Sri Lanka and Maldives holidays
No group tours.
Description of Sri Lanka and Maldives holidays
As Sri Lanka and Maldives holidays go, this tailor made two week trip promises a magical mix between culture, heritage and natural wonders in both of these stunning countries. As local experts, we have been creating holidays here for people for many years, finding you hotels or villas with some of the best locations. Such as in Sri Lanka, where your trip begins at the iconic and eco chic Heritance Kandalama hotel, located around a mountain with Sigiriya rock fortress on the horizon. This is just one of three points on Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, the artery of ancient Sinhalese civilisation, the other two being the vast palaces of Anuradhapura and the ruins of Polonnaruwa. From cultural to natural wonders, we also recommend a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park, where elephants are one of the island’s most spectacular sites.
To explore further south around Sri Lanka’s ancient capital of Kandy, you will stay at The Kandy House, an elegant colonial manor dating back to 1804 and perfectly located for exploring the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Moving on into Sri Lanka’s Hill Country and resplendent tea plantations, you will stay at Camellia Hills, a five-bedroom boutique hotel overlooking Castlereagh Reservoir on a mountainside amidst emerald tea bushes and pine forests. A contemporary interpretation of a tea planter’s bungalow, the bedrooms, inside and outside living spaces, and infinity pool boast stunning hill country views.
After flying to Maldives, where snorkelling and diving are always on the itinerary, we have chosen one of the most stupendous hotels for your dream holiday, at 5-star Angsana Ihuru resort. On its own palm-filled island, it has its own reef and a plethora of fine dive sites nearby, including the famous Rannamaari wreck. We believe that this hotel and island capture the essence of Maldives, famous for its archipelago of over a thousand islands and 26 atolls, with coral reefs encircling them. Sublime seascapes that are now world famous for being pure paradise holiday escapes.
The best time to go on Sri Lanka and Maldives holidays:
The best times to go to Sri Lanka are in between the monsoon seasons, although they hit the island in different regions. The southwest monsoon finishes in late October and so visitors favour the months between November and April. The east and north have different rainfall patterns, however, with rain falling between November and February but dry from March all the way through until September, making it perfect for European summer holiday makers. No matter when you travel to Sri Lanka, however, the temperatures are always beautifully warm.
In Maldives, rainfall seems to change every month. From New Year until April is low on rainfall, February is fabulous, and more rain kicks in between the months of May and October with the arrival of the monsoon.
Price information
No group tours.
Departure information
Holiday information
Reviews
4 Reviews of Sri Lanka and Maldives holidays
Reviewed on 12 Jan 2024 by Teri OToole
Great to have such a personalised trip based on our interests, and a passionate guide who stayed with us the whole trip. Great choices of eco- conscious trios and hotels, and they steered us away from unethical businesses, which was appreciated. Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Feb 2020 by Barbara Huntsman
Fantastic, and unforgettable experience. It leaves us wanting to return as soon as possible! Read full reviewReviewed on 02 Feb 2019 by Pauline Clark
The most memorable parts of the holiday were meeting the Sri Lankan people, seeing a leopard in Yala national park, staying in very interesting unusual accommodation. Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Apr 2017 by Annmarie Woodcraft
The highlight was staying in Ella and walking in the hill country and snorkelling in the Maldives. Very good, loved the Maldives. Read full reviewResponsible Travel
Planet
We actively encourage responsible and sustainable travel to Sri Lanka and Maldives. By working closely with our associate company in Sri Lanka and other partner organisations, we are endeavouring to promote cultural exchange, social awareness, self-employment and self-development.Guides
We only employ English-speaking Sri Lankan chauffeur guides who are all licensed by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board. Experienced guides for trekking, safaris and other specialist activities are hired locally and have extensive knowledge of their chosen area of expertise.
Restaurants & accommodation
We encourage travellers to eat at traditional restaurants, roadside eateries, street vendors and market stalls in order for them to enjoy and experience authentic Sri Lankan food. We actively promote small family-run guesthouses that employ local workers, or in the case of larger hotels, locally owned establishments.
Environmental projects
Behind the success of Angsana Ihuru lies the untold story of a steely faith in the power of environmental conservation. Environmental considerations were taken into account long before the resort was actually built. It was imperative that the villas on this fascinating island surrounded by shallow crystalline waters were built without damaging the beautiful coral reefs surrounding it. The solution was to transfer thatched roofs and other pre-fabricated building materials brought in from Indonesia to small boats and barges that could navigate the shallow waters without threatening its delicate marine life.
Such dedication to eco-conservation has since extended to the many marine conservation projects initiated by Angsana Ihuru, which pioneered marine biology research initiatives including turtle and coral projects particularly well received among resort guests. The resort was honoured with the first Maldivian Environment Preservation Award in 1996 and the President of the Maldives Green Resort Award in 2002. Indeed, in every aspect of the resort’s operations, the effects on the environment are given due consideration. For instance, to prevent oil spillage into the sea, fuel to power the resort’s generator is pumped directly into the storage tank via a 300-metre long oil pipe installed along the jetty so that oil tankers would not have to come too close to shore.
To preserve the ecological balance on the island, scarce water is not extracted from the underground water table but obtained by the ecologically friendly alternative of desalination. And instead of using environmentally harmful pesticides in the resort’s thriving herb and vegetable garden, chickens are reared to control the island’s insect population. It is precisely such a holistic approach to conservation that makes Angsana Ihuru truly eco-friendly.
People
Community-led projectsThe Asian Tsunami highlighted the plight of coastal communities in Sri Lanka and our initial projects were targeted at Sri Lankan individuals and communities devastated by the tsunami (please ask us for details). However, many other communities away from the coast also lack essential materials and services and our objective is to offer long-term support to such Sri Lankan individuals and communities. By channelling all donations received by Forgotten Village Sri Lanka (an independent charitable organisation) into community-based projects on the island, we hope to provide sustained assistance to these communities in their endeavour to improve their lives. We make a contribution to Forgotten Village Sri Lanka for every holiday booked.
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