Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Wednesday, 1 February 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Trinco Blu by Cinnamon offers guests the perfect blend of rest, beach-side relaxation and adventure. As the Indian Ocean becomes increasingly tranquil and pleasant weather conditions prevail, guests visiting this vibrant and chic hotel can opt to enjoy an array of thrilling nature and adventure-based activities with expert naturalists from Cinnamon Nature Trails (CNT).
Headed by renowned wildlife photographer and expert Chitral Jayatilake, CNT is the award-winning wildlife and adventure tourism division of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, and also serves as one of Sri Lanka’s leading eco-excursion providers.
In the early hours of the morning or evening, guests can opt to join the CNT team on their 18-foot fibre-glass motor boat for a few hours of catch and release fishing. This eco-friendly alternative to traditional fishing enables you to indulge in the thrill of casting your line and reeling in your catch without causing significant harm to any fish. The fish that you catch on your trip can safely be unhooked and returned to their natural environment. Safety jackets, rods and all of the necessary equipment are all provided on the two-hour excursion.
From February onwards, the whale watching season will commence in Trincomalee and guests can embark on a memorable marine mammal safari with the CNT team. The waters that surround Sri Lanka’s coastlines are becoming well-known as popular whale watching sites and over the years, CNT has meticulously recorded sightings and the behavioural patterns of these majestic mammals. The team is equipped to offer insightful and engaging tours that will enable you to simultaneously observe and learn more about the whales that are continuously drawn to Sri Lanka’s waters.
On a typical whale watching excursion, you can expect to travel 18-20 miles into the ocean, where with some patience and luck, you will be able to spot an array of marine wildlife species including blue whales, common dolphins, sperm whales, spinner dolphins, Bryde’s whales, bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales and Risso’s dolphins along with several other species such as sea turtles and whale sharks. On very rare occasions, killer whales (orcas) have also been sighted on these excursions.
Located a short 30-minute boat ride away from the hotel, Pigeon Island National Park is home to an abundance of saltwater fish and corals. The CNT team organizes guided snorkelling tours to this unique underwater park that is home to a rich biodiversity of marine life. The shallow waters that surround this pristine island are teeming with life and offer guests the rare chance to observe hundreds of marine fish in their natural habitat.
The island itself is famed for its pure white sands and its rocky outcrops serve as breeding ground for rock pigeons. The waters of the park are home to a colourful coral reef, which harbours over 100 species of coral of varying shades, shapes and textures and 300 species of marine fish. You can also expect to see juvenile and adult Blacktip reef sharks, Hawksbill turtles, Olive Ridley turtles and green turtles whilst snorkelling.
Trincomalee has a rich cultural and historical heritage and is also known for its beautiful beaches, deep-water harbour, its religious temples and various other attractions. The ideal time to explore the city is in the mornings or late afternoons. You can opt to start your tour by visiting the nearby hot water springs which date back several centuries. Thereafter a visit to the Commonwealth War Cemetery, a special memorial for naval officers and military officials who lost their lives during World War II, is a must.
Other key attractions include the harbour mouth, which offers scenic views of the ocean and surrounding port structures, Fort Frederick which was built by the Portuguese in 1623 and Lover’s Leap which is shrouded in chilling tales of love and loss. Koneswaram Temple which is built atop Swami Rock is an important place of worship and houses striking statues, intricately decorated pillars, well-crafted sculptures and beautiful, bright paintings.
For guests who want a more relaxing alternative to exploring Trincomalee by foot, the next best option is to soak up the sights and sounds of the city by boat. You can travel on a small sail-boat with a CNT naturalist and explore the nooks, crannies and caves of Trincomalee along the way.
On your journey, you can observe pilgrims paying their respects on Swami Rock, you will be able to watch the soft glow of the sun’s rays fall over the city’s greatest fortresses and observe local fishermen reel in their evening catch. If you start your excursion by mid-afternoon, you can end it against the picturesque backdrop of a Trincomalee sunset, which is known for its fiery hues of orange, gold and pink.
Trinco Blu offers guests an adventure-packed getaway on one of the country’s most beautiful stretches of beach. The hotel’s bold, retro interiors, its relaxing ambiance, scrumptious dining options and interesting array of activities will ensure that guests enjoy a truly memorable holiday on Sri Lanka’s east coast. To find out more or to make a booking, contact Daya on +94715478642.
