Travel guides
Plan your Sri Lanka trip
Practical, honest guides to the ancient cities, the hill country and the coast, when to go, what to book, and how to put a trip together.
Climbing Sigiriya Rock: A Complete Guide
How to climb Sigiriya (Lion Rock): 2026 ticket prices, the ~1,200 steps, frescoes and Mirror Wall, the best time of day, hornet and heat warnings, plus Pidurangala and Dambulla.
The Ella Train & Tea Guide: Sri Lanka's Hill Country by Rail
How to ride Sri Lanka's famous hill-country train from Kandy to Ella, book reserved seats, pick the best side, see the Nine Arch Bridge and tour a Ceylon tea factory.
Galle Fort: A Complete Guide to Sri Lanka's Dutch Fortress
A complete guide to Galle Fort: its Portuguese, Dutch and British history, walking the ramparts, the lighthouse and Dutch church, museums, cafes, sunset spots, and how to get there from Colombo.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy: A Visitor's Guide
A practical guide to Kandy's Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic: what the relic is, daily puja times, dress code, ticket price, the Esala Perahera, and combining it with Kandy Lake.
Whale Watching in Mirissa: A Complete Guide
Plan whale watching in Mirissa: the blue whale season, morning departures, trip length, seasickness, choosing a responsible operator and the Trincomalee alternative.
Yala Safari Guide: Leopards, Blocks & Booking a Jeep
A practical Yala National Park safari guide: leopard-spotting odds, Block 1 versus the quieter blocks, park fees, best months, private versus shared jeeps, the crowding problem and how to avoid it.