Less than two weeks is not long to spend in a country as varied and rich in culture as Sri Lanka. Having said that, it is more than possible to squeeze in a few essentials sights and still allow for some calmer days to dip your toes in the Indian Ocean. The key is to avoid craming in too much.

For more information on these specific places of interest and things to do, please refer to our Areas of Sri Lanka Guide and the Activities & Interests section.

The Cultural Triangle & The West Coast – If you are interested in the history and religious culture of Sri Lanka, then we suggest you focus on The Cultural Triangle. A two or three night stay in this area will give you time to visit the Dambulla Cave Temples, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Polonnaruwa City Ruins and the countries religious capital Kandy. You can then move on to the coast for some beachfront relaxation. The West Coast is best for shorter trips as it cuts down on transfer times from the Cultural Triangle and then back to the airport.

Tea Plantations & The West Coast – For outstanding natural beauty it is hard to beat the dramatic mountain ranges and deep valleys of Sri Lanka’s hill country. The tea plantations and vegetable terraces give this area a unique character that is well worth experiencing. The hills are ideal for hiking and mountain biking. The scenic railway from Kandy is a lovely introduction to the tea plantations and we would then recommend staying in a converted colonial bungalow. Again the West Coast is then the best follow on for some sea and sand as the transfer times are shorter then going all the way South to Galle.

Elephants, Tents and The Galle Fort – Sri Lanka has a very healthy wild elephant population and several natural elephant corridors across the country where sightings are frequent. Uda Walawe in Southern Sri Lanka is one of the best national parks and unfenced elephant corridors. A two night tented safari with Kulu Safaris is a wonderful experience and almost guaranteed to produce some wild elephant sightings along with numerous birds and the possibility of leopards and crocodiles. It’s then not far to the beautiful beaches of the South Coast and the 16th century UNESCO Galle Fort.

14 days is the ideal amount of time for a tour of Sri Lanka which will leave you feeling well versed in the countries culture and diversity, without feeling exhausted and in need of another holiday! It also allows for a good relaxation period on the beach which can easily be extended by adding days onto your trip or removing aspects of the recommended tours if they don't appeal. Please note that the recommended itineraries are just guide lines and intended to illustrate what is available. For a tailor-made itinerary and personal advice call us on 0207 112 0019 or email us.

For more information on these specific places of interest and things to do, please refer to our Areas of Sri Lanka Guide and the Activities & Interests section.

Sri Lanka Classic Tour – With 14 nights or more you can cover all the major sights while maintaining a relaxed pace and therefore your energy levels. Following a restful day in the rural outskirts of Colombo in order to acclimatise, you can head up to the Cultural Triangle, via Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. Spend a few days exploring Sri Lanka's cultural heritage either on foot or in a hot air balloon, before ascending into the glorious scenery of Kandy and the hill country. The tea plantations are especially beautiful and the scenic railway is a great way to break up your transfer from Kandy. Having soaked up the splendid views and tranquillity of this region you can then travel south to either the historic Galle Fort for a few days of gift shops and al fresco dinning or head into one of Sri Lanka's national parks to spot leopard and elephant. Finish up in a private beachfront villa or boutique hotel of your choice.

An Extension in the Maldives – Another extremely popular option is to combine a Sri Lankan cultural tour with a beach stay in the Maldives. With just a 45 minute flight from Colombo to Male the transfer can sometimes be less time consuming than travelling to the beaches on Sri Lanka’s South coast. Moreover, while Sri Lanka’s beaches are lovely the Maldives are rarely rivalled anywhere in the world. It is the ultimate beach holiday destination.