Pasikudah

Sri Lanka's east coast stretches from Trincomalee in the north to Arugam Bay in the south, forming the Eastern Province with the districts of Trincomalee, Batticaloa, and Ampara. This is where you travel primarily in summer: While the monsoon brings rain to the southwest coast, the east coast is dry and the sea calm from around May to September.The region combines long sandy beaches and shallow bays with a rich, layered history. Tamil, Muslim, and Sinhalese communities shape the towns and cuisine, while Portuguese and Dutch forts recall the colonial era.

Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka's second great royal city after Anuradhapura, boasts an extensive ruined city, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1982. Palace complexes, temples, and the rock sculptures of Gal Vihara can be easily explored by bike in a day.The city lies east of the Cultural Triangle, by the Parakrama Samudra reservoir. Its archaeological zone stretches north of the current city, while the modern center with train and bus stations is about three kilometers south in the Kaduruwela district.After Vijayabahu I captured the city in 1070, it flourished under Parakramabahu I in the 12th century. From this era derive the Royal Palace, the Sacred Quadrangle with the Vatadage, and irrigation systems surpassing those of the Anuradhapura period.

Minneriya National Park, located in the Cultural Triangle, protects the catchment area of an ancient reservoir and is famous for the so-called Gathering: during the dry season, large numbers of elephants gather on its banks. Estimates range from 150 to 200 animals, with some reports mentioning up to 700.The park is situated approximately 182 kilometres from Colombo, between Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa, and covers nearly 8,900 hectares. King Mahasena commissioned the Minneriya Reservoir in the 3rd century.Declared a protected area in 1938, Minneriya became a National Park in 1997. Besides elephants, Sambar deer, White-bearded langurs, Toque macaques, and rarely leopards live here; additionally, around 160 bird species are recorded, including Grey Pelicans and Painted Storks.

Trincomalee, the capital of the Eastern Province, is home to one of the world's largest natural harbours. You come here for the Koneswaram Temple high above the sea, Fort Frederick, and the beaches north of the city, which are at their best from May to September.The circular harbour is framed by two headlands and terraced hills; Admiral Horatio Nelson reportedly called it the most beautiful harbour in the world. Fort Frederick is situated on the peninsula between the harbour and the open sea, with Swami Rock and the temple rising at its tip.Most accommodation and restaurants are not found in the centre, but in the northern beach district of Uppuveli, which is considered the city's resort area. From here, it's just a few kilometres to Nilaveli and Pigeon Island National Park.

Sigiriya is an approximately 180-meter-high granite rock in the Cultural Triangle, on whose summit plateau King Kashyapa had his palace built in the 5th century. The rock fortress, with water gardens, frescoes, and the Lion Gate, is one of Sri Lanka's most famous archaeological sites and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1982.The rock is located near the city of Dambulla. At the foot of the complex lies Sigiriya village, with accommodations and restaurants along a main road. Just under a kilometer north rises Pidurangala Rock, from which you can look out over Sigiriya.Kashyapa reigned, according to common dating, from 477 to 495 and made the rock both his palace and capital. The ascent leads through garden and terrace complexes, past the Mirror Wall and the Fresco Gallery to the Lion Gate, and from there up stairs to the plateau.