What to do in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a wildlife lover’s dream, home to many exotic animals, including leopards. It boasts the highest density of wild cats anywhere else in the world. While you’re here you can watch the monkeys swing through the trees, listen for the thunder of the elephants’ hooves, keep an eye out for tooth crocs and see many bird species too. Safari drives are available island-wide, and for our clients are arranged on a private basis in your own jeep with a private naturalist.

Picturesque Kandy sits beside a lake in the central highlands, providing a cooler respite and a wealth of ancient temples. This was the last capital of Sri Lanka’s ancient kings, home to the famous Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, believed to have belonged to Buddha himself. Your time here can also include walking tours (or independent time) diving into busy bazaars and gem markets, walks in the Uda Watte Kele forest sanctuary high above the city, or a trip to the botanical gardens in nearby are Peredeniya which have an impressive collection of orchids.

Sri Lanka is the ‘spice island’. A natural abundance of spices saw fierce competition between colonial powers to take control here, and in doing so holding a near limitless supply of cinnamon, pepper, cloves, cardamom, chilli, lemongrass, turmeric, ginger…to name a few. A visit to a lush plantation is a fine experience, where you can enjoy a guided walk and tour followed by a mouth-watering lunch of Sri Lankan ‘rice-and-curry’. Matale has some exceptional spice gardens which make a great place to stop on the drive between the Cultural Triangle and Kandy.

Where to start with beaches in Sri Lanka? The south coast in particular is cove after cove of fine white sand and swaying coconut palms; a very happy few days can be spent picking one or two fine beach hotels and spending your days moving up and down the coast to find the perfect beach for you. If you’re looking for pristine, deserted beaches base yourself around Tangalle and use tuk-tuks to ferry you back and forth to Mawella, Nilawella, and Hiriketiya; on the east coast base yourself in Arugam Bay and enjoy the many surf spots in the vicinity; while a base in busier Bentota has turtle hatcheries, ayurvedic spas, cooking classes, and tropical gardens all within reach.

One of the most iconic historic landmarks and most photographed sites in Sri Lanka, Sigiriya Rock is a must-visit: the eighth wonder of the ancient world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the 5th century, it was the official residence of King Kasyapa, and is dominated by a massive column of rock rising over 650 feet from the ground. Experience it by climbing 1,200 steps to the top, best done in the early morning hours to avoid the heat and big crowds. The final part of the climb is a little strenuous, so many choose to stop at the ‘Lion’s Paw’ and focus their visit instead on the water gardens and the Sigiriya Frescoes, paintings of the ladies of the harem of King Kasyapa I.