- Knowledge
- Expertly Crafted
- Value
- Peace of Mind
Villa living on a bespoke holiday to Sri Lanka provides the best of all worlds – you get to relax and reconnect with family and friends in a private space
while enjoying all the benefits of a world-class hotel.
Offering a variety of layouts, en suite bedrooms, communal spaces and first-rate amenities, a private villa allows you to feel immediately at home and
to quickly settle into your environment. If sharing facilities with strangers isn’t your thing, gyms, spas, screening rooms and
swimming pools will be yours for the taking (and you’ll also get to bag the best sun lounging spot!).

GALLE FORT
Mainly built by the Dutch in the1600s, Galle Fort in Sri Lanka is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an easy going and historic atmosphere. Stroll around the outskirts of the fort and explore the quaint boutiques, cafes, art shops and museums inside the walls. An afternoon tea on the veranda at Amangalla is a must.

BOAT TRIPS ON KOGGALA LAKE
Visit Koggala Lake which is alive with birdlife and dotted with islands; one features a Buddhist temple, another a cinnamon plantation and herb-garden. Lightfoot Travel recommend a 90-minute boat tour in the late afternoon when the lake is teeming with birdlife; it’s also the best time for spotting a crocodile.

HANDUNUGODA ESTATE
Venture into Sri Lanka’s tea country with a private guide and encounter cinnamon peelers at a local tea estate. Watch as they work, hear about the healing properties of cinnamon and try peeling cinnamon yourself. The Handunugoda Estate provides a fascinating tour around its plantation, as well as a demonstration of the harvesting of their speciality Virgin White Tea - the only tea untouched by hand and considered to be the purest tea in the world.

BIKE RIDES
Head on a bike ride escorted by knowledgeable and passionate guides across Sri Lanka’s verdant rice paddies, tea plantations and secret tracks. A couple of rest stops will be planned en route where you’ll have the chance for refreshments and time to meet the locals. Plan a mountain biking tour around Wijaya Beach at the end of the day so you can combine it with a drink at sunset.

HUMMANAYA BLOWHOLE
Take a trip to the fascinating Hummanaya Blowhole in Dikwella, a natural wonder that sprays a jet of sea water into the air between two giant rocks, sometimes reaching heights of over 80 -100 feet. Known to be the second largest blowhole in the world, it can be accessed by a ten-minute walk through a small village dotted with local vendors to a backdrop of the beautiful blue coast. Go at high-tide for ultimate impact!

KANNELIYA RAINFOREST RESERVE
Explore Kanneliya Rainforest Reserve’s hills, valleys, flat landscapes and dense forest canopies accompanied by a wildlife tracker. The reserve is home to endemic birds, butterflies, dragonflies and reptiles. The Wildlife Conservation Society of Galle runs an Animal Rescue Programme and a Biodiversity Breeding Centre here to improve the populations of endemic freshwater fish and amphibians.

BLUE WHALE SPOTTING
People from around the world flock to Weligama on Sri Lanka’s south coast to experience the thrill of watching Blue Whales, as well as the opportunity to see orcas, dolphins and sea turtles in their natural habitat. The best time to go is from October - April.

TEMPLE HOPPING
Temples are dotted throughout Sri Lanka, with some of the best on the southern coastline. Visit Wewurukannala Viharaya Temple where the 50m high seated Buddha figure here is the largest in the country. For an off-the-beaten-track experience, explore the seven cave temples of Mulkiligara and its spectacular hilltop viewpoint. Remember to cover your legs and shoulders, and to remove your shoes before entering all temples.

YALA NATIONAL PARK
Combine your holiday on Sri Lanka’s south coast with a trip to Yala National Park where you’ll find the highest concentration of leopards worldwide. Embark on a wildlife safari while also looking for elephants and crocodiles, and stay in luxurious accommodation such as Wild Coast Tented Lodge. Alternatively, Udawalawe, approximately three hours from Galle, is home to elephants, deer, great birdlife and awesome scenery.

COOKERY SCHOOL
Sri Lankan food comes with influences from Arabia, Malaysia, Portugal, the Netherlands and the UK, so it’s a captivating cuisine to master. Lightfoot Travel can arrange trips to local markets and organic vegetable gardens to source ingredients, as well as cookery classes with local families or executive chefs so you can learn how to recreate dishes from your holiday once you return home.

DIVING AND SNORKELLING
Sri Lanka has plenty of great scuba diving and snorkelling spots with PADI diving schools dotting the southern beaches. Lightfoot Travel can arrange a diving and snorkelling activity for you with expert guides so you know you’re in safe hands. Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna and Mirissa are popular locations where the coral reef dive spots provide depths for all levels. For more established divers there are also shipwrecks to explore.

SURFING
Sri Lanka’s surf season runs from December to March. Lightfoot Travel recommend heading for Weligama if you’re new to surfing as its wide bay and waves provide a perfect platform for beginners. Hikkaduwa and Midigama are ideal for intermediate-level surfers. Kabalana Point (or The Rock) is the go-to for professional surfers due to its powerful break.

SEA TURTLE HATCHERY
The Sea Turtle hatchery in Habaraduwa on Sri Lanka’s south coast is where injured turtles from the local and neighbouring areas go to for recovery. Here they heal their wounds before being released back into their natural habitat. A lovely place to spend a few hours, children especially love handling the mini turtles and sending them off into the sea when they’re fully recovered.

UNAWATUNA BEACH
Sri Lanka’s stunning south coast offers endless honey sands and tranquil crescent bays. Unawatuna, around 6.5km from Galle is home to many beach bars and fun restaurants. The Kingfisher Restaurant is highly recommended for lunch at the far end of the beach.

HIKKADUWA BEACH
Twenty minutes from Galle heading towards Colombo, Hikkaduwa is the main surfing beach on the south west coast of Sri Lanka. The area has been popular since the 1970s which makes it well established with lots of beach bars and restaurants. The beach is perfect for kite boarding, swimming and snorkelling, and it’s a fun spot for shopping and nightlife.
We won't take you to the usual tourist traps, instead we'll introduce you to people that show you the true side of a country. With our contacts in each destination, we can arrange for you to meet locals away from the crowds and ensure an authentic experience.
You can rely on our extensive first-hand knowledge and years of experience in the country you’re visiting. We use only the best expert guides, and provide insider tips on the local customs, and everything from vibrant festivals to hidden Himalayan monasteries
Your holiday will be as unique as you are. By getting to know you and what makes you tick, we fuse our wealth of expertise and a deep understanding of our destinations to create unique day by day itineraries that are built around you.