Sri Lanka Seasons
The Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka, a Month-by-Month Guide
Two monsoons, two coasts and a sunny corner almost all year. Here is how to match the months to the Sri Lanka you want to see.
Experiential Traveller · Sri Lanka field notes
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Guides, safari notes, itineraries and stories from the road — written by a licensed National Tourist Guide.
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Sigiriya
Sigiriya Lion Rock Climb Guide: Frescoes, Summit Views and Pidurangala at Dawn
How to climb Sri Lanka's 5th-century rock citadel well, from its water gardens and frescoes to the summit, plus Pidurangala for sunrise.
Yala National Park
A Yala National Park Safari Guide: Leopards, Seasons and Slow Game Drives
Leopards, sloth bears and elephants in Sri Lanka's most famous park, with advice on blocks, seasons and getting the most from each drive.
Hill Country Railway
The Kandy to Ella Train: A Guide to Sri Lanka's Most Scenic Rail Journey
How to ride the Kandy to Ella train, from choosing a seat to the best season and why Nanu Oya is a clever place to join.
Sri Lanka Itinerary
The Perfect Sri Lanka Itinerary for 10 Days
From Sigiriya's rock fortress to tea country, a leopard safari and Galle Fort, a classic ten-day loop taken at an unhurried pace.
Dambulla
Dambulla Cave Temple: A Traveller's Guide to Sri Lanka's Golden Rock Shrines
Five painted caves, more than 150 Buddha images and two thousand years of devotion. How to visit the Dambulla Cave Temple well.
Sri Lanka Safari
The Best National Parks in Sri Lanka for Safari
From Yala's leopards to Minneriya's elephants and Bundala's birds, how to choose the right Sri Lankan parks for your safari.
Ella, Hill Country
Things to Do in Ella: Bridges, Peaks and Tea in Sri Lanka's Hill Country
From the Nine Arch Bridge to Little Adam's Peak and Ella Rock, the best things to do in Ella and how to enjoy them at an unhurried pace.
Sri Lanka Itinerary
A Slow-Paced Sri Lanka Itinerary for 2 Weeks
Fourteen unhurried days of lagoons, leopards, ancient kingdoms, tea country and the south coast, with time to linger in every place.
Cultural Triangle
Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa Ancient Cities: A Guide to Sri Lanka's Great Capitals
Sacred trees, colossal stupas and serene granite Buddhas. A practical guide to Sri Lanka's two great ancient capitals.
Minneriya National Park
The Minneriya Elephant Gathering: A Guide to Sri Lanka’s Great Wildlife Spectacle
Why hundreds of elephants converge on an ancient reservoir each dry season, and how to see the gathering at its best.
Horton Plains
The Horton Plains World's End Hike: A Walk to the Edge of Sri Lanka
How to walk the Horton Plains World's End loop, from beating the morning mist to spotting sambar deer and highland endemic birds.
Travel Essentials
Sri Lanka Travel Tips, Things to Know Before You Go
Temple etiquette, getting around, tipping, water and the tropical sun, the practical essentials for a smooth, respectful first trip.
Kandy
Temple of the Tooth Kandy: A Guide to Sri Lanka's Most Sacred Shrine
Drumming at dusk, a relic in nested golden caskets and the Esala Perahera. How to visit Kandy's Temple of the Tooth with respect.
Udawalawe National Park
Udawalawe National Park and the Elephant Transit Home: A Complete Guide
Year-round elephant sightings and a home for orphaned calves make Udawalawe one of Sri Lanka's most rewarding wildlife stops.
Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya Tea Country: A Guide to Visiting Sri Lanka's Tea Plantations
The history, flavour and craft behind Ceylon tea, and how to visit a tea plantation in the cool, misty highlands around Nuwara Eliya.
Spiritual and Wellness
Choosing a Meditation or Wellness Retreat in Sri Lanka
From silent meditation centres to Ayurvedic wellness retreats, how to find the right place to slow down on the island.
Galle Fort
Galle Fort Walking Guide: Ramparts, Lanes and Sunset on Sri Lanka's South Coast
How to explore Galle Fort on foot, from bastions and colonial lanes to Flag Rock at sunset, with a suggested route and practical tips.
Birding in Sri Lanka
Bird Watching in Sri Lanka: Endemics, Wetlands and Rainforest Trails
Endemic species, flamingo-filled lagoons and rainforest flocks, a guide to the island's finest birding from Anawilundawa to Sinharaja.
Arugam Bay, East Coast
Arugam Bay Surfing: A Guide to Sri Lanka's East Coast Surf Capital
When to go, which breaks to surf and what to see beyond the waves in Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka's laid-back east coast surf capital.
Sigiriya · Thalkote Wewa
Captivating Sigiriya Sunrise and Sunset Boat Ride
Nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka, the iconic Sigiriya Rock stands as a testament to the island’s rich history and natural beauty. While exploring the ancient…
Ranger Diaries · Wilpattu
Successfully completed 2 and half-day safari drives to Wilpattu National Park
When it comes to experiencing the untamed beauty of Sri Lanka’s wildlife, there’s no place quite like Wilpattu National Park. Nestled in the northwestern part…
Yala National Park
Experiencing the Best of Yala National Park: An Evening Bush Walk and Morning Safari Drive
Nestled in the southeastern corner of Sri Lanka, Yala National Park beckons wildlife enthusiasts from around the globe with its astounding biodiversity and…
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