The Pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is an irresistible mix of pristine beaches, colonial heritage, impenetrable forests and magnificent temples.  Enjoy an exciting adventure on the emerald island that includes temple hopping, white water rafting and antique shopping on our Sri Lanka packages. The tear shaped island is located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of India. Formerly known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka is also called the Pearl of t Read More

The Pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is an irresistible mix of pristine beaches, colonial heritage, impenetrable forests and magnificent temples.  Enjoy an exciting adventure on the emerald island that includes temple hopping, white water rafting and antique shopping on our Sri Lanka packages.

The tear shaped island is located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of India. Formerly known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka is also called the Pearl of the Indian Ocean for its refreshing natural beauty. The history of the country is over 3000 years old with the ruins of the ancient kingdoms still standing in cities like Anuradhapura. Modernity isn’t too far away either with Colombo and Galle popular cosmopolitan destinations.

Here’s everything you need to know to pick the Sri Lanka tour package that is perfect for you.

Akbar Recommended Sri Lanka Packages

Sri Lanka Tour Packages

Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka

The island is affected by both the southwest and the northeast monsoon which means it’s always raining somewhere on the island. Sri Lanka experiences sunny, tropical climate throughout the year with warm, toasty beach days and clear skies. The months of January to March are perfect for trips to the hill country while August is great to head to the beaches. History buffs can head to Sri Lanka’s historical sites in the north and east in the months of June and July.

How to Reach Sri Lanka

The primary airport in Sri Lanka is the Bandaranaike International Airport, located in Colombo. The airport is connected to all the major cities of the world including Delhi, Chennai, Dubai, London, Amsterdam, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Mumbai. Some of the airlines serving the airport include Srilankan Airlines, Indigo and Spicejet.

What to eat in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan cuisine is, well, uniquely Sri Lankan. An explosion of colour and flavour, food from the island nation is a gastronomic treat. Some must try dishes to add to your Sri Lanka itinerary are the Dutch style lamprais, pol sambol and the delicious snack called wambatu moju.

Places to Visit in Sri Lanka

Make the north central province of the country a part of your Sri Lanka Tour Package to experience the nation’s past. The ancient city of Anuradhapura was first settled ca. 900 B.C. and served off and on as the capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom until ca. 1100 A.D., when the capital moved further south. The monuments of the ancient Lankan empires are a part of most Sri Lanka packages. Visit the Bodhi Tree Temple, one of the most sacred places in Sri Lanka. The Bodhi tree in the temple grew out of the tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment. You must also visit the Archaeology Museum that showcases artifacts found on the site like jewellery, gems, coinage and pottery. You could also make attractions such as the Citadel, the Moonstone and the Lovamahapaya part of your Sri Lanka tour package. Lovamahapaya is a nine story monastery that once housed over one thousand monks and was adorned with silver and precious stones.  Shop for souvenirs and replicas of the artifacts you’ll see in the complex.

Visit the picturesque highlands of Sri Lanka with our Sri Lanka packages. With tea plantations, waterfalls, hills and valleys, the highlands of the Central Province are some of the most beautiful locations in the country. We recommend making the trip to Nuwara Eliya in the Hill Country of Sri Lanka. Its temperate climate and colonial architecture has given the town the moniker “Little England”. The hill resort is known for the tea plantations that drape its hills. Visit one of these plantations for a tour to learn how tea is made. The Seetha Temple is also worth a visit on your Sri Lanka tour package. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Sita, the heroine of the Hindu epic Ramayana. Nuwara Eliya is known for its natural beauty with gushing waterfalls such as Dunhinda Falls, Diyaluma Falls, Baker's Falls, St. Claire's Falls, Ravana Ella, Bambarakanda Ella, Aberdeen Falls, Laxapana Falls, The Lovers Leap, and Bridal Falls. You could also take the easy hike up to Single Tree Mountain for a spectacular view of the town below. The centre of town has a quaint Post Office that was built in the in the late 1800s that you must visit on your Sri Lanka tour package. Victoria Park, Gregory Lake and Hakgala Gardens are all great additions to Sri Lanka packages in Nuwara Eliya.

At the southern tip of the island of Sri Lanka lies the historic city of Galle. Built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, the port city was at its height during the Dutch Colonial period in the 18th century. The delightful architecture you will see in your Sri Lanka tour package is a mix of traditional Lankan and Portuguese styles. The highlight of your trip to Galle and a favourite of most Sri Lanka packages is Galle Fort. First built in 1588 by Portuguese colonisers, the fort still stands strong like it did 430 years ago and even withstood the tsunami of 2004. The Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city’s most popular attraction for its unique appearance. Other landmarks in Galle that should be a part of your Sri Lanka tour package include the city's natural harbour, the National Maritime Museum, St. Mary's Cathedral founded by Jesuit priests, the Galle Shiva temple, and Amangalla, the historic luxury hotel. You could also visit the Galle Lighthouse, Peace Pagoda for its incredible views and the Historical Mansion Museum.

Not for from Galle is the beach resort of Bentota on the west coast of Sri Lanka. Bentota draws its name for the local legend of a demon called Bem who once ruled the tota or river bank. Inarguably the best destination for watersports in Sri Lanka, the town is home to scores of luxury hotels and resorts. The town has a rich past with the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British all leaving a mark. Bentota has one of the finest beaches in the country with tons of options for adrenaline junkies. Enjoy jetskiing, waterskiing, speed-boating, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, lagoon boat trips, deep-sea fishing and banana-boating on your Sri Lanka tour package. You could even take a cruise on the Bentota River. Bentota is also known for its turtle hatcheries. A popular stop on Sri Lanka packages, the hatcheries let you see baby turtles in their nurseries and possibly release them back into the ocean. A heart-warming experience, especially for families, a trip to a hatchery will be a great experience for the kids. You could enjoy a joyride on a helicopter and see the sights from above from the Richy Skylark Helipad. Other landmarks in town include the Galapatha Raja Maha Vihare Buddhist temple that contains stone inscriptions, carved pillars, ponds and troughs that date back to the medieval ages and Brief Garden, a magnificent mansion built on the grounds of a former rubber plantation.

The Yala National Park maybe be only the second largest national park in Sri Lanka but its stunning location and wealth of wildlife make it the most visited. An essential part of most Sri Lanka packages, Yala is found on the southeastern coast of the island. It is the perfect place to spot wild elephants, sloth bears, water buffaloes, macaques, rare Sri Lankan leopards, and hundreds of bird species like junglefowls, hornbills, cormorants and waterbirds.

Sri Lanka packages often end at Colombo. The largest city in Sri Lanka and its commercial capital, Colombo is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city that attracts travellers from all walks of life. Your Sri Lanka tour package will take you to all of the city’s main sights such as Galle Face Green, Viharamahadevi Park, Beira Lake, Colombo Racecourse, Planetarium, University of Colombo, Mount Lavinia Beach, Nelum Pokuna Theatre, Colombo Lotus Tower and the National Museum. Galle Face Green is a sprawling urban park on the seashore in downtown Colombo. The park was built in 1859 as a racecourse and is now used for cricket, polo, football, tennis and rugby. Visit the promenade of Galle Face Green for wonderful views of the sunset. Head to Mount Lavinia for some great seafood and a laidback afternoon while the National Museum has some of the best collections of Sri Lankan artifacts in the world with paintings, sculptures and sketches that date back to the 4th century BC . If you would prefer a taste of contemporary Colombo on your Sri Lanka tour package, visit the many art galleries and workshops that make up the city’s thriving arts scene.  Pick Sri Lanka packages that take you for a round of souvenir shopping at Pettah Bazaar for some great deals on handicrafts, textiles and jewellery.

With our Sri Lanka packages you will see Sri Lanka in all its splendour, with its colonial history, natural beauty and religious traditions making your Sri Lankan holiday, a trip to remember.