Chilaw is a large town in Puttalam District, North Western Province, Sri Lanka. It is governed by an urban council. The town is located, 80 km away from the capital Colombo via Negombo.
Anuradhapura is a major city in Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of North Central Province, Sri Lanka and the capital of Anuradhapura District. Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of an ancient Sinhala civilization.
Dambulla is a town situated in the north of Matale District, Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is the second largest populated and urbanised centre after Matale in the Matale District. It is situated 148 km north-east of Colombo, 43 km north of Matale and 72 km north of Kandy.
Sigiriya was designated as a world heritage site in 1982. Sigiriya is famous for it's palace ruins on top of a massive 200 meter high rock surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs and other structures. The rock itself is a lava plug left over from an ancient long extinct volcano. It is also renowned for its ancient paintings (frescoes), which are similar to those found at Ajanta Caves in India. It is generally agreed, however, that the Sigiriya Frescoes exhibit a uniquely Sri Lankan style. Sigiriya may have been inhabited through prehistoric times.
Polonnaruwa is the main town of Polonnaruwa District in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. Kaduruwela area is the Polonnaruwa New Town and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains as the royal ancient city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa. The second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated Chola invaders in 1070 to reunite the country once more under a local leader. The Ancient City of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage Site. Currently the new Polonnaruwa is under going a major development project known as the "Awakening of Polonnaruwa" under the concept of President Maithripala Sirisena.
Matale often written as Mathale, is the largest town of the Matale District of the Central Province, of Sri Lanka. It is 142 kilometres from Colombo and near Kandy. Surrounding the town are the Knuckles Mountain Range, the foothills were called Wiltshire by the British. It is a mainly agricultural area, where tea, rubber, vegetable and spice cultivation dominate.
Kandy is a large city in central Sri Lanka. It's set on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and biodiverse rainforest. The city's heart is scenic Kandy Lake (Bogambara Lake), which is popular for strolling. Kandy is famed for sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) shrine, celebrated with the grand Esala Perahera annual procession.
Nuwara Eliya is a city in the tea country hills of central Sri Lanka. The naturally landscaped Hakgala Botanical Gardens displays roses and tree ferns, and shelters monkeys and blue magpies. Nearby Seetha Amman Temple, a colorful Hindu shrine, is decorated with religious figures. Densely forested Galway's Land National Park is a sanctuary for endemic and migratory bird species, including bulbuls and flycatchers.
Wellawaya is a town located in Monaragala District, Uva Province of Sri Lanka.
The seaside town of Galle is 116 Km away from Colombo by road or rail, down the south coast of Sri Lanka. Both routes are picturesque, following the coastline closely for much of the way. You can also take the Southern Expressway if you need to reach the city by half the time but there is not much scenery to admire. Today’s town has grown greatly and spreads into the surroundings but the Fort is the slowbeating heart of Galle ‘s history. The walled city has stood since the early sixteenth century, through the Colonial periods of the Portuguese, Dutch and British and in our present times is proclaimed as an Archaeological Reserve and has been identified as a living World Heritage Site.
Colombo is the commercial and financial capital of the Sri Lanka. This city filled with luxurious hotels,restaurants and many variety of attractions. The city is a contrast itself, with mansions, lush gardens, fine dining options, shopping malls packed with expensive designer brands standing next to urban slums; diesel fumed congested roads and street markets. Despite its small size just 37.31 km² Colombo offers a varying selection of experience ranging from taking a tuktuk ride, a visit to Pettah market and eating Kottu to playing a round of golf and having high tea at one of the colonial style hotels overlooking the Indian Ocean. With many boutiques filled with international brands and local art and fabrics Colombo is the best place to do the last minute shopping and then it’s best to retire to Galle face, Colombo;s playground for some Kottu or Wade.
Arrival in Colombo in the morning or in the afternoon: transfer to the hotel in Chillaw (about 2 hours) and accommodation in the reserved rooms (which will still be available from 2.00 pm onwards). Rest of the day at leisure for relaxing in the pool or on the beach. Dinner in hotel.
HOTEL: Anantaya, 4 * sup or similar.
Full board. In the morning visit of Anuradhapura, the first Sinhalese capital, from the 4th century BC. Until the 10th century AD We will visit the Sri Maha Bodhi, the sacred ficus tree descending from the original bodhi tree under which Buddha was meditating when he reached enlightenment, and the Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba, the large white dagoba protected by a wall decorated with a frieze. depicting hundreds of elephants; we will pass in front of two other famous reliquaries, the Thuparamaya, the first dagoba to have been built on the island, and the Lankarama, and then continue with the visit of the ruins of a ninth century monastic school which preserve the most beautiful Moonstone of the whole Sri Lanka, of the imposing Abhayagiri Dagoba, about 75 meters high, of the Kuttam Pokuna, two beautiful basins for ritual ablutions, and finally of the Jetavanarama Dagoba, whose immense dome, at the time of its construction in the third century, made the tallest stupa in the world. In the afternoon visit the beautiful temples excavated in the caves in Dambulla (they are located on the top of a hill with 400 steps, but you can get up to about half by car / bus // from that point the climb takes about 20 ') . At the end of the visit, with a short "artisanal" catamaran ride on Lake Kandalama you will reach a point where one or two elephants (belonging to a private "elephant compound", open exclusively for Mistral customers) go to the bath together with their "mahouts": it will be possible to participate in the exciting bathing experience, playing with the elephants in the water and rewarding them at the end with delicious fruit! You will then return to the main road with another typical and original means of transport, the tractor, and from here by car / bus you will return to the hotel.
HOTEL: Jetwing Lake, 4* sup. / Amaya Lake / Cinnamon Lodge (ad Habarana) or similar.
Full board (traditional Sinhalese lunch in a typical local village). Early in the morning (we will leave the hotel at 7 am) departure for Sigiriya: visit of the imposing fortress, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco), built on the rock in the fifth century. and about 370 meters high. (the climb will take about a couple of hours, because there are more than a thousand steps!).
On the descent you will be rewarded for the effort with delicious fresh fruit, then you will visit a local house. In the afternoon, visit of Polonnaruwa (also declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco), the second ancient capital of the Sinhalese kingdom between the 11th and 13th centuries AD, whose temples and sculptures are among the best preserved in the country. We will visit the group of the Royal Palace of Parakramabahu, with the audience hall and the ablution pool, the area of ??the Quadrilateral with the Vatadage, probably originally built to contain the relic of the sacred tooth of Buddha later transferred to Kandy, the Tuparama Gedige, a Buddhist temple which has strong Hindu influences, and the Hatadage, an ancient reliquary used also to contain the relic of the tooth of the Buddha. Finally, visit the beautiful sculptural group of Gal Vihara, which, with its four statues of Buddha, probably marks the highest point of Sinhalese rock sculpture.
Full board. In the morning departure for Kandy. Along the way there will be a stop at a spice plantation in Matale with a demonstration of local cuisine. In the afternoon, visit of the holiest city in Sri Lanka, as well as the third capital of the Sinhalese kingdom: the Temple of the Sacred Tooth (Dalada Maligawa), the lake, the market square.
HOTEL: Cinnamon Citadel, 4* / Amaya Hills or similar.
Full board. Early in the morning (at 7) yoga class with a local teacher (lasting one hour). After breakfast, a tuk tuk ride followed by a stop at a local dance school and in an ancient and aristocratic Dutch-style house, now transformed into a real house museum where it will be possible to learn more about the extraordinary Sinhalese culture. Then continue to Nuwara Eliya, a suggestive mountain station already known at the time of the British colony (1889 meters above sea level): along the way, stop and visit a tea factory and some natural glimpses of great charm.
HOTEL: Jetwing St. Andrews, 4* or similar.
Full board (lunch on the train with box lunch). In the morning a short panoramic tour of the town then transfer to the Nanu Oya railway station (10 km from Nuwara Eliya) and departure by train to Ella (about 3 ½ hours): the train allows you to make one of the most suggestive journeys in the country, enjoying the wonderful mountain landscapes from a different perspective from the traditional one "by road". Upon arrival, continuation to Wellawaya.
HOTEL: Jetwing Kaduruketha, Eco resort.
Full board. In the morning visit the beautiful Buduruwegala complex, consisting of seven statues dating back to the 10th century, carved in a single rock, in the middle of the jungle, including that of Buddha is the highest on the island (about 15 meters) and still preserves traces of the original color applied to the garments. Departure for Galle, a Portuguese, Dutch and finally English colony: upon arrival, visit the charming colonial town.
HOTEL: Amari Galle, 4* / The Heritage Galle Fort or similar.
Half board (breakfast and dinner). Free morning to stroll in the ancient and fascinating neighbourhood of the Fort. Free lunch. In the early afternoon return to Colombo and panoramic tour of the capital: we will pass in front of the New Parliament, the Bandaranaike Memorial International congress center, the replica of the Buddha statue whose original is located in Aukana and will make a stop at the Independence Memorial Hall, the 'building that celebrates independence from English rule in 1948. We will continue passing in front of the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theater, with its suggestive lotus shape, and in front of the Municipality of Colombo, then we will visit the Gangaramaya Temple Buddhist temple which houses a bizarre museum, consisting of a very heterogeneous collection of gifts offered by the faithful) and the Seema Malaka Temple, a beautiful temple on the water built by the famous Sinhalese architect Geoffrey Bawa, located above three floating platforms connected to each other by walkways wooden. We will then pass through the Fort area with its evocative combination of ancient colonial-era buildings and modern structures such as the skyscrapers of the World Trade Center, the recently renovated Dutch Hospital complex, the Galle Face Green, the green area of ??Colombo. overlooking the sea, a favorite place for families and couples of lovers who frequent it especially at sunset, the Pettah bazaar and the tour will end with a stop at the historic Galle Face Hotel to savor the last cup of tea before departure. Then transfer to the hotel, accommodation in the reserved rooms, dinner and overnight stay.
HOTEL: The Kingsbury, 5* / Galle Face or similar.
Transfer to the airport in time for the return flight to Home.
With over two decades of excellence, Anantaya Resorts & Spa as one of the most sought after providers of Sri Lanka beach resorts takes pride in introducing its latest additions. Expanding our horizons farther, our new range of beach resorts feature paradisiacal abodes built to please every ardent holiday maker. Choose to stay with our well equipped and ingeniously designed Anantaya Resort & Spa Chilaw or Anantaya Resort & Spa Pasikuda and be treated to great accommodation, fine dining, picturesque views & unparalleled recreation.
Simply lovely! A modern hotel amidst serene nature with 5-star rooms. The architecture is beautiful! From ancient kingdoms to thriving wildlife, your stay in the heart of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle will never be short of unforgettable experiences.
Kandy is renowned to be one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka. Surrounded by sweeping green hills, misty mornings bordered by the longest river in the country, Cinnamon Citadel Kandy is your ideal retreat for a truly relaxed and carefree getaway. Steeped in cultural and historical significance, this resort is designed in a manner to reflect this rich history and majesty with the use of ‘heritage’ red representing royalty and white spaces symbolizing a modern, chic and sophisticated ambience.
Located in the heart of Nuwara Eliya, Jetwing St. Andrew’s is surrounded by the scenic beauty of our central highlands. Jetwing St. Andrew’s is equipped to serve you with a combination of modern and vintage amenities, including one of the oldest snooker tables in Sri Lanka. Luxury accommodation at Jetwing St. Andrew’s is a pleasure of our hospitality, and is offered to you in the form of four distinct rooms, each with their own charming characteristics. While our Superior Rooms serve as the ideal intimate getaway in our hill country, the Deluxe Rooms come with a separate timber attic that hosts two single beds for larger groups on holiday in the mountains. For an even more generous offering of space, our Suites embody the grandeur of Nuwara Eliya luxury rooms,
Nestled in the midst of lush paddy fields and rolling hills, Jetwing Kaduruketha has been designed to resemble a traditional village surrounded by rural Sri Lankan landscapes. Our secluded location in Wellawaya is conveniently connected to major island hotspots, yet remains comfortably isolated in the tranquility of our home of Sri Lankan hospitality.
Welcome to Amari Galle Sri Lanka. We’re looking forward to brightening your stay when you can retreat to our beachfront resort. We’re secluded in front of a vast rainforest on Sri Lanka’s south-west coast, with every room facing the dynamic Indian Ocean. It’s your ideal vantage point to drink in the incredible Sri Lankan sunsets from your own private balcony every evening. Our spaces have been thoughtfully designed for that comforting home-from-home experience. We’ve added touches to the décor to showcase modern Sri Lankan craftsmanship at every turn – a contemporary re-imagining of the traditional Sri Lankan home. Your little ones are also going to have a blast. That’s a promise! Our professional caretakers are fully trained to take your kids on their own little adventures.
Bejeweled as one of the finest five-star Colombo hotels located in-between Galle Face Green, the World Trade Centre and the Dutch Hospital Precinct, we welcome you to The Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo. With easy access for your shopping, entertainment and business needs, we will ensure your stay is perfect and your experiences are complete.
See HotelSri Lanka has a recorded history that spans back 3000 years. Like its massive neighbour India, Sri Lanka is a diverse country, home to many religions, ethnicities and languages. It is also still blessed with a variety of wildlife that has survived alongside this human civilisation, on this small island for centuries. Today it offers tourists a diverse experience - from the modern city of Colombo with its skyscrapers to national parks teeming with elephants and religious and cultural buildings of multiple origins.
BANKING AND CURRENCY
Currency
Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR; symbol Rp) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of Rp2,000, 1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of Rp10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. There are also large numbers of commemorative coins in circulation.
The import and export of local currency is limited to Rp5000. The import of notes from India and Pakistan is not allowed. Otherwise, the import of foreign currency is not restricted but all amounts over US$10,000 are subject to declaration at customs. Export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on import.
Foreign currency can be changed at authorised exchanges, banks and hotels.
Banking
Banking hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1300. Some city banks close at 1500, some even have night-time banking facilities.
MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. American Express is also often accepted. The tourist board urges caution when paying by credit card due to the potential for fraud.
Major cities have ATMs, although not all will accept international cards, especially the national bank. It is advisable to try to have some cash at hand whilst travelling, particularly in rural areas.
Traveller's cheques are often not accepted. If you find somewhere that will exchange them, the rate of exchange for traveller's cheques can be better than the rate of exchange for cash but there are handling fees to consider and banks are more likely to give a favourable rate than hotels. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
TRAVEL, TRANSPORT AND GETTING AROUND
Domestic air services around Sri Lanka are limited, and most tourists travel by either road or train. If you do choose to fly, then the major domestic airport is Ratmalana at Colombo. There are reasonably regular flights to Jaffna, Palaly and Trincomalee by FitsAir (www.fitsair.com). Charter flights can be arranged by them, or by helicopter with Millennium Airlines.
With the opening of Mattala Rajapaska International Airport, domestic services are expected to begin operating between the east and south coasts in the near future.
Sri Lanka has a widespread road network, which accounts for nearly 95% of land transport across the country. Driving tends to be erratic, and most travellers either employ a locally knowledgeable driver or use public transport.
The quality of the country’s road varies considerably. The main coastal arteries are modern and well-maintained, while many of the mountain roads are poor-quality and pockmarked with holes. Road works are everywhere, demonstrating the island’s increasing prosperity and its commitment to infrastructure development.
E class roads are high-speed expressways, while A class roads represent the national highway network. B class and C class roads tend to be smaller and of varying quality.
Car hire services are available from several international agencies. To hire a car, visitors must have a valid driving licence and be 18 or over. In order to avoid bureaucratic formalities in Sri Lanka, an International Driving Permit should be obtained before departure. If not, a temporary licence to drive is obtainable on presentation of a valid national driving licence. Air-conditioned minibuses are also available. Motorised rickshaws are also readily available for hire in towns and villages. Chauffeur-driven cars are not too expensive and are recommended.
Taxis in Sri Lanka have yellow tops and red and white plates. In Colombo, taxis are metered but it is advisable to agree a rate before setting off. Drivers expect a 10% tip. A cheaper and more authentic option is to flag down a tuk-tuk - these open rickshaws are available for hire in abundance across the country.
Cycling in the cities is inadvisable, but in rural areas bikes are becoming increasingly common. There are four National Cycle Trails. Most bike hire agencies are concentrated in Colombo and Negombo.
The cheapest and most enjoyable way to get around Sri Lanka is by bus. Most vehicles are ancient, atmospheric and packed with chattering locals, and major routes include Colombo to Kandy, Colombo to Matara and Colombo to Jaffna. Timetables can be found on the website of the National Transport Commission (www.ntc.gov.lk).
The Central Transport Board provides intensive urban bus operations in Colombo, where there are also private buses and minibuses. Fares are generally collected by conductors. Services are often crowded.
Trains connect Colombo with all tourist towns, but first-class carriages, air conditioning and dining cars are available on only a few. Passengers can buy tickets online from Sri Lanka Railways (www.railway.gov.lk). New fast services operate on the principal routes, including an intercity express service between Colombo and Kandy, otherwise journeys are fairly leisurely.First-class carriages almost always book up in advance, so it’s best to secure your ticket early.
There is no official river transport network, but several tourism operators offer river cruises on the Bentota and Polwatta rivers.
FOOD, DRINK AND CUISINE ADVICE
All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised, whilst bottled water and a variety of mineral waters are available at most hotels. Unpasteurised milk should be boiled, and if possible powdered or tinned milk is advised; these are generally available in Sri Lanka. Pasteurised and sterilised milk is available in some hotels and shops. Avoid dairy products made using unboiled milk. Beware of eating salads - vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled, and all should be washed in sterilised water. Street food in Sri Lanka is ubiquitous but use your judgement wisely and only eat well-cooked meat and fish, that have not been left sitting out.
Whether it’s a curry spread served in a private house or a succulent fish dish dressed to perfection in a restaurant, Sri Lankan cuisine is a true treat for the taste buds. Rice, spices and fruit are at the centre of most meals - expect a typical non-Westernised menu to feature staples such as mango lassi, Ceylon tea, curries and ‘roti’ flatbread. Prices are incredibly low outside the tourist hotspots, and it’s quite possible to eat like a king for less than £5 per day.
While Sri Lankan cookery is increasingly famous for its fine flavour combinations, most visitors will draw the line at being served curry at breakfast. Bigger hotels generally offer British-style spreads, but at smaller guesthouses you may need to ask for something a little milder. Expect a greater diversity of cuisine in large towns and cities such as Colombo and Negombo, where Chinese, Continental, Indian and Japanese menus are common.
In most Sri Lankan towns, you’ll find pavement stalls and corner shops selling street food specialities. No trip to the country is complete without a scrumptious snack bought from a street vendor but avoid unpeeled fruit and salads, which can trigger violent reactions in the uninitiated.
Alcohol cannot be sold on poya holidays (which occur each lunar month on the day of the full moon).
Most hotels include a 10% service charge. Extra tipping is optional.
CLIMATE AND WEATHER
Sri Lanka climate is tropical and consists of distinct wet and dry seasons. The Yala monsoon brings abundant rainfall to the country’s western and southern regions from May to September; the area experiences its dry season during December through March. Altogether, the southwest receives around 4000mm of rainfall each year. The Maha monsoon affects northern and eastern Sri Lanka weather and often lasts from October to January, with the dry season usually lasting from May to September. This region receives approximately 1000mm of precipitation annually, significantly less than the other half of the country. There is also an inter-monsoonal period in October and November during which rain and thunderstorms occur frequently across the island.
Generally speaking, upland areas of Sri Lanka are cooler and more temperate, with a yearly average around 16-20ºC (60-68ºF), and coastal areas are warmer with average temperatures around 27ºC (80ºF). The March-June season experiences slightly higher temperatures (up to 33ºC / 92ºF), while the temperatures in November-January are a few degrees lower (around 24ºC / 75ºF at the coast). Sri Lanka weather along the shores is made more comfortable by cooling sea breezes. The surrounding sea remains rather constant at roughly 27ºC (80ºF) year-round. Humidity is typically rather high in Sri Lanka, averaging out at around 80% year-round.
As the nation is located in the tropics, Sri Lanka weather can be severely affected by an El Niño. Though this irregular climate change only occurs around every three to seven years, the area’s weather can be altered for an extended time in effect. In the presence of a strong El Niño, expect a chance of drought conditions during the March-August months and possible flooding September-November. Floods regularly hit Sri Lanka, particularly in the southwestern region, so it may be wise to avoid the area during the wet season.
Sri Lanka climate can be at its most enjoyable in the drier seasons; the best time to travel to the west, south and upland areas of the island is during December to March, while the recommended travel season for the east coast region is April to September.
The most popular season for tourism is between December and March, when the country attracts Europeans fleeing the Northern Hemisphere’s winter weather. Christmas and the New Year are particularly popular for a Sri Lankan holiday, while July and August represent festival season on the island – if travelling during either time it is recommended to book well in advance to guarantee accommodation.
The island is certainly a year-round destination as there is usually one region of the country experiencing good weather, while others are hit by poorer conditions. The diverse topography of Sri Lanka allows for balmy beach holidays on the east coast from April to November, while the west is ideal for hitting the beach from December to March. However, be aware that Sri Lanka weather can be unpredictable during any season.
CLOTHING AND DRESS RECOMMENDATIONS
The weather in Sri Lanka can be unpredictable during any season so depending on where in the country you’re going, it’s best to take layers. The central highlands can be significantly cooler throughout the year, so you’ll need warmer clothes here. Lightweight rainwear is also recommended any time of year.
ELECTRICITY AND PLUG STANDARDS
For the most part, electrical sockets (outlets) in Sri Lanka are one of two types: the "Type D" Indian 5 amp BS-546 or the European CEE 7/16 Europlug. The Indian socket is actually an old British standard. The "Type D" Indian plug and socket is not to be confused with the "Type M" South African plug and socket. In pictures, they look very similar, but the South African type is much larger than the Indian type, and they are physically incompatible. If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for both types.
Electrical sockets (outlets) in Sri Lanka usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need.
But travel plug adapters do not change the voltage, so the electricity coming through the adapter will still be the same 220-240 volts the socket is supplying. North American sockets supply electricity at between 110 and 120 volts, far lower than in most of the rest of the world. Consequently, North American appliances are generally built for 110-120 volts.
