India's neighbour is much more than a sunny beach destination (although both can be found in a country which boasts 833 miles of coastline). It pays to step away from the sand to find other highlights: the Portuguese and Dutch colonial heritage which shapes the south-westerly city of Galle; the serenity of Kandy, with its vast Buddhist temple; the swirl of the capital Colombo; the British yesterday of Nuwara Eliya, a hill station framed by tea plantations. Despite a difficult recent past, Sri Lanka’s future beckons.
Must see: I climbed Sigiriya – a 660ft (200m) stand-alone monolith almost at the heart of Sri Lanka – on a blazing day. It was tough going, but the route up, sometimes along rusty stairs hammered into the rock, took me past frescoes which date back to the fifth century – and delivered me to a flat-top summit which once hosted a royal palace. Truly amazing.
A gentle walking holiday visiting the island’s main historical, cultural, wildlife and scenic highlights.
Explore Sri Lanka, a country with 2,500 years of rich history and 8 World Heritage Sites. Visit ancient kingdoms and pay homage at the cradle of Buddhist civilisation. Wander through tea plantations, see an extraordinary range of wildlife at National Parks before extending your holiday on one of the world class beaches of Sri Lanka.
This 18 day holiday covers the northern portion of Sri Lanka in detail, taking in wildlife, culture and beaches. It is the perfect trip for those who have perhaps visited the island before, or for those with an adventurous streak who want to explore something many others don't even know about.
From the little-known islands of the north to the southern city of Galle, this tour captures the essence of Sri Lanka and takes in seven of the country’s eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Off the beaten track in Sri Lanka
Experience the traditional lifestyles of the rural paddy farmers, coastal fisherman, tea pluckers of the central hills and Sri Lanka’s indigenous inhabitants: the Veddas or Wanniya-laeto (forest-dwellers).
Sri Lanka Ayurvedic, Yoga and Meditation
Rejuvenate yourself with the ancient secrets of Ayurvedic healing. This is an easy-paced journey that combines Sri Lanka’s ancient cultural heritage with a two-week intense wellness retreat at the Barberyn Beach Ayurveda Resort in the coastal village of Weligama.
Walk the most scenic and culturally interesting sections of the new long-distance Pekoe Trail through the enchanting hill country and tea estates of Sri Lanka.
A unique itinerary to Northern Sri Lanka featuring wildlife safaris, cultural insights and glorious beaches. Spend lazy days experiencing true Sri Lankan hospitality at the unique Mudhouse in Anamaduwa, go on a safari at Wilpattu National Park, see the highlights of Jaffna and go island hopping to the remote easterly islands.
A comprehensive tour through Sri Lanka exploring World Heritage Sites, ancient kingdoms and pay homage at the Cradle of Buddhism. Take a nostalgic train ride through some of the most scenic spots in Sri Lanka and enjoy the crisp cool climate as you wander through sprawling tea plantations.
Sri Lanka is home to an extraordinary range of wildlife. Several national parks, some of them which are recognised as Heritage Sites of the world boast of elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, monkeys and a colourful collection of migratory and endemic birds.
