A teardrop isle, known as “The Pearl of the Indian Ocean”, Sr Lanka is compact in size but big on offering with an eclectic mix of history, landscapes, wildlife, warm welcoming people and excellent food.
You could explore the ancient ruins of past civilization peppered with World Heritage sites; enjoy the incredible biodiversity overflowing with plants and wildlife; bask on a soft-sand beach along around 1600 km of palm fringed coastline; take a picturesque train journey to the tea plantations; discover atmospheric old cities and crumbling colonial grandeur; get an insight into the spiritual heart of the country and Buddhist relics in stunning temples and monasteries; explore Colombo’s artisanal markets and get a taste of Sri Lanka’s delicious Arabian, Indian and European inspired food – all in one trip.
Uncover the ancient treasures in Cultural Triangle of Anuradhapura; Polonnaruwa with a huge reclining Buddha; and Kandy. Admire the cave frescoes of Dambulla, climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress and admire the murals of heavenly nymphs on the way up. Visit the atmospheric Temple of the Tooth in Kandy where one of Buddha’s teeth is kept. Search for crocodiles, elephants, monkeys and the ever-elusive leopards through the wild grasslands of Yala National Park. Inhale the fragrant aromas of tea and watch the tea pickers at work in the verdant tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya. Watch blue and sperm whales, during December and April, off Mirissa. Take a hike in Knuckles Range. Walk the cobbled streets and absorb the atmosphere of quaint colonial Galle. Or just relax on one of the gorgeous beaches.
Sri Lanka is a year-round destination with warm temperatures and sunshine. The best time to visit is between December and mid-April, considered to be the peak season, when the north east winds make the south western coast sunny and the sea calm. The east coast and the north are less humid between May and September, when their monsoon season is over. The central hills remain cooler all year round but it is recommended to avoid them in October and November, when the rainfall is less predictable.