LANKA EXCURSIONS HOLIDAYS
  • Home
    • Welcome
    • Terms
    • payments
    • по-русски
  • About
  • Info
    • Where is Sri Lanka
    • Names of Sri Lanka
    • Travel Regions >
      • Cultural Triangle images
      • Central Highlands images
      • Western Plains images
      • Southwest Wet Zone images
      • Deep South images
      • Eastern Shores images
      • Northern Province images
    • Sri Lanka off the beaten path >
      • highly recommended
      • around Colombo
      • around Yapahuwa
      • around Anuradhapura
      • around Jaffna
      • around Trincomalee
      • around Polonnaruwa
      • around Sigiriya
      • around Kandy
      • around Nuwara Eliya
      • around Arugam Bay
      • around Hambantota
      • around Bentota
      • all over Sri Lanka
    • Things to do
    • Slide Show >
      • Famous Places Slide Show
      • Less-known Sites Slide Show
    • Directory
  • Tours
    • 4-days classic
    • 8 days tour
    • 4 weeks honeymoon tour
    • your-price-choice
    • 3 days 2 nights
    • 4 days 3 nights
    • Sri Lanka Transport Service
    • 7 days with 4 hikes
    • 10 days with 7 hikes
    • 2-days trek Knuckles-5-Peaks
    • 15 days with 7 means of travel
    • Bentota beach holidays
    • Nilaveli beach holidays
    • Services >
      • Outdoor Anuradhapura
    • Tripadvisor
    • Cambodia
    • Nepal
    • deutsch >
      • 15 days with 3 surf beaches
  • Mihintale
    • Mihintale attractions
    • Guesthouse Rooms
    • Rent my Villa
    • Activities around Mihintale
    • Picnic at Kaludiya Pokuna
    • car
    • Day trips by car
    • Mihintale-sightseeing
    • Hiking in Mihintale
  • Culture
    • Food >
      • Rice
      • Breakfast
      • Kottu Roti
      • Pasta Sri Lanka style
      • Rice Noodles Sri Lanka style
      • Egg-fried rice Sri Lanka style
    • Tea
    • Ayurveda
  • Destinations
    • World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka >
      • Anuradhapura World Heritage Site
      • Polonnaruwa World Heritage Site
      • Sigiriya World Heritage Site
      • Dambulla World Heritage Site
      • Kandy Sacred City
      • Galle Fort
    • Cities of Sri Lanka >
      • Colombo
      • Nuwara Eliya
      • Trincomalee
      • Ratnapura
      • Batticaloa
      • Kurunegala
      • Matale
      • Kalutara
      • Tangalle
      • Hambantota
      • Puttalam
      • Chilaw
      • Matara
      • Avissawella
      • Badulla
      • Tissamaharama
      • Kalmunai
      • Embilipitiya
      • Habarana
      • Kilinochchi
      • Pottuvil
      • Giritale
    • Sacred Places >
      • Kataragama
      • Mahiyangana
      • Seruwila
      • Somawathiya
      • Sita Eliya
      • Maha Saman Devale
      • Kelaniya
      • Munneshvaram
      • Kanniyai
      • Manavari
      • Adisham Hall
      • Madampe
      • Seenigama
      • Divurumpola
    • Ancient Temples >
      • Ritigala
      • Thiriyai
      • Yapahuwa
      • Haththikuchchi
      • Velgam Vehera
      • Medirigiriya
      • Sithulpahuwa
      • Pidurangala
      • Nalanda
      • Mulkirigala
      • Panduwasnuwara
      • Padeniya
      • Padavigampola
      • Namal Uyana
      • Arankale
      • Menikdena
      • Manakanda
      • Nillakgama Bodhigara
      • Panavitiya
      • Gadaladeniya Temple near Kandy
      • Lankatilaka
      • Embekke
      • Lahugala
      • Kudumbigala
      • Hanguranketa
      • Dambadeniya
      • Kiralagala
      • Kalupokuna
      • Degaldoruwa
      • Ramba Vihara
      • Medawala
      • Dadagamuwa
      • Buddhangala
      • Dematamal Viharaya
      • Pilikuttuwa
      • Dodanwela
      • Dimbulagala
      • Beligala
      • Bogoda
      • Barandiya Kovil
      • Kokabe
      • Divulwewa
      • Madagama
      • Pettagangala
      • Isenbessagala
      • Kuruwita
      • Koskandawala
      • Attanagalla
      • Alawwa
      • Awariyawala
      • Karagahagedara
    • Historical Caves >
      • Ridigama
      • Salgala
      • Veheragala
      • Wavulpone
      • Sankapala
      • Varana
      • Aluvihara
      • Anamaduwa
      • Aluthepola
      • Maligatenna
      • Divaguhawa
      • Batadomba Lena
      • Beli Lena
      • Pahiyangala
      • Maradankadawala
      • Wilandagoda
    • Giant Stupas >
      • Yudaganawa
      • Dedigama
      • Dighavapi
    • Rock Buddha statues >
      • Gal Vihara
      • Aukana Buddha
      • Sasseruwa Buddha
      • Buduruwagala
      • Dowa
      • Maligawila
      • Ramboda
      • Kushtaraja Statue
      • Thanthirimale
      • Bakamuna
      • Maboda Temple
    • Mountains >
      • Adam's Peak
      • Horton Plains
      • Hunnasgiriya
      • Pidurutalagala
      • Knuckles Range
      • Sinharaja
      • Haputale
      • Ella
      • Namunukula
      • Deanston
      • Ambuluwawa
      • Bible Rock
      • Medamahanuwara
      • Hakgala
      • Kadugannawa
      • Uda Pussellawa
      • Passara
      • Retiyagama
      • Victoria Lake
    • Waterfalls >
      • Bambarakanda Falls
      • Diyaluma Falls
      • Dunhinda Falls
      • St. Clair's Falls
      • Devon Falls
      • Bopath Falls
      • Dodam Falls
      • Mannakethi Falls
      • Aberdeen Falls
      • Lakshapana
      • Kirindi Falls
      • Bambarakiri Falls
      • Ravana Falls
      • Hunas Falls
    • National Parks >
      • Yala NP
      • Wilpattu NP
      • Maduru Oya NP
      • Gal Oya NP
      • Udawalawe NP
      • Minneriya NP
      • Kaudulla NP
      • Kumana NP
      • Bundala NP
      • Ussangoda
      • leopards
    • Activity Attractions >
      • Kandy Perahera 2023
      • Kithulgala
      • Pinnawela
      • Madu Ganga
      • Muthurajawela
      • Meetiyagoda
      • Rekawa
      • Induruwa
      • Brief Garden
      • Lunuganga
      • Gampaha
      • Kanneliya
      • Bodhinagala
      • Mahapalessa Hot Springs
      • Thoppigala
      • Rufus Kulam
      • Wewurukannala
      • Kalawewa
      • Kandalama
    • Beaches >
      • Beruwela
      • Bentota Beach
      • Balapitiya
      • Ambalangoda
      • Hikkaduwa
      • Unawatuna
      • Weligama
      • Mirissa
      • Dondra
      • Hiriketiya
      • Hoomaniya Blowhole
      • Kirinda
      • Okanda
      • Arugam Bay
      • Thirukkovil
      • Pasikuda
      • Thennadi Bay
      • Nilaveli Beach
      • Pulmoddai
      • Mannar Island
      • Kalpitiya Peninsula
      • Marawila
      • Negombo
    • Jaffna Peninsula >
      • Jaffna
      • Nallur
      • Kandarodai
      • Nilavarai
      • Point Pedro
      • Manalkadu
      • Naguleshvaram
      • Jambukola
      • Nainativu
      • Delft Island
      • Elephant Pass
    • top 20 attractions >
      • top 20 in Colombo
      • top 20 in Kandy
    • Sri Lanka off the beaten track
  • Blog
  • Reviews
    • Reviews since 2020
    • Tripadvisor Reviews
    • Reviews 2015-2020
    • instagram
  • Contact

Introducing our partner Apex Nepal Treks & Tours

6/20/2020

0 Comments

 
Buddhist statues at the so-called monkey temple of Swayambhunath stupa near Kathmandu in Nepal
Buddhist statues at the so-called monkey temple of Swayambhunath stupa near Kathmandu in Nepal
We proudly announce to start a cooperation with a partner agency in Nepal.

We chose Apex Nepal Treks & Tours Pvt Ltd as our recommended sister company for round tours in Nepal, as this is an agency run by tour guides, similar to ours in Sri Lanka, Lanka Excursions Holidays.

Not surprisingly, Apex Nepal Treks & Tours first and foremost is a specialist for Himalaya trekking and mountaineering, but they also offer tours with hiking on less challenging routes nonetheless offering amazing views to the mountains.

What might be very appealing for our guests and friends who fell in love with the great variety of cultural and natural attractions of Sri Lanka - with many heritage sites being embedded in a green wilderness or in other scenic settings - is that Apex Nepal Treks & Tours offer a large choice of combined heritage and wildlife tours, too, particularly for those interested in Hindu and Buddhist culture or in jeep safaris. The Kathmandu Valley is crowded with ancient temples, seven places forming a World Heritage Site, and Chitwan National Park in a lower altitude already belonging to the Gangetic Plains is one of Asia's best jungle areas to observe rhinos. There are also tigers and leopards, though the latter are more difficult to spot than in Yala in Sri Lanka. A classical combination of Kathmandu's Heritage Sites and Pokhara's lakes and views to an eight-thousander and a hike at the foot of that Annapurna mountain massif and wildlife safari in Chitwan National park can be done within only 7 days (6 nights) on Apex Nepal Treks & Tours'  DIAMOND TRIANGLE TOUR. Just have a look! On request, we can send you their pdf-files of similar culture&nature itineraries that include more attractions on longer round tours (more overnight stays). Just contact us!

Find more information why the mountain state Nepal might be very attractive for fans of the island nation Sri Lanka in particular, by clicking here to our new introductory page, which also gives you a first impression of the large variety of travel itineraries on offer by Apex Nepal Treks & Tours.
0 Comments

Udawalawe - elephant watching

2/2/2020

0 Comments

 
elephant in Udawalawe National Park
Hundreds of wild elephants roam free in Udawalawe National park, tuskers, male loners, small groups of females with babies. There is no specific high season to spot wild elephants in Udawalawe, they can be seen in large numbers all year long. Actually, there is somewhat an elephant guarantee for Udawalawa safaris. Apart from its elephant population, Udawalawe is rich in wild buffalos and birdlife.

Learn much more about Udawalawe NP here...
feral buffalos in Udawalawe National Park
0 Comments

Black Panthers in Sri Lanka

1/26/2020

0 Comments

 
Last October, the occurence of Black Panthers in Sri Lanka was for the first time caught on video footage. The Wildlife Department had installed motion sensor cameras in remote dense forests. Sri Lankan authorities did not inform the public instantly but confirmed the existence only after a thorough investigation and recording more videos. There is now evidence of an entire family of Black Panthers, a male and a female with two cubs. Some shots are published on youtube, for example at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aEyuQP9ew0 (with comments). The videos were shot in the montane forests of the sanctuary known as Peak Wilderness, which is the densely forested area around Adam's Peak.

However, some of the information given in Sri Lankan media is misleading. Black Panthers are neither a species nor a subspecies. They belong to the same subspecies as all other Sri Lankan leopards, namely Panthera pardus kotiya. The phenomenon of having a pure black sprite (instead of the more common dull yellow fur with black marks like other leopards) is known from many species, including many other species of cats, well-known in the case of pet cats: they can be black instead of striped. Similarly, Black Horses are not separate subspecies. (They only occur in some subspecies more frequently than in others.) This kind of mutation to a black fur is commonly called melanism. So be aware: The black colour is not a permanent characteristic of any specific bloodline. Rather, parents as well as cubs of Black Panthers can be yellow leopards. Even cubs of two black parents can be yellow. Furthermore, cubs of one and the same litter can be of different colours. To put it in other words: The next generation of leopards can change the colour, Black Panthers can be offspring of yellow leopards and the other way around.

Though Black Panthers seem to be purely black, they are in fact patterned. The darker marks of yellow leopards do not completely disappear in the case of Black Panthers. Rather, they can still be seen when very bright sunshine is illuminating the fur from the side. The reason is: The still existing rosettes and spots are only obscured by a much darker undercoat.   

Already William Watt Addison Phillips in his "Manual of the Mammals of Ceylon" (Colombo 1935) reported that a Black Panther was shot by a hunter near Hambantota. Occasionally, Sri Lankan villagers reported to have spotted Black Panthers. However, the first photographic evidence is only from as late as 2009, when in Mawuldeniya (close to Deniyaya) in the southern foothills of the Sinharaha rain forest a female Black Panther was found dead in an illegal trap, afterwards taxidermied to be exhibited at the Giritale Wildlife Museum.   

So, indeed, something's new and it's somewhat spectacular: It's for the first time now that living Black Panthers are scientifically recorded in Sri Lanka!  

Black Panthers have been known from almost all other leopard subspecies occuring in Asia and Africa. They are most common on the Malay Peninsula, where Black Panthers form the bulk of the leopard population to the south of the Isthmus of Kra (maybe even the entire population), whereas spotted yellow leopards of the same subspecies (Panthera pardus delacouri) are common in other parts of mainland Southeast Asia and southern China. The percentage of Black Panthers is also comparatively high in forested montane regions of Africa. The general pattern of distribution is: Black Panthers occur more frequently in dense (and therefore dark!) tropical forests. Even yellow leopards in dense forests are usually more brownish than those in open grasslands, the latter "golden" ones in turn being slightly less pale than those in desert areas.
0 Comments

Train crossing Nine Arches Bridge

1/3/2020

0 Comments

 
Train crossing Nine Arches Bridge
Nine Arches Bridge is a beloved photo scene near Ella in the southern part of Sri Lanka's highlands. The observation terraces to view trains crossing the pituresque bridge can easily be reached from "Green Tea" plantation and factory, which is at the B113 road to Namunukula and Passara. The vantage point known as "Little Adam's Peak" isn't far away from here, either.

Lanka Excursions Holidays round tours try best to arrive at Nine Arches Bridge just in time to see one of the daily trains crossing it.
more about Ella
0 Comments

Tissamaharama alias Tissa alias Mahagama

1/1/2020

0 Comments

 
restored stone pillar on the platform of the Sandagiri stupa in Tissamaharama
For most Sri Lanka travellers Tissamaharama is the perfect starting point for safaris in the surrounding national parks of Yala and Bundala and Lunugamvehera, some also enjoy birdwatching in the close-by Wirawila sanctionary. But Tissa - as its name is commonly shortened - is also an attraction in itself. Tissamaharama is the ancient Mahagama, which was the capital of the southern principality known as Rohana in the Pali chronicles. It was the hometown of the Sinhalese national hero Dutugemunu (Dutthagamani in Pali). Due to its historical significance, Tissamaharama alias Mahagama is sometimes called the "Anuradhapura of the south". Four major dagobas survive from the early centuries of Buddhism on the island. The best restored one - from a scientifical point of view - is called Sandagiri Dagoba. A small archaeological museum is attached to it. Two other dagobas are much larger, actually the largest of the entire Southern Province of Sri Lanka. However, the Tissa and Yattala stupas are restored as white domes in a more modern style.
Sandagiri stupa in Tissamaharama alias Mahanaga in southern Sri Lanka
Sandagiri stupa in Tissamaharama
model of an ancient stupa in Tissamaharama in Sri Lanka
ancient stone troughs in Tissamaharama alias Tissa alias Mahanaga
Sandagiri archaeological site of Tissamaharama alias Mahanaga
finial found in the Sandagiri complex in ancient Mahagama alias Tissamaharama
The photos shown above are taken in the complex of the Sandagiri Dagoba (stupa) of the ancient city of Mahagama, now known as Tissamaharama alias Tissa. This is only one of 4 archaeological sites in Tissa. To learn more about the history of Tissa and its places of interest for heritage round tours, please click here... 
0 Comments

Sri Lanka's moonstone mine in Meetiyagoda

12/31/2019

1 Comment

 
Sri Lanka's moonstone mine in Meetiyagoda near Hikkaduwa
shaft of the Meetiyagoda moonstone mine near Hikkaduwa
The Meetiyagoda moonstone mine is situated in the hinterland of Sri Lanka's southwestern beach resorts Hikkaduwa and Ambalangoda. A visit is also easily managable as a half-day excursion from other coastal towns between Galle in the south and Bentota or Beruwela in the north. Actually, trips to Meetiyagoda, also combined with otherr nearby destinations such as Madhu Ganga wetlands are quite popular with holiday makers who spend some days or weeks in beach resorts of this region.
shaft of Sri Lanka's moonstone mine in Meetiyagoda
Moonstones found in Meetiyagoda in Sri Lanka
Guided tours in Meetiyagoda include a short walk to the shaft of the mine, where you can also study the filtering process, and then to the workshop and showrooms. You can study the filtering. The promotion slogan "the world's only moonstone mine" is a little bit misleading. Moonstones are found on all continents. The classic finding place in ancient Europe was the area of St. Gotthard in Switzerland. Today, Europe's richest moonstone mines are in Poland and Scandinavia. Most moonstones are from Mynamar and India. But Sri Lanka's moonstone - mostly from Meetiyagoda - have a reputation of being among the finest, although the quality of the finds has been decreasing for several years. Myanmar's and Sri Lanka's moonstones are those of the highest value due to their uniquely intense blue sheen. But the blue-shining moonstones have become even rarer in Myanmar than in Sri Lanka in recent decades. This is why claiming to be the world's only moonstone mine has some justification, as Meetiyagoda is the only remaining mine for moonstones with the highly attractive blue sheen.
moonstones from Sri Lanka's Southern Province
workshop of Meetiyagoda Moonstones in Sri Lanka
More about Meetiyagoda...
1 Comment

Rambha Viharaya near Embilipitiya

12/13/2019

0 Comments

 
a less-kown large excavation site in the Deep South of Sri Lanka - not far from Tangalle
image house with statue in situ in the Rambha Viharaya
Though it is situated at the A18 main road, which is connecting the southern beach resorts such as Tangalle and Kirinda with the "elephant national park" Udawalawe and the "gem city" Ratnapura, the Rambha Viharaya (also transcribed "Ramba Vihara") is rarely visited by foreign travellers. To be honest, this archaeological site is not as amazing as the nearby rock and cave temple of Mulgirigala. And Situlpawwa in the Yala area might earn the fame of being a more fascinating ancient site, just due to its environmental settings. However the Rambha Viharaya is one of the largest excavated temple complexes in the southern plains of Sri Lanka, although not many Sri Lankans and foreign guests seem to be aware of this fact. What is now called the Rambha Viharaya once served as the main monastery of an ancient city named Mahanagakula, which was an important trading center in antiquity and became the capital of Sri Lanka's Deep South during the Polonnaruwa period. Even the nation's famous Tooth Relic is said to have been kept here for a while during the period of Indian Chola hegemony over the northern half of the island. The reputation of the "banana monastery" - which actually the literal meaning of "Rambha Viharaya" - remained to be far-reaching after the Polonnaruwa period, when even monks from Myanmar's world-famous temple-town Bagan sought advice from the monks residing here in southern Sri Lanka.
The rare visitor of the Rambha Viharaya will be welcomed by the staff of the Archaeological Department running a small but interesting museum in the northern part of the archaeological zone. The heritage site of the Rambha Viharaya is dotted with remnants of image houses and monks' abodes and even an Anuradhapura-period Bo-temple. What's appealing is that this ancient sanctuary has been revived as a monastery, earning niw a reputation as an educational centre. So monks and novices can still be met at this heritage site. Actually, the excavation area, situated just behind the modern monastic buildings, is surprisingly large and among the historically most significant archaeological zones of southern Sri Lanka. Due to its undisturbed location in the jungles at the shores of the Walawe river, some parts of the Rambha Viharaya compound turn out to be pretty charming places. In short: This heritage destination is easy to reach and can nevertheless considered to be off the beaten path.
More...
Picture
0 Comments

Kustharaja Leper King near Weligama

12/8/2019

0 Comments

 
Among the most iconic rock-cut sculptures of Sri Lanka, the so-called Leper King statue is the smallest one. However, it is richly decorated. The statue is surrounded by local legends. A foreign prince had been ailing from a skin disease, the name of which is "Kustha" (also transcribed "Kushta"). When he came to this place of the Agrabodhi Vihara, he was cured miraculously and therefore carved this beautiful image into the rock. However, though dressed in royal ornate, this statue most probably depicts a Mahayanist saviour, namly the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. This can be seen from the small reliefs in the hair crown, which depict the seated Buddha Amithaba just accooding to Mahayana Buddhist iconography. It's nevertheless uncommon, that Amithaba can not only be seen once in the crown. Instead of Avalokiteshvara,  the Mahayanist Bodhisattva Samanthabhadra is often assumed to be represented by this statue, as Samthabhadra has healing powers in particular. But the iconography of the statue does not resemble that of Samanthabhadra.
rock-cut Kustharaja Leper King statue near Weligama in Sri Lanka
Picture
The Leper King statue alias Kustharaja or Kushtaraja statue is situated very close to Sri Lanka's very popular southern beach resort Weligama. Weligama and the nearby Mirissa have developed into surfing spots recently. The breaks are easy here and therefore perfect for beginners who take their first surfing classes. Apart from surfing, Mirissa is most famous for whalewatching.
0 Comments

Barandi Kovil of Seethawaka

12/8/2019

0 Comments

 
Barandi Kovil of Seethawaka
The ruins of the Barandi Kovil in a suburb of Seethawaka (formerly known as Avissawella) are rarely visited by foreigners, though many travel along the close-by main road from Kitulgala to the coast. To be honest, what can be seen of the former state temple of the 16th century is not quite imposing. However, the Barandi Kovil archaeological site is worth a short break, as the location is quite charming and the temple is of some historical significance, as it was the main building of the former Seethawaka kingdom, which was the most important principality of the island in the second half of the 16th century. Furthermore, this is the only major state temple of a Sri Lankan monarchy that was dedicated to Shiva and thereby Hindu instead of Buddhist. Actually, Hinduism seems to have replaced Buddhism as the Sinhalese state religion in the Seethwaka period. This is the reason why the Seethawaka kingdom, though the major proponent of Sinhalese independence against Portuguese overlordship, has not a good reputation in Buddhist historiography.

Learn more about the Barandi Kovil of Seethwaka here...
decorated stones of Barandi Kovil in Sri Lanka
carved stone at the Barandi Kovil from the Seethawaka period
0 Comments

Let's meet at World's End in Sri Lanka

12/6/2019

2 Comments

 
Nuwan Gajanayaka at Horton Plains
Visit "Little World's End" and "Big World's End" of Horton Plains...

...when you are on tour with me in Sri Lanka
and if you are fascinated by either biodiversity hotspots or large deer or scenic beauty
or waterfalls... or all of it, to be seen on a half-day hiking tour.

The original Sinhala name of Horton Plains is Maha Eliya, which translates to "Great Plains".
The name refers to the open grassland areas within the montane cloud forest
situated in an elevation of more than 2000 m above sea level.

Did you know that Horton Plains - the escarpments of which are called "World's End" -
is the only place on our tropical island that is both a National Park and a World Heritage Site?
More about World's End / Horton Plains
view from World's End at Horton Plains
sunrise at Horton Plains in Sri Lanka
2 Comments
<<Previous

    Author

    Nuwan Chinthaka Gajanayaka,
    Lanka Excursions Holidays,
    921/A Peradeniya Road, Kandy 20000, Sri Lanka
    Tel 0094 71 6097795

    Categories

    All
    Accommodation
    Activities
    Animals
    Archaeology
    Art
    Beaches
    Birds
    Boat Tours
    Buddha Statues
    Buddhism
    Central Province
    Christianity
    Citations
    Cities
    Climate
    Culture
    Current Affairs
    Dates
    Destinations
    Diary
    Eastern Province
    Elephants
    Europe
    Events
    Festivals
    Friends
    Gardens
    Guest House
    Handicraft
    Highlands
    Hinduism
    History
    Internals
    Islands
    Kandy
    Mihintale
    National Parks
    News
    North Central Province
    Northern Province
    North Western Province
    Off The Beaten Path
    Off-the-beaten-path
    Politics
    Private
    Question
    Railway
    Sabaragamuwa Province
    Safaris
    Southern Province
    Stupas
    Tea
    Temples
    Uva Province
    Waterfalls
    Weather
    Western Province
    Wildlife

    Archives

    June 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    June 2016
    April 2016
    December 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

    RSS Feed


    Buddhism A-Z

Why travel with Lanka Excursions Holidays?

+ We are a local agency owned and run by Sri Lankans, not part of international holdings
+ We are well known for our direct and personal relationships with travellers 
+ We facilitate authentic meetings with locals who are not from the tourism sector 
  + We follow a strict policy not to push guests to visit shops and shops and shops
+ We have an unrivalled expertise to show you places off the beaten path
+ We provide genuine information instead of clichés and tourism industry slogans

Our ambition is to provide high-quality information in preparation of your Sri Lanka holidays
... and even more superb travel experiences

we also run our own guesthouse near Anuradhapura:
First House Mihintale
First House Mihintale
87, Missaka Mawatha, Mihintale 50300, Sri Lanka.
0094 71 6097795
Rooms in Mihintale

  • TripAdvisor
Lanka Excursions Holidays
Registration Number SLTDA/SQA/TA/02179
255/24, "Green Park" Dawatagahawatta, Thimbirigaskatuwa, Mahahunupitiya East, Negombo, Sri Lanka
Office: +94 31 223 991
Hotline: +94 71 6097795
lankaexcursionsholidays@gmail.com

Lanka Excursions Holidays office hours 8.00 to 6.00 p.m. daily (except from June Fullmoon Day)
  • TripAdvisor
Sri Lanka destinations A-Z
Sri Lanka's Travel Regions
What guests write about us
You can Leave a comment ...

Picture
if not stated otherwise, texts and photos provided  by Ernst A. Sundermann, sales manager of Lanka Excursions Holidays
all rights reserved, © 2016 Lanka Excursion Holidays
  • Home
    • Welcome
    • Terms
    • payments
    • по-русски
  • About
  • Info
    • Where is Sri Lanka
    • Names of Sri Lanka
    • Travel Regions >
      • Cultural Triangle images
      • Central Highlands images
      • Western Plains images
      • Southwest Wet Zone images
      • Deep South images
      • Eastern Shores images
      • Northern Province images
    • Sri Lanka off the beaten path >
      • highly recommended
      • around Colombo
      • around Yapahuwa
      • around Anuradhapura
      • around Jaffna
      • around Trincomalee
      • around Polonnaruwa
      • around Sigiriya
      • around Kandy
      • around Nuwara Eliya
      • around Arugam Bay
      • around Hambantota
      • around Bentota
      • all over Sri Lanka
    • Things to do
    • Slide Show >
      • Famous Places Slide Show
      • Less-known Sites Slide Show
    • Directory
  • Tours
    • 4-days classic
    • 8 days tour
    • 4 weeks honeymoon tour
    • your-price-choice
    • 3 days 2 nights
    • 4 days 3 nights
    • Sri Lanka Transport Service
    • 7 days with 4 hikes
    • 10 days with 7 hikes
    • 2-days trek Knuckles-5-Peaks
    • 15 days with 7 means of travel
    • Bentota beach holidays
    • Nilaveli beach holidays
    • Services >
      • Outdoor Anuradhapura
    • Tripadvisor
    • Cambodia
    • Nepal
    • deutsch >
      • 15 days with 3 surf beaches
  • Mihintale
    • Mihintale attractions
    • Guesthouse Rooms
    • Rent my Villa
    • Activities around Mihintale
    • Picnic at Kaludiya Pokuna
    • car
    • Day trips by car
    • Mihintale-sightseeing
    • Hiking in Mihintale
  • Culture
    • Food >
      • Rice
      • Breakfast
      • Kottu Roti
      • Pasta Sri Lanka style
      • Rice Noodles Sri Lanka style
      • Egg-fried rice Sri Lanka style
    • Tea
    • Ayurveda
  • Destinations
    • World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka >
      • Anuradhapura World Heritage Site
      • Polonnaruwa World Heritage Site
      • Sigiriya World Heritage Site
      • Dambulla World Heritage Site
      • Kandy Sacred City
      • Galle Fort
    • Cities of Sri Lanka >
      • Colombo
      • Nuwara Eliya
      • Trincomalee
      • Ratnapura
      • Batticaloa
      • Kurunegala
      • Matale
      • Kalutara
      • Tangalle
      • Hambantota
      • Puttalam
      • Chilaw
      • Matara
      • Avissawella
      • Badulla
      • Tissamaharama
      • Kalmunai
      • Embilipitiya
      • Habarana
      • Kilinochchi
      • Pottuvil
      • Giritale
    • Sacred Places >
      • Kataragama
      • Mahiyangana
      • Seruwila
      • Somawathiya
      • Sita Eliya
      • Maha Saman Devale
      • Kelaniya
      • Munneshvaram
      • Kanniyai
      • Manavari
      • Adisham Hall
      • Madampe
      • Seenigama
      • Divurumpola
    • Ancient Temples >
      • Ritigala
      • Thiriyai
      • Yapahuwa
      • Haththikuchchi
      • Velgam Vehera
      • Medirigiriya
      • Sithulpahuwa
      • Pidurangala
      • Nalanda
      • Mulkirigala
      • Panduwasnuwara
      • Padeniya
      • Padavigampola
      • Namal Uyana
      • Arankale
      • Menikdena
      • Manakanda
      • Nillakgama Bodhigara
      • Panavitiya
      • Gadaladeniya Temple near Kandy
      • Lankatilaka
      • Embekke
      • Lahugala
      • Kudumbigala
      • Hanguranketa
      • Dambadeniya
      • Kiralagala
      • Kalupokuna
      • Degaldoruwa
      • Ramba Vihara
      • Medawala
      • Dadagamuwa
      • Buddhangala
      • Dematamal Viharaya
      • Pilikuttuwa
      • Dodanwela
      • Dimbulagala
      • Beligala
      • Bogoda
      • Barandiya Kovil
      • Kokabe
      • Divulwewa
      • Madagama
      • Pettagangala
      • Isenbessagala
      • Kuruwita
      • Koskandawala
      • Attanagalla
      • Alawwa
      • Awariyawala
      • Karagahagedara
    • Historical Caves >
      • Ridigama
      • Salgala
      • Veheragala
      • Wavulpone
      • Sankapala
      • Varana
      • Aluvihara
      • Anamaduwa
      • Aluthepola
      • Maligatenna
      • Divaguhawa
      • Batadomba Lena
      • Beli Lena
      • Pahiyangala
      • Maradankadawala
      • Wilandagoda
    • Giant Stupas >
      • Yudaganawa
      • Dedigama
      • Dighavapi
    • Rock Buddha statues >
      • Gal Vihara
      • Aukana Buddha
      • Sasseruwa Buddha
      • Buduruwagala
      • Dowa
      • Maligawila
      • Ramboda
      • Kushtaraja Statue
      • Thanthirimale
      • Bakamuna
      • Maboda Temple
    • Mountains >
      • Adam's Peak
      • Horton Plains
      • Hunnasgiriya
      • Pidurutalagala
      • Knuckles Range
      • Sinharaja
      • Haputale
      • Ella
      • Namunukula
      • Deanston
      • Ambuluwawa
      • Bible Rock
      • Medamahanuwara
      • Hakgala
      • Kadugannawa
      • Uda Pussellawa
      • Passara
      • Retiyagama
      • Victoria Lake
    • Waterfalls >
      • Bambarakanda Falls
      • Diyaluma Falls
      • Dunhinda Falls
      • St. Clair's Falls
      • Devon Falls
      • Bopath Falls
      • Dodam Falls
      • Mannakethi Falls
      • Aberdeen Falls
      • Lakshapana
      • Kirindi Falls
      • Bambarakiri Falls
      • Ravana Falls
      • Hunas Falls
    • National Parks >
      • Yala NP
      • Wilpattu NP
      • Maduru Oya NP
      • Gal Oya NP
      • Udawalawe NP
      • Minneriya NP
      • Kaudulla NP
      • Kumana NP
      • Bundala NP
      • Ussangoda
      • leopards
    • Activity Attractions >
      • Kandy Perahera 2023
      • Kithulgala
      • Pinnawela
      • Madu Ganga
      • Muthurajawela
      • Meetiyagoda
      • Rekawa
      • Induruwa
      • Brief Garden
      • Lunuganga
      • Gampaha
      • Kanneliya
      • Bodhinagala
      • Mahapalessa Hot Springs
      • Thoppigala
      • Rufus Kulam
      • Wewurukannala
      • Kalawewa
      • Kandalama
    • Beaches >
      • Beruwela
      • Bentota Beach
      • Balapitiya
      • Ambalangoda
      • Hikkaduwa
      • Unawatuna
      • Weligama
      • Mirissa
      • Dondra
      • Hiriketiya
      • Hoomaniya Blowhole
      • Kirinda
      • Okanda
      • Arugam Bay
      • Thirukkovil
      • Pasikuda
      • Thennadi Bay
      • Nilaveli Beach
      • Pulmoddai
      • Mannar Island
      • Kalpitiya Peninsula
      • Marawila
      • Negombo
    • Jaffna Peninsula >
      • Jaffna
      • Nallur
      • Kandarodai
      • Nilavarai
      • Point Pedro
      • Manalkadu
      • Naguleshvaram
      • Jambukola
      • Nainativu
      • Delft Island
      • Elephant Pass
    • top 20 attractions >
      • top 20 in Colombo
      • top 20 in Kandy
    • Sri Lanka off the beaten track
  • Blog
  • Reviews
    • Reviews since 2020
    • Tripadvisor Reviews
    • Reviews 2015-2020
    • instagram
  • Contact