Exploring Sri Lanka: A Trip I’ll Never Forget
Sri Lanka has been an absolute blast. From the busy streets of Colombo to the tea hills of Nuwara Eliya and the beaches of Bentota, there’s so much to see and do. I want to say a huge thank you to Chanaka and Priyal, our guides for the week .Funny, super knowledgeable, and just great people. And to PulA from Colombus, honestly one of the nicest, humblest people I’ve ever met and an absolute gentleman. These 3 are people i really hope i get to see again one day
Big thanks also to Colombus Tours, SriLankan Airlines, and Travel Counsellors for inviting me — this has been possibly the best trip I’ve ever had, and I’m so grateful.
A huge thanks also to all the hotels we stayed in along the way. Every stop was comfortable, welcoming, and full of character, and I’ll be doing separate blogs on each to give a proper shout-out to the teams that made our stays so good. I also want to mention the fellow Travel Counsellors on the trip. They were brilliant company, and we all got on so well, sharing laughs, swapping stories, and helping each other out along the way, which made the trip even more memorable.
Colombo was the perfect start to the adventure. Walking around the streets, seeing the mix of old and new buildings, busy markets, temples tucked into corners, and the hustle and bustle of the city was fascinating. Our first breakfast introduced us to Sri Lankan food, which set the tone for the week ahead. The people we met in Colombo were warm and welcoming, which made the start of the trip feel easy and relaxed.
There were so many highlights along the way. Climbing Sigiriya and seeing the ancient frescoes was incredible. It’s quite a climb, but manageable and the views from the top make it worth it. The Dambulla Cave Temples were fascinating, filled with Buddha statues and paintings, and the climb to reach them was easy enough at a relaxed pace. Kandy had so much charm ,the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic was particularly interesting, and wandering around the lake and streets was really nice.
Nuwara Eliya and the tea plantations were a real treat. Watching how tea goes from leaf to cup at Labookellie Estate was brilliant, and tasting the tea alongside the tea-flavoured cake was an extra bonus. The hotel there was stunning, and the views from the rooms were something else — I really wished we had more time to just relax and enjoy it.
On the way to Ella, seeing an elephant up close wandering near the road was a proper “wow” moment. Later, spotting leopards in the wild was unbelievable — one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that will stay with me forever. The hills and valleys around Ella were beautiful, and walking through the countryside really made me appreciate Sri Lanka’s natural landscapes.
Galle was another standout. Wandering around the historic fort, exploring the streets, popping into little shops and cafes, and seeing the mix of old colonial buildings and local life was brilliant. I could have spent a lot longer exploring Galle, it’s a place full of history and character.
Bentota was the perfect way to finish the trip. I did a solo Tuk Tuk tour, which turned into a proper adventure. I made an unexpected stop at a turtle sanctuary and got to see turtles of all sizes, including an albino turtle, which was amazing. The beaches were beautiful, and the hotel was fantastic relaxing by the sea after a busy week was exactly what I needed. Dinner at The Cinnamon Bentota Beach Hotel wrapped up the trip perfectly, with great food and a chilled atmosphere.
And yes, I was tortured on the way back by the sounds of my group singing Taylor Swift — some things you just can’t forget!
This trip wasn’t just about ticking off sights — it was about the people, the laughs, and the little moments in between. From Colombo to Sigiriya, the elephants, the tea plantations, the hotels, Galle, Bentota, and the fellow Travel Counsellors, every part of the trip added something special. Sri Lanka really has so much to offer, and I feel incredibly lucky to have experienced it all.
I’ll definitely be back.