Two months of nature and adventure

A wide stretch of sand north of the town; good for an evening walk after a long flight.

A rafting trip of about two hours over a series of grade 2 to 3 rapids on the Kelani river, ending with a swim in calm water.

A guided walk in the lowland rainforest across the river, reached by a small boat, with endemic birds and butterflies.

A large rock shelter where archaeologists found tools and remains of the prehistoric Balangoda people, reached by a short forest path above the village.

A 126-metre waterfall on the Maskeliya Oya, reached by a short walk through a village from the road.

A short walk across a high grassland to the edge of a steep drop known as Mini World's End, with views over the lowlands on a clear day.

A windy ridge with views over the forests of the Knuckles and down to Matale, reached by a short walk from the road.

A man-made lake and swimming pool in a pine and tea estate on the Elkaduwa side of the range, popular with local visitors at weekends.

A flat 3.4 km loop around the lake in the centre of town, best early in the morning or before the evening service.

Sri Lanka's largest botanic garden, on a bend of the Mahaweli river, known for its avenues of royal palms, orchid house and giant Javan fig tree.

The old royal forest on the hill behind the temple, with shaded trails, birdlife and monkeys a few minutes from the centre.

A granite rock rising 316 metres over Kurunegala, shaped like a crouching elephant, with a short climb to a viewpoint over the town.

A hillside garden on the road to Ella, first planted in the 1860s for cinchona trials, now known for roses and cloud-forest views.

A working tea factory a few minutes from town, with a short tour of the processing floor and tea tasting with views over the estate.

A reservoir from the British period at the edge of town, with a lakeside path and boats for hire.

A 220-metre waterfall near Koslanda. A path climbs to the rock pools at the top, where you can swim when the river is low.

The tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka at about 263 metres, a thin ribbon down a cliff among pine trees, best after rain.

An easy, well-trodden walk of about 45 minutes each way through a tea estate to a grassy summit with views across Ella Gap.

The stone railway viaduct at Demodara, in a valley of tea and forest. Check the timetable if you want to see a train cross.

A tall waterfall beside the main road below Ella, at its best after rain.

A steeper half-day hike to a cliff top above the valley. Go early with a guide or good offline map, as the paths split.

A 64 metre waterfall on the Badulu Oya, about 5 km from Badulla, reached on foot from the road. The spray gives it its name.

The main right-hand point break, best for intermediate and experienced surfers; watch from the rocks at sunset if you do not surf.

A slow boat through mangroves looking for birds, crocodiles and, sometimes, elephants at the water's edge.

One of the smallest national parks in Sri Lanka and an important habitat for elephants and endemic birds.

A gentler break and sandy beach north of Pottuvil, popular with beginners and surf schools.

Ancient Buddhist ruins among the dunes by the sea at Pottuvil.

A half-day jeep safari (about 06:00 to 10:00, or 14:30 to 18:00) from the Palatupana gate, looking for leopards, elephants, sloth bears and birds across scrub, lagoons and rocky outcrops.

A Ramsar wetland of lagoons and dunes west of Yala, with flamingos in winter, crocodiles and many wading birds. Quieter than Yala.

A sacred site for Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and the Vedda people, about 30 minutes north. The evening puja is the time to go.

An ancient reservoir with birdlife and a lakeside road, near the restored Tissamaharama dagoba.

The road along the dam gives a wide view over the reservoir and the park, often with elephants near the fence in the late afternoon.

A state-run home for orphaned elephant calves, which are raised and later released into the wild. Visitors watch the calves come in for milk at set feeding times.

A half-day jeep safari across grassland and scrub, with herds of elephants, water buffalo, crocodiles and birds of prey.

A dawn walk with a specialist bird guide to find the mixed feeding flocks and endemics such as the blue magpie, the red-faced malkoha and the green-billed coucal.

A guided walk of three to five hours along the main trails, through tall forest and across streams, looking for birds, giant squirrels, lizards and frogs.

A guided walk after dark along the edge of the forest to look for frogs, geckos, owls and other night life.

The wide sandy bay and the small island of Taprobane, which you can wade out towards at low tide in calm weather.

A choice of beach, reef and point breaks along a few kilometres of coast, with surf schools for beginners and fast reef waves for experienced surfers.

A two-hour beginner surf lesson on Weligama's long, sandy bay, one of the gentlest breaks on the island in season.

A small, sheltered cove below the wooded Rumassala hill, reached on foot or by tuk-tuk, with snorkelling off the rocks.

A boat ride around the mangrove islands of Koggala Lake, with stops at a temple island and a cinnamon garden.

Natural pools cut into the flat rock shelf along the shore, best for a dip at low tide on a calm day.

A walk along the 17th-century ramparts and bastions, from the clock tower past the lighthouse to Flag Rock.

The horseshoe bay itself, with a beginner-friendly beach break, a reef break for experienced surfers and calm water for swimming on small days.

A sea blowhole near Kudawella that sends spray high into the air when the swell is up, reached by steps down the headland.

A cave temple complex on a steep rock, with reclining Buddhas and painted ceilings on several terraces and views over the countryside from the top.

A small, sheltered cove of golden sand between rocky headlands, one of the safer swimming spots near Tangalle in season.

A temple with one of the island's largest seated Buddha statues, about 50 metres tall, and a tunnel of painted scenes of the afterlife.

A curved bay with calm water in season, sheltered by a reef and lined with cafes.

The main bay, lined with cafes, with Parrot Rock reachable on foot at low tide in calm weather.

A morning boat trip of four to six hours to look for blue whales, sperm whales and dolphins. Sightings are likely in season but never guaranteed.

Finds from shipwrecks in Galle harbour, from anchors and cannon to trade ceramics, displayed in a long 17th-century Dutch warehouse near the Old Gate.

A small headland of leaning palms above the sea at the east end of the bay. Busy at sunset.

The traditional stilt fishing poles in the shallows at Koggala. Real fishing happens at dawn and dusk; at other times the fishermen often pose for a fee.

The grid of streets inside the walls, with the Dutch Reformed Church (Groote Kerk), old warehouses and small museums.

Snorkel in the shallow, reef-protected lagoon of Hikkaduwa National Park, where green turtles often feed close to shore.

The long sandy beach south of the reef, with beginner and intermediate surf breaks, cafes and a busy evening scene.

A family-run low-country estate known for its white tea, with a short factory tour and a tasting of several teas.

A tall standing Buddha statue facing the sea at Peraliya, built in memory of the people lost in the 2004 tsunami, when a train was swept off the line nearby.

A quiet beach with stilt fishing poles on the rocks and a few cafes. Swim only where it is sheltered.

A boat trip through the mangroves and small islands of the Madu Ganga estuary at Balapitiya, with a stop at a cinnamon island.

Geoffrey Bawa's country estate and garden on a lake, shaped over fifty years. Visits are by guided tour.

An early-morning boat trip to look for spinner dolphins, which are often seen in large pods off Kalpitiya in season. Sometimes whales too.

A small 17th-century Dutch fort of coral stone and the old Dutch church nearby. The fort is inside a navy camp, so access depends on permission on the day.

Lessons and board hire on the flat, shallow lagoon at Kappalady and Kandakuliya, one of the most reliable kitesurfing spots in South Asia when the wind blows.

A boat trip to the Bar Reef marine sanctuary, the largest coral reef in Sri Lankan waters, for snorkelling when the sea is calm.

A half-day or full-day jeep safari through forest and villus, looking for leopards, sloth bears, elephants, deer, crocodiles and water birds.

The hill where the monk Mahinda is said to have met King Devanampiya Tissa and brought Buddhism to the island. A long stone stairway climbs to stupas and a rock with wide views.

An afternoon jeep safari to see elephants grazing at the great tanks. Drivers choose Minneriya, Kaudulla or the Hurulu Eco Park on the day, depending on where the herds are.

The palace-fortress on the rock, with water gardens, frescoes, the Mirror Wall and the lion staircase. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

An 8th-century stone shrine in the style of South Indian temples, with Buddhist and Hindu features, moved stone by stone when a reservoir flooded its old site.

A former monastery rock facing Sigiriya. The last section is a short scramble over boulders; the reward is the classic view of Sigiriya.