Itinerary
- Day 1
Negombo
You'll land in Sri Lanka and get greeted by your trip leader at the airport. After transferring to Negombo, a coastal town with real character, you'll settle into your beachfront hotel. The group meets up for an introductory session, then heads to a local restaurant to try your first Sri Lankan meal.
- Meals
- Dinner (Authentic Sri Lankan cuisine at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Meet trip leader at airport
- Welcome session with fellow travelers
- Dinner at local restaurant
- Day 2
Negombo to Sigiriya
This morning takes you to the Negombo fish market early on, where vendors sell fresh crab, lobster, and squid. From there you'll travel toward Sigiriya, stopping at Dambulla Cave Temple. The site contains around 150 Buddha statues and paintings from over 2000 years ago, and your leader will explain the stories and importance of this UNESCO World Heritage location.
Included Activities
- Visit to Negombo fish market
- Guided tour of Dambulla Cave Temple
Landmarks Dambulla Cave Temple 
- Day 3
Sigiriya
You'll hike up Sigiriya (Lion Rock), a UNESCO site with ancient palace ruins on top of a dramatic rocky outcrop. The climb is tough but the views from the summit make it worthwhile. In the afternoon, relax at one of the hotel's two outdoor pools or join an optional jeep safari to Minneriya National Park to see Sri Lankan elephants.
Included Activities
- Hike up Sigiriya (Lion Rock)
Optional Activities
- Jeep safari to Minneriya National Park for elephant viewing
Landmarks Sigiriya Minneriya National Park 
- Day 4
Sigiriya to Kandy
After breakfast, you'll head to Kandy in the lush green hills. Stop in Matale at a local spice garden for a short walk through the greenery to learn about spices used in Sri Lankan cooking, then have an authentic lunch. Later you'll check into your Kandy hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing or choosing to see the Kandy Cultural Show or visit the Temple of the Tooth.
- Meals
- Lunch (Authentic Sri Lankan flavours at spice garden)
Included Activities
- Trek at spice garden in Matale
- Local lunch featuring authentic Sri Lankan flavours
Optional Activities
- Kandy Cultural Show
- Visit to Temple of the Tooth
Landmarks Temple of the Tooth 
- Day 5
Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
You'll leave Kandy heading south and stop in Kitulgala for white water rafting through rapids with views of rainforests and tea plantations. Then continue to Nuwara Eliya, where you can unwind at your hotel or walk around town surrounded by tea plantations.
Included Activities
- White water rafting in Kitulgala
Optional Activities
- Explore Nuwara Eliya town
Landmarks Kitulgala 
- Day 6
Nuwara Eliya to Yala
Board a morning train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella, one of Sri Lanka's most scenic train routes. The train winds through Haputale and Bandarawela with great scenery throughout. Once in Ella, you'll check out the Nine Arch Bridge and Little Adam's Peak, then potentially visit a tea plantation. Later you'll drive to Yala and check in, relaxing with views of the paddy fields.
Included Activities
- Scenic train ride from Nuwara Eliya to Ella
Optional Activities
- Visit Nine Arch Bridge
- Visit Little Adam's Peak
- Visit tea plantation
Landmarks Nine Arch Bridge Little Adam's Peak - Day 7
Yala
Early morning jeep safari at Yala National Park where your guide will look for crocodiles, elephants, monkeys, buffaloes, and possibly leopards. After the safari, you'll head to Mirissa, a laid-back beach town, stopping at Coconut Tree Hill for views over the Indian Ocean. Check in at your hotel and spend the afternoon exploring the beach.
Included Activities
- Morning Jeep safari at Yala National Park
- Stop at Coconut Tree Hill
Optional Activities
- Swim in the ocean
Landmarks Yala National Park Coconut Tree Hill 
- Day 8
Mirissa
You'll meet a local fisherman to learn about their work and how their lives changed after the tsunami. Share the freshest seafood lunch with the fisherman's family, including crab curry. Back at your hotel, spend the afternoon relaxing or exploring the southern coastline. Swim in calm waters and watch sunsets from the beach or hotel bar and pool.
- Meals
- Lunch (Seafood lunch with fisherman's family featuring crab curry)
Included Activities
- Fisherman's cooking demonstration and seafood lunch
Optional Activities
- Explore the beach
- Swim in the ocean
- Day 9
Mirissa to Colombo
You'll leave Mirissa and head to Colombo, stopping in Galle to see the UNESCO-listed Dutch fort with its extensive walls and old buildings. Walk through the historic fort checking out narrow streets, colonial-era buildings, churches, mosques, and colonial houses. Browse museums and art galleries that show the area's history and culture before continuing north to Colombo.
Included Activities
- Visit to Dutch Fort in Galle
Optional Activities
- Explore museums in Galle
- Explore art galleries in Galle
Landmarks Galle Fort - Day 10
Colombo
Spend the day exploring Colombo on a walking tour through the busy streets of Colombo Fort with your leader. Stop at the Pettah fruit and vegetable market to see the sights and sounds of vendors and shoppers. You'll visit the red and white-striped Red Mosque with its tall minarets. The tour also shows Dutch and British colonial architecture throughout the city.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Colombo Fort
- Visit to Pettah fruit and vegetable market
- Visit to Red Mosque
Landmarks Colombo Fort Pettah Market Red Mosque - Day 11
Colombo
Have your last breakfast at the hotel before everyone heads different directions. You're leaving with new friends, great memories, and probably already thinking about your next trip. This isn't goodbye, just see you later.
- Meals
- Breakfast
