These exhilarating views can only be experienced in full measure by the traveller lazily floating over them, with the help of a hot air balloon.
Ballooning was invented in France in the year 1783 by the Montgolfier brothers and 200 years later it has become a popular sport world-wide. As a sport, ballooning is most popular in the United States of America, Europe and Australia.
Ballooning in Sri Lanka is taken up during the calm season from November to April, before the onset of the Southwest monsoon. Popular ballooning locations are over the rock fortress of Sigiriya and its environs, and Uda Walawe National Park which is home to about 300 elephants.
Balloon flights are taken off at sunrise with the first light, when thermal activity is at its lowest, and a typical flight lasts for around an hour.
Sri Lanka's tropical forests and the overwhelming mystique of the landscape seen from above as the morning rays of light penetrate the layers of fog are moments of pure exhilaration and amazement.
Flying over the forest areas also offer passengers the view of wild animals such as herds of deer, wild boars and peacocks. The sight of a herd of elephants on the plains, is truly magical.
Groups of farmers and their families are at hand to greet you at the time the balloon basket kisses the ground. The curiosity of these simple village folk knows no bounds, and they rush towards the balloon to welcome the Sky Gods who are generally offered a drink of the sweet coconut water or a refreshing cup of tea.
Sri Lanka played host to the first Hot Air Balloon festival in March 2003 in which a number of balloonists from the United Kingdom, United States of America, Australia, France and Germany participated. The next balloon festival is scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka from 23rd March to 4th April 2005. Hot air balloon rides are now offered in Sri Lanka by various holiday companies.
Sri Lanka has been described by visitors through the ages in varied ways, extolling her virtues and scenic beauty. It is known as an island which has "a little bit of every good thing, all in one place." Perhaps it is best described by Sir Arthur C. Clarke, world-renowned space fiction writer who has been living in Sri Lanka for the last to many years, as "The Island of Sri Lanka is a small universe containing as many variations of culture, scenery and climate as some countries a dozen times her size".
And what better way could one view and absorb all this scenic beauty encapsulated into a relatively small area, than by gently floating above them, in a hot air balloon.
The writer is an airline pilor with the Sri Lankan Airlines and a pioneer of hot air ballooning in Sri Lanka as well as Chief Organiser of the Sri Lanka Balloon Festival, first international aviation event in the country. This colourful festival will be held every two years as a major event in the tourism calendar. The next festival in Sri Lanka is scheduled to be held from March 23-April 4, 2005. Anil's spirit of adventure and continuing search for new experience is reflected in his book A Day Above Sri Lanka.