Sri Lanka is back!
We’re delighted to say that Sri Lanka is now fully up and running again with tourists returning to this beautiful island.
The issues with fuel supplies which created political upheaval earlier this year have been resolved with the help of financial support from the IMF and following the country’s stabilisation the UK Foreign Office relaxed its travel advice in August opening the way for British travellers to return.
The UK provides the second highest number of tourist arrivals into Sri Lanka after India and the country has long been a favourite for our clients many of whom have travelled there more than once.
For first-time visitors we usually recommend a clockwise circuit of the central and southern part of the island …
Following arrival into Colombo, a journey into the ‘Cultural Triangle’ gives the opportunity to ascend the rather vertiginous steps and gangways to the top of the impressive monolith of Sigiriya’s ‘Lion Rock’ for expansive views of the surrounding countryside.
We always recommend an early morning climb to avoid the midday heat, with a stop en route back down to marvel at the colourful frescoes followed by a welcome cup of tea in the lovely walled gardens at the base of the rock once back on terra firma.
Close by is the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, well-known for its famous ‘sleeping Buddha’ statue. The extensive temple ruins include Brahmanic monuments and the remains of the wondrous garden-city created by Parakramabahu in the 12th century. It is a large area to cover on foot so instead of reverting to a sightseeing tour by car it’s great fun to explore by bicycle.
Completing the ‘Triangle’ are the caves of Dambulla which have the largest area of wall paintings in the world displaying over 150 Buddhist images.
The next stop is Kandy, the old capital, nestled amidst rolling green hills. Here you can enjoy lakeside strolls, make a visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens and spend a cultural evening at the UNESCO-listed ‘Temple of the Tooth’.
Further into the central highlands lies the colonial town of Nuwara Eliya which at an altitude of over 6000 feet is Sri Lanka’s most popular hill station with many well-appointed properties offering exceptional accommodation. There are excellent day hikes here to see the waterfalls of St Clair’s and Devon or you can trek to Adam’s Peak on Horton Plains which affords superb panoramic views.
A spectacular train journey onwards right through the heart of ‘tea country’ takes you next to Ella which has elevated views through the impressive ‘Ella Gap’ to the southern lowlands.
A half-day’s drive from Ella takes you to Yala National Park, home to a wide variety of wildlife including sloth bears, monkeys, crocodiles, elephants and the endangered leopard found within its diverse range of habitats of craggy hilltops, mangroves and freshwater lakes.
From October to April, Yala hosts many species of migratory birds and January and February are the most favourable months for observing leopard cubs.
To complete the clockwise tour, most itineraries conclude on the wondrous beaches of the south-west coast where traditional stilt-fishermen can be seen offshore and whale-watching boat trips can be arranged in season (December to March).
Sri Lanka offers exceptional value right now and we strongly encourage you to visit to help it recover and regain its economic well-being.
The best time of year to visit is between December and March, but trips can be arranged almost year-round. There are daily direct flights with Sri Lankan Airlines from Heathrow to Colombo with a flying time of around 10 hours.
We can offer 15-day group trips starting from £2736 per person based on double / twin-share including flights, or we can tailor-make a holiday to fit with your own preferred arrangements.
You could also extend your holiday with a beach-stay on the Maldives which are easily accessed from Colombo.
Get in touch to explore the options.