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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: Travel tips

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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A solo traveller meeting the locals in Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #26/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 25th June 2025

Travelling solo may feel daunting to some but other free spirits find it liberating and exhilarating. We have our fair share of solo explorers on our holidays, and in recent years the number has grown. A one-to-one trip with your very own dedicated chauffeur guide can enhance the overall travel experience and enables you to get firsthand and intimate knowledge of Sri Lanka unachievable within a group. So, if you are looking for an independent and unconventional holiday experience, read on…

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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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Fort Bazaar courtyard, Galle fort, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #50/2024: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 11th December 2024

Hot off the press! The much-anticipated swimming pool at Fort Bazaar within Galle fort will finally open on 15 December 2024. This very generous 15 metres by 6 metres infinity pool with attached shallow area is surrounded by a sundeck edged with tropical plants. In other Teardrop Hotels’ news, Wallawwa has partnered with the globally acclaimed Vikasa brand to provide exclusive wellness experiences, the estate roads leading to Nine Skies and Camellia Hills have been resurfaced, and Lunuganga now has a dedicated café for all daytime visitors.

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Kankesanthurai (KKS) railway station, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #45/2024: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 7th November 2024

Once again, we are able to offer the through train service from Colombo to Jaffna. Following the modernisation of the Maho to Anuradhapura stretch of the northern railway line, train services between Colombo and Kankesanthurai resumed on 28 October 2024. In a first for the island, Amba Yaalu on the banks of Kandalama Lake in the Cultural Triangle will open shortly as Sri Lanka’s first hotel fully operated and managed by women, making it a truly special addition to the Thema Collection portfolio.

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Typical beach on the south and west coasts of Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #44/2024: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 1st November 2024

As the nights draw in, our minds turn to brighter, sunnier and warmer climes – holidays in Sri Lanka! This is the peak season for us, with December to March being the busiest period of the year as our customers escape the short days and cold weather typical of a winter in the UK. With lots of our customers travelling to Sri Lanka soon, I thought a few travel tips would come in handy before you set off on a holiday of a lifetime.

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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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