Sri Lanka 2026

Sri Lanka Sunday 25th & Monday 26th January 2026

Flew from Birmingham via Dubai on Emirates and then to Sri Lanka. Arrived around 4.30pm local time, Sri Lanka is 5.5 hours ahead of the UK. Our base for the night was Amagi Aria Resort. A beautiful hotel on the lagoon at Negombo. We were in a massive suite, which was a surprise, enormous bathroom, separate dressing room, lounge and bedroom. We had a double width balcony with its own hot tub. Shame we are only here for one night. Although very tired from travelling we managed to sit on the terrace for a couple of gin and tonics before bed.

Tuesday 27th January 2026 Negombo - Dambulla

After breakfast, we met our fellow travellers in reception. Small group, just 8, all from the UK. John & Win, Roger & Angela and Bill & Sue. Set off in a minibus for Dambulla in the cultural triangle. Arrived in Dambulla around 3pm at the Sigiriana Resort. A beautiful hotel set in tropical gardens, we have another great room the Papaya Villa with a huge bathroom. Time for a relaxing dip in the pool with a beer. Already seen some of the local wildlife, a monitor lizard and some monkeys. Dinner in the hotel tonight with a couple more delicious local gins. The bar even had live music, a singer and a keyboard which was a nice touch.

Wednesday 28th January 2026  Dambulla

Tour proper begins today. After breakfast it was a short drive to Sigiriya rock (Lion Rock). The rock rises 200 meters up and it’s a very steep climb up. But the view from the top was spectacular and well worth it. A bit of a small-scale Sri Lankan Machu Picchu. Back to the hotel for a refreshing beer before heading out on an elephant safari in the Hurulu National park. Wildlife was amazing, saw so many elephants really close up. Also, some buffalo and mongooses. On the way back we asked our driver, Sumal, to take us to a restaurant in Dambulla. We were not disappointed with his choice Tropical Village; we ate with our fellow travellers John and Win and enjoyed a great meal and some nice wine. Back to the hotel for a nightcap and rest to do it all again tomorrow.

Thursday 29th January 2026  Dambulla

After breakfast, an 1.5-hour drive to Polonnaruwa the ancient capital of Sri Lanka. Famous for its vast manmade inland sea, the sea of Parakrama. First stop was a visit to the quadrangle of temples of the tooth relic. Although allegedly Buddha’s tooth is now in Kandy! The archaeological site was so large we went from point to point on our mini bus. Some very interesting ruins and relics of an ancient civilisation. After a coffee stop we headed back on the road for an hour before our village tour. Just outside Sigiriya we caught an oxen cart to Pavona Lake. We then took a boat trip across the lake. At the village we had a cooking demonstration and then ate some traditional food. It was a long day, but absolutely fabulous. Pit stop at Tropical village to collect our train tickets and of course time for a quick drink! Nightcap or two in the hotel bar.

Friday 30th January 2026 Dambulla - Kandy

Transfer to Kandy today. First stop was just 10 minutes up the road to the Dambulla Cave Temples. I expected them to be underground, but actually 300 steps up a mountain. Five separate caves all adorned with Buddha statues. Very impressive, but as hot and humid as a sauna inside. I was very glad I had my fan with me. Next stop enroute was the Spice Gardens. After an informative talk about the medicinal properties of the various herbs, we got to experience the various snake oils. Nik got excited when he was offered a topless massage. Unfortunately, it was him that was topless!!! Final stop on arrival in Kandy, at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth relic. A rather uninspiring Buddhist temple, but lovely setting on the banks of the lake. First impressions of Kandy is of a really busy and congested city. Rushed back to our hotel as Nik and some of our fellow guests are off to watch the cricket (England vs Sri Lanka 20/20). England won!

Saturday 31st January 2026 Kandy.

After a leisurely breakfast, Nik and I set off for a tour of the Botanical Gardens. A lovely green oasis in a very bustling city. Saw some beautiful plants, trees and lots of orchids. Within the gardens were also a large and very noisy colony of fruit bats. After a short drive around the city, we went back to the hotel for a chill out and a couple of beers. The evening began with a cultural show of traditional music and dance. We then went to a local restaurant, Cafe 1886, with our fellow travellers for an evening meal. After a stop off at a roof top bar and the iconic Queens hotel, we walked back to the hotel via the lake. Back to the hotel for a nightcap, but not too late as an early start in the morning for the next leg of our trip.

Sunday 1st February 2026 Kandy – Nuwara Eliya

Every full moon in Sri Lanka is a religious day, so no shops are open and no alcohol is allowed. Today we are travelling to Nuwara Eliya. Scenic drive along windy roads through lush green hills. Lots of evidence of the recent landslides along the sides of the road. First stop was to view the Ramboda Waterfalls, with time for a coffee and an ice cream. Final stop Labookellie tea plantation for a tour of the factory and tea tasting. Arrived at our hotel Aralyia Red at 3pm. Another fabulous room, a massive suite. We share a massive lounge, kitchen and dining room with our neighbours John and Win, with two large self-contained en-suite bedrooms. On arrival we went on a city tour, taking in the old post office, golf club, race course, Gregory Lake, Victoria Park and the city centre. A very quaint colonial style town. Noticeably cooler up here in the hills, definitely need a fleece in the evening. Suite was so amazing we decided on room service. Bonus we could buy alcohol, cash only for consumption in the room. Ended the night with a kitchen disco in the suite!

Monday 2nd February 2026 Nuwara Eliya to Yala.

Early start for the drive to Ella. From there we took a scenic train ride to Badulla, over the Demodara nine arched bridge, which counter intuitively was back North! So, we then had to drive back to Ella for lunch, gorgeous food in a rooftop restaurant on the Main Street. Ella has a very backpacker, hippy vibe. From Ella a 2-hour drive South to Yala our base for the night. So, a long travel day. On the way we stopped at Rawana Ella waterfall. Arrived at our hotel Mandara Rosen around 5pm. I went for a swim and Nik went for a massage. Probably, the worst hotel, as a bit shabby, but I think we have been spoiled so far. A couple of drinks in the bar before turning in as a very early 5.30am start for tomorrow’s safari.

Tuesday 3rd February 2026 Yala - Galle

5.30am we set off in our jeeps for Yala National Park. Saw lots of amazing birds; bee eaters, kingfishers, eagles, storks, mynah birds, hornbills and loads of peacocks to name a few. Also, an abundance of deer and water buffalo. A couple of mongoose entertained and several monitor lizards. Unfortunately, no leopards spotted today and just one solitary male elephant. After a late breakfast we began the journey to Galle. Fortunately, the South West has an expressway so much faster and smoother progress. Coffee stop at the surf beach in Weligama, in a rooftop café. Then onto the stilt fishermen. Bit of a tourist trap, but we did see one catch a small fish. After a short walk around the old Dutch Fort and lighthouse at Galle, we arrived at our hotel around 4.30pm. Agnus Unawatuna is a lovely boutique hotel with a cliff top position overlooking Galle. Time for a swim and a drink in the roof top bar before dinner. Dinner in the hotel tonight for all 8 of us, as such a lovely setting, with great food and homemade ice cream.

Wednesday 4th February 2026 Galle - Negombo

Last full day in Sri Lanka. Today we are travelling to the capital Colombo. Today is Independence Day, celebrating independence from the British in 1948. Enroute to Colombo we stopped as the charming sea side town of Bentota. Here we took a boat ride down the river into the mangroves. We saw lots of kingfishers, a stork, some birds of prey, very tame grey langur monkeys and some huge water monitors. Unfortunately, the crocodiles eluded us, although a local appeared with a baby one! Next stop was the turtle hatchery where we saw some very cute babies that would be released in the evening and some injured and disabled turtles, including 3 albino turtles. Sri Lanka is home to 5/7 sea turtle species; Green, Hawksbill, Leatherback, Loggerhead and Ridleys Olive turtles. Tour around the main sights of Colombo the capital city in the mini bus. Followed by a very brief tuk tuk ride in the rain. We said goodbye to our fellow travellers Roger and Angela as they are staying another 4 nights in a different hotel. Back to Negombo in the hotel we began in for one last night before our flight home in the morning. Time for one last supper with John Win, Bill & Sue on the terrace. An amazing trip, with great company, we loved every minute.