Sri Lanka Tours

This island is famous for its wildlife, so you’ll find that most Sri Lanka tours include a visit to at least one national park. You’ll be able to go on a guided safari in search of all kinds of animals, ranging from magnificent elephants to painted peacocks.

Sri Lanka’s most famous national park is Yala. Stretching for nearly 400 square miles, this park has the highest density of leopards in the world, so you’ve got a great chance of spotting one of these elusive big cats. You can also expect to see elephants, sloth bears, wild boar and much more.

Covering 30,000 hectares, Udawalawe National Park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including buffalo, sambar deer, crocodiles and 500 elephants. Go on a game drive here, and you’re guaranteed to see some of these gentle giants strolling around.

But, when it comes to elephants, Minneriya National Park takes the crown. Every September, this place sees the largest assembly of elephants in the world. Known simply as ‘The Gathering’, this amazing sight will be a highlight of your Sri Lanka tour.

You’ll probably find that a large portion of your Sri Lanka tour takes place within the Cultural Triangle. Encompassing everything between Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandy, this central area is home to six of the country’s eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites – so there’s plenty to see.

You can visit Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s original capital city. This time-stamped place is peppered with historical and archaeological sites, like the Brazen Palace ruins which date from 2^nd century BC. Just an hour’s drive away, the Dambulla Cave Temple is one of Sri Lanka’s most striking temples.

Made up of five caves – each of which is covered in impressive frescoes – the temple contains over 150 images of the Buddha. The largest one is a whopping 14 metres long.

Built in the 11^th and 12^th centuries, the ancient city of Polonnaruwa is another must-see. But the Cultural Triangle’s most iconic site is Sigiriya Rock. This fortress rises 200 metres above the surrounding jungle. As you climb the 1,200 steps to the top, you’ll pass beautiful frescoes and, at the summit, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views across the rich forest below.

On your Sri Lanka tour, you’ll have the opportunity to experience everyday island life. But, in true Sri Lankan style, you won’t see any skyscrapers or metro systems in these cities. Instead, you can expect to find cultural attractions, colourful markets and a variety of architecture.

On the southwest coast, multicultural Galle is a melting pot of British, Dutch and Portuguese influences. Within the walls of 16^th-century Galle Fort, the cobbled lanes are lined with colonial buildings and laidback cafes. But step through the age-old gates, and you’ll find a hive of activity in the city streets beyond. The powdery beach is definitely worth a visit, too.

Further inland, Kandy is another popular stop on our Sri Lanka tours. As the country’s cultural capital, this UNESCO-protected city oozes traditional charm. You can stroll around the Botanical Gardens, browse local markets and admire Kandy Lake. Kandy is also home to the Temple of the Tooth – a sacred site which houses a tooth of Buddha.

Ceylon tea is among the best in the world, so no trip to Sri Lanka would be complete without a visit to Hill Country. In these misty mountains, you’ll be surrounded by leafy plantations and scenic villages. You can learn all about Sri Lanka’s most famous export, visit a tea factory, and enjoy the best cuppa of your life. Plus, the temperatures up here are much cooler, so you’ll have a welcome break from Sri Lanka’s tropical sunshine.

Sri Lanka tours often include a stop in the town of Haputale. Perched 1,400 metres above sea level, the town is surrounded by lush tea plantations. It’s also close to one of the country’s highest lookout points, Lipton Seat – named after Scottish tea-tycoon Sir Thomas Lipton.

Or perhaps you’ll visit Nuwara Eliya, a picturesque town standing 2,000 metres above sea level. It’s been dubbed the ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, thanks to its rose gardens, colonial architecture and, naturally, seemingly endless amounts of tea.