Good Experiences in Sri Lanka
Good people having Good Experiences in Sri Lanka
Come and enjoy Good Experiences in Sri Lanka
Just some of the Tours and Good Experiences in Sri Lanka
For such a unique and beautiful country, Sri Lanka is fun-packed with opportunities for really special travel experiences, whether you’re a foodie, a culture vulture or a VIP Executive in search of some pampering on a welll deserved luxury break.
A trip to Sri Lanka is full of history, culture, and adrenaline-pumping adventure.
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has been growing steadily with exciting outdoor adventures and outstanding 5 star hotels.
This is a cultural crossroads to experience
- Muslim fishing villages
- Buddhist temples and ceremonies
- Tamel Tea Plantations
- Christian Churches
Sri Lanka offers beautiful beaches and gently rolling hills to relax and unwind. Breath taking scenery varying with towering rock formations, jungle treks with abundant wildlife. Experience active adventure activities and wonderful watersports.
These are some of the most amazing adventure travel experiences to put on your to-do list for Sri Lanka.
BICYCLE TOUR, BENTOTA
Explore Bentota by bicycle, visiting the Virahaya Temple and Lunuganga House.
BUDURUWAGALA, ELLA
Ancient rock carvings deep in the dry jungle west of Wellawaya.
COLOMBO CITY WALK, COLOMBO
Spend a few hours exploring Colombo’s architecture, hidden gems and colonial history with local expert Mark Forbes.
CONTRASTS OF KANDY, KANDY
Explore the rich history of Kandy, including the Royal Botanical Garden and Queen’s Hotel.
COOKING CLASSES, INLAND FROM GALLE
Learn to cook authentic Sri Lankan cuisine
DEEP SEA FISHING, BENTOTA
Spend the early morning fishing in the rich waters around Sri Lanka’s southwest coast.
GOLF – VICTORIA COURSE, KANDY, KANDY
A round on one of the most scenic golf courses in Asia
HOT AIR BALLOONING, DAMBULLA
Glide majestically above ruined cities, sail over undisturbed wildlife and hover as the sun rises through the morning mist on the horizon.
HUNDUNGODA TEA ESTATE, KOGGALA
A family run high end working tea estate on the south coast of Sri Lanka.
LAHUGALA NATIONAL PARK, ARUGUM BAY
Sri Lanka’s smallest national park, Lahugala is a great spot for watching Asian elephants in the wild and is just a skip from Arugum Bay.
MALIGAWILA STANDING BUDDHA, ELLA
Sri Lanka’s largest standing Buddha, hidden within the jungle of the lower hills.
MARKET, COOKING AND GALLE FORT, INLAND FROM GALLE
A morning market visit and cooking class, followed by a guided walk of Galle Fort.
MEKONG DELTA BY SPEEDBOAT, MEKONG DELTA
Get off-the-beaten track in style and delve deeper into the palm fringed Mekong delta to experience local life.
PIDARUNGULA ROCK, SIGIRIYA
Just beside Sigiriya Rock Fortress lies another granite rock jutting out of the surrounding lowland, Pidarungula Rock.
RESVEHERA MONASTERY, DAMBULLA
Ancient monastic complex hidden away in the heart of elephant country.
SIGIRIYA AND VILLAGE FARM EXPERIENCE, SIGIRIYA
Visit local farms and learn firsthand about the life and work of the villagers, enjoy a home-cooked lunch and visit the stunning Sigiriya rock fortress
TANTIRIMALEE MONASTERY, WILPATTU
Stunning scenery, culture and some of the world’s oldest rock paintings.
TEA FACTORY VISIT, NUWARA ELIYA
See the inner-workings of a tea factory and follow the process from plucking the bud to brewing a cup
THE POTTER’S WHEEL, KANDY
Discover one of Sri Lanka’s longest standing cottage industries and try your hand at pottery making: Sri Lankan style.
TRAIN THROUGH THE HILL COUNTRY, KANDY
One of Asia’s great train journeys, with spectacular views from start to finish
WHALE WATCHING, MIRISSA, MIRISSA
Spend the morning on the lookout for Moby Dick
1. See elephants in the wild
The area around Polonnaruwa is one of the best in which to spot Sri Lanka’s legendary elephants, with Minneriya being the best place to head for. The park is centred on an extensive tank where elephants congregate in increasingly large numbers towards the end of the dry season, particularly during the famous “Gathering” where up to 300 elephants converge on the retreating waters. Witness this incredible sight for yourself on Insight Guides’ Sri Lanka: Culture and Coast holiday.
2. Pay homage to the tooth
Time your visit to Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth right and you’ll be rewarded with a glimpse of the golden casket containing the Buddha’s Tooth Relic, at this most important of pilgrimage sites in Sri Lanka. The day trip to Kandy on Insight Guides’ Perfectly Sri Lanka tour can be planned to coincide with one of these unmissable pujas (processions). Although, the temple tends to get absolutely overrun with tourists during the mid-morning and evening ceremonies (at 09.30 and 18.30); the early morning puja (at 05.30) is a lot quieter.
3. Sample egg hoppers
A Sri Lankan breakfast staple, also found at most street cafés, these delicate little bowl-shaped pancakes are great on their own, eaten with curry or cooked with an egg in the centre. Trust me, they are hard to track down outside of Sri Lanka, so indulge whenever you can here. Top tip: honey hoppers are a lesser-found, but delicious, version. Discover more of Sri Lanka’s best culinary experiences here.
4. Climb to the top of Sigiriya
Ascending this unforgettable rock-fortress, one of Sri Lanka’s most dramatic natural sights, gives you incredible views over the surrounding plains. Try to time your visit with a clear day. Tour the site’s pleasures gardens before taking on the 1,200 steps to ascend to the rock fortress on Insight Guides’ Sri Lanka: Culture and Coast trip. Alternatively, escape the crowds and watch the sunrise over Sigiriya on a hot air balloon ride on Insight Guides’ Wildlife Discovery holiday.
5. Hit the beach
Sri Lanka’s coast is fringed with sun-soaked golden beaches and luscious palm trees; if you’re short on time, head to Negombo, just half an hour from Colombo airport. Alternatively, plan your itinerary around Sri Lanka’s best beaches, or let us take you there on our Luxury Sri Lanka and the Maldives tour.
6. Catch a Kandyan dance show
Spectacularly costumed dancers perform acrobatic choreography to an insistent accompaniment of high-octane drumming. The most impressive of all the Kandyan dances is the ves. Performed solely by men, this is the pinnacle of the Kandyan dancer’s art, featuring limb-contorting feats of athleticism, back flips, high kicks and pirouettes combined with carefully stylised hand and feet movements. Shows usually end with fire-walking, so no leaving early! Insight Guides’ local experts can direct you to the best performances: submit a trip request today.
7. Visit a tea plantation
Travel past spectacular waterfalls, verdant hills lined with tea terraces and roadside fruit sellers to reach Sri Lanka’s working tea plantations, where you can have a brew and learn all about the process from plant to cup. Insight Guides’ Sri Lanka Deluxe holiday takes you to a working tea estate, where you can tour plantations and factories too.
8. Catch a cricket match
Join the crowds at a test or one-day match for an insight into Sri Lanka’s other major religion: cricket. Test matches are usually played at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo 7, at the Asigiriya Stadium in Kandy and at the cricket club in Galle. Tickets are easily available from the individual venues. Alternatively, add a cricket game (either watching or playing) to any of Insight Guides’ Sri Lanka trip itineraries with the help of our local experts.
9. Take in the view at Ella Gap
Don’t miss the staggering view from Ella Gap found in a charming hill country village, which takes in miles of peaks, valleys and – on a clear day – the southern plateau all the way to the coast. On an island that is full of unforgettable panoramic views, this is one of the finest. See it for yourself on Insight Guides’ Unforgettable Sri Lanka holiday.
10. Learn about Ayurveda
Sri Lanka’s ancient medicines are more popular than ever, whether in treating diseases or maintaining health and fitness. Ayurvedic wellness centres are found everywhere and even if you’re not looking for a specific cure, the natural science behind it is fascinating to discover. The aim of Ayurvedic treatments is to reestablish the three doshas in their correct balance, focusing on detoxification, rejuvenation, mental hygiene and spiritual healing. Oil massages, herbal remedies, and prescribed diets are the most common therapies in use.
11. Spot leopards
Tracking down this elusive big cat at Yala National Park is an experience even if you don’t manage a sighting, with elephants, wild boar and more to keep you diverted. Saving the best until last: Insight Guides’ Unforgettable Sri Lanka holiday will take you to Yala National Park and beyond.