Sri Lanka

Introduction

Warm Tropical Sri Lanka lies just south of the Indian subcontinent in the azure waters of the Indian Ocean. Fringed with beaches of golden sands and coconut palms, home to ancient cities including seven world heritage sites, lush tea gardens and exotic wildlife, Sri Lanka is an island waiting to be discovered. Wonders abound, from the Royal city of Kandy to the mighty rock fortress at Sigiriya, you can be sure the sights will take your breath away.

Sri Lanka has experienced a rich and varied history which has influenced the vast places of interest to visit today. The island was originally settled by colonists from India around 500BC.
Anuradhapura was the first of Sri Lanka’s ancient cities founded in the 4th century. In the 5th Century Prince Kasyapa furious at being denied succession, killed his father and flees to Sigiriya where he builds and impregnable fortress on Lion Rock, where he lived for 18 yrs before his death. The Portuguese moved in on the island in 1505, later replaced by the Dutch in the 17th Century who conquered all three kingdoms except Kandy, this Royal city was the last capital before the British era. The British made the island a crown colony in 1802 and called it Ceylon. Independence arrived in 1948 as a dominion within the British Commonwealth, which then became a republic in 1972 retrieving Sri Lanka as its official name.

Today Sri Lanka is one of our best loved destinations….

Don’t Miss:

· Climb the mighty rock fortress at Sigiriya

· White water raft through beautiful kandayan country side

· Trek among tea plantations, fishing hamlets, scrub jungle

· See spices growing in the natural habitat and exotic wildlife

· Visit unspoilt villages and sample traditional Sri Lankan cuisine

· Experiences only a privileged few get to see.

Challenge Grade: Moderate (trek) (see DESTINATIONS homepage for a general guide)

Forthcoming Charity Challenges to Sri Lanka
Date Challenge Charity Type
18th September, 2008 Sri Lanka Trek + Whitewater rafting Help the Hospices Trek
4th June 2009 Sri Lanka Trek + Whitewater rafting Open Challenge Trek