Sri Lanka
Pearl of the Indian Ocean
Known as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, Sri Lanka charms travellers with its ancient cities, tropical interior, idyllic palm-fringed beaches and friendly people.
Few islands in the world offer the diversity that exists in Sri Lanka: ancient cities, rich religious festivals, colonial memories, rolling tea plantations, an astonishing variety of bird and animal wildlife and some of the best beaches in the Indian ocean. It showcases a bustling and chaotic way of life yet enchants visitors with a potpourri of cultures, religions, races, customs and its sheer natural beauty.
“The island of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) is a small universe: it contains as many variations of culture, scenery and climate as some countries, a dozen times its size. What you get from it depends on what you bring, if you never stray from your hotel bar or the dusty streets of westernized Colombo, you could perish of fulminating boredom in a week, and it would serve you right. But if you are interested in people, history, nature and art – all the things that really matter – you may find, as I have, that a lifetime is not enough.” The Sea of Sinbad, By Arthur C Clarke
You will love
- Golden beaches
- Epic wildlife
- Intoxicating culture & festivals
- Exotic culinary delights
- A plethora of UNESCO World Heritage sites
- Misty mountains & acres of tea
Let us design your perfect itinerary.
Unforgettable experiences in Sri Lanka
Spot leopards on safari
Spot leopards on safari
Sri Lanka is home to some phenomenal wildlife such as sloths, bears, elephants, water buffalos, wild boars, deer and golden jackal, but the star attraction must be the leopard. These elusive cats are notoriously hard to see but th...
Scale Sigiriya Rock
Scale Sigiriya Rock
Rising 200m up from the plains, Sigiriya Rock Fortress (or Lion Rock) was one of the most short-lived, yet fascinating citadels of ancient Sri Lanka. Built in just seven years, its construction would have been a spectacular feat a...
Travel by train through tea country
Travel by train through tea country
Take a scenic train journey from Kandy to Ella, through some of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful scenery and enjoy the magical landscapes of Hill Country as tropical banana trees give way to tea plantations and pine forests. You’ll ...
Turn back time at Galle fort
Turn back time at Galle fort
As Sri Lanka’s best preserved colonial townscape, Galle is a UNESCO World Heritage living time capsule perched on the coast close to the island’s southernmost point. At the heart of the city lies the famous fort, built by the ...
A selection of our favourite places to stay in Sri Lanka
Amangalla – Galle
Ceylon Tea Trails – Hatton
Heritance Kandalama – Dambulla
Ratwatte Walauwa – Kandy
Colonial Heritage Hotel
The grand ancestral home of one of Kandy’s most influential aristocratic families, Ratwatte Walauwa sits in six acres of lush gardens on the outskirts of a quiet village close to Kandy. It is a luxurious and nostalgic jungle escape and an excellent base to explore Kandy’s Botanical Gardens, the Temple of the Tooth and the charming town itself. ... Read More
The Wallawwa – near Colombo airport
Leopard Safaris Yala Camp – Yala NP
A collection of journeys in Sri Lanka
Tea, Sea and Safari in Sri Lanka
Inspiration Itinerary | Discover the very best of Sri Lanka
On this adventurous exploration of Sri Lanka take in the historic sights of the ‘cultural triangle’, the wildlife in Minneriya and Yala National Parks, the palm fringed shores of Lake Weligama and the living museum of Galle Fort. Journey through picturesque tea plantations, discover ancient cities and enjoy incredible wildlife viewing on this all encompassing journey through the Pearl of the Indian Ocean....Read More
Sri Lanka’s Cultural Heritage
Inspiration Itinerary | A focus on Sri Lanka's culture
Enjoy a journey of just under two weeks in the teardrop nation of Sri Lanka with a cultural focus. Journey to the UNESCO heritage cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura before arriving in Kandy to visit the nation's most important relic, the Temple of the Tooth. Board a delightful train journey to the tea country surrounding Hatton before exploring the Portuguese and Dutch influenced city of Galle and ending your journey on the beach in Bentota - bliss!...Read More
Family time in Sri Lanka
Inspiration Itinerary | Bring the 'brood' along
Experience the best of Sri Lanka on this itinerary that has been designed specifically for families. Spend your holiday away from the crowds and closer to nature. Explore, learn and relax as you immerse yourselves into Sri Lanka's fascinating, yet simple, island life. Tailored for the young, or young at heart, there is plenty to see, do and explore together!...Read More
An absolutely fantastic travel company - every one of the many trips they have organised for us over 22 years have been faultless and fabulous.
Judith & Roger Williams
Would do it all again and not change a moment. Best holiday ever!
The McGowan Tribe
It certainly was the best trip we have EVER had. The experiences were mind blowing. We want everyone we know to experience Africa - the animals, the people - magical.
Jo-anne & Dean Mifsud
The Classic Safari Company is the best I have dealt with. Extremely knowledgeable & professional, friendly, patient & understanding of first timers to Africa.
Annette Whiley
Classic Safari Company were brilliant - 10/10
Di & Kingsley Yates
Classic Safari is the place to go to for "top end" adventure travel.
Ron & Alison Guthrie
If you want the most sensational experience in Africa let Julia and the staff at Classic Safari Co plan it for you! Their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for their job means your every wish will be fulfilled.
Miriam & Joseph Harrison
Their experience and knowledge of Africa is evident and we couldn't have been happier with the total package. This has given us a taste for Africa - now we are ready for more.
Andrew & Pip Stevens
Classic Safari Company has done it again! A unique experience that ticked all the boxes - wildlife, culture and dining experience. A dream come true!
Ros Wheeler
Absolutely everything was first class & so well organised.
Simon & Jackie Adams
The trip of a lifetime, couldn't have dreamt of a better adventure if I tried.
Emma Jeffcoat
You can't improve on perfection. I had my best birthday and holiday with my family celebrating my 80th birthday in Africa. Everything that Julia organised was perfect and the whole trip was a highlight!
Buckingham Family
Everything was perfect! Advice and information on destinations and activities hit everything I had hoped to experience. I contacted the Classic Safari Company upon recommendation and have now, in turn, recommended to others.
Tim Bradley
Very knowledgeable and patient. Our trip was all that we hoped for. Wonderful!
Jane & Robert Happell
Thank you for making our trip to Africa so spectacular. The attention to detail really made it special. It really was the trip of a lifetime.
Paul Cozzi
An amazing experience - the best family holiday we have ever had. We were extremely impressed by the meticulous attention to our itinerary. I can't speak highly enough of all the elements of this exciting journey!
Sheryl & Robert Taylor
We loved it all. Our son wants to go back tomorrow. We would ALL go back again!
Laurence & Remi Cunningham
Classic Safari are the people who genuinely know other culture and offer incredible insight to perfectly meet your expectations.
Melanie McMillan & Iain Jones
The trip exceeded my expectations and was the best family holiday I have ever had. Our children simply loved it and now I know more about African wildlife than they do about our own farm animals.
Rowntree family
We are so happy we put our trust in CSC, we had an amazing adventure and would recommend them to anyone.
Kim & Brad Balance
Julia you did a fantastic job - everything was first class. Well organised, efficient and stress free. We all agreed it was the best holiday we've ever had. Cant wait to travel with CSC again.
Milford family
We wanted the opportunity to see as many wildlife parks as possible and the Classic Safari Company provided an action-packed itinerary that included six, with 11 tiger sightings and nine leopard. This was overlaid with an introduction to Jaisalmer, Jaipur and the 'real' India. Pench and Panna were the hidden gems of a really great trip, very well organised, seamless and enjoyable. As a solo traveller I felt incredibly safe at all times. I want to go back!
Mark Taylor
Exellent and wonderful, reaching way above expectations.
Elizabeth Mackintosh
Thank you for putting together the ancestral adventure of a lifetime. I cannot speak highly enough of the trip.
Jenny Kidd
