Others

The magnificent cave temples at Dambulla Cycle through rice paddy fields Search for leopard in Yala National Park Climb the rock fortress at Sigiriya for breathtaking views

Transport

We use an air-conditioned minibus or coach depending on the size of the group however, please note vehicles in Sri Lanka tend to have limited legroom so we will try to stop for comfort breaks as needed. Open sided jeeps are used in Yala National Park and jeeps or a microbus will be used to drive to Horton Plains. The train ride to Ella will be in the second-class carriage, an authentic experience and great chance for some fun local interactions. Due to the Sri Lankan rail booking system, tickets are purchased on the day from the railway station ticket office and seats cannot be reserved in advance, so we sit where we can once on board. Please Note: We will endeavour to secure train tickets from Pattipola to Ella as per the itinerary. However, during peak holiday seasons/busy periods, if the train coming from Kandy is sold out or overcrowded, your leader will action an alternative plan. The group will travel by road to Ella railway station and from there (where most travellers disembark) you will be able to enjoy the train ride from Ella to Badulla. The journey will be approximately one hour journey and has the highlight of passing over the world famous Nine Arch bridge.

Accommodation

On this cultural adventure in Sri Lanka, we spend 14 nights in hotels, which are generally of a good standard and most have swimming pools. The normal accommodations used on this trip can be found on the day-to-day itinerary; however, below are a few of the notable places we stay. Sigiriya: Hotel Sigiriya (nights 2-3) This four-star property surrounded by nature is the perfect place to ease into our adventure. Unwind with a dip in the freshwater pool (which has near-unbeatable views of Sigiriya Rock) and relax in your spacious room with garden views. Nuwara Eliya: Araliya Green Hills (nights 6-7) Araliya Green Hills, in the misty mountains and lush tea hills of Nuwara Eliya, combines colonial architecture with modern comforts. It offers a range of delightful restaurants and stylish bars, all while showcasing genuine Sri Lankan hospitality. Located near the highest point on the island, it’s the perfect base to explore the captivating highlands and attractions. Yala: Mandara Rosen (nights 10-11) Within a mountain forest, the 58-room Mandara Rosen is our home from home as we explore Yala National Park. It has a swimming pool lined with loungers and araliya trees (underwater music is available) plus a 120-seater restaurant serving a mix of cuisines. The rooms are comfortable, with earthy tones and Kandyan paintings. Ahangama: Insight Resort (nights 12-13) Enjoy a spot on the beach, where it is possible to swim in the sea most of the time. Spacious rooms offer sea views and the quiet fishing village is an easy walk for those wishing to explore a local community. There are good photo opportunities with the stilt fisherman nearby and the hotel is close to the optional excursions. Service can sometimes be slow, but it is a small property, so the staff and management are flexible and cater for our group’s needs. Worth knowing Hotels in Sri Lanka are becoming increasingly busy and, occasionally, we must find alternatives to the ones we typically use. We endeavour to find the nearest alternative with a similar standard of rooms. The standards and styles of hotels on this trip vary. Some of our selections are based on location and what is available in the area or the character and atmosphere at the premises. Some properties in the hill region may not have air conditioning in rooms and instead have fans. This is due to the cooler climate. Paying the single supplement may not mean you receive a double or twin room for sole use. The room you are allocated may differ from hotel to hotel and, on some nights, a smaller one-person room may be allocated.

Guide

Our Sri Lankan team of leaders has proved very popular with their incredible knowledge, passion and hospitality adding greatly to the experience. There is no better way to experience Sri Lankan culture than letting a local leader show you around their country.

Meals

All breakfasts and one lunch are included. We suggest allowing about 7,000 rupees (US$20) per day for lunch and dinner. You can eat out very cheaply in Sri Lanka and your leader will provide recommendations for where to eat locally however, the options may not always be suited to larger groups. Some locations you stay may have limited local restaurant choice, in which case meals will be at the hotel. Hotel meals are generally buffets; the majority offer an à la carte menu, but service can be slow. Where suitable, your tour leader will be happy to arrange a shuttle transfer into the local town or, if you prefer to be more independent, take a tuk tuk or taxi. Your leader can help recommend some good places to eat. Sri Lankan cuisine is a fascinating reflection of the island’s heritage; there is a unique fusion of fresh local produce with spices brought to the island over the centuries by Malays, Arabs, Indians as well as the Dutch, Portuguese and English. Despite (or perhaps because of) these influences, Sri Lankan cuisine is often referred to as simply rice and curry. This is the staple dish in most restaurants and is usually a serving of rice accompanied by assorted meat and vegetable curries as well as various pickles, sambols (condiments), and a handful of tiny poppadum – all using the contrasting flavours of coconut, chilli, curry leaves, cinnamon and garlic. Vegetarians are well catered for but please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests. Please note, the availability of certain products is minimal or non-existent in Sri Lanka. For example, wheat- or dairy-free options outside of hotels are limited. Please be prepared for this and you may need to bring these from home. Spicier food can be avoided easily and lots of the hotels will serve Western options alongside traditional food. Mineral water is provided by our local operator in large containers throughout the trip so please bring a bottle with you to refill. Please note, restaurant service can be quite slow.

Not included:

Flights

International flights not included.

Optional

Other activities and services not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Others

— Travel Insurance — Single accommodation (available on request) — Visas or vaccinations

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Start Veyangoda
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Start Veyangoda

The group flight arrives at Colombo’s Bandaranaike Airport and we transfer to our hotel approximately 30 minutes away. Those not travelling on the group flight, please ensure you provide your flight details at least 2 weeks prior to arrival to secure your airport transfer. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, your Leader will advise the time and location. Accommodation: The Covanro (or similar)
Day 2 Day 2: Visit Cave Temples At Dambulla; To Sigiriya (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Visit Cave Temples At Dambulla; To Sigiriya (Breakfast)

We depart after breakfast for the drive (approximately four hours) among coconut palms, paddy fields and banana plantations through Kurunegala to Dambulla. Here, we visit the magnificent Cave Temple, among the most impressive sights in Sri Lanka. There are colourful, well-preserved paintings and Buddha statues inside the caves, which date to the first century BCE. After lunch, we continue to Sigiriya (Lion Rock). From our hotel, we can see the giant rock fortress rising from the plains (occasionally we may stay nearer to Dambulla due to hotel availability). Accommodation: Hotel Sigiriya (or similar)
Day 3 Day 3: Morning Climb To Sigiriya Rock Fortress; Optional Afternoon Game Drive (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Morning Climb To Sigiriya Rock Fortress; Optional Afternoon Game Drive (Breakfast)

Sigiriya is, perhaps, the standout attraction in Sri Lanka with the ruins of a fifth-century palace crowning an imposing granite peak, also known as Lion Rock. This morning, we drive to the base, where a moat surrounds impressive water gardens. We then take the route to the top, via a series of steep steps and gangways, ascending 655ft (200m) and passing an overhanging rock, under which portraits of native maidens holding flowers and temple offerings still adorn the rock wall. On the flat-topped summit are extensive remains of the King’s Summer Palace. During the afternoon, there is a chance to enjoy an optional game drive in either Minneriya National Park, Kaudulla National Park or the Hurulu Eco Park to see elephants in their natural habitat (which location depends on the elephant herd movements). For those who would prefer not to join the game drive, you can relax by the hotel pool. Accommodation: Hotel Sigiriya (or similar)
Day 4 Day 4: To Girithale; Bike Ride Through Country Villages (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: To Girithale; Bike Ride Through Country Villages (Breakfast,Lunch)

This morning, we have a short drive to Girithale where our hotel overlooks the scenic Girithale Tank. The early inhabitants here solved the dual problem of heat and lack of water in this dry area by constructing large tanks to act as reservoirs and cool the warm breeze. Now they provide an important habitat for bird life, particularly from August to April. Today we hop on local bikes and enjoy a leisurely cycle through small villages and lakes. As an alternative to cycling, you can hire a tuk tuk locally for approximately 4,000 rupees and follow the group on their trail. Along the way, we should see plenty of bird life including Egrets, Brahmany kites, Kingfishers and Bulbuls. Breaking up the journey, we stop for lunch in a traditional village before returning to our hotel in Giritale by late afternoon. Accommodation: Giritale Hotel (or similar)
Day 5 Day 5: Visit Ancient Capital Of Polonnaruwa; Drive To Kandy Via Spice Garden (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Visit Ancient Capital Of Polonnaruwa; Drive To Kandy Via Spice Garden (Breakfast)

After breakfast, we take a short drive to the 10th-century capital of Sri Lanka: Polonnaruwa, the ancient capital of the Sinhalese. There are many Buddhist relics and ruins here, dating from a 1,000 years ago when Sinhalese culture reached its zenith. The city flourished in the 12th century after the decision was made to move the capital from Anuradhapura, so it was further from incursions from southern India. The ruins are therefore younger and better preserved than those at Anuradhapura. We visit many of the temples, palaces, huge dagobas (Buddhist stupas) and remarkable Buddhist sculptures. After lunch, we head into the hills to the picturesque town of Kandy. Stopping along the way at a spice garden near Matale, where we learn about various spices and herbs growing, and there is a chance to stock up on fresh spices, massage oils and Ayurvedic medicines. This is a long but fascinating day, arriving to Kandy in the early evening. Accommodation: Earl’s Regent Hotel (or similar)
Day 6 Day 6-7: Time In Kandy To Explore Or Relax (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6-7: Time In Kandy To Explore Or Relax (Breakfast)

Kandy is by a small lake and we spend two full days in and around the town. On the first day, we visit the Temple of the Tooth, which houses the most important Buddhist relic in Sri Lanka. The Tooth of Buddha was taken from the funeral pyre in 543 BCE and only found its way to Sri Lanka in the fourth century CE. Hundreds of worshippers visit the temple each day and in August the most spectacular ceremony takes place. Some of our August trips should coincide with the Kandy festival, but the exact dates, decided by priests, are not known until five months prior to the event. After our visit, we drive to a beautiful viewpoint over Kandy overlooked by a huge Buddha, and visit a gem museum where you can see the products of the traditional methods of gem extraction. Another highlight is the vast Peradeniya Botanical Garden with orchid species endemic to Sri Lanka. Your second full day in Kandy is free to explore this wonderful town or take it slow starting the day relaxing by the hotel pool. The surrounding hills are wonderful, offering fantastic views of the town below and there are many handicraft stores and antique shops in which to browse. On either evening, you will have the option to attend a traditional performance of dancing and fire eating. Accommodation: Earl’s Regent Hotel (or similar)
Day 7 Day 8: To Nuwara Eliya Via Kitulgala; Optional Adam’S Peak Climb (December To April Only) (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: To Nuwara Eliya Via Kitulgala; Optional Adam’S Peak Climb (December To April Only) (Breakfast)

Leaving Kandy early, we have a spectacular drive through the countryside on the way to Kitulgala. Here, we have the opportunity of going on a walk through the jungle or local villages followed by an optional white-water rafting excursion. The rafting is a supplement cost and requires minimum 4 people (see the Optional Excursions section of the trip notes), the activity lasts a maximum of 1.5 hours and there is a choice of gentle or wild water (grade III rapids) depending on your preference. If you do not wish to go rafting, freshen up and relax by the water until the rafters return for lunch. After, we drive to our hotel in Nuwara Eliya. Please note, it is possible to climb Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada) from the full moon day of December to the full moon day of May. This is optional and you need to be confident in your fitness levels to attempt this. You would leave Nuwara Eliya around midnight on Day 8 and drive for approximately two hours to the base of the peak. From here, it is a strenuous four-hour climb to the top in time for sunrise. We then return to Nuwara Eliya to join the group for lunch on Day 9. Accommodation: Araliya Green Hills (or similar)
Day 8 Day 9: Free Morning In Old Colonial Hill Station Of Nuwara Eliya. Visit Tea Factory In Afternoon (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Free Morning In Old Colonial Hill Station Of Nuwara Eliya. Visit Tea Factory In Afternoon (Breakfast)

This morning, we have free time to explore the beautiful town of Nuwara Eliya, a popular hill station during the British era, situated in the cool highland air. Known locally as Little England, it is dotted with British-style houses and parks and features a golf club and racecourse. Following lunch, we visit a nearby tea plantation and factory and learn about the process of tea production. Accommodation: Araliya Green Hills (or similar)
Day 9 Day 10: Early Morning To Horton Plains; Walk To World’S End Viewpoint; To Ella By Train And Onward To Kataragama (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Early Morning To Horton Plains; Walk To World’S End Viewpoint; To Ella By Train And Onward To Kataragama (Breakfast)

We have an early start this morning and take a 19mi (30km) drive south to Horton Plains, a large plateau more than 6,560ft (2,000m) high, overlooked by the second and third highest peaks in Sri Lanka. The scenery is beautiful and the best way to explore is on foot. We take a three to four-hour guided walk (5.5mi/9km) through the picturesque rolling grasslands, spanning through various landscapes and elevations, where we hope to encounter monkeys along the way. We also visit World’s End, where the ground drops 3,445ft (1,050m) to the plains. For a more detailed terrain description of Horton Plains walk, please see our "Is this trip for you" section within the Trip Notes. Following this, we catch a train from the highest railway station in the country – within 90 minutes we drop from 6,198ft (1,889m) to 3,599ft (1,097m). The train travels through cloud forest into tea plantations, with breath-taking views of the lush valley below. We get off at Ella railway station and continue by road to Ella Gap where we have spectacular views of the coastal plain nearly 3,280ft (1,000m) below. Almost the entire southern part of the island is in view and (on a particularly clear day) the shimmering Indian Ocean is visible. We travel to Kataragama on the plains; this is our base for visiting the best-known national park in Sri Lanka, Yala. Accommodation: Mandara Rosen (or similar)
Day 10 Day 11: Drive To Tissamaharama And Walk Through Rural Farmland; Afternoon Game Drive In Yala National Park (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Drive To Tissamaharama And Walk Through Rural Farmland; Afternoon Game Drive In Yala National Park (Breakfast)

Today we proceed to Tissamaharama, we walk to a local farmhouse where you’ll be offered tea in a coconut shell along with a local snack. We mix with real Sri Lankan life and take part in some traditional Sri Lankan games, returning to our bus in tractors used by the farmers. Later this afternoon, we enjoy a game drive in Yala National Park. Yala is home to elephants, leopards, bears, crocodiles and wild boars. The park, which is primarily shrub jungle with several salt and freshwater lagoons, has one of the highest concentrations of leopards in the world. Please note, the sanctuary may be closed for four to six weeks from September to October, allowing park authorities to check the welfare of the animals. We therefore go to a nearby alternative, usually Udawalawe National Park. Accommodation: Mandara Rosen (or similar)
Day 11 Day 12: Morning Visit To Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home; Drive To Ahangama (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Morning Visit To Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home; Drive To Ahangama (Breakfast)

Today, we leave for the coast, with its beautiful palm-fringed bays. On the way you will visit the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe. This unique experience highlights and supports the conservation efforts in Sri Lanka for wild elephants. Located on the outskirts of Udawalawe National Park the Elephant Transit Home is rehabilitation centre for orphaned and sick elephants to receive nourishment and care until they become independent and healthy enough to be released back into the wild. From Udawalawe, we continuing on to Ahangama, arriving at our coastal hotel in the afternoon and you can relax for the rest of the day by the pool or on the beach. Accommodation: Insight Resort (or similar)
Day 12 Day 13: Free Day To Relax On The Beach Or Optional Activities Including Whale Watching (Nov To April) (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Free Day To Relax On The Beach Or Optional Activities Including Whale Watching (Nov To April) (Breakfast)

Today is free for you to relax on the beach or by the hotel pool. There are also optional activities including a boat ride through mangrove swamps to a cinnamon plantation or, from November to April, you can go whale watching off Dondra Head, one of the best places in the world for seeing blue and sperm whales. Huge dolphin pods often play alongside the boats. Accommodation: Insight Resort (or similar)
Day 13 Day 14: To Galle; Visit Old Fort; Transfer To Colombo (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: To Galle; Visit Old Fort; Transfer To Colombo (Breakfast)

We drive along the coastal road to the historic port of Galle, which dates to the 17th century, and now a Unesco World Heritage site. On the way, we stop at a small folk museum inspired by the local writer Martin Wickramasinghe. The museum is a typical house from the Koggala region and is set among beautiful gardens. Later, we continue along the expressway to Colombo, reaching our hotel in the late afternoon. Accommodation: Hotel Cinnamon Red (or similar)
Day 14 Day 15: End Colombo (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 15: End Colombo (Breakfast)

The adventure ends today and you begin your return journey home. Those on the group flights will take a transfer to the airport this morning. If you are not travelling on the group flight, please ensure you provide your flight details at least 2 weeks prior to arrival to secure your return airport transfer. It’s been a culture-packed adventure, so if you’re craving a little R&R, speak to your sales representative about joining our post-trip getaway to the Maldives. Alternatively, if you’d like to explore Sri Lanka a little more, you can book an extension to your hotel stay.

+11

15 days tour

Discover Sri Lanka

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Discover Sri Lanka

Day 1: Start Veyangoda

Day 2: Visit Cave Temples At Dambulla; To Sigiriya (Breakfast)

Day 3: Morning Climb To Sigiriya Rock Fortress; Optional Afternoon Game Drive (Breakfast)

Day 4: To Girithale; Bike Ride Through Country Villages (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 5: Visit Ancient Capital Of Polonnaruwa; Drive To Kandy Via Spice Garden (Breakfast)

Day 6-7: Time In Kandy To Explore Or Relax (Breakfast)

Day 8: To Nuwara Eliya Via Kitulgala; Optional Adam’S Peak Climb (December To April Only) (Breakfast)

Day 9: Free Morning In Old Colonial Hill Station Of Nuwara Eliya. Visit Tea Factory In Afternoon (Breakfast)

Day 10: Early Morning To Horton Plains; Walk To World’S End Viewpoint; To Ella By Train And Onward To Kataragama (Breakfast)

Day 11: Drive To Tissamaharama And Walk Through Rural Farmland; Afternoon Game Drive In Yala National Park (Breakfast)

Day 12: Morning Visit To Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home; Drive To Ahangama (Breakfast)

Day 13: Free Day To Relax On The Beach Or Optional Activities Including Whale Watching (Nov To April) (Breakfast)

Day 14: To Galle; Visit Old Fort; Transfer To Colombo (Breakfast)

Day 15: End Colombo (Breakfast)

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