South Asia
Sri Lanka
An island where, within days, you move from ancient kingdoms to tea-covered hills and wild country.
Photo: Erik Esly / Unsplash
Sri Lanka is small but remarkably varied. In the Cultural Triangle stand the ruins of the ancient capitals of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the cave temples of Dambulla and the fortress of Sigiriya rising above the jungle. Higher up, the hill country is cool and green: tea bushes cover the slopes and a slow train winds between hills and waterfalls.
In the south and east lie national parks home to elephants and leopards, and along the coast the Dutch-built fort at Galle and quiet bay beaches. The two monsoons arrive at different times, so some part of the island is usually enjoying good weather — the key is shaping the route around the season.
Experiences to consider
- 01
Sigiriya and the Cultural Triangle
Climb Sigiriya's rock in the early morning, visit the cave temples of Dambulla and cycle among the ruins of Polonnaruwa.
- 02
By train through tea country
The line from Kandy to Ella through tea estates, a tasting at a working tea factory and walks along hill-country paths.
- 03
Elephants and leopards
Safaris in Yala, Udawalawe or Minneriya — each has its own season, and sightings are never guaranteed.
- 04
The south coast
Galle Fort's lanes in the evening, fishing boats in the bays and slow days by the Indian Ocean.
Ways to travel
Ways to experience it
Ways to travel aren't separate paths — the best journeys often bring several together.
Culture & discovery
Ancient capitals, Buddhist temples and craft traditions — with a guide who tells their story.
Wildlife & nature
Leopard and elephant safaris and, in season, whales off the southern coast.
Family journeys
Short drives, a train ride, elephants and a beach — Sri Lanka suits travelling with children very well.
Honeymoons & special journeys
Villas among the tea hills, Ayurvedic treatments and evenings by the sea.
Tailor-made journeys
A route with a driver-guide, shaped around the monsoons and your own pace.
Sample journey
More journey inspiration
12–14 days
Sri Lanka for families: rock, rail and wild coast
Sigiriya, Kandy, the train to Ella, elephants & the south coast
Family journeys · Wildlife & nature
16–20 days
Sri Lanka & the Maldives — a honeymoon or special journey
Ancient cities, tea hills by train, the south coast — and a few days in the Indian Ocean
Honeymoons & special journeys · Culture & discovery
10–12 days
Sri Lanka on foot: the Knuckles and the tea country trails
Kandy, the cloud forests of the Knuckles, stages of the Pekoe Trail from Hatton to Haputale, Horton Plains, Ella and a few quiet days on the south coast
Adventure & active travel · Culture & discovery
12–14 days
Sri Lanka's east in its own season
The lakes of Wilpattu, the ancient dagobas of Anuradhapura, the bays of Trincomalee, Pasikudah's sands, the Gal Oya reservoir and the surf town of Arugam Bay
Wildlife & nature · Adventure & active travel
The Journal
Visit the JournalDestination guides
Sri Lanka's two monsoons: which coast, and when
On this island it's almost always raining somewhere, and almost always sunny somewhere else. How the monsoons split Sri Lanka in two, and how to build a trip around them in any month.
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Planning a journey
Where to go when you only know you want to go somewhere
Sometimes the wish to travel arrives before the destination. A few honest questions – about feeling, interests, time, season, pace and budget – can narrow the world down to a handful of places.
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Planning a journey
Travelling with children, without losing the adventure
Children don't end the adventurous chapter of travel; they change its shape. On pacing, ages, flights, rooms and the value of doing nothing much at all.
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Planning a journey
How to plan a journey across several countries without it becoming a relay race
Two countries in one journey can add up to more than the sum of their parts – or to two half-trips with an airport in the middle. When a border is worth crossing, how to join the pieces, and what to leave out.
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