Sri Lanka casts a spell with its lush green mountains, cascading waterfalls, and sparkling white sandy beaches. While Colombo, Kandy, and Galle are the major lures for tourists heading to Sri Lanka, there are many other offbeat places that are no less enthralling. Read on to know about a few such hidden historical and natural treasures in Sri Lanka.
Bathalegala
Situated near Aranayake in the Kegalle District of Kandy, the Bathalegala Mountain rises to a height of around 798 metres above sea level. Beautifully surrounded by hillocks, this mountain is known for its spectacular views. The mountain is also known as Bible Rock as its shape resembles an open book. Bathalegala Mountain seems impossible to climb due to its shape and steepness but there are in fact two trails leading to the top. These trails don’t entail much climbing.
Dorawaka Rock Caves
Haven for the lovers of history and archaeology, the Dorawaka Rock Caves are located in the Kegalle district. The caves boast archaeological findings dating back to 6300 BC. The off-beat location of this attraction makes it an adventurous experience for the visitors. Archaeologists believe that the caves reveal information about the third phase of the Stone Age. If you have a passion for adventurous historical explorations, you will love these caves. The adventurous part is that you will have to make your own way, as there is no regular established trail here.
Makandawa Forest Reserve
Makandawa is a lowland wet zone forest full of several exotic species of flora and fauna. Makandawa Forest Reserve is located in a Kithugala, a small town in Colombo. This forest reserve is a paradise for bird watching as it is home to rare species of birds such as black eagle, the trogon, Sri Lanka Orange-billed babbler, Chestnut backed owlet, the blue magpie and the Red Faced Malkoha. A plunge into the refreshingly cool waters of River Kelani will certainly make your trip all the more memorable. Kithugala is also a famous destination for white water rafting.
