Sri Lanka. Best of and must do?

[Jaguar steve]

Significant holiday next year in March so deserves more effort than sailing or slobbing on some beach in Euroland for a couple of weeks.

Mrs JS had a week in Sri Lanka and then a week in the Maldives in mind - until she found out how much the latter cost so is now thinking two weeks in Sri Lanka. Kind of maybe planning a week travelling and a week on the beach. Way out of my usual holiday comfort zone so any thoughts or experiences on what to see and where to go? Good or bad.


Cheers Chaps

[The Nur]

Some of the people of Sri Lanka have brilliantly long names. Unfortunately I don't really have any information other than this on Sri Lanka

[driverrob]

The Nur said:

Some of the people of Sri Lanka have brilliantly long names. Unfortunately I don't really have any information other than this on Sri Lanka

We did Maldives then Sri Lanka some years ago. The hotel wasn't bad but nothing special so we hired a car & driver (through the travel firm) for a few days. All-in price was very good and included B&B at some nice hotels.
Temple of the tooth in Kandy was worth a visit. Sigiriya if you're not afraid of heights. Pinawella elephant orphanage is cute. Ancient capital of Polonnaruwa is good if you like a bit of history. Dambulla for more Buddhas. Up in the tea growing area it's so different from the rest of the country it's worth going but take some warmer clothes. The best hotel was up there, the Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
That was all in 4 days/3 nights.
I'm told Galle, in the south is good, too.
Don't just stay in the hotel, there's so much more to it.

[V8LM]

Never stayed in Sri Lanka, but am currently in the Maldives. Fantastic place:

[KarlMac]

Jaguar steve said:

Significant holiday next year in March so deserves more effort than sailing or slobbing on some beach in Euroland for a couple of weeks.

Mrs JS had a week in Sri Lanka and then a week in the Maldives in mind - until she found out how much the latter cost so is now thinking two weeks in Sri Lanka. Kind of maybe planning a week travelling and a week on the beach. Way out of my usual holiday comfort zone so any thoughts or experiences on what to see and where to go? Good or bad.


Cheers Chaps

We did 10 days in Sri Lanka followed by 10 days in Maldives, definitely worth it if you can find the cash.

Places to in Sri Lanka

Heritance Tea Factory - one of the best hotels I've ever stopped in. The drive up there is incredible.

Jetwing Sea/Jetwing Lighthouse are good, it sounds quite grim but this section of the island was badly affected by the Tsunami and its interesting to hear peoples stories. These will be good for your beach section

Yala national park id worth a visit, buts out on a limb on the south East.

Mangrove Safari is a definite must too. As is the elephant orphanage.

We then flew onto Kuramathi, which was reasonably priced.

All booked through Kuoni, let me know if you'd like me to dig out our itinerary with more info/prices on.

[Old Merc]

We spent 10 days in Sri Lanka February this year,had a lovely time,the people are so polite and friendly,we wished we had stayed longer.
Its only a small island but there is so much to see so make sure you have a tour.All the sites mentioned above and more,including the Royal Botanical Gardens. One thing to remember,traveling by road is not for the faint hearted,its manic,hilarious and can take a long time to get from A to B.Don't even think of hiring a car and driving yourself. We booked with Mercury Direct and were based at The Royal Palms Beach Hotel Kalutara,excellent place highly recommended.We then hired our own private driver through Aitken Spence of Colombo rather than be herded around in a coach party.Also do not be tempted to use a local in his own car.Ours was a professional,fully insured etc, A lovely man who knew all the tricks of getting us into these places quickly,also we could do things at our own pace.We had a two day tour staying for one night at The Mahaweli Reach Hotel overlooking the river at Kandy,a really superb hotel.Thinking back we wished we have stayed another night there and did an extra day tour. Remember though all this traveling in a hot humid climate can be very tiring.
Then after all this your sitting under a palm tree at a simple little beach bar,its a lovely warm evening,the beach is empty,your watching the sun go down over the ocean drinking cold beer at £2 a pint.Paradise.

Edited by Old Merc on Saturday 29th August 12:36

[Old Merc]

[Jaguar steve]

Cheers Chaps, all useful stuff.

Decided against the Maldives, not just on cost but as we're not swimmers or divers and quite likley we'd both go a little beach crazy stuck on a tiny island for a week.

[driverrob]

Jaguar steve said:

... we'd both go a little beach crazy stuck on a tiny island for a week.

Good decision. We swam and snorkelled a bit but, on an island not much more than 100m long, we did get bored. We spent about 3 hours one day watching the supply boat being unloaded and the arrival of the sea plane taxi could be the highlight of the day.

[Old Merc]

You wont get bored in Sri Lanka.