Sri Lanka Holiday Archives - GlenMyu Estate Luxury Bed and Breakfast

Free Visa Access to Sri Lanka

Accommodation, Holiday, Things to do on holiday in Sri Lanka, Travel, visa / By Mikeez

Sri Lanka Visa - free visa access to 31 countries!

We were delighted to read in the press that Sri Lanka will allow free visa access to 31 countries from the 1st October 2024.

Is my country on the list?

Here is a list of countries in alphabetical order that on on the list for free visa access to Sri Lanka.

Australia, Austria,
Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium
Canada, China, Czech Republic,
Denmark,
France,
Germany,
India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy,
Japan
Kazakhstan
Malaysia
Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand
Oman
Poland
Qatar
Russia
Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
Thailand
United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States

3 million tourists in 2025?

Sri Lanka is aiming to welcome 3 million tourists in 2024. The access free visa to enter Sri Lanka for the 31 countries will help the country towards this target.

GlenMyu Estate is looking forward to meeting new guests in 2024

GlenMyu Estate has only been open since 2022 and already we have several returning guests.

We only have three bedrooms on the five acre estate and therefore we can foresee limited capacity in 2024 due to the expected increase in visitors to the country.

GlenMyu Estate is great for those travellers that want to escape from the busy tourist town of Ella and avoid the crowds. Our guests regularly do day trips to Ella to see the sights and return to the peace and quiet of the estate. There are also many more places to explore and experience within a short drive of the estate.

We recommend that guests stay at least three nights as there is so much to see when you visit the Sri Lankan hill country.

Stay at GlenMyu Estate to explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country

GlenMyu Estate is listed on Booking.com and Airbnb.
Contact us by the WhatsApp button on our website for direct booking rates.

Stay at GlenMyu Estate as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country

See sights like Horton Plains National Park is a unique experience.

We only have three bedrooms and you will need to book early during the peak holiday season.

The estate is usually within an hours drive of the major sightseeing locations such as Nine Arch Bridge, Ella Town, Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Lipton’s Seat, Bambarakanda Waterfall and many more.

Free Visa Access to Sri Lanka Read More »

Best time for visiting Trincomalee

Holiday, Things to do on holiday in Sri Lanka / By Mikeez

Best time for visiting Trincomalee?

Best time for visiting Trincomalee?

What time of year is the best to visit this North East Sri Lankan port and see the sights and beaches?

An August outing

We, at GlenMyu Estate, are going to spend four days in Trincomalee in August 2024.

A separate article will be written about our trip and will include some photos and videos.

Our visit will be taking place during one of the months that it is the best time for visiting Trimcomalee.

In the meantime here is the general rule for the time to visit Trincomalaee.

Best time for visiting Trimcomalee? - Avoiding the monsoon season

Did you know that Sri Lanka experiences two monsoons during the year.

The height of the tourist season is from mid-December through to early April. Most visitors escape the European winter and head for some sun on this paradise island.

The South and West coasts are monsoon free during that period.

Most tourists also visit the Sri Lankan hill country and the cultural triangle at that part of the year.

The main South West monsoon (known as the Yala) originates from the Indian Ocean.

This monsoon brings most rain to Colombo, the South, and West coasts and during May and June.

Avoid the North and the East during December to February.

The weaker North East monsoon (called the Maha) brings rain from the Bay of Bengal.

It affects the far North and East between December and February.

Best time of year to visit Trincomalee

The best time for visiting Trincomalee is from May to October.

This is the dry season in Northern Sri Lanka.

Days are usually hot but dry, and the ocean is warm and clear.

This makes it ideal for snorkelling and swimming in Trincomalee.

We will be travelling from GlenMyu Estate in the Sri Lankan hill country

A local festival in our area which can be noisy gives us the opportunity to shut the hotel for a few days and explore.

We will update you on our experience and what we saw in a future article.

In the meantime, check out GlenMyu Estate if you are looking to stay off the beaten track when you are visiting Ella.

Stay at GlenMyu Estate to explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country

GlenMyu Estate is listed on Booking.com and Airbnb.
Contact us by the WhatsApp button on our website for direct booking rates.

Stay at GlenMyu Estate as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country

See sights like Horton Plains National Park is a unique experience.

We only have three bedrooms and you will need to book early during the peak holiday season.

What is there to see and do in Trincomalee?

Much as we like reading and seeing Blogs and Vlogs we rely on local Sri Lankans to give us good insights.

Here is a video by Shenelle Rodrigo which will give a flavour of what we look forward to seeing.

Best time for visiting Trincomalee Read More »

Holidays to Sri Lanka from the UK

Bambarakanda Waterfall, Sri Lanka., Hiking in Sri Lanka, Horton Plains National Park, Lipton's Seat, Haputale, Sri Lanka, The Pekoe Trail, Things to do on holiday in Sri Lanka, Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Koslanda / By Mikeez

Holidays to Sri Lanka from the UK.

Holidays to Sri Lanka from the UK.

How do I get there?
What should I see?
When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka has always been a popular destination from the UK

Travellers from the UK have been visiting Sri Lanka on holiday for many years. This former British Colony (Ceylon) is a comfortable entry into South East Asia.

Driving is on the same side of the road. English is widely spoken and there are familiar sights of the colonial past.

It’s a great place to escape a bleak UK winter. You can get some beach time, culture and see some amazing nature.

Prior to moving to Sri Lanka and starting GlenMyu Estate, we travelled to Sri Lanka on holiday for many years.

As a Sri Lankan/Britsh couple we have experience of travelling and exploring the island.
We have also picked up more information about parts of the island that we have yet to visit from our guests.

How do I get to Sri Lanka from the UK?

Sri Lankan Airlines operates direct flights from the UK to Colombo’s Bandaranaike airport.

The journey time is 10 hours and 45 minutes from London to Colombo.

We think that the major benefit of flying direct is that the flights leave at a sociable hour and arrive at a sensible time.

There are lots of other carriers who stop over on the way to Colombo.

We often travel by Emirates and break the journey by spending a few hours in Dubai airport.
I like to stretch my legs even if it is getting off one plane and getting on another!

The flight duration is normally 7 hours 25 minutes followed by 4 hours twenty minutes.
This brings your journey time to a minimum of 13 hours and 5 minutes (layover 1 hour 20 minutes).

The issue we find is that the flight departure times are not ideal. You end up getting on a flight at 3 am. I can feel jet lagged for longer because of the unsociable hours.

We have flown by Qatar many year ago and found the service to be great.

Friends have travelled by BA via Mumbai to get to Sri Lanka,

Turkish Airlines started flying to Sri Lanka last year and many others have followed.

Quality, time and budget will influence what flight you opt for.

Quality of the service. your budget and the amount of time you are willing to accept to travel are all factors to consider.

We normally travel by Emirates because of the quality of service. Also, sometimes deals are better than Sri Lankan.
However, we may opt for Sri Lankan next time to get the journey over with as quickly as possible.

You can search for deals which will reduce the price of your plane ticket. But this will eat into the time you spend on holiday exploring the island.

What should I see?

Well, this really depends upon what you want to get out of your holiday.

Reading a travel guide to Sri Lanka will show you a vast array of experiences you can have on this small island. It really packs a big punch for its’ size!

If it’s your first time in Sri Lanka then I would recommend getting an overall experience of the country dipping into what is on offer.

Most visitors do a circular route (clockwise or anti clockwise) around the island.

This allows you to start on a beach (we recommend Negombo as it is not too far from the airport). You can then visit the Cultural Triangle, the Tea Country. The final section of your holiday can be a safari and then recuperation at one of the beaches on the south coast.

Some start at the beaches on the South and see the sights in an anti clockwise direction.

When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?

Most visitors from the Northern Hemisphere escape the winter and visit during the peak season from December to April.

The South and West coasts of the island are monsoon free and the beaches in the south are great for sunbathing or surfing.

There is a party atmosphere in lots of the beach resorts and it’s great to get colour during the winter time.

What about a summer holiday?

The North and East coasts are the places to visit during the UK summer months.

This part of the country is only starting to be discovered. This side of the country has started to be developed as a tourist destination following the ending of the civil war some fifteen years ago.

The beaches are stunning and have a different character from those in the south of the island.

The Sri Lankan hill country is a good place to visit most of the year. You can see tea plantations, take a train journey and and visit the tourist town of Ella at most times if the year.

We really enjoyed staying at Maalu Maalu Hotel in Pasikuda.

It you are looking to stay at an idyllic beach setting and in the comfort of a good quality hotel we can recommend a stay there.

GlenMyu Estate and the Sri Lankan hill country

Since Ella has developed into a tourist hotspot over the last fifteen years, the Sri Lankan hill country has been a must see place on your visit to the island.

Many guests reach here by the famous train journey through the beautiful tea country from Kandy.

There are many places to see in and around Ella such as Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adams Peak and Ravanna Waterfall.

Travellers tend to stay with us at GlenMyu Estate as they want to get off the beaten track and don’t want to stay in a busy tourist town,

Most of our guests do a day trip to Ella from GlenMyu Estate. They also do day trips to hike parts of the new Pekoe Trail, Horton Plains, Lipton’s Seat or see Diyaluma and Bambarakanda Waterfalls,

Stay at GlenMyu Estate to explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country

Stay at GlenMyu Estate as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country.

We only have three bedrooms and you will need to book early during the peak holiday season.

The estate is usually within an hours drive of the major sightseeing locations such as Nine Arch Bridge, Ella Town, Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Lipton’s Seat, Bambarakanda Waterfall and many more,

GlenMyu Estate is listed on Booking.com and Airbnb.
Contact us by the WhatsApp button on our website for direct booking rates.

Holidays to Sri Lanka from the UK Read More »

Amma's Sri Lankan cookery demonstration.

Amma’s Sri Lankan Cooking Demo Photos and Videos

Cookery Courses, Food and Drink, Our food menus at GlenMyu Estate, Ru's Recipes, Sri Lankan Cooking, sri lankan recipes / By Mikeez

Amma's Sri Lankan cookery demo Photos and Videos.

Sri Lankan Cooking demonstration photos and videos.

Our guests love Amma’s Sri Lankan cookery demonstration.

We thought you would like to get a taste of what happens at the demonstration by sharing some photos and videos of the event.

Amma's Sri Lankan cookery demonstration.

Here is a selection of photos with Amma and our guests participating in Amma’s Sri Lankan cookery demonstration.

You will see that sometimes the demonstration takes place inside and at our outside kitchens. The venue is all weather dependent and both are unique expediences.

Amma's Sri Lankan cookery demonstration Videos.

Sri Lankan Cooking demonstration photos and videos

The videos appear on our two Youtube Channels.

Please subscribe to Ru’s Recipes and GlenMyu Estate Youtube channels so you don’t miss new content that we share.

You will also be able to see our Youtube shorts on these channels.

Stay at GlenMyu Estate to explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country

A stay at GlenMyu Estate as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country and see sights like Horton Plains National Park is a unique experience.

We only have three bedrooms and you will need to book early during the peak holiday season.

The estate is usually within an hours drive of the major sightseeing locations such as Nine Arch Bridge, Ella Town, Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Lipton’s Seat, Bambarakanda Waterfall and many more,

GlenMyu Estate is listed on Booking.com and Airbnb.
Contact us by the WhatsApp button on our website for direct booking rates.

Amma’s Sri Lankan Cooking Demo Photos and Videos Read More »

A view from the lawn of the the house at GlenMyu Estate, Hotel and Bed & Breakfast, Haputale, Sri Lanka.

Less touristy places to stay near Ella, Sri Lanka?

Accommodation, Hiking in Sri Lanka, Holiday, Sri Lanka, Travel / By Mikeez

Less touristy places to stay near Ella

We find that there are more and more travellers looking for less touristy places to stay near Ella, Sri Lanka.

If you want to get away from the tourist crowd, then GlenMyu Estate Hotel is around 1 hours drive from Ella so ideal for day trips.

Ella is great.

It is a one of the most iconic places to visit in Sri Lanka hosting Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam’s Peak. Ravana Waterfall, Ravana’s Cave, Ella Rock and a Zip Line.

The town’s main street has an array of popular restaurants serving a range of delicacies for hungry visitors. You can have Vegan Food, a good old hamburger, pizza and a range of traditional Sri Lankan food.

There are smaller places to eat, a little more of a Sri Lankan style scattered about the town and on the outskirts.

Those who stay in Ella and venture further afield can visit the wonder of Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Lipton’s Seat, Dambetenne Tea Factory, Thangamale Bird Sanctuary, Adisham Bungalow and many more places of interest.

One of the most scenic railway journeys in Sri Lanka …and the world!

Many tourists visiting Sri Lanka travel on the six to seven hour railway journey from Kandy, a former capital of the country, to Ella Railway station. The journey takes you through lush mountainous terrain with manicured tea plantations in the distance.

There are mixed views that the most beautiful part of the journey is from Nanu Oya to Ella or from Haputale to Ella. We, however, have had guests at GlenMyu Estate who enjoyed the journey an hour out from Kandy, so beauty is clearly in the eye of the beholder.

Buying tickets for the train can be a challenge. An online service was launched in early 2023 but the tickets are sold out quite early on. You can rock up to the train station and purchase the tickets on the day, if it is not fully sold out. The main issue about not purchasing a ticket in advance is that you may not get a seat and you will probably be in Thirds Class. The Third Class section is considered to be a more authentic experience of a train journey in Sri Lanka as this is where most of the local people travel by train. However, standing for six to seven hours is something that is beyond what I would accept. Unfortunately, we have had guests at GlenMyu Estate who have had to stand for most of the journey. It puts a dent into what should be a memorable experience.

Once you are on the train you can join the sheep and get your, now not so unique, instagram photo of you hanging off the train. The train does move quite slowly at times so there is on a little danger of falling off or being hit by something. Unfortunately, everyone is not so lucky and, there have been accidents and a trip to hospital as a result of trying to get your snap. Please be warned and take care

The History of Ella.

Prior to 1970 Ella was a very small town with little commercial activity. At that time there was no road to Wellawaya and ravens Waterfall was hidden in the jungle. It took a days hike in tough terrain to reach the waterfall.

In the 1970’s the Ella to Wellawaya Road was completed and was able to be navigated by a vehicle. Ella was more popular to get top by vehicle rather than by train for many years.

It was not until around 2008 that Ella became a popular back-packer’s find. This was mainly due to it being highlighted as a place to visit in the Lonely Planet Travel Guide.

In 2004, after the Tsunami, Lonely Planet introduced Ella as a comfortable backpacker location which could be reached from the Capital, Colombo, on a 10 hour train journey

Subsequently, with further improvements in infrastructure and places of interest being more accessible, more tourists started exploring the area.

You can read more about the development of Ella one the following Blog by Forest Bird.

The bars and the nightlife

Being in Sri Lanka for seven years now I do miss the atmosphere in a European bar, spending time with friends, shooting the breeze and listening to some good music. It’s a great place to meet people, share stories of touring around Sri Lanka and getting some recommendations. If I was young and single, I would love it.

I still like to go to Ella occasionally, sample the atmosphere and have something different to eat and drink.

Wanting something a little less busy?

Our experience at GlenMyu Estate is that some guests want to be located within reach of Ella so that they can see the sights there, but don’t want to be in the heart of the town. We have had guests that are young and old, with backpacks and suitcases, single, married and with children. Many of our guests want to be away from places that are too touristy (is that a word?) and experience good bars, restaurants and nightlife back in Europe.

Some of our guests spend two or three nights at GlenMyu Estate and then go to Ella and stay there for a few nights.

At the end of the day I often say “it’s horses for courses”. There is nothing wrong with Ella and thousands of people have a great time there. We actually had a honeymoon couple cancel their booking with us (quite late on) and extend their stay in Ella as they were having such a good time.

We were happy that they made that decision. Both my wife and I just wanted all travellers to Sri Lanka to have a wonderful time on this Paradise Island, return and explore some more.

Stay at GlenMyu Estate to explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country

A stay at GlenMyu Estate as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country and visit Ella on a day trip.

We only have three bedrooms and you will need to book early during the peak holiday season.

The estate is usually within an hours drive of the major sightseeing locations such as Nine Arch Bridge, Ella Town, Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Lipton’s Seat, Bambarakanda Waterfall and many more,

GlenMyu Estate is listed on Booking.com and Airbnb.
Contact us by the WhatsApp button on our website for direct booking rates.

Less touristy places to stay near Ella, Sri Lanka? Read More »