Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport to Kalpitiya
You'll arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport and get picked up for the drive to Kalpitiya on the western coast. The ride takes around 3.5 hours, and your guide will fill you in on what's ahead for the trip. After checking into Dolphin Beach Resort, you can settle in and relax by the beach.
- Meals
- Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Kalpitiya Peninsula Kalpitiya Islands Puttalam Lagoon - Day 2
Wilpattu National Park
Grab breakfast at the hotel, then head out on a boat to Wilpattu National Park for a jeep safari. The park has natural lakes and all sorts of birds passing through. If the weather cooperates, you'll take another boat ride through Kalpitiya Lagoon later and stop at a sandbank to watch the sunset. Back at the hotel, you can wind down for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Boat ride to Wilpattu
- Jeep safari at Wilpattu National Park
- Boat ride in Kalpitiya Lagoon with sunset view (weather and time permitting)
Landmarks/POIs Wilpattu National Park Kalpitiya Lagoon - Day 3
Kalpitiya to Sigiriya
After breakfast, travel toward Sigiriya with a stop at Yapahuwa Ancient Kingdom to see the 13th-century royal residence and its ornamental stairway. Check in at Back of Beyond Tree House and rest a bit. In the evening, you'll climb Pidurangala Rock (this monastery dates to the third century BC) to catch the sunset, then head back to your tree house for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Yapahuwa Ancient Kingdom
- Climb Pidurangala Rock and view sunset
Landmarks/POIs Yapahuwa Ancient Kingdom Pidurangala Rock Sigiriya - Day 4
Hiriwadunna Village - Polonnaruwa
Have breakfast, then go to Hiriwadunna village for real cultural experiences like cycling through jungle, wading streams, crossing a lake in a traditional oruwa boat, and helping with harvest. You'll eat lunch with the farmer's family cooking fresh local food over a fire. After that, head to Polonnaruwa to check out the Royal Palace ruins and Gal Viharaya before returning to your tree house.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional village lunch prepared by farmer's family with freshly picked produce and local herbs cooked in clay pots over open fire), Dinner
Included Activities
- Village lunch with trekking at Hiriwadunna
- Visit to ancient city of Polonnaruwa
Landmarks/POIs Hiriwadunna Village Polonnaruwa Gal Viharaya Parakrama Samudraya - Day 5
Sigiriya to Knuckles
Start with breakfast and then climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO site with old palace ruins and frescoes. The climb has great views throughout. Later you'll transfer to Wild Glamping Knuckles in the hills where you'll stay in a luxury tent. The Knuckles area has lots of different plants and animals, so it's ideal if you like nature.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Climb to Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Landmarks/POIs Sigiriya Rock Fortress Knuckles Mountain Range - Day 6
Knuckles
After breakfast, trek through the Knuckles Mountain Range with its green landscape and streams. You might see stag deer if you're lucky, plus lots of different birds. Back at your tent you can have tea or a beer and take in the views from your accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Knuckles Mountain Range
Landmarks/POIs Knuckles Mountain Range Mahaweli River - Day 7
Knuckles to Wellawaya
Finish breakfast and transfer to Wellawaya in a remote part of the island with traditional paddy fields all around. You'll check into Jetwing Kaduruketha and spend the day relaxing and soaking in the rural village atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Wellawaya - Day 8
Ella Day Trip
After breakfast, take a day trip to Ella and hike up to Ella Rock in the morning. During the day you'll see Rawana Falls, Ella Gap, and the Nine Arch Bridge, all with great views. The town's popular with travelers for good reason. You'll return to Wellawaya by evening to rest at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Ella Rock
- Visit to Rawana Falls
- Visit to Ella Gap
- Visit to Nine Arch Bridge
Landmarks/POIs Ella Rock Rawana Falls Ella Gap Nine Arch Bridge Ella - Day 9
Wellawaya to Yala
Have breakfast and transfer to Yala National Park. On the way you'll stop at Kataragama Temple Complex with its Buddhist and Hindu temples. Check in at Flameback Eco Lodge and relax while watching the lake and wildlife in the distance. The lodge combines luxury with the feel of being out in nature.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Kataragama Temple Complex
Landmarks/POIs Kataragama Temple Complex Yala National Park - Day 10
Yala
Breakfast first, then a morning jeep safari through Yala National Park. You'll see elephants, possibly leopards, and the dry thorn scrub landscape that reminds many of African safaris. After getting back to the lodge, take time to rest and reflect on what you saw.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning jeep safari at Yala National Park
Landmarks/POIs Yala National Park - Day 11
Yala to Galle
After breakfast, transfer to Galle, the historic former main port. Check into your hotel, then later explore Galle City. The Galle Fort covers 90 acres with galleries, cafes, and shops inside (UNESCO site, originally built by the Portuguese, expanded by the Dutch). By evening you can watch the sunset over the ocean.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Galle City
- Visit to Galle Fort
Landmarks/POIs Galle Fort Galle - Day 12
Galle to Bandaranaike International Airport
Have breakfast at your hotel then transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport for your flight home. The drive from Galle takes about 4 hours, giving you time to think back on your trip through Sri Lanka.
- Meals
- Breakfast
