Sri Lanka Adventure
Temples, trains and turtles in Sri Lanka!
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Group Size: Max 22
Trip code: SRLA
Duration: 12 or 16 days
Jet over to sunny Sri Lanka and discover the beautiful landscapes, beaches and cultural sites of this incredible country. Starting in Negombo, this tour ticks off the biggest and best sights, including Sigiriya Rock, Udawalawe National Park and Mirissa. Along the way, you’ll get involved with fantastic included activities, including a whale-watching cruise, a cooking class and a turtle sanctuary visit. You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to just relax and soak up the glorious sun! For those looking to tick another country off the list, you have the option to add a 4 night beach break in the Maldives too!
Trip highlights
- Climb the incredible Sigiriya Rock and enjoy breathtaking views from the summit
- Learn how to prepare 4 Sri Lankan curries at an included cooking class!
- Travel from Nuwara Eliya to Ella by train – voted one of the best journeys in the world!
- See wonderful wildlife on safari in Udawalawe National Park
- Add a 4 night Maldives beach break to your trip with our Maldives Add On!
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- 11 nights’ accommodation
- 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners
- All transport between included activities
- Arrival transfer
- Welcome dinner
- Sigiriya rock visit
- See the Dambulla Buddhas
- Temple of the Tooth visit
- Beautiful train journey in Kandy
- Tea plantation visit
- Udawalawe National Park Safari
- Climb Little Adam’s Peak
- Curry cooking class
- Turtle sanctuary visit
- Tsunami Memorial visit
- 24 hour emergency support
Maldives Add On
- 4 nights of accommodation
- 4 breakfasts, 1 lunch
- Male city tour
- Villimale snorkelling tour
- Hedikaa Experience
- Half Day sandbank, snorkeling & dolphin tour
- Flights
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Most meals
- Optional activities
- Return airport transfer
- US$30 whale watching tax - (September to May)
- Flights to Maldives if booking the add on
Day 1: Welcome to Sri Lanka. Touch down in Sri Lanka and meet your tour guide at the airport, who’ll transfer you to your starting accommodation - right on the beach! Tonight, get to know the rest of your group over a welcome meal and drinks in town.
Day 2:
Day 3: Sigiriya. Today we’ll climb the magnificent Sigiriya Rock. Soak up the breathtaking view from the summit and feast on a traditional Sri Lankan lunch, made by a local family. Spend the rest of the day as you wish.
Day 4: Sigiriya – Kandy. Wander a fragrant spice garden en route to Kandy. Hone your Asian cooking skills with a Sri Lankan curry-making class. You’ll learn how to whip up 4 different curries, and also how to prepare poppadoms and coconut sambal.
Day 5: Temples and Trains. Visit the Temple of the Tooth, a sacred shrine that is said to house the tooth of Buddha! It’s then time to journey into the mountains. Stop off at a tea factory to see where your morning brew comes from and then climb aboard the train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella. This beautiful train journey has been described as the best journey in the world!
Day 6: Free time in Ella. Enjoy a free day to explore the best of Ella. Why not treat yourself to a massage, some yoga or chill by the pool? Hiking lovers will want to discover hidden gems at Ella Rock and Diyaluma Falls.
Day 7: Udawalawe National Park. Start your morning hiking Little Adam’s Peak and 9 Arch Bridge. Continue south towards Udawalawe National Park where we’ll explore on a jeep safari. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, crocodiles, monkeys, eagles, hawks and more. Next up, a BBQ dinner back at our amazing glampsite. Does life get any better than this?
Day 8: Beach Bliss in Mirissa. After some breakfast, you’ll journey on to Mirissa, a stunning beach town. Enjoy some serious beach relaxation and get ready for another amazing evening with your group.
Day 9: Free Day. Take a free day to explore Mirissa this morning. Between October to April you can opt to do some whale watching, or take up a surf lesson and learn to ride the waves. This afternoon we head to Hikkaduwa and spend the evening relaxing on the beach or by the pool.
Day 10: Hikkaduwa. Start the day with a bike ride through the surrounding villages and rice paddies, making a memorable stop at a local school. Visit the stunning colonial buildings of Galle Fort and check out the local shops.
Day 11: Turtles and Colombo. This morning we visit the 2004 Tsunami Memorial for a sober reminder of the event. Later we visit a turtle sanctuary, where injured and newborn turtles are nurtured and cared for before being released back into the wild. Arrive in Colombo and explore. Tonight, say farewell to your group over a meal and then party long into the warm night.
Day 12: Tour ends. Say your goodbyes to your group, your incredible Sri Lankan tour has come to an end!
Want to add a visit to the Maldives to this trip?
Extend your adventure with our 4-night Maldives Add-On! You'll enjoy tranquil waters and beach paradise as you snorkel coral reefs and meet local conservationists. Instead of heading home on Day 12 of Sri Lanka Adventure, you'll travel to the breathtaking Maldives (flight not included). Please note this tour is semi-guided so you will have a guide with you only during activities.
Day 12 (Maldives Add-on): Malé. After you check in, your local guide will give you a tour of the capital of the Maldives, Malé!
Day 13 (Maldives Add-on): Villimale Island. Fuel up with breakfast, ready for a day of island hopping and snorkelling with conservationists.
Day 14 (Maldives Add-on): Maafushi Island. Today is yours to soak up the sun and marvel at the stunning surrounding landscape. Kick back on the idyllic sands and swim in the sea.
Day 15 (Maldives Add-on): Masfushi Island. We'll take you on a memorable snorkelling trip today! Swim and snorkel in crystal-clear water and adventure the lagoon. Look out for magical dolphins as we cruise the ocean.
Day 16 (Maldives Add-on): Say goodbye. Leave the island in style as we journey back to the airport via speedboat!
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Online booking isn't currently available but if you'd like to enquire please use the form below. Alternatively if you'd like to discuss alternate trips or if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact us.Most expensive: £1,191 December, 2023
Sri Lanka Adventure
Arrive into Bandaranaike International Airport on day 1. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation with your guide.
The tour ends in Colombo on day 12. A return transfer is not included but is easy to arrange locally. You can depart at any time.
Maldives Add On
If you also book the Maldives Add On, you will need to fly from Colombo in Sri Lanka to Male in the Maldives on day 12 (the end date of your Sri Lanka trip). These flights are not included, but our flights team can help you book these.
We will arrange for a local greeter to meet you at the airport and help you transfer to your accommodation. The speedboat transfer will depart 3 x daily: 9:30am, 13:30pm and 17:30pm. We recommend checking your flight arrival times to ensure you are able to catch one of these departures.
After breakfast on day 16, you will depart for the airport in Male via speedboat.We recommend booking a flight departing from midday onwards.
11 nights’ shared accommodation are included. You will stay in twin share rooms in modern hotels, local guesthouses and safari glamping camps. Below is an example of the types of accommodation you may stay in during this trip (subject to change):
Negombo - Beacon Beach Hotel
Sigiriya - Kasaapa Lions Rock
Kandy - Queens Hotel
Ella - Ella Gap Hotel
Udawalawe - Athgira River Camp
Mirissa - Randiyah Beach Hotel
Hikkaduwa - Coral Sands Hotel
Watalla/Colombo - Pegasus Reef Hotel
10 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners are included. You will need to purchase the remainder of your meals yourself. This is a great way to soak up Sri Lankan culture by sampling local delicacies and speaking to local people in restaurants and food markets.
Maldives Add On
You will have 4 nights of accommodation included on this tour. You will stay in single or twin/double rooms in amazing guesthouses or boutique hotels. Below is an example of the types of accommodation you may stay in during your trip (subject to change)
Hulhumale - Newtown Inn Guesthouse
Maafushi Island - Stingray Beach Inn
This tour includes 4 breakfasts and 1 lunch. You will need to buy the remainder of your meals yourself. This is a great opportunity to explore local restaurants and stalls and explore the area.
The minimum age to join this tour is 18. This trip is designed from travellers aged 18-39.
All tourists visiting Sri Lanka can apply for a 180-day visa through the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) website. The fee for this is 50 USD. You can also obtain an on-arrival visa in Colombo Airport at a cost of 60 USD, but this visa will only be for 30 days. If you are planning to stay in Sri Lanka for longer than 30 days, we recommend that you apply for your visa in advance, so you don't have to extend your visa with the Immigration Department during your stay.
Visa rules and regulations are subject to change. Please check the relevant embassy websites for up to date information.
Maldives Add On
British citizens will be granted a visa on arrival, allowing you a free 30 days providing you have proof of departure, a confirmed hotel reservation or $100 USD in cash.