explore further during your Adams Peak tour. .

(Adams Peak Image Credit: N K Lanka from Facebook) 

Introduction to Adams Peak

Sri Lanka is an Asian island that looks like a tiny dot on the world map yet is filled with many natural beauties. The center of this little island is covered by a crown of mountains and many rocky and green mountains signify the importance of the country’s culture and religions. Our Adams Peak Tour is specially designed to take you to one of the most sacred mountains in Sri Lanka. You will be accompanied by a guide who is well-versed in the local knowledge and the hike. If you require language-specific guides, that can be arranged upon request too. This sacred hike is highly appraised by Sri Lankan and by name it is Adams Peak/ Sri Pada.

The religious beliefs of the mountain

A lot of people climb the mountain because of the significant footprint that is covered and protected because of many reasons. In the Buddhist tradition, it is said to be the footprint of Buddha and in the Hindu belief, it is said to be Hanuman’s or Shiva’s. Some Christian and Islamic believers say it is the footprint of Adam. Because of this, Adams Peak is a regularly visited place in Sri Lanka. Tourists from all around the globe come to visit this place because of its cultural and religious importance.
 

The hike!

Generally, the hike starts in the middle of the night, so you can reach the top of the mountain to see the sunrise. The tiring hike will be worth the spectacular sunrise you get to see on top. If you are up for an adventurous night hike, this will be it. The climb is a mixture of an inclined walk and crumbled stepping stones. You will be guided throughout, providing information and breaks necessary. The best is at the top of the mountain where you get to see the beautiful city. It is truly a nostalgic moment after an adventurous hike. Our Adams Peak tour is dedicated to all audacious travelers with excitement and information. Adams Peak is admired and appreciated by Sri Lankans and tourists alike. Out of all the mountains in the country, Sri Pada (Adams Peak) is considered a sacred one by all beliefs. The truth of the matter is it depends on who believes what. Nonetheless, it is an amazing hike that is trekked by most tourists. It is also a well-renowned mountain because of its cultural value, thus making it a condensed place.
 

Get ready to hike!

Make sure to bring your water bottle to quench your thirst and your camera to capture the stunning sunrise. You will find restrooms and refreshments along the way. It is best if you get there just before dawn because just after dawn comes the stunning view. Adams Peak has one of the most unique views of the sunrise every single morning. This is the reason many travelers take up the challenge of hiking the mountain to grab an unforgettable experience.  

Adams Peak Tour with Mahaweli Tours & Holidays

Possible Starting / Pick-up Locations : Kandy, Colombo, Negombo, Airport, Nuwara Eliya, Galle, Benthtoa, (You can let us know your exact location for us to check and confirm the possibility) Duration: It takes around 10 hours to reach the peak of the mountain and come back. Season: December – May Tour Type: This tour is a private tour. Vehicle and the Guide / Chauffer guide are dedicated to you / your group. The Safari tour will be done by an off-road vehicle and traveling to the starting point and back will be done by a Comfortable Car / Van / Mini coach   Lakshapana and Aberdeen are two waterfalls that you can explore further during your Adams Peak tour. .

(Adams Peak Image Credit: N K Lanka from Facebook) 

Kankesanthurai Beach

Kankesanthurai Beach

Kankesanthurai Beach, or what is called “KKS Beach,” is a beach that is situated in the Jaffna district. It is considered one of the top two beaches in the Northern Province. ideal place for a family day out. This is a relatively less crowded place.

Surrounded by palm trees, and a nearby lighthouse, the KKS beach adds additional beauty. It is a safe place for swimming because of the less deep water and fewer waves. The long, sandy beach is ideal for long walks and watching the beauty of the Indian Ocean.

The place is managed by the Sri Lanka Navy. You can see some fishing boats near the beach. The hot climate encourages anyone to swim and do water activities. This is an awesome place to visit in the Northern Sri Lanka.

  • Distance from Colombo: 373km
  • Distance from Jaffna: 20km

Route from Jaffna: Turn to the Kankesanthurai Road -> Kuppilan->Tellipalai->Maviddapuram->Kankesanthurai->KKS Beach

(Kankesanthurai Beach Cover Photo Credit: Ceilao Escapists facebook page) 

Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe National Park is the third most visited national park of Sri Lanka which is located on the boundary of Sabaragamuwa & Uva Provinces. Total extend of the park is over 30,000 hectares and a popular place among the tourists who love sighting water birds and Sri Lankan Elephants in their natural habitats.

The rusty-spotted cat, fishing cat, Sri Lankan leopard, The Sri Lankan sloth bear, Sri Lankan sambar deer, Sri Lankan axis deer, Indian muntjac, Sri Lankan spotted chevrotain, wild boar and water buffalo are among other mammal species. Golden jackal, Asian palm civet, toque macaque, tufted grey langur and Indian hare also inhabit the park. A study conducted in 1989 found that considerable numbers of golden palm civets inhabit the forests of Udawalawe.[1] Five species of mice also have been recorded from the park. The endemic Ceylon spiny mouse, known from Yala National Park, was recorded in Udawalawe National Park in 1989. Indian bush rat and three species of mongoose are also recorded in the national park.

Jeeps are available to hire at the entrance of the park and you can decide if you prefer a half a day safari or a complete full day one. Camping inside the park under strict guidelines also possible with the prior approval of the authorities.

 

Distance to the Udawalawe National Park from some of the key places are as follow.

From :

  • Udawalawa – 10 km
  • Katharagama – 60 km
  • Ella – 90 km
  • Nuwaraeliya -144 km
  • Kandy – 200 km
  • Colombo – 160 km
  • CMB Airport – 170 km
  • Galle – 130 km

 

You can see some of the beautiful photos below;

Elephants in Udawalawe National Park

Negombo Fish Market

Negombo fish market is considered as country’s 2nd largest in it’s category. Located in Negombo, one of the most beautiful coastal city of Sri Lanka. It takes only a drive of few minutes from the Negombo city or from the most of the hotels / resorts in the area to reach this very busy place. They starts days proceeding in the morning early as 3.30 am. Approximately over 3500 fishermen leave for sea from here daily. Market operates till late afternoon.

It’s kind of a noisy place with the individual vendors trying to get the maximum offer for their catches while buyers trying to buy them at bargain prices.

Visitors get the opportunity to meet the fishermen, talk to them and get some idea about the whole process and their lifestyle too. Also they offer you the opportunity to join fishing trips with them.

Sunday is a holiday for Negombo Fish Market as most of the people engaged in this industry are Catholics and they attend church in the morning. Evenings they will have some fun-filled time with partying and meeting friends so on.

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Read More: Best Beaches in Negombo

 

 

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