Things to do in

Sri Lanka

Ella Rock is a popular scenic hike near the town of Ella in Sri Lanka. The trail passes through tea plantations, jungle patches and sections along the railway line, ending at a rocky outcrop that offers sweeping views over the Ella Gap, surrounding valleys and distant mountains. The route is a mix of well-trodden paths and informal tracks; sections can be steep and slippery after rain. The hike is best done early in the morning for cooler temperatures and clearer views.

Ravana Falls (Ravana Ella) is one of Sri Lanka's most famous waterfalls, located just outside the hill town of Ella. The multi-tiered cascade drops over a broad rock-face surrounded by lush greenery and tea-country vistas. It's a popular short excursion from Ella, combining scenic views with easy access and the nearby Ravana Cave and historical legends linked to the Ramayana.

The Kandy Esala Perahera is Sri Lanka’s grandest Buddhist procession held annually in Kandy to honour the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha housed at the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth). The festival combines deep religious ritual with spectacular pageantry — traditional Kandyan drumming and dancing, masked performers, torchbearers, fire-dancers and caparisoned elephants parading through the streets around Kandy Lake. The event is seasonal (Esala month, usually July–August) and culminates in the spectacular Randoli Perahera.

Colombo National Museum is Sri Lanka’s largest museum and a must-see for visitors interested in the island’s history, art and archaeology. Housed in an impressive 19th-century colonial building, the museum presents royal regalia, ancient sculptures, colonial-era collections, traditional costumes, and archaeological finds that trace Sri Lanka’s cultural story from prehistoric times to the modern era. Ideal for history buffs, families and culture-seekers.

Ritigala Forest Monastery is an ancient Buddhist monastic complex set within a unique dry-zone montane forest on Ritigala mountain in north-central Sri Lanka. The site features stone-built monastery ruins, terraced reservoirs, mysterious pathways and a rich medicinal-plant forest. This visit combines cultural heritage, nature, and light trekking through shaded trails and ruins dating from the Anuradhapura period.

Experience one of Asia's most dramatic wildlife spectacles: hundreds of wild Asian elephants converging on the reservoirs and grasslands around Minneriya and Kaudulla. This seasonal event is driven by the dry-season concentration of water and forage — elephants travel from surrounding forests and villages to bathe, drink, socialize and compete. The scene offers outstanding close-range viewing and photographic opportunities, often with cows, calves and dominant bulls displaying striking behaviour. Best viewed from late July to October (peak August–September).

Avukana Buddha is a stunning 5th-century standing statue carved from a single granite outcrop near the village of Aukana. The figure—known for its graceful proportions, detailed drapery and serene expression—stands as one of Sri Lanka's finest examples of ancient stone sculpture and Buddhist devotional art. The site includes a small temple complex and offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.