What to do in Sri Lanka

Well cared for and utterly majestic, the elephants at the Kandy foundation are a joy to meet. Help the mahout (keeper) as they give out medicine and vitamins, then join an elephant on their walkabout across the grounds. You can also be part of bathtime - but there's a good chance you'll get soaked. Visit the on-site museum to delve into Sri Lanka's complex history with elephants and what the foundation does to protect these gentle giants.

Hop aboard a quintessential tuk tuk to explore the storied backstreets and tree-lined lanes of Colombo. As Sri Lanka's commerical capital, its modern design compliments ancient architecture. And a tour of Colombo always comes served with a slice of history! Get to know the ever-present culture of this fascinating city from the seat of a buzzing tuk tuk - it's a truly interactive way to see the highlights of Colombo!

Along Sri Lanka's idyllic and sun-kissed coastline, Weligama is any beach-lover's dream. It's here that you'll embark on a boat trip into the bay for a morning of deep sea fishing. Accompanied by an experienced crew, cast you line into the denim-blue water in the hopes of snagging some big names like sailfish or the more rare marlin. You can even choose to enjoy the view while you soak up some sun on deck!

Rise through the mist before dawn breaks over the 2000-year-old ruins of the Cultural Triangle. Glide through the air, looking out for the myriad historic landmarks scattered across the landscape. As you travel over Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura and Sigiriya, keep your eyes peeled for the aged ruins that break the surface of thick jungle. Experience these incredible sights from the air before landing to enjoy a glass of champagne!

Spend time with a celebrated local artist from the village of Ambalangoda, and witness how the local masks are being carved and painted. If you want you can learn the art of how to do the carving and painting as well.

Journey to a home just outside of central Kandy to learn all about the art of drumming. Your teacher is a professional drummer whose family has been in the 'biz' for generations. Over a cup of Ceylon tea, hear all about the history of different drums and their uses at every occasion from temple rituals to Kandyan festivals. After seeing different percussion techniques in action, join your teacher in a drumming session of your own.

Explore some of Colombo’s most fascinating neighbourhoods with a charming local host. Starting in the iconic Fort area and finishing up in Pettah, you’ll quickly discover that your guide's passion for the city is infectious. At the start of 2015, forgotten pieces of the Fort were opened up and some of Colombo’s oldest buildings were once again revealed. Highlights include the famous Mosque and old Dutch Bell Tower. Walk the city streets of Sri Lanka’s multifaceted commercial capital with its intriguing mix of historic architecture and ruins, modern high-rises and a vibrant yet chaotic nature.

Enter Kanneliya Rainforest to hike through the lush greenery, keeping your eyes wide open for the wildly diverse flora and fauna. Listen out for the distinctive rush of its waterfall where you can take a dip in the natural pool (and a bottomless amount of photos). Walk beneath an endless canopy of tropical trees as you hike to the lake. There, you'll tuck into a traditional Sri Lankan lunch served next to the water.

Explore the less-trodden trails of Sri Lanka's first kingdom on a fun and informative cycling tour. Begin your excursion through the monastic city of Anuradapura exploring its lush paddy fields, local villages and ancient structures covered in creepers. Pass by some of the area's oldest shrines including Abhayagiri Dagoba, the largest Buddhist monument in the world. Stop for a picnic by the Elephant Pond before visiting the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree, one of the most sacred Buddhist relics in Sri Lanka.

Set sail on a stunning, modern catamaran complete with a professional crew and a well-equipped kitchen where the chef will whip you up a delicious full breakfast. In season, there is a 90% chance of sighting blue whales and as soon as one is spotted, you’ll be invited up to the top deck or bow for the ultimate view. Head back towards Weligama Bay, for the chance to try stand-up paddle boarding or snorkelling. At around midday, the chef will serve lunch as you sail to shore.

Jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park & Visit Elephant Transit Home. Situated about 165 kilometres from Colombo, the Udawalawe National Park has become a popular tourist destination and the third most visited game park in Sri Lanka. It was originally built to provide a sanctuary for the wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir in 1972 on the Walawe River. It covers nearly 30 000 hectares, and is home to herds of Sri Lankan elephants, water buffalo, monitor lizards, sambar deer, leopards and indigenous water birds. Open-top safaris led by experienced guides through the savannah-type landscape are the ideal way to view the wildlife, with most visitors being assured of enjoying a special treat of viewing young and adult elephants at the water holes.

Meet your host at Kandy's shimmering lake, before setting off on a walk to the Garrison cemetery - a place of immense history. On route to your waiting tuk tuk, stroll the grounds of the city's famous Temple of the Tooth. Zoom through Kandy and up into the hills where you'll find a sprawling view of the city. Your guide will share aged tales as you recline in the shadow of a giant Buddha, marvelling at the sights below. Finish off your tour with a visit to Helga's Folly Hotel, where you'll hear its intriguing back story over a cuppa.

Visit a local home where the host (and cooking master) shares the secrets of Sri Lankan cuisine, drawing inspiration from her own Malay heritage and the culinary traditions of her Sinhalese and Tamil neighbours. Out on the terrace with views of Colombo life below, try your hand at a menu of curries, sambols and salads, which you'll share together. This professional cooking class makes the art of curry making simple and easy to replicate - you'll want to whip the recipe out the moment you reach home.

Set out on a luxury catamaran with marine expert for an exclusive opportunity to get up, close and personal with the giants of the ocean. Sri Lanka is at the meeting point of multiple oceans, meaning its waters are filled with marine life including whale sharks, dugongs and rare species of sea turtle. On this trip, showstoppers include the likes of blue whales, sperm whales and Spinner's dolphins. You might even see an orca whale! And your host will share all the secrets of the deep with you.

Meet up with an expert resident in the UNESCO Galle Fort who will take you around this magical enclosed living heritage city showing you the hidden gems and explaining about the lifestyles of the people. This will be a real hands on experience where you will get a real idea about how the Portuguese, Dutch and the British have left their mark on Sri Lanka and how their descendants are living inside the Dutch Fort.

Udawattakele means, 'the garden above the royal palace', and it's home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Let the macaques charm you as they playfully sway from branch to branch - all set to the tune of a birdsong. Your local guide will talk you through the reserve's history and tell stories still alive in Kandyan culture. Over halfway into the walk, you'll find the Kandy lookout point with a breath-taking vista over the city. Sip on refreshments as you drink in views of the lake and the Temple of the Tooth in all of its splendour.

The gentle coastal hills of southern Sri Lanka are especially suited to the growing of cinnamon, which is one of the island's main exports. Welcomed with a cinnamon-infused beverage, visit a working plantation to hear all about its history, see the cinnamon peeling in action as its well-known scent fills the air, and give it a try yourself - the kids love it! After a stroll through the fields, you have the option of finishing off your visit with a spot of tea overlooking the rolling plantations.

Drive to Galle fort and proceed to Cycling tour with resident host inside fort. Followed by visit White virgin tea factory. Taking place at Handunugoda Tea Estate in Ahangama in Sri Lanka, the Herman Teas Virgin White Tea Plantation Visit allows visitors the opportunity to gain insight into the tea culture. Visitors are educated and exposed to the origins and specifics of tea through a comprehensive and engaging hands-on experience, guided by highly trained staff. At dawn women wearing delicate gloves, fine pluck the imperial harvest with golden scissors, taking care not to harm the delicate tea buds and at no moment does the hands of the pluckers touch these buds. Thereafter these buds are dried using only filtered sunlight. The gloves prevent any risk of contamination leaving the tea immaculate.

A visit to a tea farm has become a staple of every Sri Lanka travel itinerary and for good reason! Sri Lanka is the fourth largest producer of tea in the world and it spans right back to the beginnings of the British Raj. Learn all about this story of locomotives and a rising industry as you tour a an organic tea farm in the Uva Highlands. Stroll through the fields and see just how much work goes into cultivation - you could even pick a few leaves yourself. Finish off the afternoon with a tasting of four hand-made teas overlooking the picturesque Ella Rock. The optional 'Teaology' experience includes a menu of vegetarian dishes matched with the teas on offer.

Take a trip to a low-grown plantation on the south coast of the island and enjoy a peek into one of Sri Lanka's main exports - tea! Try your hand at plucking a few tea leaves then visit the factory. You'll learn all about the farming process and the different types of tea grown in Sri Lanka, which happen to get stronger and darker the closer it is to the sea. Finish off your tour with a traditional tea tasting surrounded by fields of green and the occasional peacock.

Enjoy a Cinnamon Plantation Tour followed by lunch - The Top House tour is a unique cinnamon plantation experience. The resident British owners give private tours of their working estate, just inland from Weligama. They explain the history of Ceylon cinnamon and demonstrate cinnamon peeling and the making of artisan cinnamon leaf oil. This is followed by a visit up to the plantation house, offering spectacular views over the ocean and jungle, and lunch hosted by the owners. The experience lasts about two hours and involves a short ride by tractor.

Visit the studio home of two of Sri Lanka’s eminent artists where you'll spend a few cultured hours talking art, philosophy and music. Kandy is a city of art with a knack for producing an eccentric group of creatives, who draw inspiration from the area's lush hills and rich history. Enjoy a walk around the studio where you can admire their impressive collection of artwork at your leisure. This unique visit often ends with a chat over a cup of tea on the veranda - don't be shy about asking to hear some of their original music too!

Hosted by one of the town's most fun-loving guides, this immersive treasure hunt takes you on an excursion through the historic streets of Galle Fort. Surrounded by grassy ramparts that meet the Indian Ocean on one side and overlook Galle's famous cricket stadium on the other, the labyrinth of heritage buildings and boutique shops is worth a day of exploring. Look out for centuries-old landmarks on your map and enjoy meeting interesting locals along the way.

The Sail Lanka Giant's Loop South in Mirissa is a half-day expedition departing from the port in Mirissa on a shared or private basis. The boat cruise is ideal for families, small groups, and friends. Visitors can enjoy a perfect balance of whale watching and watersports in a 7-hour adventure that is certain to please even the most discerning sailor. Afternoon option also available. This experience can be done on a Private or Shared basis.

This inspiring guided walk through begins by the tranquil lake where you'll hear stories of this ancient kingdom. Journey to the iconic UNESCO-awarded Temple of the Tooth, which houses one of the last remaining relics of Buddha. Gaze with fascination at the city square where a church sits side-by-side with a Kovil (Hindu temple) and the great Red Mosque. Quench your thirst at the lovely Empire Cafe before rounding things off at Kandy Market, which is full of weird and wonderful vegetables, fruits and spices - a true adventure for the senses!

Welcomed with a cooling towel and drink, you'll be led to the lamp-lit Ambalama (mud hut) amidst verdant rice paddies. As the sun sets and the sound of chirping crickets fills the air, admire your hosts' collection of colourful ingredients as they begin to whip up a feast. You could even join in and learn a few tricks! Then, tuck into a dinner of homemade rotis and hoppers with fillings of prawn, pork and cuttlefish curries. This is a unique chance to enjoy traditional Sri Lankan street food in a scenic setting.

In the heart of Sri Lanka’s most tropical region, Lunuganga is only about 500m long and 300m at its widest, but in its composition as a series of discrete but unified spaces, it creates the impression of an enchanted garden that can be explored for days. Guided garden tours are available and are considered the best way to fully experience the estate. The tours take place at 11:00 am and 3:30 pm. Lunch and tea can be arranged and included in the garden tour.

Spend half a day trekking in the Knuckles Range with your guide, an outdoors enthusiast and knowledgeable naturalist. This is one of Sri Lanka’s most hauntingly beautiful trails! It snakes through the Hill Country, which is home to 40 rural villages and a plethora of endemic wildlife. The rugged terrain is almost always cloaked with a thick mist that hangs spectre-like around the peaks, making it truly off-the-beaten track. You are unlikely to see another soul along the way, it’ll just be you and nature!

A fantastic activity for the whole family, delve into the history of ancient Galle Fort shown the way by your friendly host. A 3rd-generation resident, their ancestors first arrived in the mid-17th century during one of the earliest waves of spice traders and gem merchants. Walk the fort flat (there are 150 acres of it), beginning at the spot where the first Portuguese boats first landed and ending where the English departed. Your tour is interspersed with stories of legendary battles, the alliances that were forged and destroyed, and meeting the people who call it home. It's more than worth a wander across the ramparts of this UNESCO World Heritage site!

Mulkirigala rock temple has a history of more than 2000 years. There’re 7 painted caves which is almost identical to the Dambulla cave temple in the cultural triangle. Climb up to the caves and be amazed by the beautiful frescoe paintings and the Lord Buddha statues located deep inside. This is one of the forgotten gems that we like to take you to explore since you will have the entire location to yourself, away from the hustle and bustle of the other tourist destinations. The Dutch, who ruled the maritime provinces in the 18th century, called this rock as Adam’s Berg. They believed that the tombs of Adam and Eve were located there, and due to this reason, Mulkirigala was popular among the foreigners.