Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
planters' bungalows, or cosy guesthouses in
Dalhousie
, the traditional starting point for
the pre-dawn ascent of Adam's Peak.
Head east to
Ella
for more hiking, wonderful views and guesthouses renowned for hav-
ing some of Sri Lanka's tastiest home-cooked food. Continue to
Monaragala
, a low-key
gateway to the east and the jumping-off point for one of Sri Lanka's most atmospheric an-
cient Buddhist sites at
Yudaganawa
. Also nearby,
Maligawila
is home to an 11m-tall
standing Buddha that's more than a thousand years old.
On the coast is the ever-more-popular
Arugam Bay
, with its easygoing surfers' vibe
and excellent seafood. It's easy to spend an extra day or three here, swinging in a ham-
mock at one of the beach guesthouses. Don't miss a boat trip exploring the nearby Pottuvil
Lagoon. Explore the seldom-visited wilds of
Kumana National Park
, then veer back in-
land via Monaragala to
Wellawaya
, and find time for a brief detour to Sri Lanka's tallest
standing Buddha at
Buduruwagala
. Soak up the beauty of the tiny lakes and listen to the
birds.
Descend from Wellawaya to the coastal plains of
Kataragama
, the terminus of the Pada
Yatra, a pilgrimage that begins at the other end of the island. Nearby
Tissamaharama
has
a lovely lakeside setting, which is also a convenient entry point for the hugely popular sa-
faris into
Yala National Park
, where you can spot elephants, leopards and most of Sri
Lanka's other iconic critters.
