Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawa

Udawalawa Elephant Transit Home

Sri Lanka is blessed with so many natural resources. It is also home for so many animals. This visit is for you to experience one of the major steps taken by Wildlife Conservation in considering the wellbeing of orphaned baby elephants. This establishment is called “Ath Athuru Sevana” or Elephant Transit Home and is situated in Udawalawa.

 

Ath Athuru Sevana – the home for the orphaned elephants

This great step was taken in 1995 at the Udawalawe National Park since a lot of big herds of elephants are gathered in the area. The birth of this establishment had many hindrances as many assumed this would be a failure, considering the feasibility of the objective. But a brave and determined officer Dr. Nandana Atapaththu worked tirelessly with minimum resources to bring “Ath Athuru Sevana” to life. The Elephant Transit Home’s objective is to care for baby elephants until they are big and independent enough to be released to the wilderness. The home does not have boundaries and baby elephants get to freely wander about. In a short span of time, it succeeded so much and now it is considered as of the best wild animal rehabilitation centers in the entire world.

 

The first member of The Elephant Transit Home

An orphaned baby elephant was found in a forest in Anuradhapura district. It was one year old females and was brought and registered as the first resident. This baby elephant was given the name “komali” and was reintroduced to the wilderness at the age of five. Till date, more than 250 orphaned elephants have been under the care of the Home.

 

A memorable visit to Ath Athuru Sevana

What an amazing place is this rehabilitation center! It takes a lot of patience and courage to maintain the place. The regular milk feedings, taking care of the sick ones, post-illness treatments, etc. takes a lot of time and endurance. That is why it is considered as one of the most admired places in Sri Lanka. With baby elephants, it is never a dull place.

All nature lovers and animal lovers from all across the globe pay a visit to Elephant Transit Home when they come to Udawalawa. They never miss out on the chance of seeing young elephants being rehabilitated. With our subject specific guides, you can enjoy a nostalgic visit by spending time seeing baby elephants being taken care.

It is one of the most admirable services rendered to the wildlife and mammals in general, thus making it a top-notch establishment. Come with us to experience a refreshing happiness by seeing this conservation done at a large scale. Assuredly, this will be in red letters in your journey.

 

Visit Udawalawa with Mahaweli Tours & Holidays

You will be given a guide throughout the visitation who is capable in communicating with you in English as well as share a lot of local knowledge. We will make sure your visit is worthwhile as it is considered one of the major establishments in the department of Wildlife Conservation.

Possible Starting / Pick-up Locations :
Ella, Udawalawa, Thissamarama, Rathnapura, Haputhale, Bandarawela, Katharagama, Yala (You can let us know your exact location for us to check and confirm the possibility)

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.

 

(Cover Image Source and Credit Goes to: @natalinipon from Instagram) 

Aberdeen Waterfall in Sri Lanka

Aberdeen Waterfall in Sri Lanka

Aberdeen Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall that is situated in the Nuwara Eliya District of Sri Lanka. The nearest town is Ginigathhena, and it’s about 20km away from the famous Kithulgala. The height of the waterfall is 98m. This is considered the 18th highest waterfall on the island.

Aberdeen Waterfall is formed by Kehelgamuwa Oya. It is a branch of the Kelani River. The waterfall received this name because of a British planter. He managed tea estates near the waterfall, and he was from the city of Aberdeen in Scotland. Then people called the waterfall “Aberdeen’. The total width of the waterfall is 8 m.

Starting from Ginigathhena town, you need to go along the Ambatale road. You need to stop your vehicle in the park near the Buddha stratum. Then you need to walk about 1200m to reach the Waterfall.

There is a nice stage where you can view the beauty of the waterfall clearly. Anyhow, you can walk close to the waterfall. But don’t try to bathe or swim in the front pool. It’s deep and dangerous for all. You can see a small cave behind the waterfall. October to December is the best time to visit here. The May–September period is the rainy season for the surrounding area, and January–March is the dry season.

You also come to see Aberdeen Waterfall during your Adams Peak Tour. It is not far from there.

(Cover Image Credit: Thilina Kaluthotage Photography) 

Thalpe Beach in the Southern Province

Thalpe Beach in Sri Lanka

Thalpe Beach is a newly famous beach which is situated in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. It is widely popular among local and international tourists because of its rock pools. The distance to Thalpe from Galle City is about 11km.

Thalpe Beach is a clean and calm place. You can bathe and enjoy it like other beaches in the southern coastal areas. But the place has a completely different experience and beauty. Man-made rock pools are the major attraction of the Thalpe. These rock pools were carved out of coral 50 years ago. People have used these rock pools to soak coconut husks. Then they separate the coconut coir.

Today, the rock pools are not used by anyone. So, the travelers use them for baths and other relaxing activities. It’s around 1.2m deep. Thalpe is the only beach where you can see such rock pools. Early mornings in March and April are ideal for a visit here. The pools are filled with sand in other months of the year.

Anyhow, you need to be careful of sea urchins, which are prevalent in these areas. They are harmful to the body and give pain. You can see many fishermen surrounded by areas, including stilt fishermen. There is a lack of luxury hotels in recent areas. But there are many beach villas available for tourists.

Don’t forget to visit Thalpe Beach and enjoy your vacation in Sri Lanka.

Read more from our blog;

 

(Featured Image Credit Goes to: Ayale Travel from Facebook) 

Day Tour at Polonnaruwa Ancient City

Polonnaruwa Day Tour with Mahaweli.lk

Polonnaruwa Day Tour-Great Opportunity to Explore Sri Lankan History & Culture

Are you up to seeing one of the most beautiful and rich cities in Sri Lanka? Are you up for a great day with history? The Polonnaruwa Day Tour is an ideal option for that. Sri Lanka has a strong history of kingdoms and is very rich in culture. This island has so much to see for its locals as well as its tourists. People who come to this country are never disappointed by the beauty, culture, and history of this place.

Our Polonnaruwa Day Tour is designed to give you a historical perspective of one of Sri Lanka’s ancient cities. We will provide a guide for you who is able to communicate with you in English. We ensure that the guides are thorough with local knowledge and historic information. If you require language-specific guides, it can be arranged through a special request as well.

This day tour is conducted during the day because it is a cultural tour and a lot of visits to ancient ruins are included.

The Royal City of Polonnaruwa

The Sri Lanka Cultural Traingle connects the three cities of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Kandy. This cultural triangle contains many historical and ancient sites. Polonnaruwa is an ancient city considered as one of the eight UNESCO world heritage sites in Sri Lanka. This is the place you should definitely visit if you love to explore Sri Lanka’s history.

It is declared as the second ancient city in Sri Lanka after Anuradhapura. Polonnaruwa was one of the kingdoms in Sri Lankan history and was ruled and reigned over by many kings at the time. The main difference between these two kingdoms is that, unlike the Anuradhapura kingdom, Polonnaruwa had a lot of influence from Hinduism and was even ruled by some Tamil kings. This cultural city has a lot of Hindu kovils apart from the Buddhist temples. It is also a city that has been famous for its agriculture. There are a lot of farmers out there.

Must-see places in Polonnaruwa

One of the significant places in Polonnaruwa is the ancient ruins of the Royal Palace of King Parakramabahu. Even though you can only see ruins, they are evidence of great architecture and design. Another main attraction is “Gal Viharaya’ which consists of many beautiful images and statues of Buddha. It is a symbol of excellence in carving. Apart from that, there are temples, stupas, and dagobas that are quite significant in the city, such as Lankathilaka Temple, Rankot Vehera, Thuparama gedige, and Potgul Viharaya.

The ruins in Polonnaruwa are so much more than what is described above. Apart from those temples and stupas, the city also has many Hindu temples and kovils due to the influence of Hinduism. There are several temples dedicated to the god Shiva and the god Vishnu in Polonnaruwa, all considered as historical ruins.

Beautiful Sri Lanka, beautiful Polonnaruwa.

Our Polonnaruwa day tour is considered very informative and educational. During this day-tour, you will learn about the many influences Polonnaruwa had as a kingdom, the names of kings that ruled, and the agricultural influence. It is an ideal day trip for everyone that loves experiencing new cultures and discovering history. Sri Lanka in general has a very rich history in terms of kingdoms, agriculture, and civilization.

Polonnaruwa Day Tour with Mahaweli Tours & Holidays

Come and join the tour to enjoy this magnificent ancient kingdom with great history. Our guides will guide you throughout the tour to give you the most exhilarating tour experience. Don’t forget to bring your smart phones and cameras to capture these mighty sights.

Possible Starting/Pick-up Locations:
Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Pasikudha, Trincomalee, Nilaegombo (You can let us know your exact location for us to check and confirm the possibility)

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

Tour Type : Our Polonnaruwa 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.

If you are a person with a cultural interest, then you should definitely explore places in Sri Lankan cultural-traingle. You can also plan your Anuradhapura city tour with us too! Call +94777 111553, email: info@mahaweli.lk, or contact us for more information on any of these issues!

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(Polonnaruwa Image Credit: PT Palace from Pinterest) 

Galle Dutch Fort

Galle Dutch Fort in Sri Lanka

Galle is one of the major cities located on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. It is also a favorite travel destination for both local and foreign visitors. The Galle Fort is a symbol of pride for the Galle City. It is an ancient construction that was built by the Portuguese and Dutch in the 16th and 18th centuries. UNESCO designated this historical fort as a World Heritage Site in 1988.

Galle Fort is a good example to illustrate the European influence in Sri Lanka in the 16th and 19th centuries. The Portuguese were the first European nation that landed in Galle and also in Sri Lanka in 1505. The Portuguese then ruled most of the coastal areas of the island, including Galle, Matara, and Colombo. The Portuguese built the Fort in the late 16th century for their military purposes and to defend the Galle from local and foreign attacks. Their first construction was very basic and included three bastions and a single rampart. The Portuguese then used the Galle fort as a prison camp in later years.

The Dutch army captured the fort in 1640 with a 2500-strong force. They received the support of King Seethawaka Rajasinghe and the local people. The battle between the Dutch and the Portuguese later became popular and was called ‘siege of Galle” in 1640. Dutch rulers then modified the Portuguese fort into a huge structure, thus expanding its military strength. In the 19th century, there were Protestant churches, gun houses, residences of commanders, public administration buildings, warehouses, residential quarters, and trade buildings. Mud, granite stones, and coral were used as materials for the fort. A British army captured the galle and the fort in 1796. They paid less attention to the Galle fort, and the fort’s importance shifted to Colombo.

Today, the fort is controlled by the Sri Lankan government. It has two major gates to enter. If you visit this amazing construction, you will see many hotels, shops, and government buildings. Galle lighthouse is a recent addition to the fort and was built in 1938. The Galle clock tower is another major construction which can be seen in the fort. It is another recent addition, built in 1883 by the British government. Furthermore, it is considered one of the oldest clock towers in Sri Lanka. The Archeological Department of Sri Lanka reconstructed some parts of the fort recently.

The Galle Fort is a nice place for any traveler where they can view the beauty of the Galle Sea and its beautiful sunset. There are many hotels and restaurants in the fort for travelers. It’s a must visit place for any traveler if he or she visits the southern part of Sri Lanka.

(Featured Image Source: Awesome Sri Lanka)

Bopath Ella Waterfall in Rathnapura

Bopath Ella Waterfall in Rathnapura

Bopath Ella Waterfall is one of the attractive travel destinations in Sri Lanka. It is a beautiful waterfall that is situated in the Rathnapura District. The height of the waterfall is 30 m (98 ft). This is formed by the Kuruganga River, and it is a branch of the famous Kaluganga River. The place is widely popular among local travelers.

Bopath Ella Waterfall is located 95 km away from Colombo. It takes 2.5 hours to get there from the capital. But the distance from Rathanpuara City is about 5km. You can easily find the location on Google Maps. The name of the surrounded village is “Agalawatta” and it belongs to the Kuruwita Divisional Secretariat area.

The shape of the waterfall is really amazing to watch. It looks like a “Bo” tree (Ficus religiosa), which has gained this name. The average annual rainfall of the surrounding area is 5000 mm, and the average temperature is around 27 Celsius.

There are parking facilities available for local and international visitors. But you need to walk a few meters to reach the waterfall. Many shops, hotels, and vendors are available along the foot path. Anyhow, you should buy a ticket to enter the place.

You can get very close to the Bopath Ella waterfall. But don’t try to bathe near the waterfall. There are so many places available to bathe safely in the latter parts. Evenings and mornings are the ideal times to see the actual beauty of the waterfall.

(Bopath Ella Cover Image Credit: Ceylon Travel Fb Page)

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)

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