Surrounded by the tropical rainforests of Sinharaja, Deniyaya is a small mountain town in Sri Lanka’s Southern Province. It’s an important tea-growing area and dotted with plantations where you can see this globally-loved drink being cultivated.
Deniyaya serves as a gateway to the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, which has been designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site. It encompasses one of the last tracts of old-growth tropical rainforest in Sri Lanka and is home to around 95% of the island’s endemic birds. Join a guided trek to spot purple-faced langurs and the Sri Lankan birdwing butterfly.
One of the area’s most spectacular natural wonders is Sathmala Ella, a seven-tiered waterfall that tumbles along the Gin Ganga River and can be accessed along a short walking trail. Head to the Patna Viewpoint for sweeping panoramas across Deniyaya’s tea plantations before joining the locals on a slide down the famous “sliding rock”.
Getting there
Deniyaya is around two hours’ drive from Galle and just under four hours from Bandaranaike International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular buses connect to Deniyaya and the town is small enough to explore on foot.