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 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 - Negombo - Kurunegala - Dambulla. We start our morning with an early trip to Negombo to explore the famous fish market, known locally as ‘Lellama’. Located along Negombo beach, this fresh fish market is the perfect place for us to interact with local fishermen and witness the daily fish auction.

Afterwards, we will head to Dambulla. Along the way, we’ll visit the Sputnik Centre, a community-focused organisation dedicated to empowering Sri Lankan youth through language courses, skill-building programs, and recreational activities. This inspiring stop offers a chance to witness their impactful work and connect with local communities. Upon arrival in Dambulla, we will visit the Dambulla Cave Temple complex, one of Sri Lanka’s many UNESCO World Heritage sites. We will discover a series of caves that were transformed into temples almost 2,000 years ago before checking into our hostel for the evening.

Dambulla - Sigiriya. We will start our day at 05:30 with a packed breakfast as we climb the Sigiriya rock fortress to explore Sri Lanka’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient palace, carved into the rock, stands as a testament to the master engineers and artists of ancient times, showcasing intricate architecture, a network of ponds and streams at the summit, and stunning rock paintings, including the famous “Sigiriya Damsels.” We will enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding lowlands from the top before making our way back down.

You can spend the afternoon visiting cultural attractions in the area at your leisure, or you can join an optional visit to the old city of Polonnaruwa (approximately $55 USD). Later this evening, you can wind down with an included glass of arrack, Sri Lanka’s favourite alcoholic beverage made from the fermented sap of coconut flowers.

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 (approximately $15 USD). 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 (approximately $30 USD). 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. We will enjoy a scenic sunrise at 05:00 with a hike to Mini World’s End. This breathtaking viewpoint offers stunning panoramic views with a touch of adrenaline. Its sheer drop of 1,192 metres will give us a better understanding of its name.

After we return to our hostel to freshen up, we will make our way to Udawalawe, home to some of Sri Lanka’s most remarkable wildlife. Our first stop will be the Buduruwagala Ancient Temple, renowned for its unique Buddhist art and history. The temple features seven statues carved into the rock, dating back to around the 10th century, with the main statue being a large standing Buddha surrounded by smaller figures such as bodhisattvas and deities. The peaceful, wooded surroundings enhance its spiritual atmosphere.

Finally, we will proceed to our campsite located at the edge of Udawalawe National Park, where we will enjoy a jeep safari through the national park at 15:30. Keep an eye out for wild elephants, crocodiles, spotted deer, and a variety of birdlife.

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 (at approximately $38 USD).

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

Unawatuna - Galle - Unawatuna. Today at 08:30, we will take a 20-minute ride in a tuk-tuk to Galle for a day of exploring the Galle Fort City, another captivating UNESCO World Heritage site. Galle is the largest and busiest city in southern Sri Lanka. Tucked away in a corner jutting out into the ocean is the old city, protected by a fort where time has surely slowed down. The fort was built in the 1600s by the Portuguese and later extensively fortified by the Dutch.

As we explore, we will discover the well-preserved ramparts, along with a lighthouse, clock tower, houses, churches, and buildings constructed by the Dutch and Portuguese. Many of these buildings now host chic restaurants, private villas, boutiques, and guesthouses, all while maintaining the fort's authenticity. The best way to explore the fort is on foot. We can enjoy a sunset on the ramparts before returning to Unawatuna.

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.