"David crafted a once-in-a-lifetime safari for us. Every detail, from the lodges to the guides, was flawless."
Emma & James Wilson
From Australia · Travelled to Kenya
September 2024
Best Time to Travel: South & West Coasts (December–April) & East Coast (May–September)
Tailor-made Sri Lanka Tours 2026, 2027 & 2028
Sri Lanka is a compact island nation containing eight UNESCO World Heritage sites within an area smaller than Scotland. It is one of the best places in Asia for wildlife, home to the world’s highest density of leopards in Yalu and the gathering of hundreds of wild elephants in Minneriya. From the 2,500-year-old sacred cities of the Cultural Triangle to the colonial tea estates of the Central Highlands, Sri Lanka transitions from tropical coastlines to misty alpine climates in under four hours.
Sri Lanka
Why Travel to Sri Lanka?
Cities of the Cultural Triangle
The 5th-century Sigiriya rock fortress rises 200 metres, featuring the Mirror Wall and frescoes of Sighiri Apsaras. Below, the Water Gardens utilise 1,500-year-old gravity-fed hydraulics. To the north, the sacred cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa preserve the 300-foot-tall Ruwanwelisaya stupa and the Gal Vihara’s colossal granite Buddhas, marking 2,500 years of continuous Buddhist heritage.
Tea Country Train Ride
The Main Line climbs to 1,889 metres, crossing the Nine Arch Bridge in Ella. Passengers pass the high-altitude Lipton’s Seat in Haputale and the colonial-era Nuwara Eliya estates, where 300,000 tonnes of Ceylon tea are produced annually. As the train curves through Little England, vendors sell spiced ulundhu vadai and ginger tea to travellers peering out open doorways at 19th-century viaducts.
Coastal Wild Side
Yala National Park holds a density of one leopard per square kilometre, while Udawalawe provides sanctuary for 250 permanent wild elephants. Just offshore at Mirissa, the continental shelf drops to 1,000 metres, creating a feeding corridor for Blue Whales. In the 16th-century Galle Fort, Dutch-built ramparts overlook the International Stadium and the stilt fishermen of Weligama, who balance on wooden petti poles.
Sri Lanka at a Glance
- Capital
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (legislative), Colombo (executive and judicial)
- Population
23.2 million
- People
Sinhalese, Sri Lankan Tamils, Sri Lankan Moors, Indian Tamils
- Religions
Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity
- Languages
Sinhala, Tamil, English
- Currency
Sri Lankan rupee (LKR)
- Phone Code
+94
- Time Zone
UTC+5:30
- Power Plug
Types G, D & M
- Peak Season
South & west coasts (December–April) & east coast (May–September)
- Dishes
Rice and curry with fish or vegetables, hoppers (bowl-shaped pancakes), kottu roti (shredded flatbread stir-fried with egg and spices), dhal curry, pol sambol (spiced coconut relish)
- Neighbours
Maritime borders with India to the northwest and the Maldives to the southwest
- E-sim
Get a Sri Lanka e-sim from Airalo or Holafly, or locally from Dialog or Mobitel outlets in Colombo or Kandy.
- Visa
Sri Lanka tourist visa information is available on the Electronic Travel Authorisation System. Contact us for visa assistance.
Sri Lanka Tour Packages
Prefer something entirely bespoke? Design a private Sri Lanka journey.
What makes us different from the rest
Compare how Forward Travel stacks up against traditional travel agents and large tour operators.
| Feature | Forward Travel | Travel Agents | Tour Operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personalised itineraries built around your interests | |||
| Direct access to a dedicated travel expert (David) | |||
| Handpicked local guides in every destination | |||
| Flexible dates, pace, and on-trip adjustments | |||
| Transparent, ethical pricing with no hidden margins | |||
| 24/7 in-destination support | |||
| Exclusive small-group experiences (max 15) | |||
| Responsible travel & community give-back |
Sri Lanka Travel Guide
Stories from the road
Traveller Testimonials
Real journeys, real words — hear from explorers who've travelled the world with Forward Travel.
"Our Patagonia trek exceeded every expectation. Forward Travel's local connections opened doors we never imagined."
Marcus Chen
From Singapore · Travelled to Argentina
March 2024
"The cultural immersion in Japan was extraordinary. We felt like welcomed guests, not tourists."
Priya Sharma
From United Kingdom · Travelled to Japan
April 2024
"From the Galápagos to Machu Picchu, every moment was thoughtfully curated. Truly bespoke luxury travel."
Sophie Laurent
From France · Travelled to Peru & Ecuador
November 2023
"Our family Antarctic expedition was the trip of a lifetime. David's expertise made all the difference."
The Patel Family
From Canada · Travelled to Antarctica
January 2024
"Morocco came alive through Forward Travel's guides. Every souk, riad, and dune was magical."
Olivia Bennett
From United States · Travelled to Morocco
October 2024
"The Bhutan itinerary was spiritual and breathtaking. We returned transformed and grateful."
Hiroshi Tanaka
From Japan · Travelled to Bhutan
May 2024
"An Iceland adventure beyond compare — glaciers, waterfalls, and northern lights, all seamlessly arranged."
Lukas Müller
From Germany · Travelled to Iceland
February 2024
"David crafted a once-in-a-lifetime safari for us. Every detail, from the lodges to the guides, was flawless."
Emma & James Wilson
From Australia · Travelled to Kenya
September 2024
"Our Patagonia trek exceeded every expectation. Forward Travel's local connections opened doors we never imagined."
Marcus Chen
From Singapore · Travelled to Argentina
March 2024
"The cultural immersion in Japan was extraordinary. We felt like welcomed guests, not tourists."
Priya Sharma
From United Kingdom · Travelled to Japan
April 2024
"From the Galápagos to Machu Picchu, every moment was thoughtfully curated. Truly bespoke luxury travel."
Sophie Laurent
From France · Travelled to Peru & Ecuador
November 2023
"Our family Antarctic expedition was the trip of a lifetime. David's expertise made all the difference."
The Patel Family
From Canada · Travelled to Antarctica
January 2024
"Morocco came alive through Forward Travel's guides. Every souk, riad, and dune was magical."
Olivia Bennett
From United States · Travelled to Morocco
October 2024
"The Bhutan itinerary was spiritual and breathtaking. We returned transformed and grateful."
Hiroshi Tanaka
From Japan · Travelled to Bhutan
May 2024
"An Iceland adventure beyond compare — glaciers, waterfalls, and northern lights, all seamlessly arranged."
Lukas Müller
From Germany · Travelled to Iceland
February 2024
Tailor-made journeys
Want to See Sri Lanka on Your Own Terms?
Let's bring your dreams to reality. Whether you know exactly what you want or need inspiration, we'll design a journey as unique as you are.