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What makes Sri Lanka so special?
Known affectionately as ‘Pearl of the Orient’, ‘Resplendent Isle’ and ‘Teardrop of India’, it was also given the name of Serendib by early Arab traders, which came to mean “a happy, unexpected surprise” in English. We find that travellers on our group tours in Sri Lanka continue to find these names apt today. Situated just above the equator, few places of comparable size can boast of such a stunning array of natural and man-made wonders. verdant rice terraces, tea plantations, ancient temples, high mountains, misty forests, sandy beaches and an abundance of nature reserves and wildlife parks. With us, you will experience the best parts of this inspirational isle on unforgettable Sri Lanka hiking tours or cultural tours.
Our most popular small group holiday is our Gentle hiking tour in Sri Lanka. A great introduction to the country, it encompasses on-foot exploration of the finest cultural sights in the heart of the island, along with walks through tea estates and to ‘World’s End’ in beautiful Horton Plains National Park. There’s also time for game drives in Yala National Park and to go whale watching, before ending this Sri Lanka hiking tour at a fabulous beach resort. But rest assured, we set an easy pace on our Sri Lanka walking holidays, taking plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful landscapes and explore the cultural sights.
Sri Lanka adventure holidays are an opportunity to enter another world filled with ancient ruined cities, colonial era tea estates and forts, and vibrant Buddhist temples. On our Definitive Cultural Tour of Sri Lanka you can enter this world, travelling from the remote islands of the north to the walled city of Galled in the south with visits to seven of the country’s eight impressive UNESCO World Heritage Sites
It is also possible to go trekking in Sri Lanka on the new 186 mile long distance Pekoe Trail. This trail cuts a swathe through the remote villages, temples and tea estates of the beautiful hill country in central Sri Lanka. To create a more manageable walking holiday in Sri Lanka, we have taken the best sections of the trail from Kandy to Ella. It’s an opportunity to see a lesser-visited side of the country and enjoy some of Sri Lanka’s best walking and scenery.
Whether you choose walking holidays in Sri Lanka, trekking tours or more sedate cultural tours, you are guaranteed a warm welcome and an unbeatable adventure.
Sri Lanka Walking Holidays & Tours
Our Sri Lanka walking holidays and trekking tours ake you to a land that has inspired and seduced travellers with its verdant beauty, abundant wildlife and rich cultural heritage for centuries.
Show me:
3 Holidays
- Follow the most scenic sections Sri Lanka’s new long-distance trail in the verdant highlands
- Stay overnight in characterful accommodation with extensive views
- Walk to ‘World’s End’ and discover the rich bio-diversity of Horton Plains National Park
- Learn how tea is traditionally made and enjoy the delicious local cuisine
- Explore the cultural sights and lively streets of Kandy
Flight inclusive from £3245, Land only from £2395
- A comprehensive tour of Sri Lanka, combining cultural highlights with gentle walking
- Travel into the hill country by train to hilltop tea plantations
- Take a jeep safari to look for leopards in Yala National Park
- A relaxing beach stay at the end of your travels
Flight inclusive from £3600, Land only from £2750
- Explore the ancient cities, forts and temples of the Cultural Triangle
- Step off-the-beaten-track in the remote far north of Sri Lanka
- Look for leopards on safari in little-visited Wilpattu National Park
- Discover the colonial heritage of atmospheric Galle
- Go whale watching for the chance to see giant Blue whales
Flight inclusive from £3695, Land only from £2475
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Introduction
For a relatively small island, Sri Lanka packs an impressive punch; eight World Heritage Sites, miles of golden sand beaches, several wildlife-rich national parks, endless tea plantations and countless temples alive with a vibrant, living Buddhist culture. Couple this with a temperate climate and an excellent range of accommodation and you have the perfect year-round holiday destination.
The magnificent remains of Sri Lanka’s ancient Sinhalese civilization can be evidenced in a number of spectacular sites including the World Heritage Site of Anauradhapura, the giant Buddha statues at Polonnaruwa, the cave temples of Dambulla and the former citadel of Sigiriya - arguably Sri Lanka’s most remarkable sight perched atop a towering rock outcrop. The most sacred of all Sri Lanka’s cultural relics though can be found in Kandy, where the remains of one of Buddha’s teeth is kept at the Temple of the Tooth. Each year, a replica of the tooth is paraded at the Esala Perahera festival – Sri Lanka’s most extravagant celebration. Following the restoration of peace in the north of the country, the many cultural and historic treasures of northern Sri Lanka are also accessible to tourists. Trincomalee, Jaffna Fort and the temples at Nainativu Island can all be visited on our Definitive Cultural Tour of Sri Lanka.
Alongside its many cultural highlights, Sri Lanka has a rich biodiversity and sumptuous landscapes. Trails through tea plantations, lowland jungle, cloud forest and mountain moorland all provide great walking holidays in Sri Lanka. Whilst game drives at Wilpattu or Yala National Park enable close up viewing of elephants, crocodile, wild buffalo and numerous exotic birds. There’s even a chance of spotting leopards! Our Gentle Walking Holiday in Sri Lanka is a great way to discover the cultural and historical sights of the ‘teardrop island’ as well as the wonderful wildlife.
If you’d like to explore a little more off-the-beaten-track than our Highlights of the Pekoe Trail is another superb walking holiday. The tour takes in the most scenic and culturally interesting sections of the country’s new 186 mile long-distance hiking trail passing through remote villages and out-of-the-way temples and historic sites as it traverses the glorious scenery of the hill country in the heart of the country. Completing the full Pekoe Trail is also a fantastic objective if you are interested in more challenging Sri Lanka trekking tours.
All of our small group escorted tours in Sri Lanka include the services of an experienced local guide together with private transport, airport transfers, accommodation (twin-share) and most meals. If you would prefer to follow our group itinerary but on dates that suit you, we can provide a quote for a private departure - you'll be surprised how little extra this adds. Alternatively we can help create your dream trip with a Tailor Made holiday to Sri Lanka.
Key Facts
- Capital city: Colombo
- Population: 20,277,597 (2012 census)
- Size of country: 65,610 sq km
- Currency: Sri Lankan rupee
- Power supply: 220-240v
- Sockets: Round three-pin and two-pin variety
- Language: Sinhala
- Time difference: GMT +5.5 hours
- Visas: British nationals require a visa to visit Sri Lanka which must be obtained in advance.
- Religion: Buddhist (official) 69.1%, Muslim 7.6%, Hindu 7.1%, Christian 6.2%, unspecified 10% (2001 census provisional data)
- Popular dishes: Rice and fish curries, often far hotter than Indian cuisine.
- Popular drinks: Arrack, fermented from the sap of coconut flowers
- Did you know: A lasting legacy of the British colonial era, cricket is themost popular sport of Sri Lanka. The national team gained full test status in 1982 and went on to win the world cup in 1996. The national sport however, is volleyball.
- FCDO advice: FCDO travel advice for Sri Lanka
Climate
When is the best time to travel to Sri Lanka?
Our climate charts will give you a guide to the weather conditions in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka has a tropical climate, with two monsoons. However, there will usually be good weather somewhere on the coast! Sri Lanka's location near to the equator means that there is a fairly constant temperature in the high twenties. Humidity is high throughout the island.
The Yala monsoon brings rain to the south and west coast and the hill country between May and August.
The Mala monsoon between October and January brings rain to the east, north and the ancient cities areas.
Therefore the best time to visit Sri Lanka is during our winter, between December and March. This is the peak season for tourists on holiday to Sri Lanka. The shoulder seasons of April and September – November should be less busy.
If you can't make the dates of our group departures, then take a private departure on dates to suit you, or we can create a Tailor Made holiday to Sri Lanka, especially for you and your family or friends.