An Overview
This mango-shaped tropical island in the Indian Ocean sits just off the coast of Tamil Nadu (Thamil Naadu) State in South India, with just 22 miles of sea separating the two landmasses, they almost appear joined as one on the world map.
Sri Lanka is deceptively large with an area of 25,330 sq. miles, which is larger than the areas of Holland, Belgium, and half of Luxemburg put together.
The island is large enough so much so there have been two distinctly different peoples, both culturally and linguistically, who have been living on the island in their respective homelands/kingdoms for centuries (like the Dutch and the Belgians as neighbours). The Singhalese speaking Sinhala people are mainly in the south and south-west, and the Tamil speaking people in the north, and east of the island.
It is mountainous and cooler in the central region of the island, the highest point rising to 8,281 ft above sea level, compared to the tallest mountain in Britain; Ben Nevis reaching only 4,413 ft, gives an idea of the terrain of the island.
The Landscape
The landscape of this island must be one of the most varied countries in the world. A lush green land includes tropical rainforests in the south and southwest, rolling hills with tea plantations and high mountains in the central regions, to dry zones in the north and east of the island. Gloriously sunny and sandy beaches surround the entire coast of the island.
Speak to our experienced travel consultants to curate your desired itineraries, whether it be relaxing beaches, Ayurveda retreats, historical heritage sites, national parks, safaris, bird watching, snorkelling, tea plantation tours, culinary experiences, Sri Lanka from the air, sailing, or a combination of your preferences.
Getting around
All our Tailor-made tours come with an eco-friendly car and highly experienced driver/guide from time of arrival to time of departure. It is ideal if you are looking to create your own flexible itinerary and to see what you want to see, and when you want to see it. Your driver/guide will pick you up each morning and follow your itinerary before dropping you off at your chosen accommodation.
Travelling by road is much slower than in developed countries but it allows the traveller to absorb the beautiful landscapes when travelling from one place to the next. Although a good part of the island could be covered during a 12 to 14-day trip, it is very much down to individual preferences to choose between a “slow travel” with spending more time at a place and getting to know the surroundings, and one with several itineraries.
Internal flights including seaplane transport operated by “Cinnamon Air” are available daily from Bandaranayake International Airport to a selection of popular destinations. The flights have been synchronized to coincide with the arrival and departure schedules of international airlines. This means connecting your flights is easy and convenient with minimum time spent waiting around. You can of course add domestic flights at any point during your itinerary, and there is even the possibility of charter flights to suit your own itinerary.
