Countdown to Sri Lanka: A Journey Into the Heart of the Resplendent Isle

Jordana
Sep 7
6 min read

The countdown has begun. In just one year, I’ll be leading an extraordinary journey through Sri Lanka—a country that has lived in my heart since the moment I first set foot there in 2019. For years, I’ve been telling anyone who will listen: this island is one of the world’s most dazzling destinations. And now, I finally get to take my guests there to see it for themselves.

Sri Lanka is often called the “teardrop of India,” but to me, it’s more like a jewel—small in size, but it dazzles with brilliance from every corner. Its beauty isn’t confined to one region, one city, or one experience. It’s layered: ancient archaeological wonders, lush hill country, golden beaches, vibrant cities, wildlife encounters so spectacular they don’t feel real, and a culinary scene that will have you (and US) chasing flavors long after you’ve left.

This is the journey we’ll share together, and the countdown starts now.

The Echoes of Ancient Kingdoms

Sri Lanka is one of the most culturally rich countries I have ever visited. Its history doesn’t live behind glass in a museum—it rises before you in stone fortresses, hidden temples, and sprawling ruins.

In the Cultural Triangle, we’ll wander through Anuradhapura, one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. Imagine standing before giant dagobas—ancient Buddhist stupas that rise like white domes against the sky—built more than 2,000 years ago. The air hums with devotion, as pilgrims often circle with lotus flowers in their hands and quiet prayers on their lips.

Then there’s Polonnaruwa, a medieval capital where crumbling palaces and mossy temples reveal a civilization that once thrived with art, architecture, and scholarship. Walking through the ruins feels like stepping into another time, surrounded by towering Buddha statues carved into rock and delicate lotus ponds that have endured for centuries.

But the crown jewel of the Cultural Triangle has to be Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Rising nearly 200 meters above the plains, this colossal rock holds the remains of an ancient royal citadel. The climb up is exhilarating, past frescoes of heavenly maidens and monumental lion paws carved into stone. From the summit, the view stretches endlessly—lush jungle, shimmering lakes, and villages dotting the horizon. It’s a panorama that whispers of prestige, imagination, and engineering artistry.

And just when you think the past couldn’t feel more spiritual, we'll step into the Dambulla Cave Temples. Inside these sacred caverns, more than 150 Buddha statues glow in the half-light, their golden forms surrounded by walls painted with centuries-old murals. It’s breathtaking, humbling, and unforgettable.

The Symphony of the City

Of course, Sri Lanka isn’t only about the past. Its cities hum with modern life, a symphony of sound and color.

In Colombo, tuk-tuks painted in every shade of the rainbow buzz through the streets, weaving between buses and motorbikes in a choreography of chaos that somehow works perfectly. Street vendors call out, the smell of spices drifts through the air, and in the distance, you might hear the toll of a temple bell or the rhythmic chanting of a mosque. It’s a city that pulses with energy, yet also surprises with moments of serenity—colonial cafés shaded by banyan trees, or seaside promenades where families gather to watch the sunset.

Colombo is where our journey begins and ends, and it offers the perfect introduction: a vibrant taste of Sri Lanka’s rhythm and warmth.

Where Tea Meets the Clouds

From the bustle of the city, we’ll rise into the Hill Country, and it feels like entering another world entirely.

This is where Sri Lanka slows down. The air grows cooler, scented with eucalyptus and tea leaves. Hills roll endlessly in every direction, covered in neatly pruned tea plantations that glow emerald in the morning mist. Women in colorful saris bend gracefully among the rows, plucking tender leaves that will later become the world’s finest Ceylon tea.

We’ll travel by train through this landscape, and it’s often called one of the most beautiful rail journeys on Earth. Imagine leaning out of the open doorway, the wind in your hair, as waterfalls tumble down cliffs and clouds drift lazily over the mountains. It’s poetry in motion.

In towns like Nuwara Eliya, nicknamed “Little England,” colonial charm lingers in manicured gardens and Tudor-style buildings. But what makes the Hill Country extraordinary isn’t its history—it’s its serenity. This is a place that invites you to breathe deeply, to pause, and to let the green hills restore you.

Wildlife Like Nowhere Else

Few places in the world can rival Sri Lanka’s biodiversity. Here, nature doesn’t just coexist—it thrives.

In Bundala National Park, we’ll witness something extraordinary: The Gathering. Each year, hundreds of Asian elephants converge around a reservoir, creating the largest gathering of wild elephants in the world. Watching them drink, bathe, and play together is something that stays etched in your soul forever.

And then there’s Yala National Park, home to the highest concentration of leopards anywhere on the planet. Yes—Sri Lanka has better odds of leopard sightings than Africa. To see one of these sleek, elusive cats emerge from the brush is a moment of pure awe. Alongside them, you might spot sloth bears, crocodiles, and a kaleidoscope of birdlife.

The Allure of Galle

No trip to Sri Lanka is complete without time in Galle, a fortified city that feels like a storybook come to life.

Built by the Portuguese, expanded by the Dutch, and later occupied by the British, Galle is a living tapestry of colonial history. Within its ramparts, cobblestone streets wind past boutiques, art galleries, and cafés shaded by frangipani trees. The air is salty, the pace is easy, and the charm is undeniable.

At sunset, walking the fort walls is pure magic. Waves crash below, the sky ignites in shades of pink and gold, and the city glows with a timeless beauty. It’s the kind of place where you could wander endlessly, happily lost, knowing that every turn reveals something new.

A Feast for the Senses

The first thing I rattled on about when I returned home from Sri Lanka was how incredible the food was, and how I'd need to let out every single pair of pants I owned!

Not to sound overly dramatic, but Sri Lankan cuisine is truly a festival of flavours. Breakfast might be hoppers—delicate bowl-shaped pancakes served with spicy sambols and fragrant curries. Lunch could be fresh seafood pulled straight from the Indian Ocean, grilled with lime and chili. Dinner might be jackfruit curry, coconut roti, or dhal simmered with turmeric and mustard seeds. Every dish is bold, colorful, and brimming with a representation of life. Coconut, cinnamon, cardamom, and clove—Sri Lanka’s spices are exalted, and they make every bite sing.

Sharing meals here isn’t just about food—it’s about connection. Sri Lankan hospitality is legendary. You’re not just welcomed; you’re embraced. You’re made to feel like family, and the generosity of spirit is something you carry home long after the flavors fade.

The True Spirit of Sri Lanka

What makes Sri Lanka truly extraordinary isn’t just its beauty or its history—like all places, it’s the people that make this iconic island nation extraordinary. From the tuk-tuk drivers who wave and smile, to the families who welcome you into their homes, to the guides whose stories bring the landscape to life—every encounter was warm, kind, and gracious. And what felt even more incredible was feeling safe not only as a solo female traveller, but as a black solo female traveller. For many, this may not seem significant, but it's always a factor I consider when choosing a destination to explore on my own (or suggest to my guests).

Why This Journey Matters - The Countdown to Sri Lanka ...

I have spent the last six years telling people about Sri Lanka. About its green hills and golden coasts, about its wildlife and temples, about its food and its people. I’ve said it countless times: this is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

Now, I finally get to take you there with me.

This hosted journey isn’t just another trip. It’s a chance to experience Sri Lanka in all its layers—with curiosity, with reverence, and with joy. To see elephants gather by the hundreds, to climb a rock fortress that once housed kings, to sip tea in misty hills, to walk the walls of Galle as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean.

Most of all, it’s a chance to share these moments together. To stand in awe, side by side, and to carry home not just photographs, but stories that will last a lifetime.

The countdown has begun. Sri Lanka is waiting. And I cannot wait to share it with you!