One of the main reasons why so many people choose to go traveling is to see as many diverse places in the world as possible. Places don’t come much more spectacular than the South Asian country of Sri Lanka. Here are six things you simply cannot miss in Sri Lanka.

Keep an eye out for leopards

The leopard is one of the most elusive animals in the world, but there is a good chance you will see some at Yala National Park. The park is Sri Lanka’s largest leopard sanctuary, and Sri Lanka’s apex predator is said to be thriving at Yala.

See blue whales first-hand

There aren’t many places in the world that can practically guarantee you will be able to share some space with blue whales. These majestic marine animals are spotted regularly along the Sri Lankan coast, and the southern tip of the island is where you want to be. That’s where you will be able to see blue whales, the largest animals in the world. They often come to Sri Lanka for the krill and squid that are in abundance in these waters from January to April.

Explore an ancient rock fortress

Sri Lanka is home to seven World Heritage sites, with the ancient rock fortress known as Sigiriya being one of them. This fortress dates all the way back to the 5th century and has been both a royal palace and a Buddhist monastery. The site is one of great historical importance, plus it has one of the oldest landscaped gardens found anywhere in the world. There is even a mirror wall, made from masonry but polished so much you can see your reflection in it.

Dine on seafood

The food in Sri Lanka is just as amazing as that found in India to the north. With an abundance of ocean surrounding it though, Sri Lankans love tucking into as much fish as possible. Fresh fish and seafood is caught every day, and you can be sure to enjoy some of the most original curries you will ever taste in your life.

Enjoy watching elephants

Sri Lanka is home to many elephants, and it’s likely you will come across plenty during your stay here. These giant animals are used on tea plantations and bejeweled for many public celebrations, but the UdaWalawe National Park is your best bet to see them roaming free. This park has jungle, plains, and scrubland for the elephants to roam freely across, allowing you to see them in a range of terrains.

See how the tea industry works

Sir Thomas Lipton built his tea empire right out of Sri Lanka, and you can explore his old stomping ground. There are still many people working in the fields picking tea today, and you can even choose your own to take home. The heart of Sri Lanka’s tea industry is in Nuwara Eliya, and it’s where you can see how the entire process works, from planting to packing.