F&P Travel expands into Sri Lanka with three insightful new bespoke escorted tours, launching in 2024.
Each new Sri Lanka experience provides an alternative perspective on the cultural, historical and geographical highlights of this intriguing island nation. With so much to offer tourists – Buddhist temples, bustling trading ports, lush rainforest, verdant tea plantations, golden sands and delicious spices – F&P has put together a handful of carefully curated itineraries, guided by experts every step of the way and focusing on everything from tales from local storytellers, and the history of the cinnamon trade to an epic cycling adventure through the magnificent landscape.
Storytellers of Sri Lanka
The brand new 10-night Storytellers of Sri Lanka experience has been specially designed to enable F&P guests to truly get under the skin of this incredible country. F&P’s select group of local storytellers and experts will regale guests with stories rich in fact and folklore, bringing this vibrant island’s fascinating history and culture to life and connecting them deeper to the people who live here.
Over the course of 11 days, and with the guidance of the very best local experts and storytellers at every step, guests will have the opportunity to discover the secrets of Sri Lanka directly from resident island experts, whilst staying at some of Sri Lanka’s top hotels. Highlights include a day spent meditating with monks at a Buddhist Temple in Kandy, hiking Knuckles Mountain with a naturalist, tours of tropical gardens and cinnamon estates, a private Kandyan dancing experience, traditional mask painting in Galle and an in-depth walking tour of the fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site of Galle Fort and of course discovering the art, architecture and street food of the bright lights of Colombo.
Epic Cycling Tour of Sri Lanka
There is no better way to immerse yourself in Sri Lanka’s intense and varied landscapes than with F&P Travel’s new Sri Lanka cycling tour. An incredible opportunity to witness the rich biodiversity up close and marvel at the sweeping vistas while cycling peacefully through the countryside. Expert guides will map out the most remarkable trails and pinpoint wonderful places to stop off along the way.
During this 15-day journey, guests will cycle a minimum of 358km and explore fishing villages, pristine beaches, azure lagoons, lush paddy fields, incredible wildlife on a bike safari through Yala National Park, sacred temples, multiple UNESCO world heritage sites and the legendary Bodhi tree (said to be the oldest tree on earth at over 2,000 years old). A complete sensory experience, after each day in the saddle guests will be invigorated by such vivid sights, sounds, smells and tastes of this remarkable country, with plenty of time allocated between cycle days (ranging from 20km to 116km a day) for some well-deserved relaxation in some of the best hotels on offer.
Exploring the Cinnamon Trails & Tales
Discover the delights of Sri Lanka through the stories linked to the precious Ceylon (or “pure”) cinnamon. Encompassing tales of and trails around the island, explore the appeal of this charming culture – from ancient temples to colonial history and trading ports, to train journeys, hikes and estate tours traversing the tropical topography that lends the ideal conditions for cultivating the prized cinnamon, a spice that is instrumental in the identity of this incredible country.
Over an insightful 10 days, guests will be exposed to an enriching combination of history and relaxation. Highlights include exploring the beautiful old Dutch quarters of Colombo and an after-dark street food tour, visiting the golden-roofed Buddhist Temple of the Tooth, a fascinating visit to a working cinnamon estate and distillery and a glorious half-day whale-watching and water sports expedition on the stunning south coast.