Adventure holidays in Sri Lanka

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Paramotoring - Pic courtesy Sky Club Sri Lanka By J.R. If you’d like to add that extra spice to a holiday experience complete with adrenaline rushes, fear mixed with excitement and exercise, you’ve come to the right place. In addition to its rich culture, friendly people and great food, Sri Lanka has much to offer in way of adventure. Here’s a brief list of some adventure holidays you can try out if you decide to visit Sri Lanka: White water rafting The roar of rushing water, the excitement and exercise that go into white water rafting can’t be explained in words. It’s an experience most thrill seekers keep going back to. You don’t have to be able to s

wim to try this adventure sport but it definitely is an added advantage, in case you get tipped off the raft in strong rapids. Complete with life-jackets and paddling oars, white water rafting in Sri Lanka is quite the attraction. Kitulgala is the town famed for this sport and the Kelani River is where you’d be rafting. There are more than one rafting instructors available on the banks of the Kelani River. Make sure to ask locals which ones are best. Paragliding/paramotoring Feeling light as a feather, free-flying and a bird’s view of the scenery below make up what the paragliding experience is and Sri Lanka recently became acquainted with this exciting sport. The sport allows for a safe way to soar above land in the air; a glider provides safety and control of the craft. The tropical climate of Sri Lanka provides the perfect wind conditions for paragliding and the scenic views complement with a beautiful backdrop. Ella, a town located on the central highlands, 200 km from Colombo is the place to try this sport. The expeditions are carried out above the Makaldeniya ridge.

Rock climbing Kite and wind surfing It’s no surprise you’d find this here! We are after-all a beautiful island with breath-taking beaches all round. A surface water combining aspects of wakeboarding, windsurfing, surfing, paragliding and gymnastics, kitesurfing is definitely an extreme sport. Being propelled across the water with the power of the wind is a liberating experience. A secret gem in the world of surfing, Sri Lanka was previously overlooked as a surf travel destination but that trend is rapidly changing. Our seas offer exhilarating swells ideal for surf enthusiasts. Again, the island’s tropical climate makes surfing a year round possibility although the main seasons are during November to April in the south and southwestern coastal belt and April to September in the eastern coastal belt. Here’s a list of some of the well-known surfing spots: nArugam Bay: Situated in the southeast coast of Sri Lanka, this relaxed town is a popular surfing and tourist destination. It is home to a famed point break that surfers regard as the best surf spot in the country. nNegombo: A fishing town located in the Western Province, Negombo provides perfect wind conditions for surfing. nKalpitiya: Located on the northwest coast of the island, Kalpitiya is covered on one side by a lagoon and on the other by the Indian Ocean. It’s one of the windiest places in Sri Lanka and the current trend of it becoming a top spot for surfing is only accelerating. nHikkaduwa: Located in the Southern Province, Hikkaduwa is also fast becoming a popular surfing beach. nBentota: This stretch of beach located in the South is ideal for amateur windsurfers who can learn the ropes of the sport. nTangalle: Also in the south, Tangalle is a pleasant fishing port located on one of the finest and largest bays of the country, protected from the ocean by an enclosing reef.

Hot air ballooning Camping It is no wonder that Sri Lanka offers ideal camping sites. It has myriad hills, wildlife, countryside, and native birds and plants. Following are some of the national parks within the country where camping is possible: Wilpattu National Park: Located in the Northwestern and Northcentral Provinces, the standout feature of this park is its natural, sand-rimmed water basins that fill with rainwater. The available camp sites are operated by Sri Lanka’s Wildlife Department. February to June is the best time to visit since the weather is good, although if you don’t mind a bit of dryness or rain, you can visit during July to September or between October and January. Gal Oya National Park: Located in the Badulla District, this park’s camp sites are also operated by the Wildlife Department. Best times of year to visit are between February and June. Again you can try your luck between July and September or October and January if you don’t mind a bit of dryness or rain. Kumana National Park: This park is located in the southeast of the island and shares a border with Yala National Park. The camp sites operated by the Wildlife Department are best visited between February and June. Knuckles Conservation Forest: Located on the Knuckles mountain range in the central highlands, this is one of the World Heritage Natural Properties in the country. The campsites are best visited between February and June, although the weather is fair with strong winds between July and September. Bundala National Park: Located in the Hambantota District, this park’s campsites are best visited between July and September when the weather it at its best and also because elephants gather during this season. Kaudulla National Park: Located in the Polonnaruwa District, this park’s camp sites are best visited between February and June.

Whale watching Trekking and hiking If you’re up for the exhaustion and thrill of long walks uphill or down, Sri Lanka has numerous locations you can check out. Ideal for outdoor lovers, trekking and hiking are two adventure holiday experiences that would not only give you good exercise but also bring you that much closer to nature and its wonders. Some of the most popular regions for trekking and hiking in Sri Lanka have are: nAdam’s Peak: At an elevation of 7,360 ft, this striking pyramid is of sacred significance to all religions in the country. nKnuckles mountain range: Shaped like a human fist, this mountainous beauty is located in the central highlands. Consisting of about 35 mountain peaks rising over 915 metres, the mountains spread over 155 square kilometres. A demanding trek, this would avail cardamom growing in the forest, rare orchids and birds. nKandy: On an elevation of 500 metres above sea level, Kandy is famed for its fair climate and rich heritage. Located in the midst of hills, it is an ideal spot for hiking. nBelihul Oya: Offering the highest bio-diversity in Sri Lanka, Belihul Oya is located in the Ratnapura District. nHorton Plains National Park: Breath-taking scenery and a chilly climate make up this park located in the central highlands. nOhiya: Located in the Uva Province, Ohiya is a popular starting point for many treks, which would take you through the lush green highland mountains, misty falls and streams. nSinharaja Rainforest: Spanning an area of 34.22 square miles of dense vegetation, Sinharaja consists of a series of ridges, valleys and mountain peaks, offering ideal trails interspersed by waterfalls and streams.

White water rafting - Pic courtesy Amila Tennakoon Diving The crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean with a visibility of 20 meters (65ft) offer the perfect conditions for diving. Wreckage dated as far back as the 18th century dot the seas and deep reefs and reef walls provide enthralling explorations for scuba divers. If you’re not so adventurous, you can opt for snorkelling on the shore’s coral reefs. Hikkaduwa, Weligama and Kirinda provide breathtaking snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities. In the West you can head to the ‘Bar Reef’ (Sri Lanka’s largest reef spanning an impressive three nautical miles in length and one nautical mile in breadth). But for the country’s proudest showpiece, Pigeon Island, off Nilaveli is a paradise of turquoise-coloured waters and abundant fish and coral life. Rock climbing A sport that demands physical and mental fitness and also one that tests the climber’s balance, strength, agility and endurance, rock climbing is an exhilarating experience. In Sri Lanka, rock climbing has gained attention over the years, and one of the well-known spots is the rock face of the country’s highest waterfall Babarakanda, which is situated in the Nuwara Eliya District. Standing at 790 feet high, the rock has one climbing route for professionals and two for amateurs. Another popular place for rock climbing is the Elephant Rock in Kurunegala. More places include Adam’s Peak, Avissawella, Buttala, Belihul Oya, Dambulla, Ella, Ginigathhena, Habarana, Horton Plains, Kandy, Knuckles Mountain Range, Kitulgala, Polonnaruwa, Sinharaja Forest, Sigiriya, Thulhiriya and Yapahuwa. Whale and dolphin watching The country’s exotic marine life and mammals like dolphins, whales as well as sharks are a popular attraction for many tourists. These gentle giants and performers of the ocean parade their presence at various locations, namely Kalpitiya, Mirissa, Dondra Point, Trincomalee, Aluthgama, Ambalangoda, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Galle, Tangalle and Negombo, during the months of December, January, February, March and April. Sri Lanka is situated within the International Whaling Commission’s protected zone in the Indian Ocean and is on the migrating routes of whales and dolphins, making it the ideal vantage point to observe the migration of many species of cetaceans including blue whales, sperm whales, pilot whales, fin whales and a large variety of dolphins. Hot air ballooning Floating at heights of 500 to 2,000 feet on average, this would be the best way to roam the skies of Sri Lanka while enjoying the sites below. You can effortlessly drift over treetops, wildlife, lakes and rivers, cultural sites and landmarks like the Sigiriya Rock. Although the best time of the year for hot air ballooning is between October and April, a ride on a balloon largely depends on weather conditions. (Trekurious together with DailyFT explores Sri Lanka for the curious traveller. Trekurious works with talented individuals and great brands to create amazing experiential tours, activities, and events in Sri Lanka. You can find out more at www.Trekurious.com.)