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The starting point
Where to start my ultimate Sri Lanka holiday? Well this is a fairly easy one – Colombo!
Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. If you are flying in from an overseas destination, Colombo, Sri Lanka will always tend to be your starting ground. Whether it be Sri Lankan Airlines, or Qantas or Singapore – or one of the smaller carriers, Colombo is generally where we meet.
Colombo is Sri Lanka’s largest city, it’s the hub that powers Sri Lanka and is home to more than 5 million Sri Lankans. At Holiday Planning Sri Lanka, our tours of Sri Lanka generally start from Colombo where you will be picked up from your accommodation and whisked away from the capital.
Whilst Colombo has its own allure and appeal, it is like any modern capital city. It’s bustling, crowded, industrial, chaotic and full of life. You will find all sorts of cool and luxurious bars in Colombo, Sri Lanka like Sky Lounge – Rooftop Bar perched on top of Kingsbury Hotel in Galle Face and restaurants like Ministry of Crab, one of Asia’s top 50 seafood restaurants, also located in this affluent neighbourhood. In Colombo no doubt you will also run into many tuk tuk drivers (whom we encourage you to avoid and stick to local ride-share apps like Uber and Pickme, if travelling alone), street vendors selling you all kinds of culinary delights, and a busy diaspora of workers commuting to and from work.
Whilst we recognise Colombo as the commercial of Sri Lanka and the starting point to your Sri Lanka holiday and your tour of Sri Lanka, we believe to really get a feel for the raw and authentic Sri Lanka, you need to leave the city behind. With this in mind, we welcome you to read more about our travel packages, the rest of the blog and to inquire if you have any questions why at Holiday Planning Sri Lanka, your dedicated Sri Lankan Holiday planning experts, the team is focused on showcasing to you the true heart of the country, beyond Colombo. Where you will find breathtaking landscapes, unbelievable adventure and create authentic and unique memories that will last you a lifetime.
A Tapestry of Culture and History
Where do we go from Colombo, Sri Lanka? Well, this really depends on your Sri Lankan Holiday and how you want to travel Sri Lanka
It is hard to pinpoint exactly where exactly to look to find the true heart of Sri Lanka. In terms of its culture and history, many would argue that Kandy, located a couple hours drive from Colombo heading East, is the culture capital. Afterall, it is a UNESCO World heritage site due to being home to the Sacred Temple of the Tooth. Others might say, no Sri Lankan holiday is complete without travelling to the historical cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhpura, the heart of Sri Lanka’s allure and history from over 3,000 years ago. This region too has been deemed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and Anuradhapura is recognised as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Here, visitors can explore magnificent stupas, intricately carved stone pillars, and ancient monasteries that stand as a testament to Sri Lanka’s glorious past.
Sri Lanka has been shaped by a multitude of civilizations, including the ancient Sinhalese, Tamil, Portuguese, Dutch, and British. This rich tapestry of influences is evident in the island’s architecture, cuisine, and traditions. At Holiday Planning Sri Lanka, our adventure and luxury tours of Sri Lanka have been carefully curated to help you better understand Sri Lanka’s unique culture to give you the best opportunity to immerse yourself and discover the beauty of it.
Nature’s Playground
Why have I heard of holidays in Sri Lanka being so fun and full of adventure? Well keep reading …
Beyond its cultural treasures, Sri Lanka boasts an abundance of natural wonders that are sure to captivate outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. The island’s diverse landscape encompasses everything from verdant tea plantations who Holiday Planning Sri Lanka have exclusive partnerships with, to misty highlands and cascading waterfalls, best viewed from one of Sri Lanka’s most popular train rides the world – the ‘Udarata Manike’, for which our expert planners can organise tickets. For those seeking adventure, a journey to the central highlands is a must. Here, the picturesque town of Ella serves as a gateway to breathtaking hikes, including the iconic Ella Rock and Little Adam’s Peak.
You ask for more adventure. Well, we’ve got it!
Included in almost every Sri Lankan tour & tour package of Sri Lanka is a drive through one of Sri Lanka’s national parks. This Sri lanka bucket list item is one of Holiday Planning Sri Lanka’s most requested and loved itinerary inclusions and is simply a must in your Sri Lankan trip. Home to multiple National Parks, from Yala National Park down south, to Wilpattu in Sri Lanka’s North West and Udawalawe in the Southern fringes of Sri Lanka’s highlands, natural, untouched beauty is spread all over this little island. Go on 4×4 jeep adventures, stay in luxurious glamping style accommodations and keep your adrenaline levels high as you go into the wild to spot fascinating creatures from majestic Elephants that wander freely in these national parks to elusive Sloth Bears, crocodiles and Leopards.
Sun, Sand, and Serenity
Given Sri Lanka’s tropical climate, its proximity to the equator and its enormous coastline blessed with pristine beaches, it is no wonder Sri Lanka is top beach and surf destination for holiday-goers all over the world.
To get the most out of your bucket list Sri Lanka Holiday, we highly recommend stopping over at one of Sri Lanka’s pristine beaches (and bringing along your Sun-Screen on this trip). Fringed by coconut palms and lapped by the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka’s coastline offers an idyllic escape to weary travellers, but also a mountain of adventure for those seeking the thrills of the water in their tour of Sri Lanka.
Whilst beaches surround this little island paradise, at Holiday Planning Sri Lanka, our experts have picked some of the island’s cleanest, safest and popular sea-side retreats and family friendly beach destinations in Sri Lanka. The southern coast is home to some of Sri Lanka’s most popular beaches, including in the vibrant town of Unawatuna and the laid-back surfers’ paradise of Mirissa. For those willing to endure a longer drive, Holiday Planning Sri Lanka also offers tours to Arugam Bay in Sri Lanka’s Eastern seaboard and Nilaveli in Trincomalee located North East.
Whether you’re looking to soak up the sun, go snorkelling, ride the waves, jump on a jet-ski, parasail across the ocean or simply unwind with a refreshing king coconut in hand, Sri Lanka’s beaches offer holiday-goers choice, adventure and a whole lot of Sun, Sand and Serenity.
Culinary Delights
Is the food really that good? We say; ‘You should taste it to believe it’!
No exploration of Sri Lanka, and a tour of Sri Lanka would be complete without sampling its delectable cuisine, which reflects the island’s rich culinary heritage and diverse influences! From fiery curries ( you can request for the ‘less spicy’ version), to savoury and sweet snacks, Sri Lankan food is a tantalising blend of flavours and spices that will leave your taste buds tingling
Be sure to indulge in a traditional Sri Lankan rice and curry meal (don’t worry, your guides know the best and cleanest spots), where an array of curries, sambols, and pickles are served alongside fragrant rice. And don’t forget to try local specialties such as hoppers (a type of pancake), kottu roti (a spicy stir-fry), and freshly caught seafood dishes.