Discover Sri Lanka with people who call it home

South coast

Relaxation on the Waves

Slow days beside the Indian Ocean. Snorkel the reef at Hikkaduwa, take a surf lesson at Weligama, walk the ramparts of Galle Fort and watch for whales off Mirissa.

• Suggested4 days
• Best monthsNov to Apr
• Good forCouples, families, first-time surfers

Highlights

• Snorkelling and glass-bottom boat rides over the Hikkaduwa coral
• Turtle hatchery visit along the coast road
• Beginner surf lessons at Weligama and Mirissa
• Sunset at Galle Fort and on Unawatuna beach
• Whale and dolphin watching from Mirissa in season
• Coconut Tree Hill at Mirissa for the evening light

Sample route

1. Day 1Negombo to Hikkaduwa, then a free beach afternoon
2. Day 2Reef snorkelling, then Galle Fort and Unawatuna
3. Day 3Surf lesson at Weligama, sunset at Mirissa
4. Day 4Morning whale watching, then the drive back

Whale watching depends on the season, so we plan around it.

Hill country

Scenic Routes, Waterfalls and Hikes

Cool air, green valleys and long views. Ride through tea country, hike to viewpoints around Ella and stand beside some of the island's tallest waterfalls.

• Suggested5 days
• Best monthsJan to Apr
• Good forHikers, photographers, active families

Highlights

• Nine Arch Bridge near Demodara, with the trains passing
• Little Adam's Peak, an easy walk with wide views
• Ravana Falls and Diyaluma Falls
• Horton Plains and World's End at first light
• Tea estate and factory visit around Nuwara Eliya
• Kandy lake and the Temple of the Tooth

Sample route

1. Day 1Negombo to Kandy, lake walk and the Temple of the Tooth
2. Day 2Kandy to Nuwara Eliya through the tea country
3. Day 3Early Horton Plains and World's End, then on to Ella
4. Day 4Little Adam's Peak, Nine Arch Bridge, Ravana Falls
5. Day 5Diyaluma Falls, then the drive back

Waterfalls run fullest after rain, so we adjust the order to the weather.

Cultural Triangle

Cultural Wonders and Ancient Cities

Walk through more than 2,000 years of history. Climb the rock fortress at Sigiriya, explore the sacred city of Anuradhapura and the ruins of Polonnaruwa, and visit the cave temples at Dambulla.

• Suggested4 to 5 days
• Best monthsFeb to Sep
• Good forHistory lovers, families, photographers

Highlights

• Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Pidurangala Rock for the view back across to Sigiriya
• Dambulla Cave Temple and its painted ceilings
• Sri Maha Bodhi and Ruwanwelisaya in Anuradhapura
• Polonnaruwa ruins, easy to explore by bicycle
• Temple of the Tooth in Kandy

Sample route

1. Day 1Negombo to Anuradhapura, sacred city at sunset
2. Day 2Mihintale, then the cave temples at Dambulla
3. Day 3Pidurangala at sunrise, then Sigiriya Rock
4. Day 4Polonnaruwa ancient city
5. Day 5Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth

Visit a temple in the right clothes? We tell you what to wear before each stop.

Wildlife

One with the Wild

Dawn jeep safaris in the national parks, where leopards, elephants, sloth bears and hundreds of bird species live. Yala has one of the highest leopard densities in the world.

• Suggested3 to 4 days
• Best monthsFeb to Jul
• Good forFamilies, photographers, nature lovers

Highlights

• Early morning jeep safari in Yala National Park
• Elephant herds at Udawalawe
• Elephant Transit Home at feeding time
• Birdwatching at the Bundala wetlands
• Wild peafowl, crocodiles and water buffalo along the tracks
• Optional whale watching at Mirissa in season

Sample route

1. Day 1Negombo to Udawalawe, afternoon safari and the Transit Home
2. Day 2Dawn safari in Yala, rest through the heat of the day
3. Day 3Second Yala drive, or birdwatching at Bundala
4. Day 4Optional Mirissa whales, then the drive back

Park rules and closures change through the year, so we confirm the plan before you travel.

Your own tour

The Local Experience, Planned Your Way

Tell us who is travelling, what you want to see and how fast you like to go. We build the whole tour around you, from the route and vehicle to your hotel, and add the local moments no brochure includes.

• SuggestedAny length
• Best monthsAll year
• Good forIndividuals, families and groups

You decide

• Dates, length and the pace of each day
• Which places to see, from any tour on this page
• The vehicle, chosen to fit your group size and route
• Your hotel or guesthouse, or accommodation included in the package

Local experiences you can add

• Dawn at Negombo fish market
• Lagoon canoe ride
• Cooking class with a local family
• Tuk-tuk ride through a village
• Tea estate and factory visit
• Ayurvedic massage