Spanning from May to November, the season offers a tranquil and immersive travel period to discover Resplendent Ceylon’s collection of luxury resorts, backdropped by lush landscapes, thriving wildlife and vibrant festivities.
As monsoons gently refresh the island’s countryside, the Emerald Season transforms Sri Lanka into a verdant paradise of serene escapes, exclusive experiences and seasonal wonders.
Guests can enjoy quieter game drives, secluded beach retreats and cooler highland or tea-trail getaways, all while immersing in cultural moments such as Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Vesak and Diwali.
Each month of the Emerald Season in Sri Lanka unfolds a tapestry of unique experiences, with Resplendent Ceylon’s five properties providing guests with access to the island’s diverse cultural and natural wonders.
Ceylon Tea Trails in the central highlands, Wild Coast Tented Lodge in the country’s south-east and Cape Weligama in the southern riviera are Sri Lanka’s sole members of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux. Among the Reverie Collection are two more idyllic retreats: Kayaam House on the south coast and Ahu Bay located on the southern Ahungalla Point coastline.
Emerald Season calendar highlights include:
•May – From any Resplendent Ceylon property, witness the luminous Vesak Festival as local communities illuminate the night sky with glowing lanterns in celebration of Buddhist traditions.
•July – September – Learn about one of the world’s largest congregations of Asian elephants under the guidance of Resplendent’s experts at Wild Coast Tented Lodge and Cape Weligama.
•November – Discover migratory birdwatching as flocks arrive for the nesting season, best viewed from Ceylon Tea Trails, Wild Coast Tented Lodge and Cape Weligama.
Families seeking unforgettable experiences for their children can now explore three immersive, educational programs designed to ignite curiosity and adventure in Sri Lanka’s stunning landscapes. These include:
•Cape Forest Camp: Five-Day Exploration – A nature-packed adventure where kids will craft bug hotels, explore natural paint-making and discover local ecosystems. Highlights include clay modelling, jungle exploration, marine life discovery and hands-on creative projects. A minimum six-night stay is required with an optional upgrade to a seven-day package featuring stargazing and a bonfire.
•Junior Ranger Program – Young explorers can earn their Junior Ranger certification through a three-day wilderness experience at Wild Coast Lodge, Yala. Activities include animal tracking, footprint identification, and engaging night-time lodge camera trap reviews. Families enjoy exclusive game drives and specially designed kids’ dining experiences.
• Junior Tea Planter Experience – Set in the picturesque Bogawantalawa Valley, this hands-on journey at Ceylon Tea Trails introduces children to the art of tea cultivation. From tea plucking and tasting to learning about climate impact and the heritage of Ceylon Tea, young participants leave with a tea-making kit and a Junior Tea Planter certificate.
With fewer crowds, tailored itineraries and nature in full bloom, the Emerald Season invites discerning travellers to experience the soul of Sri Lanka in an entirely new way.
To mark the unveiling of this new chapter, Resplendent Ceylon is offering exclusive Emerald Season 2025 packages, valid for stays between 1 May – 23 December 2025. The offer includes:
• 30% savings at Cape Weligama from 1 May – 19 December 2025
• 30% savings at Ceylon Tea Trails from 1 May – 30 September 2025 (excluding August 2025)
• 20% savings at Wild Coast Tented Lodge from 1 May – 30 September 2025
• Complimentary stay for one child (ages 2-16) at Ceylon Tea Trails, Wild Coast Tented Lodge and Cape Weligama.
• Family friendly experiences including the Junior Tea Planter program, Junior Ranger program, summer camps and kids’ cooking classes.
Bookings for Emerald Season offers are open until 31 March 2025, providing an unmissable opportunity to explore Sri Lanka at its most enchanting.
For more information on Emerald Season and for reservations, visit www.resplendentceylon.com.
Wayfarer recommends flying to Colombo on Sri Lankan Airlines, the nation’s flag carrier, which offers fantastic meals, onboard entertainment and legendary South Asian hospitality.
Sri Lankan Airlines flies to Colombo from across the world, including London, Sydney, Melbourne and more, on the carrier’s Airbus A330 fleet that feature spacious flatbed seats in Business Class and comfortable seats in Economy Class.
Onboard across both cabins, expect delightful Sri Lankan and western dishes in both cabins, plus leading movies and TV shows on the airline’s inflight entertainment system.
From Colombo, Oneworld alliance member Sri Lankan can connect you to some of Asia’s best destinations, from India to the Maldives and beyond.
Book your next trip at Sri Lankan Airlines’ website, www.srilankan.com/en_uk/au