In Asia’s vast landscape of travel destinations, Sri Lanka is rapidly carving out its niche as the go-to place for globetrotters seeking extraordinary and distinctive experiences. This gem of an island nation offers something exceptional for every traveller, from its untamed wildlife and lush landscapes to its ancient heritage and vibrant art scene.
More and more travellers have been searching for immersive, authentic, and unique experiences on their adventures. Unsurprisingly, searches for “Sri Lanka tour” have skyrocketed by a staggering 400 percent worldwide on all search engines in the past 12 months, according to Google. This surge in interest signifies that Sri Lanka is capturing the attention of avid travellers and finding its place on their ever-growing bucket lists.
One of the key draws of Sri Lanka lies in its incredible biodiversity for such a small island. Home to one of the top five bio diverse locations in the world, this island is a dream come true for all wildlife enthusiasts. With its national parks and bird sanctuaries, Sri Lanka offers unique safari experiences beyond the vast African savannas such as the chance to spot the endangered Leopard subspecies, Pardus panthera kotiya, found exclusively in Sri Lanka in its national parks.
Most scenic train rides
Adding to the allure of Sri Lanka is the enchanting train journey from Kandy to Ella, acclaimed as one of the most scenic train rides globally. As the train winds through tea estates, crosses majestic bridges, and passes picturesque waterfalls, travellers are treated to a captivating visual feast of the verdant Sri Lankan countryside.
Recognising the growing appeal of Sri Lanka, companies such as TravelLocal, one of the UK’s fastest-growing online travel companies, has created several tour options. For instance, they now offer an eight-day adventure just for biodiversity lovers, taking the intrepid travellers through some of Sri Lanka’s most stunning sanctuaries, national parks, and marine environments.
A company known as the Art of Bicycle Trips has also seized this opportunity by creating a unique trip that includes a stay in an 18th-century tea factory, a visit to the famed Nine Arch Bridge (on the Kandy-Ella railway line), and the chance to witness one of the world’s most endangered elephant species in the wild.
April brings forth one of Sri Lanka’s most important holidays, the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, also known as Avurudhu in the vernacular language. This month-long celebration commences with the sighting of the new moon and is marked by traditions such as setting off fireworks and enjoying delectable sweets.
Festive spirit
Travellers can embrace the festive spirit by embarking on the “Classic Sri Lanka” itinerary with Red Savannah, which allows them to explore the spiritual heart of Sri Lanka at Mihintale (where the local king embraced Buddhism), discover the ancient capital of Polonnaruwa and the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and indulge in the plantation lifestyle near Kandy.
Ultimately, Sri Lanka is fast becoming an irresistible draw for all travellers seeking something different in Asia. Its unique blend of rich biodiversity, cultural heritage, and captivating art scene, coupled with the rise of innovative travel platforms, is cementing its position as the new “it” destination on the global travel map. Moreover, with its proximity to the Maldives (just over one hour by air), a quick beach trip can easily be added as a bonus to complete an unforgettable journey through this enchanting corner of the world. (Forbes)
The writer is an experienced travel journalist who has been to over 50 countries on all the continents (including Antarctica), and writes for outlets including Conde Nast Traveller, Travel+Leisure, the New York Times and Forbes.