Why Sri Lanka?

What Makes Sri Lanka Unique

Sri Lanka will surprise and delight. It is a country with a long and proud history. You’ll be amazed at the diversity of landscapes, climates and things you can see and do within small travel distances. We will help you create a great trip, ensuring you take in all the sights and experiences…

Ceylon Tea
Sri Lanka is home to the best tea in the world and is one of the largest exporters. Learn about the great tea industry,  meet planters in their homes, walk through lush green manicured tea fields, understand and learn the ancient art of making tea, take an old tea train through the mountains….

Buddhism and the Sacred Tooth Relic
Sri Lanka is a cradle of Buddhism. Monks in robes, temples, temple trees and flowers, chanting, blood red skies, sacred hidden caves, reclining Buddhas, banyan trees, ancient art and iconography depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Mahavansa chronicles….

Gems: The Tear Drops of Buddha
“The interior of this mountain (Adam’s Peak) produces red rubies, blue sapphires, yellow oriental topaz, and other gems; they have each and every precious stone. Whenever heavy rain occurs, the water rushes out of the earth and flows down amidst the sand, and the people search in the sand for the stones. They say that the precious stones are the crystallized tears of Buddha.”

Wonders of the Ancient World
There are 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Cultural Triangle alone. Sigiriya Rock is a great fortress built in the 5th century AD by King Kasyapa who murdered his father to behold his kingdom. In 14 years he built a great fortress in the sky, to protect himself from the rightful heir, his brother, who had sworn revenge and returned from India to fight an epic battle unto death with armies of warrior elephants. The ancient cities of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, hidden monasteries, cave temples and sacred rocks. The scattered ruins of one of the ancient world’s greatest civilizations await… Indiana Jones eat your heart out!

Extraordinary Wildlife
Sri Lanka is amongst the most bio-diverse countries in the world, and a little known fact is that it has the world’s largest density of leopards in Yala National Park. Monkeys, crocs, elephants, innumerable species of birds, lizards, deer… The Horton Plains in the mountains at 1800 meters look like the African savannah whilst Uda Wallawwe National Park is ripped by the Wallawwe River where you swim by the camp site every morning and enjoy views of the interior mountains.

The Story of Spices and Sri Lanka’s Colonial Heritage
500 years of colonization by the Portuguese, the British and the Dutch have left the remains of beautiful colonial architecture and period furniture. A journey around Sri Lanka is an opportunity to understand how the prospect of extraordinary profit attracted and confronted Europe’s colonial powers. Understanding the anthropology of Sri Lanka with communities like the Burghers of European descent or the Kaffirs, descendants of African slaves who were brought here by the Portuguese and Dutch to build their forts and bastions. The impact of colonisation on Sri Lanka’s customs, language and food bare their mark on Sri Lanka…

Palm-fringed Beaches
Sri Lanka has excellent beaches all around the island and they are all very different. Whales and dolphins can be seen in Kalpitiya and Mirissa. Fishing communities abound all around the coastline. Explore the wide open beaches of Bentota or the shell-shaped coves further south in Tangalle. Dive to the depths of the ocean to explore numerous shipwrecks and amazing coral reefs. Or try world-class surfing in Hikkaduwa or Arugam Bay…

Bawa: A Prolific and Inventive Architect
Geoffrey Bawa was one of the most important architects of the 20th century. He built many private homes, 12 spectacular hotels, and a university campus. Bawa has legions of disciples who spread his style around the world. He died in 2003 at 84. A journey around Sri Lanka is a chance to connect with the works and vision of this extraordinary man.

Festivals and Special Occasions

The Sri Lankan year is awash with colourful celebrations, festivals and wildlife events that are worth travelling to the island for. These range from cultural events such as the annual Literary Festival and the Art Biennale, to religious events such as Diwali and Vesak full moon day in May when the whole country comes alight with stunning hand-made paper lanterns, to special times for seeing wildlife, such as the sloth bears in Yala in June and July, and the blue whales from November to March on the south coast and from April to October on the east coast.

January

The Galle Literary Festival www.galleliteraryfestival.com
Voted the ‘No.1 Literary Festival in the world’ by Harpers Bazaar in 2006. This is a fantastic four day event that attracts world famous writers and journalists. These have included Gore Vidal, Vikram Seth, Candace Bushnell and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Interesting talks and discussions are held in the old Dutch buildings and cinnamon warehouses in Galle Fort, as well as glamorous literary lunches at villas and houses in the area.

May

Vesak Festival
The full moon or poya day that falls in May is the most significant of the year for it is the day that Lord Buddha was born, gained enlightenment and died. A visit to any of the island’s temples is sure to be magical, whether it is a famous one such as the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy and the Gangaramaya in Colombo or a small village temple. Small oil lamps and burning torches light up the countryside and paddy fields. In many towns there are fantastic displays of huge paper lanterns as well as street theatre performances and free all-night food stalls known as ‘dansal’.

May-August

Arugam Bay Surf Season
For keen surfers, head to the east coast and Arugam Bay, where international surf competitions are regularly held. The beach is unspoilt with national parks near by.

June

Poson Poya: Mihintale
Join hundreds of pilgrims to make the climb up the ancient frangipane-tree lined steps at Mihintale, the place where Arahat Mahinda, son of King Asoka of India, first introduced Buddhism to the king of Sri Lanka in 236BC. Lit by lanterns and candles at night, this is an experience not to miss.

July to September

Elephant Gathering in Minneriya National Park
On a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park, close to Sigiryia, witness the largest gathering of Asian elephants in the world when up to 450 elephants can come to drink at the tank (man-made lake). There is also a wealth of birdlife, leopards, wild board and deer to be spotted.

July/August

Kandy Perahera
This magnificent five-day festival is famous for its vibrant procession with elephants and fire dancers. The main purpose is to venerate Buddha’s sacred tooth, which is carried by a large tusker.

Vel Festival in Colombo
A Hindu festival in honour of Sri Murukan, the God of war. A procession is led by a chariot pulled by two white bulls and includes fire dancing, fireworks and music. The atmosphere at the temples around the city is electric.

Nallur Festival in Jaffna
The Hindu Nallur Festival takes place annually with venerations taking place for twenty-eight days around the Kandaswamy temple with chariot processions, and pilgrims performing pujas, (religious prayers and offerings that include coconut smashing).

Tuk Tuk Race www.lankachallenge.com
Take part in an exhilarating tuk tuk race through the east and north of the country, home to lagoons, colourful Hindu kovils and palmyrah palms.

November to April

Whale and Dolphin Watching
Between November and April head an hour out to sea from Mirissa harbour on the south-west coast and you are certain to see blue whales migrating, as well as sperm whales, dolphins and turtles. A magnificent sight, blue whales spouting water into the air before diving into the depths.

December to April

Stilt Fishing on the South-West Coast
Between Koggala and Ahangama admire the incredibly agile stilt fishermen who perch on sticks in the sea in the early morning and late afternoon. This scene has become a national icon.

All year round

Poya Days
If your visit to Sri Lanka happens to coincide with a full moon day, then it is definitely worth visiting a local temple. You will join white-clad couples and families, lighting incense and placing fresh sweetly-smelling flowers before statues of Buddha. This is something not to miss.

Leopard Spotting in Yala National Park
Visit Yala National Park, an area that a BBC study revealed has the highest density of leopards in the world. Enjoy staying overnight in the park in luxury safari camps, spotting deer, sloth bears, python, elephants and of course leopards.

Turtle Hatching on the South Coast
Seize the amazing opportunity to watch turtles hatching on the beaches along the south coast. Eight different types visit the island throughout the year.