A relatively undemanding tour, mainly by bus, of most of Sri Lanka’s highlights ranging from amazing Buddhist images and the fascinating remains of a former capital to tremendous short hikes, a bike ride, a beautiful seaside hotel, wildlife safaris and visits to rural homes. The hotels were good or excellent and the mainly local food was very good with good non-local alternatives.
Kandy
Kandy Trips
Full of character, in Kandy memories of times gone by seem to hang in the air. Wander through the streets and you see fruit vendors with coconuts, jackfruit and pineapples piled high. Peeling paintwork clings to ramshackle buildings. Women in bright saris sell tasty treats from roadside stalls. Old boys chatter away on street corners as clapped-out cars honk their way round town.
Kandy is the laid-back centre of Sri Lanka‘s hill country and was once the capital of a powerful Buddhist kingdom. It’s home to the country’s most sacred Buddhist relic – a tooth of the Lord Buddha. Said to have been snatched from the flames of his funeral pyre, the tooth is housed in a golden casket inside the Temple of the Sacred Tooth. Every day there are ceremonies at the temple, where barefoot worshippers carrying lotus blossoms and frangipani file past the casket in reverence to this important religious relic.
Kandy Holidays
Gwilym Harbottle Discover Sri Lanka
Michael MacRae Cycle the Back Roads of Sri LankaThis trip was on the whole a very balanced experience. There was plenty of cycling combined with a wide range of cultural activities and enough free time to explore on one’s own. Hotels were all very comfortable. The people were welcoming and friendly and we came away with an impression of a country with plenty to offer. However, to call this trips “back roads” cycling is rather generous. There were plenty of days where cycling was in high traffic conditions and inhaling diesel fumes and pollution was rather unpleasant. Some of the roads were bumpy and dangerous.The cycling on the country roads was delightful. The support team was always on hand to make sure every aspect of the trip went smoothly.
Anne Day Discover Sri LankaThis was an amazing trip with such a varied itinerary – trying to remember everything we did at the end of it was quite a challenge. At the same time we didn’t feel over rushed although we were on the go much of the time. The hotels were great with really lovely swimming pools which we made the most of. We were lucky enough to travel with a great group of people who quickly became friends and to have a fantastic team taking us around this beautiful country.
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