Essential Sri Lanka Explorer

Once you have arrived in Colombo, you will meet your Tour Leader and the rest of the group for a short welcome briefing.

We then head out to see the capital, getting to know its streets and colonial past while visiting several of its best-known landmarks. It is a good first look at Sri Lankan culture and a chance to get acquainted with the people you will be travelling with for the coming fortnight.

Colombo - DambullaWe leave Colombo behind and spend the morning at the Sputnik Centre, joining in community activities and hearing how the centre supports young people locally. It offers a look at a side of Sri Lanka that most visitors never see.

Later in the day, we reach Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site set within a huge rock formation. Its ancient cave shrines hold detailed murals and large Buddha statues, with a history stretching back more than 2,000 years.

This evening is free for you to relax and settle in.

Dambulla - Sigiriya - DambullaWith a packed breakfast to start the day, we climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that towers over the jungle around it. King Kashyapa built this rock citadel during the 5th century, and highlights include its ancient frescoes, the royal gardens and the engineering behind the whole site. From the summit, the views reach across the countryside in every direction.

The afternoon is yours to rest, or you can take the option of visiting Polonnaruwa, also UNESCO-listed and considered the best-preserved ancient city in the country, at an additional cost of GBP 56 per person, with bicycle hire available for a further GBP 8. Alternatively, you can climb Pidurangala Rock at an additional cost of GBP 12 per person for a celebrated view across Sigiriya and the countryside beyond.

Back at the accommodation this evening, we share a glass of arrack, the island’s traditional spirit, which is made from coconut flower sap.

Dambulla - Knuckles Mountain Range - KandyToday we head for the Knuckles Mountain Range to hike the Manigala Trail, a route through cloud forest with wide views along the way and a favourite with hikers in Sri Lanka. We have lunch in a village home nearby, adding a local element to the day.

Later, we travel on to Kandy, the hill capital. Your evening is free to explore the city streets, find somewhere to eat with the group or settle in for a drink.

Kandy - KitulgalaYour morning in Kandy is free. You might relax, take a walk around the city or make your own way to the Temple of the Tooth, regarded as the holiest Buddhist site in the country and the keeper of a relic of great religious importance. You also have the option of visiting the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya at an additional cost of GBP 19 per person, where tropical plants and huge trees grow alongside one of the finest orchid collections in Asia.

In the afternoon, we continue to Kitulgala for a white-water rafting trip, with rapids to tackle and rainforest on either side.

After the rafting, your evening is free to enjoy the sounds and slower pace of the rainforest.

Kitulgala - Nanu Oya - EllaEarly this morning, we transfer to Nanu Oya railway station and board the train to Ella, often ranked among the great rail journeys of the world. The line passes tea plantations, misty forest and small villages perched in the hills.

From the station in Ella, it is a short walk to the accommodation, where you can leave your bags and spend some time settling in to this relaxed town.

Later, we hike up Little Adam’s Peak on an easy trail through tea fields, reaching wide views over the hill country around Ella.

We set off early with a packed breakfast for a full day on stages 15 and 16 of the Pekoe Trail. Starting from Makulella Temple, overlooking the Ambagaswatte Valley, the route crosses jungle tracks, eucalyptus forest and tea plantations before climbing to the top of Ella Rock, with views over Ella Gap and Little Adam’s Peak.

After lunch, we carry on through Ella Forest Reserve, passing the Nine Arches Bridge and several tea estates on the way to the Demodara Railway Loop, where the line curves around and runs underneath itself.

Your evening is free in Ella, with plenty of shops, pubs and restaurants to try.

Cooking takes centre stage this morning in a hands-on class where we learn to prepare some of the best-known Sri Lankan dishes and the spices that give them their flavour. Once the cooking is done, we sit down together to eat what we have made.

You have the afternoon free in Ella. For something more active, you could try the Flying Ravana Zipline, or for a slower pace, find a viewpoint, browse the cafes along the main streets or simply enjoy the calm of the hill country.

Ella - Udawalawe National ParkLeaving the hills behind, we head towards Udawalawe, stopping on the way at Buduruwagala Ancient Temple. Set in the forest, the site features huge figures carved into the rock more than 1,000 years ago, among them a standing Buddha against the cliff.

On reaching Udawalawe National Park, we set out by jeep on safari, looking for elephants, crocodiles, spotted deer, buffalo, monkeys and a wide range of birdlife.

Tonight, we stay in tented accommodation right beside the national park, with nature all around.

Udawalawe National Park - UnawatunaTea is the focus this morning at the Handunugoda Tea Estate, where we follow the process from leaf to cup and look around the factory to see how the island’s well-known tea is produced. The visit ends with a freshly brewed cup looking out over the estate’s green slopes.

We then continue to Unawatuna on the south coast, one of the many beach destinations in the country. Once you have checked in, you are free to head to the beach, browse the shops in town or meet up with the group for a sundowner by the sea.

Surfing is on the agenda today, as we head into the water for a lesson after some time relaxing on the beach.

The remainder of the day is free for you to enjoy the sand and sea, buy a coconut from a seafront cafe or see more of the south coast. If you would rather slow down, you can join a local yoga session instead.

Please note: The surfing season in Sri Lanka runs between December and April. Most lessons are expected to go ahead, but if conditions are unsuitable, you will be refunded in full for the lesson.

Unawatuna - Galle - UnawatunaAn early start takes us to a local fish market on the eastern side of Galle, the busiest city in southern Sri Lanka. Here, we mix with local fishermen and watch the daily auction, a real look at everyday life on the coast.

Afterwards, we move on to Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was originally a Portuguese construction and was later extended by the Dutch. Its old streets, colonial buildings, tucked-away courtyards and sea views make it a rewarding place to explore. You can choose to join the Tour Leader for a detailed walking tour or explore by yourself, dropping into the boutiques, cafes and galleries.

As the day draws to a close, the group gathers on the ramparts of the fort to watch the sunset before we return to Unawatuna.

Unawatuna - ColomboOn the way back to Colombo, we stop at Kande Vihare Temple, where we meet one of its Buddhist priests and join in a traditional blessing. It offers a moment to reflect on the journey and wish for luck on future travels.

We then continue to Colombo, where the tour ends. From here, you can head to the airport or extend your stay in Sri Lanka.