Things to do in Sri Lanka
Gorge on culture
Don't panic about which site to see in Sri Lanka. Follow the example of the Buddhist pilgrims who come in their thousands, and get more Zen about it.
Tourists love to debate over which archaeological site is the best in Sri Lanka. But they are all amazing in their own way really. The Cultural Triangle is the starting point for most people on cultural tours in Sri Lanka, which is the ancient artery of Sinhalese civilisation, with the vast palaces of Anuradhapura, the ruins of Polonnaruwa and the citadel at Sigiriya, the three main points.
Our Sri Lanka Vacations
Sri Lanka vacations, tailor made
Independent tailor made vacations to Sri Lanka
From
£2145
15 days
inc UK flights
Sri Lanka family vacation
A fabulous family vacation including the best of Sri Lanka
From
US $1965 to US $2985
15 days
ex flights
Sri Lanka highlights vacation
An exciting mix of culture, nature, wildlife and beaches
From
£1598
14 days
ex flights
Sri Lanka vacation, island explorer
Sri Lanka - its wildlife, culture and people
From
US $2000
15 days
ex flights
Tailor made wildlife tour of Sri Lanka
Wildlife tour around Sri Lanka - see blue whales!
From
£1970
13 days
inc UK flights
Beach vacation & tour in Sri Lanka
Beach vacation and wildlife tour of Sri Lanka
From
£2495
15 days
inc UK flights
Sri Lanka small group tour, a food adventure
A delicious adventure through this provocative country.
From
US $2155 to US $2465
12 days
ex flights
Sri Lanka tour & beach vacation
Tropical island paradise with cultural tour
From
£2125
15 days
inc UK flights
Small group vacation to Sri Lanka
Explore Sri Lanka's natural paradise
From
US $2165 to US $2635
15 days
ex flights
Wildlife vacation in Sri Lanka, private departure
Wildlife vacation to see Sri Lanka's 'Big Four'
From
£2330
15 days
inc UK flights
Adventure vacation to Sri Lanka
Now is the time to discover this magical land
From
US $2325 to US $2755
15 days
ex flights
Family vacation to Sri Lanka
Explore Sri Lanka with the family
From
US $2015 to US $2325
13 days
ex flights
Grand tour of Sri Lanka, tailor made
A bespoke customised Sri Lanka Vacation
From
US $2799 to US $2999
14 days
ex flights
Sri Lanka Family vacations
A superb family adventure to Sri Lanka
From
£1175 to £1375
15 days
ex flights
Yala wildlife tour in Sri Lanka
Alternative Yala safari package based at wild forest camp
From
US $788
4 days
ex flights
Family tour to Sri Lanka
An ideal introduction to the magnificent island of Sri Lanka
From
£2200 to £2350
15 days
inc UK flights
Sri Lanka cycling vacation
Ride the cool highlands, jungle parks and ancient Buddhist cities
From
US $2635 to US $3645
14 days
ex flights
Culture and history tour of Sri Lanka
A beautiful visit through exotic Sri Lanka
From
£1895
10 days
ex flights
Sri Lanka coast to coast cycling vacation
Sri Lanka Coast to Coast cycling ride
From
£1400
13 days
ex flights
Sri Lanka and Maldives vacations
Enjoy two Indian Ocean tropical island paradise
From
£3795
15 days
inc UK flights
Sri Lanka highlights tour
Sri Lanka’s highlights in a week long express itinerary
From
£1218
8 days
ex flights
Sri Lanka vacation, small group
Hidden temples, sacred Buddhist sites and Hindu shrines
From
US $965 to US $1399
9 days
ex flights
Sri Lanka tour and Maldive Dhoni cruise
Join us on this trip exploring Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
From
US $3180 to US $3550
15 days
ex flights
Sri Lanka vacation including the north
Discover the very north to the very south of this island
From
US $2325 to US $2615
17 days
ex flights
Sri Lanka tailor made tours
An Island odyssey of ancient culture, unique natural beauty
From
£2850 to £4032
14 days
ex flights
Family volunteering with elephants in Sri Lanka
Family volunteering with elephants in Sri Lanka
From
£745 to £1030
7 days
ex flights
Sri Lanka walking vacation
Trek through verdant mountains and dense forest
From
US $2555 to US $2785
15 days
ex flights
Immerse yourself in Ayurveda
This ancient art of healing the mind and body is part of Sri Lankan life and there are Ayurvedic pharmacies everywhere. An ancient Hindu form of traditional medicine, it is not considered alternative medicine as it is in the Europe. Brought to the island in 6th century BCE from India by Prince Vijaya who then went on to become the first king of the island. As it merges philosophy, psychology, spirituality along with plant and herbal medicines you can immerse yourself totally at retreats that not only offer escape from the world landscapes, but greet you with yoga experts, healers, meditation masters and nutrition experts, all of whom play important roles in Ayurveda. You can have a ‘drop in’ Ayurvedic massage at many places in Sri Lanka, as well as other traditional therapies such as steam baths, saunas and herbal baths.
Our top Sri Lanka Vacation
Sri Lanka vacations, tailor made
Independent tailor made vacations to Sri Lanka
From
£2145
15 days
inc UK flights
Tailor made:
Our tailor made Sri Lanka vacations can be arranged at any time to suit you, and adapted to your requirements as necessary although we do not offer trips for under 10 days.
Our tailor made Sri Lanka vacations can be arranged at any time to suit you, and adapted to your requirements as necessary although we do not offer trips for under 10 days.
Helpdesk
Hello. If you'd like to chat about Sri Lanka or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help. Rosy & team.
Ride bikes not elephants
It feels less invasive arriving at Sri Lanka's sacred sites on a bike somehow.
Sri Lanka is famous, now sadly infamous, for being a place to ride elephants. Stick to vehicles designed to be ridden and cycle your way around tropical backroads, up through tea plantations around Ella or through cultural highlights such as Anuradhapura. There is nothing like approaching Sigirya Rock by bike. Pootle along coastal wetlands of Bundala National Park, with cool off sessions on Sri Lankan beaches such as Mirissa.
The Big Blue
Although Sri Lanka is not famous for its whale watching, it's the icing on the cake for many visitors. You can see up to ten different species including fin whales, Bryde's whales, minkes, humpback, sperm whales, long-nosed spinner dolphins, long-beaked common dolphins, common bottlenose dolphins, striped dolphins and, best of all, blue whales. Whale watching is becoming big business here, especially around Mirissa and Galle, so be careful whom you go out on the seas with, as it is important for you and the whales that your whale watching experience is a responsible one. See, for example, if the trip is accredited by the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) and if it has a responsible tourism policy.
At the moment there is almost no government regulation in place with regards to whale watching, so the more people who ask for responsible whale watching, the better. See our guide to whale watching for more details. The best time for whale and dolphin watching is late November to mid-April – with blue whales closest to shore from late February to mid-March.
More about Sri Lanka
When working out the best time to visit Sri Lanka, you need to work around its two monsoons, or just not worry about it and bring a brolly.
Whether you are following in the footsteps of Paul Theroux and traveling by train, discovering the former colonial world of the tea plantations, wildlife watching in rainforests, or just blissing out at the beach, Sri Lanka has something for everyone. And as for the food – that just ticks everyone’s boxes.
The most glimmering Sri Lanka highlights are the ancient archaeological and sacred wonders of the Golden Triangle. But this teardrop island has so many other glittering gems too.
White sands, swaying palms and all year round heat in the high 20s makes Sri Lanka beach bliss. There are, in fact, 1,600km of beaches here.
As if Sri Lanka didn’t ooze magic from every pore already, blue whales are jumping out of the ocean to upstage the other natural wonders for a few weeks between February and mid March.
Buddhism is at the heart of cultural vacations in Sri Lanka, whether you are visiting the ancient sites, a contemporary temple or just just meeting local people.
From the Sri Lanka blue magpie to the Sri Lanka leopard, the great Asian elephant to the ginormous blue whale, Sri Lanka has stupendous wildlife.
Sri Lanka is a culinary paradise, where fresh local ingredients, sizzling spices and recipes bequeathed by a history of colonisation create a diverse and delicious culinary scene.
Sri Lanka translates as ‘resplendent island’ in Sanskrit. After years of conflict both north and south are now united and gloriously resplendent.
The British introduced tea to Sri Lanka in 19th century and visiting plantations today is like returning to a slightly archaic genteel age. Where everything is solved with a cuppa.
Traveling in Sri Lanka with kids is not only a journey through ancient culture, wildlife central and beach bliss, it is also a wonderful island of wonderfully welcoming families.
If you want a trip to the tropics that combines culture, history, nature and incredible Indian Ocean vistas then look no further – Sri Lanka and the Maldives are your perfect twosome.
Our experts give great where, when, who and why Sri Lanka travel advice. Where to cycle, when to go, whom to meet and guide you and safari wisdom too.
There are many issues to take into account, sadly, when it comes to responsible tourism in Sri Lanka, and we encourage you to read on for more details.
Find all of our Sri Lanka guides in one place, for particular types of vacation we offer such as culture, cycling, wildlife or more. Choose from all our Sri Lanka guides
Why book with Responsible Travel
Photo credits: [Page banner: chuvipro] [Gorge on culture: Indi Samarajiva]
[Immerse yourself in Ayurveda : Amila Tennakoon]
[Ride bikes not elephants: Amila Tennakoon]
[The Big Blue: kwan kwan]
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