Independent Tailor-made Holidays to Sri Lanka & Maldives

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Immerse yourself in the culture of
Sri Lanka

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Find paradise on a coral island in
Maldives

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See wildlife up close and personal in
Sri Lanka

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Relax in the lap of luxury in
Maldives

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Experience the living history of
Sri Lanka

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Get away from it all on a tropical island in
Maldives

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Sri Lanka

Maldives

Trip Planner

Create your own dream holiday »

Be Inspired… Explore Paradise

All of our holidays to Sri Lanka and Maldives are tailor-made, so you can choose the experience that is best for you.

Accommodation

Places to Stay to Suit Everyone

Sri Lanka has a wide variety of places to stay depending on your mood, budget, location or preference, from family-run guesthouses to exclusive villas, while our resorts in Maldives are specially selected for their character, quality and ambiance. Best of all, you can rest your head in a combination of these places on your holiday to Sri Lanka and Maldives.

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“We absolutely LOVED all our accommodation, [we] were so well looked after in all the hotels.”

Sarah & Richard

Tika Tips

Make the most of your time in Sri Lanka and Maldives by experiencing our recommended top 5 places to stay.

  1. Ceylon Tea Trails, Adam’s Peak
  2. Angsana Ihuru, Maldives
  3. Hanthana House, Kandy
  4. Kulu Safaris, Yala
  5. Heritance Kandalama, Dambulla
Luxury accommodation, enjoyed by the pool side
Traditional tea house accommodation in the hill
Accommodation on the coast, positioned on a rocky outcrop
Luxury beach hut accommodation
Evening meal by fire light

Adventure

For Explorers and Thrill Seekers

If rafting over cascading rapids, ballooning around an iconic rock fortress at dawn, climbing a sacred mountain for the spectacular sunrise and experiencing a jeep safari to spot a variety of exotic wildlife are high on your wish list, then Sri Lanka is for you!

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“The highlights for us must be the white-water rafting [Kitulgala], which was amazing, and then our first sighting of wild elephants, which is something really quite magical and an experience we will never forget. The whole country is so very diverse and the people are warm and friendly and really did seem to care that we had a good time.”

Clare & Maureen

Sea kayaking on the crystal clear Indian Ocean, Angsana Ihuru, Maldives
Scenic train journey to Ella in the southern Hill Country, Sri Lanka
Hot air balloon flight around the rock fortress of Sigiriya, Heritance Kandalama, Sri Lanka
Wandering through a rainforest, Sri Lanka
White-water rafting over rapids on the Kelani River, Kitulgala, Sri Lanka

Beaches

Year-Round Sun, Sea and Sand

Whether on the golden sandy coasts of the south and west of the island or the coral-white shores of the east, Sri Lanka has year-round, sun-drenched and palm-fringed tropical beaches for you to enjoy! Maldives has the perfect natural combination for the ideal tropical beach holiday.

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“Thank you so much for organising such an excellent holiday. We had a super time and Buckingham Place [Tangalle] was a fabulous final stop!”

Petra & Michael

Tika Tips

Make the most of your time in Sri Lanka by relaxing on our recommended top 5 beaches.

  1. Tangalle
  2. Passikudah
  3. Mirissa
  4. Bentota
  5. Nilaveli
Coconut on the shoreline, Unawatuna, Sri Lanka
Fine dining on the beach, Maldives
Palm-fringed tropical beach, Sri Lanka
Turtle hatchling on the beach, Maldives
Sunset on the beach, Weligama, Sri Lanka

Birdwatching

Spotting Sri Lanka's Exotic and Endemic Birds

A comprehensive guided introduction to the diverse birdlife of Sri Lanka, visiting the most important nesting sites, migratory routes and overwintering grounds in the country. With the help of an expert naturalist, you will spot a great number and variety of birds while on this specialist birding tour.

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“We were delighted with our trip to Sri Lanka, especially with the amount of birds and wildlife we were able to see. It was wonderful, too, seeing elephants in their natural habitat, as well as leopards. Niroshan was a perfect guide – knowledgeable, friendly, always on time and always looking smart. An unforgettable trip which has produced some amazing photos.”

Laurence & Elaine

Painted Stork, Sri Lanka (courtesy of Matt Ward)
Asian Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Sri Lanka (courtesy of Damon Green)
Little Green Bee-eater, Sri Lanka
Oriental Darter, Sri Lanka (courtesy of Laurence Pordes)
Indian Peafowl, Sri Lanka (courtesy of Matt Ward)

Culture

Ancient Customs and World Heritage Sites

Sacred Buddhist stupas and statues, an iconic pleasure palace atop a rock, atmospheric cave temples, mysterious monastery ruins, extravagant Hindu devales, ancient and innovative irrigation systems, Sri Lanka has it all!

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“Sena [chauffeur guide] provided us with a unique experience of a lifetime: an experience which has shaped us and helped us to grow, an experience that we will never forget.”

Ruth & Mark

Tika Tips

Make the most of your time in Sri Lanka by exploring our recommended top 5 cultural sites.

  1. Sigiriya
  2. Anuradhapura
  3. Dambulla
  4. Polonnaruwa
  5. Kandy
Vatadage, Quadrangle, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
Detail of Hindu Devale, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Golden Buddha, Dambulla cave temples, Sri Lanka
Praying monk, Dambulla cave temples, Sri Lanka
Gopuram at a Hindu Devale in Kandy, Sri Lanka

Family

Sri Lanka’s Speciality

Friendly and welcoming, Sri Lanka is the ideal destination for a fun-filled family holiday! Exotic wildlife, sandy beaches, thrilling as well as easy-going adventures and child-friendly accommodation are a formidable combination for an out-of-the-ordinary family experience.

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“We all had the most fantastic family holiday. There were so many highlights - elephant safari, Chaaya Village [Habarana], [Kandy Esala] Perahera!!! Thanks so much!”

Sheth family

Tika Tips

Make the most of your time in Sri Lanka by enjoying our recommended top 5 family experiences.

  1. Tea country village, Ella
  2. Lakeside eco lodge, Weerawila
  3. Cycling tour, Galle
  4. Family homestay, Kandy
  5. White-water rafting, Kitulgala
One of the boys of a family on the beach, Sri Lanka
A local family on a day out in Peradeniya Botanic Gardens, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Family white-water rafting at Kitulgala, Sri Lanka
Local grandfather and grandson visiting the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy. Sri Lanka
Leopard spotted on a family jeep safari in Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Geoffrey Bawa

The Very Best of Geoffrey Bawa

Visit a variety of Geoffrey Bawa's iconic buildings, stay in some of his finest hotels, and tour the ancient sites of Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya and Dambulla on this architectural extravaganza of the best of Bawa and Sri Lanka.

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“We very much enjoyed the trip and did a lot of Bawa architecture around Bentota and Colombo. Do hope Sri Lanka keeps the tourist invasion under control!!”

Liz & Stephen

Tika Tips

Make the most of your time in Sri Lanka by experiencing our recommended top 5 architectural gems.

  1. Lunuganga, Bentota
  2. Heritance Kandalama, Dambulla
  3. No.11, 33rd Lane, Colombo
  4. The Last House, Tangalle
  5. University of Ruhuna, Matara
Lunuganga, Bentota, Sri Lanka
De Saram House, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Geoffrey Bawa, the legendary Sri Lankan architect
Cinnamon Bentota Beach, Bentota, Sri Lanka
Thaala Bentota, Bentota, Sri Lanka

Honeymoons

Sri Lanka & Maldives

Romance abounds in Sri Lanka, from the dreamy and enigmatic landscapes of the Hill Country to the warm tropical breezes and glowing sunsets over the Indian Ocean beaches. Luxury villas, pampering spas, private dining and complimentary extras are some of the enticements on offer to honeymooners in Maldives.

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“We would like to say thanks for helping us organise a fantastic honeymoon which we will never forget.”

David & Lauren

Tika Tips

Make the most of your time in Sri Lanka and Maldives by staying in our recommended top 5 honeymoon havens.

  1. Ceylon Tea Trails, Adam's Peak
  2. Dhawa Ihuru, Maldives
  3. Uga Ulagalla, Anuradhapura
  4. Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Maldives
  5. Aditya, Galle
Honeymoon couple on Dhawa Ihuru at sunset, Maldives
Two is company... Ceylon Tea Trails, Sri Lanka
Private lunch on a deserted atoll, Dhawa Ihuru, Maldives
Love at first sight, Cock and Hare, Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
Luxurious In-Ocean Pool Villa ideal for a honeymoon extravaganza, Angsana Velavaru, Maldives

Luxury

When Only the Best Will Do

Sri Lanka and Maldives are blessed with some of the best appointed and ideally situated hotels and villas anywhere in the world, making them the ideal destination for a luxury tropical holiday or extra-special honeymoon.

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“Our trip was a delight from the wondrous Heritance Kandalama hotel [Dambulla], historic Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya sights, to the luxury of The Kandy House [Kandy], sheer indulgence of the Ceylon Tea Trails [Adam's Peak] and ocean-side luxury of Aditya [Galle].”

David & Carolyn

Tika Tips

Make the most of your time in Sri Lanka and Maldives by enjoying our recommended top 5 luxury experiences.

  1. Hot air balloon flight, Dambulla
  2. Castaway island picnic, Maldives
  3. Ceylon Tea Trails, Adam's Peak
  4. Sand bank fine dining, Maldives
  5. Luxury safari camp, Yala
Main bedroom, Cape Weligama Residence, Weligama, Sri Lanka
Crescent-shaped swimming pool and view over Indian Ocean, Cape Weligama, Weligama, Sri Lanka
Entrance to Reef Villa, Wadduwa, Sri Lanka
In-Ocean Pool Villa at night, Angsana Velavaru, Maldives
Indoor living space of an In-Ocean Pool Villa, Angsana Velavaru, Maldives

North & East

Discover Sri Lanka’s Lesser Known Regions

Experience a very different Sri Lanka with its vast lagoons full of migrant waders, donkeys and baobabs, Tamil script and Hindi songstresses, bicycles and Brahman cows. Since the declaration of peace on the island in 2009, the north and east of the country have opened up and developed, but not too much – yet.

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“Great holiday. Apart from Athgiri it was all wonderful. And even Athgiri wasn’t too bad and certainly didn’t spoil the safari experience. It was just a bit disappointing compared to the other 4 locations.”

Maguire family

Baobab tree
Giant's Tank
Koneswaram Kovil
Fort Hammenhiel
Decorated festival chariot

Scenery

Spectacular Sunrises and Mountain Vistas

Spectacular panoramic vistas in the Hill Country and Knuckles Mountain Range, infinite horizons over the Indian Ocean, a kaleidoscope of exotic flowers and shrubs, and the surreal and otherworldly landscapes of the Jaffna peninsula, Sri Lanka is a photographer’s dream island!

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“A beautiful place, lovely smiley people and AMAZING food (waistline has the evidence!).”

Cara & Chris

Tika Tips

Make the most of your time in Sri Lanka by enjoying our recommended top 5 scenic experiences.

  1. Mist-laden mountains, Knuckles
  2. World's End, Horton Plains
  3. Hill Country train journey, Ella
  4. Boat safari, Gal Oya
  5. Sunrise at Sri Pada, Adam's Peak
Sunset, Ella, Sri Lanka
Ramboda Falls, Hill Country, Sri Lanka
View south through Ella Gap, Ella, Sri Lanka
Beach and palms, Angsana Ihuru, Maldives
Tea plantations, Hill Country, Sri Lanka

Summer

Summertime Adventure in Sri Lanka

Imagine coconut palms swaying rhythmically in the fragrant breeze, the shallow, clear warm waters of the Indian Ocean lapping gently onto sun-kissed tropical beaches, and ice-cold sundowners and the freshest of seafood to savour – this is summer in Sri Lanka.

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“We had a terrific family adventure holiday to Sri Lanka. Thank you for listening to our brief and helping us execute it. We wanted special places to stay, interesting places to visit, fun activities for the kids (and us), and with sustainable travel at the heart. The trip to the school was a highlight for me and a unique cultural exchange for our children.”

Zander/Robinson family

Kelani River running past Borderlands Adventure Centre, Kitulgala, Sri Lanka
Maalu Maalu Resort & Spa, Passikudah, Sri Lanka
Temple of the Tooth overlooking the lake, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Scenic train journey through the Hill Country, Sri Lanka
Maalu Maalu Resort & Spa, Passikudah, Sri Lanka

Wildlife

Leopards and Elephants and Bears, Oh My!

For a small island, Sri Lanka has so much wildlife on offer, including its own 'Big Four' - elephant, leopard, sloth bear and blue whale. Our wildlife holidays bring you the very best of this environmentally diverse country, from its high flying exotic birds to its deep diving majestic whales.

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“The safaris were great. Loved them. I saw about 150 species of birds, which is not bad at all as out of season and we were lucky to see Leopard and Sloth Bear at Yala. We particularly enjoyed the jeep safaris.”

Blow family

Tika Tips

Make the most of your time in Sri Lanka by enjoying our recommended top 5 wildlife experiences.

  1. The 'gathering', Minneriya
  2. Jeep safari, Yala
  3. Whale watching, Mirissa
  4. Swimming elephants, Gal Oya
  5. Spotting endemic birdlife, Sinharaja
Spotted deer in flight, Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
Leopard up a tree, Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
Mother and baby elephants, Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
Solitary Little Green Bee-eater, Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
Pod of dolphins swimming near Palagama Beach Resort, Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka
Tika Traveller
Qatar Airways logo
TikaWeeks #41/2024: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 8th October 2024

In this year’s SKYTRAX World Airline Awards, Qatar Airways won the World’s Best Airline and World’s Best Business Class Awards. You may enjoy its award-winning service on routes between the UK and Sri Lanka and/or Maldives. More of our recommended airlines also scored highly, with Emirates awarded third best airline as well as winning the Best Airline Inflight Entertainment Award, British Airways 13th and Etihad Airways 19th.

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Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka
TikaWeeks #40/2024: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 30th September 2024

The new Sri Lankan Government has reinstated the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system for tourist visas to Sri Lanka, which is effective from 27 September 2024. All foreign visitors must apply for a 30-day tourist visa through the ETA system and the visa fee is US$50 per person for most countries. Children below 12 years receive a free visa along with a select few of other countries' adult nationals.

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John, Pathi, Tracey and Suba at Seven Sisters, East Sussex, UK
TikaWeeks #39/2024: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 27th September 2024

In Tikalanka’s 20th anniversary year, Pathi and Suba finally made it over to the UK and we had an incredible couple of weeks showing them around. A very special trip for us all and the weather was generally kind to us as well, although Pathi never took off the lightweight puffer jacket borrowed from me when in Cumbria! A tour of the Cotswolds and on to Brighton for a Responsible Travel event went without a hitch. Pathi and Suba seemed to enjoy the meals we served up at home and we had out even without the classic Sri Lankan flavours, in fact Suba even turned down extra green chillies at dinner which Tracey and I ate with alacrity! Let’s not wait another 25 years until they return.

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Truly ‘Tailor-made’

Our priority is to show you the real Sri Lanka and Maldives through a tailor-made holiday of a lifetime with our expert advice.

Call Us:
020 313 76 763

Responsible Travel

We encourage responsible and sustainable travel and contribute towards community projects in Sri Lanka.

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