Sri Lanka

A journalist for 25 years, Teresa Machan has written for national magazines and newspapers including The Guardian, The Times, The Independent and The Daily Telegraph. A seasoned traveller, her wanderlust has taken her from Antarctica to Zimbabwe and everything in between. Teresa especially loves travelling solo, and she recently joined Distant Journeys on one of our Exclusively Solos tours – the T..

Highlights:  Home to a large population of wild elephants, often seen in herds. Ideal for observing these majestic animals in their natural habitat. Excellent location for spotting endemic and migratory birds, such as the Sri Lanka grey hornbill and the crested serpent Tour Description:  Embark on an adventure of a lifetime with a Wildlife Jeep Safari at the Yala National Park! Yala National Park..

Highlights:  Mangroves and coastal eco systems Island exploration Scenic boat ride Turtle conservation. Tour Description:  Madu river is a complex coastal ecosystem of mangroves and islands. A boat tour is an ideal way to experience hundreds of species of plants and animals in their natural habitat. There are around 64 islands in the river and lagoon, from a tiny speck housing, a deserted shrine t..

Highlights:  Home to a large population of wild elephants, often seen in herds. Ideal for observing these majestic animals in their natural habitat. Excellent location for spotting endemic and migratory birds, such as the Sri Lanka grey hornbill and the crested serpent eagle. Unlike some parks, Udawalawe is excellent for wildlife sightings throughout the year due to its consistent water sources. T..

Highlights:  Local fish market experience Tour Description:  Locally popular as Lellama (Lel-La-Ma), it is the second largest fish market in the country. It is situated at the north end of the Negombo Lagoon and can be seen across the lagoon bridge, which is also known as Munnakare Bridge. Approximately 4,000 boats depart to sea from here every day. Starting from 3:30am, the market is busy and thr..

Highlights:  Experience the variety of wildlife, including rare bird species. Tour Description:  Udawattakele was originally a pleasure garden used by the royals of Kandy, but today it is an abundant, lush rainforest and a birder’s paradise. Our trek, led by an experienced and enthusiastic guide, will give us a valuable insight into the forest, the fauna and the flora around us. As Kandy has a tem..

Highlights:  Experience the serene and contemplative life of Buddhist nuns. Tour Description:  A bhikkuni is a female Buddhist monk, and this tour takes us to a monastery on the outskirts of Kandy where our host will teach us about the history of Buddhist nuns starting with the first one; Mahapajapati Gotami. She was the stepmother of Buddha and the first woman to seek ordination for women, which..

Highlights:  Offers an immersive culinary experience that allows to dive into the island's rich and diverse food culture. Tour Description:  Sri Lankan cuisine is famed for its delicate spicing and vivid flavour combinations, influenced by the nation’s different ethnicities and rich history. This optional activity gives us the opportunity to prepare a delicious meal with a local host whose culinar..

Highlights:  Offers a vibrant and unique cultural experience. Tour Description:  Brightly painted, wooden masks are a familiar sight throughout Sri Lanka, and this excursion to an artist’s gallery in Galle Fort will teach us about the painting of these traditional masks. Hailing from Ambalangoda, an area in the South known for traditional masks, a renowned artist will tell us about these masks whi..

Highlights:  Experience spotting blue whales and a variety of dolphins. Tour Description:  Following an early start, we will be taken to the harbour to meet our naturalist guide for the day and his crew before boarding our vessel and heading out to sea. The crisp, early morning air will energise us for an exciting morning of marine nature watching, as we look out for Blue Whales, Sperm Whales, Kil..