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Close your eyes think of swaying palm trees, surfy beaches, picturesque coffee plantations, secluded hill retreats, calm backwaters, rice paddies, wildlife adventures in scenic national parks – there you are – you’ve just teleported yourself to to the island nation of Sri Lanka.
A popular tourist destination in South-East Asia, there’s so much to do and see in Sri Lanka – as we discovered during our recent Fam Trip to this tiny island, courtesy of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.
Known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is located southeast of India, and has a a myriad of attractions and activities to keep you busy: from ayurvedic retreats and yoga centres, to hill stations and tea plantations to national parks that are home to tigers and elephants, to palm fringed beaches – to name a few. And then there are the world-famous Backwaters, which meander around mystical mangrove jungles, providing an added attraction to the quintessentially Sri Lankan experience.
We spent over two weeks travelling across Sri Lanka during the month of November, and despite having more time to spend than many visitors to Sri Lanka, we still could not fit everything in. There’s so much to do and see in captivating Sri Lanka that we stayed back after our official Fam Trip to further explore this tiny island nation.
This report will help you get to the best of your time in Sri Lanka – we have put together our recommendations for travelling mindfully in Sri Lanka. Here you’ll find the best eco-friendly resorts, boutique heritage hotels, community tourism projects, wildlife excursions, exciting boat rides, and a whole lot more!
Sri Lanka: The Land of Serendipity
You probably wouldn’t know that the word ”serendipity” is derived from “Serendip”, the old name given to Sri Lanka by the Arabs and Persians? The word has been exported into many other languages, with the general meaning of “unexpected discovery” or “fortunate chance”. The word is said to have been coined in 1754 by the English writer Horace Walpole. It was inspired by the title of a Persian fairy tale, The Three Princes of Serendip, in which the princes “were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things they were not in quest of.”
With such natural beauty, hospitable people, teeming wildlife and stunning landscapes, Sri Lanka is called the ‘land of serendipity’ for good reason.
Another interesting legend associated with Sri Lanka is that of oldest tree planted by the human being rather than by natural seeding. Located in Anuradhapura, one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, it is a sacred fig or bo-tree aged 2,300 years old and called Sri Maha Bodhiya. The tree is said to have been planted since 288 BC. Its mother tree is said to be the famous Bodhi tree under which Lord Buddha achieved enlightenment when meditating.
Central Sri Lanka
For travellers from the Middle East, the central highlands of Sri Lanka are amongst the most popular destinations during the summer months. Kandy, the main city in the Central Highlands is located at an elevation of 1,640 feet (500 metres) and lies on the Mahaweli River on the shore of an artificial lake that was constructed in 1807 by the last Kandyan king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinha.
Located just 115 kilometres from Colombo, Kandy is a summer retreat for those seeking a getaway from the summer heat. Rain is common in Kandy almost throughout the year – there are 146 rainfall days in a year – so carry you umbrellas with you when visiting Kandy. It is advisable to carry a pair of reliable worn-in waterproof boots that support your ankles, as is waterproofing for your camera, wallet, passport and other valuables.
Kandy is also the second-largest city of Sri Lanka, surrounded by mountain ranges and tea plantations. Due to its 3-hour distance from the capital Colombo, Kandy is a crowd favorite for travelers wanting to spend a day or two visiting its colonial buildings and religious sites. In fact, there are many remarkable sights to see outside the city in the rainforest area.
Kandy is also known for the most epic train journeys in the world and plays host to a myriad of cultural and religious attractions. The city is the starting point of one of the world’s most scenic train routes – a stunning 4-7 hour journey through the tea plantation hills – an absolute must-do on any Sri Lanka travel plan for travellers from the Middle East.
We visited the famous Royal Botanical Gardens in Kandy famous for its countless (4000+) species of plants and trees. It is situated a 15-minute drive west of Kandy, and is a great escape from the city and offers breathtaking views of the nearby countryside landscapes.
We also enjoyed a stroll around the peaceful Kandy Lake, considered the heart and soul of the city because of its central location and undeniable beauty. In the middle of the lake is a tiny island with a few palm trees, recognized as one of Kandy’s iconic landmarks.
Ecotourism in Sri Lanka
There was a time when Sri Lanka was the hidden gem off the tourist trail and not many people visited the country. However, Sri Lanka’s charm is no longer a secret, and hordes of tourists now travel to the country for fun, relaxation and adventure – both from within Asia and all across the world.
As a result, today it is possible to travel in Sri Lanka from any part of the world as air connectivity to this island nation has greatly improved in recent years as more and more international flights fly diretly to and from Colombo from all across the globe.
Nuwara Eliya: The Little England
We also visited the town of Nuwara Eliya, also known as Little England of Sri Lanka, situated between the world famous Sri Lanka’s most beautiful train ride between Kandy and Ella.
The climate, topography, and architecture of this area are unique, distintly differnt than towns we visited, with a typical stamp of the colonial era. Nuwara Eliya is a popular destination for tourists from the Middle east due to its cooler climate, abundant greenery and the world famous tea plantations. This is a landscape wrapped in a blanket of mist; green, mystical, and bursting with the intermittent sounds of hidden life. Precipitous slopes descend to deep valleys that cut into the landscape by tumbling, mountainous streams and the air is filled with the clamorous calls of exotic unseen birds.
Our Stay in Nuwara Eliya
During our previous visit to Nuwara Eliya we had stayed at the boutique heritage property with a typical colonial feel – the Serene Villa featuring 6 double and 2 single rooms with a sun terrace, views of the nearby undulating hills and lush green lawn. Every details in construction of the villa has been thoughtfully designed with Victorian principles of the colonial era. A truly memorable experience for our team.
Boat Ride in Bentota Mangroves
Bentota has been off the beaten track for many visitors to Sri Lanka, who have focused more on the central and southern parts of the country. But that is all about to change as this sleepy town gains prominence as a popular tourist destination and is fast emerging as one of Sri Lanka’s tourist hotspots, and as a paradise for those seeking a quieter taste of Sri Lanka.
This scenic coastal town is located midway between Colombo and Galle – approximately 65 kilometres from Colombo and 56 kilometers north of Galle.
For the affluent luxury travellers visitors from the Middle East, Bentota offers several luxurious resort accommodation options. We had stayed at the Taj Bentota during our recent visit and found the hotel “average”. The rooms were small and the corridors were claustrophobic – not something one would expect from the Taj Group. So we wouldn’t really recommend it to anyone.
However, what we would recommend unhesitantly is a boat ride in the calms waters of the Bentota River – an experience that will not only rejuvenate your senses but also leave an everlasting memory that will longer in your mindscape for a long time to come. (See our video). The one-hour boat ride took us through the mangroves as we enjoyed the cool breeze in our hair cruising across the lake – a truly thrilling experience.
Galle
We wandered further south in our quest to get a complete flavour of the Sri Lankan experience and landed in Galle, a Dutch colonial town on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast anchored by a World Heritage-listed fort. The whole town has a touch of the colonial era with a distinct Dutch flavour. While in Galle, we would highly recommend visting the resort towns that dot the coast – like Unawatuna, Mirissa, and Thalpe.
On this part of the trip, we stayed at the Tamarind Hill, one of their most posh beach hotels and my personal favorite. It’s a beautifully restored heritage property located on the outskirts of the historic city and offers a truly unique experience. The luxury boutique hotel was built 250 years ago during the Dutch colonial period and has been meticulously restored by the owners to its former glory. (See our full review here)
The rooms of this boutique hotel are decorated with a rare collection of authentic colonial-era furniture and come with antique poster beds made of the finest wood. Located atop a hill, right by the Gin Ganga river, the superb hotel is a place where age-old traditions merge beautifully with this era’s exciting possibilities, reflecting Sri Lanka’s intriguing culture, history and traditions.
Places to Visit: Galle is also home to a famous museum dedicated to one of its renowned citizens, Martin Wickramasinghe, who is considered the father of modern Sinhala literature. Books written by Martin Wickramasinghe have been translated into several languages and he is considered one of the leading writers of his time.
For travellers from the Middle East who are looking for some adventure and thrills, a trek through the Sinharaja rainforest is highly recommended. Within this lush forest, you will be able to see almost 50 per cent of Sri Lanka’s endemic species, which include insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
Party Points
For the young at heart, a trip to nearby towns of Hikkaduwa, Mirissa and Unawatuna is a must. These quaint towns located along the shoreline offer pristine beaches and a host of fun activities like scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, kite surfing, fishing, boat riding, or dolphin and whale watching.
Colombo: The Capital
Colombo has a great mixture of modern architecture and old colonial buildings. Remnants of the long colonial history of the British Ceylon (from 1815 until Sri Lanka got its independence in 1948) is clearly evident as you walk around the city. You might not know that Colombo actually has served as an important seaport since the 5th century, as it is strategically located for trade between Asia and Europe.
Colombo has emerged as a popular tourist destination in recent years, thanks to its unique make-up and international tourist infrastrcture.
With a population of approximately 5.6 million people, Colombo is Sri Lanka’s most cosmopolitan city – and is currently undergoing a major transformation – new skyscrapers are being built, new roads, several posh hotels, a gigantic TV tower and a new harbor port is also taking under construction.
Exploring Colombo
As you walk around downtown Colombo 1 area, in the Fort Area, you will see stunning monumental buildings dating back to the Dutch and British era – old colonial-era architecture masterpieces that have been restored to the old glory using modern techniques. The Old Dutch Hospital is a prime example of this and well worth a visit.
The picturesque Galle Face Green is a beautiful coastal stretch that offers greenery, a sea breeze and much-needed tranquility.
Where to Stay: We stayed at the Kingsbury Hotel during the our visit and thoroughly enjoying the intricate blend of age-old history and modern conveniences that the property is known for. The hotel has recently undergone a major renovation and is located in the heart of Colombo city on the banks of the Indian Ocean.
Dining at The Kingsbury is an event we enjoyed. The hotel’s numerous restaurants, bars and lounges provide an excellent dining experience with exotic offerings from imaginative and thoughtful menus. Tip: Don’t miss the King Prawns on offer at the Ocean Seafood Restaurant
Galadari Hotel: How could we travel from Dubai and not visit the Galadai Hotel while in Cololmbo. So we walked over from Kingsbury Hotel to the famous Galadari Hotel, located just across the road. I took the liberty of calling on the General Manager of the hotel, Sampath Siriwardena, who offered to show us around the hotel and even took for a tour of the Presidential Suite located on the fourth floor of the hotel.
Undoubtedly, the Galadari Hotel has its grandeur over the years. The hotel is one of the oldest 5-Star hotels in Colombo and opened its doors way back in 1984. Spread over an area of 3.8 acres, with a plethora of easily accessible urban and outdoor activities, guests of the property are within walking distance of Galle Face Green, a wide expanse of green facing the Indian Ocean that is ideal for picnics and other outdoor activities. The hotel is also walking distance from another popular tourist destination, the Dutch Hospital – a dining and shopping precinct and considered to be the oldest building in the Colombo Fort area.
Shopping: There are plenty of artisan style shops in Colombo, making it something of a shoppers paradise. Not to mention modern shopping malls and glitzy showrooms. Many shops sell organic toiletries and ayurveda products and clothing stores which sell hand-woven, natural and handmade clothings.
Eating: There are plenty of cafes lining the streets of Colombo, and if you’ve been on the road for a while, this is a good place to splurge on western treats like pizza and fruit wraps with a good latte.
Nomad Naved
Founder of Holiday Guide Magazine, Nomad Naved started his career in 1988 as sub editor for Dubai-based daily newspaper, GULF NEWS. He launched the Holiday Guide magazine during a sabbatical trip in 2014, while hopping on trains around South-East Asia. In his younger days he set out to change the world, but on second thoughts, decided to leave it as it is. When not travelling, he is happiest in a hot bubble bath while ladies from the harem feed him the forbidden grapes!
