Sri Lanka Holidays + Safari, Cultural & Wildlife Tours (Leopards of Yala & Whales)
Situated off the southern tip of India, Sri Lanka means ‘Beautiful Island’ and Sri Lanka holidays, safari, cultural & wildlife tours do not disappoint.
This tear shaped jewel, previously known as Ceylon, offers many extraordinary cultural treasures, as well as wonderful wildlife and gorgeous Indian Ocean beaches. Most people go on Sri Lanka holidays, safari, cultural & wildlife tours to see the sights of the Cultural Triangle and the leopards & other wildlife of Yala National Park. Arguably the most awe inspiring cultural sight is Sigiriya Rock - although the Aukana Buddha, the Dambulla Cave Temples, Temple of the Tooth in the hill capital of Kandy and historic Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are also incredible sites to visit.
Sri Lanka holidays, safari, cultural & wildlife tours also offer beautiful mountain scenery in the tea-producing hill country and its Indian Ocean beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world, with diving and snorkelling at Pigeon Island in the northeast & off the Galle Coast in the south.
Wildlife holidays to Sri Lanka are well known for sightings of leopards in Yala National Park & wild Asian elephants at Udawalawe. You can also enjoy magnificent birding in virgin rainforests and see whales off the Galle Coast in season.
Combine your ideas with our expertise and let us help you create a holiday of a lifetime. We offer a wide range of options at different price points, all of which can be tailor made to your needs.
We have been arranging Sri Lanka holidays including safari, cultural & wildlife tours (including leopards of Yala & whales) for over 20 years.
ALL OUR SRI LANKA HOLIDAYS, SAFARI, CULTURAL & WILDLIFE TOURS TO SEE LEOPARDS AT YALA & WHALES ARE FINANCIALLY PROTECTED wherever in the world you live.
More information on Sri Lanka holidays, safari, cultural & wildlife tours to see leopards at Yala & whales:
Sri Lanka is a spiritual country where Buddhism is the main religion of the Sinhalese, although there are significant Hindu, Christian and Muslim minorities. Evidence of these many religions is everywhere on Sri Lanka holidays, safari, cultural & wildlife tours, from fabulous ancient Buddhist shrines and towering Hindu temples, to the many personal shrines found on street corners.
Most Sri Lanka holidays, safari, cultural & wildlife tours start in the capital of Colombo, a port located on the ancient spice route and today an eclectic mix of modern and old. As you leave the city, most visitors stop at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage for close-up views of Asian elephants, which are much smaller than their African cousins and with different shaped ears and heads. Here you can participate in bottle-feeding an infant, before walking down to the river to watch them bathe with gusto.
Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle is located in the centre of the country and is a mix of ancient cities, fortresses and temple caves, many of which are now World Heritage Sites. A real highlight on Sri Lanka holidays, safari, cultural & wildlife tours is ascending the 1,200 steps to the top of Sigiriya Rock, a breathtaking fortress in the sky also known as Lion Rock. It was a 5th century fortress and later a Buddhist monastery, so a deeply spiritual place with ancient rock paintings and incredible views. Don’t miss the small museum at the entrance. On Sri Lanka holidays, safari, cultural & wildlife tours, the cave temples at Dambulla are also astonishing, with no fewer than 150 magnificent Buddhas from the first century BC. It is one of the best preserved of all the temples in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s most significant Buddhist shrine is the Temple of the Tooth, situated in the hill capital of Kandy in the centre of the island. Here there is a tooth relic of the Buddha, held in a golden casket that is displayed to the public three times a day during the pooja ceremon - a must see on all holidays to Sri Lanka. The annual Festival of the Sacred Tooth takes place in July and is one of the country’s most lively and vibrant celebrations. Kandy’s Peradeniya Botanical Gardens are also well worth a visit on Sri Lanka holidays, safari, cultural & wildlife tours. Ask your hotel to pack you a picnic lunch to enjoy here, and don’t forget to visit the orchid house.
If you have time to travel further afield on Sri Lanka holidays, the ancient city of Anuradhapura was founded in the 4th century on the mountain peak of Mihintale and is today a World Heritage Site, with many huge circular white-domed stupas. Here you can walk under the canopy of the sacred Bodhi tree, grown from an offshoot of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. At over 2,200 years it is the oldest historically documented tree in the world.
Polonnaruwa was the capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to 13th centuries, following the fall of Anuradhapura, and is another World Heritage Site complete with enormous Buddha statues - not to be missed on holidays to Sri Lanka. The Buddha at Aukana is the tallest and most magnificent, undamaged ancient statue in all of Sri Lanka. Remember to dress conservatively on Sri Lanka holidays, safari, cultural & wildelife tours and remove your shoes when entering temples.
Yala is the most famous of Sri Lanka’s national parks as leopard are found here in the highest concentration in the world. But do not expect Sri Lanka wildlife holidays to be a safari in the African sense, as the wildlife is sparser and the people more numerous. Notwithstanding this, the bird life is magnificent and nothing compares with the thrill of spotting a magnificent leopard in the wild. Wilpattu National Park in the north also has high concentrations of leopard, but they are more difficult there to spot because of the denser vegetation.
Sightings of wild Asian elephants on Sri Lanka safari holidays are among the best in the world at parks such as Udawalawe in the south, with an elephant orphanage that is less commercial than Pinnawala. On Sri Lanka holidays, safari, cultural & wildlife tours you can expect good sightings of water buffalo, sambar and spotted deer, langur and macaque monkeys, as well as many other smaller mammals. Sloth bears are also present but are much harder to see.
Further north at Minneriya National Park, in August and September elephants migrate along a corridor from neighbouring parks to feed on the fresh grass on the lakebed. This remarkable annual event is known as 'The Gathering' and is well worth including on all Sri Lanka holidays, safari & wildlife tours.
Sri Lanka is a country of a thousand lakes, so birdlife is outstanding including water birds, raptors and seasonal migrants. You will see the splendid peacock and the Jungle fowl – the national bird – pretty much everywhere on Sri Lanka safari holidays. Horton Plains National Park in the central highlands is the place to go for beautiful walking and birding. Sinharaja Forest Reserve in the southwest is a virgin rainforest and another birding hotspot and World Heritage Site, well worth including on Sri Lanka holidays, safari & wildlife tours. The ocean around the south coast is also a magnificent wildlife arena and is home to the mighty blue whale, sperm whale and lively dolphin.
All Sri Lanka holidays, safari, cultural & widllife tours should include a visit to a tea plantations, so on the way to Yala National Park you should travel through the lush tea-producing hill country around Nuwara Eliya, whose Ceylon tea is amongst the most famous in the world. An option here to take the scenic local train from Kandy, rather than a road transfer, for an interesting cultural experience on all Sri Lanka holidays.
For a complete contrast, consider adding an extension to Jaffna in the far north of the country. This is the heartland of the Hindu Tamil people, who have their own language and cuisine, including delicious mango delicacies. This region is dotted with many towering ornate Hindu temples and the cultural links to India are very much in evidence.
Sri Lanka holidays, safari, cultural & wildlife tours have always been known for ending on a glorious Indian Ocean beach and there are over a thousand miles of white sandy beaches from Beruwela, Bentota and Hikkaduwa in the southwest, to palm fringed Trincomalee and Pasikuda in the northeast, where the best scuba diving and snorkelling is found.
On the south coast, historic Galle Fort is a World Heritage Site that is best explored on foot at the end of all Sri Lanka holidays, safari, cultural & wildlife tours. If you want privacy and exclusivity, a beach extension in the Maldives is another option, albeit considerably more expensive.
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FEATURED HOLIDAY
Sri Lanka Highlights + Maldives
12 NIGHTS FROM:
$2,989
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
LPK12C
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• Sri Lanka and Maldives Holiday
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• Dambulla Cave Temple
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• Maldives Islands
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• Water Bungalow Villa, All Inclusive
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• Minneriya Elephants
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• Polonnaruwa Ruins
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• Snorkelling
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• Sigiriya Rock
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• Temple of the Tooth, Kandy
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• Scuba Diving
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This Sri Lanka and Maldives holiday combine the cultural highlights of this beautiful island, including climbing Sigirya Rock & the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, with time relaxing in the spectacular Maldives, which offers some of the best snorkelling & scuba diving in the world. Water bungalow, villa & all inclusive options are available. English speaking Sri Lankan guide & all transfers included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Sri Lanka Beach Holiday
7 NIGHTS FROM:
$1,311
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
LRA7C
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• Turtles Hatchery
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• Colombo
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• Ayurvedic Spas
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• Yoga Lessons
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• Galle Fort
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• South Coast
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• Elephants Transit Home
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• Sri Lanka Beach Holidays
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• Tailor Made
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• Watching Whales
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Our range of Sri Lanka beach holidays allow you to relax on the stunning beaches of this warm subtropical Indian Ocean island. Based at a hotel on the south coast, many activities are available - including fishing, optional visits to Galle Fort, Mulkirigala Rock Temple, Udawalawa Elephants Transit Home, Turtles Hatchery & Yala National Park. You can also see gigantic blue whales (Nov-Mar), all tailor made to your needs.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Sri Lanka Beach Safari: Elephants + Yala + Whales
10 NIGHTS FROM:
$2,149
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
LRB10C
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• Sri Lanka Beach Safari Holiday
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• Leopards
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• Whale Watching
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• Udawalawe, Elephants
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• Water Buffalo
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• Tea Plantation
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• Indian Ocean Beaches
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• Galle Fort
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• Temples
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• Yala National Park
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From October to May, enjoy this Sri Lanka beach safari holiday on the warm south coast - excellent for swimming, diving & fishing. Visit Udawalawe Reservoir with its wild Asian elephants, view wildlife in Yala National Park & take a whale watching trip to see enormous blue whales (Nov-Mar) before relaxing on the beach. Diving is available at Unawatuna. All transfers, whale watching, jeep safaris & park fees included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Sri Lanka: Cultural Triangle + Knuckles Mountains + Beach
12 NIGHTS FROM:
$2,388
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
LPA12C
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• Dambulla temple
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• Holiday to Sri Lanka
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• Colombo
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• Temple of the Tooth, Kandy
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• Minneriya Safari
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• Knuckles Mountains
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• Sri Lanka Cultural Highlights
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• Polonnaruwa
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• Sigiriya Rock
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• Indian Ocean Beach
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From October to March, this wonderful holiday to Sri Lanka combines the cultural highlights with the beach. Climb Sigiriya Rock, take a jeep safari in Minneriya, visit Polonnaruwa, walk in the Knuckles Mountains, visit Dambulla Caves & the Temple of Tooth in Kandy, before relaxing beside the Indian Ocean. Diving is available at some resorts. English speaking driver/guide, all transfers & sightseeing included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Sri Lanka (East Coast): Yala + Cultural Triangle + Pasikuda
14 NIGHTS FROM:
$2,389
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
LPD14C
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• Colombo
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• Dambulla Cave Temple
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• Pinnawala Elephants
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• Kandy & Temple of Tooth
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• Sigiriya Rock
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• Cultural Triangle
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• Beach Safari, Sri Lanka
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• Polonnaruwa Ruins
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• Minneriya Jeep Safari
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• Beach Holiday, Pasikuda
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From April to September, take advantage of this wonderful beach safari to Sri Lanka that combines the Cultural Triangle including Kandy, Sigiriya & Dambulla, with a jeep safari in Minneriya to see wild Asian elephant. End your holiday relaxing on Pasikuda beach. Extra beach days can be added. English speaking guide & all sightseeing included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Cultural Sri Lanka: Kalpitiya + Anuradhapura + Sigiriya + Kandy
12 NIGHTS FROM:
$2,390
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
LPI12C
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• Sri Lanka Buddhist Temples Tour
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• Kalpitiya
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• Temple of the Tooth
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• Polonnaruwa
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• Sigiriya Rock
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• Dambulla Temple
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• Avukana Buddha
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• Kandy
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• Sacred Bo Tree
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• Anuradhapura
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Visit the most important Sri Lanka Buddhist Temples on this private tour - including sacred Bo Tree in Anuradhapura, the ancient ruins at Polonnaruwa, cave temples at Dambulla, Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, Avukana Buddha & Sigiriya Rock. Complete your holiday relaxing on the warm beaches of the southwest coast (Oct to Mar) or Trincomalee (Apr to Sept). English speaking guide & all transfers included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Grand Sri Lanka: Cultural Triangle + Tea District + Yala + Galle
14 NIGHTS FROM:
$2,867
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
LPB14C
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• Temple of the Tooth, Kandy
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• Private Driver Guide
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• Holidays to Sri Lanka
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• Dambulla Cave Temple
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• Tea District
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• Sri Lanka Grand Tour
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• Minneriya & Pollonarawa
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• Galle Fort & Beach
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• Safari: Yala & Udawalawe
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• Sigiriya Rock
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Our wildlife & cultural holidays to Sri Lanka include this amazing Grand Tour, when from October to March you can explore this beautiful island with your own private driver guide. Visit all the cultural sights around Kandy, including Sigirya Rock & Dambulla Cave Temple, the Tea District & safari in Yala National Park & Udawalawe, before relax on the beach near Galle. All transfers, jeep safaris & sightseeing included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Sri Lanka (East Coast): Wilpattu + Cultural Triangle + Trincomalee
14 NIGHTS FROM:
$2,868
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
LPH14C
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• Wildlife Holiday Safari, Sri Lanka
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• Avukana Buddha
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• Temple of the Tooth, Kandy
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• Dambulla Cave Temple
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• Anuradhapura
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• Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle
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• Sigiriya Rock & Minneriya
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• Whale Watching & Snorkelling
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• Trincomalee Beaches
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• Safari: Wilpattu National Park
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From April to September, this Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle & wildlife holiday combines a safari to see leopards at Wilpattu, with the elephants of Minneria & whale watching in Trincomalee. Visit Temple of Tooth in Kandy, Anuradhapura, Dambula Cave Temple & Sigiriya Rock. Then relax on the beach, or snorkel & dive off Pigeon Island. English speaking guide, all transfers, game drives & sightseeing included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Sri Lanka Highlights + Maldives
12 NIGHTS FROM:
$2,989
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
LPK12C
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• Sri Lanka and Maldives Holiday
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• Dambulla Cave Temple
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• Maldives Islands
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• Water Bungalow Villa, All Inclusive
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• Minneriya Elephants
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• Polonnaruwa Ruins
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• Snorkelling
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• Sigiriya Rock
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• Temple of the Tooth, Kandy
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• Scuba Diving
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This Sri Lanka and Maldives holiday combine the cultural highlights of this beautiful island, including climbing Sigirya Rock & the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, with time relaxing in the spectacular Maldives, which offers some of the best snorkelling & scuba diving in the world. Water bungalow, villa & all inclusive options are available. English speaking Sri Lankan guide & all transfers included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Temples of Southern India + Sri Lanka
20 NIGHTS FROM:
$3,705
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
IPX20D
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• Kandy
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• Thanjavur
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• Temple Tours, Tamil Nadu
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• Mahabalipuram
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• Aarti Ceremony
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• Puducherry
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• Colombo
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• Chennai
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• Madurai
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• India And Sri Lanka Holidays
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Enquire about our fascinationg India and Sri Lanka holidays & temple tours of Tamil Nadu, travelling from Chennai to Madurai - via the rock temples of Mahabalipuram, French-influenced Puducherry, the Great Living Chola Temples of Thanjavur, Trichy & Chettinad. Experience an aarti ceremony in Madurai, then fly to Colombo to explore Kandy & beautiful Sri Lanka. This private tour can be tailor made to your requirements.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Grand Sri Lanka + Yala + Maldives
16 NIGHTS FROM:
$3,944
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
LPM17C
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• Snorkelling & Diving
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• Safari, Yala Park
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• Kandy & Temple of Tooth
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• Dambulla Cave Temple
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• Holidays to Maldives and Sri Lanka
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• Train, Tea District
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• Botanical Gardens
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• Maldives Islands
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• Sigiriya Rock
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• Cultural Triangle
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This holiday to Maldives and Sri Lanka visits all the key sights of the Cultural Triangle near Kandy, including Dambulla Cave Temple & Sigiria Rock, before taking a train ride through the Tea District and enjoying a wildlife safari in Yala Park. Complete your holiday relaxing on a pristine atoll in the spectacular Maldives. English speaking Sri Lankan guide, all transfers, jeep safaris & excursions included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Sri Lanka Wildlife: Whales + Elephants + Yala + Knuckles Mnts
14 NIGHTS FROM:
$4,064
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
LPQ14C
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• Wildlife Holiday, Sri Lanka
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• Temple of Tooth, Kandy
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• Knuckles Mountains
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• Colombo
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• Udawalawe Reservoir
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• Whale Watching, Mirissa
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• Dambulla Cave Temple
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• Sigiriya
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• Galle Fort
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• Yala National Park
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This wildlife holiday to Sri Lanka will introduce you to the natural wonders of this beautiful island, travelling with your own private driver/guide. Visit Minneriya & Yala National Park, renowned for its leopards, view Asian elephants in the wild at Udawalawe & blue whales in Mirissa (Nov-Mar). Also walk in the Knuckles Mountains, climb Sigiriya Rock and visit the famous Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. Birders can request an extension to Sinharaja Rainforest. All park fees & jeep safaris included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Birding Tour of Sri Lanka - Privately Guided
17 NIGHTS FROM:
$4,184
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
7LPA16C
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• Bundala National Park
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• Udawatte Kele, Kandy
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• Sinharaja & Kitulgala
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• Sri Lanka Birding Tours
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• Sigiriya & Habarana
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• Yala National Park
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• Bird Watching Holidays in Sri Lanka
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• Whale Watching
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• Lunugamvehera
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• Horton Plains
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Our tailor made bird watching holidays in Sri Lanka explore this beautiful island with a private birding guide. Sri Lanka birding tours usually visit Sigiriya and Kandy, Horton Plains, Lunugamvehera & Yala national parks, the Bundala wetlands & the rainforests of Sinharaja & Kitulgala. Also enjoy a whale watching boat ride in season. All park fees, birding & jeep safaris included.
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