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Answer the call

The open road beckons

Far Cry is the gateway to Cities of Ancient Legend,  Wild Life Parks and the Beautiful Beaches of the East Coast.

Choose your excursion

In the unlikely event that you would want to venture further afield from our green paradise you have an array of destinations to choose from.

It will take you an hour or two to reach most of them, where you will spend as much or as little time as you wish, in the ambience or the activity on offer. 

You may decide to combine two or more destinations to make it a day out, with our delicious picnic lunches to sustain you; or you may prefer to take a break at one of the star class resorts in the area

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Sri Lanka Map with tourist destinations.

We have assembled a few of our favourite itineraries, to help you explore our neck of the woods.

Lakes tour

A map around the area of the villa.

The area around Far Cry is dotted with a number of lakes constructed in ancient times, evidence of a flourishing agrarian civilization. Many of them were abandoned at various times in history, but still function as water reservoirs for cultivation of crops. An expedition to one or several of these places can be rewarding for the historian, the engineer and the nature lover in you.

Duration: 1-2 hours (morning or afternoon)

Mode: Walking

Effort: Moderate

Bird trail

A photographer taking a picture

Sri Lanka is home to 34 endemic bird species. In the winter months, they are joined by more than a 100 migrant bird species. A guided walk with our naturalist along our trails or along the bund of the lake, will reveal to you the many species of birds which abound in the area around Far Cry. Learn fascinating details about their calls and behaviours. 

Duration: 1-2 hours (morning or afternoon)

Mode: Walking

Effort: Easy

Elephant watch

The Great Gathering of Minneriya

Three interconnected national parks – Minneriya, Kaudulla and Huruluwewa – are home to the largest gathering of elephant herds in Sri Lanka. The herds travel between the parks, seeking the best feeding grounds. At times, their numbers swell to the  hundreds in one place. Observing their unhurried pace of life is truly a relaxing pastime.

Duration: 4-5 hours (door to door)

Mode: Car/Van and Jeep

Effort: Easy

Sigiriya rock fortress tour

Sigiriya Dambulla

Sigiriya – The Lion Rock – is a breathtaking embodiment of a darkly dramatic chapter of Sri Lanka’s history – a Macbeth-like drama telling of the  destructive consequences of ambition unchecked by moral constraints. Explore the 5th Century BC palace complex of the “God-King” so painstakingly excavated and researched by generations of archaeologists. Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Duration: 4-5 hours (Depart 6.30 am or 3.30 pm)

Mode: Car / Van & Walking

Effort: Moderate to Hard (if climbing to the summit)

Dambulla cave temple tour

Cave temple dambulla

The Golden Temple is the largest and best preserved Buddhist monasteries in Sri Lanka. Famous for its  157 exquisite statues and 2,100 square meters of wall paintings, this complex is uild under the massive overhand of a rock. The centre flourished in the 3rd and 2nd Centuries BC, yet continues to function today, 22 centuries later, as an important destination for pilgrims. The Golden Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Duration: 2-3 hours.

Mode: Car / Van & Walking 

Effort: Moderate – involves steps and climbing to reach site.

Ritigala monastery tour

Ritigala Buddhist monastery

This forest clad mountain, rising to a height to 600 meters, is home to  is a reclusive sanctuary for meditating Buddhist monks dating back to the 1st Century BC. The ruins of monastic structures are connected by paved walkways and stairways.  Ritigala is one of only three Strict Natural Reserves (SNR) found in Sri Lanka, a biodiversity hot-spot. A fascinating place for historians and naturalists alike.

Duration: 4-5 hours (Depart 6.30 am or 3.30pm)

Mode: Car / Van & Walking

Effort: Moderate to Hard (Involves steps and climbing)

Polonnaruwa tour

Polonnaruwa

This beautiful 10th century example of a planned garden city is dotted with well preserved ruins of palaces, temples, pools and civic institutions. The centre of royal power moved here from Anuradhapura due to the vagaries of foreign invasion and disease. The vision of its founder, King Parakramabahu I, brought about a prosperous era that lasted for 200 years. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Duration: 4-5 hours (Depart 6.30 am or 3.30 pm)

Mode: Car / Van & Walking

Effort: Easy (includes extensive walking)

Anuradhapura tour

Twin ponds kuttam pokuna. Anuradhapura

The founding of this “sacred city” in the 3rd Century BC is inextricably linked to the romantic lengend of Sanghamitta – this revered Buddhist nun  carried over a cutting of the Lord Buddha’s “Tree of Enlightenment” from India, from which the city grew to be an important centre for Buddhism, remaining Lanka’s capital for 1,400 years. This sprawling city of magnifient ruins is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Duration: 5-6 hours (Depart 6.30 am or 3.30 pm)

Mode: Car / Van & Walking

Effort: Easy (includes extensive walking)

Avukana and Kala Wewa tour

Avukana Buddha statue Kalawewa.

This masterpiece of ancient stone craft stands 14 meters tall and is believed to have been commissioned by King Dhatusena in the 8th Century. The same King built the magnificent Kalawewa tank (lake) nearby, an enduring, functional symbol of many visionary irrigation projects undertaken by the ancient rulers to ensure a consistent supply of water for rice cultivation even in times of drought.

Duration: 5-6 hours (Depart 6.30 am or 3.30 pm)

Mode: Car / Van & Walking

Effort: Easy 

Hot air ballooning

Hot Air Balloons.

Experience the magic of a flight in a hot air balloon over the calm skies around Kandalama. With magnificent opportunities for birds eye view photography, you will experience vistas of Sri Lanka’s dry zone lakes and plains as never before. You will be in the safe and experienced hands of an operation that meets international safety standards. 

Duration: 3 hours (door to door)

Mode: Car / Van and Balloon Ride

Effort: Moderate.

Village lifestyle tour

A bull cart

Communities in our area a mosly agrarian, and they live a traditional lifestyle as their forefathers did.This non-profit village tour will give you an opportunity to experience village life, from modes of transport in bullock carts and outrigger canoes, to their dwellings and farmlands. Experience true heartland hospitality as you enjoy a delicious meal prepared in traditional style.

Duration: 4-5 hours (door to door)

Mode: Bullock drawn cart, catamaran boat

Effort: Moderate

Nilaveli Beach and Trincomalee

Nilaveli Beach

Exchange green for blue, and hit the pristine sand  and surf at Nilaveli, considered to be Sri Lanka’s best beach by Lonely Planet. The town of Trincomalee nearby boasts the third largest natural harbour in the world. Its most interesting monument, Fort Frederick, was built in 1622, snd functions even today. Trincomalee is also famous for its seafood!

Duration: 4-5 hours (Depart 6.30 am or 3.30 pm)

Mode: Car / Van & Walking

Effort: Easy (includes extensive walking)

Are you ready to explore?

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