Departures: Daily
Off the coast of India, Sri Lanka is an eco-island of tropical beaches, spectacular wildlife and an enthralling history of British rule. Buddhist temples rub shoulders with lush tea plantations and trekkers revel amongst historic ruins and forest reserves With its combination of rolling beaches, rich culture, fascinating history and lush rainforests, Sri Lanka is a bona fide gem of a holiday destination.
With rich history, culture and wildlife to explore, take a journey through this breath-taking country and experience the wonder of Sri Lanka. Taking in the island’s culture, cuisine and wildlife, as you set off on safaris and visit iconic sights and cities such as Kandy, Sigiriya, Nuwara Eliya and Udawalawe National Park..
Bursting with beaches and temples, blessed with wonderful wildlife, packed with UNESCO-listed sites and filled with friendly faces and fascinating culture, Sri Lanka holidays are a vibrant experience for all. Exploring the ancient cities of the Cultural Triangle in the centre of the island, you’ll be wowed by history as you discover traces of bygone kingdoms.
When to visit
The island is affected by two separate monsoon seasons, which can mean different conditions across the island throughout the year. The main southwest monsoon brings rain to the west, southwest and hill country from April to September, while the less severe northeast monsoon makes the east coast wettest from November to December. In the central highlands, summers are hot and winters mild. The most popular travel season is December to March; the best value is May to August.
The Cultural Triangle
Sri Lanka’s “cultural triangle” of the north-central part of the country is generally said to include the three great Sinhalese capitals of Kandy, and ruined Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Nearby Mihintale is revered as where Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka, while Sigiriya is known as Lion Rock, towering over the surrounding plains. The Buddhist cave temples of Dambulla are another must-see in the area, decorated inside with myriad sculptures and murals. Lastly, a tour of the area also includes 12-metre tall Aukana Buddha, the most perfectly preserved ancient statue in the country, carved out of a single rock in the 5th century.
Hill country
Sri Lanka’s “hill country” is possibly one of the most beautiful parts of Sri Lanka. It was cultivated by the British for tea production and became their retreat from the heat of the lowlands. The area is breathtaking in its terrain and greenery, peppered by old-fashioned trains, half-timbered guesthouses, Gothic churches and given a colourful twist by the saris and temples of the Hindu Tamil plantation workers. At the heart of tea-growing country is Nuwara Eliya, a quaint corner of the world and the likely start point for a trip to Horton Plains, a photo-grabbing plateau over 2,000 metres high with the beautiful backdrop of Sri Lanka’s second- and third-highest mountains, Kirigalpotta and Totapola.
| Departure | Cyprus-Larnaca | ||||||||||
| Destination | Sri Lanka | ||||||||||
| Month Availability | September 2024, October 2024 | ||||||||||
| INCLUDED |
|
||||||||||
| NOT INCLUDED |
| ||||||||||
| Note |
|
Best time to visit 
Flights 
Getting Around 
Currency 
Main Attractions
ITConcept