Enter the cultural heartland of Sri Lanka through a sheer mountain pass. Visit the Palace of the Tooth Relic of Buddha, overlooking the picturesque Kandy Lake. See the Kandy perehera, the world famous pageant of elephants, culture and light. Stroll in the botanical gardens at Peradeniya; see the tallest bamboos and the oldest tea plant in the world. Let the amazing art and culture of the ancient Gadaladeniya, Lankatillake and Ambekke temples enrich your spirit. Hike in the mountains and see the world spread out below you. Do all this and more from the five star luxury and comfort of the Earl’s R
Location
The teardrop-shaped island of Sri Lanka is located in the Asian continent, in the Indian Ocean. It is just below the southern tip of India, to the southwest of the Bay of Bengal and to the southeast of the Arabian Sea. It is separated from India by the Palk Strait, a 50 kilometre stretch of ocean. Sri Lanka lies 880 kilometres north of the equator, between 5º55' and 9º55' north latitudes and between 79º42' and 81º52' eastern longitudes.
See detailed map of Sri Lanka.
Climate
Visitors to Sri Lanka will be completely fascinated by the unusual climate of the country. It is possible to come across hot and humid tropical weather, cool and misty conditions and dry, parched areas all within the same day.
Seasonal changes are based solely on the monsoons - the South West Monsoon and the North East Monsoon. The former blows in from the Indian Ocean, bringing with it heavy periods of rain and which may last from May to September. This season usually starts with a month of heavy rain followed by periods of shorter showers. At this time of the year the seas are rough and the coastal tides are rather dangerous; swimming in the sea should be strictly avoided at this time of the year. The northeastern monsoon blows in from the Bay of Bengal, but doesn't bring much rain and that too is generally to the northeastern parts of the island.
Thunderstorms are witnessed throughout the country during October/November when the inter- monsoon period is in effect. These short bursts of heavy rain generally take place late in the evenings after rather sunny, warm and humid days and may bring with them a degree of freshness and coolness. The small lakes which have been filled to their brims with this water and the sweet fragrance of damp soil and the myriad flowers littering the roads and valleys are a welcome sight after these thunderstorms. An umbrella is a must for locals or foreigners alike; this can protect you from the lashing rain as well as the scorching sun and searing heat.
The warmest temperatures are normally witnessed in the low-lying southern and western coastal regions - with Colombo averaging 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit). The sea is a warm and inviting 27 degrees Celsius throughout the year. The temperatures drop noticeably as you move up into the central highlands, and it could get quite chilly towards the night. Kandy, located 305 metres above sea level, records an average temperature of 20 degrees Celsius while Nuwara Eliya, at an altitude of 1,890 metres, can reach 16 degrees Celsius.
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