Essential Sri Lanka Explorer - 13 Days

Welcome to Sri Lanka! Arrive at the airport in Colombo and make your way to our hostel for your check-in at 14:00. You will meet your tour leader and fellow travellers for a briefing on the trip details at 17:00.

We will then take an included couch and walking tour around the old town of Colombo, which will provide us with a great understanding of the city's history and culture. Colombo, the vibrant capital of Sri Lanka, beautifully blends its rich history with modern urban life.

Colombo - Kurunegala - Dambulla - Habarana. We travel from Colombo to Kurunegala to visit the inspiring Sputnik Centre, a community hub that empowers local youth through education and skill development. We’ll spend the morning engaging with the team and taking part in activities that bring people together across cultures. It’s an uplifting experience that gives us a deeper understanding of the community spirit in Sri Lanka.

In the afternoon, we continue to Dambulla and explore the magnificent Dambulla Cave Temple Complex, one of Sri Lanka’s UNESCO World Heritage sites. Inside these ancient caves, we’ll find intricate murals and hundreds of Buddha statues that have stood for centuries as a symbol of devotion and artistry.

After our visit, we settle into our hostel in Habarana for a relaxed evening surrounded by the peaceful rhythms of this historic town.

Dambulla - Sigiriya - Habarana. Today, we start the day early with an adventure to the world-famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress, one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated UNESCO World Heritage sites. Rising dramatically from the jungle, this ancient citadel reveals the remains of a royal palace built over 1,500 years ago. As we climb to the top, we’ll encounter vibrant frescoes, beautifully landscaped gardens, and sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.

In the afternoon, you may choose to join an optional excursion to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa by bicycle, a fascinating archaeological site where you can wander among the ruins of temples, palaces, and shrines that once formed the heart of a medieval kingdom.

This evening, we’ll unwind together and share a glass of arrack, Sri Lanka’s favourite spirit, to celebrate another unforgettable day.

Sigiriya - Knuckles Mountain Range - Kandy. After breakfast, we will travel to the northern part of the Knuckles Mountain Range, a geographical formation renowned for its unique recumbent folds and peaks that resemble the knuckles of a clenched fist. We will hike along the scenic Manigala Trail, taking in the rich diversity of flora and fauna in this cloud forest before settling down for a packed lunch with spectacular views.

In the late afternoon, around 16:00, we will transfer to Kandy, the hill capital and Sri Lanka’s second-largest city. You can spend the rest of the day exploring the vibrant mix of ancient and modern architecture that this city has to offer before visiting a local pub.

Kandy - Kitugala. After breakfast, you can opt to start your day with a visit to Sri Lanka's most iconic landmark, the Temple of the Tooth. Once the royal palace of Sri Lankan kings, it is now the sacred home of Lord Buddha’s revered tooth relic.

You can either spend your afternoon exploring the city further at your own pace or choose to visit the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya

Later in the day, we’ll travel to Kitulgala for an exhilarating white-water rafting adventure through the rainforest, followed by an evening immersed in jungle surroundings.

Kitugala - Ella. After an early breakfast, make your way to Nanu Oya railway station to board the iconic train to Ella. This breathtaking journey winds through rolling tea plantations, misty forests, and quaint hilltop villages, earning its reputation as one of the most scenic train rides in the world.

On arrival, take a short walk to your hostel, where you can drop off your bags and relax while soaking in Ella’s laid-back charm. Later, embark on a hike to Little Adam’s Peak, an easy trail through lush tea fields that rewards you with stunning views of Ella’s picturesque hill country – a perfect way to wrap up the day.

Start your day early with a packed breakfast to fuel an unforgettable hiking adventure along stages 15 and 16 of the Pekoe Trail. Begin at the serene Makulella Buddhist Temple, overlooking the Ambagaswatte Valley. Stage 15 takes you through eucalyptus forests, lush tea plantations, and jungle paths, culminating at the summit of Ella Rock, where you’ll be treated to stunning views of Ella Gap and Little Adam’s Peak before descending into Ella town.

Stage 16 continues through the enchanting Ella Forest Reserve, past the iconic Nine Arches Bridge, and along scenic village roads. The trail winds through picturesque tea estates like Newburgh and Demodara, finishing at the renowned Demodara Railway Loop.

You can spend the evening exploring Ella at your own pace, with plenty of shops, pubs, and restaurants to choose from.

Start your day by immersing yourself in the flavours of Sri Lanka with a hands-on cooking class. Discover the techniques and spices behind iconic local dishes as you prepare a delicious feast – a true treat for your taste buds!

The afternoon is free for you to explore Ella at your leisure. Whether you choose a serene yoga session, an exhilarating ride on the Flying Ravana Zipline, or a leisurely stroll through the charming hill town, the options are endless and entirely up to you.

Ella - Udawalawe. After breakfast, we leave Ella and journey south toward Udawalawe. Along the way, we stop to visit the Buduruwagala Ancient Temple, an extraordinary site surrounded by forest where seven statues are carved directly into the rock face. The tallest depicts a serene standing Buddha, while smaller figures of bodhisattvas and deities surround him, creating a peaceful atmosphere steeped in history and spirituality.

We then continue to our campsite on the edge of Udawalawe National Park, where a thrilling jeep safari awaits us in the afternoon. As we drive through the park, we’ll watch for elephants, deer, crocodiles, and an incredible variety of birdlife moving freely across the plains and wetlands.

When the day comes to an end, we’ll relax under the stars and soak in the sounds of nature before turning in for the night at our camp.

Udawalawe - Handunugoda - Unawatuna. At 10:00 we will head two hours southwest to the Handunugoda Tea Estate, where we will learn about the tea-making process - from field to cup. After that, we will visit the historic tea factory and museum before enjoying a freshly made cup of tea at the end of the tour.

From Handunugoda Tea Estate, we will travel for 30 minutes along the stunning southern coastline to Unawatuna, one of the many world-class beach destinations. We should arrive in for our check in at 14:00. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy the sun, sand, sea, and surfing in Unawatuna.

Today, we will have an included surfing lesson, the timing of which depends on the conditions. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore Unawatuna.

Later today, you will have the opportunity to take part in a traditional mask painting lesson.

Please Note: If the surfing lesson is cancelled due to the conditions, you will be refunded for this activity.

Unawatuna - Galle - Unawatuna. This morning, we take a short journey to the bustling Galle Fish Market, where local fishermen bring in their fresh catch from the Indian Ocean. The energy of the market and the friendly exchanges between vendors and buyers offer a vibrant glimpse into daily life in southern Sri Lanka.

After exploring the market, we make our way to Galle Fort City, a UNESCO World Heritage site where colonial architecture meets island charm. We’ll wander along the cobblestone lanes past centuries-old buildings, churches, and the lighthouse, discovering boutique shops and cafés tucked within the ancient walls.

You’ll have some free time this afternoon to explore at your own pace, perhaps enjoying a coffee overlooking the ocean or browsing the art galleries and craft stores inside the fort. As the sun begins to set, we’ll watch the golden light spill across the ramparts before returning to Unawatuna for the evening.

Unawatuna - Colombo. We will transfer for two hours to the capital, Colombo. Along the way, we will stop by a temple to meet a Buddhist priest and take part in a pooja, which is a blessing ritual, before the end of our journey. We can arrange post-tour accommodation for you in Colombo, if you wish.