Imagine the lushest, most idyllic island possible and chances are it won't be as wonderful as Sri Lanka, lying off the southern tip of India. The beautiful beaches are a magnet, but you must explore some of the island's 7 World Heritage Sites, including ancient cities and virgin rainforest. Get active river-rafting or mountain-biking the national trails, and relax with soothing Ayurvedic spa treatments.
In a nutshell
There's a wealth of wildlife on the island. Meet the elephants in the national parks and at the elephant sanctuary, and go birdwatching in the rainforest of Sinharaja. To cool down, head for the atmospheric old hill stations. During Jul/Aug, the 10-day Kandy Perahera Pageant provides a scintillating and colourful spectacle of acrobats, performers and decorated elephants. It's a romantic island, beloved of honeymooners, where you can get married with the unique backdrop of an ancient city's atmospheric ruins. When you've consumed the sights, leave some room for the food. Delicious cuisine includes typical Sri Lankan curry made with chilli, coconut and cinnamon. Indian, Chinese, Malay and Western fare is also readily available. The tea is, of course, top quality (you might like to take some home, along with batiks, ceramics and silver jewellery). Arrack, made from fermented palm-tree sap, is a potent local brew!
Getting there
Flight Details - Sri Lankan Airlines' flights to Colombo depart daily from London Heathrow. Weekend flight supplements of £15 per person each way apply for travel on Fri, Sat and Sun.
Flying Time - Approx 10 hours 35 min to Colombo.
Time Difference - GMT +6 hours
Flight Upgrades - Business Class available from £549 supplement per person each way.
Currency - Sri Lanka Rupee (SLR)
Visa Requirements - British Citizens do not require a visa.
Language - Official language is Sinhala, English widely spoken.
Additional info
Beaches
Many of our hotels are on the island's beautiful beaches. At Mount Lavinia, just 12km from Colombo, relax and enjoy the sea, joining the locals playing cricket and surfing on Sundays. The typical fishing town of Negombo, set amid lush coconut groves, has great, spicy seafood. And south of Colombo, Beruwela marks the beginning of a glorious 130km stretch of beaches, with great bathing in the bay year round.
Culture
Sri Lanka's tally of 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites is truly impressive, spanning the country's rich history from 380BC to the Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial eras. It's a treasure trove of both natural and man-made wonders, including ancient and sacred cities, colonial strongholds, cave temples and virgin forests. The sacred city of Anuradhapura once had 9-storey palaces and dagobas (domes). Marvel at its ruins, glimpsing beautiful statues. Explore the cave temples of Dambulla, and the magnificent temples and palaces of the royal city of Kandy.
Nature
The largest elephant population is found in Uda Walawe. At the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage you can feed the babies - great fun. Sinharaja is Sri Lanka's last remaining virgin rainforest with amazing birdwatching. Yala National Park is the country's premier wildlife reserve and is said to have the world's highest concentration of leopard. Other animals include elephant, sloth bear and crocodile. See exotic fish while snorkelling or diving, visit the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens and check out the island's highest waterfall at Bambarakande.
Weddings and Honeymoons
This exotic island is a haven for romance. Take your vows on a perfect beach, in a flower-filled garden, or in the jungle amid the ruins of an ancient kingdom, accompanied by dancers, drummers and traditional singers. Spend your honeymoon relaxing on the beach, enjoying Ayurvedic spa treatments and touring the hill stations, tea plantations and rainforests. Take the most romantic, sea view rooms, or private villas.
Weather and climate
