Join our world of travel
Receive handpicked inspiration, insider tips and exclusive updates from Emma, Deborah and the Essential Escapes team.
Our bespoke journeys
From tea-covered hills to palm-fringed beaches and ancient cities, Sri Lanka holds a remarkable variety within its compact size. Days might begin with a temple visit at dawn and end beside the ocean, with markets, train journeys and forest walks in between. Our journeys are designed to follow that rhythm, connecting landscape and culture in ways that feel balanced, personal and unhurried.
Our Sri Lanka journeys are built through trusted local partners who understand the island’s rhythm and variety. Travel from Colombo’s colonial streets to the highlands of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, watching the scenery shift from coast to tea country. Stay in restored manor houses, contemporary beach retreats or wildlife lodges on the edge of national parks. Each itinerary is created to reflect your interests, whether that’s history, wildlife, food or simple time together, and to show the island at an easy, natural pace.
Begin in the Cultural Triangle for the rock fortress of Sigiriya and the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, then head south into the hills by scenic train. Visit tea estates, walk through forested paths, or spend time in Kandy’s markets and temples.
Continue to the coast for Galle’s old fort and quiet beaches beyond, or detour east to less-visited shores. Families can mix light adventure and rest safaris in Yala, cycling near Anuradhapura, or days by the sea, while couples might prefer slow travel through smaller towns and boutique hotels. We plan each journey to flow naturally, connecting Sri Lanka’s places and people in a way that feels effortless and genuine.
Sri Lanka invites you to experience both movement and stillness. Climb Sigiriya at sunrise, visit spice gardens with local growers, or watch elephants gather in Minneriya National Park. Take the train through tea country, explore Galle’s ramparts with a guide, or wander through village lanes to meet local artisans. For quieter days, visit a rural homestay for a cooking class, walk along the coast at sunset, or spend time in a simple lodge surrounded by nature. Travel here feels connected and restorative, shaped by an island where culture, community and the natural world live side by side.
A land of staggering contrasts, where red desert meets turquoise sea and city skylines dissolve...
From the temples of Tamil Nadu to the spice markets of Kerala and the forts...
From wild coastline to mountain passes and open plains, South Africa brings together strikingly different...
Tell us your wishlist and we'll be in touch with the ideas.