This tropical isle has everything, culture, history, wildlife and stunning beaches. I particularly loved watching elephants in their natural habitat and sampling some of the finest teas around.
Leah Bruton, Sri Lanka & The Maldives Specialist, 01993 838321
Sri Lanka is a truly remarkable country. Tiny in size when compared to its near neighbour, India, it contains a diverse landscape of golden beaches, rolling hills, forests, verdant tea plantations and rugged heathland.
The Cultural Triangle comprises a succession of ancient capitals and Buddhist sites where intricate carvings and towering stone monuments are scattered throughout the forests. Huge man-made lakes, tanks, have kept the area irrigated for millennia and continue to provide water for both the paddy fields and thirsty wild elephant who regularly leave the shelter of the jungle to drink. The busy lakeside city of Kandy still attracts thousands of devotees to the Temple of the Tooth, while the island’s rich colonial legacy can be seen in Nuwara Eliya - the tea-growing country where the golf course has been challenging players for over a century - and fortified Galle where the Portuguese walls defend Dutch churches and the former homes of British merchants.
Diverse flora and fauna thrive in the plains, wetlands and rainforests, often protected in the national parks scattered throughout the island. Wild elephants are frequently sighted in the parks while the forests and scrub of Yala National Park provide a habitat for one of the world’s densest leopard populations.
Browse places of interest and view details of our selected accommodation.
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Read about the climate and find out the best time to travel to this destination.
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Our trips are 100% tailor-made but here are some suggestions to provide inspiration.
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Selected Highlights
Our specialists have travelled the length and breadth of the country to research the best places to stay and things to do. Here they list a few of their favourite “unmissables”.
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Climb the spectacular Sigirya Rock
Climbing Sigirya Rock is not for those who suffer a bit from vertigo but for those who do make it to the top, spectacular views over the surrounding...
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Enjoy the birdlife of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a birdwatcher’s paradise with 435 resident bird species, 26 of which are actually endemic to the island. As well as dedicated birdwatching trips...
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Explore the area around Galle Fort
The Galle Fort area should not be missed by anyone with the slightest interest in colonial history. The town of Galle itself is a busy and bustling place but...
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