Snapshots
An ethereal island country, Sri Lanka is located at the heart of the Indian Ocean and offers its travellers the most captivating blend of culture, scenic beauty and customs. From ancient temples to terraced hills and lazy afternoons by the sunny beachside, Sri Lanka is a country that truly has it all. A place where age-old remnants welcome contemporary culture, Sri Lanka is remarkable at its best.
With the infrastructure of Sri Lanka now booming with all recent development that is taking place, whether it's the hospitality or the various amenities in terms of transportation and accommodation, everything has become top notch. However, with the rampant commercialisation, the country’s tourism is quickly flourishing, but with most of the popular destinations in Sri Lanka becoming extremely busy, a trip here requires a carefully curated itinerary for those looking for a quiet escape. So, here’s an essential guide for you to discover a lesser known side of the island nation with this Sri Lanka offbeat itinerary.
Check out these underrated destinations to visit while in Sri Lanka that are sure leave you enthralled
Gal Oya National Park
A truly offbeat place in Sri Lanka, which is often considered as the country’s best kept secret, the Gal Oya National Park is a true beauty amidst the wilderness. Featuring a huge manmade lake, and an enchanting blend of wildlife and forests, this national park in Sri Lanka is also where the indigenous Vedda tribe resides. Plan your stay at the Gal Oya Lodge if you are visiting this place. They work closely with the local communities and towards wildlife conservation, promising to make your stay a memorable one.
Beaches in the southern coast
Towards the east of Galle lies the southern coast of Sri Lanka. The various beaches here are definitely among the offbeat places in Sri Lanka that are away from the regular crowds, embracing the quiet beauty that the country also has to portray.
Tangalle is a destination in the southern coast of the country that is a little away from the mainstream tourism, making the beaches here a must visit in your Sri Lanka offbeat itinerary. Furthermore, the region of Talalla is a sheltered cove that consists of a number of shacks by the beachside, and Parewella is the top spot for some quiet relaxation.
Knuckles Mountain Range
Hiking up the Knuckles Mountain Range is among the top offbeat things to do in Sri Lanka if you are seeking an authentic experience in the country. A densely forested region, this lesser known destination is home to a village with just a single family. This particular family that inhabits this place have made a home out of this region, where they grow rice, lead their lives in solitude but also host travellers who visit this place.
The Pitawala Pathana hike that takes place amidst the Knuckles Mountains offers you a glimpse into the lives of the people who live here and how the 32 isolated, self-sustaining villages maintain their lifestyles. Other than the solitary way of life which is portrayed through the villages of this region, the Knuckles Mountain Range also offers you the most stunning views of the surrounding mist-cladded mountains and refreshing greenery.
Madulkelle Tea Estate
At a distance of an hour from Kandy, the pristine tea estates of Sri Lanka wind up along the Knuckles Mountain Range. The Madulkelle Tea Estate is beautifully stretched along this region. Featuring luxurious tents on stilts built by a Sri Lankan- French team that overlooks the sloping mountain range, the terraced valleys of the tea plantations stretch beautifully below and make for the most stunning views worth beholding.
Hiking up the trails of these tea plantations and watching the women work makes for an experience as a part of your offbeat things to do in Sri Lanka. You can also take a dip at the infinity pool or visit the planter’s bungalow for an authentic experience.
Brief Garden
The Brief Garden is an enchanting and offbeat place to visit in Sri Lanka which is built by Bevis Bawa, who is the elder brother of the famous Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. This lesser known place in Sri Lanka was built after Bawa transformed the rubber plantation that he had inherited into the jungle-like gem that it is today. An estate that is beautifully maintained till date and open to the public, the most stunning feature of this place is the wild side of it which is filled with tangles of vines that creep down the walls of the buildings. Featuring tropical plants, a patio, staircase and a pool, the artistic side of the Brief Garden is what truly reflects upon the maker’s perspective and life.
Pettah Floating Market
A place that was once a rather malodorous canal in an industrial area of Sri Lanka has now transformed into a calm spot and a shopping neighbourhood, home to the Pettah Floating Market. With the various beautification projects that have led to the transformation and redevelopment of Colombo, Pettah has been a prime target in the process. Featuring beautiful walkways and red roofed pagodas, the Pettah Floating Market is lined up with a wide range of stalls that retail almost everything under the sun, be it electronics, jewellery or groceries.