Lonely Planet Sri Lanka (Travel Guide) (2015)
RECOMMENDED ROUTES FOR...
ANCIENT TEMPLES
Marvel at cave temples and ruins of ancient shrines (route 9 ), pay homage at the medieval Temple of the Tooth (route 6 ) or visit artistically restored temples in Colombo (route 2 ).
Sri Lanka Tourism
ANIMAL LOVERS
Watch the magnificent Gathering of the Elephants at Minneriya (route 10 ), go searching for elusive leopards in Yala (route 12 ) or get up close to myriad colourful creatures in Colombo’s spacious zoo (route 4 ).
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BEACHES
Laze on Negombo’s sandy seafront (route 5 ), promenade on Mount Lavinia’s golden strand (route 4 ) or head to Unawatuna, Sri Lanka’s most popular backpacker resort with a charming cove and a laidback atmosphere (route 11 ).
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BOTANICAL GARDENS
Get back to nature at Sri Lanka’s very different botanical gardens (route 6 and route 7 ) and dry-zone arboretum, where you can meander along the trails under ghostly tropical trees (route 9 ).
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COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE
Discover ornate British colonial buildings in Colombo Fort and inspiring Dutch designs in Pettah (walk 1 ), or a time-warp amalgamation of both in Galle Fort (tour 11 ).
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HOTTEST CURRIES
If hotel food is too bland, search for spicier cuisine in rest houses, or in the cities of Kandy (route 6 ) and Colombo (route 2 ), where you’ll find a wide spread of restaurants.
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MOUNTAIN VIEWS
Peer through Ella Gap for fabulous views down to the south coast (route 8 ), glimpse Mount Pidurutalagala, Sri Lanka’s highest peak, from Nuwara Eliya (route 7 ); or scramble up to Lipton’s Seat (route 8 ) for breathtaking vistas.
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TEA TREKKING
Trek through tea gardens to your heart’s content at Kandapola (route 7 ) and Haputale (route 8 ), relishing the cool mountain air, then warm up with a cup of pure Ceylon tea in a plantation bungalow.
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