Safari, Surf & Scenery

When you arrive in Colombo, you’ll be met by your private, smiling chauffeur-guide, who’ll whisk you off inland to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s cultural capital. After the three-hour drive, the rest of the day is yours to relax or start exploring. Wander around Kandy Lake, visit the local markets, or simply enjoy your first taste of Sri Lankan cuisine at a lakeside restaurant.

This morning, you’ll set straight off on a scenic 3.5-hour drive east to Gal Oya National Park, one of Sri Lanka’s most untouched and wildlife-rich regions. When you arrive, you’ll head straight out onto the water for a truly unique boat safari, where you might just spot elephants swimming between islands, crocodiles basking on the banks, deer grazing alongside the river, and vibrant birdlife flitting overhead. This park is wonderfully off the beaten track. And the serene atmosphere and lack of crowds all add to the unforgettable magic of Sri Lanka’s wild side. 

Today, you’re in for a seriously special encounter as you’ll head off on a fascinating jungle walk with the Chief of the Vedda tribe – Sri Lanka’s last indigenous community. Learn about their ancient traditions, their use of medicinal plants, and unique way of life, which has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Here at HA, we believe in the power of travel for good, and that goodness is found in eye-opening experiences and forming connections just like this. The afternoon is yours to relax at your eco-lodge, soaking up the untamed beauty of Gal Oya.

After breakfast, it’s time to leave the wilderness behind and drive 2.5 hours east to Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka’s laid-back surf town. After checking into your beachfront hotel, spend the rest of the day unwinding by the sea.

The morning is yours to surf, swim, or relax. This afternoon, you’ll set off on a jeep safari to Kumana National Park, known for its abundant birdlife and diverse wildlife. Although less famous than Yala National Park, Kumana is home to elephants, crocodiles, wild boar, and even the elusive leopard. (We’ll cross our fingers for you that you might just be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one!) 

We’ve included the next two full days at leisure, giving you plenty of time to soak up the beauty of this part of Sri Lanka. If you’re keen to hit the waves, you might like to book some surfing lessons with a local instructor. Or, head out on a boat safari through Pottuvil Lagoon, where you’ll drift past mangroves, elephants, and traditional fishing villages. If you’re a keen birdwatcher, this is a trip for you – the lagoon waters are home to a bewildering array of birds! Otherwise, just kick back and relax in the sunshine.

Today, you’ll leave the coast behind as you head three hours inland to Ella, a stunning hill town surrounded by rolling tea plantations. After checking into your accommodation (there’s a range of really wonderful options in the area!), spend the afternoon soaking up the scenery, perhaps with a drink in hand, watching the mist settle over the hills.

Today is all about incredible views and fresh mountain air as you'll be taken on a tour of Ella and its surrounding hills and waterfalls. Visit the famous Demodara Nine Arch railway bridge, Ravana Ella Falls, Ella Gap, and climb Little Adam's Peak. Afterwards, you will have a tea factory visit for the chance to learn about the tea manufacturing process used in most parts of Sri Lanka.

Today, you’ll travel 2-3 hours to Nuwara Eliya by train or car. We’d recommend opting for the train – the journey is nothing short of spectacular. Passing rolling hills, misty valleys, and seemingly endless tea plantations, with tea pickers dotted throughout the landscape, your eyes will be busy! Once you arrive, enjoy a leisurely afternoon exploring the charming colonial hill town, once a favourite retreat for the British. With its red-bricked post office, racecourse, and cool climate, it’s easy to see why it’s often referred to as ‘Little England’. 

After breakfast, you’ll begin the five-hour drive back to Colombo, arriving in the capital for your final night in Sri Lanka. For your final evening, we recommend heading down to the Galle Face Green for some street food by the sea, or if seafood is your thing, venture to Mount Lavinia to dine on freshly prepared fish and shellfish and toast your adventure as the sun goes down.