Ultimate Sri Lanka

When you arrive at Colombo airport, you’ll be met by your private chauffeur guide and vehicle. We work with the best, friendliest guides, who are so full of knowledge about their country and stories to share. Your first journey will be a quick 20-minute hop up the coast to the small fishing town of Negombo. With Dutch canals to stroll along, traditional fish markets to experience and plenty of local restaurants to get your first taste of incredible Sri Lankan food, it’s a great place to start your Ultimate Sri Lankan adventure. 

Your guide will pick you up this morning and drive you four hours north to the ancient city of Anuradhapura. A hugely important political and religious capital for around 1300 years, Anuradhapura was abandoned after invasion back in 993 CE/AD and its treasures were lost to the jungle. Now, with plenty of palaces, monuments, monasteries and dagobas scattering the landscape, it’s a great place to explore and get a real feeling for Sri Lanka’s rich history.

Another four-hour drive today and you’ll arrive in the city of Jaffna, feeling a whole world away from the rest of Sri Lanka. You’re now closer to Southern India than you are to Colombo, so the region has its own unique identity to explore. Jaffna has only recently opened up to tourism, so it's still wonderfully off the beaten track. But, the people are so friendly, the sights are quiet, and the beaches are remote. It’s a great place to visit on your Sri Lanka holiday if you want to go beyond the usual tourist trail. 

Today, your guide will whisk you away to explore Jaffna’s low-lying islands. Wild, war-torn and untouched by tourism, you’ll get a truly authentic flavour of Sri Lankan history and culture today. 

A two-hour drive today and you’ll find yourself on Sri Lanka’s gorgeous east coast. Trincomalee is eastern Sri Lanka’s main town, the area around it peppered with picturesque bays, rocky peninsulas and beautiful beaches. You’ll head off on a city tour today, where you’ll visit Fort Frederick, the famous Koneswaram Temple and the seven hot springs at Kanniyai. After your tour, get those toes in the sand and treat yourself to a hearty Sri Lankan dinner at one of the local restaurants. (A highlight of every day in Sri Lanka if you ask us!)

This morning, you’ll be picked up by your guide and driven two hours inland to start your adventures in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. Your first stop is a tour of the magnificent ancient city of Polonnaruwa this afternoon. The second most ancient city of Sri Lanka, established in 993 CE/AD following the fall of Anuradhapura, it’s packed with temples, stupas, palaces and a rich architectural heritage that merges Singhalese and Indian styles. 

Today is a highlight of any Sri Lanka holiday, a climb to the top of the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Once you pass the impressive stone lion’s feet, there are a fair few steps to climb. We’d recommend setting your alarm early today to beat the crowds and the heat! When you make it to the top and take in the panoramic views across the surrounding jungle, the effort will have been worth it. 

You've got a three-hour journey to the hill town of Kandy this morning. Firstly, you'll make one final stop in the Cultural Triangle at the most significant and best-preserved cave temple in Sri Lanka, the Golden Temple of Dambulla. There are five main caves to explore, all painted with colourful murals and packed full of more than 150 impressive Buddha statues (one of which is an incredible 14 metres long!).

Next, you’ll hop back in the car and head to the historical hill town of Kandy, home to one of the most sacred places in Sri Lanka – and the gateway to the country’s emerald tea country. 

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. A highlight of today will be your visit to Sri Lanka’s famous Temple of the Tooth, said to be home to the tooth of Buddha. This evening, you'll head out to sample the delights of Kandy's street food on a fun walking tour of the city.

One of the most scenic train rides on Earth awaits you today, as you hop on the train at Nanu Oya station to journey further into Sri Lanka’s hill country to Haputale. The journey takes around 1.5 hours, but passing tea pickers in colourful, traditional dress, mountain views, ancient bridges, trickling waterfalls and small local villages, it’ll go by in a flash. At the end of the ride, you'll check into your hotel in Haputale for the next two nights.

We’ve left today clear for you to soak up the charm of the tea country. Head off on a nature trail to take in the panoramic views over the tea terraces, hire a bicycle to adventure around the area on your own two wheels, or visit a local tea factory to learn all about how Sri Lanka’s most important export goes from leaf to bag. 

Your guide will drive you to Yala National Park today, where a safari adventure awaits. There are some incredible lodges near Yala, and we'll be sure to find the one that suits you best. After check-in, you’ll be whisked straight off on a jeep safari through the park. With your expert guide leading the way, keep your eyes peeled for the wild elephants, crocodiles, sloth bears and rich bird life that can be spotted here. Yala is the best place in Sri Lanka to catch a glimpse of the elusive leopard, too. Of course, this is never guaranteed, but the rarity makes it all even more exciting when one happens to make an appearance. We’ll keep our fingers firmly crossed for you! 

Your guide will pick you up from your safari lodge this morning and drive you 3.5/4 hours to the charming, colonial city of Galle. On the way, stop off at a turtle hatchery to learn about the work the local people are doing to protect the turtles and help them thrive. You might also be lucky enough to see some traditional stilt fishermen fishing for their daily catch along the way, too. 

There are so many lovely accommodation options in and around Galle. Whether you fancy staying within the ancient walls in an old print house or indulging in a taste of luxury at one of the gorgeous boutique beachfront hotels, a short tuk-tuk ride out of town, we'll find the place that suits you best.

Today, it's time to head up the coast to your well-deserved days of R&R. Along the way, we really recommend paying a visit to the Community Tsunami Museum and memorial. Although sobering, learning about this tragic part of Sri Lanka’s history will make you fall even more in love with the resilience of the country and the warmth of its people. You’ll spend the next three nights at one of the gorgeous beach hotels sprinkled around Sri Lanka’s southwest coast. Lazy beach days, ocean dips and countless Sri Lankan curries await.

After a 1.5-hour drive today, you’ll find yourself at your last stop on your ultimate Sri Lanka adventure – back where you started, the capital city of Colombo. This city has a lot to offer, especially in the way of street food, so it’s well worth spending some time exploring. There’s a fun Street Food Safari tour that we really recommend, a quirky and delicious way to end your trip.

Today, your 3-week Sri Lanka holiday comes to an end. Your guide will drop you at the airport with a full heart, a full belly and a head full of unforgettable memories. You’ll have experienced so much of the island on this adventure, we’ll be so excited to hear your best bits when you get home.