Tika Traveller

Discover Sri Lanka & Maldives From Those Who Know It Best

Blogs from Tikalanka are designed to enhance your knowledge of Sri Lanka and Maldives and keep you up to date with recent developments. We intend to post regular features on travel, news, lifestyle and accommodation as well as guest articles from current and past customers, which will give you first-hand experience of Tikalanka, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Category: Sightseeing

Caparisoned elephants at the Navam Maha Perahera 2019, Colombo, Sri Lanka (courtesy of dailymirror.lk)

TikaWeeks #34-2/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 22nd August 2019

Since 1979, the Navam Maha Perahera in Colombo, held around the Navam full moon poya day in February, has enchanted large crowds of locals and visitors alike. The procession, steeped in age-old traditions, involves much pageantry and includes masked dancers and acrobats, regional drummers, up to 50 caparisoned elephants, fire-eaters and jugglers, and marching bands. In 2020, it takes place on 07 and 08 February. Please contact us for more details.

Sunset over Ella, Hill Country, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #25-2/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 21st June 2019

A present day conundrum is how to travel to far-flung places yet endeavour to be sustainable. With air travel emitting 80% of tourism’s greenhouse gasses, is it responsible to visit long-haul destinations like Sri Lanka and Maldives? What would happen to Sri Lanka if foreign tourism was reduced dramatically when tourism generates over 25% of foreign income? This week’s feature discusses possible ways of ameliorating your carbon footprint when travelling to Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Buddha in samadhi, Gal Vihara, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #24/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 16th June 2019

The Poson Festival celebrates the arrival of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC and it is held over the full moon in June (17 June this year). Poson Poya Day is one of the most important religious events of the year, particularly at pilgrimage sites such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Thanthirimale where devotees flock to offer prayers and alms to the Buddha. I am sure that this year’s Poson will hold more significance and be a more poignant occasion than ever.

The pink tuk-tuks of Sri Lanka empowering and protecting women (courtesy of Al Jazeera)

TikaWeeks #12/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 22nd March 2019

It has been a very busy and eventful period for us since the Destinations holiday and travel show last month, with this being our peak holiday and booking season, so apologies for the radio silence. Firstly, we would like to thank everyone who visited us at Destinations, both potential customers and old friends! Things are moving fast in Sri Lanka, with many new hotels being developed and infrastructure improved, so this Sri Lanka update will try to cover what has been happening on the island over the past few months and with us as a company.

TikaWeeks #35/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 2nd September 2018

Last week’s launch of the new version of our Trip Planner is hotly followed by our new online Wedding Gift List this week, which uses the same platform. Our online Wedding Gift List enables you to create your ideal honeymoon to Sri Lanka and Maldives, and the itinerary acts as a list of voucher ideas for family and friends to purchase as wedding gifts. This week’s update launches the new online Wedding Gift List, advises of the annual closure of Yala National Park, concludes the Peoples of Sri Lanka series, and suggests first- or last-stop stays in Sri Lanka.

Sample page of the new Tikalanka Trip Planner

TikaWeeks #34/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 26th August 2018

The launch of the long anticipated new version of our Trip Planner has refreshed and updated the original for the mobile age. Based on Google Maps, the new Trip Planner may be accessed via mobile phones, tablets or laptops and enables you to create your own dream holiday to Sri Lanka and Maldives, wherever you are! This week’s update launches the beta release of our new Trip Planner, continues the Peoples of Sri Lanka series and offers accommodation options around Mirissa.

Sacred Ibises and Painted Storks around a water hole, Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #29/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 22nd July 2018

As if you need encouragement, this week’s update highlights 10 good reasons to visit Sri Lanka. 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, known to Arab traders as Serendib, hence "serendipity" meaning discovery by happy accident. I also continue our Peoples of Sri Lanka series and suggest accommodation alternatives around Yala National Park.

TikaWeeks #27/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 8th July 2018

With fairly traded goods and services you have the power to change the world every day since simple shopping or holiday choices can get local producers and providers a better deal. This means that they can make their own decisions, control their future and lead the dignified life everyone deserves. Our new Fair Trade Sri Lanka holiday combines an introductory tour of the island with visits to fair trade producers while staying in local accommodation. This week’s update also continues our “Peoples of Sri Lanka” series and suggests places to stay off the beaten track.

TikaWeeks #26/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 1st July 2018

The north and east of Sri Lanka have opened up and developed since the peace, but not too much – yet. So now is the time to visit on your very own tailor-made holiday. Our Northern Explorer itinerary will introduce you to Mannar Island, Jaffna, the east coast around Trincomalee and the Cultural Triangle. This week’s update details our new northern Sri Lanka holiday, begins our Peoples of Sri Lanka series, and suggests hotel stays in and around Jaffna.

Girls at Sunday school, Kandy, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #25/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 23rd June 2018

Poson poya (full moon) day on 27 June 2018 celebrates the arrival of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC, a festival of great historical and religious significance to Buddhists throughout the country. For Buddhists, the hallowed day of Poson is second only to Wesak in terms of importance. Although Poson is celebrated throughout the island, the principal ceremonies are to be found in Anuradhapura and Mihintale. This week’s update describes the island’s Poson festivities, concludes our daily life series and suggests accommodation options around Anuradhapura.

Independent Tailor-made Holidays to Sri Lanka & Maldives