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Steeped in myth and mystery, you can't visit this extraordinarily beautiful country without being drawn into its rich cultural heritage and deep sense of spirituality.

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.

Out and About
Sigiriya
Rising majestically over 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. Climb to The Lion Gate where two giant paws mark the entrance to the final part of your journey, before emerging on the summit for magnificent views.

Polonnaruwa
Visit the fascinating 11th Century ruins of the country's former capital and marvel at the remains of this once great garden city. Now a World Heritage Site, discover striking rock cut Buddhas and serene palaces and temples.

Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy
The revered relic of the tooth of Buddha is housed in an impressive temple in the heart of Kandy, and Sri Lankans flock here every evening to catch a glimpse of it. A fascinating, but brief look into the sacred room housing the tooth is a must, and provides a great insight into the strong presence of Buddhism in modern day Sri Lanka.

Matale’s Spice Gardens
Take a highly enjoyable guided tour around a spice garden and learn about the healing uses of some common spices such as cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg. See the process of how they’re grown, appreciate the wonderful aromas, and try the freshly made local products.

Food and Drink
Rice and curry is the traditional Sri Lankan staple and is eaten by locals for almost every meal! It involves a tantalising selection of separate dishes containing curried lentils and vegetables, together with a main dish of curried meat or fish. Try for yourself with a delectable à la carte selection at Saman Villas, or feast on the delicious Sri Lankan buffet, served once a week, at Jetwing Blue’s The Kitchen. We can also highly recommend Oysters Restaurant and Bar, opposite Jetwing Blue, for an excellent choice of local and international dishes.

Getting There
Flying time from the UK is approximately 10 hours 30 minutes direct, 12 hours 40 minutes via Malé,
13 hours 10 minutes via Muscat and 13 hours 50 minutes via Dubai.

Sri Lankan Airlines Departures from Heathrow daily direct.
British Airways Departures from Gatwick start from 31 March, 3 times a week via Malé.
Oman Air Departures from Heathrow 3 times a week via Muscat.
Emirates Departures from Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Glasgow daily via Dubai.


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'.