Sri Lanka Tours,
Trips & Holidays

Duration:15 Days

Route:Negombo to Negombo

Tour Code:SRJ

Duration:9 Days

Route:Negombo to Negombo

Tour Code:SRE

Duration:9 Days

Route:Negombo to Negombo

Tour Code:SRS

1. Kandy

1. No trip to Sri Lanka could be complete without a visit to the sacred city of Kandy, the last capital of the Sinhala kingdom, located on a central plateau surrounded by mountains. A UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, Kandy is the sacred setting of the Temple of the Tooth Relic, a famous pilgrimage site said to be home to the tooth of Buddha. A popular time to visit is the Esala Perahera festival in summer, a 10 day-long celebration honouring the tooth relic and the gods. The spectacular procession includes jugglers, dancers, musicians, fire-breathers and decorated elephants. If time allows, the nearby World Buddhist Museum and the colourful Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya are well worth dropping by.

2. Yala National Park

1. If you love big cats, Yala National Park is the place to go since it has the highest density of leopards in the world. Located on the south-east coast, the popular wildlife sanctuary provides diverse habitats for a variety of creatures, from moist monsoon forests to freshwater and marine wetlands, grasslands and sandy beaches. On safari, you may see wild elephants, hundreds of bird species (including six which are endemic to Sri Lanka), as well as monkeys, Sri Lankan sloth bears, wild water buffalo, lizards, turtles and crocodiles.

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3. Galle

1. Home of the World Heritage Site of Galle Fort, Galle is a perfectly preserved walled colonial town built by the Portuguese and fortified by the Dutch. Wander its brooding stone battlements overlooking sedate streets with Dutch-era villas and courtyards. Visit Galle to take in the lighthouse, clock tower, Groote Kerk, All Saints' Church, National Museum, Old Dutch Hospital and National Maritime Museum. With a wonderful blend of South Asian and European architectural styles, the ancient city of Galle is rightly considered one of the modern wonders of the world.

4. Sigiriya

1. Sigiriya, or Lion Rock, is a massive column of rock topped by the ruins of the palace of an ancient king, and offers panoramic views across rolling jungle landscape. The 180m high rock looks a daunting height, but it’s a relatively gentle climb up stairs to explore the ancient remains of one of Sri Lanka's former capital cities. Along the way, you pass carved galleries and colourful wall paintings over 1,600 years old, with views of beautiful water gardens. How often can you say you’ve climbed a massive lava rock from a long-extinct volcano, to check out an ancient fortress?

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5. Dambulla Cave Temple

1. Comprising of five mystical cave temples with vibrant paintings depicting facets of the Buddhist faith, the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a historic and cultural treasure. This largest and best-preserved of all Sri Lanka’s cave temples was founded in the 1st century BC and still contains a fascinating array of statues of Sri Lankan kings, gods and goddesses, and shrines. Colourful Buddhist murals tell the story of Buddha’s life and cover a massive 2,100 square metres of wall space in the complex.

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6. Anuradhapura

1. The first ancient capital of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura flourished from the 5th century BC to the 10th century, making up part of Sri Lanka's 'cultural triangle'. Despite being home to one of South Asia’s first great civilisations, it was invaded and abandoned in 993, lying overgrown and forgotten in the jungle until it was eventually rediscovered in the 19th century. This sacred city has at its heart the Bo tree, Buddha’s fig ‘tree of enlightenment’, believed to have been brought to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC, making it the oldest living tree in recorded history.

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7. Nuwara Eliya and the Hill Country

1. Known as ‘Little England’ for its cool climate, charming colonial buildings and olde worlde atmosphere, Nuwara Eliya was once a playground for British civil servants and pioneering tea planters. After visiting the quaint Queen’s Cottage, General’s House and various English-style lawns and gardens, take a moment to enjoy a cup of Ceylon tea somewhere with picturesque views of the hill country. Walks to waterfalls, adventure sports and hiking excursions are available nearby.

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8. Polonnaruwa

1. The second most ancient capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura, the ruin of Polonnaruwa city dates from between the 9th to the 14th century. This World Heritage-listed archaeological park holds an impressive array of well-preserved temples, tombs, statues and stupas to explore and reveals a fascinating insight into island life in times gone by. Toque macaque monkeys roam freely around the ruins making mischief, as they have done since humans first inhabited the site.

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9. Negombo

1. Once a Portuguese and Dutch trading port, Negombo is a quaint colonial settlement, home to many historic buildings such as the Old Dutch Fort. Located conveniently close to the airport, the popular beach town benefits from trendy night spots, a shallow lagoon for watersports enthusiasts, unspoilt white sand beaches, and a network of Dutch-built canals which are well worth a wander. With a centuries-old fishing industry, Negombo’s local fish market is very popular with locals, so a great place to go people watching. Meanwhile, you can visit the beach to see fishermen drag their day’s catch to shore.

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10. Colombo

1. The nation's capital city attracts mixed reviews, but although it doesn’t have the instant allure of some of the world's more famous capitals, it’s a vibrant, ancient maritime city with boulevards, colonial architecture and old fort ramparts. Don’t miss the famous Pettah bazaar district with its buzzing, chaotic commerce of household goods, towering stacks of fruit and tacky toys, as well as a wide selection of restaurants, galleries and museums. Other popular landmarks in Colombo include the oceanside park and promenade of Galle Face Green, Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo Lotus Tower and the Sri Lanka National Museum.

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11. Mirissa

1. World-renowned for whale and dolphin watching, don’t miss the chance to take a boat cruise on the clear turquoise sea near Mirissa to see the gentle giants of the ocean. A variety of species including sperm whales, blue whales, Bryde’s whales, fin whales migrate through the fertile waters south of Sri Lanka from December to April. Bottlenose, common and spinner dolphins can be seen leaping the waves at various times of year. The area is also increasingly popular for snorkellers and scuba divers. Once back on dry land, choose a relaxing spot to soak in picture postcard views of white sands and coconut palms, then head back into Mirissa village to enjoy its busy night scene.

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12. Horton Plains

1. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Horton Plains National Park can be visited from Nuwaya Eliya. Surrounded by the tallest mountains in Sri Lanka, Horton Plains has beautiful landscapes for visitors to enjoy. It i one of the only national parks in Sri Lanka which can be explored by foot so make sure to trek to ‘World’s End’, a 2000 metre plateau that offers beautiful views of the valley. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, with boar, deer and even elusive leopards roaming the park.

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13. The most beautiful scenic train rides in Sri Lanka

The train journey from Kandy to Ella is known as one of the most beautiful rail rides in the world and is a worthy entry on any ‘best experiences in Sri Lanka’ list. The seven hour-long trip meanders past vivid green plantations dotted with sari-clad tea pickers, vast rice paddies, distant mountain peaks, arched bridges, tumbling waterfalls, and small villages which always seem to be full of kids determined to run along and keep up with the train. At every station, the cabins are filled with sellers hawking freshly cut pineapple, sweet mango seasoned with cinnamon, fragrant curry and rice, spicy fritters, crispy poppadoms, and buttery salted corn.
If you’re not keen on a day-long bumpy train ride, you can cut the journey into sections and do Kandy – Nuwara Eliya or Nuwara Eliya - Ella, the latter offering particularly spectacular scenery along the way.
Another very popular train journey in Sri Lanka is the scenic route from Kandy (Peradeniya) to Galle via Colombo, taking in the glorious golden sands and unforgettable sunsets of the southeastern coastline.

Tip: While the first class carriages are generally air-conditioned and have comfier seats, the second class option can offer better photo opportunities as the windows open. Seats on this popular route sell out well in advance, even in second class, so add it to your tailor-made Sri Lanka trip with us when you book - you won’t regret it! It is already included on our group tours to Sri Lanka.

Top 10 Beaches in Sri Lanka

Planning to travel solo for the first time can make for mixed emotions - it can be exhilarating and daunting all at once. But travelling alone doesn’t have to be a lonely experience - in fact, it helps build your confidence and forge friendships that really can last a lifetime. So whether you’re joining a group tour, or planning your own independent trip, here are our top 11 tips for your first solo adventure abroad.

10 Reasons to visit Sri Lanka

Tours to Sri Lanka are becoming ever more popular. Until recently Sri Lanka was a tiny, undiscovered island that wouldn’t of usually been included on any ‘must-visit destinations’ lists. But as more people discover this little island packs a big punch, it is fast earning a regular spot on bucket lists. A vibrant friendly culture, charming colonial towns, moorish foods, relaxing beaches and stunning scenery. Sri Lanka is a small piece of paradise on earth. There are way more reasons than 10 to visit Sri Lanka, but it’s definitely a good starting point!