Southern Sri Lanka: coastal bliss & wildlife wonders

Colombo - Bentota

Day 1: Touchdown in Colombo

Welcome to Sri Lanka! After touching down at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, meet a representative and transfer to the coastal town of Bentota. Check into your accommodation there, then spend time relaxing and unwinding after your travels. For a lovely evening out, take a walk along Bentota Beach before finding a bar or restaurant to enjoy a cold beer or seafood dinner. Overnight in Bentota.

Bentota

Day 2: The gardens & wildlife of Bentota

This morning, journey past paddy fields and country lanes to make a visit to the Brief Garden, by Bevis Bawa. A stunning outdoor space designed by landscape architect and owner Bevis Bawa, it makes for a peaceful and calming start to your day. Explore the vast collection of sculptures, contemplate the lush greenery as you wander down quiet pathways, and enjoy the birdsong echoing across the garden.

Afterwards, you'll continue on to the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project, where you'll visit the hatchery and deep-dive into the work done by local and international volunteers to protect these endangered creatures. Enjoy your afternoon at the beach, cooling off on golden sands before returning to your accommodation in Bentota for the night.

Bentota

Day 3: A day at leisure on the beach

Good morning, Bentota! Wake up to a relaxing day at leisure, which you can spend sunning yourself on Bentota Beach. Try your hand at a range of water sports - wakeboarding, jetskiing and windsurfing are just some of the fun-filled activities to try here. If you wish, you could opt to end the day with a very special sunset cruise down the Bentota River.

Bentota - Sinharaja Rainforest

Day 4: Venture into the Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Early in the morning, leave the coastal charms of Bentota behind and transfer to the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, where a guided trek will unveil a world of natural wonders - you'll soon understand why this rainforest is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Spend the day birdwatching and wildlife-spotting - Sambar deer roam the forest grounds, as do Sri Lankan leopards and elephants, so keep your eyes peeled and your camera at the ready! You'll then head to your accommodation for an overnight stay near the rainforest.

Sinharaja Rainforest - Galle

Day 5: Journey to Galle

Early this morning, lace up your boots and set out on a leisurely nature walk in the Sinharaja rainforest, for a chance to spot more wonderful wildlife that you perhaps missed yesterday.

Then, you'll check out of your accommodation and transfer to Galle, a historic city on Sri Lanka's southwest coast. Known for its Portuguese colonial influences and Dutch Fort, here you can spend all day retracing a fascinating heritage and admiring the age-old architecture. Soak up the mesmerizing sunset at the Galle Lighthouse, before relaxing with an overnight stay.

Galle

Day 6: Dive into the historic sights of Galle

As you find your bearings in Galle, you'll enjoy a day of sightseeing: explore the Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 1580s by the Portuguese before being fortified by the Dutch almost a century later. Well-preserved and a symbol of Galle's storied past, it's an unmissable attraction while you're here.

Optionally, venture into the Galle National Museum for a further dose of history, before strolling through the Dutch Reformed Church and other colonial buildings. End the day's activities with some shopping and café-hopping within Galle Fort, before returning to your accommodation for an overnight stay.

Galle

Day 7: Enjoy snorkeling along Unawatuna Bay

From your base in Galle, set out on a day trip to Unawatuna Beach, where splendid sunbathing and snorkeling adventures await! Diving beneath the water's surface, you'll find all manner of marine wildlife wonders along Unawatuna Bay - colorful corals, sea turtles, and even shipwreck sites await to be explored.

Optionally, visit the Sea Turtle Hatchery in Habaraduwa to learn about their conservation efforts and how you could help make a difference during your visit. You'll return to Galle afterwards, for another overnight stay.

Galle - Yala National Park

Day 8: Safari thrills in Yala National Park

Today, check out of your accommodation and transfer from Galle to Yala National Park, a stunning natural expanse and wildlife park known for its populations of elephants and leopards, as well as for hosting hundreds of bird species. Bordering the Indian Ocean, it offers beautifully varied landscapes and trails across lagoons, forests and grasslands. Enjoy an afternoon safari within the park grounds, spotting as many of the local residents as possible, before settling down near the park for an overnight stay.

Yala National Park - Tangalle

Day 9: Wonderful wildlife encounters

Early this morning, set out on another safari in Yala National Park. Birdwatching enthusiasts can also opt to enjoy a safari in Bundala National Park, where more than 200 bird species can be spotted - from fascinating waterfowl and vast flamboyances of greater flamingos, to blue-tailed bee-eaters, brown flycatchers, forest wagtails and more.

After another day of enriching wildlife encounters, you'll transfer from Yala to Tangalle, a coastal town that enjoys a mild climate and tranquil sandy stretches. Relax on the beach for a while, before an overnight stay here.

Tangalle

Day 10: Rock temples & lagoon cruising in Tangalle

Today, enrich your itinerary with the fascinating sights of Tangalle and beyond: you'll first visit the Mulkirigala Rock Temples, built on a natural rock with an elevation of more than 200m, and surrounded by a lush forest landscape. Then, relax some more on the pristine beaches of Tangalle, before exploring the Tangalle Lagoon by boat or kayak - a great pastime for adventure-seekers. Settle down in the evening to feast on fresh local seafood, a must during your time in Tangalle.

Tangalle - Colombo

Day 11: Journey back to Colombo

This morning, wake up to an optional yoga session by the beach - an activity that's both calming and invigorating, setting you up for a wonderful last day in Sri Lanka. From there, check out of your accommodation and depart Tangalle for Colombo - your base for one final overnight stay.

Back in the buzzing capital, you'll have time to soak up its highlights on a city tour. Enjoy some retail therapy and find souvenirs to take home with you at the Pettah Market, a heaving yet thrilling attraction for which the city is famous, as well as a selection of upscale boutiques.

Colombo

Day 12: Goodbye, Sri Lanka

Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some time to visit the Colombo National Museum this morning - a great way to end your trip on a memorable note, as you soak up one last bit of Sri Lanka's cultural and natural heritages. Then, with a suitcase full of happy memories, you'll transfer to the international airport for your departure flight home.