Sri Lanka
Bringing everything from timeless temples and caramel-scented tea fields to its very own Big 5 favourite, this admirably humble teardrop country is making much more of a splash in the ocean.
Bringing everything from timeless temples and caramel-scented tea fields to its very own Big 5 favourite, this admirably humble teardrop country is making much more of a splash in the ocean.
One of the most resilient island souls of recent years, Sri Lanka’s charm lies in bringing the unexpected ‘chill’ side of Asia we didn’t know that we needed. Unfaltering with a pride that only grows the crumblier the Cultural Triangle temples get, there’s so much ancient history to uncover that culture vultures never need to curb their curiosities.
While those with a penchant for all things self-searching will surely find peace in the tea plantations of the Hill Country, where a Buddhist-inspired calm and serene natural landscapes simply await shifting perspectives. And with the Big 5 never too far away, the game of gratitude becomes too fun; when cunning leopards reveal their camouflage, and herds of elephants go stomping by.
In pursuit of…
...India’s introverted little sister
Wildlife enthusiasts, big-time feeders, and the nurturer of family and friends; some values can only travel so far, which makes India and Sri Lanka closely bonded. But despite our love for the well-known extrovert, Sri Lanka’s reassuring benefit is its consistently casual pace and cosier distances for experiencing Asia’s inner community in one fell swoop. Spanning ancient sites and national parks to icing-sugar beaches, everything goes softer on the senses – until the scrumptiously spicy cuisine kicks in, of course.
“Sri Lanka is an island that everyone loves at some level inside themselves.”
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A sense of place
Get to know our favourite spots in Sri Lanka, from the Hill Country that brings a horizon full of outdoor activities to the challenge of watching a leopard go by at Yala National Park.
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![A line of six golden buddha statues with orange drapes]()
The North
A cultural triangle that we can only imagine being cushioned in the softest velvet tenderly holding the ancient histories of Kings and contested lands. All three ancient capitals roll out UNESCO-heritage sites, from a sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree to a rich collection of monkey-loved Buddhist palaces and temples. While the modern-day magnetism of Colombo’s bustling coastline metropolis delves deeper into old stories and new cultures abound.
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![Two people walking up a hill that is full of green plants]()
Hill Country
A spellbinding introduction captured by the train journey from Kandy to Hatton alone; this Hill Country brings a horizon full of outdoor activities, from tea plantations established in the 1800s to emerald peaks and rushing waterfalls. Hatton is a haven for wildlife, trekking, walking, and a little bit of R&R, and Kandy also brings a cultural side, from its colourful architecture to its Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
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![a beach with palm trees and buildings]()
East Coast
Make fresh footprints in the sand along Sri Lanka’s best-kept secret coastline, that has all the beauty of the Indian Ocean lapping along its sides. Playing host to the traditional coastal harbour at Trincomalee (one of the best spots in the world for blue whale watching), the horseshoe-shaped bay of Passikudah Beach also invites a whole host of water activities.
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![A leopard laid under a rock outcrop looking at the camera]()
South Coast
In equal amounts zealous, zesty and oh-so-zen. These powdery sands flanked by palm and bamboo groves are sure to lure sunseekers in. But with the wrongfully overlooked Yala National Park waiting just nearby, even the cool days can turn into the challenge of spotting a cunning leopard step out of its disguise from in between the grasses.
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Its essence...
RESILIENTRESILIENT
RESILIENT
RESILIENTRESILIENTSPIRITUALSPIRITUAL
SPIRITUAL
SPIRITUALSPIRITUALBIODIVERSEBIODIVERSE
BIODIVERSE
BIODIVERSEBIODIVERSEPassages from a journal A week spent in Sri Lanka
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Day 10
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Day 10
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![A person holding white ceramic cup filled with a dark liquid]()
9:45am
Drinking in the scenery with a cup of tea this morning up high in the Hill Country. It really is something else being able to see how closely your own tea was farmed; it already gives Sri Lanka such a homely and welcoming feeling. We’re planning some activities for days ahead, including trekking and biking around the mountains and waterfalls.
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![Green tea leaf plants with hills on the other side]()
5pm
We’ve just got back from our insightful experience with Bernard Holsinger, a resident tea planter at Tea Trails. I defy even a coffee connoisseur not to be taken in by his enthusiasm for the different tastes and unique flavours of the leaves, and the way it all seems to bring joy to everyone. Now, our butler is making us a traditional Sri Lankan dish to wind down for the evening.
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![A herd of elephants grazing on a lush green field]()
12:54pm
Into the beach-side jungle of Yala National Park today, where apparently even the turtles come to lay their eggs. Our first private game drive is booked this afternoon, so we’re on the lookout for leopards, elephants and sloths – three of Sri Lanka’s Big 5.
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![A whales tail coming out of the sea]()
2pm
We’re riding an absolute high after our whale-watching tour. The day started early, but it was so worth the wildlife that followed. First, we saw a little nursery of sperm whales, before we witnessed the most breathtaking sight of a blue whale passing by. They were so serene and gentle, and it’s something we’ll never forget.
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![Beach shore with palm trees as the sun sets]()
6pm
There’s a zen-like tranquillity down here in the South, making it almost too easy to wind down and enjoy the scenery of this picture-postcard beach cave we’re lounging at the mouth of. Apparently, there might be a seafood BBQ feast this evening, which we’re hoping to get involved in (because everything tastes better grilled over coals).
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![White and brown lighthouse near green trees under a blue sky]()
4:15pm
We’ve just got back from our day in Galle, visiting the Fort with a local and exploring all its churches and museums for a little cultural fill. And, because the food here has been too good not to, we thought we’d finish is all with a cooking experience to take some recipes home with us.
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The leading line-up
Sri Lanka
Extraordinary
experiences
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![A group of people playing cricket on a green field in Sri Lanka, Nuwara Eliya District]()
Play a game of cricket with the localsVisit a local village and join the competition over this iconic national sport.
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![A low angle taken just above water filled with flowers and pads at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya]()
Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens with a botanistMeet Bandara Palipana, an incredible storyteller of flora and fauna and unravel the tales of this Royal Botanical Garden.
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![A white lighthouse surrounded by palm trees in Sri Lanka during the day]()
Enjoy a theatrical dining experience with a storyteller and artistJoin Glen, the charismatic host, for a seven-course taster menu filled with stories, music, and sometimes stand-up.
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Destination essentials
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