Why We Love to Tour Sri Lanka

By GeoEx Staff | December 22, 2018

It may be small in size, but Sri Lanka packs the complete travel and tour experiences. Palm-fringed beaches lead to lush rain forest and soaring mountains, and there’s an enthralling mix of cultures and religions. Recently back from a scouting trip to this lesser-traveled island, a handful of GeoEx staffers share why Sri Lanka is a destination to love from cultural tours to wildlife and everything in between.

The Diversity Is Unbelievable

“It felt like 10 trips in one! In 10 days, we meditated in a cave with a Buddhist monk, spotted leopards on safari, biked through the ancient capital of Polonnaruwa, explored Tea Country, and mixed cocktails at a trendy rooftop bar in Colombo.” –Jessica Silber

“Sri Lanka was Eden! Lush and verdant landscapes, ancient archaeological sites, beautiful beaches, wildlife, amazing food, happy people everywhere. I loved it! It’s still a developing country, but has so much to offer!” –Linda de la Torre

Ancient Rock Temples Are Everywhere

“There seems to be a temple atop each hill in Sri Lanka. Many are built directly into rock caves and are adorned with stunning frescoes and murals, making the climb to see them well worth the effort!” –Alysa Pakkidis, author of “Capturing the Soul of Sri Lanka”

Get Ready for Great Wildlife & Safari Experiences

“During game drives at Yala National Park, we came across endangered elephants, elusive leopards, flying foxes, and countless birds. Our luxurious tented camp treated us to close-up wildlife sightings and starlit meals by the beach.” –Jesse Knight

The Cuisine Exudes Flavor & History

“Exotic spices and coconut mix with Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences to make Sri Lankan food fascinating and delicious. I feasted on curries, had the best high tea of my life, and loaded up on vanilla and cardamom.” –Melanie Regino, author of “A First-Timer Savors Sri Lanka’s Cuisine”

Warm People Are the Heart of the Country

“We were welcomed everywhere by people with warm smiles. During our school visit, the shy but curious kids giggled as they gave us flowers. And at our private almsgiving ceremony, we had the honor of offering food to Buddhist monks.” –Kim Keating

Uncrowded World-Class Beaches & Diving Await

“The water is wonderfully warm and there’s great snorkeling and scuba diving. Near the old port town of Trincomalee, we saw colorful corals, reef sharks, octopus, and turtles. Seasonally, you can spot migrating blue and sperm whales.” –Sabrina Middleton

The Lodgings Defy Expectations

“We found and stayed in marvelous hotels and lodges. I loved that many were set in beautifully preserved historic buildings and that nearly all were Sri Lankan-owned and managed, rather than part of some international chain.” –Tina Liadis

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To find out more about Sri Lanka trips, call GeoEx’s destination experts at 888-570-7108.