Stilt Fishermen, Galle, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Holidays

One of the East’s sleepier destinations. But take the time to explore Sri Lanka and you’ll find that you wake up to something completely different every day.

Lush, green and without crowds, Sri Lanka has become one of the prime boutique destinations of the East. We love it for its diversity, the people and the exquisite food.

A Sri Lanka holiday will not disappoint. You are guaranteed to experience one of the most idyllic and exotic destinations on earth. Travelling around this beautiful island, you will see rolling tea estates, spectacular views, fascinating historical sites, wide stretches of sandy beach and verdant forests abundant with wildlife, such as leopard, wild elephant and sloth bear.

Train crossing Nine Arch Bridge, Nuwara, Sri Lanka
Nuwara, Sri Lanka
Ceylon Tea Trails, Hatton, Sri Lanka
Ceylon Tea Trails, Hatton, Sri Lanka
Tea Plantation, Nuwara, Sri Lanka
Nuwara, Sri Lanka
Colombo City Walk with Mark Forbes, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Elephants, Sri Lanka
Pinnawala, Sri Lanka
Sperm Whale, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
Sperm whale
The Sri Lankan leopard
Sri Lanka
Maalu Maalu beach walkway, Passekudah, Sri Lanka
Maalu Maalu, Passekudah, Sri Lanka

Why Visit Sri Lanka

With so many different holiday styles, Sri Lanka has something for everyone, from trekking and camping in National Parks, such as Wilpattu, to flying to north-east Jaffna to explore the Dutch forts. Alternatively, you could relax on the glorious sandy beaches around the coast, explore the UNESCO site of Galle or discover Colombo’s fascinating past and vibrant future with a private walking tour in the city.

Experiences

Make the most of every moment in Sri Lanka. Create an itinerary brimming with these truly unforgettable moments.

Shanjei Perumal, Walking Guide, Galle, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka

Walking with Shanjei

For an entertaining and educational tour of Galle, join local guide, storyteller and TV star Shanjei to explore on foot. He will introduce you to everything from street food to architecture, unveiling the fascinating history of Galle, often accompanied by an amusing personal story.

 

 

Suggested Holiday Idea

Women's cooperative, Thimble, Negombo, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka

Meet the Makers – Thimble Workshop

Pay a visit to the Thimble Foundation workshop, offering unique arts and crafts. Support the communities of fishermen’s wives and daughters.

Sri Lankan food
Sri Lanka

Culinary Ceylon

At Culinary Ceylon, enjoy home cooking using family recipes passed down from proprietor’s ancestors. Immerse yourself in the local culture with this fully guided, theatrical and memorable curated experience boldly different from an ordinary restaurant visit.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Steps at Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka

Cycling the Village Roads of Polonnaruwa

Cycle through the village roads of Polonnaruwa early in the morning to enjoy the tranquil atmosphere.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Elephants, Minneriya National Park, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka

The Elephant Gathering

Witness hundreds of elephants gathering in Minneriya National Park during Sri Lanka’s dry season.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Hammock by Beach, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka

Private Beach Villa

Rent a fully staffed, private beach villa with family and friends.

Suggested read: blog

Beach, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka

Coastal Adventures

Swim from the clear, calm east coast beaches near Trincomalee or Passekudah.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Knuckles Mountain Range, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka

Bird watching

Sri Lanka is a birds paradise. Spend a few days in the Knuckles mountain range, a unique ecosystem and home to over 120 bird species.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Green Bee Eater, Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka

Sinharaja Forest Reserve

View the magnificent mixed-species bird flocks of Sinharaja, Sri Lanka’s premier rainforest. Other animals present include leopard, purple-faced langur, barking deer and three types of squirrel.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Indian Souvenirs, Market, India
Sri Lanka

Shopping in Galle

Galle offers some of the best shopping experiences in Sri Lanka from quirky boutiques to world-class art galleries.

Explore Sri Lanka

  • Colombo
  • Cultural Triangle
  • Galle
  • Kandy and the Tea Country
  • Negombo
  • Jaffna and the North
  • Wilpattu National Park
  • Yala National Park
  • Mirissa
  • Trincomalee
  • Udawalawe National Park

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Nine Skies £££££

  • Sri Lanka
  • Boutique

Nine Skies is a fully refurbished and traditionally stylish, tea bungalow, now a boutique hotel. Found just outside the charming town of Ella, this bungalow showcases colonial-era architecture with modern facilities and personalised service. Far-reaching views over Sri Lanka’s iconic tea-laced valleys make it a peaceful spot to explore this fascinating region.

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Leopard Trails Wilpattu Campsite £££££

  • Sri Lanka
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Leopard Trails is an experienced mobile camping company that operates a campsite within the buffer zones of Wilpattu National Park. Leopard Trails prides itself on providing an adventurous camping holiday amidst the wilderness without having to give up modern-day comforts and personalised service. 

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The Frangipani Tree £££££

  • Sri Lanka
  • Beach and Island Escapes

The Frangipani Tree is an intimate, elegant beach hotel with ten exquisitely furnished suites in four villas. It is located on the west end of Thalpe Bay, a short drive from Galle, on a long stretch of secluded and picturesque beach.

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KK Beach £££££

  • Sri Lanka
  • Beach and Island Escapes

KK Beach is a stylishly contemporary boutique hotel and beach club near Habaraduwa. Owned by the internationally renowned interior designer, George Cooper, one of Sri Lanka’s original hoteliers and tastemakers.

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Cape Weligama £££££

  • Sri Lanka

Cape Weligama inhabits 12 acres atop an outcrop rising 36 metres above the Indian Ocean, situated 30 minutes East of Galle. An array of international restaurants capture the sunsets, as does the 60-metre crescent-shaped infinity pool, which boasts 270-degree ocean views.

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Uga Chena Huts Yala £££££

  • Sri Lanka
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Nestled among the dunes and trees at the edge of the Indian Ocean lies Uga Chena Huts. Described as huts they are in fact extremely luxurious with beautiful views of Yala National Park and ocean. Each of the well-appointed dwellings has a plunge pool and are designed in a ‘safari’ style to blend sympathetically with their jungle surroundings.

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Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Charlotte Lawton

Charlotte is the Conde Nast Traveller chosen Specialist for Asia.

My strong sense of belonging in Asia stemmed from a childhood in Hong Kong and Nepal. My Grandmother was born in a tent in India. Some of my clearest memories are of walking through a dense, tropical jungle while hailstones the size of cricket balls rained down on us; of being carried on my father’s shoulders as we trekked through the Himalayas; my mother wearing flipflops on a snowy mountainside; and me falling into Dal Lake in Srinagar as we disembarked from our houseboat. 

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Kate Hitchen

My travels were first inspired by my love of the UK, which I take as much pleasure in exploring as countries far and wide. For me, travel is all about the adventure, the people I meet and the food I sample along the way.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Frequently asked questions about Sri Lanka

How do I pronounce Galle?

Should I take a journey by train in Sri Lanka?

Can I rent a villa in Sri Lanka?

I've visited Yala before, which National Park should I visit next?

Is Sri Lanka a good destination for a family holiday?

When is the best time of the year to visit Sri Lanka?

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Rainbow Centre building
Rainbow Centre, Sri Lanka

Rainbow Centre

We support projects right across the planet. For example, in southwestern Sri Lanka Steppes Travel has supported The Rainbow Centre, which provides daily education, food, welfare, medical treatment and loving support to children living in extreme poverty. Its key aim is to enable children to obtain an education and to help them to break free from a world of crime, begging, addiction and abuse.

When planning your trip speak to our experts about how you can also support the destinations you are visiting.

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

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