Recommended Experiences

Ceylon tea is one of Sri Lanka’s great gifts to the rest of the world and remains a vital export. There are several tea growing regions on the island, but the most delicate and sought-after of all Ceylon teas comes from the verdant highlands of Nuwara Eliya. You can discover how tea is processed at a tea factory, enjoy a walk through manicured tea estates and perhaps even stay in a converted plantation house from the days of the Raj.

The Kelani river is a popular centre for white water rafting and you can enjoy an exhilarating ride through the rapids starting at Kithugala, not far from Nuwara Eliya. The river is graded 2-3 making it ideal for first time rafters and families. The rapids have names such as ‘Butter Crunch’ and ‘Rib Cage’ and there’s a lot of fun to be had as you follow the commands of your captain and paddle through the bubbling waters.

Abandoned in the 10th century, the ancient ruined buildings of the monastic city of Anauradhapura have been gradually reclaimed by the jungle over time. It’s a vast and magical place to explore by foot or bike and you could spend a couple of days at least seeing the many monasteries, palaces and reservoirs as well as the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree – officially the world’s oldest tree planted by man.

One of Sri Lanka’s great ruined cities, Polunnaruwa is an extensive complex of buildings that remain from the original 12th century capital city. It considered to be the finest collection of ancient Buddhist art architecture in the country. The main attraction is the Gal Vihara, or stone shrine, consisting of four impressive statues of Buddha sculpted from one huge stone slab including the 14 metres long reclining Buddha.

Situated next to the lake at the heart of Kandy is Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist shrine – the Temple of the Tooth. The temple houses a tooth of the Buddha said to have been brought to Sri Lanka over 2,000 years ago in the hair of a Princess. You can’t actually see the tooth itself if you visit, but you can briefly gaze into the chamber that houses the relic which is encased in a gold casket.

Adam’s Peak is one of Sri Lanka’s most famed summits and is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims alike. You will set off in the early hours alongside exhuberant monks, pilgrims and families, to climb the 5,500 stone steps to reach the summit for sunrise. A truly magical experience.

The sun-kissed coastline of southwest Sri Lanka is dotted with picture-perfect golden sand beaches, fringed by palm trees and lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. There are several resorts but among the best are lively Unawatuna, offering a range of good accommodation options, and upmarket Bentota with a string of luxury resort style hotels. Either makes for an ideal place to end your Sri Lanka holiday.

Situated on the coast, at almost the southernmost tip of Sri Lanka, is the city of Galle. At the centre of the modern town is the well-preserved old Dutch quarter known as the Fort. This charming old town is enclosed within huge defensive walls and bastions and is very picturesque with its old churches, colonial villas and atmospheric streets. A walk around the streets and along the ramparts is a very pleasant way to wile away a few hours.

The remarkable ancient citadel of Sigiriya towers 200 metres above the surrounding plains and is one of Sri Lanka’s premier tourist attractions. Visit the ‘Lion Rock’ in the early morning or late afternoon to see it in the best light, and to avoid the heat and the crowds. Walk through the tranquil water gardens, and ascend the sheer face of the rock by man-made steps, to reach the plateau summit. Once, a royal palace commanded the top of the rock and its remains are now a World Heritage Site.

Sri Lanka is one of the world's leading destinations for seeing gigantic blue whales as well as sperm whales and pods of spinner dolphins. Excursions run daily from Mirissa or Dondra Head on the south coast between November and April, or from Trincomalee on the east coast between May and October.