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Luxury Sri Lanka holidays by Cox & Kings
For a relatively small island, Sri Lanka has remarkable cultural and geographical diversity.
Cox & Kings holidays to Sri Lanka encompass its ancient cities and archaeological Unesco world heritage sites in the cultural heartland. These provide a fascinating glimpse into the island’s history, which dates back to the fourth century BC.
Inland, the lush hills of Kandy, the last Sinhalese city to fall to the British in the 19th century, showcases local traditions and is home to the sacred Temple of the Tooth and one of Asia’s most beautiful botanical gardens. Kandy is also the natural gateway to Sri Lanka’s tea country. Set against a dramatic landscape, the quaint towns and villages that dot the highlands retain much of their colonial character.
Visitors can also search for leopards in the wildlife reserves or simply relax on the beautiful coast and deserted beaches.
Explore Sri Lanka
Click on your destination of interest
Key facts
- Capital Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
- Currency Sri Lankan rupee
- Flying time from London 11 hours
- Official language(s) Sinhala, Tamil and English
- Time difference + 5hrs 30m GMT
- Visa requirements Not required for UK passport holders
The Sri Lanka Experts
Our experts will be delighted to tailor a completely personalised itinerary to suit your interests, dates and budget.
Call them on
020 7808 6788
020 7808 6788
Top things to do in Sri Lanka
Climb Sigiriya (Lion Rock)
Once believed to be site of King Kassapa's Fortress Palace, Sigiriya rises nearly 200 metres above the plains in the north of Sri Lanka. Climb part of the way up to see the beautiful rock murals, then continue to the summit for spectacular views and to view the remains of the palace complex.
Visit sacred Kandy
A previous capital of Sri Lanka, Kandy is still considered to be the cultural and spiritual heart of the country; and it is home to the Temple of the Tooth where a tooth of the Lord Buddha is located.
Spot leopard in Yala National Park
Believed to have the highest density of leopard in the world, a visit to this park gives an excellent opportunity to view this elusive and beautiful big cat. In addition you can see sloth bears, abundant birdlife, jackals, elephants and deer.
Explore the colonial past
Once ruled by the Portugese, Dutch and then the British, remnants of this history remain dotted around the island. The Nuwara Eliya hill station in tea country is one of the best examples, with Victorian houses still standing. As the former capital, Kandy still features colonial mansions, and Colombo was once a Dutch colonial port.
Catch Coastal Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has more than 1,600km of beautiful golden palm-fringed beaches. From the southwest coast, near Colombo, to the historic Galle Fort in the south, there’s a huge choice of upmarket resorts and boutique hotels. Scattered among the numerous coastal towns and villages, these hotels allow visitors to discover the region’s vibrant cultural heritage and architectural influences from the colonial period. It’s the perfect place to finish a holiday.
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Read more"Sri Lanka is a most beautiful Island and there is so much to see. To me, highlights were the elephant orphanage, the tea plantations and the safari but I did also enjoy visiting the temples and learning the culture. "
Miss Gillian Cowley
Tours to fit your needs
Travel in the Indian Subcontinent
Find out more about what you can expect from travelling in the Indian Subcontinent – from internal flights to accommodation standards and local transport.
Flying in style in the India Subcontinent
Learn more about the airlines we use to fly to the Indian Subcontinent, chosen for reliability and good service; as well as any available upgrade facilities.
Documents & health information for the Indian Subcontinent
Before travelling to the Indian Subcontinent, please read more about the entry requirements for each country, as well as any general health advice.
Climate in Sri Lanka
Discover the temperatures and rainfall you can expect when visiting the main areas of Sri Lanka, along with the best time to travel.
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