Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka deserves all the spirit in your eyes. All the spirit to your soul. MLMT calls you forth.

The trumpet of magnificent elephants reverberates throughout the jungles full of soul. Kingdoms fill with nose rings made of gold and stacks of beauty. The hues all dance together in formations from the past to make this beautiful country come alive. The ruins stand in their places, regal, still a memory of what this place used to be. Greenery finds a way to grow around it. Sri Lanka is paradise hidden under a rock.

The magnitude of the splendor of this place is always overlooked. People walk around it, and they pass it as if it doesn’t exist. Those fortunate enough to land their eyes on this mine of pompous royalty find themselves in a world like never before. It is a sacred spot.

This place deserves all the spirit in your eyes. All the spirit to your soul. MLMT calls you forth.

 

When to visit?

Sri Lanka is the country of too many monsoons. But at least this means one area of the country has friendly skies. The Yala(southwest) storm affects the hills and the coast from about April to September. The Maha monsoon brings monsoon brings rain over the east coast from November to March. The months of October and November see the worst of the angry showers. You can go around most months. But these two months should be missed.

 

Average cost per person

Since the distance of Sri Lanka from India is so close by, the costs of flights are not too high. It will take you not more than 8,000 to book return fare. The prices of accommodation are also not too high. Except for in Colombo. Even in Colombo, they go up to about 3,000 rupees per night. The food is spectacular, and a lot of great options are found in reasonable and market prospects. That is where the essence of Sri Lanka lies. The trip for one person for a week should go up to about 25-40,000 rupees at the most.

 

Visa Requirements

An Indian passport holder has a more comfortable process of getting a Visa to enter Sri Lanka. Every bit of this process happens online and is an easy one. The country offers you a Visa which is also known as the ETA. ETA is Electronic Travel Authorization. It is mainly issued for shorter visits of business or travel. It gives you permission to enter for up to 30 days. Children under the age of 12 do not have to apply for this process. The price and time of Visa have also been cut down considerably. It can be done in 30 minutes flat.

 

Where to stay?

Colombo:

 

This city was once known as the Garden city of the East. Even though it is now far away from this name, the roots still remain. You see these hints in cracks of hidden alleys. The city is going through an architectural restoration. The town is ladled with posh eateries and bars and coffee buzz. A little treasure hunt will lead you towards local food and typical Sri Lankan clothing. The city is finding its own way towards glory with its ascending skylines.

This city now has a major overlaying theme. The picturesque beaches. This is one of the main reasons people find their way around the town. It is no longer a blue spot on the highway to peace. It is a journey of its own.

Best Places to stay in Colombo

• Havelock Place Bungalow
• Colombo Courtyard
• Tropic Inn
• Cinnamon Red Colombo
• Galle Face Hotel

 

Galle:

 

As you enter the timeless bounds of Galle a silent, enchanting tune takes its place inside your mind. This is the place of sunsets that never get old. Carry a backpack and a camera and set loose in Galle on foot. This place used to be one of the most exotic ports, and the essence still remains. The architecture still carries with it that portly charm. Columns and monuments that make eroding look beautiful.

The core of Galle will forever lie in the Fort. What was built by the Dutch in the early ages still finds a place in the hearts of people here. It is a walled area surrounded by three sides by the waters. It is not just a pretty place. The city is still a working model of discipline.

Best Places to stay in Galle

• Fort Bazaar
• Pilgrims Hostel
• The Lady Hill Hostel
• Sun House
• Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel

 

Kandy:

 

This city is in a perpetual state of rain. There are always droplets making their way down from heaven. This is a city still hidden in an aura of mist. But this is a city that wears it well. The lush greens and the petrichor makes you want to curl up with a book alongside a fire. The forests are gloomy with a fresh spot of dew. The three-wheeled carriages are a representation of all colors ever seen. The saris in yellow glint against the contrast of the canopy.

The Kandyan architecture stuns every person who walks by. There is nothing better than the view of the Temple of Sacred Tooth Relic. There is no shortage of culture and history. The festivals around July and August are a gust of life and energy.

Best Places to stay in Kandy

• Clove Villa
• Freedom Lodge Kandy
• Green Woods
• Hotel Topaz
• Royal Bar and Hotel

 

 

Anuradhapura:

The ruins of Anuradhapura are a wonder in themselves. These are sights that radiate the gold of the past. These are places that are a running tap of archaeological and architectural beauty. Stupas made od crumbling bricks, temples almost ready to give in, pools from the eras. Anuradhapura looks like a still from before time as we knew it. It looks like a screenshot preserved in time.

The city remains as it always was. It is a sprawling space that barely fits the image of a town. This hidden corner is nothing but a large village. A cultural experience to behold.

Best Places to stay in Anuradhapura

• Milano Tourist Rest
• Lakeside at Nuwaraweva
• Sanctuary at Tissawewa
• Andorra Tourist Rest
• Balcony Rest

 

Polonnaruwa:

This is where kings ruled this empire from centuries ago. This was at that time the thriving center of life. It carried the essence of what Sri Lanka meant. It was the spot where immense religious and spiritual connect happened. The archaeological wonders that this city spits out are still a testament to the glory of this civilization.

The Quadrangle is a great visit. The tombs, shrines, and temples are a great view. The elephant parks and green just add to its beauty. There are a lot of bikes on hire. This makes it an even better journey.

Best Places to stay in Polonnaruwa

• Gajaba Hotel
• Lake Hotel
• Siyanco Holiday Resort
• Ekho Lake House
• Hotel Sudu Araliya

 

Top Experiences

The Gathering

This meeting of elephants happens in Minneriya in around July to October. This is the largest gathering of elephants in one place. The dry season causes this phenomenon to take place. The 300 plus elephants come to the reservoir to drink water from the farthest of places.

Tree Houses

The sheer size of the forest and the number of dangerous animals present here made way for these. The villagers built these. Soon these were converted to hotels for the accommodation of the booming tourism.

Hoppers

These lovely delicate bowl-shaped pancakes are a delicacy found only here. They taste amazing when eaten with gravy and egg cooked with it. Some exciting and challenging to find versions exist too. The honey hoppers are such a case.

Kandyan Dance Show

This is an essential part of the tradition in Kandy and places around. Their festivals are beyond just grand. Their dances are so energetic. One of the best dances is ves which is performed by the men. There are very tough backflips and athletic feats that make this quite a sight.

Sigiriya

This is one to best spots in Sri Lanka. This rock fortress is the apple of every tourist’s eyes. This the best sunrise you will ever see. It tends to be a little crowded. You can also see the sight from hot hair balloons.

Travel Smart:

• Time-consuming

Yes. Sri Lanka is not too big to start off with. Just a couple of hundred kilometers in all directions. But it can take a lot of time to get from one place to the other. There are so many obstacles in your path. From cows to the uncivilized monkeys.

• Safe

This country went through a lot. Their struggle with the civil war just ended in 2009. Since then they have fought a lot to reach where they are right now. There are almost no significant crimes and none against tourists. Some of the most helpful and most hospitable people will be found here.

• Language

The two main languages found here are Tamil or Sinhalese. Even so, the place has people who know at least some basic English. The tourist spots are quite easily navigated. But for areas that don’t understand it, it can be great to know some basic phrases.

• Fresh

Food in Sri Lanka is sweet and will warm your soul. It is full of curries, string hoppers, and kottu. The seafood available here is directly caught, and the preparations are mild but taste superb.

 

Countries that can be clubbed together

Indonesia

Singapore

 

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