Itinerary
- Day 1
Airport to Kandy
You'll be met at Bandaranaike International Airport and driven to Kandy through tea plantations and small towns. The drive takes you through some nice scenery with rolling hills and local villages along the way. Later in the evening you'll meet your tour guide who'll go over what's coming up in the days ahead. After that you can settle in and relax at your hotel in Pinnawala.
- Start point
- Colombo, Sri Lanka (Colombo Airport)
Included Activities
- Airport welcome and greeting
- Transfer to Kandy via scenic route
- Day 2
Kandy
Following breakfast, head to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage where you can watch the rescued elephants bathing in the river and see baby elephants being bottle-fed. From there, continue to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with significant cultural importance. Later at dusk you'll catch a Kandyan Dance Show with traditional performances. The Royal Botanical Gardens are next, and with over 4,000 plant species it's worth spending time walking around. You can also stroll by scenic Kandy Lake before heading back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
- Explore Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa)
- Kandyan Dance Show performance
- Walk through Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya
Optional Activities
- Feed baby elephants with milk at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
- Spice Garden tour
- Gem shop visit
- City tour of Kandy
- Stroll around Kandy Lake (Bogambara Lake)
Landmarks Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya Kandy Lake (Bogambara Lake) - Day 3
Kandy to Heeloya
You'll depart early at 7:30 AM heading toward the Knuckles Mountain Range's eastern foothills. The guided trek takes you through pine forests, tea estates, rice paddies, and past waterfalls. At a local mountain home you'll have a chance to help with meal preparation or just watch, then enjoy lunch with fresh tropical fruits while overlooking the mountains. The trek continues through reforested areas and cardamom farms where you might spot local birdlife. By evening you'll reach Sky Camp for an overnight stay with views of the mountain range.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Sri Lankan lunch at local mountain home with fresh home-grown tropical fruits), Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided mountain trek to remote village
- Trek through pine forests and tea estates
- Visit local mountain home and home-cooked meal preparation
- Trek through Victoria Reservoir area and cliff viewpoints
- Overnight stay at Knuckles Range Sky Camp
Optional Activities
- Heeloya Waterfall visit and river bath
- Picnic lunch en route
- Refreshing river bath
Landmarks Knuckles Mountain Range Heeloya Waterfall Victoria Reservoir - Day 4
Heeloya to Meemure Village
Get up early to see the sunrise over the misty mountains. After that you'll trek through rice paddies, tea plantations, and natural forests, passing through pygmy and cloud forests. Keep watch for endemic birds and wildlife throughout the day. This trek covers approximately 35 km through villages and dense jungle, with hidden waterfalls to discover along the way. You'll stop for authentic home-cooked lunch in a village. By evening you'll camp overnight near Meemure village, surrounded by tea plantations.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Sri Lankan lunch in the village with authentic home-cooked flavors), Dinner
Included Activities
- Sunrise trek through misty mountains
- Trek through traditional rice paddies and tea plantations
- Trek through pygmy forests and cloud forests
- Explore local village and traditional lifestyle
- Trek to hidden waterfall
Optional Activities
- Water activities inspired by movie Sooriya Arana
- Wildlife observation (endemic birds and mammals)
Landmarks Meemure Village Lakegala Mountain Dumbara Forest Reserve - Day 5
Hasalaka
Start early to catch the sunrise, then have breakfast before trekking about 14 km through villages and jungle. The landscape changes as you go through the Seehakotuwa site and pass up to seven waterfalls (usually four are visible, but seven in rainy season). You'll have an adventurous river crossing and visit Kaluwa Watuna Ella and Rathana Ella waterfalls. Hike to the top of Rathana Ella for views across the area. Return for the evening where you can relax with black tea and ginger.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch featuring traditional Sri Lankan dishes and treats), Dinner
Included Activities
- 14 km trek through villages and jungle
- Visit historic Seehakotuwa site
- Explore waterfalls (four to seven depending on season)
- River crossing adventure
- Visit Kaluwa Watuna Ella waterfall
- Visit Rathana Ella waterfall
- Hike to top of Rathana Ella waterfall
Optional Activities
- Village exploration and cultural immersion
- Wildlife observation
Landmarks Seehakotuwa Site Gurulupotha Sita Kotuwa Rathana Ella Waterfall Kaluwa Watuna Ella Waterfall - Day 6
Hasalaka to Nuwara Eliya
In the morning you'll trek about 14 km through villages and jungle. Visit Kaluwa Watuna Ella waterfall and explore local village life, including an adventurous river crossing. Sri Lankan-style lunch with local treats will be served, and after eating you can cool off with a swim in the river. Then you'll return to Hasalaka for evening black tea and some relaxation. In the afternoon you'll transfer to Nuwara Eliya and check into your hotel there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delicious Sri Lankan-style lunch with local treats), Dinner
Included Activities
- 14 km trek through villages and jungle
- Visit Kaluwa Watuna Ella waterfall
- Local village exploration
- River crossing adventure
- River bath
- Transfer to Nuwara Eliya
Landmarks Kaluwa Watuna Ella Waterfall - Day 7
Nuwara Eliya
Spend the day exploring Nuwara Eliya, which has colonial-era architecture and a nice cool climate compared to the lowlands. Visit Victoria Park, the scenic golf course, and tranquil Lake Gregory. Hakgala Botanical Gardens has roses and tree ferns worth seeing. The Seetha Amman Temple is nearby along with Galway's Land National Park if you want to do some birdwatching. Devon and St. Clare's Waterfalls are stops on the route. In the afternoon you'll visit a local tea factory to watch the tea-making process from when leaves are picked through to the final brew.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- City tour of Nuwara Eliya
- Visit Victoria Park
- Visit Hakgala Botanical Gardens
- Explore Seetha Amman Temple
- Tea factory tour with tea-making process demonstration
Optional Activities
- Visit scenic golf course
- Lake Gregory boating and fishing
- Galway's Land National Park birdwatching
- Visit World's End viewpoint
- Stop at Devon and St. Clare's Waterfalls
Landmarks Victoria Park Lake Gregory Hakgala Botanical Gardens Seetha Amman Temple Galway's Land National Park World's End Devon Waterfall St. Clare's Waterfall - Day 8
Nuwara Eliya to Horton Plains
You'll leave early with a light breakfast as you drive toward Horton Plains National Park at 2,100 meters altitude, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The trek takes you through montane evergreen forests, grasslands, and marshes. You'll reach the World's End escarpment which drops 900 meters below with panoramic views. Baker's Falls flows through lush surroundings nearby. The rich biodiversity includes cloud forests and varied plant life. You'll return to Nuwara Eliya in the evening to rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Light breakfast en route), Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through Horton Plains National Park
- Visit World's End escarpment viewpoint
- View Baker's Falls waterfall
Optional Activities
- Visit Hakgala Botanical Garden
- Lake Gregory boating
Landmarks Horton Plains National Park World's End Baker's Falls Mount Kirigalpotta Kanda Mount Thotupola Kanda - Day 9
Nuwara Eliya to Ella
Depart at 7:00 AM heading toward Ella in the Uva Province, surrounded by jungle-clad mountains, tea plantations, and waterfalls. Visit the iconic Nine Arches Bridge, a colonial railway structure built entirely from stone bricks without any steel. Hike to Little Adam's Peak for views over the tea estates. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. Later you can try the Flying Ravana Zipline, which is Sri Lanka's first two-lane zipline. Finish with a city tour of Ella itself.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delicious lunch at a recommended local restaurant in Ella with authentic Sri Lankan flavors), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Nine Arches Bridge
- Hike to Little Adam's Peak
Optional Activities
- Flying Ravana Zipline experience
- City tour of Ella
Landmarks Nine Arches Bridge Little Adam's Peak - Day 10
Ella to Tissamaharama
After breakfast you'll depart at 7:00 AM toward Tissamaharama, the gateway to Sri Lanka's southeastern wilderness. Along the way you'll see Rawana Falls, a seven-tiered waterfall surrounded by lush greenery. You can also find the Secret Waterfall, a quieter spot that's nice for a break and a cooling swim. Once you arrive in Tissamaharama you'll do a city tour before settling into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Rawana Falls waterfall
- Visit Secret Waterfall
- City tour of Tissamaharama
Landmarks Rawana Falls Secret Waterfall - Day 11
Yala National Park Safari
You'll wake up early and leave at 5:00 AM for a full-day game drive at Yala National Park, Sri Lanka's premier wildlife sanctuary. Throughout the day you'll explore forests, grasslands, and lagoons along the coast. Breakfast and traditional Sri Lankan lunch happen at rest spots within the park. You should see leopards (this area has the highest density anywhere), plus herds of elephants, deer, wild boar, and over 130 bird species. Watch for crocodiles, monitor lizards, and possibly sea turtles. By evening you'll return to your hotel in Tissamaharama.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hearty breakfast), Lunch (Traditional Sri Lankan lunch at scenic rest spot within the park), Dinner
Included Activities
- Full-day game drive at Yala National Park
- Traditional Sri Lankan lunch during safari
Optional Activities
- Optional overnight camping under the stars in Yala National Park's designated camping zones
Landmarks Yala National Park - Day 12
Bundala & Udawalawe National Parks
Start with a half-day safari at Bundala National Park, a UNESCO Ramsar Wetland Site. You'll observe migratory and resident birds in lagoons, salt marshes, and mangroves like garganey, pintail, spoonbill, white ibis, painted storks, and raptors. Also spot elephants, deer, water buffalo, and sambar. Later you'll transfer to Udawalawe National Park and visit the Elephant Transit Home to watch orphaned calves being hand-fed and cared for. Following lunch, do an afternoon game drive spotting elephant herds, leopards, deer, buffalo, and birds.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Udawalawe Athgri Safari Hotel or similar comfortable venue), Dinner
Included Activities
- Half-day safari at Bundala National Park
- Transfer to Udawalawe National Park
- Visit Elephant Transit Home
- Afternoon game drive at Udawalawe National Park
Landmarks Bundala National Park Udawalawe National Park Elephant Transit Home - Day 13
Ambalangoda & Surroundings
After breakfast you'll head out to explore natural and cultural areas. Start at Madu Ganga, the second-largest wetland ecosystem with 900 hectares and 64 islands. Navigate through narrow waterways lined with dense mangroves while spotting wildlife and birds. Visit Ambalangoda, famous for centuries-old mask carving traditions. See the Mask Workshop and Museum with its vibrant masks and cultural heritage on display. Check out Meetiyagoda Moonstone Mines, Sri Lanka's only moonstone source, to learn about mining and gemstones. End by visiting a turtle conservation site to see hatchlings or possibly witness nesting.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Boat ride through Madu Ganga wetland
- Visit Ambalangoda Mask Workshop and Museum
- Visit Meetiyagoda Moonstone Mines
- Visit Turtle Hatchery conservation site
Optional Activities
- Maduganga Safari Tour through marshlands and mangrove forests
- Island exploration (Cinnamon Island, Coin Island, Kohduwa Temple Island)
Landmarks Madu Ganga Ambalangoda Meetiyagoda Moonstone Mines - Day 14
Colombo
After breakfast you'll head to Colombo, Sri Lanka's bustling commercial capital with old colonial architecture alongside modern buildings. You'll pass through Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, the administrative capital. The city tour includes Independence Memorial Hall, Galle Face Green, the Old Parliament Building, and the busy Pettah Market. See colonial heritage sites, Buddhist temples, and modern landmarks. There's time for shopping at malls and boutiques if you want to pick up souvenirs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- City tour of Colombo
- Visit Independence Memorial Hall
- Visit Galle Face Green
- Visit Old Parliament Building
- Visit Pettah Market
Optional Activities
- Shopping at malls and local boutiques
- Explore colonial heritage sites
- Visit Buddhist temples
Landmarks Independence Memorial Hall Galle Face Green Old Parliament Building Pettah Market - Day 15
Colombo to Airport
After breakfast you'll have a leisurely morning before transferring to Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo for your flight home. The drive to the airport will be timed to match your flight schedule so you arrive comfortably and with time to spare. You'll say goodbye to Sri Lanka with good memories from your trip.
- End point
- Colombo, Sri Lanka (Colombo AIR PORT)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport
Landmarks Bandaranaike International Airport
