Compact yet astonishingly varied, Sri Lanka is one of the world’s most rewarding islands. So you can visit an ancient rock fortress, ride a tea-country train and laze on a palm-fringed beach within a few days. There are leopards to track, colonial forts to explore and a famously gentle welcome. We know the island intimately, so we route you to its quieter corners. Every one of our tailor-made holidays is shaped around you. As a result, the journey feels effortless.
Few destinations offer so much in so small a space. So you rarely spend long on the road between highlights. Meanwhile, the food, the tea and the wildlife are all superb. The island suits families, couples and first-time visitors alike. As a result, it remains a perennial favourite.
The island’s heart is its Cultural Triangle, dotted with ancient cities and temples. So you climb the extraordinary rock fortress of Sigiriya at dawn. The cave temples of Dambulla glow with centuries of murals. The summit views from Sigiriya are simply unforgettable. As a result, history feels wonderfully alive here.
Climbing into the cool interior, the scenery turns lush and green. So you visit Kandy and its revered Temple of the Tooth. Then a famous hill-country train winds through the tea estates. You might stay at the celebrated Ceylon Tea Trails. As a result, the highlands are a serene contrast to the coast.
The south and east deliver wildlife and beaches in equal measure. So you can track leopard on a safari in Yala and watch whales off Mirissa. The parks around Yala are among Asia’s best for big cats. You might unwind at the barefoot-luxury Chena Huts. Meanwhile, the south coast offers golden sand to finish.
The old port of Galle is a highlight in itself. So you wander the ramparts of its Dutch-era fort at sunset. The lanes of Galle brim with cafes, galleries and boutiques. You might stay at the elegant Amangalla within the walls. As a result, the colonial coast adds a romantic note.
There is a journey here for everyone. So Classic Sri Lanka and Highlights of Sri Lanka cover the essentials. For tea and beaches, try Tea Hills and Palm-fringed Beaches. Families, meanwhile, love our Family Holiday to Sri Lanka.
Generally, the west and south coasts shine from December to March. By contrast, the east coast is best from May to September. The Cultural Triangle, meanwhile, is rewarding year-round. So we tailor the route to the season. Either way, we advise on the ideal window for your dates.
Whether you want culture, wildlife or pure relaxation, we can blend them. So a single trip might gather all three with ease. When you are ready, simply get in touch with our specialists. We will then craft a private itinerary around your interests. As ever, every detail is arranged for you.
For something quieter, head east. So our Undiscovered East Coast journey reaches Trincomalee and Passikudah. There you find empty beaches and superb whale watching offshore. The east shines in the European summer, too. As a result, Sri Lanka works beautifully for July and August holidays, as our Summer Holiday in Sri Lanka shows.
The island wears its history with charm. So our Tour of Colonial Sri Lanka traces planters’ clubs, old forts and hill stations. Boutique stays like the Kandy House carry the period mood. Meanwhile, Slow Sri Lanka takes the unhurried road. As a result, you sink properly into island life.
Sri Lanka pairs effortlessly with the Maldives. So our Sri Lanka and the Maldives itinerary adds an over-water finale. A short flight links Colombo with the atolls. Meanwhile, the contrast of culture and castaway beach is hard to beat. For pure indulgence, try the Ultimate Luxury Holiday to Sri Lanka.
Everything we arrange in Sri Lanka is private and hand-built. So you travel with your own chauffeur-guide, staying in rooms we know personally. We route you around the crowds and into the island’s quieter corners. Meanwhile, our partners in Colombo are on call throughout. As a result, the whole trip feels effortless.
Sri Lankan food deserves its growing fame. So you feast on hoppers, sambols and slow-cooked curries everywhere you go. A tour of Colombo’s Pettah market plunges you into the island’s larder. Meanwhile, a tea factory visit shows how the famous leaf is made. As a result, the island delights the tastebuds as much as the eyes.
In the end, Sri Lanka casts a lasting spell. So the train rides, temple bells and beach sunsets linger long after. Many of our travellers return to try a new coast. Meanwhile, the island keeps revealing quieter corners. As a result, one visit is rarely enough.
Ten days to two weeks suits most first visits. So you can cover culture, hills and a beach without rushing.
It depends on the season. So we route you west and south in winter, east in summer. Either way, the beaches are superb.
Entirely. Every itinerary is private and shaped around you. Simply share your dates and interests, and we will craft the rest.
Sri 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.
This 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.
For 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.
Delve into Sri Lanka’s colonial past, exploring the Portuguese, Dutch and British influences that have helped shape modern Sri Lanka.
Sri 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.
This 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.
Take 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.
Think 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.
Most 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.
The 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’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. …
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 …
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 …
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 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 …
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 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 …
Most importantly, our luxury Sri Lanka holidays are fully customisable and conducted privately. For example, you travel with your own chauffeur-guide, and you can arrive and depart on any day you choose. We can arrange international flights, or you can book these directly or with air-miles.
We always start with a blank sheet of paper when designing your holiday. Above all, the best way to begin is by calling us for a quick conversation about how we can make your trip to Sri Lanka exceptionally special. For instance, tell us whether culture, tea country, wildlife or the beach matters most, and we will route the island around the right season for each coast. As a result, your itinerary fits entirely around you.
Flights: SriLankan Airlines flies direct from the UK to Colombo, while Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Oman Air and Turkish offer excellent one-stop connections from Europe, the USA and Australia. Visas: You must have a visa, but these are easily applied for online before you travel. Time Zone: UTC +5:30.
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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 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 is another fantastic month in Sri Lanka. Moreover, you find dry weather in most destinations.
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.
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 is again perfect to explore the north and east of Sri Lanka. The south-west coast is wet with the monsoon.
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 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.
The north and east still at their best, and, in addition, the inter-monsoon period continues.
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.
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 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.
Sri Lanka lies close to the equator, so temperatures are always generally enjoyable. We consider it an all-year destination, because certain areas are always at their best. That said, many weather fronts cross the island, so a little rainfall is possible at any time. However, these showers are usually short and sharp.
The best time for the south-west coast and the central hills runs from mid-December to April. So this is the classic season for the beaches, Galle and the tea country. Meanwhile, the island fills with winter-sun travellers. As a result, we book the finest hotels well ahead for these months.
The south-west monsoon arrives in May. From then, the north, including the Cultural Triangle, and the east coast come to the fore. So summer holidays here head for Trincomalee, Passikudah and the ancient cities. As a result, Sri Lanka works beautifully in the European summer too.
October and November are the hardest months to predict, as the north-east monsoon arrives. So showers can appear on either coast. Even so, careful routing still finds plenty of sunshine. We will advise honestly on the best plan for these dates.
We arrange totally bespoke trips and design an itinerary that is designed around you. You may have seen a suggested itinerary that we can base your plans around, or we can start with a blank sheet and paper and design something from scratch. You can leave a phone number and suggest a time to call you back, and we can also arrange to do this during the evenings or at weekends if you are busy during the daytime. We can also meet up with you in you fancy a coffee and are based in and around London.