Leopards in Yala, ancient temples at Sigiriya and misty tea country. Discover the magic of Sri Lanka on a journey planned personally around you.

Sri Lanka Holidays & Tailor-made Tours

Start Planning

Year-round

always somewhere sunny

10-16 nights

the ideal length for a first visit

Direct flights

non-stop flights with BA

‍ ‍Pairs perfectly

with a few nights in the Maldives

WHY SRI LANKA?

Leopards, elephants & ancient kingdoms on one small island

Few places pack so much into one small island. In two weeks you can climb an ancient rock fortress, ride the hill-country train through emerald tea plantations, search for leopards on safari and finish with lazy days on a palm-fringed beach. Distances are short, the food is wonderful and the welcome is genuinely warm. For safari lovers, Sri Lanka offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Asia.

Top experiences in Sri Lanka

  • Safari in Yala National Park

    Yala has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world. Early-morning game drives also bring sloth bears, elephants and crocodiles.

  • Climb Sigiriya Lion Rock

    Climb past ancient frescoes and giant stone lion’s paws to the ruins of a 5th-centuary palace on the summit, with sweeping views over the jungle.

  • The train to Ella in Sri Lanka

    The Hill-Country Train to Ella

    One of the world’s most beautiful train journeys, winding past tea plantations, waterfalls and cloud forest. Then walk to Ella’s famous Nine Arch Bridge.

  • Blue Whale Watching Off Mirissa

    South Africa Safaris

    Head out at dawn with a whale watching operator in search of blue whales, the largest animals on Earth, often joined by pods of spinner dolphins.

  • Elephants in Sri Lanka

    The elephant gathering at Minneriya

    As the dry season peaks, hundreds of wild Asian elephants gather around the ancient reservoir. One of Asia’s great wildlife spectacles.

  • lady picking tea in tea plantation Sri Lanka

    Stay on a Tea Estate

    Walk through estates with tea pickers and learn how your morning cuppa is made.

Explore Sri Lanka

WHEN TO GO

Best time to visit Sri Lanka

Thanks to its unique climate, when one side of the island is wet, the other is usually dry, so there’s always somewhere sunny to go.

The south and west coasts, the hill country and the cultural triangle are at their best from December to April, which is also blue whale season off Mirissa. From May to September the east coast shines. Between July and September, hundreds of wild elephants gather at Minneriya, and Kandy holds its spectacular Esala Perahera festival in July or August

WHERE TO GO

Each part of the island has its own character. Most of my itineraries combine three or four of these regions, travelling with a private driver-guide so you can stop whenever something catches your eye.

Sri Lanka region by region

  • The Cultural Triangle

    Sigiriya, the Dambulla Caves temples and the ancient cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, plus elephant safaris in Minneriya and Kaudulla.

  • Kandy

    The island’s cultural heart, home to the Temple of the Tooth, beautiful botanical gardens and the gateway to the hill country.

  • Lady picking tea in hill country, Sri Lanka

    The Hill Country

    Rolling tea estates, cool mountain air and scenic walks around Ella, Newark Eliya and Hatton, linked by the famous scenic train.

  • Leopard in a tree in Sri Lanka

    Yala & the south-east

    Leopard safaris in Yala, elephant herds in Udawalawe and stylish safari camps on the edge of the parks

  • Galle Fort in Sri Lanka

    The South & West Coast

    Historic Galle, golden beaches, boutique villas and whale watching from Mirissa, at their best from December to April

  • Trincomalee beach in Sri Lanka

    The East Coast

    Quiet beaches, calm seas and snorkelling around Trincomalee and Pasikudah. The perfect summer beach choice, from May to September.

Sri Lanka specialist on top of Sigiriya Rock

Ready to plan your Sri Lanka holiday?

kim@walkingwild.je
+44 (0) 782 987 44 83

St Aubins, Jersey

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Sri Lanka Holiday FAQ’s

  • Sri Lanka is a year-round destination with sunshine somewhere on the island in every month. The south and west coasts, the hill country and the cultural triangle area at their best from December to April, while the east coast shines from May to September. Its two monsoon seasons affect opposite sides of the island at different times, so there’s always a sunny coast to enjoy.

  • Ten to sixteen nights is ideal for a first visit to Sri Lanka. That gives you time to explore the Cultural Triangle, Kandy and the hill country, enjoy leopard safari in Yala and finish with a few relaxing days on the beach, all without feeling rushed. Add four or five nights if you’d like to include the Maldives.

  • Your chances of seeing a leopard in Sri Lanka are very good. Yala National Park has one of the highest leopard densities in the world., with especially good sightings from February to July. Sightings can never be guaranteed, but staying at least two nights and taking several game drives with an experienced guide gives you the best chance.

  • Sri Lanka is a fantastic family holiday destination. Journey’s between regions are short, and there’s plenty of variet, from wild elephants, train rides and tea estates to safe, sandy beaches. Sri Lankans are famously welcoming to children, and I can choose family-friendly hotels and a gentle pace that suits all ages.

  • Most visitors to Sri Lanka, including British passport holders, need to apply online for a travel entry authorisation to enter Sri Lanka. Requirements can change, so i’ll confirm the current rules for your trip and help you with the application once you’ve booked.