Overview
What's Included?
- Airport Transfers & Local Transport
- Expert Local Guides
- 1 Nights in a Hotels & Guesthouses
- 2 Nights Wild Glamping
- 1 Night in Game Camp
- 13 Breakfasts, 1 Lunches & 11 Dinners
- Park Fees & Permits
- Sightseeing, Entrance Fees & City Tours
- International Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Soft Drinks, Alcohol or Drinking Water
- Tips for Guides
- Personal Equipment & Clothing
- Souvenirs
Trip Highlights
- Wilpattu National Park: Sri Lanka’s largest and one of its most remote national parks, Wilpattu is famous for its leopards and untouched wilderness.
- Anuradhapura by Bike: Discover the ancient capital of Sri Lanka on two wheels, cycling past towering stupas, serene reservoirs and sprawling temples. The perfect way to explore.
- Gal Oya Boat Safari: A truly unique wildlife experience awaits at Gal Oya, where elephants can often be seen swimming between the islands of Senanayake Samudraya Lake.
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress: One of Sri Lanka’s most iconic landmarks and a favourite for a reason. Stunning from all angles and sensational views down to reward the climb.
Daily Itinerary
Welcome to Sri Lanka! We recommend you arrive in the morning as your journey kicks off with a 3-4 hour drive drive to the serene village of Kalpitiya, a hidden gem on the northwest coast. Settle into your charming guesthouse, perfectly positioned on the lagoon’s edge. Relax, explore the beautiful jetty and take in your first sunset in Sri Lanka. It’s the ideal spot to unwind after your journey and soak up the tranquility of this beautiful island. Meals Included: Dinner
Depending on the season, start your day with an optional whale and dolphin watching trip, where you might spot everything from playful dolphins to the majestic blue whale. If you prefer a slower start, enjoy the peaceful vibe of Kalpitiya before heading off to Wilpattu National Park. In the afternoon, you’ll embark on a jeep safari through Sri Lanka’s largest and one of its most beautiful national parks, famous for its leopards and unspoiled wilderness. Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Today, you’ve got the chance to opt in for another early morning safari in Wilpattu before making your way to Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s first ancient capital. We'll take to the bikes to explore this sprawling city of ancient temples, stupas and serene reservoirs. Cycling is the best way to take in the sheer scale and beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Anuradhapura’s rich history and impressive monuments will leave you in awe. Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Wake up early for a special sunrise visit to Mihintale, the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Climb the ancient steps to the summit, where panoramic views and a peaceful meditation session with a local monk await. After this serene experience, it’s off to the east coast and the coastal town of Trincomalee, where pristine beaches and stunning ocean views will welcome you. Spend the evening relaxing by the sea. Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Today, take it easy with a morning by the beach or opt for a whale and dolphin watching tour (if it's the season) with the chance to spot the elusive blue whale. In the evening, explore Trincomalee’s rich heritage with a visit to the old Dutch fort and the cliff-top Koneswaram Temple, offering breathtaking views of the ocean. It’s a perfect mix of relaxation and exploration in this charming coastal town. Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Journey to Sigiriya today and en route have a fascinating stop in a nearby village. Meet a local farmer, take a boat ride on the lake on his farm and hear firsthand about the challenges of farming on the fringes of the jungle. You’ll enjoy a home-cooked lunch and try your hand at traditional Sri Lankan cooking. In the afternoon, once it's cooled down, climb the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress, taking in its incredible frescoes and panoramic views from the top. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Start the day with a bike ride through the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, discovering its ancient palaces, temples, and incredible statues. After exploring this historical treasure trove, travel to the lesser-known but equally beautiful region of Gal Oya. Arrive at your luxury glamping site nestled among mountains and lush gardens—your secluded retreat in the heart of Sri Lanka’s countryside. Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Today is all about the great outdoors. Spend the morning hiking through the stunning landscapes surrounding your camp, exploring organic farms, tiny villages or even tackling the climb up Monkey Rock. In the afternoon, embark on a unique boat safari across the scenic Senanayake Samudra lake, where elephants can sometimes be seen swimming between islands—a rare and unforgettable sight. Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
This morning, leave the tranquility of Gal Oya and journey to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s hill capital. Once you arrive, take in the city’s vibrant markets and visit the revered Temple of the Tooth, where the evening pooja ceremony fills the air with the sound of drums and chanting—a truly magical experience. End your day with a stroll around Kandy Lake or simply relax at your hotel. Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Discover the secrets behind Sri Lanka’s world-famous Ceylon tea with a visit to a tea plantation and factory. Afterward, enjoy one of the most scenic train journeys in the country as you wind through misty cloud forests and lush green hills on your way to Beragala. Arrive at your hillside retreat, where the views are breathtaking and the atmosphere is blissfully peaceful. Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Head southeast today to Yala National Park, home to Sri Lanka’s most diverse wildlife. In the evening, venture into the park on a jeep safari, keeping an eye out for leopards, elephants, sloth bears, and a host of other animals. With its mix of jungles, lakes, and beaches, Yala is a nature lover’s paradise and the perfect spot for a wild adventure. Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Start your day with a visit to the sacred shrine of Kataragama, a pilgrimage site for Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims alike. Then, it’s off to Galle, where you’ll explore the beautifully preserved Dutch Fort. Wander the cobblestone streets, pop into little boutiques and cafes, and enjoy a sunset stroll along the ramparts (and perhaps take in a game of cricket). It’s a charming and laid-back end to your day of exploration. Meals Included: Breakfast
Your final full day takes you to Colombo, Sri Lanka’s bustling capital. Discover the city’s mix of old and new with a tour that takes you through historic colonial buildings, bustling bazaars, and modern skyscrapers. Walk along the Galle Face Green, sample some local street food and soak in the vibrant energy of this dynamic city. It’s a fitting finale to your Sri Lankan adventure. Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s time to say farewell to Sri Lanka. After a memorable journey filled with stunning landscapes, rich history, and incredible wildlife, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels, and we hope to see you again soon! Meals Included: Breakfast
Where We'll Stay
We’ve taken on the tough task of staying at some of the best hotels and guesthouses around the world to hand-pick those that we think you’ll love. For this trip, we‘ve carefully selected a range of accommodation options, offering a mix of locally-owned guesthouses and scenic hotels that we’re sure you’ll love.
While we can’t promise the exact accommodations each night, we can guarantee that every place will be clean, comfortable and ready to welcome you after your day of adventure.
You’ll also be staying in some particularly special spots over the two weeks. Glamping in Gal Oya and a game camp in Wilpattu National Park.
Like the sound of this trip, have a question or want to check something before you book? Maybe even have a great idea to customise this itinerary? Get in touch and start your adventure!
Interactive Route Map
Check out the interactive map of this trip below. You can simply zoom in and have a look at the route.
Or, if you’re wanting to get a feel for the route or to dive into the daily details then click on any of the steps and you’ll be redirected to our Polarsteps page.
What is Polarsteps?
We’ve loaded all of our itineraries onto Polarsteps. It’s an app that can help you plan, track and relive your travels. We’ve used it to display our trips in all their glory but anyone can easily create on-the-go mementos of their adventures.
Carbon Emissions
This trip emits approximately 494 kg of carbon per person. This includes emissions from transport, accommodation, food, activities, and the operations behind the scenes to run the trip.
What does this mean?
This is roughly the same as driving a typical petrol car about 1,579 miles.
It’s equivalent to the carbon emissions from heating an average UK home with a gas boiler for about 21 days during winter.
Our Approach
We recognise the significant carbon emissions from international travel, but we believe that the positive impact on the countries and communities we visit outweighs these challenges. We provide this estimate to help you make informed decisions about your carbon footprint and consider any offsets you may wish to support.
More Information
What's the fitness level required for this trip?
We grade all of our trips to try and make it easy to understand the fitness levels required. These are broad guidelines however so you’re welcome to chat to us about any specific concerns you might have.
You’ll find more information about these levels here and you can find the difficulty rating for this specific trip at the top of the page.
Is travel insurance mandatory?
Yes, it is. We run adventurous trips and it’s mandatory that you have suitable travel insurance in place to cover overseas medical treatment as well as evacuation or repatriation.
We can’t recommend which provider you use but the main things we’d encourage you to look out for is that you’re fully covered for the activities you’re taking part in (i.e., covers you up to the altitude you’ll be trekking at) and that it covers cancellation in the event that illness or other circumstances prevent you from travelling.
How much should I tip in Sri Lanka?
Tips are not included in any of our trips. They are entirely discretionary but in most cases are expected by the teams that will be looking after you. We know it can be daunting to work out exactly what to give so whilst this guideline hopefully helps, please remember that it’s a completely personal choice and you should feel free to tip more or less based on the quality of service that you receive.
Guide: $10-20 USD per day
Drivers: $5-10 USD per day
Again, tipping is not compulsory and please only do so if the service you’ve received warrants it. It’s hugely appreciated and a way for the teams looking after you to supplement their income.
How do I find out which hotels, meals and activities are included?
Unfortunately we can’t provide an exhaustive list of everything included in the ‘What’s Included’ section of this page as we include a whole bunch of stuff on our trips!
If it’s in the itinerary and we’ve not explicitly said that it’s an optional activity, then yes – it’s almost certainly included. If you’re not sure, please ask.
The meals that are included are all listed on the daily itinerary.
For the accommodation, we’ve got a shortlist of properties that we use. You can get a sense of the types of accommodation we use higher up the page in the ‘Where We’ll Stay’ section. We cannot guarantee any specific properties for your trip as it’s based on availability. If you are wanting to specifically request a property then please get in touch as we’re able to customise our trips.
Which airport do I need to fly into and out of for my trip to Sri Lanka?
Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport is the only airport that our trips in Sri Lanka start and finish at. The airport code is CMB.
What are your payment terms and is my booking financially protected?
Yes, absolutely. Here’s a link to where you can read more about how we are an ABTOT member and have an ATOL licence and what this means for your financial protection when booking a trip with us.
Deposits vary from destination to destination and from trip to trip. Generally speaking we require a deposit of 25%. This amount may be higher for certain trips where more services that usual need to be booked and paid for in advance (such as gorilla permits in Rwanda). Deposits are non-refundable.
Balance payments are required up to 70 days prior to travel.
If you need to cancel your booking, the following fees will apply based on the time before your scheduled departure:
- Immediate loss of deposit (25% of total cost) upon cancellation.
- 50% of the total cost if cancelled after the balance is paid and up to 45 days before departure.
- 75% of the total cost if cancelled 30 to 45 days before departure.
- 100% of the total cost if cancelled within 30 days of departure.
These fees compensate for expenses and bookings made on your behalf in anticipation of your trip.
Can I customise this trip in any way?
- adding in extra days or cutting out a day here or there;
- squeezing in other destinations or removing them;
- starting or finishing the trip in a different place;
- staying in a hotel or guesthouse that we don’t list as an option.
What if someone under the minimum age wants to travel?
It might not be an issue. Some destinations such as Rwanda have firm rules in place about how old people should be in order to visit the gorillas. In other destinations it’s more of a guideline.
Please do contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
What information will I receive after I book?
After you book, we’ll get to work confirming that the dates you’ve selected are completely available.
There are extremely rare circumstances that may mean we’re unable to confirm your booking. These circumstances are limited to events beyond our control or not being able to secure the services that you wanted to book.
In the extremely rare event that we’re unable to confirm your booking you will be offered an alternative itinerary or a full refund without any fees. Please do not book any non-changeable travel plans until you receive the confirmation from us. This will be within 72 hours.
A detailed Trip Dossier will then be sent to you after you make your booking. It’ll contain all the information you might need to help you pack and get prepared for your trip, including information on visas, vaccinations, packing and training.
We encourage you to refer to the UK Government’s official travel advisory service when planning your trips. You can find the FCDO advice here.
And when you travel, we work closely with local experts to put together the best itineraries. We’ve worked with them exhaustively to provide safe adventures at great value. They know their destination better than we ever could so you’ll be in good hands! You can read a bit more about why we will only ever have locally-led trips here.
Book Now
Whether you’d like more information about this itinerary or to customise it to exactly what you want to do, drop us a line and let us know your plans!
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