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SRI LANKA - Galle Fort Overhead 2

Galle Fort is the old part of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best preserved colonial sea fortress in Asia.

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Pointe de Galle Light is an onshore lighthouse in Galle and is Sri Lanka's oldest light station.

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Sri Lanka is home to some of the best wildlife in Asia. Here you will witness enchanting birdlife, elephants, monkeys, peacocks, crocodiles, buffalo, deer, bears and the world's highest density of the elusive leopard

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Wind your way through Sri Lanka's verdant Tea Country by train to reach charming colonial-style hill stations.

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Stay within Bogawantalwa Valley's mist-shrouded tea plantations.

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Tea Trails 3
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Overlook the mesmerising Castlereagh lake from up high at Dunkeld Bungalow, the latest addition to the Ceylon Tea Trails.

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Take in the phenomenal views over Sri Lanka's rolling hills from Thotalagala's prime position in Haputale.

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SRI LANKA - Knuckles Mountain Range Sri Lanka

Venture into the wickedly named Knuckles Mountains! These thick forested mountains are perfect for those who love to hike, mountain bike or explore local villages and discover waterfalls. The flora and fauna is impressive and there are many species of mammals found amongst these forests including elephants, giant squirrels and leopards.

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SRI LANKA - Amanwella.

Base yourself at the Amanwella in Tangalle, a super slick, James Bond-esque beach resort located in the fishing village of Tangalle.

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Sri Lanka Banner 2

During a stay at Amangalla, explore the historic town of Galle by foot, passing friendly locals as you go.

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SRI LANKA - Yala National Park - leopard

Head to Yala National Park to witness enchanting birdlife, elephants, monkeys, peacocks, crocodiles, buffalo, deer, bears and the highest density in the world of the elusive leopard

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SRI LANKA - Heritance Kandalama

Join wandering elephants at Heritance Kandalama, an architectural marvel of a hotel enveloped in vegetation and the centrepiece of the Geoffrey Bawa pilgrimage route.

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Go whale watching in Mirissa and Weligama Bay to see these magnificent creatures leaping in and out of the ocean.

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Be treated to great service at luxury hotels like Kahanda Kanda, our favourite boutique hotel in Galle.

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We highly recommend the luxury eco-resort of Ulagalla, which is within easy reach of the attractions of the Cultural Triangle.

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Sri Lanka -Dambulla Caves

Enter another world at the wildly atmospheric Dambulla Caves, Sri Lanka's most extraordinary cave temple complex.

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The extraordinary ancient city of Polonnaruwa was the island's medieval capital between the 11th and 13th century.

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SRI LANKA - Polonnaruwa

Visit the extraordinary ancient city of Polonnaruwa, which was the island's medieval capital between the 11th and 13th century.

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Bask in the Sri Lankan sun at The Last House in Tangalle, under the shade of frangipani trees.

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Sri Lanka - Perahera Festival

Visit during the spectacular Perahera Festival in Kandy, which comprises of ten nights of lively festivities, involving bejewelled elephants, street dancers and drummers.

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Sri Lanka - Perahera Festival (1)
Take in the Perahera Festival at the Temple of the Tooth, Sri Lanka's most holy Buddhist temple where it is said that Buddha's tooth is buried 24/37
SRI LANKA - Kahanda Kanda living room bar

Kahanda Kanda near Galle is one of Sri Lanka's chicest addresses and a wonderfully stylish spot for an arak sour at the living room bar

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SRI LANKA - Jaffna local swimming pool
Cool off in Jaffna by visiting a local swimming pool 26/37
SRI LANKA - Sigiriya Rock

Take in the exhilarating views from the top of Sigiriya Rock

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SRI LANKA - Kids at Dambulla

Make friends with smiley local school kids playing at Dambulla cave temple

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SRI LANKA - Tangalle market

Soak up the sights, smells and smiles at Tangalle food market which takes place once a week

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SRI LANKA - Castlereagh Lake views (1)

Castlereagh Lake in Sri Lanka's central Tea Country, a stone's throw from one of her chicest boutique bungalows, Castlereagh, which is part of the Ceylon Tea Trails.

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SRI LANKA - Amangalla roof bar

Enjoy sundowners at the Amangalla roof bar with views over the walled fort town of Galle

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SRI LANKA - Amanwella Tangalle The South Sri Lanka 18

The Amanwella’s ultra sexy 45-metre infinity pool is back by an elegant restaurant and looks out over a gorgeous coconut grove and the sea beyond. 

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SRI LANKA - Villa Bentota

Set on a former coconut plantation a stone's throw from a dazzling beach is one of Sri Lanka's most sophisticated boutique hotels: the Villa Bentota

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SRI LANKA - Amangalla Zaal

The Amangalla's Zaal is the grandest living room in Sri Lanka and the perfect location for a glamorous party - New Year's Eve celebrations here are incredible!

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SRI LANKA - Amangalla exterior, Galle, Sri Lanka, Ampersand Travel

Amangalla is steeped in history: once home to a Dutch commander and a billet for British soldiers, it has been revamped by Kerry Hill who has maintained the unique history of the building allowing you step right back to Galle’s colonial heyday.

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Sri Lanka, 20 Middle Street, Galle

Treat yourself with a stay at one of Sri Lanka's most exclusive and beautifully designed villas - 20 Middle Street, Galle - which sleeps 6 people, and is situated next door to the Amangalla.

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Sri Lanka: Best time to go

Sri Lanka is a year-round holiday destination. With a similar tropical climate to South India, the heat of the lowlands is modified by coastal breezes and the hill country can be much cooler due to its altitude, but generally, the temperature variance is not so vast throughout the year. However, the country’s two monsoon seasons can be complicated and affect different regions at different times of year - a particularly important aspect to note when scheduling in some down time on one of Sri Lanka’s beautiful beaches.

December to April is considered peak season for most destinations in Asia, and Sri Lanka is no exception. Floating in the Indian Ocean, when the northeast monsoon hits at this time of year, the best weather can be found on the southern coast, with temperatures hitting highs of 30°C, the palm framed beaches of Weligama and Tangalle make for a golden beach escape and a surfer’s haven. The calm and stable weather of the south coast also means that whale spotting in Mirissa is greater than any other time of year. Heading into the colonial town of Galle, the mornings are at a comfortable temperature to explore this historic town by foot, finishing the day watching the glorious sunset over the western shores.

Further along the west coast towards the city of Colombo, the sleepy resort destination of Bentota and seaside town of Negombo, the average temperature from December to April rarely drops below 30°C. Come May though, the humidity can reach up to 90% as the southwest monsoon sets in across the south west until September. This is when Sri Lanka’s east coast comes into a life of its own, and from April to September there is a positive movement of locals and returning holidaymakers enjoying some of Sri Lanka’s less developed coastal towns, such as Trincomalee and Arugam Bay. With an array of luxury hotels opening up, pristine stretches of beach and temperatures between 25-35°C, the east coast is becoming more popular to visit before its own monsoon whistles in from October to January.

When one coast is experiencing rainfall and the other quite the opposite, pockets of the island’s Tea Country can be influenced by both monsoons. Southern hillside towns such as Ella, Nuwara Eliya, Haputale and Hatton sit up to approximately 2,000 metres above sea level. For much of the year this region is cooler with lows of 17°C and reduced humidity, it’s the perfect weather to take on Adam’s Peak and other challenging hikes.

Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle (Dambulla, Anuradhapura and Sigiriya) is located in the dry zone. Apart from some rainfall in November and December, and strong heat during June and July, conditions remain placid throughout the rest of the year, so you can always fit in some UNESCO visits during your bespoke tour.

N.B. All information given here is to the best of our knowledge, however, changes do occur, sometimes at short notice. Ampersand cannot be held liable for such happenings. Of course, if you have any tips that you feel would benefit other travellers, please pass them onto us and we will add them.

There are direct flights to Colombo from the UK and most major European cities, as well as from Delhi, Cochin, Chennai and many other Indian cities. If you are considering a holiday to Sri Lanka then it works very well as a two-centre holiday with the Maldives or with destinations in India.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the appropriate visa(s) for your trip.

All passport holders must apply for a visa before travelling to Sri Lanka. The cost for this is $35 for 30 days. Applications are made online through www.eta.gov.lk. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after your return from Sri Lanka and have at least 2 blank pages.

If you would like to use a visa service to process your visa on your behalf, we recommend CIBT Visas. They have expert knowledge in visa requirements, and are dedicated to ensuring that obtaining your visas is as efficient and hassle-free as possible.

CIBT provide various levels of visa service, including detailed information about which visas and documentation you and your party require, clear and user-friendly application forms, and a full concierge service to manage your application from start to finish. There is a team of experts on hand to offer advice, and liaise with embassies on your behalf.

Ampersand can personally endorse the services CIBT provides, and our partnership secures a 20% discount on all CIBT services fees for our clients. We would highly recommend speaking to a specialist at CIBT to determine which service would best suit your needs.

You can begin the process of finding out which visas you require and how to apply by following this link. This will log you in to the Ampersand CIBT account, securing your dedicated discount. For more information, please contact the CIBT visa team on 020 7593 6100 or info@cibtvisas.co.uk, or discuss with your Ampersand consultant.

It is essential to visit your GP as soon as possible to check if you need any vaccinations prior to travel. Risk for vaccine preventable diseases can change at any time. MASTA (Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad) can supply a quick and easy online Travel Health Brief. This includes easy to understand vaccination advice for single or multi-country trips. Their website is www.masta-travel-health.com

London - Colombo: 10 hours 45 minutes

We highly recommend you reconfirm your onward and return international flights at least 72 hours prior to departure.


Client Testimonials

Getting to Amanpulo from Manila was very simple and the beach was the most beautiful I’d ever been on; pristine white sand, not a single piece of rubbish in sight. You get your own solar powered golf buggy to drive around resort (and a butler at request). The views from the Hillside Casita were spectacular!
- Mr Wyburd, Philippines
Without question, you put together the best trip I have ever taken. We were shown around like visiting dignitaries, the hotels were fantastic and the itinerary was just right. Everybody I know will hear about how amazing Ampersand is!
- Leslie Siben, India
Ampersand provided a bespoke and flexible holiday, tailored to my every whim. Their highly professional staff had only one goal which was to arrange an exceptional holiday and some unforgettable experiences in India. I have no hesitation in fully recommending them and they will be the first company I approach in the future - 10/10
- Anonymous, India
Ballyfin was great - we loved it! Best things were the amount of space, it felt like you had the whole place to yourself, the history of the house, and the staff. We'd definitely recommend it. Thanks very much for all the help getting it booked!
- Mr Wyburd, Ireland
Difficult to choose the highlight of the trip, can’t choose between… 1) Taj Mahal & Oberoi Amarvilas. 2) Ranthambore. 3) Lake Palace. We have to say a particular thank you for selecting Parmod as our driver. He is a delightful and kind man who took our holiday and our enjoyment as his responsibility. Thank you for putting together such an amazing trip for us. The balance of city and rural destinations was perfect for us and the variety of rooms and hotel types brilliant. Our driver and guides also added so much to the trip with their knowledge of India’s history and culture and their willingness to discuss it both from a professional and personal angle.
- Carruthers family, North India
Everything you did for us whilst we were away was hugely appreciated, and Ampersand has been exemplary in every way. I'll always recommend you!
- Mr Richard Stoughton, Sri Lanka
We have just returned back from a wonderful trip. Thank you very much for organising everything. The transfer was excellent – for once they had perfect car seats. The villa was lovely, just what we needed and the hotel had helpfully put us as far away as possible from everyone else. The breakfast buffet was the best I have ever seen – and I am slightly obsessive over breakfast!! There was an incredible choice, something for everyone and so beautifully presented. A real highlight of the trip. Thank you again for sorting everything - and at such short notice!
- Redmayne family, Phuket
We had a wonderful holiday - everything was perfect. Thank you for helping us to make a thoughtful plan to enjoy and make most out of our trip. The places we visited, the guides, the transportation and driver, the hotels selected... Everything was great!
- Jaime Benitez, South India
We really enjoyed the trip and were happy that we squeezed so much into a few short days. The Burmese people were lovely and the sites were fantastic. We really enjoyed the balloon ride and would highly suggest it to others in the future. The trip went super smoothly and a good time plus learning happened for all. Yangon was nice as the Strand was quite amazing and we of course loved the giant gold temple. Many thanks for all of your help and look forward to future travel with you.
- Wallace Family, Burma
I barely know where to begin... though a sincere 'thank you' would be the best. You have organised this trip perfectly. May was an inspiring and delightful companion in Myanmar – thoroughly professional and friendly at the same time. My accommodation throughout has been superb, especially The Governor's Residence and The Mandarin Oriental. The view from the cottage at Inle Lake was beautiful and I loved every moment of being there. And here I am now on the last leg of this extended holiday at my favourite place. I could stay here for ever, the peace, silence and surroundings all amazing, plus the people and the whole aura of Vana. Thank you for much, and I look forward to speaking to you on my return.
- Ms Margulies, Burma, India & Thailand
I had a very lovely time and was looked after splendidly. My first visit to India could not have been better, save for being longer! But I shall return at some point and I shall look to you to make the arrangements.
- Matthew Nicklin, North India
So many highlights to choose from! The hotels were amazing but Maya Villa was a highlight… I loved just hanging out in the hammock reading my book and watching the peacocks chase the cows!
- Krista Weir, Sri Lanka
Ampersand’s preparation, attention to detail and interaction before and during our trip show exactly why good travel agents have a role in today’s internet booking age. They were a delight to deal with!
- Mr David Wallace, North India
Difficult to articulate just how good the service from you and your team really was. We know you will continue to do well and hope we have the chance to seek your assistance again before long.
- Mr & Mrs Manson, North India
I would recommend Ampersand without any hesitation!!! The best travel agent that I’ve ever had. Everything – from the individual care and attention in planning the trip, through to the efficiency of the agents on the ground in India – was handled brilliantly. An absolutely first-class service all round!
- Matthew Annable, Rajasthan, India
I thought the Ampersand team was outstanding. We couldn’t have hoped for anything more.
- Mr Geoffrey Johnson, India

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