Sri Lanka
Ancient rock, cool tea hills and a very good train.
- Best time
- December to April for the south and hills, May to September for the east coast
- Good for
- Culture and wildlife, couples, families with older children
- Language
- Sinhala, Tamil
- Currency
- Sri Lankan rupee (LKR)
Why go
The Short Version of Sri Lanka
Few islands fit this much into so small a space. In a single trip you can climb a fifth-century rock fortress, ride a blue train through tea country, watch elephants gather at dusk and finish on a palm-lined southern beach.
We plan the route around Sri Lanka's two monsoons, so you're on the right coast at the right time, and we keep driving days short enough to enjoy the stops along the way.
Plan a Trip to Sri Lanka
Highlights
Where We'd Start
- 01
Sigiriya
A UNESCO-listed rock fortress rising from the plains, with royal gardens at its base and wide views from the summit.
- 02
Kandy
The hill capital, home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and a calm lake at the centre of town.
- 03
Ella & the hill country
Tea estates, waterfalls and easy walks, reached by one of Asia's best-loved train rides.
- 04
Galle Fort
A walled Dutch-era town on the south coast, now full of cafés, boutiques and sea views from the ramparts.
On the ground
Moments Worth Building a Day Around
- The scenic train from Kandy towards Ella
- A safari to see wild elephants
- A morning at a working tea estate
- Sunset on the ramparts of Galle Fort
Start from here
A Signature Journey in Sri Lanka
How does planning a trip with you work?
Send us a short brief through the trip planner or by email. We reply with questions, then a first draft itinerary. You mark it up, we refine it, and only once it feels right do we talk about confirming anything.
Are the journeys on this site fixed?
No. Each signature journey is a starting point showing a route we think works. Days, hotels, pace and stops can all change. You can also ask for a place that isn't listed here.
Why don't you show prices?
The cost of a trip depends on your dates, party size, hotel level and how you want to move around, so a headline price would rarely match what you actually pay. You receive an itemised quote for your own trip before you commit to anything.
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