Adventure Holidays in Sri Lanka

Our top tips for Sri Lanka

Bargain in the Markets

Haggling is an art form in Sri Lanka’s markets, so embrace your inner negotiator and prepare to blag your way to a better deal – it’s all part of the experience! Just remember to keep it lighthearted and that the vendors are more likely to give you a good deal if you have a smile on your face.

Scenic Train Journeys

Sri Lanka has some of the best train journeys in the world. With some of the most breathtaking landscapes that you’ll ever see, just sit back and enjoy the rhythmic clickety-clack of the trains. Glide past emerald tea plantations, misty mountains and sleepy seaside towns, it’s the perfect way to sit back and soak up the scenery.

Spice it Up (Carefully)

Sri Lankan cuisine is an absolute flavour explosion, but those spices can be quite intense! Start slowly when sampling the curries, sambols and hoppers. Sip on a cooling king coconut water to extinguish any accidental fire in your mouth. Once you’ve built up your tolerance, dive right in – taste buds are in for the ride of their life!

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Unmissable Highlights

• Sigiriya – Gaze in awe at the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya, an architectural and engineering marvel that seems to defy gravity. Hike to the top and be rewarded with panoramic views stretching for miles. Along the way, marvel at the elaborate water gardens, frescoed cave dwellings, and the iconic giant stone lion paws guarding the entry. This UNESCO World Heritage Site will leave you spellbound.
  
  
• Wilpattu National Park – Spot leopards, sloth bears, and the elusive Sri Lankan elephant on a safari through the wilds of Wilpattu. This lesser-known gem boasts the highest leopard density in the world. Traverse the park’s unique “willus” – natural, sand-rimmed water basins – and keep your eyes peeled for flashes of spotted fur and the spray of water as wildlife come to drink.
  
  
• Anuradhapura – Wander the ruins of ancient Anuradhapura, the well-preserved capital of Sri Lanka for over a millennium. Admire the towering dagobas, serene man-made lakes, and the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi – a cutting from the original Bodhi tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. This UNESCO site provides a humbling glimpse into Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage.