Adam ’ s Peak ( Sri Pada ) Wilderness Sanctuary The Peak Wilderness sanctuary is a tropical rainforest spread around Adam ’ s Peak mountain . The mighty Kelani , Kalu , Mahaweli and Walawe rivers all have sources here , and the lush , green jungle is a haven for birds and butterflies . The main attraction of the Sanctuary is the distinctive 2,240 metre high Adam ’ s Peak , where thousands of pilgrims make the long assent each day between December and April . You can join them on the 5-mile trek and be rewarded with views across the mountain wilderness , especially at sunrise when the peak ’ s mysterious shadow is cast . Visits The assent takes 3 to 4 hours , depending on fitness , and longer if it is crowded . Location On the western side of the central highlands , 2 hours south-west of Nuwara Eliya . Climate Be prepared for wind and rain . Stay at Ceylon Tea Trails bungalows which are 1-1.5 hours drive from the starting point of the walk .
Hakgala Botanical Gardens Highlights here are the endemic mountain orchids , the Fernery , and the mature temperate zone trees and plants originally introduced by the British . Hakgala was initially the site for experiments with cinchona , whose bark yielded quinine , a tonic and a remedy for malaria . The cool , temperate climate of the Hakgala area was conducive to the introduction of conifers and cedars , cypresses and pines , English oak and a rose garden . Climate Cool , temperate climate at around 16 º C . Stay at Warwick Gardens and Kirchhayn Bungalow .
Knuckles Mountain Range The Knuckles Range is a rugged area of pristine wilderness with rare dwarf cloud forest and peaks rising to over 6,000ft . Tracks and paths lead to isolated hamlets and it is home to an exceptional array of endemic animal and plant species . Corbet ’ s Gap and Little World ’ s End are the scene of dramatic ‘ drops ’. The forests are diverse in fauna and flora , some species of which are only found in the Knuckles region . Sambhur , barking deer , giant squirrel , the toque and the purple-faced leafy monkey , fish , snakes and fishing cats are seen here , as well as 17 endemic bird species . Location North-east of Kandy . Climate It is hot during the day , in dry and wet zones . Stay at The nearest hotel is Rangala House .
the grizzled Indian squirrel . Sinharaja is also home to the elusive leopard . There is a rich reptile population and myriad insect species , many yet to be classified , and over 130 species of bird , which swoop in ‘ waves .’ Visits Normally explored on foot , which makes for an authentic jungle experience . There are walking paths to follow and a park warden will accompany throughout . Location The main entrance is at Kudawa in the northwest , which is a 2-3 hour drive from any of the villages on the south-west coast . Climate 90 % humidity , average temperature is 23-25C , damp with plenty of rainfall . Stay at Day excursions can be made from the hotels on the south-west coast .
Kelani River and rainforest reserve – Kitulgala Against a backdrop of tropical rainforest and steep mountains , this wonderfully scenic river has forged a valley from the highlands to the west coast , and was the setting for the film ‘ Bridge over the River Kwai ’. Take a white-water rafting trip along the river or stop for lunch at one of the guesthouses at Kitulgala . Cross the river in a dugout canoe to reach the Kelani Valley Forest Reserve , which is a lowland tropical rainforest ideal for spotting endemic bird species such as the spot-winged thrush , Sri Lanka Spurfowl , or brown-capped babbler . Climate Very humid and hot with frequent rainfall . Stay at Stay overnight at the Plantation Hotel .
Kottawa , Hiyare and Kanneliya Rainforest Reserves The 600-acre Hiyare Forest Nature Reserve , 17km northeast of Galle , is home to a wealth of wildlife , particularly endemic birds and butterflies . The nursery here was set up to provide trees of nutritional and medicinal value to tsunami-affected families . The Arboretum in the Kottawa Rainforest is arguably a more authentic ‘ rainforest ,’ but is easily accessed via a wide path . Nature lovers are
Birdwatching in a National Park
Elephant at Minneriya
NEAR KANDY Peradeniya Botanical Gardens Sri Lanka ’ s largest and finest garden covers almost 150 acres . Highlights are the huge Javan fig , the orchid house , venerable palms , sal ( cannon ball ) trees , troupes of macaque monkeys , and fruit bats . Stay at At the Amaya Hills in the Hantana mountains or any Kandy hotel .
TROPICAL RAINFORESTS , RIVERS AND WETLANDS OF THE SOUTH-WEST Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve Sinharaja Rainforest contains over 800 of Sri Lanka ’ s endemic species of flora and fauna . Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site , Sinharaja is the only large tract of virgin rainforest left in Sri Lanka . It is very humid with dense canopy , cicadas , and cascading rivers . Its staggering array of flora and fauna place it among the top biodiversity hotspots in the world . Half of Sri Lanka ’ s endemic butterflies and mammals are found here , the most common being the purple-faced leaf monkey and
Bird-watching at Yala National Park
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