New Top Solo Travel Destination-Sri Lanka
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(For other information on solo travel with no single supplements and solo-priced lodging, go to our free search tool, the SoloTravelPricingTracker.net, and for our complimentary “Updated 2020-2021 Solo Travel Guidebook”, be sure to register while there.)
A Top Solo Travel Destination-Sri Lanka: As the guest of NKAR Travel & Tours, one of the country’s top five providers, I had an authentic view of Sri Lanka from beaches to towering hills. It has something for everyone!
A Top Solo Travel Destination-Sri Lanka: Overview:
Sri Lanka’s small size makes it possible to have a good first introduction to the country in a week. For many of us in the US with limited vacation, the timing is just right. It is a very clean country even in rural areas and seldom has robberies and crime found in densely urban areas. As one commentator quipped: If two bicycles were stolen in one day in Sri Lanka that would be deemed a major crime spree! As a woman solo traveler, I had no security concerns. However, a tragic Easter terrorist attack occurred subsequently. It can be impossible to predict with any accuracy where such attacks will occur. However, it is always key before travel abroad to check out security alerts online from well-respected sources.
People were warm and friendly, and pricing was good. With the help of NKAR, I even found several hotels that had solo-priced rooms! That was the first time I had seen single room pricing outside of Europe where lodging commonly has discounts for one adult rather than a standard rack rate. (For more on hundreds of solo-priced hotels, go to our SoloTravelPricingTrackerTM..)
From North America, it is a long flight. The best route is to have a stopover in Qatar or Dubai. Qatar Air had some very good rates and even great airplane food! (How is that even possible?)
A Top Solo Travel Destination-Sri Lanka: A Perfect Trip for Everyone:
Sri Lanka affords five types of very different trips:
- Active, hiking and adventure: The highlight is Sigiriya Rock known as Lion Rock. The good news is that you don’t have to be a rock climber to get to the top. There are almost endless steps reaching up to the sky.
- Relaxation on beaches: The top choice is Galle. It is a real paradise with tall palms and pounding surf. When the ocean is too rough, the popular infinity pools are everywhere. Many come with a welcome swim-up bar.
- Yoga, wellness or spas: Spiritual retreats abound, as do high-end spas in 4 and 5 star hotels.
- Cultural and historical journeys: The former Ceylon gained independence in 1948 the year after the partition of India. Colombo is its commercial capital while nearby Kotte is its administrative capital. Both have a special mix of colonial and modern architecture. Colombo currently has a grand project to rival the Palm Islands of Dubai with a huge commercial center being built on land reclaimed from the sea. High rises meet high style all along the coast. Highlights ranged from the Dambulla cave temple to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa and the Temple of the Tooth Relic in the last royal capital, Kandy. (Fashionistas will love the shopping and prices for both fine jewelry and clothing while there are also fun, economical gifts for a wide range of budgets.)
- Eco-tour and wild life viewing: Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Minneriya safari and Yala national park jeep safari. The area near Yala has 5 star “glamping”. My luxury tent was more like a private villa with my own terry cloth robe and chic amenities, not like camping at all.
Highlights of Sample Itinerary:
Here are a few of the very popular sights in Sri Lanka for a wide range of interests. Here is a checklist to check out from one of our vendors’ sampling of prior itineraries they have offered.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage
- Sigiriya rock fortress
- Polonnaruwa ancient city
- Village lunch
- Dambulla cave temple
- Cultural show
- Kandy Temple of Tooth Relic
- Train ride to Haputale
- Adisham Bungalow
- Jeep safari of Udawalawe national park
My Personal Favorites Among My Sri Lanka Travels:
Colombo:
Colombo, as the commercial capital city of Sri Lanka, is a beautiful and clean city. (The Sri Lanka governmental and administrative capital city is known by the impossibly long name of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte).
I recommend spending your first two nights there after flying into the international.
Kandy:
However, if you can go to just one place in Sri Lanka, I highly recommend booking one of the fabulous well-priced hotels there and taking day tours. The reason? It is centrally located providing access to many of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist sights.
Elephant Orphanage:
For animal lovers, this is the perfect day trip. Wide fenced-in areas separated elephants of all sizes and all ages. As you can see from my photo, visitors were allowed to get “up close and personal” with the elephants. That was great for selfies. However, if your phone is not waterproof, do be sure to duck if you follow your newly found friends into the river as they relish the chance for a full bath! You may get more than you bargained for.
Jeep safari:
I have been on a wide range of safaris. The first ones were a “traditional” safari in Botswana and then a fabled Kruger Park in South Africa. Those were followed by my visits to wildlife preserves in Brazil’s Amazon and India. The jeep safari in Sri Lanka was mainly focused on spotting a jaguar. Early on, we were unexpectedly rewarded as a jaguar strolled into view and provided almost 30 minutes of escapades.
A Top Solo Travel Destination-Sri Lanka: Getting Started:
Add Sri Lanka to your bucket list. You will be delighted. For three sample tours from NKAR, please go to Sri Lanka Safari, Wildlife and Ecotourism, Solo Travel Cultural Adventure Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka Adventure and Optional Maldives Extension. They can be tailored to your own travel style and budget.
(For other information on solo travel with no single supplements and solo-priced lodging, go to our free search tool, the SoloTravelPricingTracker.net, and for our complimentary “Updated 2020-2021 Solo Travel Guidebook”, be sure to register while there.)
