An island of national parks, venerated temples, tea plantations and rose-gold beaches: Sri Lanka packs in plenty of experiences. As the country’s popularity grows, our specialists visit regularly to keep abreast of what’s new. Using this knowledge, they can help you plan a Sri Lanka holiday that encompasses your interests and shows you lesser-visited corners of the island.
The Cultural Triangle is Sri Lanka’s historic heartland, a concentration of extravagant ancient cities and cave frescoes with the rock fortress of Sigiriya in its middle. To the south is the pilgrimage city of Kandy, built around the Temple of the Tooth. From here you can ride the train up into the cooler climes of the central highlands, where neatly tended tea estates sit between colonial cottages and swathes of forest. The hills drop sharply down to the national parks and rainforest below, which shelter elephants, sloth bears and, more elusively, leopards. Along the coast you find the Dutch fortress of Galle and palm-fringed coves.
Suggested itineraries for Sri Lanka
These itineraries give you a starting point for what your trip to Sri Lanka could entail. They cover routes we've found work particularly well and feature some of our favourite places to stay. Treat them as inspiration, as each trip is created uniquely for you.
Why travel with Audley?
- 100% tailor-made journeys
- Fully protected travel
- Established for 20 years
Best time to visit
Our specialists advise on the best months to visit Sri Lanka.
Travel Advice
Practical tips for travelling to Sri Lanka, from social protocols to guidance on money matters, with a link to the latest government travel advice.
Request a brochure
Our detailed brochures feature trip ideas and travel experiences recommended by our specialists.
Sri Lanka in pictures
-
![Temple of the Tooth, Kandy]( "Temple of the Tooth, Kandy")
Pay your respects at the Temple of the Tooth -
![Beach at Amanwella]( "Beach at Amanwella")
Relax on Sri Lanka's idyllic beaches -
![Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Sri Lanka]( "Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Sri Lanka")
Explore the historical sights of The Cultural Triangle -
![Galle, Sri Lanka]( "Galle, Sri Lanka")
Visit Galle Fort on foot -
![At the top of the Rock fortress]( "At the top of the Rock fortress")
Enjoy the views from Sigiriya Rock Fort -
![Tamil Tea Picker, Pedro tea plantation, Near Nuwara Eliya]( "Tamil Tea Picker, Pedro tea plantation, Near Nuwara Eliya")
Spend time in Sri Lanka's beautiful tea country -
![Jungles at Sinharaja, Sri Lanka]( "Jungles at Sinharaja, Sri Lanka")
Spot rare and beautiful birds in the Sinharaja Biosphere -
![A young leopard, Yala]( "A young leopard, Yala")
Experience Sri Lanka's best game drives
Tell us your travel plans and a specialist will be in touch
Our expert guides to travelling in Sri Lanka
Written by our specialists from the viewpoint of their own travels, these guides will help you decide on the shape of your own trip to Sri Lanka. Aiming to inspire and inform, we share our recommendations for how to appreciate Sri Lanka at its best.
My travels in Kerala & Sri Lanka, 2016
Visiting Kerala and Sri Lanka, Indian Subcontinent specialist Matt captured this video footage on his trip.
What to do in Sri Lanka: our highlights guide
With impressive cultural sites, delightful beaches and wildlife viewing opportunities within its many parks, Sri Lanka offers a diverse mix of experiences, which can easily be combined in a two week trip.
Sri Lanka’s wildlife: safaris, jungles and plains
An avid wildlife enthusiast, Sri Lanka specialist Seamus explains where to spot Sri Lanka’s leopards, sloth bears and elephants. He also shares his recommended experiences away from the usual parks, such as walking through primary rainforest and taking boat rides across secluded lakes.
Slow down in Sri Lanka: a leisurely tour of the north
Trips to Sri Lanka can often be rushed, but it pays to slow down the pace, says Sri Lanka specialist Chloe. On an unhurried tour of Sri Lanka’s little-visited north, there’s time to really get to know a region that, although marred with the scars of war, welcomes visitors warmly.
Luxury Sri Lanka holidays: colonial grandeur to palm-fringed shores
Luxury in Sri Lanka can take the form of a palatial beach-front suite, secluded colonial cottage or a safari tent. Sri Lanka specialist Sophie shares her suggestions for the most comfortable stays and exclusive experiences, including tea tasting with a master tea specialist or a chartered flight across the coastline.
Family holidays to Sri Lanka
A family holiday to Sri Lanka will get you close to wild elephants, crocodiles and possibly even the elusive leopard. Country specialist Alison picks some of her Sri Lanka highlights such as Yala and Minneriya national parks, its cultural triangle and tea region.
Honeymoons in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a small island, yet for its size it offers a remarkable array of attractions from ancient temples and grand colonial cities to diverse national parks and powder-soft beaches. For honeymooners, that means lots to see and do as well as plenty of time to relax between destinations.
Discover more about Sri Lanka on our blog
Provide us with a few starting details about your travel plans, and one of our Sri Lanka specialists will be in touch to give you suggestions and ideas.