Sri Lanka Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s over 2000 years of history and culture can still be seen in every corner of its cities and the details of its ever-beautiful ancient temples. With eight UNESCO World Heritage sites and its short distances between the main sights, Sri Lanka is a country that, despite often being overlooked in itineraries, has left travelers filled with awe.

Visit the sacred home of the world’s oldest living tree in Anuradhapura, wander around the colonial architecture of Colombo, get sun-kissed at the untouched beaches that inclose the territory, snorkel in the crystal-clear waters, head to the hills for a cooler temperature and get surrounded by lush natural, visit two thousand year-old temples or get overawed at the sight of hundreds of elephants in Minneriya.

While traveling through Sri Lanka you will experience adventures from the highest and chilliest mountains like the famous Adam’s Peak – a stairway mountain considered sacred in three different religions- , thru the elephant orphanages placed on a single never-ending street on Pinnawela, to the most peaceful beaches up north near Trincomalee and their tiny- one floor- hostels facing the calm sea.

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Sri Lanka Wildlife and Nature Adventure

Explore the best of wildlife and nature experiences the island has to offer with the Wonders of Ceylon Sri Lanka, while enjoying stays at some of ...
from
£2755
/ person
duration
10 days
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Sri Lanka Wellness Experience

The Island of Sri Lanka, is one of the most popular Ayurvedic wellness destinations in the world. Today, Sri Lanka is capable of offering unmatched getaways ...
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£2065
/ person
duration
9 days
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Taste Of Sri Lanka

Go on a classic Sri Lankan foodies holiday and get a taste of Sri Lanka. Visit local markets, enjoy home cooking, and indulge in street food ...
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£1585
/ person
duration
9 days
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Education and Teaching Project in Sri Lanka, Kandy

Education is everyone’s right and we aspire to ensure this regardless of their age, status and disposition! You will have the opportunity to work at ...
from
£300
/ person
durations start from
7 days
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Sri Lanka 10 Week Surf Academy

Combine an epic Sri Lankan surfing experience with a serious surf coaching qualification.   This 10 week surf training programme and instructor course Sri Lanka is ...
from
£5695 £5495
/ person
duration
70 days
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Culture Week in Sri Lanka, Kandy

Travel to visit this beautiful island country located in the Indian Ocean, surrounded by beautiful beaches and exotic Buddhist temples! Travel around this amazing country to ...
from
£350
/ person
duration
7 days
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Photography Experience of Sri Lanka

Experience Sri Lanka; a photographer’s paradise. Rich with old-world colonial charm, millennium-old, moss-covered ruins, and dazzling tea plantations stretched out over misty, ...
from
£1190
/ person
durations start from
13 days
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Medical Project in Sri Lanka, Kandy

By joining the medical project in Kandy, Sri Lanka, you will be able to observe the patients at one of the oldest and the largest hospitals ...
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£500 £450
/ person
durations start from
7 days
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Body and Mind Week in Sri Lanka, Kandy

Indulge yourself in an exciting week specially designed to relax your body and soothe your mind! The Body and Mind week combines Yoga and Meditation with ...
from
£500
/ person
duration
7 days
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Epic Sri Lanka Sojourn

Go on an epic adventure around Sri Lanka, covering highlights from the most important hot spots around the island. Begin from the cultural triangle and then ...
from
£1855 £1780
/ person
durations start from
21 days
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Exquisite Sri Lanka

Exquisite Sri Lanka follows the route of a classic Sri Lankan journey; beginning from the coastal town of Negombo, before heading to the Cultural triangle and ...
from
£4135
/ person
duration
16 days
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Sri Lanka Adventure

Sri Lanka Adventure offers outdoors, nature, wildlife and adrenaline junkies who prefer something different to common sightseeing in an off-road jeep. Through the rocky terrains ...
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£2200
/ person
durations start from
9 days
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Classic Sri Lanka

Classic Sri Lanka is the quintessential Sri Lankan journey. Begin your trip in Negombo, the coastal town twenty minutes from the international airport and then head ...
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£1960
/ person
duration
10 days
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Ultimate Sri Lanka Family Getaway

The Ultimate Family Getaway in Sri Lanka is just as its name suggests, the dream tour itinerary for a family vacation; offering adventures and excitement for ...
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£1595
/ person
durations start from
16 days
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Restoration and Renovation Project in Sri Lanka, Kandy

Contribute to renovate and restore ancient temples and bring back their glory. To top it off, you will get a chance to renovate educational institutions, schools ...
from
£350
/ person
durations start from
7 days
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Flavours of Sri Lanka

Savour the diversity of the island’s cuisine as well as its beauty. Try a variety of curries throughout the island, explore spice and fruit ...
from
£1940
/ person
durations start from
12 days
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Turtle Conservation Project in Sri Lanka, Ambalangoda

Explore the pristine blue waters and white sands of Ambalangoda and take part in conserving sea turtles! We are located a few steps away from the ...
from
£450 £400
/ person
durations start from
7 days

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Quick Facts

Name

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Population

20 million

Capital

Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte and Colombo

Language

Sinhalese, Tamil

Currency

Sri Lankan Rupee

Time Zone

UTC +5:30

Flag Sri Lanka

Climate

Sri Lanka is one of the best destination to visit year-round as the rainy seasons hit the island in opposite locations at different times of the year. That being said, Sri Lanka is a country that can be visited if you know where to go in search for the best weather.

Southwest
The south-western monsoon hits between May and September and the dry season occurs from December to March.

North and coastal regions
The monsoon season happens between October and January while the dry seasons takes places between May and September.

Culture

Sri Lanka is known for its distinct cuisine, its indigenous holistic medicines, its cricket practices and export of tea, cinnamon and gemstones. Moreover, the country boasts a rich artistic tradition which includes music, dance and visual arts.

Sri Lanka has been shaped by many aspects. The first and most obvious being the heritage of Theravada Buddhism passed from India. Furthermore, the colonial period left a big mark in the country’s traditions and culture, with British elements being featured in every corner as well as Dutch and Portuguese.

Sri Lanka, better known as the “nation of smiling people”, is a paradisiac island that Napoleon described as a world-like biodiversity in a tiny piece of land on the Indian ocean. Multicultural, multi-religious and multi-coloured country, formerly named Ceylon, is known for its delicious black tea, its heart-warming inhabitants and its history-filled corners.

Gastronomy

Sri Lankan cuisine has been heavily influenced by many factors such as the British colonization, its closeness to southern India and more. Some stables of Sri Lankan food are rice, coconut and spices – many spices.

Kottu Roti, a blend of chopped roti, vegetables and meat is a unique dish served in Sri Lanka and one that everyone must try while here! Another staple dish are hoppers (appa), based on batter, coconut milk and spices.

Sri Lankans eat with their right hands, which can be hard to adjust to at first. However, many restaurants will provide cuttery if requested.

Key Dates

January: Duruthu
Celebrates the Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka. During Duruthy, thousands of people attend colorful parades, which consist of three processions on the nights before the full moon. The processions consist of fireball performers, drummers, dances, decorated elephants and the most important – a gigantic tusker treading a white carpet.

April 13th or 14th: Avurudda (New Year)
Avurudda celebrates the Sinhalese New Year in Sri Lanka. According to Sinhalese astrology, the new year begins when the sun changes from Meena Rashiya (Pisces) to Mesha Rashiya (Aries).

June: Poson Festival
Poson Festival takes place on the full moon day of June and celebrates the arrival of Buddhism, which occurred when Arahat Mahinda, the son of the emperor of India, converted King Devanampiyatissa to Buddhism.

October or November: Diwali (Festival of Lights)
Diwali is an ancient Hindu festival that signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, hope over despair, and good over evil. It is celebrated with millions of lights shining over houses, temples, and buildings. Diwali is celebrated between mid-October and mid-November, on the darkest, new moon night of Karitika.

In Sri Lanka, it is tradition to take an oil bath in the morning, wear new clothes, exchange presents and visit the Koil, an Hindu Temple. In the evenings, oil lamps are lit to invite the blessings from the goddess of wealth.

Transportation

By Plane
Flying between major locations in Sri Lanka such as Galle, Colombo, Nuwara Eliya and others is possible with Aero Lanka and Sri Lankan Airlines. Moreover, Sri Lankan Airlines runs small seaplanes, which give you a great aerial view of the island.

By Bus
Buses are a option to get around Sri Lanka, albeit quite uncomfortable. For instance, with less than a Euro, you can get almost halfway around the island in a bus without aircon. Luxury buses with AC also exist at a higher price (still very inexpensive).

By Train
Sri Lanka boasts an extensive railway system than will get you almost anywhere around the country. Moreover, Sri Lanka is known for its picturesque sceneries that can be best viewed in a train journey. In fact, there are observation carts in most trains for tourists that will allow you to better take in the beauty of your surroundings.

In most cases, getting around by train is the cheapest option. There are three classes: 1st, 2nd and 3rd class. In most Intercity and Express trains, however, only 1st and 2nd are offered. Do keep in mind that trains from one popular destination to another (i.e. Colombo – Kandy or Galle – Colombo) often get overbooked, so it is best to reserve a seat with time in advance.

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