Devil's Staircase - Sri Lanka

The Devil’s Staircase is famous for its beauty throughout the trek and the attractions surrounding it such as Bambarakanda Falls, Lanka Ella and Yalhapana Ella. Yet it has a distance of 20 km from Ohiya to Kalupahana Junction. Distance won’t matter since it is a climb down all the way from the starting point, even though 20 km sounds like a long walk. I was able to climb it down within 6 hours on foot. It will take around 8 to 9 hours depending on your speed. One can choose to come half way and camp and continue the trek next day.

There are no markers along the route, therefore its advised to use a guide if attempting the journey for the fist time. The route has number of folks and they could easily divert you from the original path.  The tails is 13 km long from the Bambarakanda and would take approximately 4 hours to travel by a vehicle.

The two most popular points on the route is the “V cut”, a channel cut through the hill to allow the road to pass through. You will come across this after entering the Udaweriya estate.

Ohiya - Sri Lanka

Ohiya Sri Lanka is one of the most scenic places in Sri Lanka. On a clear day the view from the Ohiya Gap/Dondra Watch extends up to the southern coast of Sri Lanka.

Ohiya is a rural village located in Badulla District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka.It is very much closer to the Horton Plains National Park.The main railway line between Colombo and Badulla is fallen through Ohiya

Amalfi – the Center of the Iconic Coast in Italy

Amalfi, Campania, Italy. The main gem of the precious Amalfi Coast – the town of Amalfi is the largest resort here. Its history dates back to the 6th century, but is present in a variety of ancient buildings, that also remind about the glorious past of the town, which used to be an important port that later grew to the Duchy of Amalfi.

Besides the historic town center and buildings, visitors also love sampling various lemon products – the local specialty. The most famous one is limoncello – Italian lemon liqueur. Sandy beaches provide sites for bathing and enjoying the sun. Amalfi is also comfortably posited between other cities like Naples, Pompei, Herculaneum and Positano, that attract day trippers for an adventure.

Why to go there?
The town offers various outdoor activities – from exploring the history and ancient architecture to lying on the beach or taking a trip to the neighboring towns. Various cultural events and concerts take place in summer. It is a must visit once on the glorious Amalfi Coast.

When to go there?
The peak season is from June to September or October. However, the mild climate allows visitors to come here all year round. Except that some attractions can be closed during other seasons.

How to get there?
There is an easy access to Amalfi since it is a popular tourist destination. Get there by bus or boat from Rome, Sorrento, Naples and other Italian cities.

Historic Ward Charcoal Ovens in Nevada, USA

Ward Charcoal Ovens Historic Park, Nevada, USA. Six large ovens were built outside of Ward, established by the silver miners. Today it is a ghost town, while these ovens are the best preserved heritage. Built in 1876 by Italian masons, they were used for producing charcoal: this kind of construction appeared to be much more efficient then the previously used beehive shape ovens.

The park is part of the Great Basin, which results in a desert and arid environment. There are creeks and springs, pinyon and juniper forests, and a diverse wildlife, that includes mountain lion, deer, coyote, fox, rabbit and more. Tourists can have a nice hike and go camping – various facilities here enable to enjoy a day or two of outdoor activities.

Why to go there?
In the park visitors can admire unspoiled nature, have a nice hike and spend a night at a camp. Moreover these ovens and the ghost town of Ward provide a valuable insight into the history of the USA.

When to go there?
The park is open all year round. Most visitors come between May and August. In winter there can be snow, which provides skiing opportunities.

How to get there?
The site is found only 32 km (20 mi) from the town of Ely. The best way to get there is via road U.S. 93.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress- Sri Lanka

Sigiriya is an ancient palace located in the central Mathale District  near the town of Dhambulla   in the Central Province,Sri lanka. The name refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 metres (660 ft) high. According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle the Culavamsa, this site was selected by King KKasyapa (477 – 495 CE) for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. 

The name of this place is derived from this structure —Sīhāgiri, the Lion Rock. The capital and the royal palace was abandoned after the king's death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century.

Sigiriya was the largest and most sophisticated single construction project ever undertaken in ancient Sri Lanka. The ruins of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress seen today are less than twenty percent of the structures that once graced the area. Most buildings were made of wood. Consequently, there is very little evidence of these structures. Those built with stone and brick have survived the ravages of time and provide us a rare glimpse of the opulence and grandeur of an ancient era. Many ruins still lay hidden in the forest and are yet to be discovered. Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

                                         Sigiriya Rock, Sri Lanka

Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park- Gansu, China

The Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, also known as Zhangye Danxia( Land form) Geopark, is located near the city of Zhangye in China's nothernwestern Gansu province. It covers an area of 510 square kilometres (200 sq mi).  And it's one of the most colorful places on earth.

Formerly a provincial park and scenic area, it became a national geopark in November 2011.Known for its colorful rock formations, it has been voted by Chinese media outlets as one of the most beautiful landforms in China.

The unusual colours of the rocks are the result of red sandstone and mineral deposits being laid down over 24 million years.The resulting 'layer cake' was then buckled by the same tectonic plates responsible for parts of the Himalayan mountains. Wind and rain finished the job by carving weird and wonderful shapes including natural pillars, towers, ravines, valleys and waterfalls - that differ in colour, texture, shape, size and pattern.

 

The area is fast becoming a popular tourist attraction for the sleepy town of Zhangye. A number of boardwalks and roads have been built to encourage visitors to explore the amazing rock formations.

When to Go: The best time to visit it is from June to September due to the easeful weather condition.

 See the fantastically-coloured mountains and cliffs in an all-but unexplored area of Gansu; visit Horse Hoofprint Temple, Jiayuguan Fortress, and more.

                                            Zhangye, Danxia Geopark ,Chnina