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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: Sustainability

View from The Pekoe Trail (Stage 1) near Kandy, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #35/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 28th August 2025

The Pekoe Trail is Sri Lanka’s alternative to the Camino de Santiago, and it is becoming evermore popular since it launched in 2023. The Pekoe Trail is a 300-kilometre, 22-stage meticulously curated long-distance walking trail that winds its way through the enchanting Central Highlands of Sri Lanka – often regarded as one of Asia’s best-kept secrets. Along the way, you’ll encounter vibrant local communities, each offering a glimpse into Sri Lanka’s rich traditions, warm hospitality, and unique cultural heritage, making the experience as meaningful as it is adventurous. Here is a local and personal perspective of the first two stages recently hiked by Mahesh, Pathi and Suba’s son.

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Sky at night from Wild Glamping Knuckles, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #34/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 20th August 2025

‘Off grid’ can have many meanings. Being cut off from technology, using power generated from renewables onsite, or disengaging from everyday life are all what people understand by ‘off grid’. We seem to have become addicted to the internet, WhatsApp, Instagram and the rest without ever considering what travelling was like before the World Wide Web and mobile phones, 24-hour electricity, and a slower pace of life more in tune with nature. Well, now you have your chance with various ‘off grid’ experiences in Sri Lanka.

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The Arnolds and Nihal trekking in Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #31/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 31st July 2025

If you want to learn about the Herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians) of Sri Lanka, then loyal customers Dave and Chris Arnold will guide you through likely sightings from their hands-on experience of two trips with us in the past couple of years. In an engaging and enlightening account of their travels recently published in an international journal, Dave highlights the numerous and varied species to spot on the island, even donning a pair of ‘sexy’ leech socks in order to navigate Sinharaja Forest Reserve with impunity!

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Elephants in Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #27/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 2nd July 2025

The Galle Literary Festival, in and around Galle from 21 to 25 January 2026, has become one of the most anticipated literary events in south Asia. The latest episode of “Guardians”, a docuseries narrated by Prince William, shines a light on Sri Lankan rangers working to reduce human-elephant conflict. With around half of all visitors going on safari in Sri Lanka, wildlife is central to the island’s attraction, and ‘glamping’ is a great way to experience the call of the wild. In other news, Sigiriya was recently anointed as Sri Lanka’s first sustainable destination, and another upsurge in tourist arrivals last month shows Sri Lanka is still the place to visit!

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Sperm whale and diver

TikaWeeks #23/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 2nd June 2025

Swimming with whales isn’t just unethical – it’s illegal in Sri Lanka. A recent study found 32 tour operators offering illegal swim-with-whales experiences in key whale-watching areas. Protecting these gentle giants requires collective action – from government and tour agencies, accommodation providers, boat operators, and tourists. For years, Sri Lanka’s tourism model has been framed around distinct “high” and “low” seasons, dictated largely by the island’s monsoonal patterns. This binary view, however, fails to reflect the island’s true potential. The reality? Sri Lanka offers rich, varied experiences throughout the year.

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Kumana Under Canvas, Kumana NP, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #22/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 29th May 2025

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! Many visitors only travel to Sri Lanka for the island’s spectacular, sun-soaked and palm-fringed beaches but there is so much more to discover than its sandy shores and exquisite ancient temples. This week’s update highlights some of the less well-known adventures on offer in Sri Lanka.

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Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka (courtesy of Deborah Robinson & Pablo Hernando)

TikaWeeks #21/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 19th May 2025

We believe that tourism can benefit both visitors and locals alike, a positive force for the national economies and local communities of the destination country. However, we also appreciate that overtourism has detrimental impacts and tourist income doesn’t always go into the pockets of the people who provide the services or need it most. Recent feedback from customers has highlighted some of these issues. We are well aware of these concerns and are finding new locations to visit and different places to stay to ensure your experience of Sri Lanka remains enjoyable and authentic.

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Hill Country tea terraces, Sri Lanka (courtesy of Peter Hale)

TikaWeeks #14/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 31st March 2025

The Pekoe Trail in Sri Lanka has rightly entered the Pantheon of the world’s greatest hiking trails since its launch in late 2023. Winding its way through the spectacular Hill Country, the 300 km-long, 22-stage hiking trail has won many accolades including TIME magazine’s ‘World’s Greatest Places’ list for 2025. Sri Lanka has also been revealed to be the world’s most family-friendly country in a recent report, and Condé Nast Traveler included Sri Lanka on its latest list of the 40 most beautiful countries in the world. So why not visit?

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Thriving agriculture in the Buttala-Gonagan Ara area, Sri Lanka (courtesy of Eco Team)

TikaWeeks #13/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 28th March 2025

One of our partners in Sri Lanka has been doing wonders with an agrarian community in the island’s southeastern Dry Zone region regarding human-elephant conflict. What started out as a bold conservation initiative to protect both human livelihoods and elephant populations has now blossomed into an inspiring story of resilience, coexistence, and renewal. Recent customers travelling through Colombo airport have suggested that the arrivals card is no longer necessary, however, we still haven’t received any official communication that this is the case.

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Baagu the leopard, Kumana National Park, Sri Lanka (courtesy of Eco Team)

TikaWeeks #08/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 19th February 2025

Who would like to spot a leopard in Sri Lanka without the hullabaloo associated with sightings in Yala? If so, then look no further than Kumana National Park. Previously called Yala East – the main one was Yala West – Kumana is a tranquil wildlife reserve accessed from the east coast. Soon to launch Kalkudah Beach House, also on the east coast, is another exquisite offering from Teardrop Hotels, while luxury boutique hotels specialist Uga Escapes opened its latest property Uga Halloowella near Hatton in the Hill Country late last year.

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