Sri Lanka is an exceptional destination offering fantastic scenery encompassing golden beaches, tropical forests, nature reserves, highlands, lakes, waterfalls and tea gardens. Sri Lanka’s coastline offers a wide range of water sports such as scuba diving, snorkelling, surfing, jet skiing, and boat fishing. Inland the island flourishes with exotic flora and wildlife accessible through the national parks and forests, while walking and outdoor activities can be enjoyed in the Hill Country.

Sri Lanka has seven UNESCO world heritage sites including the ancient capitals of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa which have sprawling temple complexes and dagobas, previously lost to the jungle before being rediscovered last century. The later stage capital of Kandy has the Temple of the Sacred Tooth, housing a relic of the Lord Buddha, while in August the town hosts the Kandy Perahera, 10 days of Buddhist celebration. In Sigiriya there is the unique rock fortress, where a rebel king built a fortress on a 100m high monolithic rock, while in nearby Dambulla there is one of the largest manmade cave complexes housing status of Buddha. On the south coast you can find Galle, a 15 th century Portuguese fort, is a delightful beach destination, where you can sample Sri Lanka’s sea food cuisine. In Sinharaja rain forest you can walk the trails and experience sights and sounds of a tropical forest.

Sri Lanka is a holiday destination that will seduce and captivate all who visit. Highlights are often the Pinnawela elephant orphanage or climbing Adam’s Peak in the hill country for sun rise. While lesser known attractions are the 263 meter high Bambarakande water falls, the Hummanaya at Kuda Wella, which is reputed to be the second largest blowhole in the world, the Madunagala Hot Water Wells, or the Parakrama Samudra, a man-made lake in Polonnaruwa covering 5,600 acres, or visiting an indigenous Vedda village, a people who pre-date the Singhalese’s settlement of the Island.

Flying Time: Approx 11 hours to Colombo.

Time: GMT +5:30 hours

Visa Requirements: Visas issued on arrival for British passport holders for stay of less than 30 days.

Health Requirements: Polio, Malaria, Typhoid are recommended, however please check with your GP prior to departure.

Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (approx. LKR 210 = £1)

Best Buys: Handicrafts, Jewellery, Spices, Clothing

Tourist Office: www.Sri Lankatourism.org.uk