BEST OF SRI LANKA

Negombo, a likely and easy starting point for many visitors to Sri Lanka. Staying in Negombo for your first stop gets you off to a great start. It is very close to Colombo International Airport, less than 8km - you'll arrive in no time. A taxi from the airport is easily arranged. From resort hotel options to budget accommodation, hotels by the beach are the best option. Stay a night or two then head off on tour. Most visitors start from Negombo to then travel to the cultural triangle of the Dambulla area.

This is a 'don't miss' destination.  A UNESCO World Heritage site. A stunning temple created in the caves of Dambulla with incredible Buddha statues and cave wall paintings. Located in central Sri Lanka, Dambulla is easy to reach from main destinations including Colombo, Negombo and Kandy.

A 5th century rock fortress, Sigiriya Rock Fortress is a world heritage site. Fondly known as the The ‘Lion Rock’, it is a citadel rising 200 metres from the scrub jungle. A visit to 'the rock' will also have you see the beautiful frescoes of the ‘Heavenly Maidens’ of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. Get your walking shoes out for this visit!

Kandy city enjoys a pretty lake setting and is the gateway to the highlands and where the trains from to reach the hill territory. It's a great spot for enjoying on foot. It's best known for the beautiful Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and the Temple of the Tooth Relic. If you're looking for a bit of cultural entertainment, Kandy is the place to find some Sri Lankan dance and drum performances.

A place of retreat and tea! Reach Madukelle from Kandy.  It's over an hour's drive to reach Madukelle, then more driving to reach your accommodation, with poorer road conditions. The trade for the drive is the beautiful setting of this town among tea plantations. A place to relax, visit a tea factory, sip tea and take in your surrounds. Some good options for a nature walk available too. 

The most reliable place to see elephants in their wild habitat. Some 400-500 elephants live in the park and herds of up to 50 are commonly seen. As well as elephants, leopards live in the park (though you will be very lucky to spot one), toque monkeys, deer, wild pig and more. There are numerous bird species. It is also the place of the Elephant Transit Home, taking care of orphaned elephant calves – until they are independent and able enough to be released back to the wild.

Sri Lanka's hip beach spot on the south coast.  Just a one kilometre stretch, this beach is lined with coconut palms and a white sandy shore. You’ll love this town for its laid back feel, with spots to chill out ‘backpacker style’, for cheap eats and beers.   It’s too easy to spend the entire day at the beach – soak up some rays, surf and hang out. 

An old fort city, Galle Fort was Portuguese and Dutch built with a history dating back to the late 16th century. Galle town is also a good spot to enjoy a spot of shopping. Galle for has the charm of the European architecture and the Sri Lankan way of life.