Sri Lanka travel guide, including map of Sri Lanka, top Sri Lankan travel experiences, tips for travel in Sri Lanka, plus leopards, temples and tea
Hanging like a tear-drop from the southern tip of India, Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Ringed by a necklace of palm-fringed beaches, its mountainous interior rears up in a jungled hinterland roamed by elephant and leopard, rising finally to the cool highlands that grow the country's famous tea.
Amidst all this there's culture too. Overwhelmingly Buddhist, Sri Lankans practice their gentle beliefs with a lavish enthusiasm. There are thronged temples and sacred relics, religious festivals and extravagant sacrements, at their most spectacular in the holy city of Kandy, home to the Buddha's tooth.
History lives on in the steep, lushly forested hills. This is where you'll find the mighty rock-top fortress of Sigiriya and a cluster of historic towns, including Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.
The colonial era brought tea-planting on a massive scale to Sri Lanka's cool highlands. You can visit the bungalows of early British settlers as they sit amongst seas of tea-plants, watch pickers at work and factories in action. Walk the streets of Nurweya Eliyah and think Ascot, with timber-framed buildings, G&Ts at members' clubs and even a horse-racing track. European cultures blend in the southern city of Galle, with Portuguese and Dutch elements in this fortified outpost overlooking the Indian Ocean.
To see leopard and elephant in the wild there are a number of spectacular National Parks, lushly overgrown in the tropical climate: Yala is perhaps the most visited. Skilled guides point out the smaller wonders: a huge variety of birdlife and brightly-coloured jungle butterflies.
Last, but not least, there are beaches galore. Pick your beach to suit the season and your taste. There are quiet beaches while others catch great surfing waves. For a beach experience true to local life head to the south, where fishermen perch on stilts dug into the sand, casting lines into the ocean for their daily meal.
The Esala Perahera festival in Kandy has a long and loud procession so be sure to get a seat. Restaurants and shops along the route sell ticketed seats: book early.
Sri Lanka has two monsoons. The south, west and the hills are driest from December to March, while the dry season in the north and east runs from April to September. It’s generally warm all year, but far cooler in the hills. The dates of the Kandy Esala Perahera festival are based on lunar cycles, but the ten-day extravaganza is always in July or August. To see the elephants at Minneriya, visit from July to September.
Bandaranaike (CMB) is 29km from the city.
Public transport in Sri Lanka is cheap but crowded. Rickshaws ply the main towns. Driving is chaotic – better hire a car and driver, at around £40 a day, instead. Trains and buses serve main destinations around the island. Cycling is a great way to explore.
Prices are seasonal in Sri Lanka so it’s always worth asking for a discount outside peak times. Dormitory-style hostels are rare in Sri Lanka. Budget travellers are more likely to find room in hotels or guesthouses. Large resort hotels cater to package tourists. Some camping is available in the national parks. In Sri Lanka’s hill country, check out the lovely tea estate bungalows.
Meals involve a mountain of rice surrounded by curries, spiced vegetables, salads and pickles. String hoppers – pancakes of noodles - are local specialities. Vegetarians will thrive. Try a thambili (king coconut) – the juice is a refreshing hangover cure if you’ve overindulged in arrack, the local coconut tipple.
Most areas of Sri Lanka are now safe for travellers but check with the Foreign Office for the latest security information before you pick a route into the north. Ask your GP or travel clinic about malaria prophylaxis and make sure you’re up to date on other vaccinations. Drink only bottled or sterilised water.
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World Expeditions
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A land of misty highlands, tea plantations, dense jungles, national parks and a wonderful coastline, Sri Lanka is ideally suited to cycling
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Sri Lanka leopard safari to Yala, with 7 private jeep safaris, maximum safari time
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Natural wonders and religious sites dominate this short, nine day tour of Sri Lanka giving you a glimpse of the small island with so many treasures to uncover. Visit quiet, historic temples and bus...
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Journey to the heart of Sri Lanka over 13 days and explore a vibrant landscape of mountains and jungles to beaches and sacred ruins. Depart on a date that suits you.
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Encounter the beautiful Asiatic elephant deep within the heart of the Sri Lankan jungle.
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Exploring the colour, history, culture and wildlife of Sri Lanka.
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A tailor-made journey through Sri Lanka, visiting its most impressive ancient monuments and beautiful beaches as you explore Anuradhapura, Trincomalee, Kandy, Polonnaruwa and more. Discover white-s...
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Stop in the port city of Galle — home to a historic fort, look for dolphins and whales along the way, stop by isolated beaches for kayaking or swimming, have a beach barbecue
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The perfect blend of city & culture, beach & safari and a journey through Tea Country. The great choice for May - October when the weather is at its best on the east coast.
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The perfect Sri Lanka family adventure holiday with a mix of activities, culture and wildlife
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Designed with the first time visitor in mind. Explores the island's highlights without rushing through.
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£75 off per person on all departures of our ‘Emerald Isle – Sri Lanka’ group tour if booked by 31st August 2018
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Sri Lanka, land of rolling tea plantations, wild cinnamon groves, heaps of elephants and amazing surf breaks. And really incredible food. Chow on curry in Negombo, check out Buddha’s tooth in Kandy...
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This classic 2 week itinerary takes you on a tour of Sri Lanka’s essential sights and showcases the huge variation that is crammed into this small Island. The tour starts with a night in Negombo..
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This tour is for wildlife enthusiasts who want to relax and enjoy their holiday too. Covers verdant rainforest, elephants and leopards in their natural state and lush countryside bursting with colour.
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This is a classic Sri Lanka trip which comprises some of the island's best boutique and luxury hotels reputed for their character and ambiance. This trip covers culture, nature, wildlife and beache
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Visit areas of stunning natural beauty, national parks boasting some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in all of Asia and wander through bustling towns and cities. Southern Sri Lanka has m...
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A road cycling holiday, north to south across the exotic island of Sri Lanka
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Lend a hand to the conservation endangered sea turtles in beautiful Sri Lanka's.
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Explore the Sigriya rock fortress, Enjoy a Sri Lankan cooking demo for dinner, gain insight into the national heritage at a tea plantation, relax on pristine beaches, Embark on a safari through Yal...
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A week-long trip to Sri Lanka, including the Sinharaja Rainforest, Yala National Park, and whale and dolphin watching on the south coast
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Wildlife Worldwide
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The balmy waters around Sri Lanka are home to a wealth of cetacean life, including blue whales, sperm whales and spinner dolphins. On land, the national parks have elephants and leopard, and this i...
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The finest walks, wildlife and wonders of Sri Lanka in a 2 week holiday
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Search for wildlife on a safari, spend the night at a local tea plantation and estate, cruise through some of the world's most beautiful islands, uncover isolated beaches, swim and snorkel the vibr...
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Explore Koneswaram Temple in Dutch Bay, enjoy a beach barbecue, visit Vakari Lagoon, stand up paddle or relax along stunning beaches
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TravelLocal
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Trek through luscious green hills, journey amongst Sri Lanka's most breath-taking scenery, sample local cuisine at a village meal, inhale local flavours at a spice garden, explore southern Sri Lank...
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G Adventures
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Visit a spice plantation to interact with Ayurveda students, Tour a tea plantation and chat with a local expert, Hike up Little Adam's peak, spot Sri Lankan elephants on a reserve safari, Explore G...
TravelLocal
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This itinerary is designed to avoid the adverse weather that areas of Sri Lanka experiences in the summer months from May to October, while still taking you to some stunning locations
TravelLocal
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Short and sweet, and sunny. A trip that covers all the best that the South has to offer, creating a perfect package of adventure and relaxation.
G Adventures
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Tour the famous Taj Mahal, explore the “Pink City” and Amber Fort, get a taste of village life with a traditional lunch, climb to the spiritual temple of Savitiri, enjoy dinner and traditional danc...
TravelLocal
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Embrace the slow-paced and carefree way of life that Sri Lankans have been following for centuries with a trip that has it all - fascinating history, endearing culture and stunning natural wonders.
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Visit small fishing villages, relax on deserted beaches, experience Delft Island's unique Dutch history, indulge in a traditional lunch in a Tamil home, a flexible itinerary catering to the group's...
G Adventures
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Explore ruins and archaeological sites with local experts, take in a lecture on elephant conservation, search out leopards at Wilpattu National Park, enjoy a taste of tea at its source , learn abou...
