7 Ways to Unleash Your Adventurous Side in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has something for everyone, but Julia found that adventures were the real drawcard of this island nation.

Hardly a place to sit idle, Sri Lanka is skirted by golden beaches, great for surfing and scuba diving, or playing starfish on the sand. In its core, there are heritage structures to roam, scenic slow-moving train rides, elephant safaris, tropical treks, and a soaring ancient rock fortress smack bang in the middle of the country.

After exploring it myself, here are my top things to do in Sri Lanka for people who love adventure.

And if you also love a bargain, booking your flight with AirAsia is a no-brainer. With over 130 destinations to choose from (although you’ll be heading to Sri Lanka by the end of this article), it’s easy to go somewhere different. Plus, no other airline covers more of Asia than AirAsia itself (makes sense really).

1. Climb Sigiriya

Sigiriya rises out of the heart of Sri Lanka. One of eight World Heritage sites in the country, the ancient rock fortress looms large over deep forest and the ruins of fortifications and reservoirs below. Its name translates to ‘Lion’s Rock’, with the granite peak elevated 180 metres above the Matale district.

It was around 480CE that King Kassapa clutched the country’s greatest real estate, building a royal residence on the massive plateau.

Read more: 10 Essentials Every Day Hiker Needs

Photo by Dylan Shaw on Unsplash

In its heyday, the fortress featured an enormous brick and plaster lion and was brightly decorated with murals. After the king’s death, Sigiriya was repurposed as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century.

Fast forward to today, and what remains of this architectural marvel and the country’s top tourist attraction is the stone staircase from the lion’s mouth and adorning sculptured feet on either side.

Artworks of women, known as the Sigiriya Frescoes, are also still visible on the rock’s western side and the Mirror Wall, a former reflective surface now covered in ancient scribbles. From here, it’s no easy feat to reach the summit, climbing 1200 steps to be afforded sweeping countryside views.

Back on ground level, wander the royal gardens, where you’ll see remains of terraces, bathing pools, bridges, and moats.

Photo by Shashank Hudkar on Unsplash

2. Hike The Pekoe Trail

Grab your fedora and embark on The Pekoe Trail. Partly used as a film location for Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom, the trail is filled with captivating sights along its 300km length. It traverses ridgelines, snaking through the Central Highlands (Central and Uva Provinces) and verdant tea plantations, giving insight into Sri Lanka’s brew-tiful industry.

If time isn’t on your side to complete the massive trek, you can still walk a segment of the 22-stage walking trail.

Taking in views from the Pekoe Trail

Depart stage one at the Ceylon Tea Museum, 5.5km south of Kandy. The 12.7km moderately challenging trail finishes at the village of Galaha, with hiking footwear strongly advised, as the rocky terrain can be sketchy in some areas. But putting your glutes to the test is worth it, with incredible panoramic views of Kandy along the ridge.

Read more: What To Look For In A Great Pair Of Hiking Boots (And Why You Need Them)

3. See Sri Lanka by Train

One of the best ways to see Sri Lanka’s countryside is by train. The country’s 1,561km rail network is considered one of the world’s most scenic train routes, winding through gorges, tea plantations, hillsides, rivers, falls, viaduct bridges, and villages. Seeing the country by train is the true definition of slow travel, with some train speeds at 40km per hour.

It’s common to see people sticking their bodies or limbs out of trains to capture the perfect ‘gram pose en route. However, it’s deemed a no-go with local authorities as it has its dangers, despite moving slowly.

The country’s most famous stop is the Nine Arch Bridge, just outside Ella.

Nine Arch Bridge in all its glory

The heritage viaduct bridge towers over the valley and is a popular place for people to visit just to take photos of the locomotive appearing as a caterpillar sluggishly passing through the evergreen valley.

4. Go on an Elephant Safari at Udawalawe National Park

Sri Lanka is ruled by grey giants. Wild elephants are abundant, and a great place to see these majestic creatures roam free is Udawalawe National Park, a 3.5-hour drive (240km) southeast of Colombo.

How often do you get to see elephants in a national park?

The nearly 31,000-hectare park is a sanctuary for wild animals, including water buffalos, sloth bears, boars, numerous bird species, and of course, the almighty Asian elephant, with approximately 500 within the park.

To get close to these animals, the park offers safari Jeep rides conducted safely and ethically from 6am daily. You’ll venture through tropical forests, grasslands, and watercourses to spot wild animals going about their merry way. It’s a humbling and mesmerising experience, and all for a fraction of the cost of what it would be to do something similar in Africa.

5. Smell the Roses at the Royal Botanic Gardens

Take a stroll for the senses at the Royal Botanic Gardens Peradeniya, located 5km west of Kandy’s city centre. The gardens are rooted in the city’s history, dating back to 1371. Initially a pleasure garden for royalty, it was only in 1843 under British rule that it was declared a botanic garden.

The centuries-old garden is spread across 60 hectares and three sides of the garden are bordered by the bends of the Mahaweli River, the country’s longest river.

60 hectares of lush greenery

The park features over 4000 exotic plant species, including palms, orchids, spices, and medicinal plants. With much ground to cover, it’s best to hop on a buggy to get around its well-kept lawns, pavilions, scenic lookouts, palm avenues, and plant houses.

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6. Cool Off at Unawatuna

Unawatuna is one of Sri Lanka’s most famed beach destinations, and upon arrival, it’s easy to see why. Besides taking a dip on its golden shores, the southern beach is a popular spot for surfing and diving.

Read more: 8 Ways to Minimise Your Impact While Snorkelling and Diving

Photo by Eirik Skarstein on Unsplash

If you’re tired of life at sea (hopefully not for long!), stretch your legs on one of the many hiking trails around the area.

It’s best to combine a trip to Unawatuna with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Galle. The old coastal fortified town will excite any history buff happy to lose themselves wandering by centuries-old structures and cobbled streets.

7. Hang Loose on a Zipline

Catch a bird’s eye view of Little Adam’s Peak while flying high on a zipline. Flying Ravana is the country’s first-ever zipline, with two 550m-long ziplines travelling up to 80km/h over lush tea plantations and green forests.

Oh, and the view from Flying Ravana is absurd

If you’re afraid of heights, you can get your shot of adrenalin at the adventure park’s other outdoor offerings, including quad bikes, abseiling, air rifling, and archery.

For a small island nation, it sure is action-packed. Embark on safaris, mountain climbs, epic train rides, and coastal dalliances. The thrill of touring Sri Lanka is addictive, and I cannot wait to feel the rush again.

Julia D’Orazio was a guest of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority