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Sri Lanka

Island magic, ancient treasures and golden beaches


Beaches, rich history... and ELEPHANTS!

Sri Lanka is a captivating island that packs a serious punch – rich in history, surrounded by golden beaches, teeming with wildlife and full of flavour.

Explore bustling Colombo, climb the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya, or wander the sacred ruins of Anuradhapura. Kandy’s misty hills offer serene beauty and cultural depth, while Trincomalee is all about laid-back beach days and snorkelling in clear blue water.

Wildlife lovers won’t want to miss Minneriya National Park during “The Gathering,” when hundreds of elephants congregate in one of nature’s greatest shows.

Take a tea plantation tour, sample fragrant curries and dive into delicious street food like kottu roti and egg hoppers. Whether you’re hiking lush mountain trails, lazing on a quiet beach, or tucking into spicy sambols with the locals – Sri Lanka is an adventure of colour, warmth and unforgettable moments.

Let our Sri Lanka specialists help you plan your perfect island escape.

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Flight time

The flight from Auckland to Sri Lanka takes roughly 20 hours with a stopover, but you'll feel totally alive once you get off the plane into this riot of colour and warmth.

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Best time to go

September to October and April are the best times for exploring the whole country and avoiding the monsoon season, but Sri Lanka is a nice warm destination all year.

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Time difference

Sri Lanka is 6.5–7.5 hours behind New Zealand due to daylight saving in NZ. Yes that half hour is correct!

Meet our Sri Lanka experts

Nicky de Clifford

Nicky de Clifford

House of Travel Merivale

Having spent the last 30 years in the Travel Industry I can safely say "I love my job" !!

Getting to put together dream holidays is very rewarding and it's great to see so many more Kiwis getting out to see this amazing world of ours...

I love to tailor holidays that are uniquely personal to you. Every person has different needs, wants and "must do's" for their holiday. Nothing is cookie cutter in the world of travel so being able to put together an itinerary that is bespoke and personal is rewarding for myself and for you, the traveller.

My favourite destinations would be Europe (especially France and Italy), South East Asia (especially Vietnam and Thailand) and of course our Island neighbours. I have been to Fiji numerous times and every time I just love it.
But there are so many places I have yet to travel to and I look forward to sharing my travel stories along the way.

I look forward to working with you..

Nicky

Cherone Wilson

Cherone Wilson

House of Travel Howick

Travel has been a constant in my life since my OE started with a classic Contiki trip through Europe, followed by working in London and traveling through the UK, Turkey, Egypt, and Israel. I also spent a year working in Iceland—a now trendy travel hotspot—before returning to New Zealand.

In 2000, my family moved to the middle east living in both Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, which provided an exciting base for exploring nearby destinations. We had unforgettable holidays in Austria, France, the UK, Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Sri Lanka, and Kenya.

Returning to New Zealand marked a new chapter of travel, this time without children. Recent adventures have included Vietnam, India, China, Peru, and Cambodia.

My travel career started with Singapore Airlines and since 2019 I’ve been consulting at House of Travel in Howick.  I love talking and connecting with clients, listening to their travel dreams and turning them into memorable experiences.  

Whether you're looking for an island getaway, relaxing cruise or an exciting adventure, I’m here to help you plan the perfect trip.

Travel is an adventure that brings the world to life. 

Cherone

Lisa Crawford

Lisa Crawford

House of Travel Lower Hutt

My love of languages and exploring the world has naturally evolved into a career in travel. I enjoy discovering what motivates your travels and tailoring your trip to suit your own style and interests.

I have travelled extensively across Europe and lived abroad both in the UK and Paraguay. Recent travel highlights include cruising Hawaii’s Islands and experiencing the best of Washington DC.

My special interest is in cruising, from the world’s largest floating resorts to casually cruising Europe’s rivers or the more adventurous Expedition ships to the Antarctic. There is a cruise possibility for every personality and preference!

I look forward to getting to know you and helping you to get the most out of your next adventure. 

Lisa

Nicky Aitken

Nicky Aitken

House of Travel Papamoa

I have had a lifelong love affair for exploring the world. Raised in a family that prioritised travel, I inherited a passion for all things travel. I have lived in different countries (London, USA, Argentina) and I am fascinated with the rich tapestry of culture, people, religion and food in new places. 

My love for travel has taken me to some of the world’s most amazing places!

From Mauritius to Bahamas and all in between, I have been privileged to experience the world and being able to speak and understand 5 languages English, Afrikaans, Dutch, German and Greek) certainly comes in helpful.

I have grown up in South Africa, spending most of my adult life there, being able to show my clients what makes this region so unique is a privilege. Africa was my backyard after all and even after living in NZ for almost 12 years, my heart still beats to the African Drum.

For me, choosing a favourite destination is impossible. But .. Bali has literally captivated my heart, and even though I have been there 20+ times, I still always find new things to uncover. As does the Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles, these islands just have the “it” factor

I also love ocean cruising, especially Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Cruising offers such a great variety and a chance to see multiple destinations and experiencing iconic landmarks and locations from your hotel on the sea. 

I WOULD SAY MY PASSION IS MAKING MY CLIENTS DREAM HOLIDAYS COME TRUE AND I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY EFFICIENT SERVICE AT ALL TIMES.

Nicky

93% of customers who book with House of Travel rate us 5/5

"Alisha was fantastic as usual. She has helped us before... very warm .. very knowledgable with the flights and general requirements. A real pleasure to deal with."

Brian

"Always friendly and efficient and provides thoughtful options"

Stephanie

"easy communication"

Mrs S Ponnampalam

Best. Holidays. Ever!

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