Choosing the right journey vacation spot for a memorable getaway isn’t any straightforward activity. We should inform you that your fellow Indians are travelling to Sri Lanka and so must you.

Sri Lanka just lately surpassed the Maldives (desi folks’s favorite journey vacation spot as soon as upon a time) when it comes to footfall from India. Appears like Indian vacationers have been heading to Sri Lanka after the diplomatic row between India and Maldives as they nonetheless appear livid in regards to the feedback by just a few Maldivian ministers towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his Lakshadweep go to.

A report by the Male-based information outlet Adhadhu states that for the previous 4 years, the vacationer arrivals in Sri Lanka lagged behind the Maldives. However in January 2024, Sri Lanka surpassed the Maldives.

The mesmerising Galle Seashore in Sri Lanka (Picture: Getty Photographs)

The publication shared {that a} huge surge in Indian vacationers visiting Sri Lanka is among the causes behind the rise in vacationer arrivals.

  • In January 2023, 13,759 Indians visited Sri Lanka.
  • In January 2024, the quantity jumped 2.5 instances to 34,399.
  • With this inflow, Maldives has recorded a major drop.
  • Round 17,029 Indians went to the Maldives in January 2023.
  • In January 2024, solely 15,006 visited the Maldives.
  • India additionally emerged as the highest supply of vacationers to Sri Lanka in January this yr.

High 5 vacationer markets for Sri Lanka in January 2024

  • India – 34,399
  • Russia – 31,159
  • UK – 16,665
  • Germany – 13,593
  • China – 11,511

High 5 vacationer markets for Maldives in January 2024

  • Russia – 20,113
  • China – 19,895
  • Italy – 19,542
  • UK – 16,013
  • India – 15,006

Effectively, now you understand that Indians are going gaga over Sri Lanka. So, here is all the pieces you might want to find out about visiting this nation.

Sri Lanka is an island nation in South Asia and lies within the Indian Ocean. It’s separated from the Indian peninsula by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait.

Expertise a sizzling air balloon trip in Sri Lanka (Picture: Getty Photographs)

This nation is usually a nice vacation vacation spot because it has quite a bit to supply, together with a number of heritage websites, seashores, and wildlife parks.

Whereas visiting Sri Lanka, you possibly can plan a brief 5-day journey. However if you’re within the temper to discover this lovely nation, you may also go for a relaxed 15-day journey.

Learn how to attain Sri Lanka

By air

  • That is the quickest method to attain Sri Lanka from India.
  • Colombo, the nation’s capital, has direct flights to most massive cities in India, like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad.
  • A spherical journey from India to Sri Lanka might price you round Rs 16,000 to Rs 90,000 (per particular person), relying on the place you are taking the flight from and which class you select.
  • Delhi to Colombo – 3 hours 35 minutes roughly.
  • Mumbai to Colombo – 2 hours half-hour roughly.
  • Bengaluru to Colombo – 1 hour half-hour roughly.
  • Chennai to Colombo – 1 hour half-hour roughly.
  • Hyderabad to Colombo – 2 hours roughly.
Screenshots: MakeMyTrip

By sea

You may also hop on a cruise to go to Sri Lanka. Cordelia Cruises gives totally different routes connecting India and Sri Lanka. The value can vary between Rs 55,000 to Rs 4,50,000 per particular person.

Screenshot: Cordeliacruises.com

Visa

In the meanwhile, Sri Lanka is visa-free for Indian passport holders. It’s a pilot challenge by the Sri Lanka cupboard that started in October final yr and can go on until March 31, 2024. Earlier than October 2023, the visa charge for Indians visiting Sri Lanka was round Rs 2,000.

The place to remain

From luxurious resorts to price range hostels, you possibly can select your lodging in Sri Lanka as per your price range and the cities you’re staying in.

In fashionable Sri Lankan cities like Colombo and Kandy, the per night time room price at a 5-star property may be between Rs 15,000 to Rs 40,000 roughly. A price range keep might price between Rs 1,500 to Rs 5,000.

Screenshots: MakeMyTrip

How a lot will it price

Is visiting Sri Lanka costly? Effectively, that completely will depend on how lavishly you want to keep.

  • A 5-day price range journey to this nation might price round Rs 55,000 to Rs 75,000 per particular person.
  • For a lavish journey, then again, you will should spend between Rs 2,00,000 to Rs 4,00,000 per particular person.

When you want to save your self from the trouble of planning the journey by yourself, you may also examine totally different journey web sites on-line and select a package deal as per your price range. The packages (together with flights) might vary between Rs 60,000 to Rs 2,00,000.

Screenshots: MakeMyTrip

In Sri Lanka, the native forex is the Sri Lankan rupee, also known as LKR. 1 Indian rupee equals 3.77 Sri Lankan rupees roughly.

Locations to go to

  • Colombo: That is the biggest metropolis in Sri Lanka by inhabitants. There are a number of temples and seashores you can discover right here.
  • Kandy: This metropolis is called a pilgrimage vacation spot. It’s also a listed UNESCO World Heritage website. The tea plantations and Kandy tea are additionally very talked-about.
  • Jaffna: Touted as probably the most lovely cities in Sri Lanka, Jaffna is thought for its predominant Tamil inhabitants.
  • Galle: This metropolis is a well-liked seaside vacation spot. It’s well-known for its seventeenth century Dutch fort.
  • Bentota: This city is ideal for honeymooners. It’s also a great place for water actions.
  • Trincomalee: This Sri Lankan metropolis is legendary for its pristine seashores and historic temples.
  • Sigiriya: The traditional rock fortress is among the hottest vacationer spots.
  • Ella: This small city is thought for its lush landscapes and mountain climbing trails. When in Ella, remember to take a prepare trip and you can be left amazed by the scenic views.
9 arches bridge between Ella and Demodara (Picture: Getty Photographs)

Finest time to go to

  • There are two monsoons in Sri Lanka – Yala (south-west; April-September) and Maha (north-east; November-March).
  • One of the best time to go to this nation is November to April within the south-west and February to September within the north-east.
  • The typical temperature round Sri Lanka is 25°C year-round.
  • The height vacationer season is from December to April.

Meals and language

Similar to Indian delicacies, Sri Lankan delicacies is thought for its highly effective punch of spices and herbs. A few of the fashionable dishes listed here are kiribath, kottu, hoppers, lamprais, pol roti and kool. In the meantime, the principle languages spoken in Sri Lanka are Sinhala and Tamil. English can also be spoken right here.

This is what your 7-day itinerary can appear to be

Day 1

  • Arrive in Colombo and keep at your pre-booked lodge.
  • Take the primary day sluggish and loosen up at your lodge.

Day 2

  • Head to Sigiriya in a personal cab. You may also take a bus.
  • Go to the traditional rock fortress.
  • Expertise the recent air balloon trip.
  • Return to Colombo.

Day 3

  • Head to Kandy in a personal cab or bus.
  • Keep at your pre-booked lodge.
  • Discover the town by visiting Udawattekele Sanctuary, Kandy lake, tea plantations, temple of Tooth Relic and extra.

Day 4

  • Plan a day journey to Ella and return to Kandy.

Day 5

  • Head to Galle in a personal cab or bus.
  • Keep at your pre-booked lodge.
  • Get pleasure from a soothing seaside day.

Day 6

  • Head to Colombo in a personal cab or bus.
  • Keep at your pre-booked lodge.
  • Discover the town by visiting the historic landmarks.

Day 7

  • Take a look at out of your lodge and head again to your vacation spot.

It’s identified to all that Sri Lanka has suffered quite a bit in the previous few years, from the Easter Sunday bombings in 2019 to the financial disaster. Solely just lately, the nation has gained stability and is flourishing with a rise in tourism.

(Observe: The costs talked about within the article are in accordance with the date of publishing and may change on the time of reserving. Readers are suggested to examine beforehand.)

Printed By:

Mehak Malhotra

Printed On:

Feb 6, 2024

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