Sri Lanka Holidays
'' Sri Lanka at a glance''
Adventure Tours
Sri Lanka's diversity of topography and climate results in the island being the perfect year round location for activity and adventure. And there's a host of experienced operators offering a plethora of services ranging from white water rafting and hot air ballooning to trekking, cycling and surfing & many more...
Nature Voyagers is the Nature Based Tours division of Aitken Spence Travels. With us you can do Eco tours in Sri Lanka, your ideal destination for wildlife, adventure and nature holidays. Enjoy safari, camping, canoeing, whitewater rafting, cycling and mountain biking activities as well as bird, leopard and elephant watching excursions. From the rainforests to the coral reefs, let us arrange your eco and adventure tours in Sri Lanka in a professional and responsible manner.
Nature Voyagers is the Nature Based Tours division of Aitken Spence Travels. With us you can do Eco tours in Sri Lanka, your ideal destination for wildlife, adventure and nature holidays. Enjoy safari, camping, canoeing, whitewater rafting, cycling and mountain biking activities as well as bird, leopard and elephant watching excursions. From the rainforests to the coral reefs, let us arrange your eco and adventure tours in Sri Lanka in a professional and responsible manner.
Beach Tours
Surrounded by the vast Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a typical beach country that offers a wide range of breathtakingly beautiful beaches. Some of them are always crowded with a variety of sporting activities on offer while others are defined by their very seclusion and tranquility. In other words we can simply say that Sri Lanka has something for everyone in terms of beaches. In fact, the Sri Lanka beach tours are so popular, that people all over the world are ever ready to grab the first given opportunity to have their fill of the sun, sand and water.
If you go for a Sri Lanka beach tour, you will come across some of the most beautiful beaches you have ever seen in your entire life. Fringed by lush green vegetation, all beaches in Sri Lanka are indeed a treat to the eyes of any beholder. In fact, Sri Lanka is indeed a beachcombers delight. Sri Lanka beach tours can be planned anytime because it is said that Sri Lanka is never out of season for a beach holiday. Indeed, life at the beaches never stop in Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lanka beaches have been classified as the north, south, east and west coast beaches. Each zone has its own share of beautiful beaches that can be said to be on par with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Some of the famous beaches in Sri Lanka are the Negombo Beach, Mt. Lavinia beach, Kalutara, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna and Trincomalee beach. For some exciting water sports there is nothing better than the Beruwala and Bentota beaches.
You can make your Sri Lanka beach tours luxurious and memorable by checking in at some of the beach resorts that line all the famous beaches. Besides, there are many other hotels and lodges available around the beaches that offer a comfortable stay to all their guests. On the whole, the Sri Lanka beach tours can give you some of the most enjoyable and memorable moments of your life. Do indulge in one collect a bagful of pleasant memories to last for a lifetime.
If you go for a Sri Lanka beach tour, you will come across some of the most beautiful beaches you have ever seen in your entire life. Fringed by lush green vegetation, all beaches in Sri Lanka are indeed a treat to the eyes of any beholder. In fact, Sri Lanka is indeed a beachcombers delight. Sri Lanka beach tours can be planned anytime because it is said that Sri Lanka is never out of season for a beach holiday. Indeed, life at the beaches never stop in Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lanka beaches have been classified as the north, south, east and west coast beaches. Each zone has its own share of beautiful beaches that can be said to be on par with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Some of the famous beaches in Sri Lanka are the Negombo Beach, Mt. Lavinia beach, Kalutara, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna and Trincomalee beach. For some exciting water sports there is nothing better than the Beruwala and Bentota beaches.
You can make your Sri Lanka beach tours luxurious and memorable by checking in at some of the beach resorts that line all the famous beaches. Besides, there are many other hotels and lodges available around the beaches that offer a comfortable stay to all their guests. On the whole, the Sri Lanka beach tours can give you some of the most enjoyable and memorable moments of your life. Do indulge in one collect a bagful of pleasant memories to last for a lifetime.
Wild Life Tours
Sri Lanka’s conservation efforts for fauna and flora dates back to 3rd century BC with the first recorded protected reserve in Mihintale, which believed to be the birth place of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka, despite being a small Island it is gifted with many wildlife attractions such as Big Games Parks, Rain Forests and Scenic Forests & Mountainous Reserves. Some of these offer easy safari game viewing by Jeeps while others required to be explored only by walking/trekking.
Sri Lanka is popular for its large population of Leopards and Elephants. But there are many other species like Sloth Bears, Crocodiles, Different verities of Deers, Monkeys, and over 400 verities of Birds which over 200 are resident and 26 are endemic.
Following are the most visited and most popular National parks and Protected Reserves in Sri Lanka,
Yala National Park – Located in the southernmost part of Sri Lanka and it’s a 6 to 8 hours of drive from Colombo/Airport. Popular for its Leopards density. This is the most visited and most popular National Park in the country.
Udawalawe National Park – Famous for its large Elephant population and the best and the easiest place to watch Elephants. It’s a 4 hours drive from Colombo/Airport.
Wilpattu National Park – The largest National park of Sri Lanka and it was very popular for its Leopards population. But the Park was closed for nearly 20 years due to recently ended war. Now it is opened for the public. The Jungle is very beautiful and very wild. The thickness of the jungle makes it little difficult to spot the animals. It is located in the North-West province of Sri Lanka and its 4 to 5 hours of drive from Colombo/Airport.
Sinharaja Rain Forest – UNESCO named a World Heritage site of the world. A natural rain forest and a very important bio diversity area. Though you cannot spot big mammals it is a beautiful place to see Flora, Reptiles, insects, birds and butterflies. To explore Sinharaja Rain Forest you must walk and cannot go by jeeps or any other vehicle.
Horton Plains National Park – A scenic plain in the Central highlands of Sri Lanka is another World Heritage site and undoubtedly one of the world’s best nature reserves. It was a home for large number Elephant population but they were killed during the colonial era. Horton Plains is the birth place of many rivers in Sri Lanka. Horton Plains can be accessed from Nuwara Eliya and Ohiya and its 6 hours drive from capitol Colombo/Airport.
Wasgamuwa National Park – Located in the North Central province of Sri Lanka and its popular for its aggressive and large herds of Elephants. It is approximately 5 hours drive from Colombo/Airport.
Knuckles Mountain Range Nature Reserve – Located in the Central province of Sri Lanka is very scenic mountainous and plain like nature reserve. It’s a trekker’s paradise. There are many trekking and hiking possibilities. Knuckles mountain range is popular for its scenic landscapes and rural and authentic Sri Lankan villages. It is approximately 6 hours drive from Colombo/Airport.
Sri Lanka, despite being a small Island it is gifted with many wildlife attractions such as Big Games Parks, Rain Forests and Scenic Forests & Mountainous Reserves. Some of these offer easy safari game viewing by Jeeps while others required to be explored only by walking/trekking.
Sri Lanka is popular for its large population of Leopards and Elephants. But there are many other species like Sloth Bears, Crocodiles, Different verities of Deers, Monkeys, and over 400 verities of Birds which over 200 are resident and 26 are endemic.
Following are the most visited and most popular National parks and Protected Reserves in Sri Lanka,
Yala National Park – Located in the southernmost part of Sri Lanka and it’s a 6 to 8 hours of drive from Colombo/Airport. Popular for its Leopards density. This is the most visited and most popular National Park in the country.
Udawalawe National Park – Famous for its large Elephant population and the best and the easiest place to watch Elephants. It’s a 4 hours drive from Colombo/Airport.
Wilpattu National Park – The largest National park of Sri Lanka and it was very popular for its Leopards population. But the Park was closed for nearly 20 years due to recently ended war. Now it is opened for the public. The Jungle is very beautiful and very wild. The thickness of the jungle makes it little difficult to spot the animals. It is located in the North-West province of Sri Lanka and its 4 to 5 hours of drive from Colombo/Airport.
Sinharaja Rain Forest – UNESCO named a World Heritage site of the world. A natural rain forest and a very important bio diversity area. Though you cannot spot big mammals it is a beautiful place to see Flora, Reptiles, insects, birds and butterflies. To explore Sinharaja Rain Forest you must walk and cannot go by jeeps or any other vehicle.
Horton Plains National Park – A scenic plain in the Central highlands of Sri Lanka is another World Heritage site and undoubtedly one of the world’s best nature reserves. It was a home for large number Elephant population but they were killed during the colonial era. Horton Plains is the birth place of many rivers in Sri Lanka. Horton Plains can be accessed from Nuwara Eliya and Ohiya and its 6 hours drive from capitol Colombo/Airport.
Wasgamuwa National Park – Located in the North Central province of Sri Lanka and its popular for its aggressive and large herds of Elephants. It is approximately 5 hours drive from Colombo/Airport.
Knuckles Mountain Range Nature Reserve – Located in the Central province of Sri Lanka is very scenic mountainous and plain like nature reserve. It’s a trekker’s paradise. There are many trekking and hiking possibilities. Knuckles mountain range is popular for its scenic landscapes and rural and authentic Sri Lankan villages. It is approximately 6 hours drive from Colombo/Airport.
Nature Tours
Sri Lanka is a country of spectacular beauty and gentle, gracious people. There's tremendous diversity in topography and scenery. Its diversity varies from the famous sandy beaches to the game reserves in the bush country to the unbelievable highlands and the tea plantations to the lush forests and jungles.
Nature Voyagers is the Nature Based Tours division of Aitken Spence Travels. With us you can do Eco tours in Sri Lanka, your ideal destination for wildlife, adventure and nature holidays. Enjoy safari, camping, canoeing, whitewater rafting, cycling and mountain biking activities as well as bird, leopard and elephant watching excursions. From the rainforests to the coral reefs, let us arrange your eco and adventure tours in Sri Lanka in a professional and responsible manner.
Being a member of “The International Eco Tourism Society” we are committed to work within the limits of “Responsible Tourism”. We together with our mother company participate and contribute to several social development work and support conservation projects.
Hiking and Trekking
Sri Lanka offers a generous supply of wilderness regions, national parks, hills, tea plantations, paddy fields and an enormous network of trails, making it a haven for hiking and trekking fans alike. A trek through the hardcore wilderness or a relaxed stroll through a nature reserve, take your pick!
The hill country offers a plethora of options with scenic locations such as Belihuloya, Horton Plains National Park, Bandarawela, the Knuckles Mountain Range, Adam’s Peak, wilderness sanctuary to name a few. Trekking along the various trails of the Sinharaja Rainforest is another fantastic option.
Canoeing and Kayaking
Over 100 rivers, swamps, interconnected canals and lagoons set the stage for an amazing canoeing or kayaking experience in Sri Lanka. One of the most popular locations for this is the Kalu Ganga (Black River) which flows towards the city of Kalutara (on the west coast) from the heart of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s massive tanks and reservoirs (e.g. Samanalawewa in the Sabaragamuwa province) also provide canoeists the pleasure of observing breathtaking landscapes and stunning views.
Whitewater Rafting
If you are looking for an experience in the water that provides stunning natural environments and is guaranteed to get you heart pumping, look no further. Enjoy white water rafting with real rapids and adventure, promising an enthralling adventure for water sports enthusiasts. Along with the most popular destination for white water rafting, Kithulgala (which offers 6 grades of varying levels of difficulty), you can also take your pick from excellent choices such as Ulapane-Gampola (Mahaweli River), Hatton-Nuwara Eliya (Kotmale River), and Avissawella (Sitawaka River)!
Mountain Biking & Cycling
Sri Lanka offers countless biking trails that encompass mountains, valleys, reservoirs, tropical rain forests, botanical gardens, beaches, ancient cities and scenic villages. Challenge yourself to some extreme mountain biking or pedal leisurely basking in the beautyof the countryside along pathways that four wheels cannot enter. Hop on a bike for a morning ride or even entire road trip on terrain that varies from flatlands to rolling hill and mountain passes. A wide range of choices from the Knuckled Mountain Ranges and the areas surrounding Adam’s Peak to Ella, Buduruwagala and ancient cities such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya await you.
Caving
Caving is a relatively new adventure in Sri Lanka. With the country offering an amazing range of caves, located in many parts, it is not surprising that it is fast becoming popular among travellers. Caving involves exploration, surveying, mapping and also photographing of caves. Keep in mind that some of these caves are over 500 million years old, and you are about to take a memorable ride back in time. Andirilena (Udagama), Batadombalena (Kuruwita), Batatotalena (Sudagala), Rawana Ella (Ella) and Sthripura (Welimada) are some of the most popular caves in the island.
Camping
Looking Fore get away from the concept of a “normal” holiday? Whether you like to sleep under the stars or cuddle up in a cosy cabin, Sri Lanka offers a wide range of camping options for the outdoorman in you. The tropical climate and lush green environment will give you a camping experience you will not forget. Some of the most popular campsites are located in the Knuckles Mountain Range, Mahiyangana, Wahawa, Yala, Sinharaja Rain Forest, Udawalawe and Gal Oya National Park to name a few.
Aboriginal Tribe
The indigenous people of Sri Lanka, the “Veddhas” is a community which consists of about 350 families, struggling to maintain their traditions and livelihoods through the years. Imagine an experience where you are welcomed to a “Veddha” village, nestled away from civilisation, to experience their traditions, rituals and even share a meal with them! One of the most popular of these aboriginal villages is Damabana, located about 300kms from Colombo.
Turtle Watching
Did you know that five out of seven sea turtles come ashore to Sri Lanka to nest? What better reason than that to make the country one of the most popular destinations to go turtle watching! Watching turtles nest is itself a rewarding experience. Kalpitiya and Rekawa are two of the most popular destinations for a memorable turtle watching experience, be it nesting or hatching.
National Parks
Approximately 8% of the land mass of Sri Lanka is covered by a number of national parks. Legend says that the world’s first wildlife and nature preserve was established in Mihinatale, way back in 247 BC. To-date Sri Lanka boasts of 15 national parks of which Yala, Wilpattu, Gal Oya and Udawalawe our the most popular amongst travellers. These national treasures are home to the best of wildlife the country has to offer – from a wide range of birds such as the peacock to animals such as elephants and leopards to name a few.
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Whale and Dolphin Watching on the Southern seas of Sri Lanka one of the world’s best locations to see Blue and Sperm whales along with hundreds of Dolphins. That’s not all, the money you spend on Whale watching will help the local community in Mirissa to have a better tomorrow.
Nature Voyagers is the Nature Based Tours division of Aitken Spence Travels. With us you can do Eco tours in Sri Lanka, your ideal destination for wildlife, adventure and nature holidays. Enjoy safari, camping, canoeing, whitewater rafting, cycling and mountain biking activities as well as bird, leopard and elephant watching excursions. From the rainforests to the coral reefs, let us arrange your eco and adventure tours in Sri Lanka in a professional and responsible manner.
Being a member of “The International Eco Tourism Society” we are committed to work within the limits of “Responsible Tourism”. We together with our mother company participate and contribute to several social development work and support conservation projects.
Hiking and Trekking
Sri Lanka offers a generous supply of wilderness regions, national parks, hills, tea plantations, paddy fields and an enormous network of trails, making it a haven for hiking and trekking fans alike. A trek through the hardcore wilderness or a relaxed stroll through a nature reserve, take your pick!
The hill country offers a plethora of options with scenic locations such as Belihuloya, Horton Plains National Park, Bandarawela, the Knuckles Mountain Range, Adam’s Peak, wilderness sanctuary to name a few. Trekking along the various trails of the Sinharaja Rainforest is another fantastic option.
Canoeing and Kayaking
Over 100 rivers, swamps, interconnected canals and lagoons set the stage for an amazing canoeing or kayaking experience in Sri Lanka. One of the most popular locations for this is the Kalu Ganga (Black River) which flows towards the city of Kalutara (on the west coast) from the heart of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s massive tanks and reservoirs (e.g. Samanalawewa in the Sabaragamuwa province) also provide canoeists the pleasure of observing breathtaking landscapes and stunning views.
Whitewater Rafting
If you are looking for an experience in the water that provides stunning natural environments and is guaranteed to get you heart pumping, look no further. Enjoy white water rafting with real rapids and adventure, promising an enthralling adventure for water sports enthusiasts. Along with the most popular destination for white water rafting, Kithulgala (which offers 6 grades of varying levels of difficulty), you can also take your pick from excellent choices such as Ulapane-Gampola (Mahaweli River), Hatton-Nuwara Eliya (Kotmale River), and Avissawella (Sitawaka River)!
Mountain Biking & Cycling
Sri Lanka offers countless biking trails that encompass mountains, valleys, reservoirs, tropical rain forests, botanical gardens, beaches, ancient cities and scenic villages. Challenge yourself to some extreme mountain biking or pedal leisurely basking in the beautyof the countryside along pathways that four wheels cannot enter. Hop on a bike for a morning ride or even entire road trip on terrain that varies from flatlands to rolling hill and mountain passes. A wide range of choices from the Knuckled Mountain Ranges and the areas surrounding Adam’s Peak to Ella, Buduruwagala and ancient cities such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya await you.
Caving
Caving is a relatively new adventure in Sri Lanka. With the country offering an amazing range of caves, located in many parts, it is not surprising that it is fast becoming popular among travellers. Caving involves exploration, surveying, mapping and also photographing of caves. Keep in mind that some of these caves are over 500 million years old, and you are about to take a memorable ride back in time. Andirilena (Udagama), Batadombalena (Kuruwita), Batatotalena (Sudagala), Rawana Ella (Ella) and Sthripura (Welimada) are some of the most popular caves in the island.
Camping
Looking Fore get away from the concept of a “normal” holiday? Whether you like to sleep under the stars or cuddle up in a cosy cabin, Sri Lanka offers a wide range of camping options for the outdoorman in you. The tropical climate and lush green environment will give you a camping experience you will not forget. Some of the most popular campsites are located in the Knuckles Mountain Range, Mahiyangana, Wahawa, Yala, Sinharaja Rain Forest, Udawalawe and Gal Oya National Park to name a few.
Aboriginal Tribe
The indigenous people of Sri Lanka, the “Veddhas” is a community which consists of about 350 families, struggling to maintain their traditions and livelihoods through the years. Imagine an experience where you are welcomed to a “Veddha” village, nestled away from civilisation, to experience their traditions, rituals and even share a meal with them! One of the most popular of these aboriginal villages is Damabana, located about 300kms from Colombo.
Turtle Watching
Did you know that five out of seven sea turtles come ashore to Sri Lanka to nest? What better reason than that to make the country one of the most popular destinations to go turtle watching! Watching turtles nest is itself a rewarding experience. Kalpitiya and Rekawa are two of the most popular destinations for a memorable turtle watching experience, be it nesting or hatching.
National Parks
Approximately 8% of the land mass of Sri Lanka is covered by a number of national parks. Legend says that the world’s first wildlife and nature preserve was established in Mihinatale, way back in 247 BC. To-date Sri Lanka boasts of 15 national parks of which Yala, Wilpattu, Gal Oya and Udawalawe our the most popular amongst travellers. These national treasures are home to the best of wildlife the country has to offer – from a wide range of birds such as the peacock to animals such as elephants and leopards to name a few.
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Whale and Dolphin Watching on the Southern seas of Sri Lanka one of the world’s best locations to see Blue and Sperm whales along with hundreds of Dolphins. That’s not all, the money you spend on Whale watching will help the local community in Mirissa to have a better tomorrow.
Bird Watching
Sri Lanka 's abundant bird-life makes the island a true Ornithologist's paradise. Of the 427 recorded species, 250 are resident and 23 are endemic to the country. With such a variety of environments ranging from wet to dry zone, forest to jungle, and hill country to low lands, there's no end to the fascinating locations in which to spot many of these beautiful birds. Most of the endemic birds (such as the Sri Lankan grackle) are restricted to the wet zone, while birds such as the Sri Lanka whistling thrush and the yellow-eared bulbul reside in the hill country. Others, like the brilliantly plumaged jungle fowl, the striking red-faced malkoha and the shy brown-capped babbler can be found in forests and sanctuaries throughout the island. Among the best areas for sighting these birds are the SINHARAJA RAIN FOREST Reserve and the ADAM'S PEAK WILDERNESS SANCTUARY .
The large lakes (irrigation reservoirs) in the dry zone attract numerous varieties of duck, while larger aquatic birds such as stork, heron, egret, spoonbill, pelican, and ibis can easily be seen in the wetlands, especially at Wirawila, Kalametiya and BUNDALA NATIONAL PARK (which is also famed for its large flocks of migrant flamingoes). Around mid-August the first migratory species arrive in Sri Lanka . Large flocks of sandpipers, stints, plovers, terns and harriers fly over from Nothern India, Siberia, Scandinavia and Western Europe and settle along the lagoons and salterns of the eastern, north-western and south-eastern coasts. In the forested areas of Sri Lanka , birds like migratory tree warblers, thrushes and cuckoos can be seen.
The large lakes (irrigation reservoirs) in the dry zone attract numerous varieties of duck, while larger aquatic birds such as stork, heron, egret, spoonbill, pelican, and ibis can easily be seen in the wetlands, especially at Wirawila, Kalametiya and BUNDALA NATIONAL PARK (which is also famed for its large flocks of migrant flamingoes). Around mid-August the first migratory species arrive in Sri Lanka . Large flocks of sandpipers, stints, plovers, terns and harriers fly over from Nothern India, Siberia, Scandinavia and Western Europe and settle along the lagoons and salterns of the eastern, north-western and south-eastern coasts. In the forested areas of Sri Lanka , birds like migratory tree warblers, thrushes and cuckoos can be seen.