Tiny but mighty, Sri Lanka packs so much into its teardrop-shaped island. With lush-green tea plantations on rolling hills, stunning white sand beaches, national parks teeming with wildlife and a rich history, culture and incredible cuisine, Sri Lanka offers a whole gamut of rich experiences, Best of all, thanks to its position on the Indian Ocean, a luxury tailor-made holiday to Sri Lanka can be easily combined with a stop-over in the Maldives or Dubai.
If you are wondering where to go and what to do in this fascinating country, read on, as we list out our expert curated experiences that are sure to leave you amazed.
Learn about rural life at Bandaragama
The award-winning Agro Park at Bandaragama presents the perfect opportunity to experience Sri Lankan hospitality, while observing the customs and ways of life in a typical village. On this day trip from Colombo, you’ll pay a visit to a Buddhist temple, take a tuk-tuk ride through the countryside, observe the local cinnamon-making process in a village house, see how rubber is tapped, and try your hand at tea-picking. You’ll have time to explore the village before ending the day with a traditional lunch of curry and rice.
Venture into the wild
At the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage you can spend a day watching the 93 resident elephants bathe in the cool river and also feed them, if you wish. To see Asian elephants in the wild, take a Jeep safari through Sri Lanka’s national parks including Yala, Wilpattu or Udawalawe. The latter is also home to the Elephant Transit Home that rehabilitates orphaned elephants and sends them back into the wild by the age of five. Guests will love watching the young elephants bound through the gate at feeding time and learn more about the rehabilitation programme in the museum.
Experience Sri Lanka’s tea country
Kandapola Village House nestled in hilly Nuwara Eliya offers you a peek into Sri Lankan heritage and its history of tea cultivation. In Nuwara Eliya’s tea plantations, this welcoming home invites you to learn about the culture and traditions of the Hindu Tamil community that has lived and worked on the tea plantation since 1821. You’ll also have a chance to dine together over a freshly cooked meal of biriyani, spicy chicken curry and chapathi.
Travel the road less taken
Explore the rich wildlife of Gal Oya Valley National Park in the country’s east, and chance upon elephants, deer, water buffaloes, leopards and more than 150 bird species. The Gal Oya National Park is home to 150-200 elephants, and if you are lucky, you might spot elephants bathing at the Senanayake Samudraya Lake’s edge or swimming between the small islands on the lake. You could also go further up north and spend time in towns such as the cultural capital Jaffna on the northern tip and Trincomalee on the east coast.
Go on a spiritual sojourn
Discover mindfulness and learn the art of Buddhist philosophy at the spiritual retreat of Umandawa. A haven for those who seek peacefulness, this sprawling 70-acre monastery is built in harmony with nature and is made up of hamlets, gravel paths, gardens, organic farms, ponds and large water bodies to wander around. Monks here break down complex Buddhist teachings into simple and practical lessons to encourage mindfulness, wellness and happiness in everyday life while eating, walking, working, or enjoying a meal together. Guests can also help prepare the evening meal, hike up the surrounding mountains, go bird watching and participate in school visits. Continue your spiritual journey to the Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, Sigiriya Rock and the ruins of Anuradhapura.
Visit the turtle hatchery in Bentota
Enjoy the white sandy beaches in Bentota and pay a visit to the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Hatchery. A must-see for animal lovers, this protected nesting ground aims to conserve and protect the endangered Hawksbill and Olive Ridley turtle eggs among others. Visitors can learn more about the protection of these beautiful animals, and visit the hatchery in the evening, the safest time to release the baby turtles into the sea. You could also beach-hop to some of Sri Lanka’s other beaches such as Negombo, Galle, Mirissa and Tangalle.
Sri Lanka offers something for every kind of traveller. From culture to wildlife, cuisine and beaches, there’s no dearth of options in this small yet diverse country. A romantic escape on your mind? Sri Lanka makes for a fabulous honeymoon destination too. We had the pleasure of organising Cindy Cohen’s (from the popular TV show, First Dates) honeymoon to Sri Lanka, and she shared this beautiful video with us!
Get in touch with us to book your dream tailor-made holiday to Sri Lanka today.
Check out these sample itineraries
Sri Lanka and Maldives Multi-Centre
Wildlife Safari Tour of Sri Lanka
Dubai Sri Lanka Twin Centre
Sri Lanka, Maldives and Dubai Multi Centre Holiday
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