| Tips and photos of unusual, out-of-the-way Sri Lanka attractions, posted by real travelers and locals. Map |
 | Sri Lanka Off the Beaten Path | Tips 1 - 10 of 142 |  |
The Hill Temple at Pimbura is not a particularly impressive structure, more a ramshackle collection of shrines and associated outbuildings spread out on the top of a ridge, in fact the nearer you get to the temple, the more you feel like you are in Nepal rather than Sri Lanka, but the setting, the atmosphere and the fact that you are almost certainly the only visitor makes up for any shortfall in the architecture. You need to explore this place and just when you think you have seen it all there is yet another path to something else. The views from the top are magnificent, which means it is quite a climb (but I am fat and 40 and I made it ok) so you will need good shoes and plenty of water and do not go too late in the day, the track is steep, rocky and unlit. For the naturalists amongst you there are birds, bats and even monkeys. There is only one Monk in residence, he will be surprised to see you and will no doubt welcome your generous donation.
From Aluthgama take the bus to Agalawatta via Matugama from Agalawatta pick up the Horana bus or a three wheeler (approx Rs150). There is only one road worthy of the name running through Pimbura, the track to the temple leads off to the left (if you are travelling north) just past the district hospital, ask anyone. There is an alternative route up and down the hill so you can make a round trip. There is another temple in Pimbura (which is not on a hill).
If you are trying your hand at independent travel this makes a good daytrip from Bentota, Beruwala or Kalutara (set off early) and it really is off the beaten track. For places to stay nearby see my accommodation tips. Incidentally, if you work in healthcare and are interested in how things are done here, the staff at the district hospital will make you very welcome (particularly if you take them some goodies, even a pack of decent pens go down well). Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |
Visiting Sri Lanka?
Read reviews about Sri Lanka Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
If you want to visit a truly impressive place which is usually crowd-free then get along to the ancient cave and rock temple at Pahiyangala.
Pahiyangala attracts Buddhists from all over Sri Lanka on Poya Day but is over-looked by the most of the guide books so the rest of the time you might well have the place to yourself. In addition to the pre-historic excavations and rather eclectic collection of relics there is a training centre for Buddhist Monks and a temple complex were people often come to spend the night before presenting the monks with their breakfast.
A site of special scientific and archaeological interest, complete with a large statue of a reclining Lord Buddha and surrounded by some of the finest countryside that Sri Lanka has to offer Pahiyangala is the prefect daytrip from all the west coast tourist resorts. There is no fixed entrance fee but a donation is expected, particularly if you are escorted around the site.
Pahiyangala is near Bulatsinhala* which you can reach by bus via Matugama from Kalutara or Aluthgama (for Bentota and Beruwala) or Via Horana from Panadura. A three wheeler to the temple from Bulatsinhala costs maybe 200 Rupees or it is a moderately easy walk. You could of course simply ask your hotel to arrange a car.
There is a flight of rather uneven stairs so take good shoes (which you will need to remove when entering the temple compound at the top).
When you meet the Monks please say hello from Mark.
*See my Bulatsinhala page. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
On the face of it there is not much to draw tourists into Bulatsinhala, I've been there dozens of times and not once seen another white face, for me that is a major attraction, it's just regular small town Sri Lanka with friendly locals and no touts.
Market day is Sunday and the town gets busy but during the week it can be an almost sleepy place, excellent for tout free shopping (to be fair nearby Horana and Matugama are better). Local shops and small cafes have most things you'll want, there is also a pharmacy, clinic, post office and bank (no ATM). The bustling city of Horana, less than an hour away by local bus, has everything else you might need.
Near Bulatsinhala is the impressive rock temple and Buddhist seminary at Pahiyangala. Famous in Sri Lanka Pahiyangala draws Buddhists by the bus load on Poya Day but is over looked by the guide books so you will have it largely to yourself the rest of the time. There is no fixed entry charge but your donation will be appreciated (see my Pahiyangala tip).
If you want to spend a few days off the beaten track (and you want a slice of real Sri Lankan village life) you can stay at Sampaths House at near by Dematapitiya, there is only one room and its like nowhere else, check it out in my accommodation tips.
Getting There
Via Matugama from Bentota or Beruwala or pick up the Horana bus at Panadura, which is easily reached by bus and train from Colombo and all the west coast resorts. At Horana or Matugama you can get direct and frequent buses to Bulatsinhala. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
Every village you pass through on your travels will have at least one small restaurant selling Sri Lankan food at very reasonable prices, they are sometimes known as hotels or cool spots.
You can get hoppers, eggs and bread for breakfast, coffee usually comes black so ask for kiri kopi (milk coffee) and unless you like it impossibly sweet ask for it without sugar.
For lunch and dinner there is of course rice and curry, this often comes with fish or chicken. Throughout the day you can get a variety of rolls and patties called ‘short eats’ you may be given a plate full of these but you only pay for what you eat.
In Muslim owned places you will get meat but it's pretty ropey stuff - where ever you are remember that the curry is made for locals and is very, very hot.
There is a range of soft drinks called Elephant (ask for it cool) the ginger beer is particularly excellent. Local soft drinks appear to being increasingly replaced by American brands.
Hoppers (appa). Eggs (bithara). Bread (pahn). Coffee (kopi). Milk (Kiri). Sugar (seeni). Cool (cool). Fish (marlu). Chicken (kukul mas). Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 Kuruwita Gem Mine by Maxus
Getting down is easy but getting out again involves a long hard vertical climb in hot and wet conditions with very little air. All that’s down there is a dark flooded passage, it really isn't worth the risk. Leave a Comment
|
Visiting Sri Lanka?
Read reviews about Sri Lanka Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 remote and remarkable by Maxus
It is easy to get to nearby Haputale by road or rail and there are some spot on places to stay (see Dias Rest and Amarasinghe in my Hotels and Accommodations tips). Leave a Comment
|
 by bijo69
Admission fee is 5US$ (way too much), but it's included in the "Cultural Triangle" pass. Leave a Comment
|
 Yala Safari Park. by cazz38Leave a Comment
|
Maybe only a sentimental old fool like me would be moved by Saint Andrews Anglican Church in Haputale (and dozens of similar Anglican Churches across Sri Lanka). Somebody really cares about this place and it also tells a story about the British in Sri Lanka.
I am not a religious person and I will not attempt to defend imperial rule but Saint Andrews, set in its neat little graveyard, with its well polished brass plaque in memory of the Haputale planters who fell in the Great War of 1914 to 1918 brought a lump to my throat.
“If I should die, think only this of me: that there's some corner of a foreign field that is forever England.”
Rupert Brooke (English Poet, 1887-1915)
This area is a great place from which to see the Hill Country (nowhere better for walkers) have a look at my Haputale travel page for links to other websites and my accommodation tips for somewhere to stay. Leave a Comment
|
 Ramboda Falls, on the way
to Nuwara Eliya. by Hmmmm
Among the waterfalls of Sri Lanka, the Ramboda Falls is well known for its beauty, though many of us who pass the Ramboda bridge mistakenly look up and are disappointed to see only a small trickle of it, and perhaps, even stop there to have a cool dip in the stream, but bypass the major part of the waterfall which is hidden beneath the boulders of the stream lower down. Even though these falls are not visible from the road, they can be seen from the premises of the Ramboda Falls Hotel.
Actually, there is a footpath the opposite side of the hotel. It takes you through tea plantations that leads downhill from the hotel, reaches the base of the waterfall. The cold water is a shock to the system, but its an exhilaring place for a swim.
How to get here?
Take Route 5 from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. This take you through some of the best scenery of the Hill Country. The road takes you by the shores of Mahaweli River to Gampola. From Gampola it is a steep climb with many hairpin curves for some 20 or so kilometers, through spectacular scenery like this, until you get to Ramboda and the Falls. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
|
More Sri Lanka Travel Deals Traveling to India
Get All Flight, Hotel & Agency Trip Options. Save Time & Money w/Bing ™ Fly Cheap to Sri Lanka
70% off Published Sri Lanka Airfare Compare Sri Lanka Flights - Save Fly US - India @ $319
Get Cheap AirFares to India Only With MakeMyTrip™. Book Now & Save! Sponsored Links
|
