Off the beaten track in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an outstanding choice for a vacation destination, with an impressive roster of holiday attractions all packaged up in an easily navigated island. With thrilling wildlife to encounter, a mesmerizing culture to explore, and beautiful landscapes and seascapes to enchant you, there are plenty of reasons to start planning your Sri Lankan adventure today. 

But what if you have already experienced the headline attractions of Sri Lanka on a previous trip? Or perhaps you prefer to uncover the hidden charms of a destination when you travel? If that’s the case, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’ve rounded up some of the lesser- known highlights of ‘the Pearl of the Indian Ocean’ to inspire you to go off the beaten track in Sri Lanka.

Visual marvels of the Knuckles mountain range

The mountain range that dominates central Sri Lanka certainly lives up to its name. The folded rock formations of The Knuckles  — designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site — undulate across the horizon in a distinctly knuckle-like series of bumps.

These mountains are the backbone of the Sri Lankan highland region, and they’re located just beyond the reach of most tourists on a whistle-stop tour of the country’s natural wonders. Yet they’re well worth a visit for anyone who’s willing to explore Sri Lanka off the beaten path.

For one, the Knuckles mountains feature wonderful views and are home to ugely bio-diverse ecosystems supporting plentiful wildlife. With a little luck, you might end up seeing elephants, Sri Lankan leopards, multiple giant squirrel species, and a wide variety of reptiles, including the endemic leaf-nosed lizard. Plus, 128 bird species call this region home, ranging from eagles and herons to endemic rarities like the Sri Lankan whistling thrush.

Hiking enthusiasts will also be pleased: The Knuckles region features some incredible trekking route we’re obligated to recommend. These include a pathway through the Knuckles Conservation Forest around Dothalugala Mountain, a hike to the Nitro Caves, and more. 

Those treks and some others can be rugged, so it may be wise to undertake them with a guide. But less experienced hikers can easily explore the lower foothills and enjoy the village life and lush forest at this level. Visitors can enjoy marvelous views of the Knuckles mountains from all over central Sri Lanka, and it will be hard to resist the urge to venture among the remote peaks.

Haputale: A sanctuary that touches the sky

A dramatic train trip winding through some jaw dropping scenery is the prelude to your visit to Haputale. Located in Badulla District and situated 4,965 feet (1,431 meters) above sea level, this town is a centerpiece of the hill country in Sri Lanka: It’s a cool retreat where you can get refreshed and relax amid the dramatic landscapes of cloud forest. 

A visit to a tea plantation nearby is a great way to get to know the process involved in creating your daily brew from field to cup. There are lots of leisurely walks in the area, all of which can give you different perspective on the island and the tea cultivation that is such an important industry for the local economy.

Nature lovers will also find themselves fascinated with the forests and grasslands surrounding Haputale. For example, in Horton Plains National Park, you may see sambar deer, leopards, wild boards, rusty-spotted cats, and many other creatures. This park (along with the Thangamale Bird Sanctuary) is also one of the country’s most valuable bird preserves. Horton is the only place in Sri Lanka to observe the Sri Lanka white-eye, Sri Lanka wood pigeon, and dull-blue flycatcher. Meanwhile, Thangamale is known for golden orioles, paradise flycatchers, black-naped monarchs, scimitar babblers, and many other rare birds.

Paramakanda Temple: A trip into the past

Paramakanda Raja Maha Vihara (known more colloquially as Paramakanda Temple or simply Paramakanda) is among the most astonishing Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka. While it’s little visited by comparison to tourist-magnet attractions like Sigiriya, it absolutely deserves your attention. Situated about 2.49 miles (4 kilometers) north of Anamaduwa, it’s generally estimated to be just over 2,000 years old, most likely under the authority of King Valagamba in the 1st century BCE.

At the foot of the rock where Paramakanda lies, the caves and crevices have been repurposed as shrines and are richly decorated with ancient friezes that depict Buddhist themes. There are also some striking paintings in the temple’s Buddha image house, likely from the much more recent Kandyan period (c. 1597-1815 CE). All told, it’s among the nation’s most fascinating places of worship. From a lofty viewpoint on top of the rocky outcrop — reached by a set of stone stairs — you can enjoy some breathtaking views of the forests below, as well as the relative tranquility of Amamaduwa town. Spending some time on the pinnacle also gives you a sense of the location’s calm spirituality.

Wilpattu National Park: A lesser-trafficked safari opportunity

As we’ve already noted, Sri Lanka boasts some truly world-class wildlife hotspots. Luckily, for the curious visitor, Wilpattu National Park is a great site to join safaris as they track the most thrilling creatures on Sri Lanka.

While many tourists flock to Yala National Park on the southern end of the island, those exploring Sri Lanka off the beaten path should make a beeline for Wilpattu. Found not far from the nation’s western coast, the scope and species of the latter park are very similar to its more popular counterpart — but the crowds are significantly smaller. Take a jeep safari into the wilds of the park and feel the thrill of an authentic Sri Lankan wildlife experience, with few (if any) fellow safari vehicles in sight. 

Wilpattu is among the oldest national parks in the country, with certain sections having been founded as early as 1938. It’s unquestionably the largest site of its kind, spread out over 131,000 hectares (about 506 square miles). You’ll generally be able to see some  fast-moving leopards, spotted deer, water buffalo, sloth bears, and elephants. There’s also a fantastic array of bird life — including the ultra-rare lesser adjutant, a flightless wader — and plenty of fearsome marsh crocodiles.

Polonnaruwa: A testament to ancient architectural excellence

An ancient royal city basks in the sun of the Sri Lankan plains, near the southeastern quadrant of the country’s North Central Province. Polonnaruwa was once the cultural and ceremonial hub of the island — the polar opposite of “Sri Lanka off the beaten path.” While it’s unclear exactly when it was first built (as a military outpost), it became Sri Lanka’s second capital in 993 after the Chola kingdom (based in modern-day southern India) laid siege to Anuradhapura, the nation’s original capital. 

Polonnaruwa quickly began to thrive, and ultimately became the seat of an eponymous kingdom that expanded beyond Sri Lanka and didn’t fall until the 13th century. Ancient Polonnaruwa was both populous and sumptuous, with many beautiful palaces serving as a testament to the ornate style of local architects.

The construction and planning of the city were very advanced for the time,. Although the kingdom of Polonnaruwa was destroyed in 1214, a significant share of the ancient city remains relatively intact despite centuries of neglect. It’s not the least bit surprising that Polonnaruwa appears on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites, as it’s one of the best preserved ancient cities of its age anywhere in the world. 

When visiting old Polonnaruwa, the Polonnaruwa Vatadage, is an absolute must-see. The shrine, which features multiple statues and a stupa (a ceremonial enclosure for important relics),, is simply astonishing. But the same could be said about most of the statues, reliefs, and temple ruins in this old city. It exemplifies the rich, complex history of a fascinating nation.

Make it happen

If you’re looking to mix major sights with lesser known gems  in Sri Lanka off the beaten path, the expert local operators at TravelLocal can help. They’ll design a custom itinerary that includes a diverse range of the popular and the obscure.