Variety of Sri Lanka

Katunayake - Colombo

Day 1: Arrival in Colombo

Arrival in the capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, the largest and most developed city in the country. The natural harbour was once a magnet for successive traders and conquerors - first the Arab merchants, then the Portuguese, Dutch and British. It's easy to explore the city on your own or by tuk-tuk, the most typical public transport in Sri Lanka. In the evening, be sure to treat yourself to a sunset cocktail in one of the hotels on the Corniche where you can admire the view.  

Colombo - Galle

Day 2: Exploring Galle

Today your driver will pick you up for your journey to Galle where you will spend the next two nights. One of the highlights of this port town is the 17th- century Dutch fortress - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best-preserved marine fortress in South Asia. Down in the narrow streets of the town, you will find numerous Dutch colonial villas, several excellent museums and a range of antique shops and other boutiques. Spend the afternoon exploring and enjoy dinner out in one of the town’s excellent restaurants.

Galle

Day 3: Cooking class & bike tour

After breakfast at the hotel and some time to relax you will attend an authentic Sri Lankan cooking class. You’ll get a real taste of this island nation’s flavours and discover the secrets of the local cuisine. After lunch, we'll take a bike tour of the area and enjoy more of the sights and sounds of this coastal region.  

Galle - Sinharaja

Day 4: Sinharaja Forest wildlife hike

The Sinharaja Forest was the first nature reserve to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988. The forest is the last living remnant of Sri Lanka's tropical lowland rainforest covering an area of 18,900 acres. This relatively small reserve is a treasure trove of endemic species of fauna and flora in Sri Lanka. There are also elephants and leopards in the park, but these two species are quite rare to see. The focus of today’s tour will be on insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and small mammals.

Sinharaja - Udawalawa

Day 5: Visiting the Elephant Orphanage

Today you’ll head south to the Udawalawe National Park. Here you will find a mixture of meadows and deserted teak plantations and it is known as the best place to see wild elephants. One of the highlights of the day is visiting the Elephant Orphanage. The team here pick up injured or orphaned elephants and nurse them to full health with food and medical care. Out in the park, you will also find many birds of prey such as White-tailed Eagles, Brahminy Kites and Crested Hawk Eagles.

Udawalawa - Ella

Day 6: Into the highlands

Today your journey continues - this time by train. You'll be heading inland towards the cooler climes of the Sri Lankan highlands and tea plantations. Along the way, you’ll stop to visit the famous Buddhas of Buduruwagala and then continue on to the little town of Ella. Set in the verdant highlands this is a wonderful place to relax in nature and enjoy easy trekking paths through tranquil scenery. After a short evening stroll, enjoy a delicious dinner in one of the town's intimate restaurants.  

Ella

Day 7: Hiking around Ella

If you’re awake early today you might like to take a hike to Little Adam's Peak in time to enjoy a spectacular sunrise with views. Later on, you could choose to take an adrenaline-charged zipline experience through the forest. There are lots of choices for activities today, such as visiting the Ravana Waterfall or hiking to Ella Rock.

Ella - Kitulgala

Day 8: River ride to Kitulgala

Today, we head to the shores of the Kelani River for an exciting rafting tour. We’ll be heading downriver to a wilderness camp in Kitulgala where you’ll spend the next two nights. Here you can relax and enjoy wonderful views of the river or take a stroll around the area and settle in. Kitulgala is surrounded by wooded hills and a jungle of lush tropical flora. Here about 54 rare species of birds can be seen. Endemic species such as the Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Green-billed Coucal and Spot-winged Thrush are found in the forests. Then in the hills above the rubber plantations, there are Mountain Hawk Eagles, Arrowheads and Layard's Parakeets.

Kitulgala

Day 9: Adventures on the river

Kitulgala is well known for its adventurous water-based sports, so today you can make the most of them with a choice of activities. Try whitewater rafting, adrenalin-charged canyoning or abseiling. Whatever you choose to do you’ll be surrounded by gorgeous scenery and wildlife. In the evening enjoy a well-deserved dinner and a good night's sleep. Tomorrow we'll be moving on.

Kitulgala - Kandy

Day 10: Journey to Kandy

After a good breakfast, we begin our journey to Kandy. This royal city is nestled between green mountains in the north of the country and was the capital of the last independent kingdom of Sri Lanka. It survived two centuries of colonial invasions by the Portuguese and the Dutch before it fell victim to the British in 1815. Arriving in Kandy today you will have the opportunity to attend the evening ceremony at the famous Tooth Temple. According to legend, a tooth was removed from the Buddha when he lay on his pyre and was smuggled into Sri Lanka in 313 AD. This is the most important holy relic in Sri Lanka and a very holy place. Afterwards, settle into your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Kandy - Negombo

Day 11: Coastal wanders

The last leg of your tour will take you to the traditional fishing town of Negombo. If you stroll along the Negombo coastal road, you will find a wealth of restaurants serving delicious fresh seafood. The town has a Roman Catholic history and has been given the name ‘Little Rome’. You’ll see several buildings dating back to the Dutch and Portuguese colonial era as well as some well-preserved churches. The 100 km long canal that runs through the city offers the opportunity to discover Negombo from a different perspective.

Negombo - Katunayake

Day 12: Airport transfer

Enjoy one last breakfast in Sri Lanka before your journey to the airport and onward flight.