A giant Buddha at Polonnaruwa - a highlight of many of our Sri Lanka tours

Sri Lanka Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be travelling as part of a group?

Our Sri Lanka holidays are arranged and operated exclusively for you, on a departure date of your choosing, they are not group tours. You will travel by yourself with a guide/driver. Our tours are suitable for solo travellers, couples or small private groups; accommodation, transportation and local guides are fully arranged. Please note that for solo travellers a modest single supplement will apply.

Are the Sri Lanka tours suitable for children?

On our semi-independent tours of Sri Lanka we welcome children of any age, accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Is Sri Lanka a year round destination?

You can book our Sri Lanka tours to depart on any day of the year and Sri Lanka is a year round destination. The island is hot throughout the year and it has two monsoon seasons which occur in different halves of the island at different times.

The weather is driest and best on the western and southern coast and up in the hill country between December and April. However, even during the monsoon, sunny, warm days are common, although afternoon or evening showers can be expected. Out of season travel has it's advantages, not only do the crowds go away, but many airfares drop!

Is it safe?

Despite the history of conflict, Sri Lanka's beautiful beaches, hill country, and archeological sites continue to attract thousands of visitors each year from around the world. There have been some localised incidents in the North and East of the country. However our tours are conducted in areas which are considered safe for tourists to visit.

When are the major festivals in Sri Lanka?

The Vesak festival takes place on the day of the full moon and is the most hallowed of all Buddhist festivals. It commemorates the birth of Buddha, his attaining of enlightenment and passing on into Nirvana, the day is spent in thoughtful prayer followed by an evening procession and recitations by monks from Buddhist texts. Meanwhile, coloured lanterns are hung in every home, mime and theatre are performed on the streets and free refreshments are provided by the roadside stalls.

Sri Lanka's most tourist-oriented traditional festival is the Kandy Esala Perahera, held in Kandy over 10 days in late July to early August. The festival honours the sacred tooth relic of Buddha – said to have been brought to the island 2000 years ago in the hair of a princess. During this tie you'll witness a magical procession of drummers, dancers, whip-crackers, acrobats and robed elephants.

Where is the best place to buy gems?

Sri Lanka is known as the 'Gem Island' and has the widest variety of precious stones in the world including dazzling blue sapphires, star sapphires, rubies, cat's eye, garnets, moonstones, aquamarines and topazes.

Gems available at jewellery shops around the country. However Ratnapura has been the main source of gems for many centuries and most of the country's gem dealers are located there.

Where are the best beaches?

The most beautiful wide sandy beaches can be found in Bentota on the South West coast of Sri Lanka, which is a thriving tourist resort with many hotels. The South Coast also has beautiful beaches which are perfect if travelling between November and April but during out of season they become very narrow. Nevertheless there are plenty of lagoons which are perfect for year round swimming and the south coast does boast the best snorkelling reefs in Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna.