Sri Lanka
Seductive. Majestic. Rich. Sri Lanka is an assault on all the senses.
Buddhist flags, exotic fruits, vibrant saris and piquant spices. Magnificent mountains dissected by swirling rivers and waterfalls. Verdant tea plantations blanketing the slopes of the lowlands. Dense forests where the shadowy elephants slip between the trees and protected National Parks where elusive leopards prowl — Sri Lanka’s enchanting wilderness entices any curious mind.
Experiences
Take a helicopter excursion to explore the UNESCO and archeological sites of the Cultural Triangle; engage in a treasure hunt while exploring diverse landscapes, cultures, and history; drop into a secluded bay for sundowners before an evening full of surprises and a spectacular private dinner; explore Tea Country by 4x4, bike, or on foot, dropping by a tea factory for a private visit, with ‘the Father of Tea’ hosting a delicious tea-inspired lunch just for you; visit Sri Lanka’s indigenous inhabitants, the Veddas, or Wanniya-laeto (forest-dwellers); meet the village chief and shaman and learn ancient hunting and gathering practices, and enjoy celebrations of ancient music and dance; head into Yala National Park by 4x4 with the finest local guide to ensure wildlife encounters and possible sightings of leopards; enjoy a candle-lit white linen dinner laid out on the grasslands overlooking the park; in Galle, take part in your own Elephant or Tuk Tuk polo match; head to Colombo, the artistic capital, to visit the local galleries and curators before learning traditional techniques.
Where to Stay
Luxury spa hotels; boutique colonial homes; luxury bungalows in tea country; purpose-built tented camps in Yala National Park.
When to Go
Warm and sunny nearly all year round, the most popular months are December to March, when the south and west coast remain dry.