Tika Traveller

Discover Sri Lanka & Maldives From Those Who Know It Best

Blogs from Tikalanka are designed to enhance your knowledge of Sri Lanka and Maldives and keep you up to date with recent developments. We intend to post regular features on travel, news, lifestyle and accommodation as well as guest articles from current and past customers, which will give you first-hand experience of Tikalanka, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Sri Lanka's beautiful and enigmatic Tea Country

TikaWeeks #10/2023: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 10th March 2023

I am sure you will have heard of the Camino de Santiago in Spain, Peru's Inca Trail or the well-trammelled route to Everest Base Camp, but do you know about the world's newest walking trail? No, well it's Sri Lanka's very own Pekoe Trail, a 300-km, 22-stage network of hiking trails, which winds its way through the island's dramatic Hill Country, an area synonymous with growing tea. Intended to be walked in stages or in full, it was conceived to encourage more visitors into the island's most remote regions.

Leopard seen in Yala NP by Harriet and Michael on holiday with Tikalanka in February 2023

TikaWeeks #09/2023: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 4th March 2023

We can share with you the good news that tourism is bouncing back in Sri Lanka with over 24% more visitors than last year, which definitely indicates confidence in travelling to the island now. Recent customers totally agree, with glowing reports of the island’s delights as well as our expert guides and quality accommodation on offer. So why not give us a call or email us your wish list to create your ideal holiday to Sri Lanka with Tikalanka. Remember there is always Maldives to add on if you want an extra-special trip of a lifetime!

TikaWeeks #05/2023: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 31st January 2023

After the economic meltdown in Sri Lanka last year, there seems to be a lack of reportage in the British press regarding the current situation on the island. Despite the shortage of up-to-date information we are receiving a lot of interest in our holidays for this and next year, which just shows how attractive the country is perceived by global travellers. Here is the latest from the ever-smiling island nation of Sri Lanka.

TikaWeeks #43/2022: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 26th October 2022

Various chats with Pathi over the past few weeks have given me hope of revitalising travel to Sri Lanka in the coming months. Although the country is still recovering from political and economic instability earlier on this year, there are positive signs of progress and recent travellers talk of the island’s natural beauty, amazing people, unique experiences, outstanding food and excellent value for money.

Ayubowan - may you have the gift of a long life - is Sri Lanka's salutation to visitors

TikaWeeks #40/2022: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 9th October 2022

Apologies for taking the summer off, but with travel to Sri Lanka off limits until last month, a regular update seemed superfluous. However, enquiries and bookings are now picking up, the island is stable and showing signs of normality, and a feeling of positivity has returned to Sri Lanka. There are still shortages but the queues have disappeared and the local sentiment is upbeat. Tourism is a key driver in the country’s recovery being a major foreign currency earner and contributor to GDP so travel has a big part to play.

TikaWeeks #23/2022: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 11th June 2022

Good news. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office no longer advises against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka so we are able to offer holidays to Sri Lanka again for immediate departure. Please get back to us asap if you are still looking for that special holiday or honeymoon to Sri Lanka and/or Maldives this summer.

A train negotiating the tortuous railway line through the Hill Country in Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #10/2022: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 9th March 2022

Like the rest of the world, Sri Lanka is currently suffering the effects of sky-high oil prices, supply chain issues and a prolonged break in tourism due to the pandemic but this doesn’t stop new travel initiatives from appearing on the island. These include a new luxury train service from Kandy to Ella (the most picturesque railway journey on the island), a projected cable car route through the breath-taking scenery of the Hill Country, and the opening of the Central Expressway between Colombo and Kandy in 2024.

TikaWeeks #09/2022: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 2nd March 2022

Yesterday, the Sri Lankan authorities removed the requirement of a pre-arrival COVID-19 negative test result, which should aid the recovery of the island’s beleaguered tourism industry. This comes hot on the heels of Emirates no longer requiring a PCR test for transiting passengers through Dubai. Both are indications that countries are beginning to relax their pandemic travel requirements to encourage more foreign travel.

Quintessential Ceylon - a pot of tea overlooking misty mountains in the magnificent Hill Country at W15 Hanthana Estate, Kandy, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #01/2022: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 7th January 2022

Happy New Year and now back to the last. Our ‘Northern Tour’ of Sri Lanka started with visiting a few special places to stay around Kandy before heading northeast into the Cultural Triangle – Dambulla, Sigiriya and Habarana – and on to Nilaveli just north of Trincomalee on the east coast. We then drove straight up to Jaffna at the northernmost tip of the island before returning south to the Anuradhapura and Wilpattu region. Our last stop was in the Negombo area before I flew home.

Lunuganga, or Salt River, is Geoffrey Bawa's name for his private estate on Dedduwa Lake

TikaWeeks #50/2021: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 16th December 2021

Just returned from an 18-day research trip to Sri Lanka, which was a precursor to restarting our holidays by the New Year. Pathi and I travelled around the island meeting tourism colleagues, visiting current and new accommodation, and discussing the restart with our guides. Overall, the trip was a success and we are confident that a holiday in Sri Lanka will be a great experience despite the few extra precautions required due to COVID-19.

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