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Explore Sri Lanka— Sri Lanka, thoughtfully planned.
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Photography & adventure

Sunrise viewpoints, stilt fishermen, wildlife, festivals and adventure activities like white-water rafting.

Active & adventureCulture loversNature & wildlife
Stilt fishermen on the rocks off Sri Lanka's south coast

Golden light on Sigiriya, mist in the tea country, the ramparts of Galle and wildlife in the parks: Sri Lanka is a dream for photographers. We plan around the light, with early starts where it matters.

For the adventurous, there is white-water rafting near Kitulgala, canyoning, cycling and zip-lining in the hills.

Who it suits

For active travellers and photographers of all levels. Adventure activities have minimum ages and fitness requirements.

Good to know

Always ask before photographing people, and never at sensitive places. Drones need permits and are banned at many sites. Adventure activities depend on water levels and weather.

Where to experience it

  • Sigiriya rock fortress rising above green forest, with mountains on the horizonCultural Triangle

    Sigiriya

    The lion rock above the forest

    A fifth-century royal citadel on top of a 200-metre rock, with water gardens below and wide views from the summit.

    2–3 nights

  • The white entrance buildings of the Dambulla cave temple under the overhanging rockCultural Triangle

    Dambulla

    Painted caves in the rock

    A cave temple complex filled with Buddha statues and painted ceilings, used as a place of worship for over two thousand years.

    Day visit – 1 night

  • The great brick Jetavanaramaya stupa in Anuradhapura under a blue skyCultural Triangle

    Anuradhapura

    The first great capital

    Vast brick stupas, sacred trees and ancient reservoirs spread across one of South Asia's oldest cities.

    1–2 nights

  • Seated Buddha carved into granite at Gal Vihara, PolonnaruwaCultural Triangle

    Polonnaruwa

    A medieval royal city

    Compact, well-preserved ruins of palaces, temples and the rock-carved Buddhas of Gal Vihara beside a large ancient reservoir.

    Day visit – 1 night

  • An elephant walking across open grassland in Minneriya National ParkCultural Triangle

    Minneriya & Kaudulla

    Where the elephants gather

    National parks around ancient reservoirs where large herds of wild elephants come to graze, especially in the dry season.

    Day visit – 1 night

  • Rolling tea plantations near Nuwara Eliya with mountains behindHill Country

    Nuwara Eliya & tea country

    Cool air and endless green

    A highland town among tea estates, waterfalls and misty hills, with colonial-era bungalows and fresh mountain air.

    1–2 nights

  • The Nine Arches Bridge near Ella, framed by lush jungleHill Country

    Ella

    Hikes, bridges and hill-country views

    A relaxed mountain village with short hikes, tea estates, waterfalls and the famous Nine Arches Bridge.

    2–3 nights

  • Misty mountain ridges seen from Lipton's Seat near HaputaleHill Country

    Haputale

    On the edge of the highlands

    A quiet ridge-top town with tea estates, Lipton's Seat viewpoint and some of the widest views in the hill country.

    1–2 nights

  • A blue train crossing the Nine Arches Bridge near EllaHill Country

    Scenic train journeys

    Slow travel through the clouds

    The hill-country railway between Kandy and Ella winds past tea estates, waterfalls and tunnels — one of the great train rides in Asia.

    On the way

  • The pointed summit of Adam's Peak (Sri Pada) rising above the forestHill Country

    Adam's Peak (Sri Pada)

    A night climb to a sacred sunrise

    A pilgrimage mountain climbed by night on thousands of steps, to watch the sunrise and the peak's shadow from the summit.

    1 night

  • Golden grassland and a winding stream on Horton PlainsHill Country

    Horton Plains

    Highland plains and World's End

    A high plateau of grassland and cloud forest, with a loop walk to the dramatic cliff known as World's End.

    On the way

  • A Sri Lankan leopard walking through green undergrowth in YalaSouth Coast

    Yala

    Leopard country

    Sri Lanka's best-known national park, with dry forest, lagoons and rocky outcrops — and one of the world's best chances to see a wild leopard.

    1–2 nights

  • Elephant mother and calf grazing in Udawalawe National ParkSouth Coast

    Udawalawe

    Elephants in the open

    Open grassland around a large reservoir, known for frequent elephant sightings and an elephant rehabilitation centre nearby.

    1 night

  • Giant lianas hanging between tall trees in the Sinharaja rainforestSouth Coast

    Sinharaja

    The last great rainforest

    A UNESCO-listed tropical rainforest full of endemic birds, giant trees and streams, explored on foot with a local naturalist.

    1–2 nights

  • The Colombo skyline lit up at night, reflected in the waterColombo & West Coast

    Colombo

    The lively capital by the sea

    Sri Lanka's commercial capital, with colonial architecture, busy markets, a seafront promenade and an exciting food scene.

    Day visit – 1 night

  • A traveller sitting on the ramparts of Galle Fort, looking out over the oceanSouth Coast

    Galle Fort

    A walled town by the ocean

    A UNESCO-listed fortified town with ramparts, a lighthouse, cobbled lanes, boutiques and cafés.

    1–2 nights

  • The ornate golden entrance of Nallur Kandaswamy temple in JaffnaThe North

    Jaffna

    Tamil culture in the far north

    The cultural capital of Sri Lanka's Tamil north, with grand Hindu temples, distinctive cuisine and quiet islands.

    2–3 nights

All experiences