Flight Destinations
Flights to Sri Lanka
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The island nation of Sri Lanka is situated just 19 miles (31km) off the south eastern coast of India. Formerly known as Ceylon this country has a great deal to offer visitors.
The main international airport of Sri Lanka is at the country’s capital, Colombo. Colombo International Airport (airport code: CMB) welcomes flights from the UK with a number of different airlines, ranging from direct flights, to one or two connections, depending on the airline.
A direct flight from the UK to Sri Lanka is available with SriLankan Airlines flying from London Heathrow with a flight time of around 10 and a half hours. One stop flights to Sri Lanka are available with the following airlines: Kuwait Airways, Irtysh Avia, Qatar Airways, Jet Airways, Emirates, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Qantas, all of which fly from London Heathrow, except for the Emirates flight which is from London Gatwick.
The Tourist Attractions of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has many ancient cities and is rich in cultural heritage. Many sites are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in recognition of their importance.Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura is a city with an ancient heart which was the capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom up to 1100 AD. The archaeological sites here have been partially restored, though the impressive Ruwanwelisaya stupa has been full restored. Also of importance here is the Bodhi Tree Temple – the second most scared place in Sri Lanka.
Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa is the second most ancient kingdom in Sri Lanka, though is often the more popular site to visit because everything is close together and hence easy to see. The whole site is World Heritage listed and attractions here include ruins of various Buddhist temples as well as the Royal Palace.
Ancient City of Sigiriya
The ancient city of Sigiriya is also impressive. This is a large rock fortress which contains the ruins of a castle, dating back to the 4th century AD. This also is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Yet another of the World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka is the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. Although the reserve takes up a relatively small area it is also protected as a national park and a World Biosphere Reserve, all evidence of its importance in terms of the great diversity of flora and fauna found here. Don’t expect to see large species of wildlife here but you may see many bird species as well as reptiles, insects and amphibians.
Yala National Park
If you’re coming to Sri Lanka to see large wildlife try Yala (also known as Ruhunu) National Park. Here you have the opportunity to see elephants and leopards, amongst others.
Horton Plains National Park
For a combination of both wildlife and some spectacular Sri Lankan scenery the Horton Plains National Park is a good bet. There are the scenic Baker Falls here, as well as the World’s End sheer rock face. Wildlife includes the Purple-Faced Langur and six endemic highland bird species.
Other Places of Interest in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has a total of seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, all worthy of visiting. In addition to the above these include the town of Galle and the Galle Fort, the Sri Dalada Maligawa which is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and is the most sacred site in Sri Lanka, and the Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla.
When Should You Visit Sri Lanka?
With its tropical climate the temperature in Sri Lanka does not vary significantly throughout the year with an average range between 28 and 30C (82-86F). There are obviously variations to this, particularly in Sri Lanka’s highland regions.Rainfall is dependent on the topical monsoons. These can hit between December and March from the northeast monsoon, though this only affects the east coast, or the southwest monsoon hits between June and October and affects mainly the west coast and the mountains.