Overall, amazing trip!
From the moment I rang up and spoke to lovely Mandy, I was impressed by Explore.
I was part of a group of 8 ranging from 30s-70s, by the end of the trip, we were like old friends. I hadn’t done a group trip before and you are spending a lot of time together so be prepared for that if you are also sharing a room.
Luckily we all got on really well and had a laugh together but you do have to carve out some solo time.
Itinerary - this trip is described as moderate but it’s quite full on. So many activities are squeezed in to the available time and a fair bit of travel in between, but this is broken up by stops on an off the bus for points of interest.
It meant we saw so much of Sri Lanka, we covered 2000km. Think, temples, wildlife, food, hiking, boat / train trip, beach, cities, and history and beautiful scenery.
Accommodation - some were lovely, some not so much, but all were clean / acceptable, some just a bit more basic than others.
Most had pretty good food as we eat at the hotel most nights due to often being off the beaten track.
You are accompanied for the whole trip by your tour guide and we were very lucky to have Sam.
Sam made the trip.
He has such and in depth knowledge of Sri Lanka and was so willing to tell us everything we wanted to know about the history and customs of the country that we really felt like we had gotten to know the country in depth. He had so many little extras ‘up his sleeve’ from stopping the bus to show us how to blow bubbles with a soap plant to arranging for us to go into the signal room at the train station.
I am sure all of the guides are brilliant, but know if you are lucky to be assigned Sam, he is something special.
The trip was fantastic, so many experiences packed into two weeks and friends I hope to stay in touch with. If you’re considering this trip, 10/10 recommend.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Naturally gorgeous, culturally captivating and steeped in mysticism, Sri Lanka makes for a wonderful introduction to both travel and the Indian subcontinent for children and adults alike. Embark on a 12-day family tour and discover temples carved from cliffs, fortresses built on boulders and wildlife-rich parks. Expose your family to different ways of life while cycling through peaceful villages and touring working tea plantations. Wonder at wildlife when you go safari in search of wild elephants, deer and crocodiles. Chill out by the beach in Mirissa while the kids are playing with other young travellers on the tour. Educational, active and leisurely paced, this trip is everything you could want in a family getaway.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Great trip, itinerary and tour leader
Would’ve liked a bit more time in Kandy- having an afternoon on the first day perhaps ? Maybe can streamline the tea plantation and shorten theearlier stop to the gem place.
Active and outdoorWildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Colombo, Negombo, Wilpattu Natio
Colombo, Negombo, Wilpattu National Park, Mihintale, Trincomalee, Kandy
We can’t blame you if you want to experience everything Sri Lanka has to offer – the history, the beaches, the flavours, are all equally tempting. On this 14-day tour, search for wildlife on a safari, visit the historic city of Galle, and taste for yourself the exotic flavours at a spice plantation. Then, head over to the southern coast (with whales and dolphins as your travel buddies) for some well-earned time with snorkelling, surfing, and a beach barbecue.
Farm and plantation visits
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping, Guest House, Villa
Age Range
16-100 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Negombo, Mirissa, Kudawella, Tal
Negombo, Mirissa, Kudawella, Talalla, Galle, Weligama, Kandy, Ella, Udawalawe National Park, Unawatuna
18% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Unearth a region of wild delights and rich biodiversity through the depths of Sri Lanka’s forests and national parks. With safaris on land and on foot, you’ll have the best chance of spotting some of Sri Lanka's iconic wildlife, including herds of native elephants in their natural habitat, leopards, thousands of birds, slender lorises, monkeys, crocodiles, buffalo, deer and jackals. You’ll also see the epic UNESCO World Heritage site of Sigiriya, exploring the ruined fortress. Couple these experiences with some delicious local food and beautiful beaches and you’ll love this wildlife-focused, nature-filled itinerary in some of Asia’s best jungles and forests.
Wildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Colombo, Negombo, Tangalle Beach
Colombo, Negombo, Tangalle Beach, Wilpattu National Park, Habarana, Gal Oya National Park, Arugam Bay, Kataragama, Sinharaja
13% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
A real insight into Sri Lanka’s culture and heritage together with its diverse landscape. The guides wonderful positivity and knowledge really enhanced the trip experience.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Tent
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Colombo, Negombo, Bentota, Dambu
Colombo, Negombo, Bentota, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains National Park, Kataragama, Galle
A wonderful experience, I saw so much to make me fall in love with India and Sri Lanka. Relax and keep an open and accepting attitude and you will love it too!
Countryside and village visits
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This was a great trip. The bikes were good and well-maintained. Accommodation was a nice mix of hotels. We had good food and good company. The wildlife and culture of Sri Lanka is wonderful.
The guide, Ash was knowledgeable and clearly cared that we were all happy and enjoying his beautiful country. His team were smiley and helpful.
Ash had to exercise diplomacy unfortunately as there was one bad apple client, (people!!) but he did this quietly and confidently.
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort, Camping, Tent
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Colombo, Negombo, Yala National
Colombo, Negombo, Yala National Park, Bundala National Park, Galle, Koggala, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Bambarakanda Falls, Udawalawe National Park
10% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Guided by an expert local leader, this 14-day cycling trip through Sri Lanka will take you to tea plantations, fishing villages, national parks, cities and lush green jungles. From Negombo to Colombo, you’ll see why Sri Lanka is Asia’s most exciting new destination. With pristine coastline, ancient ruins, rugged peaks and wildlife-filled national parks, it’s a dream for travellers who like to get active. In between two-wheeled treks, you can go on safari to spot leopards, take on optional food crawls, laze on the beaches of the southern coast, ride the rails (a must in Sri Lanka), explore the country’s premier Hindu and Buddhist sites, and see the famed UNESCO World Heritage site of Sigiriya. With days of riding and nights of feasting, Sri Lanka will soon make its way to your heart.
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House
Age Range
14-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Colombo, Negombo, Yala National
Colombo, Negombo, Yala National Park, Mirissa, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Kandy, Hatton, Tissamaharama
Take Sri Lanka, boil it like the tea leaves the country’s famous for and strain out all the best stuff. On this 11-day trip through natural paradise, small villages and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, you’ll wander past barracuda at the Negombo Fish Market, search for elephants in Yala National Park, feast on spicy curry prepared by a local in Ella, hike through lush mountains and get horizontal on the beach in Unawatuna – Sri Lanka’s idyllic beach spot, perfect for lounging and sipping cocktails. With a local leader who knows where to find all the best teahouses and a group of likeminded travellers, this one’s gotta be an adventure of a lifetime!
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Encounter a country that radiates warmth – from its glorious sunshine to its spice-laden cuisine and kind local people. This nine-day Premium adventure through Sri Lanka will introduce you to the country’s wealth of cultural riches as you explore the ancient ruins of past civilisations, spot rare and beautiful creatures in their natural habitats and relax among swathes of green tea fields at a hilltop retreat. Receive a warm welcome from the locals as you meet local guides, tuck into homecooked food, stay in an 1891 Feature Stay and uncover the secrets of Sigiriya – Sri Lanka’s famed UNESCO World Heritage site. Discover a shining gem in the Indian ocean – the teardrop isle.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Discover a country that radiates warmth – from its glorious sunshine and scorching cuisine to the incredibly kind people, this is Sri Lanka. This 14-day Premium adventure through ‘the Teardrop of India’ will take you straight to the heart of the country. Explore the ancient ruins of past civilisations, including the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sigiriya, search for rare and beautiful animals like elephants and leopards, relax on palm-fringed beaches and soak up the hospitable welcome from the locals. From the spicy food scene to the Exclusive cooking class and high tea, this adventure sees all the best bits or Sri Lanka in style.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Colombo, Negombo, Yala National
Colombo, Negombo, Yala National Park, Galle, Dambulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya
32% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Say Ayubowan to Southeast Asia's gem, Sri Lanka. This adventure is going to take you all over – from national parks to beaches to ancient fortresses and temples, we’ve squeezed in all the highlights & a few lesser-known secrets to create the perfect 11-day trip. With hand-picked inclusions and extra free time add-ons, this trip delivers the best Sri Lanka has to offer.