Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is an orphanage, nursery and captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants located at Pinnawala village, 13 km (8.1 mi) northeast of the city of Kegalle in Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka. Pinnawala altitude is 253 meters.
During the month of January, February, March, April, and May you are most likely to experience good weather with pleasant average temperatures that fall between 20 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius. The months January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September and December have a high chance of precipitation. On average, the warmest month is April. On average, the coolest month is February. October is the wettest month. This month should be avoided if you are not a big fan of rain. March is the driest month.
It was established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Wildlife Department in 25-acre coconut property adjacent to the Maha Oya River. The orphanage was originally founded to pay the cost of care and protection to the many orphaned elephants found in the jungle of Sri Lanka. Pinnawala has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. There were 85 elephants, including 38 males and 47 Females from 3 generations, living in Pinnawala.
In 1978 the orphanage was taken over by the National Zoological Gardens of the Department of Wildlife. A captive breeding program was launched in 1982. Since the program’s inception, more than 20 elephants have been raised here. The goal of the orphanage is to simulate the natural habitat of the elephant. However, there are some exceptions: the elephant was taken to the river twice a day to take a shower, and all infants younger than three years old still being fed by bottle handlers and volunteers.
There are 48 handlers that keep the elephants. The females and young elephants in Pinnawala as a free-range herd during the day in the area a few acres. They were escorted km about.5 km twice a day to drink and bathe in the river. At night, the females are individually chained installs. Adult males do some light work such as transporting feed. They chained and managed individually. Calves born in Pinnawala not bottle-fed, but some of the ETH stored in Pinnawala and bottle feeding as a tourist attraction.
Park visitors can see the care and daily routines of elephants, such as bottle-feeding elephant calves, feeding all the other elephants, and bathing in the Ma Oya (River).
Entrance Tickets:
Adult 16 USD + Service Charge+ Government Tax (VAT + NBT + Etc.)
Child 8 USD + Service Charge+ Government Tax (VAT + NBT + Etc.)
Opening & Closing Time: 8.30 Am to 6.00 Pm (Tickets will not be issued after 5.00 PM)
Distance & Driving Hours
From Nearest Town Kegalle: 16 kilometers Approximately 30 Mnts Drive
From Kandy: 42 kilometers Approximately 1 Hour & 30 Mnts Drive
From Colombo: 92 Kilometers Approximately 3 Hour & 10 Mnts Drive
Ceylon Tea
Sri Lankan tea (known for generations as Ceylon Tea) carries behind it a heritage and success story like no other. In 1824 a tea plant was brought to Ceylon by the British from China and was planted in the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya for non-commercial purposes. Further experimental tea plants were brought from Assam and Calcutta in India to Peradeniya in 1839 through the East India Company and over the years that followed. In 1839 the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce was established followed by the Planters’ Association of Ceylon in 1854. In 1867, James Taylor marked the birth of the tea industry in Ceylon by starting a tea plantation in the Loolkandura estate in Kandy in 1867.
Sri Lanka which is the world’s 4th largest producer and the 2nd largest exporter of tea. Over 188,175 hectares or approximately 4% of the country’s land area is covered in tea plantations and which yields about 298,000 tonnes of produced tea and it accounts for more than 19% of world exports. There are mainly six principal regions planting tea: Nuwara Eliya, Dimbula, Kandy Uda Pussellawa, Uva Province and Southern Province. Nuwara Eliya is an oval-shaped plateau at an elevation of 1,902 m. Nuwara Eliya tea produces a unique flavor.
The best of Sri Lanka’s tea gardens, found at an elevation of almost 610m from the sea level is also surrounded by immensely beautiful scenic views and has been aptly named as the golden valley of tea. Situated in and around Nuwara Eliya, once the meeting point of tea planters in Sri Lanka, most of these large tea plantations have been attracting local and foreign visitors, who make the pilgrimage of tea to Sri Lanka’s Midlands in search of the source of the world’s best tea.
Although most of the tea plantations situated in and around central Sri Lanka offer informal tea garden tours, tea tasting, introduction to tea production and various blends of Ceylon Tea
Nine Arch Bridge in Demodara, Ella
Nine Arch Bridge at Uva Province, Ella is on a loop Demodara and includes 91 meters at a height of 24m. Beautiful Nine arches make it a very beautiful place, especially since it is located in a dense forest and agricultural settings. Behind the railway, a forest is booming and below, tea leaves are being cultivated. The glorious Nine Arch Bridge is one of the engineering marvels in the early 20th century and the bridge is nearly 100 years old. The bridge was built in 3100 meters above sea level. Nine Arch Bridge is a viaduct bridge in Sri Lanka. It is one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country.
Locally known as ‘Ahas Namaye Palama’ meaning Nine Skies Bridge in Sinhala. The name is derived from the visual experience. When you stand under the bridge and look up you can see the sky through the nine arches.
The unique part about this bridge is that it is built entirely of stone, brick, and cement without using steel or metal in the entire structure. The bridge was commissioned in 1941 and the story goes that the bridge was being planned World War I broke out. Steel and metal materials destined for use in bridges assigned to use for military purposes. The materials were then collected in the form of stone, brick, and cement to ensure the construction of the bridge is still going ahead.
Construction of the bridge is generally associated with a local builder Ceylon, P. K. Appuhami, in consultation with the British engineer. Chief designer and project manager of ‘upcountry railway line from Ceylon’ project are D. J. Wimalasurendra, a distinguished engineer and inventor Ceylon. The designer of the bridge was Harold Cuthbert Marwood of Railway Construction Department of Ceylon Government Railway. 1923 report titled “Construction of Concrete Railway Viaduct in Ceylon” published by the Engineering Association of Ceylon has details of all records including plans and drawings.
Entrance Tickets:
Free of Charge
Distance & Driving Hours:
From Nearest Town Ella: 4 kilometers 15 Mnts Drive
From Kandy: 138 kilometers Approximately 3 Hours & 45 Mnts Drive
From Colombo: 205 Kilometers Approximately 6 Hours Drive
Mirissa
Mirissa is a small town on the south coast of Sri Lanka, located in the Matara District of the Southern Province. It is approximately 150 kilometers (93 mi) south of Colombo and is situated at an elevation of 4 meters above sea level. Mirissa is famous for its sands and waves, but there is much more beneath the surface: an incredible array of marine mammals can be found just offshore. Whales and dolphin watching in Mirissa is one of the most exciting water activities you can do during a stay in Sri Lanka. Often spotted blue whale is the largest animal in the world and Mirissa is the best place for whale and dolphin watching tour in Sri Lanka.
The average annual temperature is 26.7 °C in Mirissa. On average, the temperatures are always high. The months April, May, September, October, November, and December have a high chance of precipitation. On average, the warmest month is April. On average, the coolest month is January. November is the wettest month. This month should be avoided if you are not a big fan of rain. February is the driest month.
Whale and Dolphin Watching
You will never think that the huge animal ‘whale’ belongs to the animal group called mammals. Whales have a highly developed brain and are among the most intelligent of all animals that look much like a fish.
Most whales are enormous creatures. One kind of blue whales are the largest animal that has ever lived. Blue whales may grow up to 100 feet (30 meters) long and can weigh more than 200 metric tons. Some kinds of whales are much smaller; for example, Belugas and Narwhals grow only 10 to 15 feet. (3 to 5 meters)
You can see whales have the same basic shape as fish, but they differ from fish in many ways; the most visible difference is the tail. Fish have vertical tail fins whereas whales have sideway tail fins. Fish breathe by means of gills, which absorb dissolved oxygen from water. Whales, on the other hand, have lungs and must come to the surface to breathe. But they can hold their breath for a long period; sperm whales can hold breath up to 75 minutes.
On that time we can see mischievous whales put on a show while some of the oldest and the largest sea creatures, the ‘humpback’ and the ‘blue whales’ will nonchalantly glide past you, when you embark on a whale-watching excursion in Southern, Eastern, or the West coast of Sri Lanka. The ideal location for whale watching in Sri Lanka would be Dondra Head, the Deep South in Sri Lanka (accessible from Galle, Hikkaduwa, Mirissa) and Trincomalee while the sea off Kalpitiya is known for dolphins.
In the sea off Mirissa and Dondra Head of Deep South of Sri Lanka, you can see Blue Whales, Bryde’s Whales, Sperm Whales, and Fin Whales while common dolphins such as Bottle-nose dolphins, Spinner dolphins, and Stripped dolphins can also be seen there. Sometimes you can see turtles and various kinds of fish species such as bluefin tuna and flying fish in and around the Mirissa area.
The whale watching season in Mirissa starts in November and lasts up to April. During this season, the ocean is usually warm & calm. Sometimes you will be able to see them in October too.
The good news is that in Sri Lanka you can see so many whales within minutes from the island’s eastern shores. The whale watching season in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Coast is from May to October. Owing to the changes of seasons, you have the opportunity to watch whales in Sri Lanka throughout the year either in the eastern coast, west coast or southern coast. Sri Lanka is fast becoming a top spot for watching Blue Whales, Sperm Whales, and Dolphins.
The season to view the Sperm Whale at Kalpitiya Peninsula is between December and mid-April. The sight of the magnificent Blue whale too could be possible occasionally.
Gregory Lake
Gregory Lake is located in the Nuwara Eliya town, Central Province, Sri Lanka. It is the surface area is 91 ha and altitude is 1,874 m. Due to its highland location, Nuwara Eliya has a subtropical highland climate having no pronounced dry season, a monsoon-like cloudy season and a mean annual temperature of 16 °C.
Gregory Lake was created in 1873 by the British era Governor at the time, Sir William Gregory, supposedly for the purpose of providing electricity. However, the lake was mainly used for leisure and recreation after it was built. At its peak of fame, Gregory Lake was the most prominent attraction in the area and was used as a place to relax by many visitors.
The green around the Gregory Lake is famous for sunbathing, picnicking and generally relaxing with families. This area becomes crowded during the spring festival in April with carnivals and various other family-friendly activities.
The Gregory Lake area has been converted into a sort of Lake Park with many recreational activities after the complete face-lift by the government recently. The ancient British era tradition of relaxing picnics on the shore of the lake, or more modern activities such as boat rides, swan-shaped paddled boat rides, pony rides along the shore, and water walking balls, water sports such as jet skis, windsurfing, and many more activities can be experienced.
Entrance Tickets:
Adult Rs.200/=
Child Rs.100/=
Opening & Closing Time: 8.00 Am to 6.00 Pm
Distance & Driving Hours
From Nearest Town Nuwara Eliya: 2 kilometers Approximately 5 Mnts Drive
From Kandy: 74 kilometers Approximately 2 Hours & 30 Mnts Drive.
From Colombo: 165 Kilometers Approximately 5 Hours Drive
Hakgala Botanical Garden
Hakgala Botanical Garden is located in Central Province (Upcountry) of Sri Lanka. Situated at an elevation of about 1745 m above mean sea level, Hakgala Botanic Gardens, about 28 hectares in extent, lie under the shadow of the Hakgala Rock (meaning “Elephant’s jaw rock”). This massive rock towers to a height of about 2,200m behind the gardens and the surrounding forest reserve like a solitary giant.
The mean annual temperature ranges between 16 °C to 30 °C during the course of a year From December to February it has a cold climate, while the warm climate persists from April to August. The gardens receive rainfall from two monsoons. The South West from May to August, the North East from October to December, and the annual average rainfall are being about 2300 mm.
The garden was established in 1861, under George Henry Kendrick Thwaites as an experimental cultivation of Cinchona, a commercial crop thriving at the time. Once after the Tea replaced the Cinchona, it was turned into experimental Tea cultivation. In 1884 it transformed into a garden. Since then many sub-tropical and some temperate plants were planted in the gardens. It boasts of 100-year-old Monetary Cypress trees from California, Japanese Cedars, Himalayan Pines, and English Oak.
The best time to see the gardens is probably from about mid-March to the end of April, popularly known as the Nuwara Eliya seasons. The gardens put up their best display of temperate annual flowers, Roses, and Orchids during this period.
The flora of the gardens is distinctly sub-tropical and consists of representatives of the indigenous, montane flora intermingled with those introduced from other subtropical countries, systematically planted in various sections of the gardens.
Entrance Tickets:
Adult Rs.2000 /=
Child Rs.1000/=
Opening & Closing Time: 8.00 Am to 5.30 Pm (Tickets will not be issued after 4.30 PM)
Distance & Driving Hours
From Nearest Town Nuwara Eliya: 16 kilometers Approximately 35 Mnts Drive
From Kandy: 92 kilometers Approximately 3 Hours & 15 Mnts Drive.
From Colombo: 181 Kilometers Approximately 5 Hours & 45 Mnts Drive
Moon Plane
Moon Plane is located just off the Nuwara Eliya city, Central Province Sri Lanka; this most recently opened attraction was once the dumpsite of the tons of garbage used by the dwellers of the nearby city. Moon plains were a 400 meter long and 30-40 meter deep valley till the late 1990s and were part of a catchment area. The estimate terrain elevation above sea level is 1950 meters.
Due to its highland location, Nuwara Eliya has a subtropical highland climate having no pronounced dry season, a monsoon-like cloudy season and a mean annual temperature of 16 °C.
Amongst the jagged peaks of the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka; are the surprisingly beautiful and vast slopes of the Moon Plains. It was cleaned and reconditioned in 2010 and is now classified as an Agricultural and Environmental Tourism Zone by the Municipality of Nuwara Eliya.
Covered in a verdant carpet of healthy grass; the Moon Plains are home to many wildlife elks, wild buffaloes, deer, the occasional leopard and many types of birds. However, the main point of interest is the viewpoint of the ‘Mini World’s End’. A location on the apex of a sharply dropping cliff, that gives a 360º view of the surrounding landscape.
It is a Wide open area with the chances of seeing wild boars, cows, buffaloes, deer and also a total of 105 bird species are recorded in the area of which 16 are endemic to Sri Lanka.
At the viewpoint, you will be able to see the peak point of 9 mountains in Sri Lanka on a clear day. Which are, Pidurutalaga (highest peak), Single Tree Mountain, Kikiliyamana Mountain, Great Western Mountain, Konical Hill Mountain, Kirigalpoththa Mountain (2nd highest peak), Thotupola Mountain (6th highest peak), Hakgala Mountain and Namunukula Mountain. Mornings and evening excursions are the ideal time to visit this place.
Entrance Tickets:
Adult Rs.400/=
Child Rs.200/=
Additional Chagres
Safari Jeep
Opening & Closing Time: 7.00 Am to 4.00 Pm (Tickets will not be issued after 3.00 PM)
Distance & Driving Hours
From Nearest Town Nuwara Eliya: 6 kilometers Approximately 25 Mnts Drive
From Kandy: 81 kilometers Approximately 3 Hours Drive.
Peradeniya Botanical Garden
Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya is located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is near the Mahaweli River (the longest in Sri Lanka). The total area of the botanical garden is 60 ha at 460 meters above sea level.
The average annual temperature in Peradeniya is 24.6 °C. About 2132 mm of precipitation falls annually.
Peradeniya Botanical garden was used as the pleasure garden of the King of the Kandyan kingdom. It was King Wikramabahu who initially kept the court at Peradeniya near Mahaweli River in 1371. Garden was used as the Royal Pleasure Garden during the reign of King Kirthi Sri. A temporary residence was erected under the King Rajadhi Rajasinghe(1780 – 1789 AD).
It is renowned for its collection of orchids. The garden includes more than 4000 species of plants, including orchids, spices, medicinal plants, and palm trees. Attached to it is the National Herbarium of Sri Lanka. One of the most interesting sites here is bizarre-looking snake creeper, whose tangled aerial roots look just like a writhing knot of vipers. The garden came under the administration of the Department of Agriculture when it was established in 1912.
The very same British Colonialist rulers of Ceylon established the Peradeniya Botanic Gardens that contribute, today, towards the enlightenment of concepts of floriculture conservation, birdlife conservation, butterfly conservation, biodiversity and sustainability of the island of Sri Lanka. The groundwork for a botanical garden was formed by Alexandar Moon in 1821. He used the garden for coffee and cinnamon plants. The Botanical Garden at Peradeniya was formally established in 1843 with plants brought from Kew Garden, Slave Island, Colombo, and the Kalutara Garden in Kalutara. The Royal Botanic Garden, Peradeniya was made more independent and expanded under George Gardner as superintendent in 1844.
There are avenues in the River Drive such as Cook’s Pine Avenue, Palmyra Palm Avenue, Double Coconut Avenue, Cabbage Avenue, and Royal Palm Avenue. The classical Avenue of Palms is in this Garden. One item with a significant history is the Cannonball Tree planted by King George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary in 1901. It is often laden with fruit, which is thought to resemble cannonballs.
Entrance Tickets:
Adult Rs.2000/=
Child Rs.1000/=
Opening & Closing Time: 8.00 Am to 5.30 Pm (Tickets will not be issued after 4.30 PM)
Distance & Driving Hours
Nearest Town: Kandy
From Kandy: 6 kilometers Approximately 25 Minutes Drive.
From Colombo: 110 Kilometers Approximately 3 Hours & 45 Minutes Drive
Spice and Herbal
About 1500 species of medicinal plants are used in Sri Lanka and 208 of them are frequently used. Sri Lanka has a variety of herbs whose effectiveness has been proven across many generations. These herbs are classified into two groups-‘heating’ and ‘cooling’, based on the physiological reactions upon consumption. Traditional medicine has been practiced in Sri Lanka for 3,000 years. At present, there are four systems of traditional medical systems in Sri Lanka Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Deshiya Chikitsa (Sri Lankan traditional treatment).
Sri Lanka has always been renowned for its spices. Over 15 different spices call Sri Lanka home and many of them are traded in the international spice market. Cinnamon especially is endemic to Sri Lanka, and the highest quality ‘true cinnamon’ can be obtained here. Top of Form Spices is one of the major products of Sri Lankan Spice garden. The best way to check out and purchase the best spices in Sri Lanka is to visit the island’s various renowned Spice Gardens.
Spice Gardens shapes a key fascination with Sri Lanka. The nation is well known over the world for its uncommon accumulation of spices and herbs. The key fascination of this area is to investigate the famous and additionally the unusual herbs being are prepared in the most stunning way. Herbs are regular in a family unit like Peppercorns, Turmeric, Cardamom, Cloves, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Vanilla, Aloe Vera, Cocoa, and so on are being handled here. The best piece of visiting the Spice Garden is to assemble learning about the herbs, their development procedure, their advantages and helpfulness in Human life. The common habitat and tranquil excellence of the Spice Garden is one of the hypnotizing encounters for each traveler.
Gems of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s gem industry has a very long and colorful history. The Gem industry in Sri Lanka (also known as Ceylon, Serendib, etc..) has been in existence for over 2500 years. Sri Lanka was affectionately known as Ratna-Dweepa which means Gem Island. Some of the rarest of gemstones of exquisite beauty have taken pride in place, in the Crown jewels of Kings and Queens from the time of Great Roman Emperors.
A gemstone is the naturally occurring crystalline form of a mineral which is desirable for its beauty, valuable in its rarity, and durable enough to be enjoyed for generations. There are more than 30 popular gem varieties and many rarer collector gemstones. Some varieties also come in a range of colors. In Sri Lanka, there are 200 minerals have been classified as a gemstone. Their beauty, durability, rarity, and combination of these attributes which should be fulfilled make a mineral worthy of being classified as a gemstone.
The main gemstone species found in Sri Lanka are Blue Sapphire, Ruby, Padparadscha, Yellow Sapphire, Asteriated Sapphires (Star Sapphires), Alexandrite, Spinel, Tourmaline, Beryl, Quartz, Moonstone, etc.
Sapphire
Composition: Aluminium oxide with traces of iron and titanium
Properties: Hardness: 9 Density: 4.0
Refractive Index: 1.776 – 1.770 Birefringence: 0.008
Colour: Blue, violetish blue in varying tones
Ruby
Composition: Aluminium oxide with traces of chromium
Properties: Hardness- 9; Density: 4.0;
Refractive Index: 1.776 – 1.770; Birefringence: 0.008
Colour: Red with a trace of violet. Also called pigeon blood red. Red fluorescence intensifies the body color.
Padparadsha
Composition: Aluminium oxide with traces of chromium and yellow color centers
Properties: Hardness: 9 Density: 4.0
Refractive Index: 1.776 – 1.770 Birefringence: 0.008
Colour: Pink with a mixture of yellow/ orange compared to the color of the Lotus Flower. Fluorescence of red and orange.
Alexandrite
Composition: Beryllium aluminum oxide with traces of chromium
Properties: Hardness: 8.5 Density: 3.71
Refractive Index: 1.745- 1.754 Birefringence: 0.009
Colour: Green body color for daylight changing to red color under tungsten light
CHRY SOBERYL Cat’s Eye
Composition: Beryllium aluminum oxide and silky inclusion
Properties: Hardness: 8 Density: 3.71
Refractive Index: 1.745 – 1.754 Birefringence: 0.009
Colour: Brown, green, yellow and their mixed hues. Special optical effect: Chatoyancy, the cat’s eye effect due to oriented fine silky inclusions.
Star Sapphire
Composition: Aluminium oxide with traces of iron and titanium for color and oriented fine rutile needles in three directions.
Properties: Hardness: 9 Density: 4.0
Refractive Index: 1.776 – 1.770 Birefringence: 0.008
Colour: Blue, violetish blue in varying tones
Star Ruby
Composition: Aluminium oxide with traces of chromium for color and oriented fine rutile needles in three directions.
Properties: Hardness: 9 Density: 4.01
Refractive Index: 1.776 – 1.770 Birefringence: 0.008
Colour: Red, violetish red in varying tones
Moonstone
Composition: Potassium aluminum silicate with special optical effect of schiller called Adularescence
Properties: Hardness: 6 – 6.5 Density: 2.56
Refractive Index: 1.520 – 1.539 Birefringence: 0.008
Colour: Moonstones come in a variety of colors. The body color can range from colorless to white, gray, brown, yellow, green, or pink. Its beauty is produced by a white or blue schiller effect.
Topaz
Composition: Fluorine containing aluminum silicate
Properties: Hardness: 8 Density: 3.53
Refractive Index: 1.610 – 1.630 Birefringence: 0.010
Colour: Colourless, pink, blue, yellow, orange, brown
Rhodolite Garnet
Composition: Magnesium-iron aluminum silicate
Properties: Hardness: 7 – 7 Density: 3.7- 4.2
Refractive Index: 1.74 – 1.79 singly refractive
Colour: Red, purplish red, pale to deep mauve
Spinel
Composition: Magnesium aluminum oxide
Properties: Hardness: 8 Density: 3.60
Refractive Index: 1.72 single refractive
Color: orange, and pink to red, pale blue through deep blue to dark blue, bluish-green and black.
Zircon
Composition: Zirconium silicate
Properties: Hardness: 7 – 6 Density: 4.8 to 3.9
Refractive Index: 1.92 – 1.99 to 1.76 – 1.84
Birefringence: 0.059 to almost none in metamict stones
Color: Colourless, pink, blue, yellow, orange, brown