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Sri Lanka Holidays Explore spectacular ruins from ancient kingdoms, timeless temples, dense rainforests and verdant tea plantations. Dazzling beaches, mist-covered peaks and charming villages - Sri Lanka has it all!

Good to know:

  • Time difference: GMT +5.30 hours
  • Capital: Colombo
  • Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
  • Language: Sinhala, Tamil
  • Voltage: 230 volts

Still identifying itself as a tourist destination, culturally rich Sri Lanka has a history that dates back more than 3,000 years. Sri Lanka offers the intrepid traveller spectacular ruins from ancient kingdoms, timeless temples, dense rainforests and verdant tea plantations, dazzling white beaches with world-class surf, mist-covered rocky peaks, charming villages and loads of elephants amongst other wildlife. The teardrop shaped island sits near the tip of India in the Indian Ocean, near the Bay of Bengal.

Its crowded capital, Colombo, is a port city with a rich colonial heritage and a population of over 5.5 million. Centuries ago, seafarers would trade exotic spices, elephants, peacocks, pearls and other precious stones. A city of contrast where east meets west; mansions, fine dining restaurants and designer brand shops sit alongside urban slums and local street markets and modern high-rises pop up amongst charming low-lying colonial buildings.

Visit the hectic Pettah Markets, Colombo’s vibrant open air marketplace and bazaar. Haggle for local fruit and vegetables, jewellery, fabrics, clothing and Ayurvedic herbs and roots. Visit the majestic looking National Museum or people watch on Galle Face Green, a long stretch of lawn facing the sea where joggers, kite flyers and food vendors gather on a weekend to enjoy the sunshine and the views out to sea.

With Sri Lanka’s population being predominantly Buddhist, there are some spectacular temples and monuments to visit. See the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, a golden-roofed temple which contains a tooth of Buddha within the confines of a golden casket. View the Aukana Buddha, a 12 metre high standing statue near Kekirawa. The best time to see it is at dawn when the first of the sun’s rays illuminate its finely carved features.

There are many ancient cities to explore, including Polonnaruwa and Digamadulla but the highlight for most is the Kingdom of Anuradhapura, founded around 5th century BC. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities, Anuradhapura is also one of the most sacred Buddhist cities in the world - where exquisite temples, monasteries, palaces and townships intricately carved out of stone, now peek up through dense jungle that in places, threatens to engulf it.

One of Asia’s most cultural and scenically dramatic sites is the Sigiriya Rock fortress, located on the Sigiriya rock plateau which was formed by the magma of an extinct volcano. The complex includes remnants of a ruined palace, vast gardens, alleys, ponds and fountains. If fit, it’s possible to climb the rock however the magnificent ruins and superb views from the base can be admired by all.

For natural beauty and wildlife, you can’t go past Sri Lanka’s beaches and national parks. As one of the most biodiverse island’s in the world, Sri Lanka has a strong focus on developing itself as an ecotourism destination meaning significant areas of the island are protected as national parks and reserves.

With 20 national parks and two marine parks at Hikkaduwa and Pigeon Island, the most popular park is Yala National Park. Take a game drive for the opportunity to spot elephants, leopards and over 200 species of birds. One of the best places to see elephants in the wild is in Uda Walawe National Park while some of Sri Lanka’s rarest birds can be found in the lush and unspoilt rainforests of Sinharaja Forest Reserve.

Lying in the midst of the hills of Kandy Valley is the city of Kandy, one of the most picturesque cities in Sri Lanka. The country’s second largest city, the beautiful centerpiece of Kandy Town is Kandy Lake – a manmade lake completed in 1807. Surrounded by precipitous green hills, the city has a regal feel about it with its graceful Kandyan buildings and elegant colonial architecture. Sri Lanka produces more tea than anywhere else in the world and Kandy is the perfect destination to go to a tea garden or visit a tea plantation, take a tour and sample some tea. See the Big Buddha on a hilltop overlooking Kandy and admire the magnificent view of the lake and city with the stunning backdrop of the mountain ranges. Wander around the serenely beautiful Botanic Gardens or take a guided tour of the Spice Garden, where you can learn all about the plants and delight your olfactory senses.

More Information on Sri Lanka

Small Island, Big Everything

Sri Lanka packs an almost unfair amount into a small island. Ancient ruins rising out of jungle canopy, leopards padding through national parks, tea plantations draped across misty hillsides, and coastline that runs from wild surf breaks to calm, palm-lined stretches of sand. The country moves through landscapes so quickly that a few hours on a train can take you from tropical coast to cool highland, past waterfalls, rice paddies and villages clinging to hillsides. It is one of those destinations where two weeks barely scratches the surface, and most people leave already planning a return trip.

Sri Lanka Holiday Packages

Our Sri Lanka holiday packages can cover flights, accommodation, transfers and guided touring. The country rewards a touring approach more than a resort-based one, so most of our packages are built as multi-stop itineraries rather than single-destination stays. A typical route might take in Colombo, the Cultural Triangle including Sigiriya and Dambulla, Kandy, the hill country around Ella and the south coast beaches near Galle.

Things to Do in Sri Lanka

The Cultural Triangle is the starting point for most itineraries. Sigiriya, the ancient rock fortress, is one of the country's most iconic sights, rising dramatically from the surrounding plains. Nearby Dambulla has a cave temple complex that has been in use for over 2,000 years. Further south, Kandy is home to the Temple of the Tooth, Sri Lanka's most sacred Buddhist site, and the surrounding highlands are blanketed in tea estates where you can walk the rows, watch the picking process and taste freshly brewed Ceylon tea straight from the source.

The train from Kandy to Ella is widely considered one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world, winding through tea fields, tunnels and mountain passes. Ella itself is a small hill town with waterfalls, hiking trails and a laid-back atmosphere that tends to make people stay longer than they planned.

On the coast, Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site with Dutch colonial architecture, boutique shops and restaurants tucked inside its 17th-century walls. The beaches south of Galle, from Unawatuna to Tangalle, offer everything from sheltered swimming to surf breaks.

Sri Lanka and Maldives Holidays

Sri Lanka and the Maldives make one of the best twin-centre combinations in this part of the world. The idea is simple: spend the first half of your trip exploring Sri Lanka's culture, wildlife and hill country, then fly across to the Maldives for a few days of pure beach and reef time. The contrast is striking and the logistics are straightforward, with short flights connecting Colombo to Malé.

Our team can build a Sri Lanka and Maldives package that balances both sides of the trip. Whether you want a week of touring followed by a few nights in an overwater villa, or a shorter Sri Lanka loop with a longer Maldives stay, we can make it work.

Sri Lanka Safari

Sri Lanka is one of the best places in Asia for a wildlife safari, and it deserves more attention for it. Yala National Park, on the southeast coast, has one of the highest leopard densities in the world. Morning and afternoon game drives through scrubland and lagoons regularly turn up leopards, elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles and hundreds of bird species.

Udawalawe National Park is the other standout, known for its large elephant herds. A jeep safari here means you can expect to see elephants on most drives, and the park's open grasslands make the experience feel closer to an East African game drive than anything you would expect in South Asia.

Both parks fit neatly into a broader Sri Lanka itinerary, and our team can build the safari into your package.

FAQs

When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka has two monsoon seasons that affect different coasts at different times, so there is always somewhere dry to visit. The west and south coasts and the hill country are best from December to March. The east coast is best from April to September. For the Cultural Triangle and wildlife parks, January to March tends to be the driest window.

How long do I need in Sri Lanka?

A week gives you a solid introduction, covering the Cultural Triangle, Kandy, and either the hill country or the south coast. Two weeks lets you do it all properly, including a safari, the train to Ella and time on the beach. We can tailor the itinerary to however long you have.

Is Sri Lanka safe for tourists?

Yes. Sri Lanka has a well-established tourism industry and is generally considered safe for travellers. The locals are warm and welcoming, and tourist infrastructure is well developed along the main routes. As with anywhere, standard travel precautions apply.

Can I combine Sri Lanka with the Maldives?

Absolutely. It is one of the most popular twin-centre itineraries we arrange. Flights from Colombo to Malé take about an hour and a half, making it easy to add a beach stay after your Sri Lanka touring. Our team can package the whole thing together.

How can I book a Sri Lanka holiday?

Our Travel Consultants can put together a Sri Lanka itinerary covering flights, accommodation, transfers, touring and safari. Whether you want a standalone trip or a Sri Lanka and Maldives combination, we will build it around your timeframe and interests. Call us on 13 11 00 or enquire online.

Destinations within Sri Lanka