Sri Lanka has something to offer everyone. It has the potential to become one of the great adventure destinations in the world. A rocky, mountainous core rises in three peneplains, or steps, from the centre of the island. Sheer rock faces abound in an island dissected with ridges and mountain ranges. No less than 130 rivers cascade down to the ocean, allowing plenty of scope for canoeing and white-water rafting. Anything from easy, grade one stretches, to hair-raising grade six rapids, to make even a seasonal rafter’s heart pump fast, is available. Sri Lanka’s potential for scuba diving is probably understated. In addition to the well known reefs, several others lie unexplored, off the routine diving-circuit.
It is probably in trekking that, Sri Lanka has the potential to stake a claim as a premier soft-adventure destination. Being a relatively compact island, it is not too difficult to design a trekking circuit that will run from the cool highlands to the humid, lowland rain-forest, or the parched dry lowlands dotted with ancient lakes and the remains of grand ancient civilizations. A trek can start at altitudes where temperatures drop below freezing point, and end only a few days later, in an almost desert-like environment. The mountainous core and two seasonal monsoons work to produce markedly different climatic zones in a relatively small area. Trekkers can experience montane forests, alpine grasslands, tea estates, paddy fields and scrub jungles, all in the space of a week.
Sri Lanka the land yet unexplored can easily be the new millennium’s adventure tourism destination. The adventure season now covers almost the entire year. Sri Lanka being blessed with rolling meadows, jagged rock faces, verdant valleys, meandering rivers, cascading waterfalls, dense forests, and hospitable people, blessed with a rich culture – is a land perfect for adventure. People from all over the world have rapidly begun to realize the potential of this island as a premium adventure sport destination. The wide choice of adventure sports ranges from daring to exotic tours that mix various activities.
Camping, mountain biking, biking, white water vaulting and canoeing also give visitors a refreshing glimpse of lesser – travelled parts of the country.
Those who want to see man and nature surviving in each other’s arms is rediscovering one’s own self.
Mountain Biking
Sri Lanka's mountainous terrains are among the finest of the world's best biking sites. Among the slopes, valleys and the tea plantations are tracks and trails that will lure any mountain biker. Tours range from lush tea estates to caves, rain forests, ancient temples , reservoirs etc.
Mountain Climbing
Standing on the summit of a mountain is only part of the total enjoyment and satisfaction that one achieves from mountaineering. Mountaineering is an adventure sport that requires skills and levels of fitness that few other adventure sports can match. For those fascinated by the explored, the mountain ranges offer breath taking, enthralling, climbing routes. Climbing is all about discovering the natural world around and with you. Join Sri Lanka's climbing expeditions for spine tingling encounters combining with rafting and sailing.
Trekking / Camping
There’s no better way to explore the natural scenic beauty of this island with diverse climatic zones.Trekking is an excellent way to explore a country, people, their traditions and beliefs. Paths and campsites have been selected to give nature lovers the experience of a lifetime. All possible steps are taken to ensure local community benefit and nature conservation in keeping with all international camping guidelines.
Cycling
Cycling must be one of the most challenging and physically demanding adventure sports you have ever indulged in. Cycling arguably offers the best way to explore Sri Lanka and a great way to see the real country and gives the proximity to people, culture and landscape that is unparalleled. Cycling through rice fields and villages to see 700-years-old temples is an absorbing experience.
Sri Lanka’s bicycle trail
Sri Lanka’s National Cycle Trail comprises four district geographical areas and caters to all the demands of the serious bikers of the world.
1. COASTAL ROUT
This southern costal cycle route is 240 km in length and is bounded by Wadduwa, a city about 20 km (?) south of Colombo and extends to Koggala just beyond Galle, with detains into the interior foothills of Sri Lanka.
This trail is divided into eight segments, which are about 20km to 30km each of two hours unhurried cycling through the real Sri Lanka of prime beach, coconut, rubber and tea plantations, village living and a rich of fauna, flora, and cultural heritage.
2. ANCIENT CITY ROUTE
This dry zone trail is a 150km long ride into the part and covers the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka with its remains of glorious and adventured, ancient civilisations, temples, masterpiece of inhale art, and irrigation systems, national parks and the excitement of encounters with elephants, leopards, bears and crocodiles.
3. SABARAGAMUWA PROVINCE ROUTE
This 200 km trail is dotted with muddy, gemstone pits and mining methods as old as the time of Kind Solomon. Rivers, waterfalls, tea country and a Rain Forest are the absorbing of this cycle route radiation from the City of Gems.
4. HILL COUNTRY ROUTE
300 km of emerald tea estates, sweet air, cool misty mountains and wilderness areas are indeed a mountain bikers dreams come true.
Bikers will have the opportunity to observe the production of high quality first hand, Ceylon teas. From the harvesting of the two leaves and a bud by mostly Tamil women Tea Pluckers, the production process in a tea factory, set in some of the most scenic mountainous island, is the big highlight of the Hill Country cycle trail.
Each of the four National Cycle Trails has been developed for a wide spectrum of tourist on delights, outstanding natural beauty availability of accommodation and all the fun and excitement of beauty. Cyclist-friendly environments and adventure.
White Water Rafting
Lanka’s boulder stream rivers are the ideal setting for white water rafting. This is the best way to see the stunning environment what this region has to offer. Many tours are arranged and it begins with days of action, rafting the white waters. This high adventure is suitable for fish time ‘go for it’ rafters and experts alike. Along one ride you can pass the scenic location outside. Rafting has become a very popular exciting get safe adventure sport option.
Canoeing/Kayaking
This is a relatively new sport around the world rated as the most adventurous of all adventure sports. It involves descending a stream as it drops over waterfalls and boulders. Can you handle 700 ft waterfalls? That's what we can offer you. We do have lower falls for the less daring , but equal in breathtaking scenery.
Diving
A wide coral shelf surrounds Sri Lanka’s coast at intervals, from north to south, providing excellent sites for skin-diving. The discovery of the beautiful underwater natural world in Sri Lanka will make you absolutely fascinated and spell bound. The blue green, turquoise and aquamarine waters are home for the magical and mysterious underwater world of coral veets, shells and a fantastic variety of fish. The adventure of scuba diving can be easily clubbed with activities like underwater photography and fish identification. The coral world offers beautiful species such as Rays, Eels, Clown Fish, Porcupine, Moorish Idol, Unicorn and Moorish Angle. The common species belonging to the families of Aroporidae (Staghorn Corals), Poritidae (Donnie Corals), Mussidae (Brain Corals), faviidae (Ster Corals) and Pocelloporidae (Flower Corals).
Paragliding
Paragliding is the latest aero sport to take the world by storm. The origin of the sport dates back to the 1940s. Since then , this sport has been rapidly expanding. Thousands of people all over the world have found this sport convenient , sheer fun and a safe medium of soaring in the air. Sri Lanka's physical features and climatic conditions are conductive to flying operations throughout the year. Paragliding holds a special lure for the foreign tourist. Flight time for any average pilot with an intermediate level glide will take 25 minutes.
Ballooning
Explore the natural beauty of the Island on a hot air Balloon. Watch the Elephants in their natural habitant without disturbing them , fly over the placid lakes or take a bird's eye view over Sigiriya Rock or a historical ruined city without disturbing the landscapes. We call it " Soft Tourism " . Witness our ancient lakes, gigantic ruins, some over 2500 years old! Forests with its wild life from a different perspective above!
(http://www.srilankatourism.org)
