ESSENTIAL SRI LANKA

Immersive Travel in Sri Lanka

We remain committed to curating only a limited number of low footfall luxury holidays in Sri Lanka each year. We’re always pushing boundaries to add on to our expanding collection of innovative and inspiring luxury travel experiences for our guests. Each year, we explore our island connecting with storytellers and people who intrigue us. That's how an itinerary is tailor made for you.

Travel Tips

We recommend a clock-wise route for travel between December to March - ending your holiday to Sri Lanka by the southern beaches or anti-clockwise if you travel between April – September to enjoy the eastern beaches.

Culture

Our local community-based Guides are handpicked after much deliberation on their skills as engaging storytellers. They will inspire you with centuries old stories about visionary Kings of Anuradhapura – Sri Lanka’s first Royal Kingdom, the mesmerising Sigiriya Lion Rock, the architectural marvels from Polonnaruwa’s ancient civilisation, the Caves of Dambulla and the eclectic 17th century Dutch fort in Galle.

The Hills and Ceylon Tea

Relax up in the beautiful hills. Learn about Royalty, historic battles and Buddhism as you explore the World Heritage Site of Kandy. We offer our exclusive and private biodiversity treks with our own Ayu in the Wild Naturalists. Each trek can be tailor made based on your fitness level to explore around Hatton, Dickoya, Ella, the quieter hills of Haputale, Horton Plains or Liptons Seat for you to learn about life revolving around our island’s Ceylon Tea-Story. One of the world’s most scenic railway journeys can be included as a short train trip. You don't need to travel all the way through between Kandy to Ella.

Wildlife Safaris in Sri Lanka

We offer our exclusive and private African styled safaris with Ayu in the Wild Naturalists who bring in their knowledge of animal behaviour and ecology. If you travel during July – September you will love learning all about wild elephants at the famous ‘Gathering’ in Minneriya. Between December and April you can spot Blue Whales off Mirissa. This trip can be tailor made as a complete wildlife holiday in Sri Lanka with responsible wildlife safaris that are non-intrusive. As always, we strongly advocate against elephant back rides and the display of captive wild animals, including turtles.

Beach

You will be spoilt on one of our gorgeous beaches at a luxury beach resort in the East between April - September or a stylish private beach villa in the South between December – March. As part of Ayu in the Wild’s responsible travel efforts we do not promote any unregulated Turtle Hatcheries that dot the southern coast of Sri Lanka.

Wow moments

Enjoy authentic experiential travel as we take you to meet inspiring locals, who will share with you the secrets of their craft. Unmask the basics of traditional dance and drumming, learn to cook delicious Sri Lankan food like the locals do, spend a morning with mountain farmers in the middle of nowhere, observe village-life amidst rice-paddies or take our ‘Other-Side-of-Colombo’ Street Food Tour ending at sunset.

Exclusive Travel Experiences

The very best luxury Sri Lanka itinerary is not something we can repeat because each trip we curate is based on how we get to know you.With our personal contacts to Sri Lanka’s top experts we make extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences possible. Be guided by a Palaeontologist and his insights on fossils locked in ancient sedimentary rocks, be awed by a conservationists’ views of the evolutionary relationships of our wild species, see blue whales off the coasts in the company of a famed author on marine mammals or fly to the mountains for a magical culinary evening with culinary wizard accompanied by Ceylon’s acclaimed musicians. Pricing varies based on your requirements.

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SRi lanka Accommodation

Read about our favourite collection of the best holiday accommodation in Sri Lanka and why we love these luxury lodges, boutique hotels, our handpicked Sri Lanka private beach villas or popular Sri Lanka accommodation you can't miss.