Sri Lanka and the Maldives
Negombo - Cultural Triangle - Hill Country - MaldivesSri Lanka and the Maldives is one of the best twin-centre holidays you can experience, a blend of culture, adventure and beach that makes for such a wonderful journey.
Sri Lanka
From the central highlands’ verdant tea fields to its jungles teeming with wildlife and the palm-fringed beaches on the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is fantastically stunning and incredibly diverse. At Millis Potter, we love for our guests to see Sri Lanka differently. Our Sri Lanka holidays feature an array of boutique hotels throughout the island. Sri Lanka is such an ideal destination to embark on a relaxing private tour. Sri Lanka has a rich and colourful history has left behind some impressive sights. These include the rock fortress of Sigiriya, the Buddhist rock-cave of Dambulla, the ancient cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura.
Over the past few years, Sri Lanka has developed impressively, allowing guests to get more off-the-beaten-track making for a more immersive experience. At Millis Potter, we use the very best driver/guides to ensure your experience of Sri Lanka is second to none. We creatively offer tailor-made itineraries using characterful boutique hotels to allow the destination to come to life, based totally around your interests.
You might like a quirky behind-the-scenes walking tour of Colombo, or cycling around the hidden corners of Kandy. Our way of seeing Sri Lanka is always about maximizing the experience. We can tailor a bespoke trip totally around you with the best Sri Lanka travel advice. Whether you want a romantic honeymoon, possibly combining Sri Lanka and the Maldives, a family holiday where the children can meet elephants for the first time, or a cultural tour immersing yourself in the charms of this fantastic island, we can tailor a special trip for you. Sri Lanka is also ideal if you have more specialist interests, such as exploring its magnificent wildlife where you will find it is one of the best destinations to spot leopard or elephant in the wild.
You could opt for a few days trekking in Sri Lanka’s mountains or learn to cook the best Sri Lankan curry. Just look through some of our suggested itineraries, experiences, and hotels and use these as a starting point for when you call us to create a truly bespoke itinerary based totally around you.
Sri Lanka Itineraries
This is just a selection of suggested itineraries that are there to help you with your ideas and to start the conversation with us about planning your tailor-made holiday. All our holidays are private for you and your party, and can depart on any day you like. We can adapt and change any element of these journeys, or design an itinerary from scratch around your travelling plans.
Classic Sri Lanka
Negombo - Cultural Triangle - Kandy - Tea Country - Yala - Galle - BentotaThis classic private tour of Sri Lanka takes in all the major highlights from the stunning cultural heritage of the north, the tea country, wildlife and laid-back beaches in the south.
Highlights of Sri Lanka
Negombo - Cultural Triangle - Hill Country - GalleFor those wanting a quick introduction to Sri Lanka, then this suggested private tour might well be your answer. Explore the Ancient Cities, the Tea Country and end on the south coast beaches.
A Tour of Colonial Sri Lanka
Colombo - Kandy - Hill Country - GalleDelve into Sri Lanka’s colonial past, exploring the Portuguese, Dutch and British influences that have helped shape modern Sri Lanka.
Ultimate Luxury Holiday to Sri Lanka
Cultural Triangle - Kandy - Hill Country - Southern BeachesSri Lanka has it all; amazing luxury boutique hotels, fantastic experiences, breath-taking scenery, sumptuous cuisine and you can even hop around in a private helicopter.
Sri Lanka’s Tea Hills and Palm-fringed beaches
Negombo - Hill Country - Galle - TangalleThis journey to Sri Lanka combines the tea country with a stay on Sri Lanka’s south coast, more of a relaxing holiday than immersive tour, a way to sit-back and relax and simply enjoy the destination.
Slow Sri Lanka
Negombo - Yala National Park - Galle - BentotaTake your time, and set off on a leisurely itinerary along Sri Lanka’s south coast, letting the shoulders drop as you meander slowly from Yala National Park to Galle and the palm-fringed beaches beyond.
A Family Holiday to Sri Lanka
Negombo - Hill Country - Kandy - South Coast BeachesThink Sri Lanka, and think of wild elephants, jungles, tea plantations, spices and palm-fringed beaches. All of which makes for a wonderful family adventure, designed to not involve too much driving which can always be a downside to travelling with children in Sri Lanka.
A Summer holiday in Sri Lanka
Horathapola - Kandy - Cultural Triangle - Wilpattu National Park - Trincomalee - NegomboMost people think Sri Lanka is just a winter-sun destination, but much of the north and east of the county is perfect in the summer months.
Undiscovered East Coast of Sri Lanka
Negombo - Gal Oya - Passekudah - TrincomaleeThe East Coast of Sri Lanka is slowly opening up to tourism. Combine a spot of wildlife in Gal Oya with a visit to Passekudah and ending in Trincomalee.
Sri Lanka Accommodation
This is just an overview of the hotels and lodges we feature, from characterful boutique lodges to luxury hotels. We do have a range of other hotels that we use, so if you don't see from our portfolio what you are looking for, we almost certainly know about it and can help plan an itinerary using it.
Sri Lanka Experiences
This is a selection of experiences that allow you to see the destination in new and interesting ways. Almost all our experiences include a private guide, and can be then tailored to your particular interests. Indeed, many of the experiences we offer are created individually for our guests, so this list is by no means conclusive. In fact, we leave a couple of our best ideas up our sleeves for when you enquire with us.
South Coast
Sri Lanka’s palm-fringed south coast is an ideal place to end a tour of Sri Lanka with a selection of superb beaches and sleepy fishing villages. Generally, the further down the road you get from Colombo, the less touristy the beaches become. Down the coast you find the small villages of Bentota, Wadduwa and Balapitya. …
East Coast
The East Coast of Sri Lanka is far less developed than its southern counterpart, and only in recent years has there been new hotels to open up. It is also better to visit in the summer months, and as opposed to the winter on the south coast. the charming city of Trincomalee is the main …
Sri Lanka’s National Parks
There are 22 national parks in Sri Lanka with such a diverse range of flora and fauna. You can easily add in a stay in a national park on a tour of Sri Lanka, or we can tailor a specialist wildlife tour showcasing the diversity between the man parks on offer. The most famous (and …
Sri Lanka’s Hill Country
In the heart of Sri Lanka you find the Hill Country, known for its rolling tea plantations and national parks. Anyone a tour of Sri Lanka will delight at driving through this amazing scenery, and you can even take a train from Kandy to make it all the more special. At the centre of the …
Kandy
Kandy is beautifully set in within the foothills of the Hill Country, a perfect link on a tour of Sri Lanka between the Cultural Triangle to the north and the Hill Country to the south. It was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings who were defeated by the British in 1815, and is …
Cultural Triangle
Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle is located in the north of Sri Lanka and is home to an abundance of ancient cities and sites that will make any casual visitor pretty awe-struck about the stories that make up the colourful history of Sri Lanka. The ancient cities of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and the rock-fotress of Sigiriya are …
Colombo & Negombo
Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka, but unfortunately often left off many people’s tour of Sri Lanka. If you like bustling markets and colonial architecture then Colombo is well worth a visit. Historically, it was a melting pot of merchants from Europe, Arabia and the Orient, and with British and Dutch colonial influences, has …
Sri Lanka Info
Flights: Sri Lanka has superb flight links with the Middle East and most carriers then fly onto Europe and the USA. If you are travelling from Australia and New Zealand, the fastest links are through Malaysia or Singapore. You can enjoy direct flights from the UK to Colombo with Sri Lankan Airways. There are also excellent flight connections with Middle Eastern Carriers (Emirates, Qatar, Etihad, Oman Air, Turkish). There are also direct flights from Amsterdam and Paris with KLM.
Visas: You must have a visa, but these are easily applied for before you travel online available here.
Important Information
- Foreign Office Advice (UK)
- State Department Advice (USA)
- Travel Advice (Australia)
- Sri Lanka Tourist Board
- Lonely Planet Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka Wikipedia
- Sri Lanka WikiTravel
- BBC Sri Lanka Profile
- Sri Lanka Britannica
- Sri Lanka Commonwealth Profile
Getting Around
All transfers within Sri Lanka will be chauffeur driven. This will be in a modern air-conditioned SUV, or a larger vehicle if you travel as a family. You can expect free WiFi, cold towels and sanitisers. In Sri Lanka, your professional guide is also your chauffeur. We only offer the finest guides who work in Sri Lanka. This enhances the quality of your time in the country and helps you develop a deeper understanding of the destination, including its people, culture and customs. If you see something interesting en route, it is possible to stop and find out more.
Food & Drink
Arab traders, colonial rulers, and the Indian plantation workers have influenced the delectable Sri Lankan cuisine. It is somewhat similar yet distinct from Indian cuisine. Rice and curry, which is widely available in restaurants and cafes, is popular. Most of the curries make use of fresh coconut milk. Sri Lanka is an island, and as a result, expect to see superb fish curries on offer.
Above all, tea is synonymous with Sri Lanka. This hugely popular drink is served in many ways. Traditionally, it is served without milk. Do try the famous white tea. Imported spirits, wine and beer, are widely available.
January
Visiting Sri Lanka in January
January is one of the best months to visit for holidays to Sri Lanka. Above all, the central hills and south-west coast at their best. However, it can be a little wetter around the Cultural Triangle.
February
Visiting Sri Lanka in February
February is again one of the best months to travel to Sri Lanka. Most importantly, expect generally dry weather in the central hills, south coast and Cultural Triangle.
March
Visiting Sri Lanka in March
March is another fantastic month in Sri Lanka. Moreover, you find dry weather in most destinations.
April
Visiting Sri Lanka in April
April is possibly the hottest month of the year, and still great for a holiday in Sri Lanka. The monsoon is yet to arrive, making a visit to the south-west coast ideal to cool off after a tour of Sri Lanka.
May
Visiting Sri Lanka in May
In May, the south-west monsoon begins and lasts until the end of June. However, this doesn't affect the north (including the Cultural Triangle) and the east coasts. Furthermore, showers tend to be short and sharp. It's certainly possible to have a superb holiday in Sri Lanka in May.
June
Visiting Sri Lanka in June
June is again perfect to explore the north and east of Sri Lanka. The south-west coast is wet with the monsoon.
July
Visiting Sri Lanka in July
July is perfect for heading to the north of Sri Lanka. This might include trying the wildlife in Wilpattu, the cultural triangle, and beaches on the east coast. Known as the 'inter-monsoon' period, it's certainly possible to travel.
August
Visiting Sri Lanka in August
August is when the great Perahera Festival takes place in Kandy. Moreover, you can combine that with the east coast and Cultural Triangle. It is also the time of the great elephant gathering at Minneriya.
September
Visiting Sri Lanka in September
The north and east still at their best, and, in addition, the inter-monsoon period continues.
October
Visiting Sri Lanka in October
October is a difficult month to judge. Most importantly, the north-east monsoon arrives and is the stronger of the two, affects the whole country in some way. In short, expect a shower or two.
November
Visiting Sri Lanka in November
Like October, November is a tricky month to judge. The north-west monsoon has moved to affect the east coast and north of the island, with the south starting to get better. As a result, expect mixed weather!
December
Visiting Sri Lanka in December
December is generally popular due to the Christmas and New Year Sri Lanka holidays. The weather can still be somewhat unpredictable, especially on the south coast. Generally, a journey through the Cultural Triangle, Kandy and the Hill Country will be fine at this time of year.
Weather
- Jan
- Best
- Feb
- Best
- Mar
- Best
- Apr
- Best
- May
- Good
- Jun
- Good
- Jul
- Good
- Aug
- Good
- Sep
- Good
- Oct
- Average
- Nov
- Average
- Dec
- Good
Sri Lanka lies close to the equator, so temperatures are always generally enjoyable. We consider it an all-year destination, as certain areas are always at their best. Having said that, it is an island that gets a great many weather fronts moving across it so that you can expect a little rainfall at any time. However, these showers are usually short and sharp. The best time to visit the south-west coast and central hills are generally from mid to late December to April, with the south-west monsoon arriving in May. From then, the north (including the Cultural Triangle) and the east come to the fore and are at their best. October and November are difficult to predict as the north-west monsoon arrives.