Sri Lanka Summer Escape

You’ll be met at the airport by your private chauffeur guide, who will whisk you away, a short 20-minute drive up the coast to the fishing town of Negombo for your first night. Take a stroll along the tranquil Dutch canals, indulge in your first tastes of the incredible Sri Lankan food, explore the traditional fish markets, and acclimatise to the Sri Lankan way of life.

You’ll leave Negombo and be driven up to the Cultural Triangle today, a region that’s scattered with ancient ruins and is home to one of the most special natural phenomena on earth. Every year in the dry season (between June and September), hundreds of elephants descend on the watering holes in Minneriya National Park for a much-needed drink. So, this afternoon you’ll be flying through the national park on a jeep safari, surrounded by more wild elephants than you can count. There’s no other word for it really, it’s magic. 

Get up early this morning for your climb up Sigiriya Rock Fortress. The early start means you’ll beat the crowds - and the heat - as you climb. It takes a bit of effort, but it's more than achievable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. You’ll pass water gardens, terraced gardens, the frescoes of the Sigiriya maidens and the mirror wall, before making it to the top and the rewarding views. 

This afternoon, you’ll head off to explore the impressive Golden Temple of Dambulla, boasting five sanctuaries, each packed with an incredible number of Buddhas and colourful murals to take in. Head back to your hotel in the Cultural Triangle for one last night.

The next couple of days are all about relaxation on Sri Lanka’s east coast. You might choose to base yourself in Trincomalee, with its natural harbour, interesting town centre, whale and dolphin watching boat trips and nearby Pigeon Island to explore. Another option is Pasikudah. If you’re after a more relaxed vibe, plenty of time lazing on unspoilt sandy beaches, with a few options for water sports activities here and there, this could be the best option for you. We'll chat to you about all of the options and make sure your Sri Lanka beach break is the perfect one for you. 

Your guide will pick you up today for a leisurely five-hour drive inland to Kandy. Nestled in the hills right in the heart of Sri Lanka, Kandy is the country’s cultural centre. Home to the Temple of the Tooth, arguably Sri Lanka’s most famous and important shrine, it’s an extremely sacred city for Sri Lanka’s Buddhists. This evening, visit the Temple of the Tooth for the nightly traditional Puja ceremony. 

You’ll spend today exploring the sights, temples and flavours of Kandy. You’ll visit Kandy Lake, the marketplace, the Arts and Crafts Centre to watch the local craftsmen work, and take a stroll through the stunning and historic Royal Botanical Gardens with its incredible array of orchids. This evening, we highly recommend taking a street food tour. Anything food-related gets a big tick from us here at HA, especially where Sri Lankan flavours are involved!

An incredible train journey is in store today as your guide picks you up from your hotel in Kandy and whisks you off to the train station. As the train passes through small villages, passing local children playing beside the tracks, and rolling through the cascading tea hills peppered with tea pickers in multicoloured saris, you’ll be captivated. There are a few different places that make for great bases in the hill country – Hatton, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Bandarawela, Haputale, and Koslanda are all great options. We’ll be sure to advise on which would be the best for you based on the experience you’re after. 

Today we’d recommend a mixture of sightseeing and walks. If you’ve packed your hiking boots, there are some incredible hikes to challenge you: The Horton Plains trek to World’s End, the climb up to Adam’s Peak in Hatton, and the iconic and beautiful Ella Rock. If you fancy a taste of the landscape without too much exertion, you can get a tuk tuk up to the top of Lipton’s Seat in Haputale, where Sir Thomas Lipton used to survey his tea empire. Then take a leisurely stroll back down through the tea hills, taking in the views and waving to the tea pickers as they go about their day. You'll spend one final night in the tea country tonight.

Your guide will drive you back to Colombo today, for the very last stop on your Sri Lanka adventure. Sri Lanka’s capital city has a lot to offer, especially in the way of street food, so it’s well worth spending some time exploring (and eating your way around). There’s a fun Street Food Safari tour that we really recommend. If you ask us, there’s no better way to spend your last evening in Sri Lanka than that. 

Today it’s time to fly home. We don’t doubt you’ll be boarding the plane overflowing with smiles and happy memories of your two-week summer holiday around this special part of the world.