Sri Lanka travel guides
Sri Lanka’s island shores are home to thousands of stories told against dozens of landscapes, from fortified ports to leopard-lair wilderness. The capital, Colombo, is an effervescent hub to pause in for diverse food and captivating architecture, before heading north to the Cultural Triangle and five of Sri Lanka’s seven UNESCO Heritage sites. Its sixth, the sacred 14th-century city of Kandy, thrives in a beautiful mountain setting, and the seventh, Galle, is a bustling historic fortress facing the southern sea. In between lie Tea Country’s lush plantations, some extraordinary National Parks and, of course, those famously blissful beaches.
Our big three in Sri Lanka
Obviously there's a lot more, this is just to get you started...
Trundling on the Tea Train
Considered one of Asia’s best train journeys, the Tea Train fully lives up to the hype. Without doubt a car will get you there faster, but with none of the romance and ambiance of this iconic blue train. The scenery changes from lush tea fields to deep woodland as you clackety clack through cool tunnels and past tea farmers working in the countryside. To get the most out of the experience, we always opt for 2nd or 3rd class tickets. That way, rather than being sealed away from things in an air conditioned carriage, you get to travel with the locals as open windows move fresh air through the train. You’ll get the best photo opportunities, too.
Wandering in Wilpattu’s wilderness
Anticipation builds as your jeep bumps along the paths of Wilpattu National Park, and the early morning mist lends an ethereal filter to the waiting forest. After all, Sri Lanka’s largest National Park is also one of its most mysterious. Science is just starting to build a true picture of this complex ecosystem, a unique wilderness of scrubby jungle sheltering abundant bird-life, open grassland, and wetland areas known as ‘villu’. These shallow natural lakes fill with rainwater and provide perfect watering holes for sloth bears, elephants, and the elusive leopards. The real beauty of Wilpattu is having the chance to appreciate all of this without tussling for space with other safari-goers.
