Why You Should Visit Sri Lanka On Your Next Maldives Holiday
Warm tropical weather, fascinating cultural relics and jaw-dropping wildlife encounters are just a few of the many reasons to add Sri Lanka to your holiday bucket list. Even better, Sri Lanka is just a 90-minute flight from the Maldives, making it the perfect destination if you’re looking to add a little adventure to your next luxury island escape.
Here are five reasons why you should add a stop in Sri Lanka to your next Maldives holiday:
Year-Round Tropical Weather
There’s never a bad time to visit Sri Lanka. Just like the Maldives, Sri Lanka’s proximity to the equator ensures warm temperatures and sunny skies year-round. One thing to keep in mind is that Sri Lanka does experience two monsoon seasons: the southwest monsoon between May and July and the northeast monsoon between October and January. Regardless of when you choose to visit, one side of the country is always ready to be explored.
Diverse Natural Scenery
Despite its relatively small size, Sri Lanka sure packs a punch when it comes to natural beauty. Fringed by gorgeous golden beaches, Sri Lanka possesses a coastal plain with a host of geographic features, including jungles, wetlands and lagoons. Inland, you’ll find dramatic mountain peaks, rolling tea plantations and gushing waterfalls. There aren’t many destinations where you can experience such diverse landscapes all within a few hours’ drive.
Fascinating Cultural Heritage
Sri Lanka has a storied history dating back an estimated 34,000 years, creating the vast melting pot of cultures that exists today. This island nation boasts six UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Sites, most of which are concentrated in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. Some notable cultural sites in Sri Lanka include the ancient Rock Fortress of Sigiriya, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and the Dambulla Cave Temple. If you have an interest in history and culture, you’ll love Sri Lanka.
World-Class Wildlife Viewing
Identified by Conservation International as one of 34 world biodiversity hot spots, it’s no surprise that Sri Lanka is one of the best destinations for wildlife viewing in Asia. Head to one of the 26 national parks to embark on a life-changing safari experience. Yala National Park famously has the world’s highest density of wild leopards, while Udawalawe National Park is known for its elephants. Other commonly spotted wildlife in Sri Lanka include monkeys, sloth bears, wild boars, water buffaloes and mongooses.
Flavourful Cuisine
Sri Lanka is a great holiday destination for food lovers, boasting a distinctive cuisine that features a wealth of exotic spices and flavours. Similar to its neighbour, India, some quintessential SriLankan meals include colourful curries, rice with roti (flatbread), hoppers (bowl-shaped pancakes) and string hoppers (steamed rice noodles). You’ll also find plenty of fresh seafood from the Indian Ocean and tropical fruits, like mangoes, pineapples and papayas.
Add a Sri Lanka Tour to Your Next Maldives Holiday
Add a little adventure to your next luxury Maldives holiday by combining it with an action-packed tour of Sri Lanka. When adding a Sri Lanka tour to your Maldives holiday, you’ll travel with a local guide, stay in carefully selected hotels, enjoy bucket list experiences and so much more. Choose between four guided tours – wildlife adventures, history revisited, culture lovers and Aarunya Nature Resort – with something to suit the interests of every traveller.
Discover our exclusive range of Sri Lanka and Maldives holidays here.
