Sustainable Tourism
At Summer Explorers we are inspired by sustainable tourism committed to planning & operating eco friendly and community developing tours in Sri Lanka. We enjoy showing travellers the beautiful nature and authentic culture of our destinations and share our passion for sustainable travelling with them. Our founders are avid explorers with years of experience in adventure & tourism who have extensively travelled & explored Sri Lanka along off-the-beaten path looking for unique nature & culture.
Nature & Wildlife
Sri Lanka is often referred to as the next best destination to Africa, when it comes to wildlife safaris. When you look at the diversity of landscape and climate, you will understand how the island can in fact be a haven for so many species. Nature and Wildlife based travel has grown significantly as Sri Lanka is being recognized more for its nature as much as for its sun sea and surf. And as a nature focused, adventure oriented travel company we are far better suited to bring it all alive in exciting and meaningful ways.
Birds
Sri Lanka’s astounding biodiversity is evident when you consider the little island boasts over 500 bird species, both endemic and migratory. The types of birds you will find in Sri Lanka vary with the climate zones. Most of the endemic bird varieties can be found in the wet zone and the smaller hill zone. The larger dry zone is home for the migratory species which fly in from as far north as Europe and from nearby neighbor, India. Ducks, Geese, Waterfowls, Pheasants, Flamingos, Grebes, Cuckoos, Swifts, Nightjars, Coots and Lapwings can all be found here. This truly is a birdwatcher’s paradise.
Amphibians
Sri Lanka’s biodiversity is on stark display when you consider the number of amphibians that call it home. That number is 120 and 90 of them are endemic to the island. This means an edemicity ratio of 85% making it the highest In Asia. If you are a fan of the amphibian types, do let us know so we can factor that into your tour or try and keep out of their way if that’s what you prefer.
Dragon Flies & Damsel Flies
Odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) also consider Sri Lanka, paradise given that a stunning 130 species call it home. Of these, over 50% are endemic to the island. However till recently, much wasn’t known about them but a recent surge in research has brought about a wealth of information about their diversity. As is often the case Odonates can be found in all Sri Lankan regions.
Butterflies
76 endemic species make up the total of 245 identified butterfly species in Sri Lanka. The vast majority of them can be found in the foothills leading up to altitudes of 3000 feet. However you can spot plenty of them in vibrant hues and delightful shapes almost all over Sri Lanka. There are also two distinct butterfly seasons in the island with numbers peaking during the monsoon seasons.
Elephants
The majestic Sri Lankan elephant is one of the big four that makes Sri Lanka one of the best Safari destinations outside of Africa. The Sri Lankan elephant is a subspecies of the Asian Elephant and is endemic. The recent past has seen an ongoing tussle for land by humans and elephants and it is our policy to handle tours with care and respect towards the lives of these quiet and amazing animals.
Mammals
Sri Lanka is home to 125 mammals covering 12 orders. The most common include Bats, rodents and aquatic mammals. But some of its well-known faces include elephants, whales, bears, leopards and an abundance of monkeys. But any foray outdoors could also bring you face to face with porcupines, pangolins, mongoose, wild boar, deer, jackals and wild cats.
Fish & Marine Life
Sri Lanka is crossed with numerous rivers and dotted with lakes. The island also has tremendous diversity in its shorelines with mangrove swamps to bays. All this means a stunning array of fish and marine life both in fresh water and in the oceans. And the nutrient rich waters off Sri Lanka also make it one of the world’s best places for a large number of whale species and dolphins.
Nature
Biodiversity
Whether you look to the skies, drive through a national park, snorkel, dive or go for a walk, you are bound to see an abundance of wildlife. And most often in any category, Sri Lanka tops the list with the sheer variety and the endemic nature of its many species. This makes this little island one of the best places for wildlife enthusiasts. And our tours are planned in a way to showcase the best of all this.
Herbal Plants
Sri Lanka’s recorded history is one of the oldest in the world and it is filled with references to herbal plants and their use in traditional medicine. Sri Lanka’s biodiversity also lends to this. Some of the better known herbs are also famous spices like turmeric and ginger. Other herbs are used regularly in meals or used in concoctions to heal various ailments.
Spices
Sri Lanka is the Spice Island of the world. It is home to the world’s best Cinnamon, Cardamom and Cloves. Other spices include black pepper, nutmeg, mace and vanilla. The full list of spices grown in Sri Lanka to enchant your senses is actually much longer. Which is one of the reasons the island features prominently in world history and why it was colonized not by one but three different countries in the past.
History
A historic tour of Sri Lanka almost always surprises as even a history buff can be blown away by the depth and richness. Prehistoric times to the introduction of Buddhism to the island and the subsequent kingdoms of ancient Sri Lanka to colonial rule, the influences, the evidence and the beautiful ruins rival some of the world’s much bigger and popular historic destinations.
Sri Lanka received its independence from the British in 1948 and became a republic in 1972. Festering issues amongst the various ethnic groups and religions spewed over into riots several times as Sri Lankans learned to manage the country with the colonial rule that had lasted centuries. Unfortunately rising tensions between the majority Sinhala and minority Tamil communities developed into a full blown out war that lasted decades and claimed tens of thousands of lives. However the war ended in 2009 but tensions continue. From a tourist’s point of view these are not very visible as business continues as normal on a day to day basis.
The first kingdom of ancient Sri Lanka was established around 377 BCE and continued to around 1017. This is the longest standing kingdom of ancient Sri Lankan and oversaw the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Several new kingdoms came and went in the years since and some of them existed concurrently. The most notable of these were Polonnaruwa (1056-1232). Other kingdoms to note include Jaffna, Dambadeniya, Gampola, Kotte and Sitawaka.
Given Sri Lanka’s ancient civilizations and recorded history, it is no surprise that the island is dotted with archaeological sites. These include prehistoric caves and locations. The most famous of these is the site of the Balangoda Man – a hominin from Sri Lanka’s late Quaternary period. Others include the Kitulgala Belilena and Kuruwita Batadombalena. Then there are the archaeological sites of Sri Lanka’s ancient kingdoms, Buddhist archaeological sites and places of archaeological interest from the more recent colonial era.
Sri Lanka’s history is filled with irrigation programmes that were spearheaded by various kings. The earliest known example dates back to about 300 BCE. However Irrigation projects in ancient Sri Lanka reached its climax in the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa periods with the Parakarama Samudraya being considered the most remarkable of them all. The study of these systems indicate the advance stages of those ancient civilizations and the study of traditions and customs around them demonstrate how they were strongly integrated into everyday life. Some of which continue to this day.
Evidence suggests that Sri Lanka’s prehistoric period begins with the Paleolithic period and continues through the Mesolithic period, early Iron Age and right down to the time of the setting up of the Anuradhapura Kingdom (roughly around 543 BC). These early times were when Sri Lanka was connected to the larger Indian subcontinent on and off, as the ocean levels would rise and fall. Findings to prove the island’s prehistoric history were found in places like Iranamadu, Kuruwita, Balangoda and Horton Plains.
Sri Lanka was once a hub on the Silk Route. So the island was a place that saw visitors from Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India and China. These influences continue to this day. Some of the notable influences are from India given its larger than life presence and being right next door and those from the colonial rulers.
In addition to its location the abundance of spices was another key reason why visitors came from near and far. Cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg from Sri Lanka are considered the best in the world and their flavors accentuate all types of Sri Lankan cuisine. While the Buddhist way of life and indigenous medicine practices have also had an impact.
- Buddhist conspiracy theory that Lord Buddha lived in Sri Lanka vs. the common believed factor of Lord Buddha visiting Sri Lanka 3 times
- Places identified to be old Rajagaha Nuwara, Jethawanaramaya, Place of enlightenment etc.
The life of Ravana, one of the most powerful beings ever to roam the universe, if Hindu legends are to be believed, had unfolded in the small island Sri Lanka, where he ruled with mighty power over gods, humans and demons. It is said that Ravana ruled Lanka for several hundred years prior to the times of Ramayana.
Some even go as far as to insist that Ravana was a Buddhist king and hold him to be the creator of monasteries found in Sri Lanka like Kuragala and Rahalgala. The country is filled with locations which are linked to the Ravana legend like SitaEliya in Nuwara Eliya, and Horton Plains are considered to be the landing sites of his flying machine. Rumassala, a mountain peak by the Southern oceans of Sri Lanka is too linked to the Ravana legend and is held to be a part of the Himalaya Mountain. Adam’s Bridge, a chain of limestone shoals, between Rameswaram Island, off the southeastern coast of Tamil Nadu, India, and Mannar Island, off the north western coast of Sri Lanka too is connected to the legend of Ravana.
The distribution of lemurs in Africa, India, Madagascar as well as the Malaya Peninsula gave rise to a theory that all these places were once connected. Such a connection would have been possible through a continent that once stood above the sea level. This hypothetical continent was given the name Lemuria.
Sri Lanka is known to be the only remaining part of Lemuria. Historians now call Lemuria the ‘Cradle of Humankind’.
Sigiriya, holds many secrets about King Rawana hidden in his heart. Sigiriya is a beautiful creation that any foreign tourist visiting Sri Lanka will immediately enjoy. There is ample evidence that Maha Ravana is the true heir to Sigiriya, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982.
But are they reluctant to accept them in public because this is now a property confiscated by King Kasyapa? Alakamandawa, which belonged to Kuvera before Maha Ravana, was turned into a beautiful complex palace and kingdom by the great Ravanas.
How are we supposed to look at geoids? Given that gravity gets weaker the farther you are from the centre of mass, around Sri Lanka highlights its low gravity, as it needs to be ~80m closer to the centre of the Earth to feel the same gravity as other places. It is proven that Sri Lanka is the country with the lowest gravity. But there is still one single point that is the lowest point of gravity compared to the entire island.
We also now know a lot more about the world we live on, thanks to the ESA’s mission, and as Sri Lankans we can afford to cheat a little on our diets, because we weigh (slightly) less here than anywhere else on Earth!