Beautiful Sri Lanka: the birthplace of Experience Travel Group back in 2004 and our spiritual home. An island too magnificent, too magical, and too much fun to keep to ourselves.
For you, that means a more personal and insightful holiday.
Our unbreakable bond with Sri Lanka comes from the long-standing relationships we’ve nurtured across the country for the better part of two decades, with partners we’re proud to call friends. Particularly our dedicated chauffeur-guides who bring the country to life and ensure you’re well looked after.
With their local insight, backed by our trusted team on the ground, and our carefully curated exclusive experiences, you’ll discover sides of Sri Lanka most travellers never see.
Our Travel Team will get to know you, then craft a completely bespoke holiday.
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to a Sri Lanka specialist
In Our Travellers’ Words
Sri Lanka is truly a gem of the Indian Ocean
Sri Lanka made (very) easy!
Very highly regarded in Sri Lanka
Our Unique Holidays in Sri Lanka
Relaxing, immersive, life-affirming adventures that show you the best of the destination. Packed with experiences that connect you to the country and are kind to its people and environment. Your holiday can be as adventurous or as luxurious as you choose, as every trip will be turned into your own bespoke package.
Here are some ideas to spark your curiosity…
How We Plan Sri Lanka
It looks straightforward on a map, but while distances are short, journeys take time. Pack it all in and you’ll spend most of your trip in the car. The country rewards a more considered approach:
The Cultural Triangle is where most start (though we ease you in first). Sri Lanka’s early kingdoms are written in stone here. We time visits carefully, from lesser-seen angles: a picnic on Pidurangala, boating beneath Sigiriya, a wander through rural surrounds. History in short bursts.
The Hill Country deserves more than the tick-box ‘ride a train, see the Nine Arch Bridge’ cliché. By all means take train, but also sit down with a tea taster, walk stretches of the Pekoe Trail, and leave time to soak in the view.
The Coast rewards choosing the right stretch. The south west has great hotels and wildlife nearby, but some areas are crowded (we focus on the peaceful pockets). The east is wilder, less visited, with some beautiful beach retreats. Weather matters, too.
The National Parks reward knowing which, and when. Yala, done properly, is superb. Quieter Wilpattu and Gal Oya each earn their place depending on the season and route. Wildlife is never far away, regardless: elephants, monkeys and bee-eaters are just the start.
We can also show you Jaffna, the Veddah tribal heartlands, and off-beat places most people have yet to discover. For a well-rounded trip, explore our Classic Holidays.
Explore Experiences in Sri Lanka
Immersive experiences sit at the heart of ETG. Each one is specially designed to confound preconceptions and share magical, memorable, and truly exceptional moments.
Meet Our Experts
“I love how Sri Lanka keeps surprising you. One moment you’re eye-to-eye with an elephant, the next you’re in the hills with a tea taster who’s worked the same estate for decades. Our chauffeur-guides are the secret to it all, they become your brilliant friend showing you round.”
Holly
Sri Lanka Specialist
Explore Our Hotels & Villas in Sri Lanka
Wherever you go, and whatever you do, at the end of every day you can always be sure of a comfortable rest. Every location on our list of hotels is handpicked, and in its own way, shares the history, the hospitality, and the soul of Sri Lanka. Below are some examples of the different hotels we use — they’ll live long in your memory.
The Curious Traveller’s Expert Guide to Sri Lanka
Wondering when to visit Sri Lanka? Our Curious Traveller’s Guide to Sri Lanka will give you a more detailed breakdown of the best time of year to book a holiday, as well as tips on the best beaches, unmissable sites, and much more.
You’ll receive five emails from us as well as the guide you requested. They will be inspiring, helpful content about holidays in this country with ETG. You’ll then be added to our weekly newsletter list, but you can always unsubscribe using the link in any of our emails.
Important FAQs about Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka packs a serious punch for an island of its size. Here’s what’s in store in the diverse land of tea, toddy and tuk tuks…
- Rich Culture: Amble through ancient cities, into temples carved into rock faces, and get caught up in the flurry of local festivals like Vesak Poya and the Galle Literary Festival.
- Incredible Wildlife: Spot leopards in Yala’s quieter corners, sloth bears in Wilpattu, elephants in Udawalawe, or even blue whales off the southern coast.
- Diverse Landscapes: From the Pekoe Trail snaking through the cascading Tea Country to the golden beaches of Tangalle, Sri Lanka’s scenery shifts dramatically.
- Warm Hospitality: There’s a gentleness to Sri Lankans that stays with you. They’re often generous, quick to laugh, and make you feel at home.
At Experience Travel Group, we’ve been curating immersive Sri Lanka holidays since 2006, long before the island became a mainstream destination. Our deep-rooted local knowledge, trusted partnerships, and a love of meaningful travel mean we can show you what makes Sri Lanka so special.
Over the years, we’ve designed unique experiences that balance fun, cultural depth and discovery. From feeling the magic of Sigiriya’s lesser-known surroundings to tracking wildlife in peaceful parks (that aren’t packed with jeeps), our holidays go far beyond the typical tourist trail. Rather than simply “ticking off” the sights, you’ll make real connections with real people and the places you visit.
With our thoughtful planning and in-country support, you won’t have to worry about a thing (for once) and lean into your bespoke adventure. We don’t do off-the-shelf tours, we do hand-made holidays designed around your interests and travel style.
Come with us to the Sri Lanka we know and love.
Sri Lanka is a year-round destination, but the best time depends on where you’re going. If you’re focussing on the south and west coasts and the cultural heartland, time your visit between December and March. If you’d like to explore the east coast, then travelling in the summer months and September is your best bet for good weather and fewer crowds. Our experts will advise you and let you in one a few secret seasons. For a deep dive, read our seasonal guide to Sri Lanka.
Every ETG holiday is designed to feel effortless, immersive and stress-free.
Your bespoke package will include a private chauffeur-guide throughout and regional journeys like train travel. If you’d like us to arrange your international flights, just say the word.
Characterful hotels, many meals and unique experiences, (some secret!), all chosen to suit you by a Sri Lanka specialist who knows the country inside out.
You’ll also have the reassurance of 24/7 in-country support from our trusted local team.
And tips? Already covered — so you don’t need to worry about a thing.