Sri Lanka hangs like a jewel off the south-eastern coast of India. About the size of Ireland and with a vast and varied landscape it boasts 8 UNESCO heritage sites. I’m with my partner, Terry and we quickly make connections with others in the group. I’ve been on many trips with Travel Department in the past and know that the key offering with this trusted company is the quality of their guides.
With a jam-packed itinerary, Thusita, will take us through the heart of the country. From the stunning highlands, down to Yala National Park and the coastal town of Galle before finishing up in Colombo. Along the way we are set to visit six of the country’s most important UNESCO heritage sites and we can’t wait to get going.
Our first hotel stay is at Jet Wing Blue in the seaside resort of Negombo. This is the kind of resort where we could comfortably stay for a week. We arrive for a full moon at the start of New Year celebrations. Rooms are stylish and along with a breathtaking view of palm trees and the sea, is an epic bath that would comfortably fit four people.
Negombo fish market is a stop on our first day sightseeing. The vendors are more than happy to take us through the catch of Parrot Fish, Tiger Fish and Chicken Fish, along with calamari prawns and dried cuttlefish. Kids play cricket across the road and the strangely odd shaped traditional fishing vessels are scattered along the beach and we are soaking up the unique sights of Sri Lanka within hours of arrival.
We set off next day on the long drive to Habanara and our stay at Cinnamon Lodge. This gorgeous retreat in the heart of Sri Lanka is home for three nights. Each ensuite chalet oozes colonial charm and comfort. It’s an early start on our first morning as we drive for twenty minutes to the challenging climb of Lions Rock also known as Sigiriya. 
This remarkable 1500 year old site offers views that stretch for miles into the distance creating a backdrop of staggering beauty in the morning light. It’s a bit of a hike to the top but well worth the effort and along the way we see temple paintings and feel like we have done much before lunch. In the afternoon, we continue our excursions and transfer to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital of Sri Lanka. Here we see the UNESCO World Heritage site that includes the Royal Palace complex and Gal Vihara rock temple of the Buddha.
We stop off at Jaga, a family run restaurant where grandma is making coconut pancakes. The terrace is nestled beside paddy fields, with storks and peacocks cawing. It’s a feast filled with spices and flavourings that satisfy everyone in the group and works out less than €10 per person including a drink.
Next day we prepare for another temple and as its New Year pilgrims wear white at Anuradhapura. Here we visit the sacred Bodhi Tree, that dates from around 245BC – the world’s oldest known tree. Anuradhapura was the capital of the island for more than a thousand years from the 5th century BC, and a number of its Buddhist monuments date back over 2000 years.
Sri Lanka earned independence on Feb 4th 1948 and although it had a turbulent past it is now a calm society with a hunger to catch up with modern technology while enhancing the life of indigenous people. 
As a society the reverence for spiritual practice is overwhelming and we are surprised with more wonder at Dambulla cave temple – another UNESCO heritage site – where monks are praying and welcoming in the faithful. At all the sacred sites we must remove our shoes so it’s a good tip to take a spare pair of socks along – the ground heats up to a scalding temperature even before midday.
As we drive into Kandy, the landscape changes, people are selling basket work as they sit under a canopy of huge umbrellas. Gone are the paddyfields, instead we are greeted by the dense greenery of orange and pineapple groves scattered with temples and sitting Buddhas. Sri Lankans drive on the left-hand side of the road and it’s somewhat chaotic but at all times we are safe in the hands of our trusted driver. Sri Lankans use the same side of the road as Ireland and the three pronged plug is also the generally accepted adaptation.
Kandy was the last kingdom of Sri Lanka and Thusita is gushing to show off his home town. He tells us that the Earl Regency where we are staying is the best hotel in the town. He isn’t wrong as we find a luxurious room with balcony looking over the stunning terraces. Our next day begins at the Botanical Garden that doubles as a research centre. Here we see giant bats with the faces of foxes and Indian Squirrels as well as a cornucopia of exotic plants. The tuktuk ride to the War Cemetery passes some incredible panoramic views.
Each morning brings a new surprise on this trip but one of the highlights is the train journey from Kandy to Nuwara Elyia. Our train chugs through the tea plantations, canyons, waterfalls and tunnels for three hours with intermittent stops for enterprising boys to hop on and offer cool bottles of Lion Beer to quench our thirst. It’s a chance to soak up life with the locals and travel like an explorer.
Sri Lanka is an island of contrasts and nowhere is this more evident than at Nuwara Elyia. Surrounding Gregory Lake, this British-style town boasts a racecourse and colonial style architecture with Scottish place names such as Edinburgh and Glasgow. The temperate climate is cool enough to grow European vegetables and locals dress in layers. We stay in the charmingly named Blackpool Hotel perched at the top of the town that serves every type of dish, fruit and vegetable imaginable in its buffet.
Another day and another highlight is the transfer to Yala National Park that includes a drive by the spectacular waterfalls near the town of Ella. We arrive close to sunset but in time for a game drive. We swap our comfortable coach for open top jeeps and set off in hunt of wildlife.
It doesn’t take long to meet some stray bull elephants on the road into the park and they come over to the jeeps to be petted. Inside the park some crocodiles are settling in for the night and deer dance through the bush as the twilight creeps in.
Cinnamon Yala is a special type of hotel where we get to sleep in Biophilic style lodges that blend in with nature and offer every mod-con for a luxurious stay. The swimming pool in the middle of the resort is lit at night and open for a dip before dinner. This is another hotel where we would gladly have stayed for a week. Again the food needs a special mention as I challenge anybody not to find a knockout dish from the buffet for every taste. 
Waking at dawn to coffee and biscuits is the best way to start a safari. We set of next morning before the heat arrives and get to soak up all the wildlife at Yala National Park before breakfast. Nobody wanted to leave but it was time to explore the coast. Along the route to Galle, Thusita stopped off for us to meet the traditional stilt fishermen of Sri Lanka and grab a unique photo opportunity.
The Portuguese came to Galle in 1504 and the Dutch followed in 1600 both leaving distinguishing marks with charming architectural features. The fort and old town are labyrinths to get lost in with boujee craft makers and cosy restaurants and bars filling the narrow streets. After so much sightseeing the three days spent at the Radisson in Galle gave us a terrific chance to rest and soak up all that we had seen. But we weren’t finished yet as the day and night in Colombo before flying home left us feeling that we had left no stone unturned on this remarkable island.
Sri Lanka was an enchanting destination that delivered much more than was offered in the brochure. There is so much to see and Thusita went out his way to please all the group at every stage of the trip. Is there a lot to take in? Yes – but that’s the beauty of Sri Lanka. We got to see every highlight of this enthralling destination with the thrilling itinerary. This is one place I would return to in a heartbeat and I’d advise everyone who hasn’t yet, to put it on their bucket-list.
Colombo is an enchanting capital city and perfect end to what was a perfect trip
Michelle was a guest of Travel Department
Travel Department: Discover Sri Lanka – Factbox
- Tour Name: Discover Sri Lanka
- Duration: 13 nights half board
- What’s Included: Return flights, accommodation, transfers, excursions, and expert local guides.
- Price: From €3499 per person
- Departure Dates:
- 2026: October
- More Information:
For full details, visit traveldepartment.com or call one of their travel experts on (01) 637 1650.
