There’s nothing like seeing a destination through the eyes of a colleague.
In this edition of the Agent Diaries, our BDM, Zoe, takes us on her very first trip to Sri Lanka . Spoiler alert: whatever you think you know about this island, prepare to be surprised! From climbing ancient fortresses to thrilling wildlife encounters, Zoe shares her essential takeaways and why you should be booking your clients on a journey around this incredibly diverse island.
Sri Lanka Stunner: Why I Was Completely Wrong About the Island
I recently got to explore Sri Lanka with two of the Travelpack sales team (Kliva and Nayeda) and five of our amazing agent partners. For most of us, this was our first time there. Some had done all the research—the documentaries, the YouTube deep dives—while others, like myself, went in with zero expectations. I’ve travelled to the Indian Ocean plenty of times, but never to Sri Lanka, and honestly, my preconceptions didn’t do it justice. I was completely wrong about what the island would be like!
Our trip was a whirlwind of culture and nature. We managed to cram in so much, starting with the climb up Sigiriya Rock Fortress (Lion’s Rock)—definitely an incredible achievement!
We then took a gentle boat ride around a lake in Hiriwadunna Village for some bird spotting (thankfully, no signs of crocodiles!), and spent hours wandering through the Polonnaruwa Quadrangle, which is a massive UNESCO World Heritage site full of ancient city ruins.
We also checked out the Dambulla Cave Temple and had a fun race by tuk-tuk to get to the Nine Arches Bridge just in time to see the train pass—such an iconic moment.
Our visit to a Spice Garden was really insightful; our guide shared so many holistic uses for the spices growing there.
Of course, we finished with an incredible Kandyan dance performance.
Two Moments I’ll Never Forget
Two experiences really blew me away:
- The scenic train ride between Kandy and Nanu Oya. It was pure magic, chugging past massive tea plantations and waterfalls. Locals wander through the carriages selling fresh samosas and fruit—it’s a truly authentic slice of life.
- The safari at Kaudulla National Park. I’ve always been more of a city or beach person and never really fancied a safari, but turning a corner in an open-top jeep to see a herd of 40–50 elephants, including tiny calves, eating and playing? That sight will stay with me forever, and it’s completely changed my mind about wildlife travel.
Culinary Adventures and Selling Points
Beyond the sights and wildlife, Sri Lanka has seriously amazing food. One of the agents in our group is coeliac, and she had zero issues with the generous choices offered by the hotels and the delicious local meal we were cooked. The fish is incredibly fresh and abundant.
We made a few spontaneous stops to sample fruit and vegetables sold on roadside stalls, turning it into a fun game—it felt like a mild version of I’m a Celeb trying to guess what we were eating! (Thumbs up for the Mangosteen, but a hard pass on the Durian!)
Final Takeaway for Your Clients
We managed to fit a whole lot into our 8 nights in Sri Lanka, travelling around the island to see the highlights. But I would definitely recommend encouraging your clients to book a longer stay—there’s genuinely so much more to do and see!
Alternatively, I suppose this just gives me a good excuse to go back again soon!
Zoe’s Top Takeaway: Sell the Safari. Clients who think they are only “beach people” will be completely converted by the sheer volume of wildlife they can see in Sri Lanka. It’s a perfect multi-faceted trip.
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