Dambana

Delve deeply into the history of Sri Lanka's cultural heritage in a unique visit to the village of Dambana, home to the island's Aboriginal forest dwellers, more commonly known as Veddahs; a rapidly shrinking group of indigenous people who lived in Sri Lanka for many years. Sadly, increasing modernisation, development and curbs on their freedom in a countryside protected by numerous National Parks and forest reserves has forced change on their traditional way of life and they are coming to depend more and more on earning money to sustain themselves. Veddahs, traditionally hunter-gatherers, have now been re-settled into villages such as Dambana where residents strive to preserve their distinct culture and heritage which they have also allowed to be shared with visitors.

 

Visits to the Veddah village of Dambana are carried out sensitively with minimum impact to their environment. You will talk to the Veddahs and their village chief through a series of interpreters to learn more about their position and plight, observe the 'Kiri Koraha', their famous ritual dance to invoke the blessings of the gods followed by an insight into their methods of hunting. You may also be able to observe their traditional hunting methods using the bow and arrow and "Habaka" - a traditional trap – where, they crazily extract honey out of live bees' nests. It will be a touching experience sure to live in your memory forever.

Turtle watching at Rekawa and Kalpitiya

The thrill of watching a huge turtle haul itself onto the beach and lay its eggs, trance-like under a full moon or dozens of baby turtles hatching under a starry sky and fleeing to their uncertain future in the ocean is simply unforgettable. Five of the world's seven species of marine turtle, the green, leatherback, loggerhead, olive ridley and hawksbill frequent Sri Lankan shores to lay their eggs. All are highly endangered and in desperate need of conservation.

Visit the deserted alien landscape of the Kalpitiya Peninsular, a sliver of land that separates the Puttalam lagoon from the Indian Ocean. A marine sanctuary on the north west coast, Kalpitiya is an area of breathtaking beauty completely undisturbed, unspoilt and untouched though alive with nature. It is on the vast sand dune beaches of this otherworldly landscape that you will have the chance to search for marine turtles on a starlit adventure in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Rekawa is one of Sri Lanka's most important nesting sites for marine turtles where all five species come to nest on its 2km long beach on the south coast year-round. In 1996, a pioneer project turned the villagers' dependence on revenue from turtle eggs and meat into incentives so that they became nest protectors. Through incorporating, educating and empowering the local community, these endangered turtles are now being conserved in their own habitat. Nightly 'turtle watches' are the feature here where you'll wait on the sandy beach in anticipation of viewing what is undoubtedly an unforgettable feat of nature.

While we cannot guarantee that you will see either a laying mother or hatchlings, you will certainly find the exciting experience of waiting on these unspoilt beaches for these amazing creatures to appear, one to remember. If you are visiting between the months of November and March, the chances of a turtle sighting is at its highest.

 

Meemure

Meemure is a traditional Sinhalese village located in a lush valley at the heart of the Knuckles Range. It and other neighbouring villages are true models of the harmonious co-existence of man and nature, which thrives on its rich cultural heritage that has been well preserved in this isolated spot. You have the highly unique opportunity of visiting this beautiful village and mixing with its truly hospitable and kindly residents.

Venturing into this scenic village bounded by beautifully terraced paddy fields with trickling streams overlooked by the picturesque Knuckles Mountains, gives you an unforgettable insight into a richly preserved way of life. Hospitable housewives and their smiling children proudly show you their home gardens that contain all things beneficial for living; spices, medicinal herbs, edible yams, vegetables, fruit and timber trees, which are characteristically protected from wild animals by a high stone wall. Narrow lanes frequented only by bullock carts separate the prettily-thatched farmhouses and farm buildings. Villagers will warmly welcome you into their homes with a steaming cup of tea, an ayurvedic herbal drink with jaggery or a glass of locally produced toddy, whatever your mood. For a unique glimpse into traditional living and the preservation of ancient customs, a visit to Meemure will take you a step back in time to a world you never believed still existed.