Sun - and warmth! Sri Lanka is a sun-drenched tropical island with an average daytime
temperature of 28°C at the coast, which is also incredibly the temperature of the surrounding
Indian Ocean!
Wildlife. With 86 species of mammals (including elephants and leopards),
more than 400 bird species (including 26 endemics), and 14 National Parks (out of 100 areas protected
by the government), Sri Lanka is a wildlife enthusiast's paradise.
Beaches. Sri Lanka's 1600km of Indian Ocean coastline boasts beautiful palm-fringed and sandy
tropical beaches ideal for relaxing, water sports, diving and snorkelling.
Ancient sites. Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Dambulla... with nine World Heritage Sites
(the oldest dating back to the 3rd century BC), Sri Lanka is a culturally rich country of ancient sites,
colourful festivals, and an enduring traditional way of life.
Hospitality. Ayubowan - "may you have the gift of a long life" - is the traditional greeting
amongst the Sinhalese and is the foundation to the generous hospitality of the ever smiling Sri Lankans.
Food. Famed as a spice island for centuries, Sri Lanka's culinary variety of exotic flavours combined
with a natural abundance of quality fish, seafood, fruit and vegetables is an Epicurean delight!
Scenery. Sri Lanka offers the discerning traveller a diversity of scenery and habitats seldom
seen in other countries, from the island's palm-fringed tropical beaches right up to its verdant and enigmatic
Hill Country.
Accommodation. From family-run guesthouses to exclusive walauwas (mansion villas), Sri Lanka
has very special places to stay including boutique hotels, former tea planters’ bungalows and clubs,
colonial-era residences, sumptuous suites and villas, and traditional cabanas and tree houses.
People. The ever smiling Sri Lankans are warm and generous hosts and will add another dimension
to your holiday, as the island is a vibrant and colourful melting pot of cultures, traditions and religions.
Variety. It is difficult to imagine a more diverse country than Sri Lanka, which is why Marco Polo
famously described it as "undoubtedly the finest island of its size in the world".
Surrounded by the clear, warm waters of the Indian Ocean and skirted by palm-fringed tropical beaches,
Sri Lanka has much to offer the discerning traveller.
Sri Lanka is a lush, tropical island paradise, known
to Arab traders as Serendib - hence "serendipity", meaning discovery by
happy accident -
and famously described by Marco Polo as "undoubtedly the
finest island of its size in the world".
Our Tailor-made Tours bring you the best of this culturally rich and
environmentally diverse country, which has nine World Heritage Sites (the oldest dating
back to the 3rd Century BC), 86 species of mammals (including elephants and leopards),
more than 400 bird species (including 26 endemics), a colourful array of flowering plants
and trees, a Hill Country famous for tea, 14 National Parks out of 100 areas protected
by the Government, and 1600km of Indian Ocean coastline boasting palm-fringed and sandy
tropical beaches.
In a travel feature entitled "Sri steps to heaven" in
Guardian Unlimited
online, resident Rory Spowers encourages you to go now before it changes:
"Like many of my generation, I have had the good fortune to exploit the benefits of cheap travel.
Deeply bitten by the bug, I spent much of my time as a student and beyond in Africa, India and parts of
south-east Asia, entranced by the exotic experiences of life on the road. During these forays, I met
and spoke with many people who had been travelling for years: travel writers, business people, expedition
leaders and that tribe of peripatetic global nomads that seem to exist in a state of constant motion.
Repeatedly I would ask them the same question: "What is the most beautiful country in the world that you
have visited?" Almost without exception, I received the same answer: "Sri Lanka." Few places in the
world can boast such diversity - culturally, geographically, biologically. With some pockets of rainforest
containing more species than anywhere else on the planet, bar the Amazon, Sri Lanka's importance as a
"biodiversity hotspot" is now well recognised. There's also a mixture of Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Christian
and indigenous cultures, along with well-populated game parks, one of the finest botanical gardens in the
world and a coastline of sandy golden coves and great surf. To make it even more enticing, it has some of
the most intimate, eccentric and enchanting boutique hotels that you will find anywhere."Holiday highlights
For some more reasons to travel to Sri Lanka, hear what past customers have to say about their trips to
the island with us:
"We set out for a holiday to remember and came back from the trip of a lifetime. Tikalanka made this
holiday extremely special. We'll be back!" Peter & Sheila
"A GREAT TIME; VALUE FOR MONEY; WONDERFUL MEMORIES! IF YOU WANT TESTIMONIALS FROM US, WE WILL BE DELIGHTED."
Christopher & Christine
"Tikalanka were a great company to book with! We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday - it was an amazing
experience and one that we will never forget." Steve & Lucy
"Very enjoyable holiday. Yapa was an excellent driver/guide. We had a fantastic time in Sri Lanka
and thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip. Hotels and itinerary were excellent, and much enjoyed by our
two young girls." Browne family
"Malcom (my husband!) and I had the most fantastic honeymoon in Sri Lanka and it was undoubtedly
thanks to the service we received from Tikalanka. I know this sounds over the top but we really were
so impressed - so much so I called John the day of our return to thank him!!" Jane & Malcolm
"We were very impressed with the accommodation. The staff in all the hotels were friendly and helpful.
It was a very busy but enjoyable 10 days. Thank you for a well-organised, exciting trip."
Kath, Adrian & Sally
"This was a fantastic trip of a lifetime for us and we were very grateful for the support we were given
in devising our holiday schedule and for the professional and seamless way that the holiday was pulled together."
Siobhan & Marc
"Our departure from the Maldives and Sri Lanka was very sad because we did NOT WANT TO LEAVE!
I cannot recommend Tikalanka Tours and Sri Lanka and the Maldives highly enough. Lindsay & Rob
"Our guide, Mr Pathi, really made this holiday very special. His care, attention, flexibility and humour
were wonderful. We can't praise him enough. Well done Tikalanka!" Marcus & Sadhbh
"Overall - an excellent holiday; well organised; expertly guided and with a wonderful variety of
sights and activities but with plenty of relaxation opportunities built in." John & Lesley
"We REALLY enjoyed our trip and you had obviously gone to a lot of trouble to give us what we wanted.
You listened to what we asked for and gave us what we wanted and asked to see. I
would not hesitate to recommend you and your company, in fact, I already have!" Valerie & Carolyn
For full versions of the comments above and more trip details of past customers,
please go to Feedback
