SRI LANKA
One of the world's most biodiverse islands, Sri Lanka holds a remarkable range of landscapes in a small space. Within a single trip, you can watch leopards at Yala at dawn, indulge in high tea overlooking atmospheric tea hills, walk through cloud-forest in the Knuckles Range, and sit with a coconut on a beach in Mirissa. 2,000-year-old ruined kingdoms at Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the towering 200-meter rock fortress of Sigiriya, and Kandy's Temple of the Tooth introduce you to ancient traditions unlike any others. The food alone is reason enough to come — hoppers, kottu, and crab curries hot enough to require a swim afterward. After decades of difficulty, Sri Lanka travels with a quiet confidence now, and the welcome is among the warmest anywhere in Asia.
A Taste of What's Possible
Learn the secrets of cinnamon production on a small hillside estate
Cycle through picturesque paddy fields to a traditional mud hut for home-cooked Sri Lankan hoppers
Discover endemic cottage industries with visits to a local ropemaker, blacksmith, and drummaker
Where You'll Stay
We spend a lot of time obsessing over the perfect accommodations. Our favorites tend to be smaller, boutique properties with a unique sense of style and fantastic service.
Here are just a few of our favorites...
Three of Our Favorite Spots
TEA COUNTRY
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The emerald hills climb into cool, mist-laced air where Ceylon has been grown for over a century and brought to global fame by the likes of Lipton, who has one of the best lookouts in the area. In these terraced slopes, tea pickers expertly work the plants, and traditional factories process them with the same original machinery. Colonial towns still operate on rhythms the British left behind: high tea on verandas, a steam train that creaks through one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. It’s also the sole reason you packed a sweater for Sri Lanka.
GALLE
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Inside these sturdy rampart walls, the keepers of a fascinating history — and keeping the Indian Ocean at bay — Galle Fort is an unexpected delight. Narrow streets lined with colonial villas, mosques, and churches, alongside boutique shops and hotels that have settled into old trading houses without disturbing the atmosphere. Walk on the ramparts at sunset and sunrise, and you’ll be among locals exercising, playing soccer, and socializing when the air is slightly cooler.
CULTURAL TRIANGLE
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The historical core of Sri Lanka, where ancient kingdoms rose and fell across millenia and left behind ruins that rival the more famous ones in Southeast Asia. Sigiriya Rock rises out of the jungle and the steep climb up rewards you with ancient frescoes, reflection pools, and 360 canopy views. Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura hold massive stupas the size of small hills, and Buddha statues carved directly into stone. Dambulla's cave temples have been intricately painted and repainted for two thousand years. Just the right amount of history and intrigue to not get templed-out.
“Everything from the moment we arrived has been perfect. Starting with the fast track treatment on arrival (we never experienced something quite like it) to every hotel and activity you had organized throughout our trip. We've been sharing pictures in social media, and everybody has been reaching out amazed at how complete our adventure has been. We told them that before organizing it the travel agency had a couple of exchanges with us to make sure they understood what our expectations were and you understood them perfectly. It was a perfect mix of sightseeing, experiences and time to relax at the out of this world properties we were staying at.
A special shout out to Kamal, our driver/guide. He made sure we had experiences along our drives like trying coconut ice cream, or coconut water or even jackfruit. He was a fountain of knowledge and a pleasure to talk to about everything about Sri Lanka. In fact about anything. He was always on time and made sure he would recommend the best places to buy, the best to try food, the best restaurants, etc. The trip wouldn't have been the same without him. Gabriel says that now we have to wipe out our memory because no other trip will live up to this one.”
Carmen & Gabriel // Argentina
Sample Itinerary
The Ancient Cities, the Tea Hills, and Indian Ocean: 13 Days in Sri Lanka
Day 1: Arrive in Colombo and meet your dedicated driver-guide. Transfer to your accommodations in the city center to recover from the long journey.
Day 2: Head out on a walking tour of Colombo with a local insider, including the Fort (Colombo’s most historic district, home to landmarks and beautifully-restored colonial buildings), a stop for tea overlooking the harbor, and street snacks at the bustling Pettah markets.
Day 3: Early morning departure by car bound for the UNESCO World Heritage Sigiriya Rock Fortress, built in the 5th century atop a huge boulder. Enjoy the pleasure gardens and stunning scenery, then climb the 1,200 steps to the top where rewarding panoramic views await. Continue to your delightful accommodations and settle in.
Day 4: Enjoy a full day in the Cultural Triangle. In the morning explore the ancient Anuradhapura Citadel by bicycle, and later head out on a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park, with wildlife including wild elephant herds.
Day 5: Depart this morning for Kandy, with a stop at the ancient Dambulla Cave Temple en route to take in its awe-inspiring cave art. Settle into your luxurious estate this afternoon and indulge in a delightful high tea overlooking rolling tea hills and misty mountains.
Day 6: Explore Kandy’s highlights, including the Temple of the Tooth, the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens accompanied by a local botany expert, and the town’s colorful street markets, brimming with spices, fruit, vegetables, and fish.
Day 7: Travel via Sri Lanka’s iconic scenic train to Hatton in the stunning tea region. Settle into your restored colonial-era tea planters’ bungalow.
Day 8: Enjoy down time at your beautiful accommodations set amidst misty hills and lush valleys, and visit a traditional tea factory with a resident planter.
Day 9: Travel onward by car to Sri Lanka’s beautiful southern coast, where you will spend the next couple of days relaxing at a luxurious seaside retreat.
Day 10: Free day to enjoy some R&R full of sun, beaches, and seafood.
Day 11: Morning transfer to the cultural melting pot of Galle, where you will set out on a walking tour of the historical Galle Fort with a local whose family has resided here for generations.
Day 12: Stroll through the colorful Galle Market to pick up some essential ingredients for your private cooking lesson at the home of a local cook.
Day 13: Private transfer back to Colombo for your flight home.
