Hambantota Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)

8-day trip to explore Sri Lanka, classic travel tips and off-the-beaten-path experiences fully revealed!

D5 Horton Plains National Park Horton Plains National Park Our journey today starts with a hike in Horton Plains. We took a chartered car from Nuwara Eliya, which took about 1.5 hours. The plains are located at an altitude of 2100 to 2300 meters and is a national park in Sri Lanka that allows visitors to hike. The highlight of Horton Plains is the cliff that drops straight down at a height of 870 meters. If you face the morning light and mist and look far away, you can vaguely see the southern coast and the Indian Ocean. This is the legendary "end of the world". The entire Horton Plains is like a big circle, so if you hike, you can choose clockwise or counterclockwise directions. No matter which direction you start from, you will eventually return to the starting point. If you want to avoid tourists, you can choose the counterclockwise direction. Along the way, you will also encounter a big waterfall. The whole journey is about 9.5 kilometers and takes 3-4 hours. Tisza-Mo-Haramegye Lake Afterwards, go to Lake Thissamaharama. The lake is not big but the scenery is beautiful. In the evening, there are a lot of egrets perching on the surrounding trees, which looks like a tree full of white flowers from afar, very artistic. Tips: 1. The road in Horton Plains is rugged, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes that fit well. 2. Horton Plains opening hours: 06:00-18:00. The best time to visit the end of the world* is from 6:00 to 10:00, during which you can see the villages at the foot of the mountain, the tea gardens in the distance, and even the southern coast. After that, the clouds and mist will quickly cover the view. *Note: "End of the world" is a popular tourist attraction in Horton Plains, Sri Lanka. 3. The temperature difference in the Horton Plains is large. Long sleeves and pants are needed in the morning and evening, but it's scorching hot at noon, so sun protection should be taken into consideration. 4. Bring enough food and water for the hiking trip, as there are few places to purchase them in the park. D6 Nuwole Aleye Yala Yala National Park Many people long for a wild hunting trip in Africa, but unfortunately it is difficult to realize due to the long distance. However, Yala National Park in Sri Lanka can give you a fantastic hunting trip. Visiting Yala National Park requires an early start because many animals will hide in the deep forest after the sun comes out, so you have to hurry to see more wildlife. Riding in a jeep and shuttling through the zoo, you will encounter water buffaloes soaking in the river, peacocks strutting arrogantly on the roadside from time to time, wild elephants and monkeys blocking the road, and you can also see spotted deer, crocodiles and various birds. You cannot get off the car halfway through the zoo, you have to go to a centralized rest area by the seaside to get off and rest. Meirei Beach We drove along the seaside from Yala Zoo and arrived at our second destination today - Mirissa Beach. You can freely enjoy the beach, running and playing in the soft sand and waves, or simply bask in the sun for a relaxing time. Tips: 1. When visiting the zoo, be prepared for dust. The scenic area is all dirt roads, so prepare headscarves, masks, and other items. 2. It is recommended to bring binoculars to easily observe small animals in the distance. 3. Sunscreen is necessary, apply more sunscreen and wear sunglasses.

Flawless beauty, Lake Titicaca.

Tissa Lake can be said to be the holy lake of Sri Lanka, with a quiet environment and pure water quality. It is located in the Tissa city area and is an artificial lake built a long time ago for irrigating rice. The trees in the lake are estimated to be ancient, among which there are two pairs of trees that lean against each other, becoming a beautiful background for everyone to take pictures. Although there are several cute small yachts parked on the lake for tourists to sightsee and play, the extremely quiet environment and the natural beauty of the original ecology make the whole lake like a flawless jade, exuding a picturesque fairyland beauty. The iconic reflection of the two unbeatable beautiful trees on the surface of Tissa Lake makes it feel like all the water reflections seen before were just clouds. The two umbrella-shaped green trees standing quietly on the wetland, like being carefully pruned by a skilled gardener, directly create a new height of beauty. They are fully reflected on the mirror-like surface of the lake, creating a picture of a fairyland on earth. Sri Lanka is known as the country in Asia that is most suitable for observing wild animals. However, Tissa is very close to Yala National Park, which is famous in Sri Lanka. Therefore, tourists here usually stay for one or two nights, and friends who like the original ecological environment can stay for a few more days. Recommended Sri Lanka southern route (two weeks): Colombo - Hikkaduwa - Galle - Mirissa - Tangalle - Tissa - Ella - Nuwara Eliya - Kandy - Colombo.

Lake Tisse is a man-made lake. Although the lake is not big, the surrounding scenery is very beautiful~ Looking at the distant trees and the sound of birds singing, the heart calms down and becomes calm~ The trees around the lake will have a large number of egrets perched on the evening, and in the distance they look like a tree full of white flowers. Sitting by the lake, feeling the sunshine bathing, the birds and flowers around the ear, watching the locals playing in the lake, this atmosphere is very harmonious ~ Original Tissamoharam is just for me to go to Yala The national park and the stopover of the station, I did not expect to see more rainy days, the bright sunshine of Tissamahama Lake gave me unexpected surprises~

-- There is a huge man-made lake outside the town of Tissamaharam, 1.5 km from the town centre. You can also go for a walk by the lake when the sun sets, and the scenery is very pleasant. --Although the lake is not big, but the surrounding scenery is

#beyondborders Sri Lanka #beyondborders

Sri Lanka is one of the long-established Buddhist countries in the world. According to legend, in the third century BC, the Ashoka sent son of India sent Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Since then, Sri Lanka has become the center of Nan Buddhism and the politics of this country. Religion and culture have far-reaching influences, and Kandy is the most important center. At the theater on the shores of Lake Kandy, the flowers have watched a world intangible heritage - the Kandy dance performance. "Kantati Dance" is a sacrificial dance of the Sangha in ancient times in Sri Lanka. It is also one of the traditional cultural symbols of the Sinhalese. It is also called the central mountainous area under the jurisdiction of the ancient Kandy Kingdom. For "highland dance." dances are composed of exaggerated animal imitation, male military fighting, female tea harvesting and other labor scene restorations, blessings and offerings to God, and torches, drums, masks, exaggerated headwear, etc. are also important elements. . I believe that in Sri Lankas various promotional photos and promotional videos, everyone has already seen a special fishing method the fishermen sit on the tall wooden stakes in the sea and calmly hold their hands long. The long fishing rod fishing, this picture is the famous "Sorghum Fisherman Photo". Tangalle, the southernmost tip of Sri Lanka, has this unique and unique cultural landscape. Local fishermen are no longer relying on this kind of intergenerational skills as a way of living. The rough wooden frame and slender fishing rods in the waves are all designated scenes for travelers to take pictures. Visitors can also pay the fisherman and sit on the stake to shoot their own "Sorghum Fisherman / Fisher Girl" Oh :)

Did you hear the sound of the rain on the winter tapping the window? Feeling a chill? Now, please close your eyes and fantasize about where you want to go. Is this place a curved beach? Is the sand of the coconut shell color on the beach gently rubbing your soles? Is the azure water gently tapping on the beach? Yes, the name of your dream land is Tangalla the best way to warm your heart during the cold winter months. It was this passage that made me decide to replace the originally planned hot seaside town of Mirissa with Tangalle. The unknown journey is the most exciting place for the entire trip. When we bumped from the mountains to the area, when the temperature gradually increased, when the salty and humid sea water of the Indian Ocean came, we really felt the holiday atmosphere. Tangalle is a small seaside town in the south of Sri Lanka. There are many beautiful and sparsely populated beaches. The sand is fine and the quality of the sea is very good. The most important thing is that you can hardly see the tourists. I think the reason why the beach here is sparsely populated is probably because the waves are too big, not suitable for swimming, only to watch, but then what, anyway, we are also dry ducks, can see this piece of light blue has been pleasing to the eye.

8-day trip to explore Sri Lanka, classic travel tips and off-the-beaten-path experiences fully revealed!

D5 Horton Plains National Park Horton Plains National Park Our journey today starts with a hike in Horton Plains. We took a chartered car from Nuwara Eliya, which took about 1.5 hours. The plains are located at an altitude of 2100 to 2300 meters and is a national park in Sri Lanka that allows visitors to hike. The highlight of Horton Plains is the cliff that drops straight down at a height of 870 meters. If you face the morning light and mist and look far away, you can vaguely see the southern coast and the Indian Ocean. This is the legendary "end of the world". The entire Horton Plains is like a big circle, so if you hike, you can choose clockwise or counterclockwise directions. No matter which direction you start from, you will eventually return to the starting point. If you want to avoid tourists, you can choose the counterclockwise direction. Along the way, you will also encounter a big waterfall. The whole journey is about 9.5 kilometers and takes 3-4 hours. Tisza-Mo-Haramegye Lake Afterwards, go to Lake Thissamaharama. The lake is not big but the scenery is beautiful. In the evening, there are a lot of egrets perching on the surrounding trees, which looks like a tree full of white flowers from afar, very artistic. Tips: 1. The road in Horton Plains is rugged, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes that fit well. 2. Horton Plains opening hours: 06:00-18:00. The best time to visit the end of the world* is from 6:00 to 10:00, during which you can see the villages at the foot of the mountain, the tea gardens in the distance, and even the southern coast. After that, the clouds and mist will quickly cover the view. *Note: "End of the world" is a popular tourist attraction in Horton Plains, Sri Lanka. 3. The temperature difference in the Horton Plains is large. Long sleeves and pants are needed in the morning and evening, but it's scorching hot at noon, so sun protection should be taken into consideration. 4. Bring enough food and water for the hiking trip, as there are few places to purchase them in the park. D6 Nuwole Aleye Yala Yala National Park Many people long for a wild hunting trip in Africa, but unfortunately it is difficult to realize due to the long distance. However, Yala National Park in Sri Lanka can give you a fantastic hunting trip. Visiting Yala National Park requires an early start because many animals will hide in the deep forest after the sun comes out, so you have to hurry to see more wildlife. Riding in a jeep and shuttling through the zoo, you will encounter water buffaloes soaking in the river, peacocks strutting arrogantly on the roadside from time to time, wild elephants and monkeys blocking the road, and you can also see spotted deer, crocodiles and various birds. You cannot get off the car halfway through the zoo, you have to go to a centralized rest area by the seaside to get off and rest. Meirei Beach We drove along the seaside from Yala Zoo and arrived at our second destination today - Mirissa Beach. You can freely enjoy the beach, running and playing in the soft sand and waves, or simply bask in the sun for a relaxing time. Tips: 1. When visiting the zoo, be prepared for dust. The scenic area is all dirt roads, so prepare headscarves, masks, and other items. 2. It is recommended to bring binoculars to easily observe small animals in the distance. 3. Sunscreen is necessary, apply more sunscreen and wear sunglasses.

The elephants are perhaps the most famous of the many wild animals in Sri Lanka, but in fact they only serve as a part of this crowded ecological arena. The Sri Lankan Leopard, which is unique to Sri Lanka, can be found in the Yala National Park in the southeast. Yala National Park covers an area of about 979 square kilometers, accounting for 2% of Sri Lanka's national area. It is the second largest national nature reserve in Sri Lanka. It has a rich and diverse ecological environment and many rare wild animals. Yala National Park has moist monsoon forests, dry monsoon forests, semi-deciduous forests and tropical dry forests, as well as grasslands, beaches, rivers, lakes, swamps and wastelands. Gardening safari is the best way to experience the original wild charm. The park has grasslands, rivers, lakes, swamps and wasteland. When you are hunting, you can enjoy a wide variety of wildlife. Buffaloes, crocodiles, peacocks, monkeys, wild boars, and sika deer live in various places, and as many as 2,100 species of birds fly freely. There are groups of wild elephants in the park, and a mountain. This park is also the area of the most tin orchids in Sri Lanka, but they are secretive, so it is regrettable to see this flower. The southeastern part of the Yala National Park is connected to the Indian Ocean. After the safari safari is over, the beach is felt and the wind is blowing. The flowers also forget the regret of not meeting the Sycamore Leopard this time! Flower Tips: March-April The end of the dry season is the best time to visit Yala National Park. At this time, the water level in the park is low and many animals will come out to drink water and food. The annual dry season in September is coming. In order to protect the wild animals and repair the park, Yala National Park will close 1-2 areas of the 5 tourist areas, of which Lunugamwehera National Park / Yala Block 5 will not be closed, so it is recommended. Consult in advance.

Sri Lanka Wildlife Photography Sri Lanka effectively protects the precious natural environment, not only with dense forests, but also around the life of people with a wide range of wildlife, tourist attractions, walking, and even hotels The balconies are also visible at any time, and people and animals live in harmony. Elephant is one of the representatives of Sri Lanka, which is a good interpretation of the tranquility and peace of the country of Lanka. The elephant living in Lanka is a subspecies of the Asian elephant, the Ceylon elephant. Sri Lankan macaque is one of the most common animals here. You can see this kind of elf jumping in the street lanes and temples. Red-breasted broiler is a waterfowl that lives by the water and swamps and can be seen in the National Park of Lanka. Under the dexterous and light movements, they are even more impressed by their unbelievable "perfect color scheme" - the combination of dark red, bright yellow, black, white and brown, showing the international fashion of this bird.

Yala National Park is a realistic version of Jungle Qitan. Here you can see monkeys jumping between the branches, peacocks opening the screen, and Ceylon leopards lurking in the bushes like shadows. This large piece of land has dry woods and open grassland, one of the most shining highlights in the southeast corner of Sri Lanka. The Ceylon Leopard is unique to Sri Lanka. There are only 25 in a district of the National Park. Visitors can capture it. But our luck is not so good, we can't see the leopard. The number of wild animals here is very large. If you are lucky, you can also see a furry sloth bear or a jackal that looks like a fox. Although we didn't see the leopard, we saw the big black bear. It is said that the black bear can only hit once a week. There are always small animals in the grass, so look carefully, or you will miss it if you accidentally. I can't name a lot of birds, just like in the botanical garden, we don't understand its variety, just appreciate its beauty. After searching for the animals, the driver took us to the beach. There is a forest here, a large open space, and a jeep. Here you can take a break, eat breakfast, go to the bathroom, then walk to the beach to see the Indian Ocean.

Horton Plains National Park 🏞

If you want to get lost in nature then you must visit this humongous National Park which is located in Nuwara Eliya district. It is the most popular wetlands which you will really enjoy hiking with beautiful views The Horton Plains are home to some of Sri Lanka's most endangered bird species and amphibians. I recommend to her tickets way in advance and spent at least 3 hours because it is a big park. Normally there is a line at the entrance eay morning as people arrive there from 5am to get a spot to see the sunrise. #travellater #hortonplains #srilanka #nuwaraeliya #hiking

8-day trip to explore Sri Lanka, classic travel tips and off-the-beaten-path experiences fully revealed!

D5 Horton Plains National Park Horton Plains National Park Our journey today starts with a hike in Horton Plains. We took a chartered car from Nuwara Eliya, which took about 1.5 hours. The plains are located at an altitude of 2100 to 2300 meters and is a national park in Sri Lanka that allows visitors to hike. The highlight of Horton Plains is the cliff that drops straight down at a height of 870 meters. If you face the morning light and mist and look far away, you can vaguely see the southern coast and the Indian Ocean. This is the legendary "end of the world". The entire Horton Plains is like a big circle, so if you hike, you can choose clockwise or counterclockwise directions. No matter which direction you start from, you will eventually return to the starting point. If you want to avoid tourists, you can choose the counterclockwise direction. Along the way, you will also encounter a big waterfall. The whole journey is about 9.5 kilometers and takes 3-4 hours. Tisza-Mo-Haramegye Lake Afterwards, go to Lake Thissamaharama. The lake is not big but the scenery is beautiful. In the evening, there are a lot of egrets perching on the surrounding trees, which looks like a tree full of white flowers from afar, very artistic. Tips: 1. The road in Horton Plains is rugged, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes that fit well. 2. Horton Plains opening hours: 06:00-18:00. The best time to visit the end of the world* is from 6:00 to 10:00, during which you can see the villages at the foot of the mountain, the tea gardens in the distance, and even the southern coast. After that, the clouds and mist will quickly cover the view. *Note: "End of the world" is a popular tourist attraction in Horton Plains, Sri Lanka. 3. The temperature difference in the Horton Plains is large. Long sleeves and pants are needed in the morning and evening, but it's scorching hot at noon, so sun protection should be taken into consideration. 4. Bring enough food and water for the hiking trip, as there are few places to purchase them in the park. D6 Nuwole Aleye Yala Yala National Park Many people long for a wild hunting trip in Africa, but unfortunately it is difficult to realize due to the long distance. However, Yala National Park in Sri Lanka can give you a fantastic hunting trip. Visiting Yala National Park requires an early start because many animals will hide in the deep forest after the sun comes out, so you have to hurry to see more wildlife. Riding in a jeep and shuttling through the zoo, you will encounter water buffaloes soaking in the river, peacocks strutting arrogantly on the roadside from time to time, wild elephants and monkeys blocking the road, and you can also see spotted deer, crocodiles and various birds. You cannot get off the car halfway through the zoo, you have to go to a centralized rest area by the seaside to get off and rest. Meirei Beach We drove along the seaside from Yala Zoo and arrived at our second destination today - Mirissa Beach. You can freely enjoy the beach, running and playing in the soft sand and waves, or simply bask in the sun for a relaxing time. Tips: 1. When visiting the zoo, be prepared for dust. The scenic area is all dirt roads, so prepare headscarves, masks, and other items. 2. It is recommended to bring binoculars to easily observe small animals in the distance. 3. Sunscreen is necessary, apply more sunscreen and wear sunglasses.

Getting There - # Attractions - #nationalpark #naturalwonders Hotels - #campingglamping Food & Restaurants -  Shopping - 

Sri Lanka is a pearl on the Indian Ocean. When you come to Sri Lanka, besides going to the beach, the vast and innocent Horton Plain is also a must. The Horton Plains is a natural heritage of the world and the only national park in Sri Lanka that allows visitors to hike. The best time for hiking is from 6 am to 10 am. When you climb early in the morning, you will go to the sunrise first, then take the bus to the scenic gate. Then you will start a walking tour about eight kilometers. From the gate of the scenic spot to the end of the world, you can look forward to it. The Indian Ocean slowly feels the natural beauty and is very comfortable. Then follow the trail and return to the scenic gate before the hottest noon. Come and enjoy the Ceylon black tea.

Shangri-La Hambantota

Shangri-La Hambantota is a 5- star hotel and it is located in Sri Lanka. There are varieties of foods and drinks on this hotel such as Asian food, European food and so on. Moreover, there are many rooms and this hotel is quite big, so it might have take from your room to the dining room. The view of this hotel is so beautiful and this hotel provides swimming pool as well. You can enjoy your time with your family and lovers as well. #shangri-la #hotel #Sri Lanka