Located 100 miles north of the equator, the country is a tropical paradise that’s home to swoon-worthy beaches, incredible wildlife, and enthralling culture. If Sri Lanka isn’t on your bucket list yet, add it right now. You won’t regret it one bit!
Sri Lanka works for single, couple and family travellers with interests ranging from culinary to wildlife, culture, surfing and adventure sports. Budget or luxury travellers will find what they want here. This island is warm, welcoming has good food and wonderful people, but you might need a little insight to get the most out of your holiday or vacation.
Language: Sinhala and Tamil are the two official languages of Sri Lanka. However, you’ll find in the main tourist areas that English is widely spoken.
Currency: The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) is the currency of Sri Lanka
Day 1: Colombo
Colombo is a city with a rich history. Known the Greeks, Arabs, and Chinese for over 2000 years because of its natural harbour and as a centre of trade, it was colonized by the Portuguese, the Dutch, and then the British between 1505 and 1948. Each colonial power left a distinctive mark and contributed greatly to the character of the city.
On arrival, explore the exotic city of Colombo. Drive through the commercial and city center area known as the ‘Fort’ and Pettah. Visit Wolvendaal Church, the grand mosque of Jami Ul-Alfar and the Lotus Tower. Head next to Independence Square, the location where Sri Lanka proclaimed its independence from British rule in 1948. Drive past the Town hall, Cinnamon Gardens and Galle Face Green. Visit the Old Parliament Building which is reminiscent of the New-baroque architectural style.
Day 2: Kandy
Proceed to Kandy post breakfast. On the way, visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, where one can view a rare collection of tropical exotic and indigenous flora including the famous Orchid House. You can also visit the famous Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. The Temple (Sri Dalada Maligawa) was originally built by the Kandyan Kings in 1595, to house and honor the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha. Today, the city of Kandy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in part due to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
In the afternoon, undertake a city tour of Kandy – take an upper-lake ride to the top of the hill where a bird’s eye view opens of the city below, drive around the man-made Kandy Lake. And also visit the colossal Bahirawakanda statue; this beautifully sculpted white statue displays Buddha in the seated Nirvana pose and can be seen from the entire city of Kandy that sprawls out before it
Day 3: Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast head towards to Nuwara Eliya. On the way, visit Ramboda Falls, the 11th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka. On arrival in Nuwara Eliya, visit a tea factory and a tea plantation – which produce some of the best tea in the world. At the tea plantation take a closer look on how the tea pickers pick the tea leaves, then you can join them to pick the tea leaves, then visit the factory with a staff member who will explain the process of fermentation, rolling, drying, cutting, sieving and grading of tea. At the end of the tour enjoy a cup of high grown processed tea.
In the afternoon, explore the charming city of Nuwara Eliya, also known as little England on a full day tour visiting all the main attractions which include colonial buildings, Lake Gregory and seeing beautiful landscapes covered with tea, a contrasting view.
Day 4: Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya is known for its strawberry farms. Perched high in the temperate mountain zone of Sri Lanka, Nuwara Eliya has the perfect terrain and year-round cool weather for strawberry cultivation. As a result, many strawberry farms have been established in the region, turning vast areas into a sea of juicy red berries during harvesting season.
Jagro, Admo Agro Farms, and the Ambewela Farms allow visits. Some of these fields run cafes and outlets where freshly picked strawberries along with jams, juices, ice-cream and other strawberry-based products are readily available.
Day 5: Galle
After breakfast head up to Beruwala; the attractive beach is called the “Golden Mile” and it is a pristine beach of golden sand, well sheltered by the palm groves that spread along the coastal stretch. The wide beach that basks in the glorious tropical sun from the direction of the ocean is well shaded with the lush greenery of the landside.
Post that, head to Galle, a southern province with a colorful history. Galle Fort offers the best preserved example of a European built fortified city in Asia. It was built by the Dutch from the 17th Century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll the winding streets of this immensely charming town and discover its decaying colonial buildings, grand fort walls and numerous boutiques and cafés. Stretching along the coast nearby are ruggedly beautiful beaches, which may be narrow but are peaceful and secluded.
Walk along the ramparts, pass the lighthouse and the old Portuguese harbour and stop to see some of the many colonial era buildings, including the Dutch Reformed Church, the Anglican All Saints Church and the former house of the Dutch governor, built in 1684 and now the luxurious Amangalla hotel
Day 6: Galle
Enjoy Galle at leisure. Spend the day watching the waves as they bounce off the sun-kissed sands. In the evening, head back to Colombo for your flight out of Sri Lanka!
The feeling of contentment and peace is everywhere in Sri Lanka. Relax the body and mind in one of the many yoga retreats, swing in a beach bar hammock with a delicious coconut, or paddle in the warm shallows of the turquoise sea. Sri Lanka truly lives up to its name as ‘the pearl of the Indian Ocean’, showcasing world-class natural beauty, plant life, and wildlife. Not only this but also world-famous sites, unparalleled in their beauty and history. The infinite kindness of this country, and its joyful people, is not to be missed!
