Itinerary
- Day 1
Colombo to Rathnapura
You'll land at Bandaranayake International Airport where your guide meets you. The drive to Rathnapura takes about 2 hours heading southeast, and along the way you stop at gem mines to watch how miners work. Once you reach your hotel, settle in for dinner and an overnight stay.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit gem mines to observe gem mining process
- Transfer from Bandaranayake International Airport to Rathnapura
Optional Activities
- Visit gem museums or gem workshops to view precious stones (rubies, sapphires, cat's eyes, alexandrites, aquamarines, tourmalines, spinels, topaz, garnets, amethyst, zircons)
Landmarks/POIs Bandaranayake International Airport Sinharaja Rain Forest Adam's Peak - Day 2
Rathnapura to Kithulgala
After breakfast at the hotel, you head out early for a guided trek through Sinharaja Rainforest with a tracker. The 3-hour trek takes you through this UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. From there you transfer to Kithulgala, check into your hotel, and have dinner before staying the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided trek through Sinharaja Rainforest (approximately 3 hours)
- Transfer from Rathnapura to Kithulgala
Landmarks/POIs Sinharaja Rain Forest - Day 3
Kithulgala to Ella
Following breakfast, you drive to the Kelani River for white water rafting. The trip covers 5 major rapids and 4 minor rapids over about 5 km. You get a safety briefing and board modern rafts with professional instructors. After rafting, you head back to the hotel to check out, then drive toward Ella and stop at two waterfalls (Devon and St. Clair's). You'll check in at your Ella hotel for dinner and the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- White water rafting experience on Kelani River covering 5 major rapids and 4 minor rapids (approximately 5 km)
- Visit to Devon Waterfall
- Visit to St. Clair's Waterfall
- Transfer from Kithulgala to Ella
Landmarks/POIs Kelani River Devon Waterfall St. Clair's Waterfall - Day 4
Ella to Haputale
You wake early to catch the sunrise at Ella Gap between the mountains. After breakfast, you visit the 9 Arches Bridge, Little Adam's Peak, and Rawana Waterfall. Later in the evening, you transfer to Haputale and stop at the Dhowa Rock Temple to see its paintings and sculptures. Check into your Haputale hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing at Ella Gap
- Visit to 9 Arches Bridge
- Visit to Little Adam's Peak
- Visit to Rawana Waterfall
- Visit to Dhowa Rock Temple (Dowa Rajamaha Viharaya)
- Transfer from Ella to Haputale
Optional Activities
- Flying Ravana Adventure Park - Mega zip-line, ATV/quad bike rides, Abseiling, Archery, Air rifling (extra charges apply)
Landmarks/POIs Ella Gap 9 Arches Bridge Little Adam's Peak Rawana Waterfall Dhowa Rock Temple - Day 5
Horton Plains
After breakfast, you drive to Horton Plains National Park where you trek through different vegetation types for 3 to 4 hours. You visit the World's End viewpoint and Baker's Waterfall. Next, you check out the historic Adisham Bungalow, which is now home to the Adisham Monastery of St. Benedict. Return to your Haputale hotel for dinner and the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Horton Plains National Park trek and exploration (approximately 3-4 hours)
- Visit to World's End viewpoint
- Visit to Baker's Waterfall
- Visit to Adisham Bungalow and Adisham Monastery
Landmarks/POIs Horton Plains National Park World's End Baker's Waterfall Adisham Bungalow - Day 6
Devil's Staircase
You have breakfast and then head out on one of Sri Lanka's most challenging jeep safaris along the Devil's Staircase track. The 14 km route descends through tea estates with dramatic hairpin bends exceeding 15 degrees. During the drive, you spot the Bambarakanda Falls (Sri Lanka's highest waterfall) and take in the hill country landscapes. Return to your Haputale hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Devil's Staircase jeep safari (approximately 14 km route)
- View of Bambarakanda Falls (Sri Lanka's highest waterfall)
Landmarks/POIs Ohiya Devil's Staircase Bambarakanda Falls - Day 7
Haputale to Yala Safari Camping
After breakfast, you drive to Baker's Bend viewpoint at about 5000 feet above sea level for views of the lowlands toward the Indian Ocean and mountain ranges. On clear days, you can see Samanalawewa and Udawalawe reservoirs. Then you continue to Lipton Seat, another viewpoint where Thomas Lipton once surveyed his tea estate with nice sunrise views. You check out and transfer to Yala Safari Camping for dinner at an eco-friendly luxury campsite.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Baker's Bend viewpoint
- Visit to Lipton Seat viewpoint
- Transfer from Haputale to Yala Safari Camping
Landmarks/POIs Baker's Bend Samanalawewa Reservoir Udawalawe Reservoir Lipton Seat - Day 8
Yala National Park Safari
You rise around 5 AM for a safari drive through Yala National Park. Camp staff prepares breakfast to take with you, which you have in an open area near a lake. You explore the forest, grassland, and lagoons bordering the Indian Ocean. The park has leopards, elephants, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species. You also visit ancient Buddhist sites including Sithulpawwa Monastery and caves with old rock paintings. After the safari, you return to camp, check out, and transfer to the airport or beach hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in open area near beautiful lake)
Included Activities
- Early morning Yala National Park safari drive
- Breakfast near lake in open area
- Wildlife viewing (leopards, elephants, crocodiles, bird species)
Optional Activities
- Visit to Sithulpawwa ancient Buddhist monastery
- Visit to caves with centuries-old rock paintings
- Visit to Magul Maha Viharaya ancient Buddhist ruins
Landmarks/POIs Yala National Park Sithulpawwa Magul Maha Viharaya
