Sri Lanka has been on my travel wish list for some time, and at the end of September I was lucky enough to experience this beautiful island for myself. From ancient temples and fascinating cultural experiences to rolling tea plantations, incredible wildlife and idyllic beaches, my journey was filled with unforgettable moments.
Travelling around Sri Lanka is a wonderful way to appreciate just how much this relatively small island has to offer. Each destination felt different, with its own character, landscapes and experiences, and the warm hospitality of the Sri Lankan people made the trip even more special.
As part of my visit, I also had the opportunity to inspect a fantastic selection of hotels, giving me valuable first-hand knowledge to share with customers planning their own Sri Lankan adventure.
So, if you're considering a trip to Sri Lanka, join me as I look back on my journey, day by day.
The adventure begins
My Sri Lankan adventure began at London Heathrow, where I boarded SriLankan Airlines flight for the overnight journey to Colombo. After arriving at the airport shortly before 1pm, I was met by the local team and transferred to my hotel in Colombo. Sri Lanka's largest city is a fascinating introduction to the country, combining modern city life with reminders of its colonial past. British, Dutch and Portuguese influences can be seen in its historic architecture, while colourful temples, busy markets and the constant bustle of everyday life give the city its own distinctive personality. My first hotel visit was to Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo; a lovely property set beside Beira Lake. Surrounded by landscaped gardens, it offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city, with a choice of restaurants, a swimming pool and comfortable accommodation.
Later, I joined Mark Forbes, a Dutch resident and passionate photographer, for an Old Colombo City Walk. This was a wonderful way to begin understanding the city's history. We started at the Old Dutch Hospital, a beautifully restored colonial building that is now home to restaurants and boutiques, before exploring the Colombo Fort district and its historic streets. The walk offered a fascinating glimpse into the city's past, with stories bringing the old buildings and monuments to life. There was also the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of Pettah Bazaar, where traders sell everything from textiles and vegetables to electronics and fragrant spices. It is a lively, colourful part of Colombo that provides a real sense of local life. The day finished with a welcome dinner alongside the local travel team, giving us the chance to discuss the exciting journey ahead.
Colombo to Kandy
After a little more sightseeing in Colombo, it was time to head inland towards Kandy, travelling through the changing scenery of Sri Lanka's central region. Our drive to Kandy took approximately three hours, and the change of scenery was part of the experience. Kandy is surrounded by green hills and is one of Sri Lanka's most important cultural destinations.
On arrival, we enjoyed the most incredible lunch at the King Pavillion. This intimate 5* property features only 9 spacious rooms and suites and is perfectly placed in the cosy confines of the misty mountains and verdant forestlands. Kings Pavilion transports you back to an era of bliss; a time when great kings ruled the central highlands of Sri Lanka and is a perfect retreat from bustling Kandy.
We then explored Kandy itself, including the picturesque lake, the town bazaar and local arts and crafts centres.
One of the day's highlights was a visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of the country's most significant Buddhist sites. The temple is believed to house a tooth relic of Buddha and is an important place of pilgrimage. Visiting during the evening pooja, or worship ceremony, offered a fascinating insight into Sri Lanka's Buddhist traditions and spiritual heritage.
Afterwards, I checked into Earl's Regency, a hotel set in the beautiful Dumbara Valley, with views towards the Knuckles mountain range and the Mahaweli River. The setting was wonderfully peaceful after a busy day exploring. The evening ended with dinner and a traditional Kandyan cultural show, a memorable introduction to the island's music and dance.
Walking through tea country
An early start brought one of the most scenic experiences of the trip: walking the first stage of the Pekoe Trail. After breakfast, we travelled to Galaha to begin the approximately 13-kilometre route towards Hanthana. The trail started near the Ceylon Tea Museum and led us through the Hanthana Tea Estate, following roads shaded by tall trees and surrounded by the lush greenery for which Sri Lanka is so well known. Walking through tea country was a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the landscape at a slower pace. The cooler hill-country air, green surroundings and peaceful atmosphere provided a different perspective on the island, away from the busy cities. The Pekoe Trail is particularly appealing for travellers who enjoy combining gentle adventure with culture and scenery.
Following our walk, we enjoyed lunch at W15 Hanthane which is a property I will be sure to go back to one day, breathtaking.
In the afternoon, we visited the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya. These extensive gardens are home to an impressive collection of tropical plants, beautiful orchids and the famous avenue of royal palms. Walking beneath the towering palms was a lovely way to round off the day. For anyone who enjoys gardens, nature or simply taking time to appreciate beautiful surroundings, this is a wonderful addition to a stay in Kandy.
The Cultural Triangle
Today we travelled from Kandy towards Matale and Dambulla, discovering some of Sri Lanka's remarkable cultural heritage along the way. Our first stop was Aluviharaya Rock Temple, a historic Buddhist site with an important place in Sri Lanka's religious history. It was a fascinating introduction to the country's long tradition of preserving Buddhist teachings. We then experienced something rather special: learning about traditional Ola leaf manuscripts. Guided by a Buddhist monk, we discovered how palm leaves have been prepared and used for centuries to record important texts. It was a wonderful reminder of the craftsmanship and knowledge that have been passed down through generations.
Next came a hands-on batik workshop with local women artisans. Batik is a traditional wax-resist fabric-dyeing technique, and it was fascinating to learn how patterns are created before the fabric is dyed. We also enjoyed a homemade Sri Lankan lunch in an artisan's home, which offered a lovely taste of local hospitality.
In the afternoon, we visited the spectacular Dambulla Cave Temple, one of the island's most impressive cultural attractions. Set high on a rocky outcrop, the caves contain beautiful Buddhist images, intricate paintings and an impressive reclining Buddha. The complex has a history stretching back more than 2,000 years, and its elevated position offers lovely views across the surrounding countryside. It was a truly atmospheric place to explore and a highlight for anyone interested in Sri Lanka's history and spirituality.
That evening, we arrived at Heritance Kandalama, one of the most distinctive hotels of the trip. Designed by renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, the hotel is beautifully integrated into its natural surroundings, with forest and rock formations forming part of its extraordinary setting. The architecture is particularly impressive, demonstrating how a hotel can sit in harmony with the landscape. It is a fantastic option for travellers looking for something memorable and a little different from a traditional resort.
Sigiriya's iconic rock fortress and an elephant safari
Our morning began at Sigiriya Rock Fortress, one of the country's most famous landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rising dramatically above the surrounding jungle, this extraordinary fifth-century site was built under King Kashyapa. At its base are the remains of a fortified city, including water gardens, moats and defensive walls. For those who choose to climb to the summit, the ascent involves around 1,000 steps, with some exposed sections towards the top. It requires a reasonable level of fitness and may not be suitable for anyone uncomfortable with heights, but even exploring the lower gardens and grounds gives a real sense of the site's scale and history.
We stopped off for a visit to the Water Garden hotel for a look around their stunning villas and lunch before heading out on an afternoon wildlife safari.
Minneriya National Park is known for its elephants, along with a wide variety of birds and other wildlife. Wildlife sightings always depend on the season and conditions, and safari locations can be adjusted according to where the animals are most likely to be found. As we made our way through the jungle in our Jeep, we suddenly discovered a clearing where 22 Asian elephants had gathered together! Seeing so many elephants in one place, surrounded by the lush green landscape, was simply magical. There was something so beautiful and humbling about witnessing these magnificent animals going about their everyday lives, completely at home in their surroundings.
After an exciting day, we returned to Cinnamon Lodge Habarana, a peaceful woodland retreat beside an ancient irrigation lake. Its natural setting made it an excellent base for exploring the Cultural Triangle.
A taste of traditional village life
Today offered a wonderful insight into everyday life in rural Sri Lanka. We stepped inside a traditional Sri Lankan black kitchen to learn about age-old cooking methods and rural lifestyles. Food is such an important part of understanding a destination, and this was a lovely opportunity to see how local ingredients and traditional techniques come together. Sri Lankan cuisine is full of flavour, with aromatic spices, fresh vegetables and delicious combinations of curries and accompaniments. Experiencing it in a village setting made it all the more memorable.
After several busy days of sightseeing, it was a welcome opportunity to slow down and enjoy a more relaxing side of the trip with a traditional Sri Lankan massage. A perfect way to end the day.
Cycling through ancient Polonnaruwa
Today we left Habarana and travelled towards Trincomalee, stopping at the historic city of Polonnaruwa along the way. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Polonnaruwa was once an important royal capital, and its extensive archaeological remains offer a fascinating glimpse into Sri Lanka's medieval past. We explored part of the site by bicycle along the Maya Trail. Cycling was a lovely way to discover the ancient temples, royal palaces and impressive ruins at a leisurely pace, with plenty to take in along the way.
Trincomalee is known for its beautiful coastline, historic landmarks and access to marine life. We arrived at Uga Jungle Beach, a secluded retreat surrounded by tropical forest, a tranquil lagoon and the Indian Ocean. Its cabin-style accommodation and peaceful setting made it a wonderful change of pace after our days exploring the island's cultural sites. We finished the day with a seafood barbecue on the beach, a lovely way to enjoy the coastal atmosphere.
Final day
Our final full day began with time to explore Trincomalee with our guide. We then took a boat from the beach to Nearby Pigeon Island Marine National Park which is particularly popular for its coral reefs and snorkelling, with the chance to see colourful reef fish and, in the right conditions, turtles and blacktip reef sharks. We were lucky enough to see all of these beautiful creatures. Swimming with sharks has always been on my bucket list so this was the highlight of my trip.
We then drove to Chilaw, back towards the western side of the island, where we checked into Anantaya Resort & Spa. Set between a sandy beach and a mangrove-fringed lagoon, the resort offers a relaxing coastal setting, with spacious accommodation, an outdoor swimming pool and views towards the Indian Ocean. We spent our final night here before flying home early the following morning.
Why Sri Lanka should be on your travel wish list
Looking back over the journey, what stood out most was the sheer variety Sri Lanka offers. In just over a week, we had experienced historic cities, sacred temples, spectacular scenery, ancient ruins, wildlife and beautiful beaches, all while discovering a range of hotels suited to different styles of travel. Although the trip was over, I returned with a wealth of ideas, memories and first-hand knowledge to share with my customers.
Sri Lanka is a destination that really does offer something for everyone. Whether you are interested in history and culture, enjoy walking and outdoor adventures, love wildlife or simply want to unwind on a tropical beach, it is possible to combine all these experiences into one wonderful holiday. My personal highlights included swimming with sharks and the elephant game drive, walking through the tea plantations on the Pekoe Trail, visiting the extraordinary Dambulla Cave Temple and seeing Sigiriya's dramatic rock fortress. I was also impressed by the variety of hotels throughout the country, from distinctive architectural properties nestled in the forest to peaceful Jungle lodges and relaxing beachfront retreats. Having visited them myself, I can help customers choose accommodation that best suits their preferences, whether that means a cultural touring holiday, a touch of luxury or a relaxing beach escape.
If you're dreaming of a holiday that combines discovery, relaxation and a real sense of adventure, I would thoroughly recommend considering Sri Lanka. At Miles Morgan Travel, we can help you plan a tailor-made itinerary to suit your interests, travel style and budget. Whether you'd like to explore the Cultural Triangle, discover the tea country, experience a wildlife safari or finish your holiday beside the Indian Ocean, we can help you create a trip to remember.
Inspired to discover Sri Lanka for yourself? Whether you’re dreaming of exploring ancient temples, walking through lush tea plantations, spotting incredible wildlife or relaxing on beautiful tropical beaches, Ellie at Miles Morgan Travel Chepstow would love to help you plan your perfect Sri Lankan adventure. Get in touch on 01291 762 059 or email [email protected].
