Rainbow Tours Sri Lanka

19/08/2023

19/08/2023

After 3 difficult years, tourism is at last returning! We just completed some tours with the guests shown here and will be on the road again soon now that we are about to start the annual world famous Kandy Perahera Elephant Parades.
Now that Rainbow Tours is back in business, we'd love to see you again and please also let anyone know who might like to visit the Paradise Island 🌈😁

28/01/2023

Wishing all out FB/Meta friends a happy 2023! Tough times in SL last year with fuel/cooking gas shortages and long powercuts. Now slowly emerging despite the ongoing hardship for many and tourism is just starting up again. Huge devaluation of the LKR, but still very good value here for foreigners exchanging hard currency. Beach resorts beginning to fill up, but inland cultural sites still mainly empty and plenty of good value hotel choices. We kept our touring van and now ready to re-start Rainbow Tours. So, fall in love with the Paradise Isle all over again and hope to see you here soon!

Wasantha, Anika, Nisithu (son 7 months), Peter & Bella’s recent puppy litter of 8!

06/01/2022

Last flight of my peacock kite today as flying season ends!
Happy 2022 to all our followers and sorry long delay for posting.
Busy with food retailing at the Rainbow Farm stores and only couple short tours
for foreign residents last year. Still got our touring van and hope to start again when Covid
stops.
all best wishes from the Rainbow family - Wasantha, Anika, Peter + the Lab pack

27/02/2021

Celebrating my birthday opening the new Rainbow Farm Store shops. Many happy customers already and these days food is more reliable business than tourism👍
Rental apartment upstairs not yet finished.
Rainbow Tours running some excursions for island residents, but no island tours for foreigners till the covid bubble restrictions end. 🌈

25/12/2020

Wishing all our Rainbow Tours clients and FB followers very happy Festivities and a much better year in 2021!👍
The airport is due to open soon and there are initial plans for "bubble tourism" - supervised beach only groups in (guarded) fixed locations! If island touring - without undue "restrictions" -
is ever allowed again, we'll be open for business as usual🤞
Meantime, we are setting up in local food shops/supply/distribution etc, which has more reliable prospects for now!
Wasantha decorated his first ever Christmas Tree and made the annual kite (seen flying 1 kilometre up!). The Rainbow Labradors send you all a Christmas kiss❤️while we enjoy the breathtaking views over the Kandy Hills across "the misty valley"!

19/09/2020

Despite no tourism currently on the island - and no prospects in the foreseeable future either with the airport still closed to commercial traffic - we are of course honoured to receive the current TripAdvisor "top 10%" Award! Otherwise, filling in the time pleasantly on this gorgeous island with the Rainbow family recently visiting the still fabulous coral at Pigeon island, Trincomalee. Our labradors Toby & Bella enjoyed some beach time too and now we are also joined at home on daily walks by a neighbour's lab called Rino (bit fat!).

31/07/2020

Hi from Kandy in the middle of Perahera season, but for the first time ever without spectators! As this is basically a very ancient ceremony invoking the rains, the show must go on regardless!
Hoping for better times in tourism with Colombo airport now reopening in September. Look forward to seeing many of our friends returning when the time is right 🌈

09/06/2020

Sri Lanka Tourism - "operational guidelines with health protocols". 8/6/20
http://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/SLTD-issues-tourism-operational-guidelines/108-189628

The 2 month "Lockdown" here on the Paradise Isle was very successful (despite inevitable & huge economic damage) with so far only about 1,500 reported cases (nearly all repatriated Lankan workers from abroad held in quarantine) and some 11 fatalities (mostly elderly with co-morbidities). This rates as one of the best outcomes for any Nation and we hope this "safety" factor will now encourage future visitors to give this island preference over other competitive destinations!
Do please check the planned "new rules" for Tourism on the link above and let us have your comments, which will be passed on anonymously to the authorities to help them update/improve their requirements to be as tourist friendly as possible.

01/04/2020

Despite being a “developing Nation” economy, Sri Lanka is setting a global example by taking swift and impressive response to the global epidemic of COVID-19, reports the Health Review Global. Only 2 deaths and about 130 cases to date, which are nearly all imported by returning citizens.
Sri Lankan health system has both public (free) and private health care sectors. Thanks to the free education system as well, Sri Lanka has trained thousands of well-qualified healthcare professionals and paramedical workforce for many decades through 9 well regulated and state of the art medical faculties covering all regions of the country. Furthermore, all medical staff receive post-graduate training and continuous medical education throughout their careers.

The Rainbow Tours family just moved to a new hilltop location near Kandy (Round House!) with even better views and large garden for the dogs! An OK location for the current "lockdown"!
Wishing all our clients and friends a healthy outcome👍
🌈

10/02/2020

Now SL tourism faces a double whammy with the new Corona virus following so soon after the islamic Easter terror bombs :( NO viral fatalities here with only 1 (now recovered) Chinese case and it seems well under control.
Time will tell, but at least for now we are being supported by former clients and friends returning to the island. A recent UK group enjoyed the Yapahuwa site (pic), the Golden Triangle, Kandy and climbing Adam's Peak. We hope many more of you will soon return to enjoy the unique, uncrowded and inexpensive experiences we offer👍

20/12/2019

Kite flying season in Sri Lanka! As an expert from childhood, Wasantha always makes his own and his skills are here admired by daughter Anika and the Rainbow labradors Bella & Toby! Still almost no tourist work, so this fills in the time nicely👍
Wishing all our former guests and FB friends/supporters a very happy & peaceful Festive season and a brilliant 2020!
Come and see us here on the Paradise isle and send your friends🌈

18/11/2019

After the extremely weak government that made a CATASTROPHIC blunder in security over the 2019 Easter Moslem su***de bomb attacks - which devastated tourism (still really struggling!) and much of the rest of the economy - we now have a "strongman" President with a track record for competent administration and military discipline! Security and harmony within the diverse ethnic communities are his stated priorities. Fingers crossed!
He chose to be inaugurated today at the ancient city site of Anuradhapura, rather than the more usual location of Kandy.

12/10/2019

Sri Lanka’s fascinating pre-history coming to Light:
The Fa-Hien Lena Cave
site of the oldest human-made tools in South Asia - tiny, retouched stones called microliths that date back around 45,000 years.

“We undertook detailed measurements of stone tools and reconstructed their production patterns at the site of Fa-Hien Lena Cave,” said Mr Wedage.

“This is the site with the earliest evidence for human occupation in Sri Lanka. We found clear evidence for the production of ‘miniaturised’ stone tools or ‘microliths’ at Fa-Hien Lena, dating to the earliest period of human occupation,” he added.

In addition, the researchers note that the tools found in the Fa-Hien cave bear a considerable similarity to those used by the local cultures as recently as around 4,000 years ago — suggest a long-term technological stability in the region.

The full findings of the study were published in the journal Plos One.
By Ian Randall. UK Mail, London

10/09/2019

SRI LANKA TOPS POLL OF BEST ISLANDS - 2019.
Every year for its World’s Best Awards survey, the 'Travel and Leisure' website asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe. The Paradise Isle was included for the first time this year and went straight to NUMBER 1 with a high score of 92.12!
Wasantha recently touring with Australian guests who booked before the Easter bomb outrage and happily did not
cancel :) Tourism is still crippled here, so please network your contacts and tell them that all is secure - there could not be a better time to visit!

10/08/2019

"Visions of an Island" is an autobiographical account of
Sir Christopher Ondaatje's romance with Sri Lanka drawing on several of his books. Having left the island as a child, he rediscovers the land of his birth and tries to reconcile with the memory of his father
"A gem of a documentary"
"One of the finest films on the pearl of the Indian Ocean"
"Unique"
http://www.mq.edu.au (50mins)

Do share with others so we can reignite the growing enthusiasm for this island that is still suffering the catastrophic consequence of recent hooligan su***de bombers.
NB> Free Tourist visas from August 1st, 2019 for 6 months!

04/07/2019

With still no new bookings after the Easter attack, we are struggling so please help us get "re-started" - then we can continue supporting local worthy causes!
At least Lonely Planet has just maintained it's "Sri Lanka top destination for 2019" designation, so that should help! With high security now in place, cheaper prices and no crowds to spoil enjoyment of the sites/park, there could not be a better time to visit the Paradise island.
Please feel free to contact either organisation direct if you can help.

T.E.A. MISSION:
To improve opportunities for vulnerable children through training, empowerment and awareness programmes that stimulate learning, develop prospects and increase life chances. We work to ensure that all children are safe, happy and healthy. Their inspiring work is especially focussed on the deprived Tamil tea picker communities in the Kandy hills. So far, we have contributed the scooter and are helping with re-roofing a former cowshed as the main schoolroom.
www.theteaproject.org

"Liya Diriya" is an empowerment project for poor local village women. We order our popular client souvenir bags from them as part of their "go green" initiative to replace plastic with raw cotton, hand painted bags.
email: [email protected]

04/06/2019

For the 2nd year running Rainbow Tours has received a top Award from the UK's International Travel & Hospitality organisation. This time it's their "Tour Operator of the Year 2019 " accolade! When investigating the competition on TripAdvisor, it's certainly clear that RT has the most "excellent" reviews without complaints from any of our 100s of paid up and satisfied clients. So perhaps we can be allowed to give ourselves a "pat on the back" for 9 years of trouble free operating?
However, none of this is any use unless tourists start coming back to the island! With Government Travel Advisories now being lifted and/or scaled down, top security in place, uncrowded cultural sites, beaches and National Parks - plus many great hotel/transport bargains - there could hardly be a better time to visit!
Come back to Paradise and help this beautiful island recover👍

12/05/2019

Greetings from a seriously battered Paradise isle! We much appreciated all the messages of support and goodwill from our loyal client base and other FB “friends”. We had 10 pax on the island over Easter all luckily at beach resorts after their tours, so disruption was minimal and they returned home safely. Of course, we must first honour the dead and injured in this unprovoked, vicious & cowardly attack by radical religious extremists - perhaps indeed a great sacrifice by these victims that averted a more general attack on the island considering the arms/weaponry etc being found in the very thorough “clean up” operation now underway. It is also clear that serous divisions in the current government with intelligence sources not followed up exposed the island as a “soft target”.
Tourism is certainly the first major economic casualty with a staggering 80% decline in foreign visitors almost overnight.
Some 2 million locals depend on the until now vibrant tourism sector, which accounts for much of the vital hard currency required by the economy. The situation is disastrous and much of the industry, supported mostly by bank loans, faces rapid destruction unless there is a quick recovery in visitor numbers & financial relief can be initiated.
On the positive side, quick and effective action has been taken against the responsible sector of the community and considering the adage “lightening never strikes twice”, the next months are perhaps the best time to visit the island with maximum security guaranteed, cheaper prices (air tickets + ground arrangements) and uncrowded historical sites, wild life parks and beaches! Of course, those who have enjoyed holidays on the island can also help a LOT by encouraging friends & contacts to visit once the immediate crisis period has passed and organised “terror” has moved on - sadly, nowhere is immune these days :(

05/04/2019

Leading a recent UK tour group to Anuradhapura's StarGate known as the "Sakwala Chakraya" - a very ancient & mysterious stone carving of seemingly cosmic symbols, in front of which monks sit in meditation.
What do they know....?!
Watch the fascinating video link: http://8916898.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-star-gate-of-sri-lanka.html

10/03/2019

Sri Lanka offers FREE TOURIST VISAS for 6 months period from 1 April 2019 to encourage low season visits. Including Thailand, UK, Australia, South Korea, Canada, USA, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand and EU countries.
No excuses now - come and visit us! Always plenty to do here year round - including the annual Kandy Perahera Elephant Festival (5 - 15 Aug). The North East beaches around Trinco and Passikudah are in season at this time. 👍

04/02/2019

Celebrating today Sri Lanka's 71st year of Independence from colonial British rule! The Paradise isle has moved on from those days, but her long colonial past is still a central part of the rich local historical & cultural heritage on offer. As now one of the world's leading tourism destinations, there's enough diversity here to suit every taste.
Mother Lanka welcomes you and awaits your visit!

12/01/2019

Sri Lanka voted top 2019 Destination yet again!

As well as the top accolade from Lonely Planet for 2019, here is another promotion confirming the Paradise Isle as the World's No 1 Travel destination! Don't miss out - come and join the fun!

24/12/2018

Relax and take it easy: Wasa-style!
Wishing all our Rainbow Tours followers a fun-filled Festive season and a brilliant 2019.
And of course see you here on the Paradise isle - soon!

05/12/2018

Busy times! Cricket Test match in Kandy (England/Sri Lanka) with family, followed by special island tour for a photographer client - including among much else the Wedda tribes, Stilt fishermen and a large male Leopard who just strolled in unannounced for the photo opp - a breathtaking & magical moment! pics c/o

20/11/2018

Wasantha escorting a party of 6 ladies from Scotland on a recent round island tour!
"So, Sri Lanka" is the new marketing tag for the island and the prestigious "Lonely Planet Guide" has just voted Sri Lanka their top 2019 tourist destination👍
Come and join the fun 😎 - and ignore the crazy local political games👎

30/10/2018

https://youtu.be/AhDy7ygZg50

Fascinating video clip of an indepth inquiry into the VERY ancient and inexplicable origins of the Sigirya Rock site - called by some "the 8th Wonder of the World"!

12/10/2018

Celebrating Bella & Toby's 1st Birthday! Many of our guests this year at the Rainbow Tours B&B in Kandy were enchanted by the Rainbow Puppies and ask for updates!
Next year we are planning a family 😉

23/09/2018

After our busiest few months ever, it was time for the team to chill out and go trekking! Lakegalla Mountain in the Knuckles National Park near Kandy has ancient associations with the mythical King Ravanna and the idyllic village of Meemure nearby is surrounded by enticing streams and waterfalls. Let Rainbow Tours arrange such a trek for you and enjoy Mother Nature at her best
- "far from the madding crowd"!

02/09/2018

The Sri Lankan Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) is a subspecies native to the island.
In 2008, it was listed as “endangered” and placed on the IUCN “red List” .
The wild population is roughly estimated at 700–950 individuals as of 2015.
Why not join one of our Rainbow Tours Safaris to see the island’s star animal attraction?