Sri Lanka Educational 2025

A Whistle-Stop Adventure Through Sri Lanka.

I’ve just returned from the most incredible educational trip to Sri Lanka, and what a whirlwind it was! In just seven nights, we stayed in seven different hotels, visited seven more, and experienced everything from bustling cities and ancient wonders to cool tea country and wild national parks.

This was no ordinary FAM trip, it was an educational adventure sponsored by Sri Lankan Airlines, our wonderful DMC partner Columbus Tours, and the exceptional hotels that hosted us along the way.

We began in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s lively capital, with a quick city tour before checking into The Kingsbury. That evening, we enjoyed dinner at the Cinnamon Grand and met the wonderful local team at Columbus. A warm and memorable introduction to Sri Lankan hospitality.

From Colombo, we travelled around four hours to Sigiriya, where we embarked on a safari in Minneriya National Park, were we were lucky enough to see wild elephants up close, a breath-taking experience. Our stay at Aliya Resort and Spa, with its infinity pool overlooking Sigiriya Rock, was picture-perfect, and dinner at the inspiring women run Amba Yaalu Hotel was a real highlight.

The following morning’s 4am climb up Sigiriya Rock was one of the best experiences of my life! Tough for sure, but the views were worth every step!

On the way to Kandy, we stopped at the Dambulla Caves and Temples, before arriving to a dramatic thunderstorm that set the mood beautifully for our visit to the Temple of the Tooth.

We stayed at Kandy Mist Hotel by Cinnamon, where the staff gave us the warmest welcome imaginable, and enjoyed lunch at Cinnamon Citadel, which boasts stunning riverside views.

The journey to Nuwara Eliya (around three hours) took us through rolling hills of lush tea plantations. We toured a tea factory, sipped afternoon champagne tea at The Grand Hotel, a favourite stop of mine and once a retreat for the Queen no less! And stayed at the charming Heritance Tea Factory, a converted factory surrounded by panoramic mountain views.

From there, we continued to Ella, arriving just in time to see a train thunder over the Nine Arch Bridge, the energy, colour, and chaos of the moment was unforgettable!

Our journey then took us to Yala, where the landscape shifted again to sandy plains and coastal wilderness. Lunch at Cinnamon Wild Yala came with views of elephants, monkeys, and even crocodiles. Later, at Jetwing Yala, we enjoyed cocktails by the spectacular 75m pool, and an unexpected face-to-face encounter with a wild elephant!

Our Yala National Park safari was another highlight. This time we were lucky enough to spot two leopards just metres away, such a privilege to witness them in their natural habitat. From Yala, we continued on to Galle, stopping for lunch at the luxurious Fortress Koggala (where I had the best curry of my life) before staying at Fort Bazaar, part of the Teardrop Hotels group, set within Galle’s fascinating old fort.

We ended with a relaxing night in Bentota, staying at Thaala Bentota, with a peek next door at the stylish Cinnamon Bentota Beach, before returning to Colombo for our flight home.

Reflections and Surprises: There were a few things that really surprised me about Sri Lanka.

First, the scenery changes constantly, from tropical coastline to misty highlands, it’s impossible to get bored.

The long drives were actually a joy. Our luxurious minibus had onboard Wi-Fi, plush seats, and air-conditioning, and being slightly elevated meant we had the best views. I’d absolutely recommend clients upgrade their transport, it makes such a difference.

At each hotel, we took part in a lovely welcome tradition of lighting an oil lamp, symbolising light, wisdom, and positivity, a small gesture that perfectly captures the warmth of Sri Lankan hospitality.

Food-wise, most hotels offered buffets, which isn’t usually my preference, but it worked well on such a busy trip, and the occasional à la carte dinner felt extra special.

Another surprise was learning about Sri Lanka's premier long-distance hiking route. The Pekoe Trail spans over 300 kilometres across the island's Central Highlands, this meticulously curated trail is divided into 22 stages, offering hikers a chance to traverse lush tea plantations, remote villages, and serene forests. Recognised as one of Asia's best kept secrets, the Pekoe Trail provides an immersive journey through Sri Lanka's rich cultural heritage and breath-taking landscapes.

And finally, having a guide and driver was invaluable. You don’t just learn about history, you pick up local tips, discover hidden eateries, and gain a genuine insight into the people and culture. It truly enriched every day.

Sri Lanka: Stand-Alone or Multi-Centre? Sri Lanka is a destination that truly stands on its own, offering a rich mix of culture, wildlife, and stunning landscapes that can easily fill a week or more. However it also works beautifully as part of a multi-centre trip, allowing you to combine your adventure with some well deserved R&R in the Maldives, where pristine beaches and turquoise waters offer the perfect way to relax and reflect on your Sri Lankan journey.

Whether on its own or paired with the Maldives, Sri Lanka promises experiences you’ll never forget.