Sri Lanka Holidays

Well, the locals pronounce this fortified city as Gala as in Allah! Western tourists tend to pronounce the word as Gaul (as in ball). They are both correct.

Trains are a great way to cross the country at slow speed. The most scenic train journey in Sri Lanka, but possibly the world, is the Kandy to Ella train. Climb aboard the six-hour(ish) journey from Kandy and wind and climb through the tea estates Sri Lanka’s lush hill country.  The Blue Train leaves Kandy or Colombo Fort in the mornings going uphill and From Badulla and Ella towards Kandy at least four times a day.

We personally believe that this train journey is best experienced by purchasing a lower-class ticket. First Class is stuffy with tightly shut windows. Second and third class reserved (wooden benches) offer a more authentic experience, with everybody keen to have a chat. Doors and windows are open, perfect for dangling your feet over and feeling the wind in your hair. We like to get your train tickets well in advance as the popular routes and classes sell out up to two months in advance.

If you do opt to travel first class in Sri Lanka expect softer seating and air conditioning.  The windows and doors will remain locked and you will be sat with other foreigners. Do ask us for information about the observation carriage. They have wide windows, looking back down the track. It is not air-conditioned so the side windows do open enough to pop through your camera lens. The price of a ticket is peanuts, expect to pay between 70p and £5 for your journey.

British passport holders need an e- visa which is easily obtained online. It is currently 35 USD for British citizens until further notice and is generally issued within approximately five days. There is no need to send away your passport. Other nationalities please ask for further information.

Sri Lanka was declared free of malaria in 2017 and 2018 after eradicating the disease in 2016. However, do take normal precautions. Wear long-sleeved tops and avoid skin exposure during dusk and dawn when mosquitos are most active. Avoid sitting or staying by any standing water or boggy land. Invest in some repellant when travelling through a jungle and forested regions. Mosquitoes are prevalent and do carry Dengue Fever.

Obviously, wildlife is never guaranteed but chances are good, particularly in Yala National Park which has one of the highest density of leopard in the world.

It is safe to visit Jaffna in the north of the country as well as the new beach resorts around Trincomalee on the north-east coast. However it is worth mentioning that in Jaffna there remains a strong military presence. If you like pioneering travel and are OK with basic accommodation then a visit to the very north of the country could well appeal.One of our female travel experts recently travelled to the north and felt extremely safe throughout.

Willpattu on the north-west coast is opening up and there is now a comfortable camp there. Willpattu is best for Sloth bear and leopard, however, leopards are more elusive here than in Yala National Park.

Travelling with children in Sri Lanka is very easy as there is no need for internal flights, however, there may be a long car journey as a result of poor planning so allow us to ensure you have bite-sized transfers between locations. A staffed villa during the trip is the best way to relax as a family. Many boutique hotels are small enough to rent the entire property for exclusive use, with staff on hand for your every whim. Sri Lanka is also perfect during the school summer holidays, with the east coast beaches and Indian Jones-esque temples perfect for little explorers.

Known for its turbulent history and civil war, peace was declared in Sri Lanka in 2009. It has now very successfully rebuilt itself as a tourist destination and is doing everything to welcome visitors to the country.  Security has been stepped up across the country since April 2019 in response to a singular terrorist attack but the State of Emergency has since been lifted. As when travelling to any destination, we always advise taking precautions when looking after your personal belongings.

With over 126,000 hectares of parkland to explore, visiting Yala is like stepping into the pages of The Jungle Book. Elephants, monkeys, exotic birds and leopards plus an array of other wildlife call Yala home. The park has one of the densest leopard populations in the world.