Sri Lanka's commercial capital is Colombo, a fascinating city, not only for its comfortable blend of East and West, but also for its cosy mixture of past and present.  Amongst its attractions you will find Buddhist and Hindu temples, churches, the old parliament building, the zoo, museums and art galleries.

In the coastal town of Galle, the Dutch presence is still visible. Once an ancient port, it was the country's first international commerce and trade centre.  Today it is the bustling provincial capital and administrative centre of the south. 

The first area to be developed for tourism, Hikkaduwa is still one of the most popular beach resorts, famous for its coral and sub-tropical fish. The reef, which runs parallel to the shore and is only a few metres below the water, can be explored with snorkel and flippers, or in a glass-bottomed boat. There are several wrecks in the area which offer interesting dives, with equipment and licensed instruction available.

Kandy, is the country's most visited place, with the focal point of the to be visited is the golden-roofed Temple of the Tooth Relic ~ Dalada Maligawa.  

Ratnapura, Sri Lanka's City of Gems' and the centre of its gemming industry. Gems include sapphire, ruby, cat's eye, alexandrite, topaz, amethyst, aquamarine, tourmaline, garnet and zircon. Visits to gem mines can be arranged, and gem collections can be seen at the National Museum in Ratnapura and a number of private museums.

On 26th December, 2004, a massive earthquake registering 9.0 on the Richter scale struck off the west coast of Indonesia.  The quake caused a Tsunami, and much of Sri Lanka's eastern and southern coastlines were severely affected by the Tsunami.   

Testimonial:  "I would recommend anybody to go on a tour to Sri Lanka.  The hotels were excellent, the cricket was just about the right standard and everything went really smoothly". Tour Manager

 

We look at three options. Initially, we work out which will be the best option between scheduled services and charter operations. Invariably, the scheduled operators win. Firstly, the excellent non-stop services of the national airline, Sri Lankan Airlines. They are competitive but only when it really suits them. This means that if you are travelling at a peak period, you are unlikely to fly Sri Lankan as they price themselves out of the group market during high season.

We also compare them with airlines who fly via to an intermediary point like Emirates through Dubai or Etihad through Abu Dhabi. We'd prefer you to fly non-stop as it is obviously much more convenient. But, price is very important. Where we find that Emirates (who have a substantial shareholding in Sri Lankan) or Etihad, for example, are offering a better price, we don't hesitate to recommend what we believe is the best offer. Either way, you are guaranteed a very good deal.

Flight schedules to Sri Lanka are as follows:

• Sri Lankan Airlines ~ Direct from London Heathrow to Colombo, daily.
• Emirates ~ From London Heathrow or Gatwick via Dubai to Colombo, daily

 

We've been operating to Sri Lanka for many years. We confess to having used quite a number of companies whom we have always found to be particularly proficient. It is just the nature of the market that, as Sri Lanka relies so much on tourism, the country has such an excellent collection of local tour operators who are very keen to attract you to use them as your local 'man'.

Tony Opatha was recommended to us by one of our customers who felt that the way he operated mirrored our care and attention for our clients.

After representing his country in Australia, England and India as a member of the national school team, he went on to play for his country at adult level in 1971.  Moving to England in 1975, he began his professional cricket career with Lancashire Cricket Club, for whom he played for five years.  Since then, Tony has coached in Bangladesh and South Africa, and acted as national coach for the Dutch Cricket team. As well as a year involved in Danish cricket, he has also has managed the World Cup under-19's.  Tony is currently involved in establishing his own Cricket Academy, the Tony Opatha International Cricket Academy, in Sri Lanka.

Tony is Chairman of Aro Travels, the only professionally qualified sports tour operator in Sri Lanka, who specialize in sports and adventure holidays to Sri Lanka. Established in Holland nearly 15 years ago, Aro now operate mainly in Sri Lanka exclusively for Edwin Doran Sports Travel from their Head Office based in the heart of Colombo City. Through Tony, we are able to access several famous Sri Lankan test cricketers.

Testimonials:  "Tony and his team were absolutely first class ... always available and always very helpful."  Tour Manager

"Grounds fantastic and opposition good (to be expected here!) and always very welcoming and hospitable.  Both sides have really enjoyed mixing with the local lads.  They all love their cricket here!."  Tour Manager

Tourism is particularly important to Sri Lanka which has an excellent range of top quality hotels available at very attractive prices. This means that most of the hotels we use are 4* which is probably above the standard you would normally use when touring. However, you must remember that to use lesser standards may not be the best option for you.

Overlooking the area is what was The Governors House, built in 1805 by Sir Thomas Maitland, and now is the famous 4* Mount Lavinia Hotel, on its own exclusive beach, a classic example of our style of hotel. It is a sprawling mansion with traditionally furnished rooms; a swimming pool overlooking the sea; Governor's restaurant for Western and Oriental dishes; Seafood Cove for the delights of the sea and the rivers; tennis court; table tennis and board games.

Another hotel we use is the Kosgoda Beach Resort, situated on a spit in the southern coastal belt.  The hotel is flanked by a deep green lagoon on one side and the roaring blue ocean on the other.  Facilities include a  meandering swimming pool and an open-air restaurant, specialising in seafood, and all the air-conditioned rooms have either a sea or lagoon view.  Sports available include tennis and volley ball, and the hotel also offers boat rides and evening entertainment.

Testimonial:  "Wow ... what a fantastic hotel.  Food amazing and the rooms were very good.  On arrival at Mount Lavinia, we were greeted by a Sri Lankan dance and traditional welcome with garlands.  This wonderful resort is the perfect way to end a tour."  Tour Manager

 

 

 

• Hikkaduwa ~ A coral reef and watersports paradise (see above).
• Nilaveli ~ Sri Lanka's waters and the Indian Ocean are home to 26 species of cetaceans - Blue whale, Sperm whale, Brybe's whale, dolphins, and porpoises. Join one of the deep-sea fishing boats off the coast of Trincomelee and within a 4 hour trip you will see up to 16 Blue whales and over 100 dolphins.
• The Elephant Bath ~ At the Mahaweli River near Katugastota, the many domesticated elephants of Kandy come for their daily bath.  
• Dalada Maligawa ~ Kandy 's main attraction, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, is a magnificent shrine, with decorative walls, moat, turrets, golden roof and fine wood-work.
• Sigiriya (Lion Rock) ~ A major attraction and a World Heritage Site, which came into prominence in the 5th century AD, when  King Kasyapa chose to move the seat of power from Anuradhapura to this 500m rock.
• Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage ~ established in 1975, with only seven orphans,  today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location.

Testimonial:  "The balance between the 'boys activities' and the cultural experiences has been perfect.  We bought pashminas at a Batik factory and the boys were treated to massages at the spice garden!  The Rock is an awe-inspiring climb, the Temple of the Tooth amazing and the Elephant Orphanage and Tea Factory excellent." Tour Manager