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Endless rainforest, timeless ruins, smiley locals, and wildlife galore - there are so many reasons to visit Sri Lanka. Formerly known as Ceylon, the relatively small island is endowed with a diverse collection of landscapes and sights. Get set for unmissable experiences such as the 300-strong elephant gathering at Minneriya National Park or trekking to monasteries nestled within the highlands. Explore the lush, green tea plantations and taste the perfect blend of world-famous Ceylon tea. Wander through bustling cities and marvelous UNESCO World Heritage Sites as you learn stories of war, history, tradition and culture from expert local guides. Head off the beaten track for a truly authentic taste of Sri Lanka.
Travel Talk Sri Lanka tours cover 5 & 4-star accommodation, private and comfortable transportation, and included visits to destinations.
Endless rainforest, timeless ruins, smiley locals, and wildlife galore - there are so many reasons to visit Sri Lanka. Formerly known as Ceylon, the relatively small island is endowed with a diverse collection of landscapes and sights.
Our Sri Lanka Trips
Sri Lanka Accommodation
Please find below the 4 Star hotels used on our Sri Lanka trips. All accommodation is carefully hand-selected to satisfy our standards in terms of quality, authenticity and location for you to enjoy a comfortable and unforgettable holiday.
FAIRWAY COLOMBO HOTEL
Colombo
Fairway Colombo is a modern and stylish hotel located in the heart of the capital city. Colombo, and only 750 yards from the Khan Clock Tower.
PALM GARDEN VILLAGE
Anuradhapura
Conveniently located in Anuradhapura, The stylish accommodation extends over 50 acres of land with a swimming pooling and beautiful garden surroundings.
AMAARA FOREST HOTEL
Sigiriya
This 5-star luxury property is located in the Sigiriya Jungle, surrounded by wildlife and features an outdoor pool and views of the garden.
ARALIYA RED HOTEL
Nuwara Eliya
Situated in Nuwara Eliya, hotel is close to Gregory Lake and has an amazing view of the surrounding mountains and various facilities such as a restaurant and a gym.
Sri Lanka Sights Map
Colombo
Colombo is a cosmopolitan gateway to the wonders of Sri Lanka, boasting a rich colonial heritage, it is a melting pot of races, religions, and cultures.
Wilpattu
Wilpattu National Park has earned its name 'Land of Lakes' due to the serene natural bodies of water that cover the vast park. The park is home to a healthy population of Sri Lankan Leopards, elephants, sloth bears, spotted deer, mongoose, and water buffalo.
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura is the capital city of North Central Province and the capital of Anuradhapura District. This ancient city is home to one of the greatest and oldest civilizations in the world and is famous for its well-preserved ruins.
Samadhi Buddha Statue
Famous statue situated at Mahamevnāwa Park in the ancient city of Anuradhapura. The Buddha is depicted in the position of the Dhyana Mudra.
Ancient Ritigala Monastery
The dense and lush forest of northern Sri Lanka's highest mountain, Mt Ritigala lays the ruins and rock inscriptions of a monastery dating back to 1st century BCE.
Sigiriya
Sigiriya or Sinhagiri is an ancient rock fortress located in the northern Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The name refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 metres high.
Polonnaruwa
Poḷonnaruwa is the main town of Polonnaruwa District in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. Kaduruwela area is the Polonnaruwa New Town and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains as the royal ancient city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa.
Gal Viharaya
The Gal Vihara, also known as Gal Viharaya and originally as the Uttararama, is a rock temple of the Buddha situated in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. It was fashioned in the 12th century by Parakramabahu I.
Minneriya
This national park is one of the best places in the country to see wild elephants, which are often present in huge numbers. Dominated by the ancient Minneriya Wewa.
Dambulla
The name Dambulla derives from Damba – Rock and Ulla – fountain. One sees the incessant drip of water from the fountain within the main image house.
Dambulla Rock
This UNESCO World Heritage Site features sanctified caves with centuries of tales that have shaped the five immaculate Buddhist shrine rooms open for visitors.
Kandy
Kandy is a large city in central Sri Lanka. It's set on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and biodiverse rainforest. The city's heart is scenic Kandy Lake (Bogambara Lake), which is popular for strolling. Kandy is famed for sacred Buddhist sites.
Colombo
Colombo is a cosmopolitan gateway to the wonders of Sri Lanka, boasting a rich colonial heritage, it is a melting pot of races, religions, and cultures.
Wilpattu
Wilpattu National Park has earned its name 'Land of Lakes' due to the serene natural bodies of water that cover the vast park. The park is home to a healthy population of Sri Lankan Leopards, elephants, sloth bears, spotted deer, mongoose, and water buffalo.
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura is the capital city of North Central Province and the capital of Anuradhapura District. This ancient city is home to one of the greatest and oldest civilizations in the world and is famous for its well-preserved ruins.
Samadhi Buddha Statue
Famous statue situated at Mahamevnāwa Park in the ancient city of Anuradhapura. The Buddha is depicted in the position of the Dhyana Mudra.
Ancient Ritigala Monastery
The dense and lush forest of northern Sri Lanka's highest mountain, Mt Ritigala lays the ruins and rock inscriptions of a monastery dating back to 1st century BCE.
Sigiriya
Sigiriya or Sinhagiri is an ancient rock fortress located in the northern Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The name refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 metres high.
Polonnaruwa
Poḷonnaruwa is the main town of Polonnaruwa District in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. Kaduruwela area is the Polonnaruwa New Town and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains as the royal ancient city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa.
Gal Viharaya
The Gal Vihara, also known as Gal Viharaya and originally as the Uttararama, is a rock temple of the Buddha situated in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. It was fashioned in the 12th century by Parakramabahu I.
Minneriya
This national park is one of the best places in the country to see wild elephants, which are often present in huge numbers. Dominated by the ancient Minneriya Wewa.
Dambulla
The name Dambulla derives from Damba – Rock and Ulla – fountain. One sees the incessant drip of water from the fountain within the main image house.
Dambulla Rock
This UNESCO World Heritage Site features sanctified caves with centuries of tales that have shaped the five immaculate Buddhist shrine rooms open for visitors.
Kandy
Kandy is a large city in central Sri Lanka. It's set on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and biodiverse rainforest. The city's heart is scenic Kandy Lake (Bogambara Lake), which is popular for strolling. Kandy is famed for sacred Buddhist sites.
Sri Lanka Travel Guide
The weather in Sri Lanka is rather complex for such a small island, due to the fact that the island is affected by two separate monsoon seasons. The main southwest monsoon brings rain to the west and southwest coasts and the hill country from April to September and its wettest from April to June. Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon hits the east coast from Novemebr to March and is wettest from November to December. In a nutshell, if you're heading to the west or south coasts and the hillside, then you're best off going between December and March. However, if you intend to travel to the east coast and north, you'll find the best year to visit Sri Lanka from April to September.
We closely monitor the latest travel updates to Sri Lanka and follow the advice of the UK Foreign Office. For the latest travel advice from UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), please click here.
Travellers visiting Sri Lanka are required to obtain Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) approval prior to their arrival. After ETA approval is received, British, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadians are amongst a list of passport holders who are eligible for tourist visas for stays up to 30 days.
Please visit your national Government's Official Foreign Travel Advice website for further information on entry requirements to Sri Lanka.
For more information on ETA approval process in Sri Lanka, click here.
This information is provided as a guidance only. Travel Talk strongly advises to consult your travel agent or national embassy before travelling, as visa information can change at any time with little notice. It is your responsibility to prepare all necessary visa documents before travelling.
The culture in Sri Lanka is rich and full of stories, with a mixture of beliefs, religious and history. From the 16th century to the middle of 20th century, Sri Lanka was a colony to 3 countries including the Portugese, Dutch and British. The colonial era was followed by a 30 year long civil war, meaning the nation has only recently left the difficult days behind. Today, there still remains traces of these long years of suffering, but its hard-working people are determined to maintain their hard-fought freedom. The country is also home to 4 religious groups that respectfully live in harmony. This diversity will be unlike anything experienced throughout other regions of South-East Asia.
Known as the original Spice Island of the world, Sri Lanka is home to an intricate combination of flavours and fresh produce. Seafood & rice and spices will be the major ingredient on menus and surprisingly not only for lunch or dinner but also for breakfast! Short eats are also quite common in the country, taking their origin from the Portuguese rule. The prices in Sri Lanka are very reasonable so prepare your taste buds to some spicy delicacies! The local brew of choice is Lion Lager and compliments the national dish of Sri Lanka rice and curry perfectly.
From Buddha figurines to tea or spices and unique artisan goods - You'll need to leave some space in your suitcase for all the intricate souvenirs you'll find along the way in Sri Lanka. At the corner of every street you'll find street food, markets and vendors selling anything from fresh fruit to gift wares and tasty local dishes. Sri Lanka is inexpensive for shopping goods, making it a haven for visitors on a budget.
The country is home to four main religions - Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity - meaning there are a lot of public holidays each year! If you're planning a trip to Sri Lanka, keep a look out for these main events worth experiencing;
Vesak Poya: Falling on the full moon of March each year, this festival of lights is a triple celebration of Buddha. It is on this day that Buddha was born, found enlightenment, then many years later passed away. The Vesak festival takes over the city and most of the island with businesses and homes hanging white paper lanterns at night. To experience this festival in full, head to Baudaloka Mawata or Biera Lake.
Maha Shivarathri: Maha Shivarathri is the celebration of the Hindu god Shiva. Festivities take place in June in the Hindu Shiva temples around the island. Devotees take a purification bath at dawn and fast all day. Shiva statues are bathed in milk and honey and covered in red vermillion to represent purification of the soul.
Vel Festival: Vel is Sri Lanka's most important Hindu festival which reflects the religious and cultural hertiage of Hinduism. The main celebrations are in Colombo, attracting thousands of pilgrims from all over the island. During this time, hundreds of musicians, dancers, acrobats and elephants snake through various parts of the city burning incense and jasmine flowers, banging drums, and parading the streets. It's a spectacular sight to witness!
Sri Lanka Tours - FAQ
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Best Time To Visit
Travel Advice
Visas
Culture
Eating and drinking
Shopping
Festivals and events
TRAVEL GUIDE
Best Time To Visit
The weather in Sri Lanka is rather complex for such a small island, due to the fact that the island is affected by two separate monsoon seasons. The main southwest monsoon brings rain to the west and southwest coasts and the hill country from April to September and its wettest from April to June. Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon hits the east coast from Novemebr to March and is wettest from November to December. In a nutshell, if you're heading to the west or south coasts and the hillside, then you're best off going between December and March. However, if you intend to travel to the east coast and north, you'll find the best year to visit Sri Lanka from April to September.
TRAVEL GUIDE
Travel Advice
We closely monitor the latest travel updates to Sri Lanka and follow the advice of the UK Foreign Office. For the latest travel advice from UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), please click here.
TRAVEL GUIDE
Visas
Travellers visiting Sri Lanka are required to obtain Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) approval prior to their arrival. After ETA approval is received, British, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadians are amongst a list of passport holders who are eligible for tourist visas for stays up to 30 days.
Please visit your national Government's Official Foreign Travel Advice website for further information on entry requirements to Sri Lanka.
For more information on ETA approval process in Sri Lanka, click here.
This information is provided as a guidance only. Travel Talk strongly advises to consult your travel agent or national embassy before travelling, as visa information can change at any time with little notice. It is your responsibility to prepare all necessary visa documents before travelling.
TRAVEL GUIDE
Culture
The culture in Sri Lanka is rich and full of stories, with a mixture of beliefs, religious and history. From the 16th century to the middle of 20th century, Sri Lanka was a colony to 3 countries including the Portugese, Dutch and British. The colonial era was followed by a 30 year long civil war, meaning the nation has only recently left the difficult days behind. Today, there still remains traces of these long years of suffering, but its hard-working people are determined to maintain their hard-fought freedom. The country is also home to 4 religious groups that respectfully live in harmony. This diversity will be unlike anything experienced throughout other regions of South-East Asia.
TRAVEL GUIDE
Eating and drinking
Known as the original Spice Island of the world, Sri Lanka is home to an intricate combination of flavours and fresh produce. Seafood & rice and spices will be the major ingredient on menus and surprisingly not only for lunch or dinner but also for breakfast! Short eats are also quite common in the country, taking their origin from the Portuguese rule. The prices in Sri Lanka are very reasonable so prepare your taste buds to some spicy delicacies! The local brew of choice is Lion Lager and compliments the national dish of Sri Lanka rice and curry perfectly.
TRAVEL GUIDE
Shopping
From Buddha figurines to tea or spices and unique artisan goods - You'll need to leave some space in your suitcase for all the intricate souvenirs you'll find along the way in Sri Lanka. At the corner of every street you'll find street food, markets and vendors selling anything from fresh fruit to gift wares and tasty local dishes. Sri Lanka is inexpensive for shopping goods, making it a haven for visitors on a budget.
TRAVEL GUIDE
Festivals and events
The country is home to four main religions - Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity - meaning there are a lot of public holidays each year! If you're planning a trip to Sri Lanka, keep a look out for these main events worth experiencing;
Vesak Poya: Falling on the full moon of March each year, this festival of lights is a triple celebration of Buddha. It is on this day that Buddha was born, found enlightenment, then many years later passed away. The Vesak festival takes over the city and most of the island with businesses and homes hanging white paper lanterns at night. To experience this festival in full, head to Baudaloka Mawata or Biera Lake.
Maha Shivarathri: Maha Shivarathri is the celebration of the Hindu god Shiva. Festivities take place in June in the Hindu Shiva temples around the island. Devotees take a purification bath at dawn and fast all day. Shiva statues are bathed in milk and honey and covered in red vermillion to represent purification of the soul.
Vel Festival: Vel is Sri Lanka's most important Hindu festival which reflects the religious and cultural hertiage of Hinduism. The main celebrations are in Colombo, attracting thousands of pilgrims from all over the island. During this time, hundreds of musicians, dancers, acrobats and elephants snake through various parts of the city burning incense and jasmine flowers, banging drums, and parading the streets. It's a spectacular sight to witness!
HIGHLIGHTS
Colombo
HIGHLIGHTS
Wilpattu
HIGHLIGHTS
Anuradhapura
HIGHLIGHTS
Samadhi Buddha Statue
HIGHLIGHTS
Ancient Ritigala Monastery
HIGHLIGHTS
Sigiriya
HIGHLIGHTS
Polonnaruwa
HIGHLIGHTS
Gal Viharaya
HIGHLIGHTS
Minneriya
HIGHLIGHTS
Dambulla
HIGHLIGHTS
Dambulla Rock
HIGHLIGHTS
Kandy
ACCOMMODATION
Colombo
FAIRWAY COLOMBO HOTEL
ACCOMMODATION
Anuradhapura
PALM GARDEN VILLAGE
ACCOMMODATION
Sigiriya
AMAARA FOREST HOTEL
ACCOMMODATION
Nuwara Eliya
ARALIYA RED HOTEL
Do I need a visa to enter Sri Lanka?
https://www.eta.gov.lk/
How much does it cost for a…?
What is the weather like in Sri Lanka all year round?
What to wear in Sri Lanka?
What is ATM access like in Sri Lanka?
Can I drink tap water in Sri Lanka?
Is tipping required in Sri Lanka?
F.A.Q.
Do I need a visa to enter Sri Lanka?
All nationals need to get a visa before visiting Sri Lanka.
Please check with your embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa fees and other requirements.
https://www.eta.gov.lk/
F.A.Q.
https://www.eta.gov.lk/
Yes, you can use your unlocked phone with a Sri Lankan SIM, however, you must have enabled global roaming before leaving their home country.
Mobile / cell phone reception is generally very in cities and towns in Sri Lanka.
F.A.Q.
How much does it cost for a…?
The rupee is the legal tender of Sri Lanka.
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) USD 1.60
Cappuccino (regular) USD 1.40
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) USD 0,52
F.A.Q.
What is the weather like in Sri Lanka all year round?
Sri Lanka can be visited year-round, Sri Lanka's weather and climate is tropical and consists of different wet and dry seasons. Generally, the coastal areas of Sri Lanka have an average temperature of 28 ° C (82 ° F), while the uplands are colder and more temperate, with an annual average of around 16-20 ° C (60-68 ° F).
F.A.Q.
What to wear in Sri Lanka?
Ideal for bringing light, lining and cotton fabric clothing when traveling to Sri Lanka.
Add a cardigan, hoodie, or light jacket to your Sri Lankan packing list for the evenings.
F.A.Q.
What is ATM access like in Sri Lanka?
ATMs can be easily found in cities and towns in Sri Lanka.
F.A.Q.
Can I drink tap water in Sri Lanka?
Avoid drinking tap water in Sri Lanka. Also avoid ice unless you're sure that it's been made with boiled or purified water.
F.A.Q.
Is tipping required in Sri Lanka?
Tipping is expected by the service staff and tips for good service are highly appreciated. Service staff deserve a gift If you think the service is good.
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