Tailor-made holiday tours in Sri Lanka

Tailor-made holiday tours in Sri Lanka

Tailor Made Holidays

Description

We are specialists in arranging Tailor-made holidays and tours to Sri Lanka. We understand the different demands of clients and tailor-make arrangements to suit exact needs and budgets which will turn your holiday into something totally unique.

We aim to get to know our clients and their desires and offer them a high quality product and an efficient and very personal service. It’s your holiday; you say exactly what you want, whether it’s to:

  • discover the fascinating history of Sri Lanka through its beautiful historical sites
  • combine both sights and activities (perhaps a bike ride or white water rafting etc ) within an itinerary
  • see fabulous wildlife
  • discover hidden mysterious places,
  • jungle trek through the lush rainforests,
  • or just simply relax on a secluded beach somewhere for as long as you want after your tour,
  • we know how to make it happen, and at a price to suit your pocket.

With our in depth knowledge of Sri Lanka, we can deliver a genuinely interesting, high quality, tailor- made Sri Lankan travel experience at a price we guarantee can’t be met anywhere else.

To give you an idea of what is available in Sri Lanka, below are a few of the major attractions, in the different areas:

Central & Kandy

Visit the Temple of the Tooth – the only temple in the world with a tooth relic of Lord Buddha

Take a leisurely stroll around the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kandy

Take time to explore the beautiful city of Kandy as it nestles in the hills

Walk through jungle, paddyfields or Knuckles mountains to see the amazing scenery that Sri Lanka has to offer

Experience the walk of life of the Veddahs people – the indigenous people of Sri Lanka

South Coast

Take a whale-watching excursion from Mirissa to see blue whales and dolphins

Boat ride on Koggala Lake to see the wildlife and cinnamon farm

Take a walk back in time to see the Dutch Fort at Galle (where they used to houses spices)

See the iconic stilt fishermen at Weligama

Cultural Triangle

Visit one of the amazing ancient cities of Sri Lanka – Anuradhapura (3rd century BC) or Polonnaruwa (10-12th century AD)

Enjoy the stupendous views from the iconic rock fortress at Sigiriya

Have some fun taking a bike ride through small villages following waterways through paddyfields

Visit the largest painted Cave Temple in the world at Dambulla

Count the huge number of elephants at Minneriya National Park during “the gathering”

Enjoy the tranquillity of Wilpattu National Park with its leopards and sloth bears

East Coast

Visit Fort Frederick at Trincomalee

Visit Koneswaram Temple (including Swami Rock), Trincomalee and take in the fantastic view of Trinco from the top

Relax on the fantastic golden beaches at Kuchchaveli, Nilaveli and Passekudah

Take a glass-bottomed boat ride to go snorkelling

Hill Country

Visit the town of Nuwara Eliya where the colonials used to escape to when it was too hot on the coastal plains

Visit a tea factory to see how tea is produced

Walk on Horton Plains to see the stunning views and unusual flora and fauna of this cloud forest

Take a trip back in time on a train ride through the tea plantations

Enjoy the fantastic views throughout the tea plantations

In Ella, take a short walk up Little Adams Peak through the tea plantations- great views.

For those that want a longer walk, take a walk up Ella Rock- stupendous views!

National Parks

GAL OYA

Take a boat safari to see its famous swimming elephants

MINNERIYA

Take a game drive to see “the Gathering” of elephants particularly between June and September where you can see up to 300 elephants by the Lake

UDE WALAWE NATIONAL PARK

Take a game drive to see its large herds of wild elephants and the beautiful backdrop of the mountains

Visit the Elephant Transit Camp to see the orphan baby elephants

WILPATTU

A very peaceful and beautiful National Park famous for its populations of leopards and sloth bears

YALA NATIONAL PARK

This has the highest concentration of leopards of anywhere in the world !

Enjoy the beautiful birdlife at Bundalla national Park

Gal Oya

Take a boat safari to see its famous swimming elephants

Minneriya

Take a game drive to see “the Gathering” of elephants particularly between June and September where you can see up to 300 elephants by the Lake

Uda Walawe National Park

Take a game drive to see its large herds of wild elephants and the beautiful backdrop of the mountains

Visit the Elephant Transit Camp to see the orphan baby elephants

Wilpattu

A very peaceful and beautiful National Park famous for its populations of leopards and sloth bears

Yala National Park

This has the highest concentration of leopards anywhere in the world!

Enjoy the beautiful birdlife at Bundalla national Park

North West Coast

Visit the largest fish market in Sri Lanka at Negombo

Take a boat ride up the Maha Oya river –mangroves, wildlife

Visit a Hindu temple in Negombo or Munneswaram

Watch the fishing fleet from Negombo

Enjoy the tranquillity of Wilpattu National Park with its leopards and sloth bears

Relax on the golden beaches

South West Coast

Take a boat ride – to see the mangroves and wildlife

Visit the moonstone mine at Mitiyagoda- you can see the ancient practices of gem mining.

Walk through the 16th century Dutch Fort at Galle and walk the ramparts

Relax on the fantastic beaches

Colombo

Do a city tour taking in some the highlights- Slave Island, Beira Lake, Parliament etc

Do some shopping.

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Some Truly Unique Holidays with

Sri Lanka Highlights

We are specialists in arranging Tailor-made holidays and tours to Sri Lanka. Let us create the perfect tailor-made tour for you.We also specialize in creating unforgettable family holidays and tours in Sri Lanka.

 

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Sri Lanka ranked top country
for travel in 2019

Hidden Gems: Unique Places to Visit in Sri Lanka Beyond the Beaches

Hidden Gems: Unique Places to Visit in Sri Lanka Beyond the Beaches

Travelling long-haul with children can feel daunting, but Sri Lanka is one of the best family holiday destinations in Asia. From elephants crossing the road and colourful tuk-tuks zipping by, to scenic train rides through emerald tea hills and golden beaches made for sandcastles, Sri Lanka offers endless adventures for families with kids. Whether you’re planning your first trip to Asia or looking for a unique cultural escape, this UK family guide to Sri Lanka highlights the most memorable and kid-friendly experiences across the island.

 

Sri Lanka’s beaches are world-famous, but the island has so much more to offer. If you look beyond the coastline, you’ll discover hidden gems that deserve a spot on your travel list.

 

Ancient Cities

Step into the past at Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, two incredible cultural sites in Sri Lanka filled with ruins, temples, and history that goes back thousands of years.

 

Wildlife Safaris

Skip the crowded zoos, Sri Lanka is famous for its wild side. Spot elephants in Udawalawe or leopards in Yala, two of the top wildlife and national parks on the island.

 

 

Scenic Highlands

Take a train ride through the tea country of Nuwara Eliya and Ella. The rolling hills, waterfalls, and endless green are some of the most breathtaking places to visit in Sri Lanka.

 

Local Adventures

Beyond the tourist trail, explore small villages, spice gardens, and bustling local markets. These experiences give you a taste of the real island life.

 

 

The beauty of Sri Lanka is that you can pack all of this into one trip; culture, wildlife, nature, and beaches.

For a journey that takes you beyond the obvious, contact us at Unique Travel for your visit to Sri Lanka today.

Sri Lanka known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean

Sri Lanka known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean

Sri Lanka known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean and the Wonder of Asia has so much to offer for tourists.
The golden sandy beaches are good for Water sports, the hill country with amazing scenery, The National parks with unique wildlife, The ancient cities and cultural sites, and fun activities such as white water rafting, Zip-lining make Srilanka a very special holiday destination that offers something for everyone. The friendly, gentle, helpful ever smiling locals are a huge asset to the tourism industry. Srilankans are very resilient people. After having been through a series of unfortunate events, they have come back strongly with that familiar smile on their faces.
Kandy

Kandy is the most popular city among travelers. This was the last indigenous Capital of the Country tucked in the hills of Central Srilanka. The Lake in the heart of the city is a highlight with so much happening around it. The most sacred temple of the Buddhists called the Temple of the Tooth is located in Kandy and houses a tooth of Buddha. This is the most visited temple in the country and the locals make an effort to visit the temple at least once a year. The best time to visit the temple is during the ceremony which is held every day.
The Royal Botanical Garden in Kandy is the best in Srilanka. This is in an area of over 63 hectares and you can easily spend a day here if you are keen on trees and flowers.
The vibrant town, the colorful fruit and vegetable market, the spice market, and the little restaurants and bars should not be missed in this wonderful city.

The Butterfly Mountain – Adam’s Peak

Adam’s Peak, often referred to as “Sri Pada,” is the most climbed Mountain in Sri Lanka. The Buddhists believe that Buddha has planted his footprint on the top of the Mountain and the pilgrims climb the mountain to get to the footprint of Buddha. As far as the tourists are concerned, the highlight here is watching the Sunrise. Going up the lit-up Mountain with the locals through the night is a unique experience. The pilgrim season starts on the full moon day of December and finishes on the full moon day of May.
The mountain standing at 2,243 meters is by far the most popular Mountain in the Country.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage has mixed reviews and people have different views about the place. The elephants here have lost their herds and have become orphans in the Wild. They were then rescued from being lonely by the Wildlife conservation department and brought to Pinnawala orphanage. If they were not rescued they would have died as they are sociable animals and cannot live on their own. All the elephants you see at the orphanage would have been dead if the Pinnawala orphanage did not exist.
There are nearly a hundred Elephants here and feeding them is no easy task. Hence, The Pinnawala orphanage has no choice, but to expose the elephants to tourists to make some money to feed the Elephants.
If you can see both sides of the story, then The Pinnacle Orphanage is a good place to visit.

Nature’s Playground – Kitulgala

Kitulgala is the one and only base for white water rafting in Sri Lanka. The Keleni River which flows through the little village, and starts up in Adam`s peak. You have the opportunity to do grade three or grade one rafting. You get to see the location of the film “Bridge over the River Kwai` from your raft. The wet evergreen vegetation gives you the feeling of an isolated rainforest. Abseiling, cannoning, and kayaking too can be done at Kithulgala.
Kithulgala is home to a lot of rear birds making it a paradise for bird watchers. There are a lot of walks and treks that go through the little villages where you get to experience the real local walk of life

The Mountains in Isolation – Knuckles Range

If you like peace and quiet, The Knuckles range is the best. Known as the mountains in the mist, these isolated Mountain range has so much bio-diversity and different climatic zones. The climb to the Manigala Rock is an amazing experience through the rice paddy and the authentic vegetation native to the Knuckles range. The breathtaking views and the sound of the jungle in the middle of nowhere make this trek mystical and magical.

Bridge in the Sky – Nine Arch Bridge

The Nine arch bridge was built by the British, connecting two mountains in 1921. This bridge is seen as a railway wander as the firm nine arches are still standing tall in the wilderness. The bridge is between the famous Ella and Demodara train stations and you can easily walk to the bridge from Ella along the train track. The best time to visit the bridge is to see the train going over it around 3.30 pm. If you are in the train from Ella to Demodara, the best view of the bridge is on the left.

The Sacred City of Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura was the first ancient Capital of Sri Lanka from the 1 century BC till the 10th century AD. This is claimed to be the longest-lived capital in the World which was 1500 years. The City that was flourishing at that time showcases the glory of the Srilankan civilization. Abayagiriya the tallest relic temple, Srimahabodhiya the oldest tree with recorded history, Ruwanweli Saya the temple with Jewells and the twin ponds with detailed stone sculptures are living proofs of that advanced and innovative civilization.

Sri Lanka is a wonderful destination for travelers looking for adventure, culture, and relaxation. A journey to this lovely country can be both memorable and unforgettable.

We can help you to create beautiful memories in Sri Lanka with careful planning.

Best Eco-Friendly Resorts in Sri Lanka

Best Eco-Friendly Resorts in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is very much focused on Eco- friendly Tourism. 25% of the country’s land is protected forest and there are strict laws to ensure that it remains as it is. There are some hotels and resorts that are very keen to preserve the environment and run the hotels with a minimum negative impact. As a responsible and sustainable travel company, we take the initiative to promote these hotels. There are a lot of Eco-friendly hotels, but we cannot list all of them for obvious reasons. We have listed some of the best Eco- friendly resorts below. We work with these hotels closely and know that they truly are trying to make a difference.

Polwattha Eco- Lodges- Digana- Kandy

Polwaththa Eco Lodges consists of 15 lodges spread out in a pristine environment, giving you a ‘Living-in-the-Jungle’ experience. Situated 19km east of Kandy each lodge offers basic comfort with great views and privacy. Activities include Yoga, local cooking lessons, a wide choice of treks through nature, quaint villages, rice fields, tea plantations, waterfalls, rivers, and the famous Knuckles Mountains. The community interactions and school projects provide a rewarding experience to the visitors. The environment and the local community are at the heart of our operations. The Hotel practices the 3Rs. They make all our purchases from within 5km. They operate a very successful re-forestation project where you can plant a tree. On a larger scale, they purchase land for reforestation. Polwaththa offers a pristine environment with average day temperatures of 26C and night temperatures of 22C with hardly any mosquitoes. We are pet friendly with 7 dogs and 5 cats, living in harmony with wild boar, deer, porcupines, giant squirrels, monkeys, butterflies, bats, fireflies, and insects. Over 60 species of birds including 15 endemic species can be seen within the hotel premises. Authentic Sri Lankan meals are cooked in clay pots using firewood to give you a taste of real Sri Lankan village culture.

 

Camping with Mahoora- Yala, Udawalawa, Wilpatthu

Mahoora is a provider of authentic, mobile-luxury adventure in the Sri Lankan wilderness. All Mahoora Elite & Premium Campsites border Sri Lanka’s most famous National Parks, such as Udawalawe, Yala (in the wetlands of southern Sri Lanka), and Wilpattu (the lowland dry zone of the northwest coast). All three locations provide premium safari experiences where you can see elephants, leopards, and hundreds of bird species. We recommend the top-of-the-line, all-inclusive Mahoora Elite. It is a carbon-neutral safari experience covering game drives in the national parks, traveling in an exclusive jeep, and being guided by an experienced naturalist. You will stay in a spacious tented (32’x10.8’) accommodation with a bedroom, a living area, an ensuite bathroom, and a veranda. Meals are freshly prepared Sri Lankan food that you can wash down with arrack, the local liquor.

 

Gal Oya Lodge in Ampara

This lodge is the perfect hideout if you’re looking to seek adventures in Sri Lanka. You will have the opportunity of visiting the minority indigenous group of people living in central Sri Lanka – the Veddas. Gal Oya Lodge offers a walking tour that’s accompanied by the village head, who will pass on his knowledge of how his ancestors worked in the land. The hotel is very carefully designed to blend in with nature with a minimum impact on the Environment. The boat safari to the Gal Oya National Park is the most popular excursion where you get to see Elephants swimming between Islands. Gal Oya Lodge is a paradise for Bird watchers and the many footpaths leading from the hotel give you easy access to explore the wildlife.

 

TRI- Ahangama

Situated on the bank of the eco-diverse Koggala Lagoon, Tri is a hideout that offers sustainable luxury. A hotel built with local materials and guided by its surroundings, Tri has green roofs, solar arrays, and edible gardens. We love the compact and comfy Water Tower Room on the cinnamon-wood-covered hilltop. It has a king-size bed, and the ensuite bathroom has slate floors, hand-cut terrazzo walls, and a rainfall shower. One of the best things about Tri is its locale. You can get on a bike to experience the countryside or take a tour of the lagoon to visit Cinnamon Island—the source of some of the best cinnamon in the world. For some city life, ride a tuk-tuk to the colonial town of Galle for some gelato. After a day of exploring, you can unwind at Tri with a massage or a quantum yoga class.

 

Forest Rock Garden Hotel- Anuradhapura

Forest Rock Garden is one of, if not the most beautiful settings on the soil of Sri Lanka that gives you an extraordinary experience over and beyond your expectations. Forest Rock Garden Hotel is a living masterpiece that gives its guests the once-in-a-lifetime experience to go back into the golden days of the Anuradhapura Kingdom, which was flourishing 2000 years ago, with utmost luxury and a great sense of royalty, serenity, and peace. The Hotel is in an area of 50 acres. The efforts they have made to preserve nature are very noticeable and the passion for Responsible Tourism is evident at Forest Rock Garden. Anuradhapura which carries the torch of being the first capital of ancient Sri Lanka offers a number of historical places to explore. The sacred city of Anuradhapura is home to a number of religiously significant sites which include the Ruwanwelisaya, The Sri maha bodhi tree, The Abayagiri Monastery, The Twins Pond, The Samadhi Buddha Statue, Mirisawetiya, Isurumuniya & Thuparama dagoba. The Wilpatthu National Park can be visited from the Forest Rock Garden, which is the largest National park in Sri Lanka.

 

5 Festivals Not to Miss in Sri Lanka

5 Festivals Not to Miss in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a country with many festivals. Most of them are Buddhist festivals where the Srilankan traditions are well exposed. Hindu, Muslim and Christian festivals too are celebrated in Srilanka, showcasing the ethnic unity and the harmony of the people. All the festivals are public Holidays in Sri Lanka and this allows the people to celebrate these festivals in style. Srilanka has over 30 public Holidays and most of them are to, celebrate the Festivals. Out of the many festivals we have, we have picked the top five and listed them below.




 

Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations




.New Year

This is by far the most popular festival celebrated in Sri Lanka. The traditional Srilankan New Year
arrives on the 14th of April at the given auspicious time by the Astrologist which varies every year. All
the traditional food and sweets made over the New Year is a key feature in the celebrations. Every
one join in the traditional Srilankan games making it a fun event. This is the family time for
Srilankans and most families get together leaving big cities like Colombo deserted. The instrumental
factor of the celebrations is the pre-determined auspicious times for activities such as the first meal,
first bath, first day to work or school etc of the New Year prolonging the celebrations for about a
week.

Vesak Poya






This is called the festival of light or the festival of enlightenment. This falls on the full moon
day of the month of May to commemorate the Birth, Enlightenment and passing away of
Buddha. The whole Country will be illuminated with colourful pandalls and lanterns. People
travel around for days sightseeing enjoying the so much varied art work. The temples get
very busy with people dressed in white offering flowers and lighting oil lamps.

Vel Festival






 

This is a Hindu festival that is held in July /August. The event exhibits Hinduism’s rich
cultural and religious legacy. The celebrations mainly take place in Colombo where pilgrims
gather for the procession.
You hear the sound of drums from a distance, smell the burning incense, chants, and
colourful dances in their vibrant costumes parading the streets of Colombo. The
celebrations honour the defeat of bad forces and evil . The Vel festival is dedicated to
God Skandha, The God of victory.

Kandy Esala Perahera






This is by far the most popular event for Tourists. This procession is claimed to be the
largest unpaid procession in Asia. There are colourful dances , over 50 Elephants ,
Drummers and temple officials walking in the procession that will fill the streets of Kandy
in the central hills of Srilanka. There are self-mortification activities such as walking of
fire, hanging on hooks etc. This festival is held to pay homage to the Tooth relic of Buddha
that starts ten days before the full moon day of August and finishes on the full moon day.

Maha Shivarathri






This festival is been held to celebrate the marriage of Lord Shiva to Parvati and is an
important for Hindus. . This festival takes place in March and there are many traditions that
are followed by the devotees during the festival
People come to temples in bright and vibrant dress for the event. This festival is mainly
focused on the spiritual attributes.
Above are a few of many festivals SriLankans celebrate. Within your holiday of two weeks,
there is every chance that you could experience a festival as we have that many.

Visit Srilanka and we will tell you more about Srilanka
when you are here. Book with us right now!

Visit the historical City of Sri Lanka- Kandy

Visit the historical City of Sri Lanka- Kandy

Visit the historical City of Sri Lanka- Kandy

Kandy was the last indigenous capital, the second-largest city and the most visited city by
Tourists of the island. It is a three-hour drive from the Airport to Kandy. The ancient Hill
Capital has so much to offer to the Tourists. It`s old Colonial Buildings that are well blended
with the modern City showcases the ancient glory and the most noticeable is, the Queens
The hotel is in the Heart of the City. Kandy is up in the Central hills with amazing views and
is a couple of Degrees cooler than Colombo and the Low Country. The Highlight in Kandy is the
Temple of the Tooth which houses a Tooth of Buddha. This active Temple is at its best during
the ceremony which happens three times a day. The best time to visit the Temple is 9.30 am,
as you get to see the colorful Ceremony with Monks and Drummers.

During the time of the Ceremony, you get to see the Casket of the Tooth, The Buddha Statue
carved out of a Cristal, The Library with old Palm Books, etc

The Kandy Market is a place that`s not been missed by Tourists. The verity of Fruits is a
highlight to the Tourists as they get to try some of the Fruits that they have never tasted
before. The vegetable market is so colorful and vibrant with so many different types of
Vegetables that have brought over from all four corners of the Country.
Walking around the Kandy Lake, Visiting a Hindu Temple, Trek in Udawattha Kelee Nature
reserve, Visiting the Garrison War Cemetery and Visiting the Botanical Garden are popular
activities in Kandy.

The Botanical Garden is a place where you can easily spend a day with peace and Quiet. The
Highlights are the Orchid House, Royal Palm avenue, and the Ficus Benjameena tree.
The less-visited hidden Gem in Kandy is the Hantana Mountain range that offers amazing views
of the area.