Central Sri Lanka: Things to do in Kandy, Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa (Tropical Escape #1)

The first episode of the Tropical Escape is all about things to do in Central Sri Lanka featuring spots like Kandy, Sigiriya and the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa
My Guide for Sri Lanka: www.back-packer.org/things-to-...
-- equipment used to produce this video --
Cam1:Sony A7 II amzn.to/1Gfj8MU
Cam2: Sony NEX 5 amzn.to/1FrMMxB
Cam3: GoPro amzn.to/1GZdh1q
Drone: Phantom 3 Pro amzn.to/28Q2MQV
Drone Backpack: Manfrotto D1 amzn.to/290RJWO
Amazon Tripod amzn.to/1Of2HpJ
Joby Gorillapod amzn.to/1CMyE0b
Audio Recorder: Zoom H2n amzn.to/1FFVSt4
SDHC Memory Card amzn.to/1ygZzWD
Waterproof Memory Card Case amzn.to/1FFWLCb
Backpack Osprey Farpoint 40 amzn.to/1ceMOlo
Sri Lanka is an island country in South East Asia which has maritime borders with India to the northwest and the Maldives to the southwest.
After a 30 year long civil war which ended in 2009 the diverse country is now opening up more an more for tourism.
The goal of this series is to give you an introduction to the country and the neighboring Maldives starting with Sri Lankas tea region, temples and the rock fortress of sigiriya in this episode.
After arrival we are traveling from Colombo to Kandy by train to take in all the impressive views along the way. In Kandy I go on a river excursion to spot birds along the Mahaweli river before visiting the temple of the tooth in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy.
The tea region around Nuwara Eliya is close to Kandy - you should go there by taking the train from Kandy to Ella. Make sure to visit a tea factory, too!
In the north of Central Sri Lanka the Lion Rock Sigiriya is definitely a Must-Visit. Another one is the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa and the Kaudulla National Park.
This part of the trip was executed within 2weeks by using tuk tuk, buses, boats and trains - following I list all the places I visited & Things to do in Central Sri Lanka:
- Mahaweli River
- Kandy
- Temple of the Tooth
- train from Kandy to Ella
- Nuwara Eliya & tea factories
- Dambulla
- Sigiriya & scenic flight
- Ancient City of Polonnaruwa
- Kaudulla National Park
I'm excited to share all my experiences in Sri Lanka & the Maldives over the course of the next 3-4 weeks with you. In the next episodes I will take you to the south and east coast of Sri Lanka - we will go on an leopard safari, will eat the local street food and enjoy the beaches in Trincomalee as well as Arugam Bay.
The production of this series was supported by:
www.cinnamonhotels.com/
www.srilankan.com/
-- my travel equipment --
insurance www.back-packer.org/worldnomad...
packing list www.back-packer.org/patagonia-...
Online Language Course www.back-packer.org/babbel_eng
The whole trip was executed over the course of altogether 3 weeks. The Tropical Escape is a video series which sums up 2 trips to the region - one in 2014 (Sri Lanka) and the latest in 2016 (East Coast of Sri Lanka & The Maldives).
===
My personal recommendations for Hotels & Hostels:
www.back-packer.org/best-hoste...
===
Music:
www.epidemicsound.com
Follow me:
www.back-packer.org
/ backpackersteve
/ backpackerblog

[@lululu577]

I went to Sri Lanka a year ago. It's so beautiful to see videos about it afterwards, reminds me of the good old memories. Amazing!

[@BackPackerSteve]

Thanks - that's lovely to hear!

[@pramuxewa6139]

PARAMU234

[@GraphicsMaster15278]

Lulu Lu czcams.com/video/AAerHHzTmyw/video.html

[@srilankasmallwonder]

czcams.com/video/8gwAvxA4UQ0/video.html

[@SandraPotisek]

I'm going to Sri Lanka next month and this video made me even more excited about it!

[@BackPackerSteve]

Yay! You'll love it there! :)

[@basics_gk7676]

First come to India then only go Sri Lanka

[@RajaRaja-qf6sx]

Zdvyurjystu66ovcsrryijczdy8kjzruifflzjhx

[@greenlankatours2885]

God. i am srilanka

[@user-qy7lm7oj6x]

This video gives authentic facts about SL unlike other videos about SL.

[@goodevening4616]

The train journey is great to Kandy , much better than the Road journey, much more relaxing
We stayed near Kandy at Airbnb Summit View Guesthouse, the views were amazing

[@SasaTravel]

In sigiriya right now! Love the lion rock

[@razeelhassan8376]

Sasa Travel don't forget to visit haputale.
nuwaraeliya
ella.

[@razeelhassan8376]

Sasa Travel go to Lipton seat in haputal just 25km from ella wonderful place fully surrounded by tea u can see 5 districts if u go to the Lipton seat very beautiful my heart felt place but most do not know.
adisham bungalow in haputale
also visit hortain plain

[@shashikamadushan204]

I Love ශ්‍රී ලංකා 💛 Sri Lanka 💛😍

[@One_moor_for_luck]

Great video Steve! I've always wanted to go to Sri Lanka.

[@techmo9999]

come on friend

[@amazesrilanka]

She Rambles On www.amazesrilanka.com

[@GraphicsMaster15278]

She Rambles On czcams.com/video/AAerHHzTmyw/video.html

[@hashithaeranda7257]

Nice to hear... come and see the beauty of my country. If you want an help or information contact me - [e-mail]

[@srilankasmallwonder]

czcams.com/video/8gwAvxA4UQ0/video.html

[@chathuramadusanka7309]

World most beautiful country i ever seen✌️✌️ 🇱🇰

[@goodevening4616]

Some tips on Sri Lanka , the biggest Taxi Coy in Colombo is Kangaroo Cabs , they often have specials from Cmb Airport .Its a fixed price otherwise. Pre order your Taxi but don't ask them to wait in the arrivals Hall as a driver with a sign with your name on it costs 1000 rupees extra , just call them when you have cleared Customs . There are two Telco companies in the arrivals hall to get a cheap Sim card .For a treat have High Tea at the Galle Face Hotel about NZ $16 and see the museum at the Hotel , it has Prince Philip's first ever Car .Nearby is one of Asias to 50 restaurants Nihonbashi.If you go early they offer a discount from memory .Uber is an absolute bargain in Colombo.Three days in Colombo is enough to see everything.Tuk Tuk in Colombo are metered by law [ but not in Kandy] Show the Driver Google Maps and tell him to go that way otherwise it could be a Tiki Tour via Mumbai .Get the train to Kandy far more relaxing .I never Stay in Kandy its too noisy but near the beautiful Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya .My choice of accommodation is Summit View on top of a Mountain , great swimming Pool and the Owners are people of integrity.They are on Facebook and AirBnb

[@nawferjamal7005]

I love my country loveeeee so much sri Lanka waaaaaaaw beutifull i ilend I m proud be my country

[@nisalhiranga5772]

Love you two. Thank you for visit srilanka 🇱🇰🇱🇰❤️❤️❤️

[@virangyasenevirathne3165]

hi I'm from Sri Lanka and thanks for the nice video. Sri Lanka is very beautiful indeed.

[@putuldutta6827]

it is one of the most beautiful place in the world and i also like this place .

[@mawjipatel4448]

Small but great video.Thanks

[@srilankasmallwonder]

czcams.com/video/8gwAvxA4UQ0/video.html

[@yapacreation]

All the best from "Yapa Creation" travel channel in Sri Lanka

[@gregsnell]

Dude the drone over train shots!!! Wha!!! Amazing :)

[@BackPackerSteve]

Yeah - it puts everything into perspective. I loved your drones shots from that region as well!

[@srilankasmallwonder]

czcams.com/video/8gwAvxA4UQ0/video.html

[@goodevening4616]

Very good review .I stayed in Kandy but with its hustle and bustle I moved to Summit View Guest House in Peradeniya.Its on top of a Mountain with stunning views .It has a good sized swimming pool and the food was very good.its about 30 minutes from Kandy

[@goodevening4616]

The nearby peradeniya are worth a visit , Foreigners pay a higher entry price but its worth it .A great place to stay near the Gardens on top of a Mountain is Summit View Guesthouse which is about 10 minutes from the Gardens from memory .Great hosts and tasty food with a wonderful swimming pool They are on Air BnB One great and cheap restaurant in Kandy is Sri Krishna Dosai

[@asankashamitha6516]

Thank you for this great video series about my country..Hope you'll had an amazing time

[@BackPackerSteve]

Yes, it was fab! Thx for watching!

[@Therealtuxedo]

Great video! One note, it’s in South Asia not southeast asia

[@ahamednizar52]

Great video Steve!

[@goodevening4616]

Tuk Tuks in Colombo by law have to use their meters , use your GPS to show he Driver that you know the best route to take .Getting the Train to Kandy is the best option Kandy is very noisy I always stay at Summit View Guesthouse in nearby Peradeniya , there is a train station there and its not far from the Botanical Gardens Its on top of a Hill with great views and has a swimming pool

[@alejandrobenitez4909]

excellent video, greetings from Argentina.

[@BackPackerSteve]

Gracias!

[@srilankasmallwonder]

czcams.com/video/8gwAvxA4UQ0/video.html

[@prarthanadharmasiri7089]

Proud to be a Sri Lankan ❤🇱🇰

[@sajadmohamed3876]

Wow Nice video Dude.I Enjoyed to watch my country in this video.

[@garydunken7934]

Beautifully captured, nice work. I hope you had an enjoyable time there. It's a paradise island for holiday makers.

[@srilankasmallwonder]

czcams.com/video/8gwAvxA4UQ0/video.html

[@sitaro8]

great video, footage, cuts and explanations. Macht echt Spass, weiter so!:) Werde wohl Ende Jahr in Sri Lanka oder Nepal sein :)

[@BackPackerSteve]

Danke dir! Ich bin auch schon wieder am überlegen wieder dorthin zu reisen :)

[@srilankasmallwonder]

czcams.com/video/8gwAvxA4UQ0/video.html

[@RemiLeist]

Very well made video! I really enjoyed, props! :)

[@BackPackerSteve]

Thank you Remi!

[@srilankasmallwonder]

czcams.com/video/8gwAvxA4UQ0/video.html

[@nimaldesilva5156]

thanks man.fantastic video

[@dilansamaranayaka9990]

nice video ...and thanks for traveling my country .......
Waiting for more videos.....👍👍👍👍

[@user-rw1cv6un9i]

My Country Sri Lanka 😍😍

[@quacky2803]

Hey what's the meaning of "mage hodama yaluwa "please reply to 🙏

[@ganeshjraman7536]

@@quacky2803 my best friend

[@sagaramaduwantharathnayaka7734]

thanks for upload this video..

[@sampathperera3987]

Very very nice & beautiful video ..thanks ..

[@w.kumaraslnew7333]

Great video thanks mr

[@nutier]

beautiful video that I like ! I want to visit Sri Lanka one time ;
Have a nice week !

[@hashithaeranda7257]

Nice to hear... come and see the beauty of my country. If you want an help or information contact me - [e-mail]

[@muhammadnaser9000]

I m going to Sri Lanka at 13 Feb 19

[@srilankasmallwonder]

czcams.com/video/8gwAvxA4UQ0/video.html

[@anikaananda4969]

Deine Videos sind so toll !!

[@BackPackerSteve]

Danke, Liebe Ani! ;)

[@jsf7502]

Awesome video!

[@srilankasmallwonder]

czcams.com/video/8gwAvxA4UQ0/video.html

[@azoozazooz6051]

excellent video

[@srilankasmallwonder]

czcams.com/video/8gwAvxA4UQ0/video.html

[@sampathlakkantha2261]

Thanks for the video to my mother country

[@pirithBana]

Nice Video ......

[@greenhikers1999]

Sri Lanka ❤️🇱🇰

[@wigtondesilva5192]

Thank you all.

[@chathuragayan2754]

Wowwwww😍

[@sendbobsandvagana4136]

Paradise

[@HelithaSri]

My country ❤️❤️❤️

[@vinayakadkoli874]

Nice video..

[@user-eb3nv2hs9l]

Thak you friends . thriple jem bless you . 🇱🇰🇱🇰🇱🇰

[@timdobertson393]

Thanks for changing language!

[@abhilawvlogs]

Very beautiful

[@chrishanthagoonathillaka]

Very beautiful srilanka

[@herathmudieyansalagamillaw8406]

gooood....................ilove

[@SZYMONS75]

Nice movie mate

[@srilankasmallwonder]

czcams.com/video/8gwAvxA4UQ0/video.html

[@mr.90s81]

Can we fly the drone in the top of the sigiraya? And how much does it cost to ride that mini heli?

[@shakilasanjeewa1665]

No you cant do it on top of the rock. Its prohibited Bcs of bees attacks. U can take drone shots in sigiriya from near Pidurangala rock but secretly and dont close to it. Some utuber said that how he did that thats why i know..😅

[@dxsana]

Thanks .......

[@kanchanavithana7458]

Hi Steve, This is an awesome video! if you don't mind, is it possible to use your video for some tourism promotional stuff?
Thanks.(Kanchana Vithana)

[@GPSPhotographyLounge]

Hi,
Thank you for the informative video. Can all this places covered in one day? Like in kandy?

[@srilankasmallwonder]

czcams.com/video/8gwAvxA4UQ0/video.html

[@Edgesofearth]

- Been on my list of things to do for far too long, now...

[@stevesanjayan]

hey mate what was the cost of the air tickets to fly around sigiriya? it would be great if you replied anyways awesome video 👍

[@BackPackerSteve]

We flew with Cinnamon Air - you can check the prices on their site as they are changing over time: www.cinnamonair.com/charter-scenic-flights/scenic-flights.html

[@DonCreationsLK]

nice video

[@whufcwesthamunited]

What was your favorite and least favorite areas in Sri Lanka? I'd like to know the best places to go/places not to miss. But also the overrated places which are worth skipping..?

[@BackPackerSteve]

I especially loved trinco and Arugam Bay!

[@srilankasmallwonder]

czcams.com/video/8gwAvxA4UQ0/video.html

[@NomadAlex]

hey Steve, love your video!! it looks like you enjoyed the trip a lot!! Sri Lanka is incredible :) We recently went there for a 2 week trip, places like Kandy, Adam's Peak, Ella, Yala National Park, Mirissa and Galle. I just shared my 1st video here on YB, feel free to have a look and hope you enjoy as I enjoyed yours :)
Keep it up, Alex

[@srilankasmallwonder]

czcams.com/video/8gwAvxA4UQ0/video.html

[@AndresRootsi]

hi Steve, how did you do this map conture effect? probably used Green background, Island edges Are white, but with what program you got it? my SL trip will be on 2018 February, would like töö use same effect :)

[@BackPackerSteve]

Hi Andres - great plan traveling to SL! The animation of the routes are my own work. I used After Effects and animated shape layers to do so...if you search for it here on YT you
ll find plenty tutorials which tell you how to do that. Have fun playing around with it and thanks for watching!

[@BackPackerSteve]

Hi Andres - great plan traveling to SL! The animation of the routes are my own work. I used After Effects and animated shape layers to do so...if you search for it here on YT you
ll find plenty tutorials which tell you how to do that. Have fun playing around with it and thanks for watching!

[@srilankasmallwonder]

czcams.com/video/8gwAvxA4UQ0/video.html

[@Anybabel]

Schönes Video. In welchem Monat warst du da? Ich fliege im August und plane die Route gerade. Bin über alle Tips dankbar. Gruß Dennis

[@srilankasmallwonder]

czcams.com/video/8gwAvxA4UQ0/video.html

[@saraalnamaani8731]

I love so much My country srilanka is very beautiful

[@MsRaed1515]

3:49
how much does scenic flight cost???

[@skanthaSubra]

Sher shoen gemacht🙏🙏🙏

[@IndranathGaurTraveller]

Nice

[@SmaragdDIY]

Ich war letztes Jahr auch in Sri Lanka. Schön nochmal die Bilder zu sehen. Ich habe mich direkt in das Stückchen Erde verliebt und würde auch gerne nochmal hinreisen und den Rest erkunden. Ich war auch im
●Tempel of the Tooth, auf dem ●lionrock sigiriya und im ●Nationalpark yala.
Außerdem noch im
●Horton Plains Nationalpark wandern vorbei am Ende der Welt und an den Baker Falls, in ●Pinnawala- einem elefantenweisenhaus, was leider eher einem elefantentierpark ähnelt. Trotzdem sehr schön zum Beobachten beim Baden der Elefanten.
Als Abschluss der Reise waren wir in
●Hikkaduwa surfen.
Ich freue mich auf das nächste Video liebe grüße tina

[@BackPackerSteve]

Das ist ja toll, liebe Tina - das war nun auch bereits mein 2tes Mal in Sri Lanka ;) Du hast auf jeden Fall ein paar Orte gesehen die bei mir noch offen sind. Aber vor allem würde ich gerne mal den Adams Peak zum Sonnenaufgang machen wollen!

[@srilankasmallwonder]

czcams.com/video/8gwAvxA4UQ0/video.html

[@user-eb3nv2hs9l]

❤️❤️❤️

[@basics_gk7676]

What a editing yar

[@grease112]

Which of the two national parks is best if you could only visit one?

[@srilankasmallwonder]

czcams.com/video/8gwAvxA4UQ0/video.html

[@gildabawenyo]

nice video! May I know if you applied a permit to fly a drone in Sri Lanka? Thanks

[@srilankasmallwonder]

czcams.com/video/8gwAvxA4UQ0/video.html

[@charithalelwala2907]

sri lanka my country i love you
ආදරෙයි ගොඩක්

[@pasindulakshan9038]

My country 😍

[@AndresRootsi]

Steve, how to do this map effect (from Germany to Sri Lanka)?

[@backpackingtheworld1712]

Hi mate! what's the spot of the tea plantations in Ella?

[@razeelhassan8376]

Backpacking The world go to haputale very beautiful
lipton seat a place to visit which is fully surrounded by tea plantations n tea factory u can go to the top of the mountain n see 5 districts.
Also don't forget to visit hortain plains

[@udayasiriherath6982]

Come and stay in there like your motherland 😍😍😍😍😍🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

[@sarazkhan5430]

Nice editing. What tool and software you use to edit this videos.

[@manojrajapaksha1423]

I LOVE YOU sri Lankan..

[@arkabongbeduin9761]

u can come also india ^_kolkata west bengal

[@mohamedaslam8371]

Wellcom

[@msndani8790]

Come again dear

[@philippbiniasch3813]

Hi Steve,
irgendwie ist mein Kommentar weg :)
Wo kann man den Flug buchen und was kostet das Ganze?
Danke & Gruß
Philipp

[@BackPackerSteve]

Hi Philipp - für Flüge nach Sri Lanka ist die kostengünstigste Variante die Verbindung von Frankfurt nach Colombo mit Sri Lankan. Flugtickets gibt es ab 700-800€ return. Was die Buchung angeht kannst du direkt über die Airline buchen - alle weiteren Infos findest du im Blog: www.back-packer.org/de/individuelle-rundreise-sri-lanka/

[@fdoh1]

How much dose the flight cost per person ?

[@srilankasmallwonder]

czcams.com/video/8gwAvxA4UQ0/video.html

[@charanniroj1091]

Im also Sri lankan

[@prasannafernando9404]

👍❤👍❤

[@sasidutharaka3707]

☸☸☸☸☸🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁👍👍

[@tomh383]

🇱🇰🇱🇰🇱🇰🇱🇰🇱🇰🇱🇰

[@slsports892]

:)

[@dila.473]

Sri lanka 🇱🇰

[@pepperminchoc]

What language were u speaking?

[@MathiasBacher]

German

[@sudathweragoda1119]

want to escape....sorrry/.,com

[@thetart3808]

It’s in the south not south east

[@montythakur3572]

you are giving fake informations ...
sigiria is created by
raawan

[@Exc369lusive]

excellent video

[@Exc369lusive]

love country

[@srilankasmallwonder]

czcams.com/video/8gwAvxA4UQ0/video.html