Destinations
- West-Coast
- South-Coast
- Colombo
- Cultural Triangle
- Hill Country
- Sabaragamuwa
- Jaffna
- East Coast
Sri Lanka being an island nation boasts more than a thousand kilometres of golden and white sandy coastline offering a myriad of beautiful palm fringed bays for the lovers of sun, sea & sand.
The West coast of Sri Lanka is famous for its palm fringed golden sand beaches and its calm lagoons. This stretch of coastline is dotted with many of the island’s finest beach resorts.
The resort towns of Wadduwa, Beruwala, Bentota, Ahungalla and Hikkaduwa are to be found on this stretch of coast.
The West coast is a land of sun & sand with good resorts and excellent beaches to relax and enjoy your beach gateway; the West coast also offers some good diving, snorkelling and other water sports for the more active traveller.
Highlights
The Beaches
Watersports
River Safari
The Turtle hatcheries
Fishing
Snorkelling & Scuba
Go back in time and as you walk the ramparts of the UNESCO listed fort city of Galle and discover the colonial history and legacy of the Dutch, Portuguese and British in the East Indies. Track the secretive leopard at Sri Lanka premier national park, visit the mysterious temple of Kataragama famed for its holiness to all faiths for over 2000 years, dive the waters off Galle and Kirinda for its impressive marine life and shipwrecks or just relax on the miles of unspoilt coastline that is the South of Sri Lanka.
The south coast commences at the historic fort city of Galle, as you head into Sri Lanka’s deep south the road becomes less crowded, the aspect becomes more rural and one gets to experience the unhurried pace of village life along with the dramatic coastline and the lush green interior of the island.
The city of Galle is a UNESCO listed world heritage site. This coastal fortress built by the Dutch in the 1663 stands intact today and is still a living city. The old city of Galle is a marvel for an architecture enthusiast or the colonial history buff. The fort is a melting pot of 3 centuries of Sri Lanka’s rich colonial heritage.
The premier park in Sri Lanka is Yala, which is also situated in Southern coast of Sri Lanka. This 126,786 hectare park is without question one of the best parks in the world to see the Panthera Pardus Kotiya the sub species of Leopard that is unique to Sri Lanka. The park is also teeming with Sri Lanka’s other major species being the Sloth Bear, Elephant, Water Buffalo, Spotted Deer and Sambhur deer, and estuarine Crocodiles.
The region also boasts the ancient temple of Kataragama one of the holiest shrines in the country dedicated to the god of Kataragama. This temple complex is steeped in legend. Bordered by the Menik Ganga (River of Gems) is a site of holy pilgrimage to the Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims of Sri Lanka. The dagoba at Kataragama dates back to the 1st century BC.
Highlights
The south coast commences at the historic fort city of Galle, as you head into Sri Lanka’s deep south the road becomes less crowded, the aspect becomes more rural and one gets to experience the unhurried pace of village life along with the dramatic coastline and the lush green interior of the island.
The city of Galle is a UNESCO listed world heritage site. This coastal fortress built by the Dutch in the 1663 stands intact today and is still a living city. The old city of Galle is a marvel for an architecture enthusiast or the colonial history buff. The fort is a melting pot of 3 centuries of Sri Lanka’s rich colonial heritage.
The premier park in Sri Lanka is Yala, which is also situated in Southern coast of Sri Lanka. This 126,786 hectare park is without question one of the best parks in the world to see the Panthera Pardus Kotiya the sub species of Leopard that is unique to Sri Lanka. The park is also teeming with Sri Lanka’s other major species being the Sloth Bear, Elephant, Water Buffalo, Spotted Deer and Sambhur deer, and estuarine Crocodiles.
The region also boasts the ancient temple of Kataragama one of the holiest shrines in the country dedicated to the god of Kataragama. This temple complex is steeped in legend. Bordered by the Menik Ganga (River of Gems) is a site of holy pilgrimage to the Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims of Sri Lanka. The dagoba at Kataragama dates back to the 1st century BC.
Highlights
The Beaches
The world heritage listed fort city of Galle
Yala National Park
Bundala National Park
Kataragama & the festival
Fishing
Snorkelling & Scuba diving
The commercial capital of 2 million people is a fascinating modern Asian city. It is made up of beautiful colonial government administration buildings, interposed with the modern glass towers of commerce and the sometimes haphazard architecture of a fast growing modern city. The bustle, the traffic, street vendors, the shopfronts full of colourful cloth, spice merchants, street markets full with exotic fruit and vegetables all make Colombo an invigorating, nerve wracking and a exciting reminder that you are now in the mystic east.
The city of Colombo is bordered by the blue waters of the Indian Ocean, and at no time while you are in the city or its suburbs will you be more than 10 mins from it. The sea breeze sweeps the city clean of air pollution and the evenings begins with gentle sea breezes which provide relief from the tropical humidity of the day.
Watching the sunset into the Indian Ocean while sipping sundowners in the gardens of the 180 year old Galle Face Hotel, or perhaps at the terrace bar of the former governors mansion which is now the Mt Lavinia Hotel is a must do while in Sri Lanka.
The city of Colombo is well worth a couple of days exploration. If you got the time there are plenty of cultural and historical attractions, as well as opportunity for some great bargain hunting in the cities many fashion clothing outlets (garment manufacture for some of the worlds biggest brands is a mainstay of the economy), modern asian art and design, not to mention the culinary delights in the many excellent restaurants of this city.
Highlights
The city of Colombo is bordered by the blue waters of the Indian Ocean, and at no time while you are in the city or its suburbs will you be more than 10 mins from it. The sea breeze sweeps the city clean of air pollution and the evenings begins with gentle sea breezes which provide relief from the tropical humidity of the day.
Watching the sunset into the Indian Ocean while sipping sundowners in the gardens of the 180 year old Galle Face Hotel, or perhaps at the terrace bar of the former governors mansion which is now the Mt Lavinia Hotel is a must do while in Sri Lanka.
The city of Colombo is well worth a couple of days exploration. If you got the time there are plenty of cultural and historical attractions, as well as opportunity for some great bargain hunting in the cities many fashion clothing outlets (garment manufacture for some of the worlds biggest brands is a mainstay of the economy), modern asian art and design, not to mention the culinary delights in the many excellent restaurants of this city.
Highlights
The Colombo Museum
Shopping for modern asian arts and crafts
Shopping for bargains on clothing and fabrics
The Mount Lavinia Hotel terrace
The Galle Face Hotel terrance
Experience the echoes of 2500 years of history in the ruins of a once powerful and architecturally magnificent kingdoms of the ancient Sinhalese kings. Climb the marvel that is the rock fortress of Sigiriya, arguably the single most impressive site in Sri Lanka. Relax and immerse yourself in nature on a sunset boat trip aboard a native catamaran at one of the many jungle “tanks”, trek through paddy fields and jungle villages to discover the hidden beauty of rural Sri Lanka or just sit back relax and enjoy an Ayurvedic Spa at one of this region’s fine hotels.
The Cultural Triangle is situated in the North Central province of Sri Lanka. This was the heart of the ancient civilisations of Sri Lanka dating back to the 4th century BC; from here over 20 centuries, the Kings of Sri Lanka fought invaders, built majestic cities and citadels, fostered Buddhism and built some of the most ambitious irrigations systems and dams of the ancient world.
A must see for the history buff. The region is covered in the ruins of once mighty kingdoms. There are 6 UNESCO world heritage sites within the region and with a significant proportion of these ancient cities still covered by jungle, it is not uncommon for an adventurous traveller trekking through the jungle to come across the ruins of an ancient monastery or other ancient dwelling.
This beautiful part of Sri Lanka is made up primarily of plains. It is the breadbasket of the nation. Its fertile plains are dotted by huge manmade lakes (known locally as tanks) these were built by the ancient Kings of Sri Lanka and still remain in use today.
This area also boasts excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife; the region is particularly famous for excellent bird watching by and on the tanks, and is particularly good for encounters with large herds of Elephants with several of Sri Lanka’s wildlife sanctuaries situated within the region.
Highlights
The ancient city of Anuraddhapura (UNESCO World Heritage listed)
The ancient city of Polonnuruwa (UNESCO World Heritage Listed)
The rock fortress Sigiriya (UNESCO World Heritage Listed)
Dambulla Rock Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Listed)
Ritigala forest monastery
Ancient city of Yapahuwa
The holy site of Mihintale
Minneriya National Park
Wasgomuwa National Park
Partake of some of the world’s best single origin teas or learn how it is made from picking to packaging. Trek the mysterious and stunning Horton Plains, take in the views at World’s End, explore the multitude of waterfalls, play golf at 1890M above sea level at one of Asia’s oldest courses, enjoy one of the world’s great train journeys or just relax and re-live the life of a Colonial Planter at one of the many stunning bungalows in this region.
Sri Lanka’s Hill Country with an average altitude of 1890 metres above sea level is situated at the centre of the Island. A land of eternal spring, misty mountains, winding roads, breathtaking mountain passes, rolling hills carpeted with tea bushes, beautiful waterfalls and lush greenery, are the attractions of this beautiful part of Sri Lanka.
The Hill country still holds a strong echo of its colonial past and the British Planters who tamed its wilderness to grow what is now one of Sri Lanka’s most important commercial crops- Tea. The attempt of these Colonial Planters to recreate home in their land of adoption creates an impression of a privileged and idyllic life which can still be experienced in the Hill country. The beautiful estate bungalows with their immaculate rose gardens, to the colonial hotels with gabled roofs and mahogany panelled billiard rooms, mountain streams teeming with the introduced brown trout, to the Hill Club where patrons are still required to wear a jacket and tie to dinner.
Highlights:
Sri Lanka’s Hill Country with an average altitude of 1890 metres above sea level is situated at the centre of the Island. A land of eternal spring, misty mountains, winding roads, breathtaking mountain passes, rolling hills carpeted with tea bushes, beautiful waterfalls and lush greenery, are the attractions of this beautiful part of Sri Lanka.
The Hill country still holds a strong echo of its colonial past and the British Planters who tamed its wilderness to grow what is now one of Sri Lanka’s most important commercial crops- Tea. The attempt of these Colonial Planters to recreate home in their land of adoption creates an impression of a privileged and idyllic life which can still be experienced in the Hill country. The beautiful estate bungalows with their immaculate rose gardens, to the colonial hotels with gabled roofs and mahogany panelled billiard rooms, mountain streams teeming with the introduced brown trout, to the Hill Club where patrons are still required to wear a jacket and tie to dinner.
Highlights:
Tea Estates
Mountain Train journeys
Waterfalls
Hakkagala Gardens
Horton Plains National Park
Adams Peak
Kandy - Immerse yourself in the rhythm and the mystic of the Kandyan drummers and dancers, come face to face with eastern mysticism and the splendour and spectacle of the Esala Perahera, visit one of the most important pilgrimage sites of the Buddhist world at the Temple of the Tooth, stroll through the tropical beauty of the Peridinya gardens, trek the dense forest of the Knuckles wilderness, or feed orphaned elephants at the Pinnawela Elephant orphanage.
Kandy - Immerse yourself in the rhythm and the mystic of the Kandyan drummers and dancers, come face to face with eastern mysticism and the splendour and spectacle of the Esala Perahera, visit one of the most important pilgrimage sites of the Buddhist world at the Temple of the Tooth, stroll through the tropical beauty of the Peridinya gardens, trek the dense forest of the Knuckles wilderness, or feed orphaned elephants at the Pinnawela Elephant orphanage.
Kandy, the hill country capital is situated on plains 500 metres above sea level. Surrounded by mountain ranges and built around the beautiful Kandy lake, this city has a proud heritage and holds a special place in the hearts of Sri Lankans, being the last bastion of independent Sri Lanka, with the Kingdom of Kandy holding out against the waves of colonial invaders for over 300 years before finally falling to the British in 1812.
Kandy is an important centre of Sinhalese culture and a significant pilgrimage site for Buddhists. It is home to the island’s most important religious festival, the annual Esala Perahera , when the sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha is taken from its in the impressive ‘Temple of the Tooth' complex and is carried around the city on the back of an elephant escorted by the temple chieftans, drummers, dancers, acrobats and priests resulting in mardi gras like atmosphere and a veritable feast for the senses.
Attractions
Attractions
The Temple of the Tooth
The Peridinya Gardens
Esala Perahera
The Kandyan Drummers
The Knuckles Wilderness
The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage
The Victoria Golf & Country Club
Bathe amongst the breathtaking scenery in the forested shade of the Kelaniya River or for the more adventurous take a white-water rafting trip through the rapids of the river. Trek through the dense jungle and experience the teeming bio-diversity of Sri Lanka’s last stretch of virgin rainforest in the world heritage of Sinharaja reserve. Shop for gemstones straight from the source, or perhaps have a go at panning for gems yourself!
Located in the South Western part of Sri Lanka, Sabaragamuwa is within Sri Lanka’s wet zone and is in the foothills of the central highlands. The region is covered in lush rainforest, meandering rivers, low country tea estates and rubber plantations
Located in the South Western part of Sri Lanka, Sabaragamuwa is within Sri Lanka’s wet zone and is in the foothills of the central highlands. The region is covered in lush rainforest, meandering rivers, low country tea estates and rubber plantations
Sabaragamuwa has many key points of interest to a traveller in Sri Lanka, the key attraction of these areas is the natural beauty of the Kelaniya River, the magnificent and world heritage listed Sinharaja rainforest, and is the premier region for the mining of one of Sri Lanka’s prominent exports namely, gemstones.
Highlights:
Highlights:
Ratnapura. The City of Gems
Shopping for precious stones
The Sinharaja Rainforest (UNESCO World Hertiage)
White Water Rafting
Coming soon
Coming soon
