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Most of the population in Sri Lanka is Buddhist and everywhere you go there are reminders of man’s place in the universal order, the best example being the impressive Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. Here viewings of the highly prized tooth are in such demand that Sri Lankans book months in advance and bring their families from all over the country to catch a glimpse of it.

Look further into this intriguing country and you’ll discover the ruins of ancient palaces and forts, glorious green hilled tea plantations, extraordinary Buddha statues and a village way of life that has remained unchanged for centuries. Much of Sri Lanka's inland remains completely untouched and here you will find the intriguing Sigiriya, rising majestically from the surrounding plains. There are so many stories as to the purpose of this splendid rock monument that we recommend you come to your own conclusions, as you gaze at the magnificent view from its summit. Sri Lanka also has some stunning beachside resorts, our favourites being Aditya close to Galle, and Reef Villas in Wadduwa. Both offer a wonderfully relaxed ambience and serene golden sands, so why not give in to sheer indulgence and dine on a delicious fusion of Asian and Mediterranean cuisine as the sun gently dips into the ocean and your eyes turn to the stars.

Out and About
Enjoy the delightful countryside, relax at the beach, or discover the rich history and culture of the Sri Lankan people with a few of our suggested activities.

• Let the the beauty of the island unfold beneath you with a magical hot air balloon flight; see elephants in their natural habitat, fly over placid lakes, or get a bird's eye view of the impressive Sigiriya.

• Visit the 11th Century ruins of Polonnaruwa, once the country's capital, and marvel at the remains of this once great garden city, with its striking rock cut Buddha statues, palaces and temples.

• Do some shopping at one of Kandy’s many gem, batik and wood carving stores and take a tour to see how these are produced.

• Explore the maze of streets that make up Galle old town on Sri Lanka’s south western tip, a World Heritage Site that is like stepping back in time, with the best preserved sea fort in South Asia.

Food and Drink
Rice and curry is the traditional Sri Lankan staple and is eaten by locals for almost every meal! It involves a tantalizing selection of separate dishes containing curried lentils and vegetables, together with a main dish of curried meat or fish. Try it for yourself to understand the locals’ addiction. Hoppers and string hoppers are another traditional favourite, mainly served for breakfast and lunch, and make sure you try the locally distilled Arrack, made from palm tree sap, and of course the numerous wonderful flavours of tea.

There are many opportunities to sample local cuisine on our Serene Sri Lanka tour and if you decide to extend and include a beach stay, there are also some great restaurants in Galle. The Dining Room at Amangalla offers a fantastic choice of traditional Sri Lankan curry and home-cooked dishes in an intimate colonial setting and is one of our favourites, while Galle Fort Hotel has a regularly changing international menu with set meal options. We also recommend Cinnamon Room at Jetwing Lighthouse, which is a fabulous fine dining restaurant with daily specials and excellent signature dishes.

Getting There
Flights to Colombo are with Sri Lankan Airlines direct or Emirates via Dubai. Total journey time: 10 hours 45 minutes direct or 13 hours 50 minutes (including stopover in Dubai).

Sri Lankan Airlines Departures from Heathrow daily on A332 and A343 aircraft with Economy and Business Class cabins.

Emirates Departures from Gatwick and Heathrow via Dubai daily on B77W and A388 aircraft with Economy, Business Class and First Class cabins.

Note: All our inclusive holidays are based on Sri Lankan Airlines Economy flights. Prices with Emirates are also available on request.


Responsible Travel
For some useful background information on responsible tourism issues in Sri Lanka, as well as practical tips on what you can do to make a positive difference, we recommend The Travel Foundation's 'Insider's Guide'.