Unforgettable Sri Lanka

Explore Colombo, Sri Lanka’s rapidly changing capital, taking in the colonial buildings, temples and stately homes that line its leafy boulevards. Check out the fascinating National Museum, housed in a stunning 19th century building surrounded by banyan trees, where you can gaze upon various antiques and historical weapons, as well as some impressive sculptures and paintings of a Sri Lanka from days gone by. And while you’re here don’t forget to taste the aromatic street food, or perhaps the sticky sweet treats on offer on Galle Road.

Continue to Sigiriya, where the first thing that you’ll notice is the towering 200 metre high rocky outcrop, with its vertical walls leading to the ancient remains of a palace on its flat-topped peak, one of the most dramatic sights in Sri Lanka. Climb up to the famous Rock Fortress for fabulous forest views.

Relax on the beaches of Trincomalee, also known as Trinco. Here you’ll be surrounded by pretty, soft sand beaches and some great scuba diving spots. Take a look around Fort Frederick, an old Dutch fort now used as a military base, and look out for the wild deer that graze there. Climb to the clifftop Hindu temple for sweeping peninsula views and check out the intriguing gopuram (monumental tower) of Kali Kovil, which is particularly ornate.

Continue to the white sands and turquoise seas of Passikudah, a small east coast village home to one of the longest stretches of shallow coastline in the world. It’s so shallow in fact that you can wade about 50 metres out to sea. Spot cardinalfish, butterflyfish and damselfish on a snorkelling or diving trip, or perhaps even try night diving. There are two World War II shipwrecks to explore too, as well as the tranquil waters around Pigeon Island.

Learn more about Sri Lankan culture in lakeside Kandy, whose 500 metre elevation means that it is often cooler than the rest of the country. The altitude also brings swirling mists and a wonderful atmosphere to the central lake and surrounding forests. Take a look around the famous Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of the country’s most holy shrines, or tour the Ceylon tea Museum, learn about tea production and sip on a perfectly brewed cuppa or two.

Arrive in the quaint hillside village of Ella and hike through the lush tea plantations, past temples and waterfalls, to the 1141m Little Adam’s Peak, which takes about three hours return. From here, high above the velvet green hills, you’ll have far reaching views across the Sri Lankan countryside. In the evening, don’t forget to look upwards towards the night sky because here, far from the cities, the stars shine brightly allowing for some excellent star gazing.

Venture into the dense monsoon forests and lush wetlands of Yala National Park in search of a rare glimpse of the elusive Sri Lankan leopard. Yala is Sri Lanka’s most visited National Park, drawing safari-goers and birdwatchers to its lively forests, overrun with monkeys, sloth bears, water buffalo and elephants. Around 215 bird species flutter through the trees, including hornbills, cormorants and ibis, and listen out for the loud squawking of the resident peacocks. Look out too for the Sri Lankan flying snake.

Tour the Portuguese fortified city of Galle, a perfectly preserved town with a gorgeously tropical backdrop dripping with colonial architecture, and take a stroll along its peaceful streets. Surrounded by water on three sides, the town’s impressive fort is its stand-out attraction, and a World Heritage site. Inside its walls, a mini-town buzzes with everyday life among the boutiques, quaint hotels and cafes. Take a look, and then relax on the beautiful beach.