Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Negombo
You'll touch down at Bandaranaike International Airport where a G Experiences representative meets you. From there, it's a transfer to Negombo, a coastal spot on Sri Lanka's west coast. This city is known for its lagoon, fishing communities, and the historic Dutch fort, so there's history to discover when you're settled in.
- Start point
- Negombo, Gampaha, Sri Lanka (Negombo, Hotel, Airport or any Convenient Point in Negombo.)
Landmarks/POIs Negombo Lagoon Dutch Fort Negombo St. Mary's Church - Day 2
Negombo to Chilaw
If you're interested, check out the local fish market before breakfast. After you check out, transfer to Chilaw with a stop along the way to see toddy tapping and try some locally made toddy, a traditional coconut ferment. Once you arrive, the rest of the day is yours to relax or wander around as you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to Chilaw with stop at toddy tapping areas to taste locally made toddy
Optional Activities
- Visit to local fish market before breakfast
- Day 3
Chilaw to Anuradhapura
Following breakfast and checkout, you'll head to Anuradhapura but make an exciting stop at Wilpattu National Park for an afternoon safari. You can spot elephants, leopards, sloth bears, and other native animals here. By late afternoon you'll arrive in Anuradhapura, then have free time for the rest of the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Wildlife safari in Wilpattu National Park with professional naturalist
Landmarks/POIs Wilpattu National Park 
- Day 4
Anuradhapura
After breakfast, you'll explore Anuradhapura, one of Sri Lanka's ancient capitals, on a guided bicycle tour through the magnificent ruins. The sacred Bo Tree is on your route, a spiritual symbol that inspired many of the city's buildings. Since the ruins spread across woodland and park-like areas, there's a lot to see. The afternoon and evening are free.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided bicycle tour of Anuradhapura ruins
- Visit to sacred Bo Tree
Landmarks/POIs Anuradhapura Sacred Bo Tree - Day 5
Anuradhapura to Jaffna
After breakfast, transfer to Jaffna, a Tamil-majority city in northern Sri Lanka that opened to visitors after the civil war. Your guide will show you around, including the ruined dagobas of Kantarodai and the legendary Nilavarai underground water well. There's also an optional trip to Nainativu Island if you want to visit this important pilgrimage site.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Jaffna city and surroundings
- Visit to ruined dagobas of Kantarodai
- Visit to Nilavarai natural underground water well
Optional Activities
- Optional visit to Nainativu Island (consult guide locally for details)
Landmarks/POIs Kantarodai Dagobas Nilavarai Nainativu Island - Day 6
Jaffna
You'll have a relaxed morning, then in the afternoon take a half-day guided tour through the city. Visit the colorful Naga Pooshani Amman Kovil, the restored Jaffna Public Library (rebuilt after war damage), and the important Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil. By evening, try the famous Jaffna crab curry as part of an Inspiring Taste experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Jaffna crab curry at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Half-day guided Jaffna city tour
- Visit to Naga Pooshani Amman Kovil
- Visit to Jaffna Public Library
- Visit to Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil
- Inspiring Taste experience - Jaffna crab curry dinner
Landmarks/POIs Naga Pooshani Amman Kovil Jaffna Public Library Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil - Day 7
Jaffna to Trincomalee
After breakfast and checkout, drive to Trincomalee, a port city on Sri Lanka's northeast coast. Once you check into your hotel, your guide will take you on a city tour of this coastal area. Optional visits to Trincomalee British War Cemetery or Trincomalee Harbour are available if they interest you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Trincomalee
Optional Activities
- Visit to Trincomalee British War Cemetery
- Visit to Trincomalee Harbour
Landmarks/POIs Trincomalee British War Cemetery Trincomalee Harbour - Day 8
Trincomalee
The whole day following breakfast is yours to do what you'd like. Relax on the beach, use your hotel facilities, or walk around and explore the area at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 9
Trincomalee to Sigiriya
After breakfast and checkout, drive to Sigiriya but stop at Minneriya National Park first for an afternoon safari. You'll spot wild Asian elephants and other native animals. When you arrive in Sigiriya, check into your resort. There are optional activities like visiting Dambulla Wholesale Market or taking an evening cycle tour around Sigiriya.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Wildlife safari in Minneriya National Park with professional naturalist
Optional Activities
- Visit to Dambulla Wholesale Market
- Evening Sigiriya Cycle Tour to experience rural life and interact with locals
Landmarks/POIs Minneriya National Park Dambulla Wholesale Market 
- Day 10
Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa
Rise early to climb Sigiriya, also called Lion Rock, an iconic historical monument with the ruins of an ancient palace. The climb takes effort but the views and historical significance are worth it. Later, continue to Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Sri Lanka's second most ancient kingdom. Explore key sites with your guide and check out the Archaeological Museum before returning to Sigiriya. The evening is free.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Sigiriya (Lion Rock) with climb to ancient palace ruins
- Guided tour of Ancient City of Polonnaruwa
- Visit to Polonnaruwa Archaeological Museum
Landmarks/POIs Sigiriya Polonnaruwa 
- Day 11
Sigiriya to Kandy
After breakfast and checkout, transfer to Kandy with a stop at the Dambulla Cave Temple, a World Heritage site and pilgrimage destination for over 22 centuries. You'll explore the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. Then continue to Kandy, freshen up, and head to a famous cultural show followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at local restaurant following cultural show)
Included Activities
- Visit to Dambulla Cave Temple with exploration of cave complex
- Kandy cultural show attendance
- Dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Dambulla Cave Temple 
- Day 12
Kandy
After breakfast, your guided city tour of Kandy continues. This is Sri Lanka's second-largest city and the capital of the central hill region. Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the most important shrine in Sri Lanka housing a relic of Buddha's tooth. Next, explore a local market to sample endemic fruits and chat with shopkeepers. The rest of the day is free.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Kandy
- Visit to Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa)
- Visit to local market with fruit sampling
Landmarks/POIs Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - Day 13
Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast and checkout, board a train to Nuwara Eliya, located in Sri Lanka's tea country at 1,800 meters elevation, which makes it one of the country's coolest regions. The scenic journey through the highlands is memorable. When you arrive, transfer to your hotel and settle in to relax in the fresh mountain air.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
Landmarks/POIs Nuwara Eliya 
- Day 14
Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast, visit the Pedro Tea Estate, established in 1885 with original machinery still in use that shows how Sri Lankan tea production works. The rest of the day is yours to use as you'd like. You might take a relaxing walk through Victoria Park, which has both wild and landscaped plant life.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Pedro Tea Estate
Optional Activities
- Relaxing walk through Victoria Park
Landmarks/POIs Pedro Tea Estate Victoria Park - Day 15
Nuwara Eliya to Yala National Park
After breakfast and checkout, transfer to Yala National Park for an afternoon guided jeep safari. This large park has forests, grasslands, and lagoons along the Indian Ocean, with leopards, elephants, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species living here. You'll get a real sense of the biodiversity and rich plant life. Check into your hotel for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Afternoon guided jeep safari in Yala National Park with professional naturalist
Landmarks/POIs Yala National Park 
- Day 16
Yala National Park
Early morning brings another wildlife safari to spot leopards in trees, crocodiles in rivers, wild elephants grazing, and other animals you might have missed yesterday. Head back to your hotel to refresh. In the afternoon, go out again for wildlife photography opportunities and further exploration of the park's varied ecosystems. The evening is free.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Morning guided jeep safari in Yala National Park with professional naturalist
- Afternoon guided jeep safari in Yala National Park with professional naturalist
Landmarks/POIs Yala National Park - Day 17
Yala to Galle
After breakfast and checkout, transfer to Galle, a well-preserved colonial town on Sri Lanka's southwest coast where European architecture blends with South Asian traditions. Check into your hotel, then take a late afternoon walk around the iconic Galle Fort. Your guide will help you explore the historic Royal Dutch Fort, built by Portuguese in 1588 and later strengthened by the Dutch in the 17th century. The rest of the day is free.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Late afternoon guided walk around Galle Fort exploring Royal Dutch Fort
Landmarks/POIs Galle Fort - Day 18
Departure from Galle
After breakfast and checkout from your hotel, transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo for your departure flight. This marks the end of your 18-day Sri Lanka tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
