Secrets of Sri Lanka

12 days
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Immerse yourself in authentic Sri Lanka on this 12-day adventure trip. You’ll avoid the usual tourist traps and get a glimpse of real Sri Lankan culture – from a local’s tour of Colombo to cycling around 1,000-year-old ruins. Foodies will love the hands-on cooking lesson, combined with a trip to the village market, while thrillseekers will get their fix white...
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Discover past and present Colombo with a guided tour
    • Climb the 1,144ft (349m) ancient fortress at Sigiriya
    • Tuck into lunch overlooking paddy fields and a private spice garden
    • Whip up a feast at a hands-on Sri Lankan cooking class
    • Plunge down white-water rapids on a river rafting trip
    • Experience the beautiful train journey from Nanuoya to Haputale
    • Explore two national parks, home to wild elephants and leopards

What's this trip about?

    Immerse yourself in authentic Sri Lanka on this 12-day adventure trip. You’ll avoid the usual tourist traps and get a glimpse of real Sri Lankan culture – from a local’s tour of Colombo to cycling around 1,000-year-old ruins. Foodies will love the hands-on cooking lesson, combined with a trip to the village market, while thrillseekers will get their fix white-water rafting and abseiling at Kitulgala. Explore a quieter, lesser-known side of Yala National Park, where you might spot wild elephants and leopards, before finishing on a tropical beach in Kosgoda.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 14 people
Age range25 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CitySri Lanka
End CitySri Lanka

Travel Themes

  • High Adventure
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

Activities

  • Cooking
  • Culture
  • Cycling
  • Game drive
  • Hiking
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion
  • Rafting
  • Ruins & Archaeology
  • Swimming
  • Trains & Rail
  • Whale watching
  • Wildlife viewing

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 14

Trip includes

    • One night eco-lodge accommodation
    • Four nights boutique resort accommodation
    • Six nights premium hotel accommodation
    • Private and local transport
    • 11 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 10 dinners
    • Local Insider
    • Colombo city tour
    • Dodgy bar experience
    • Cycling tour of Polonnaruwa Archaeological Site
    • Game drive at Minneriya National Park and Yala National Park
    • Galle Fort and Sigiriya Fortress entry
    • Private spice garden visit
    • Private cooking lesson
    • White-water rafting
    • Abseiling at Sandun Ella
    • Scenic train journey
    • Tea factory visit and tasting
    • Guided hike around Ella
    • Buduruwagala Temple visit

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Colombo for a cocktail and guided tour

Accommodation: Jetwing Colombo Seven

Activities Included: Colombo city tour, Dodgy bar experience, Welcome dinner

Arrive at your Colombo hotel and drop your bags in your room. Kick-start your trip on the rooftop bar, where you'll be served a passion-frui...

Day 2: Unwind with a swim in Dambulla

Accommodation: Jetwing Lake

The next day, you’ll travel to Dambulla – one of the vertices of the Cultural Triangle and home to the best preserved cave temple in Sri Lanka, built more than 2,000 years ago. Here, you’ll check into a secluded boutique villa surrou...

Day 3: Cycle around Polonnaruwa and spot elephants in Minneriya National Park

Accommodation: Jetwing Lake

Activities Included: Cycling tour of Polonnaruwa Archaeological Site, Game drive at Minneriya National Park

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll head to the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa. Cycle or drive to see the finest carved...

Day 4: Climb Sigiriya fortress and tour a private spice garden

Accommodation: Thilanka Hotel

Activities Included: Sigiriya Fortress entry, Private spice garden visit

Few attractions earn the title "wondrous" quite like Sigiriya, so you’ll need to start early today to beat the crowds. Climb the winding steps up the 3...

Day 5: Whip up a Sri Lankan feast in Kandy

Accommodation: Thilanka Hotel

Activities Included: Private cooking lesson, Private dance lesson

Following a hearty breakfast, you’ll meet a local host. Hop in a tuk-tuk to the village market, where the host will talk you through the local produce, before...

Day 6: Paddle down white-water rapids in Kitulgala

Accommodation: Borderlands Eco Lodge

Activities Included: White-water rafting

You'll be checking out after breakfast, before a scenic drive through forest-clad hills to Kitulgala. Enjoy lunch in this rural setting; you'll then embark on a white-water raf...

Day 7: Abseiling in Sandun Ella and scenic train journey to Haputale

Accommodation: Melheim Resort and Spa

Activities Included: Abseiling at Sandun Ella, Scenic train journey

The adventure continues today as you grab a packed breakfast and hit the trail early in your hiking boots. You’ll arrive at the Sandun Ella waterfal...

Day 8: Tour a tea estate and hike around Ella

Accommodation: Melheim Resort and Spa

Activities Included: Tea factory visit and tasting, Guided hike around Ella

Optional Activities: Koththu cooking experience and lunch

Start your day with a visit to the Uva Halpewatte tea factory, where you’ll...

Day 9: Explore Tissa and admire rock Buddhas at Buduruwagala
Accommodation: Chaarya Resort and Spa

Activities Included: Buduruwagala Temple visit

After breakfast in the evergreen hills, you’ll travel south to the lakeside town of Tissa, on the edge of Yala National Park. On the way, you’ll stop at two towering waterfalls...

Day 10: Spot wildlife in Yala National Park

Accommodation: The Habitat

Activities Included: Game drive at Yala National Park, Galle Fort visit

You’ll depart the hotel at 5am sharp to arrive at the Yala National Park gates as they open. With one of the highest densities of leopards in the world – a...

Day 11: Optional whale-watching tour from Kosgoda, plus farewell beach feast

Accommodation: The Habitat

Activities Included: Farewell dinner

Optional Activities: Whale-watching tour in Mirissa

Take advantage of a lie-in this morning. We can help you book a whale-watching tour, although a day spent between the pool and the ...

Day 12: Depart From Kosgoda

After breakfast, it’s time to pack your bags and say goodbye to your fellow travellers. Checkout is by 12pm. You can either extend your stay on the beach in Kosgoda or return to Colombo (transfers can be booked separately) to catch your flight home.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,189
Price per day$182
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Culture Trip.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Jetwing Colombo Seven, Colombo

You can’t leave this central Colombo hotel without a dip in the rooftop infinity pool with panoramic city views. Modern minimalist rooms provide respite from the busy streets below. Make the most of the onsite gym and spa.

Jetwing Lake, Dambulla

This modernist, lakeside hotel in the Dambulla hinterland runs on sustainable practices. Solar panels and an onsite farm complete with bee colonies fuel the hotel and rooms are dressed in earthen tones, complementing the surrounding greenery.

Thilanka Hotel, Kandy

Set apart beside the Udawatta Rainforest, this Kandy hotel mixes elegant, traditional architecture with refined amenities. Savour city and lake views from your room or from the outdoor infinity pool and surrounding terrace.

Borderlands Eco Lodge, Kitulgala

Rest your weary limbs at this rustic lodge in Kithulgala, primed for white-water river rafting. Expect riverfront cabins with thatched roofs and open walls, allowing the jungle sounds to serenade you at night.

Melheim Resort and Spa, Haputale

Drink in mountainous views from this chic hotel in Haputale. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the rooms with natural light. Take a dip in the outdoor pool, surrounded by shady trees, to escape the midday heat.

Chaarya Resort and Spa, Tissa

Just 30 minutes from the Yala National Park, Charya Resort is primed for relaxation after a day of wildlife spotting. Pamper yourself at the onsite spa or take a dip in the pool with a swim-up bar and jacuzzi amidst lush landscape gardens.

The Habitat, Kosgoda

Steps from a long sweep of sandy beach, all the rooms in this contemporary hotel treat you to views of the Indian Ocean from a private balcony. Time spent by the large, central pool can be followed by more relaxation at the on-site spa.

Cancellation policy

The world of travel is changing – and that's why we’re offering flexible booking conditions, to take the stress out of booking in times of uncertainty. Our Ultimate Covid Booking Guarantee means that if Covid-19 changes your plans, we'll rebook you for free. If we cannot rebook you we'll refund your trip. You can get a full refund should you need to postpone or cancel your trip up to 35 days prior to departure. Or you can simply transfer your deposit and any funds paid to a different date without incurring any additional fees.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

11 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches & 10 Dinners

Age Requirements
25 years and up
Additional Information
Trip ID
cultur2-cultur2-SeOfSrLa

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