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Tea Plantation Sri Lanka
Sri LankaFrom £4,995

Sri Lanka Tours & Tailor-Made Holidays

Discover Sri Lanka’s ancient cities, rich wildlife, lush tea country and vibrant culture on journeys through this captivating island.

  • Best timeDecember to March and May to September
  • Time zoneGMT +5:30
  • CurrencySri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
  • LanguageSinhala, Tamil and English
Overview

An introduction to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island of remarkable contrasts, where ancient kingdoms, sacred temples and colonial heritage meet lush tea country, tropical forests and wildlife rich national parks. Explore the cultural heartlands and dramatic landscapes of the interior, search for elephants and other wildlife, and discover the distinctive character of the lesser visited north, from remote Mannar to the Tamil culture of Jaffna. Along the way, village encounters, local cuisine and coastal communities offer an insight into everyday life, creating a journey that goes well beyond Sri Lanka’s better known sights

fisherman on stilts sri lanka
Tea Pickers Sri Lanka
Explore

Sri Lanka

Why visit

What makes Sri Lanka worth the journey

Elephants sri lanka
A place apart

Extraordinary Variety

Experience ancient cities, wildlife, tea country, tropical forests and beautiful coastline within one remarkably diverse island.

01

Rich Cultural Heritage

Discover thousands of years of history through ancient kingdoms, sacred temples, colonial heritage and living cultural traditions.

fisherman on stilts sri lanka
02

Exceptional Wildlife

Search for wild elephants, leopards, sloth bears and abundant birdlife in Sri Lanka’s national parks and nature reserves.

Facade of a Hindu temple in Sri Lanka with sculptures of deities
03

Beyond the Usual Tourist Trail

Venture into lesser visited regions such as Jaffna and Mannar, discovering distinctive communities, historic sites and landscapes that many visitors never see.

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Highlights

The highlights of Sri Lanka

Ancient Kingdoms

Explore Sri Lanka’s remarkable heritage, from ancient cities and sacred temples to atmospheric ruins and impressive rock fortresses.

Remarkable Wildlife

Search for wild elephants, leopards, sloth bears and an extraordinary variety of birdlife in Sri Lanka’s national parks and reserves.

Tea Country

Journey through the cooler central highlands, where rolling tea plantations, misty hills and historic estates create some of the island’s most beautiful scenery.

Living Culture

Experience Sri Lanka’s rich cultural traditions through Buddhist and Hindu temples, local markets, village communities and encounters with local people.

The Lesser Visited North

Discover a different side of Sri Lanka in Jaffna, Mannar and the remote north, with distinctive Tamil culture, historic sites and rarely visited landscapes.

Coasts & Historic Towns

Explore Sri Lanka’s varied coastline, from fishing communities and tropical beaches to historic ports and the colonial heritage of towns such as Galle.

Where ancient kingdoms, wild elephants and tea covered hills tell the story of an extraordinary island.

From the field

When to go

Picking the right season for your trip

Sweet spot: May–Sep · Dec–Mar

Sri Lanka has a tropical climate, with warm temperatures throughout the year, although conditions vary considerably between the coast, central highlands and different sides of the island. Two separate monsoon systems mean that rainfall patterns differ by region, so there is usually somewhere in Sri Lanka experiencing favourable conditions at any time of year.

Generally, December to March offers drier weather across the west, south and central highlands, while May to September is typically better suited to the north and east. The hill country is noticeably cooler than the lowlands, particularly around Nuwara Eliya, while northern areas such as Jaffna and Mannar can be hot and exposed. Wildlife viewing is possible year round, although seasonal water levels can influence animal movements and sightings.

Live weather
Sri Lanka

Looking to travel outside the typical windows? Our Sri Lanka tailor-made team can advise on the best time for you.

From the journal

Stories from the region

Dispatches, field notes and practical advice from our specialists.

All stories
Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Reviews from across our small-group programme. Independently rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ travellers.

The tour leader, Olaf Stals, did a sterling job. Charming, accessible, enthusiastic and a good communicator. Olaf has an in-depth knowledge of the mechanics of seamless travelling and managed the group very effectively. The tour was challenging but very good organisation and professional tour leadership made it a success.
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Gustavo Musto, Uruguay

When asked by other travellers why I book with Undiscovered Destinations, it's because of the chance to visit places few, if any, other tour operators go to.
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Oliver Grumitt, UK

The tour leader, Olaf Stals, did a sterling job. Charming, accessible, enthusiastic and a good communicator. Olaf has an in-depth knowledge of the mechanics of seamless travelling and managed the group very effectively. The tour was challenging but very good organisation and professional tour leadership made it a success.
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Gustavo Musto, Uruguay

Given the countries involved, I thought the accommodation was better than I expected. Our guide was knowledgeable. He was kind and provided snacks and stories to while away the very long driving days.
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Traveller from the UK

An excellent trip. We saw all that we expected to and more. Very good guide, helpful and considerate. Tour met and exceeded my expectations
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Martin Robathan, UK

Quite the best guide and driver we have encountered in 45 years of travel.
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John Davies, UK

You have a good choice of more adventurous options. Standards are good. Prices competitive
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Stewart Mitchell, UK

This was our first trip with Undiscovered Destinations and we were very impressed. You have some very interesting itineraries so we hope we will travel with you again and we will certainly be recommending Romania to our friends
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Anne Walton, UK

The initial version of our 17-night tailor made itinerary was virtually spot on, covering all the interests. All we did was put in a few extra days for a more relaxed experience. The turnaround was quick and emails were responded to promptly. The process was quick and simple and we received all our final documentation in good time. All the information received was very helpful.
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Helen Jackson, UK

I sent my request to book roughly 6 weeks before the tour started, which is relatively short notice considering the destination. I really appreciate the swiftness with which everything was handled.
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Raquel Romeiro

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Sri Lanka journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

Tailor my trip
Tailor-made journeys

Didn’t find your perfect Sri Lanka trip?

We’ll build one around you.

Sri Lanka is particularly well suited to a tailor-made journey, with an extraordinary variety of experiences that can be combined around your interests and preferred pace. We can create a private itinerary focusing on ancient history and culture, wildlife and national parks, the tea country and central highlands, or the island’s quieter coastal regions. For those looking to venture further from the usual tourist trail, time can also be spent exploring the distinctive north and east. With private transport, carefully selected accommodation and knowledgeable local guides, a tailor-made journey gives you the flexibility to experience Sri Lanka in a way that works for you.

Your dates
Travel when it suits you
Private group
Just you, family or friends
Your pace
Linger longer, skip the rest
Bespoke extras
Private guides, rare access

Typical reply within 3 working days · No obligation · Trusted by travellers since 2004

golden temple sri lanka
How it works
  1. 1Tell us what you have in mind
  2. 2We build an itinerary + quote
  3. 3Refine until it feels right
Est. 2004
20+ years of
bespoke travel
Mark Huggins
Meet your expert

Mark Huggins

Travel consultant and Tailormade Specialist

I have been fortunate enough to travel to almost 100 countries across every continent except Antarctica—which remains firmly at the top of my bucket list.

What I love most about travel is the sense of freedom and the anticipation of the unexpected. You never quite know what lies around the next corner. It might be waking in a remote Guyanese rainforest to the deafening chorus of Howler Monkeys, discovering a rare frog species found only on the summit of a Venezuelan tepui, chatting about cricket with passionate locals aboard a train in India, or joining an impromptu game of badminton with young monks in Bhutan. I also enjoy connecting with a destination through its food, discovering the stories, traditions, and people behind the local cuisine—most recently while travelling through Georgia.

Choosing favourite places is almost impossible, but a few experiences stand out. Marojejy National Park in north-eastern Madagascar is a breathtaking rainforest that feels as though it has been lifted straight from Jurassic Park, home to the critically endangered Silky Sifaka, one of the world's rarest primates. More recently, I treasured a rail journey through Romania with my son, lying in our sleeper compartment with the window open on a warm evening as we watched the golden landscapes of Transylvania drift by. Another unforgettable highlight was trekking through Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for a truly humbling encounter with the magnificent Mountain Gorillas.

More recently, exploring the incredible biodiversity of Panama and the lush coffee-growing region of Colombia provided yet more memorable experiences, each offering a wonderful combination of spectacular scenery, fascinating wildlife, and warm local hospitality.

Next on the horizon is Kazakhstan, where I am developing an exciting new itinerary. I'm looking forward to discovering the immense landscapes, rich nomadic heritage, and hidden treasures of this remarkable Central Asian nation.

For me, travel is far more than simply visiting new places—it's about meaningful experiences, genuine human connections, and moments that stay with you long after you've returned home. It is a privilege I never take for granted, and one that continues to fuel my curiosity and passion for exploring the world.

With more than 25 years of experience helping travellers turn their dream journeys into reality, I'd feel privileged to help you plan your next adventure. Whether you're looking to join a carefully curated small-group tour or would prefer a bespoke tailor-made itinerary, I can help create an unforgettable travel experience almost anywhere in the world.

Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

Travellers should check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice for Sri Lanka before booking and again before departure. The advice includes up-to-date information on safety and security, regional risks, entry requirements, health and any events that may affect travel.

At present, the FCDO highlights issues including the possibility of demonstrations and public gatherings, opportunistic crime, road and transport safety, and specific considerations when travelling in parts of northern and eastern Sri Lanka. Travellers should follow local advice and avoid demonstrations and political protests

Ready when you are

Start planning your Sri Lanka adventure

Join a small-group departure, or let our Sri Lanka specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.

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