A Colonial Legacy- Situated an hour away from Haputale town, Lipton’s Seat is a viewpoint named after the celebrated Thomas Lipton. He was a Scottish businessman who moved to British Ceylon in 1890, where he met James Taylor and together they introduced tea gardens to the country. Prior to Lipton’s arrival, Taylor had attempted to grow coffee on the island, however, the coffee plantations were devastated by a leaf-blight. With Lipton’s help, the two men embarked on a business venture which would outlive their lifetimes.

Lipton’s Seat is a popular vantage point, from where Thomas Lipton would sit with a cup of tea in hand and proudly look over his estate. Today, you can still have one of the best views from the lookout, and there is even a life-sized statue of Lipton on a bench to take pictures with! It is recommended that you go early in the morning to avoid the crowds and the late-morning fog. From here you will see one of the most breathtaking views, as the sun rises … to say this view is beautiful almost seems like an understatement. By noon though, the views get washed over by a blanket of mist, so plan your visit accordingly. This is definitely a must-visit which will be enjoyed by anyone.

Just a 15-minute walk from Mirissa Beach you will find Coconut Tree Hill, a small coconut tree far atop a hillock. The hill has perhaps become the most Instagrammed spot in Mirissa and it’s easy to see why; the whole hill looks over to the gorgeous turquoise ocean and it is covered by tall coconut trees swaying in the sea breeze. Since it is an easy location to get to, it’s not too laborious and it doesn’t require you to hike or anything, makes this an easy activity for the whole family.

The hill is exceptionally beautiful during sunset, but it also tends to be more crowded during this time. If you’re looking for a more romantic and intimate ambience, try and make it to the top of the hill as that is truly spectacular.

Whether it is Adam’s Peak (the place where Adam first set foot on Earth after being cast out of heaven), Sri Pada (sacred footprint), or Samanala Kande (Butterfly mountain, where butterflies go to die), Adam’s Peak is a beautiful and fascinating place.

Not all faiths believe the huge footprint on the top of the 2,224 m peak to be that of Adam — some claim it belongs to the Buddha, St Thomas the early apostle of India or even Lord Shiva. Whichever legend you choose to believe the fact remains that this sacred mountain has been a pilgrimage centre for over 1,000 years.

Today the pilgrimage season starts on Poya day (full moon day) in December and runs through to April — the beginning of the southwest monsoon. At other times of the year it is not possible to climb. The night walk is the best way to maximise your time on Adam’s Peak, arriving in time for sunrise the views are simply breathtaking, with the hill country rising to the east, while to the west the land gently slopes toward the Indian Ocean. Shortly after dawn keep an eye out for the vast shadow of the mountain cast against the sky, most impressive.

Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands, in which Adam’s Peak stands, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2010 to protect the montane forests which are home to an extraordinary range of flora and fauna, including several endangered species such as the western-purple-faced langur, and the Sri Lankan leopard. The region is considered a super biodiversity hotspot.

Named after its resemblance to the iconic Adam’s Peak/Sri Pada, Little Adam’s Peak is its smaller brother and a must-visit when in Ella. The hike to the top of Little Adam’s Peak is fairly easy; the peak is 1141m high, so it is more of a two-hour-long leisurely walk. It is also incredibly easy to find the path to Little Adam’s Peak since it is clearly marked.

The hike begins on relatively flat ground and it is quite picturesque as you’re surrounded by tea bushes, and the higher you go, the steeper the trail, so it’s best advised to wear a pair of walking shoes. Despite the minimal effort needed for the trek, the view from the top is truly magnificent, as you overlook a deep valley and its surrounding hills – leaving you breathless.