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Exploring Sri Lanka with Walkers Tours

Walkers Tours Sri Lanka

After my recent trip through the North Central province of Sri Lanka, I joined Walkers Tours to explore the southern region of the country.

Before going, I didn’t realize how spread out destinations were and how much driving was necessary to get around the country. There were days while traveling the northern region that we’d be in the car for four hours just to see one site.

While it was totally worth it,  I realized that there’s a lot of planning and driving that has to go into a trip through Sri Lanka, and that’s why I think that a tour company is a great way to do that.

Thanks to Walkers Tours, I was able to see so many things in southern Sri Lanka in just a few days. Insider tips from the guides, reliable and knowledgeable drivers, and the ability to experience things that are off the beaten path really can make all the difference.

If you are going to do a Sri Lanka tour, Walkers Tours is a company you should check out!

Udawalawe National Park

About Walkers Tours

This Sri Lankan-owned-and-operated company knows the country inside out. It has been at the top of its game for nearly five decades and it knows exactly what travelers are looking for in Sri Lanka.

From adventure travel to lazy beach getaways, these guys are always ready to lead the way.

Walkers Tours is different from conventional tour companies because they offer totally customized, private excursions in Sri Lanka and a wide range of different packages to inspire you. It took me ages to decide among all of the amazing options.

A cool thing about Walkers Tours is its focus on sustainability. The company has the only carbon-neutral vehicle fleet in Asia and invests heavily in eco-friendly practices in Sri Lanka.

Another thing I liked is their dedication to teaching travelers about Sri Lankan culture. Admittedly, I hadn’t known much about the country before I arrived so I was really looking forward to exploring.

There are cultural and religious festivals going on pretty much all year round in Sri Lanka and having a local at your side makes the celebrations so much more engaging. Not only did I get to see modern life, I also got some insight into Sri Lanka’s long history.

They take you through all of the stunning sites that make up Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage!

Madu Sri Lanka

My Itinerary

While Sri Lanka is often overlooked for more popular destinations like India and the Maldives, I definitely recommend taking the time to explore this gorgeous tropical nation.

So, I chose to explore the Southern Province and hit the highlights there! In three days, I was able to see:

Galle Fort

Unawatuna Beaches

White Tea Plantation

Safari in Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home

Madu River

Cinnamon Island

Check out our full itinerary here!

Udawalawe National Park

My Experience

Walkers Tour has been awarded countless prestigious titles and I can see why. We had a great experience with Walkers Tours from the planning stages all the way to our drop off at the Colombo Airport.

My driver and guide was incredibly knowledgeable, had many stories and lots of information to share, which added to my experience.

Now that it’s all said and done, I can’t wait to return to Sri Lanka!

READ NEXT: A Guide to Southern Sri Lanka

 

Read More

20 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Sri Lanka

The Ultimate Survival Guide for Long-Haul Flights

A Guide to North Central Sri Lanka

What to Pack for a Week in The Maldives

The Ultimate Travel Gear Packing Guide

SHOP my favorite travel essentials!

Thank you to Walkers Tours for hosting me in Sri Lanka. As always, opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

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    1. Angela

      Would love to visit Sri Lanka one day! Looks amazing xx

      July 21, 2016 at 11:30 pm · Reply
    2. Danielle @ Our Passport Pages

      Until I read this I was never really interested in visiting Sri Lanka. It looks like a beautiful country full of adventures. 🙂 Thank you for sharing! http://ourpassportpages.com/

      July 22, 2016 at 4:11 am · Reply

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    🎶 The hills are alive with the sound of music 🎶
    ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    Love the Sound of Music? What if I told you that you can visit the real Von Trapp family’s lodge from the famed musical starring Julie Andrews in the quiet town of Stowe, Vermont?

    Day 7 of my Autumn New England Road Trip (with a toddler) started the day by driving through Smuggler’s Notch—it’s a short and super windy drive through a mountain pass that’s seriously beautiful.

    Helpful Tip: Get started on the drive as easy as possible. Traffic is notorious during foliage season so we hit the road at 7am and had it to ourselves!

    We then spent the entire day exploring nature trails and hanging with animals at @trappfamilylodge, an Austrian-inspired mountain lodge with 300 acres of farmland in the middle of Stowe.

    The Von Trapps, made famous from the movie The Sound of Music, fled Austria during WWII and ultimately landed in Stowe, VT where their hospitality lives on today. Did you know the Sound of Music is one of the top 10 highest-grossing films of all time??

    Had we had a little more time, we also would have added:

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    ⛪️ Stowe Community Church
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    ☕️ @blackcapvermont
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    We did manage to catch a glimpse of the famed Stowe Community Church from afar, but any closer meant fighting traffic and huge crowds.

    Come back for day 8 and the final video of the series as we explore the beautiful and family-friendly parts of Boston!
    ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    @vermonttourism @visitnew_england
    #vermont #newenglandroadtrip #stowevermont

    486 7
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    🎶 The hills are alive with the sound of music 🎶 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Love the Sound of Music? What if I told you that you can visit the real Von Trapp family’s lodge from the famed musical starring Julie Andrews in the quiet town of Stowe, Vermont? Day 7 of my Autumn New England Road Trip (with a toddler) started the day by driving through Smuggler’s Notch—it’s a short and super windy drive through a mountain pass that’s seriously beautiful. Helpful Tip: Get started on the drive as easy as possible. Traffic is notorious during foliage season so we hit the road at 7am and had it to ourselves! We then spent the entire day exploring nature trails and hanging with animals at @trappfamilylodge, an Austrian-inspired mountain lodge with 300 acres of farmland in the middle of Stowe. The Von Trapps, made famous from the movie The Sound of Music, fled Austria during WWII and ultimately landed in Stowe, VT where their hospitality lives on today. Did you know the Sound of Music is one of the top 10 highest-grossing films of all time?? Had we had a little more time, we also would have added: 🥾 Moss Glen Falls ⛪️ Stowe Community Church 🍻 @alch3mistb33r ☕️ @blackcapvermont 🥞 @butlers_pantry_stowe We did manage to catch a glimpse of the famed Stowe Community Church from afar, but any closer meant fighting traffic and huge crowds. Come back for day 8 and the final video of the series as we explore the beautiful and family-friendly parts of Boston! •••••••••••••••••••••••••••• @vermonttourism @visitnew_england #vermont #newenglandroadtrip #stowevermont

    Arguably the MOST “autumnal” day of the trip: 🍎 🍂 🍩
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    Welcome back to my Autumn New England Road Trip (with a toddler) series! We’re over halfway through our road trip on Day 6 and this was the perfect day of all things autumn.

    After a slow morning leaving @woodstock.inn, we were on our way to the famous town of Stowe, Vermont!

    I had originally created a jam-packed itinerary, but traveling with a toddler can definitely call for some readjusting and going with the flow. We made 2 of the stops I had planned:

    🍎🌳 Hunger Mountain Orchard
    🍎🍩 @coldhollowcidermillvt

    If we had a little more time, a lot of people add the 🍦 @benandjerrys factory tour on this day.

    We ended our day by checking into the @trappfamilylodge —owned by the real family from the Sound of Music where we enjoyed the lodge and property before dinner and bedtime.

    Be sure to come back for Day 7 with more on this amazing property and all the furry friends that live here!
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    @vermonttourism @visitnew_england
    #vermont #newenglandroadtrip #stowevermont

    520 20
    Open
    Arguably the MOST “autumnal” day of the trip: 🍎 🍂 🍩 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Welcome back to my Autumn New England Road Trip (with a toddler) series! We’re over halfway through our road trip on Day 6 and this was the perfect day of all things autumn. After a slow morning leaving @woodstock.inn, we were on our way to the famous town of Stowe, Vermont! I had originally created a jam-packed itinerary, but traveling with a toddler can definitely call for some readjusting and going with the flow. We made 2 of the stops I had planned: 🍎🌳 Hunger Mountain Orchard 🍎🍩 @coldhollowcidermillvt If we had a little more time, a lot of people add the 🍦 @benandjerrys factory tour on this day. We ended our day by checking into the @trappfamilylodge —owned by the real family from the Sound of Music where we enjoyed the lodge and property before dinner and bedtime. Be sure to come back for Day 7 with more on this amazing property and all the furry friends that live here! ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• @vermonttourism @visitnew_england #vermont #newenglandroadtrip #stowevermont

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    My recent trip to New England was the perfect opportunity to pack my @meet.nex bags with some cute new styles perfect for any trip!

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    Click my link in bio for my luggage and favorite fall styles! #ad

    678 15
    Open
    Fall fashion is my favorite! What about you? 🍁 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• My recent trip to New England was the perfect opportunity to pack my @meet.nex bags with some cute new styles perfect for any trip! Nex luggage is super high-quality and will hold up on any adventure. Their Million Mile Care program is also one-of-a-kind. You can trade in your used luggage towards credit for new luggage! I get so much use out of the Nex crossbody and backpack in Lanikai Amber—they’re my go-to for camera gear and toddler essentials. And you can style them with just about every outfit! •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Click my link in bio for my luggage and favorite fall styles! #ad

    Bienvenidos a Oaxaca! 🇲🇽
    ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    I recently visited this vibrant, colorful city just in time for some of the Dia de los Muertos celebrations and it did not disappoint! From walking the cobblestone streets lined with colorful murals to witnessing centuries’ old architectural marvels, this entire city is an UNESCO World Heritage Site with beautiful sites around every corner.

    There are tons of epic @vrbo vacation homes in Oaxaca—perfect for a group trip!

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    Add these highlights to your Oaxaca bucket list:

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    🇲🇽 Discover the countless murals
    🇲🇽 Visit during Dia de Los Muertos

    Did you know you can also book activities with some of the best local, hidden gems, through @expedia?

    Try a traditional cooking class, book a local photographer, or enjoy a mezcal and mole tasting with a certified sommelier through the @Expedia app!

    Have you been to Oaxaca? What time of year did you go and what was your favorite part??
    ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    #mexico #oaxaca #diadelosmuertos

    1153 33
    Open
    Bienvenidos a Oaxaca! 🇲🇽 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• I recently visited this vibrant, colorful city just in time for some of the Dia de los Muertos celebrations and it did not disappoint! From walking the cobblestone streets lined with colorful murals to witnessing centuries’ old architectural marvels, this entire city is an UNESCO World Heritage Site with beautiful sites around every corner. There are tons of epic @vrbo vacation homes in Oaxaca—perfect for a group trip! One of the major highlights of Oaxaca is the FOOD 🤤 Traditional cuisine like mole, mezcal, tlayuda, quesillo, and even… chapulines (aka fried grasshoppers! 😱) are a must. Foodies and adventurous diners alike will find themselves with more than a few delicious options here in Oaxaca. Add these highlights to your Oaxaca bucket list: 🇲🇽 Shop at the artisan markets 🇲🇽 Get down on some delicious street food 🇲🇽 Try a traditional cooking class 🇲🇽 Take a day trip to Hierve el Agua 🇲🇽 Experience a temazcal ceremony 🇲🇽 Discover the countless murals 🇲🇽 Visit during Dia de Los Muertos Did you know you can also book activities with some of the best local, hidden gems, through @expedia? Try a traditional cooking class, book a local photographer, or enjoy a mezcal and mole tasting with a certified sommelier through the @Expedia app! Have you been to Oaxaca? What time of year did you go and what was your favorite part?? •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #mexico #oaxaca #diadelosmuertos

    Is this the cutest town in Vermont? 🍁
    ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    This is Day 5 of our New England Road Trip with a Toddler Series! We stayed at the @woodstock.inn for 2 nights and set aside a full day to explore Woodstock .

    With Woodstock Inn & Resort is situated in the heart of Woodstock, so it gave us the perfect opportunity to explore the town by foot. There are cute shops, cafes, and it’s so festive during foliage season.

    My number one tip here is to reserve your room at Woodstock Inn early! Woodstock is a small town, and especially during fall foliage season, it can be fully booked up a year in advance.

    BONUS TIP: We booked our room through Amex Travel and got tons of perks like early check-in/late check-out, daily breakfast for 2, a room upgrade, guaranteed 4 pm check-out, and a $100 resort credit (which mama DEF used for a massage at the spa).

    We spent our morning at @billingsfarm and got to meet some dairy cows and other farm animals. Kids will love this spot!

    In town, be sure to grab a Maple Creemee (a maple soft serve ice cream) from @woodstockscoops. Visit the F. H. Gillingham & Sons General Store to shop for TONS of local products like maple syrup. And The Village Butcher Shop is a great deli for yummy sandwiches & deli meats & cheese.

    We wanted to eat at @simonpearcerestaurant but it was already fully booked (two months in advance!!!) so plan ahead.

Stay tuned for Day 6 for apple picking, cider donuts, and the cutest family-friendly lodge in Vermont!
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Have you been to Woodstock, Vermont?

    @vermonttourism @visitnew_england
    #vermont #newenglandroadtrip #woodstockvermont

    1021 23
    Open
    Is this the cutest town in Vermont? 🍁 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• This is Day 5 of our New England Road Trip with a Toddler Series! We stayed at the @woodstock.inn for 2 nights and set aside a full day to explore Woodstock . With Woodstock Inn & Resort is situated in the heart of Woodstock, so it gave us the perfect opportunity to explore the town by foot. There are cute shops, cafes, and it’s so festive during foliage season. My number one tip here is to reserve your room at Woodstock Inn early! Woodstock is a small town, and especially during fall foliage season, it can be fully booked up a year in advance. BONUS TIP: We booked our room through Amex Travel and got tons of perks like early check-in/late check-out, daily breakfast for 2, a room upgrade, guaranteed 4 pm check-out, and a $100 resort credit (which mama DEF used for a massage at the spa). We spent our morning at @billingsfarm and got to meet some dairy cows and other farm animals. Kids will love this spot!
 In town, be sure to grab a Maple Creemee (a maple soft serve ice cream) from @woodstockscoops. Visit the F. H. Gillingham & Sons General Store to shop for TONS of local products like maple syrup. And The Village Butcher Shop is a great deli for yummy sandwiches & deli meats & cheese. We wanted to eat at @simonpearcerestaurant but it was already fully booked (two months in advance!!!) so plan ahead.

Stay tuned for Day 6 for apple picking, cider donuts, and the cutest family-friendly lodge in Vermont!
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Have you been to Woodstock, Vermont? @vermonttourism @visitnew_england #vermont #newenglandroadtrip #woodstockvermont
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