Hidden Gems and Iconic Highlights of Sri Lanka

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12 daysDuration

Private TourPrivate experience, no group joining

7 peopleMaximum group size

8 - 65 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Starts

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Ends

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Highlights

Cycle in the backroads of Sigiriya

Spend a day with a local family to learn about their culture and way of life

Enjoy thrilling water and rain forest adventures in Kitulgala

Trek from Haputale to Bambarakanda Waterfall

Itinerary

Venture beyond the ordinary on the "Hidden Gems and Iconic Highlights of Sri Lanka" tour, a multi-activity adventure designed for families seeking both discovery and comfort. This thoughtfully curated journey blends off-the-beaten-path experiences—like secret wildlife viewing spots and visits to mountain villages—with Sri Lanka’s iconic must-sees. Guided by local hosts and expert naturalists, you’ll explore vibrant landscapes and cultural treasures, all while staying in carefully selected small hotels that promise an authentic touch. The tour’s signature USP is its seamless fusion of genuine local immersion with the classic highlights, ensuring every traveler enjoys both the familiar and the extraordinary in Sri Lanka.

day 1 - Arrival in Sri Lanka and relax by the seaside

Welcome to Sri Lanka! Upon your arrival at Colombo International Airport, our representative will greet you in the arrival lounge and transfer you to Negombo, just a 30-minute drive away.

Spend the day relaxing by the pool and taking a leisurely stroll along Negombo Beach. Enjoy a beer or two at a seaside restaurant or pub as you soak in the local atmosphere.

Turn in early tonight, as your adventure to explore the Hidden Gems and Iconic Highlights of Sri Lanka begins tomorrow.

Accommodation:Boutique Hotel Other

Meals:Breakfast

day 2 - Negombo fish market and Pidurangala Rock

After a hearty breakfast, visit the Negombo fish market to gain insight into the fishermen's trade and the fishing community's lifestyle. Then, embark on a drive to Habarana, a small town approximately four hours away, centrally located to the Cultural Triangle sites of Dambulla, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, and Anuradhapura.

Upon arrival in Habarana, check in to an eco-lodge and take a refreshing dip in the inviting pool. Later, head out for a sunset hike to Pidurangala Rock. This Pidurangala hike is expertly conducted by our chauffeur guide. From the top, you'll witness a stunning sunset and a distant view of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Pidurangala, once an ancient monastery, is now a temple.

Cap off the day with an al fresco dinner in the garden.

Accommodation: Eco lodge

Meals:Breakfast

day 3 - Cycle the backroads of Sigiriya and explore Polonnaruwa

Today begins with an early start. Begin your climb up Sigiriya Rock at 5 am to reach the summit by sunrise. Explore the remnants of King Kashyapa’s palace and admire the centuries-old frescoes of Sigiriya.

After descending from the rock fortress, a friendly local guide will meet you for a 10 km cycle ride along the backroads of Sigiriya. This flat route will take you through the rural countryside, passing canals, boutiques, paddy fields, vegetable and fruit farms, local homes, and interacting with friendly locals. The cycling trip concludes with a freshly cooked lunch at a local home.

Next, you'll be driven to Polonnaruwa, about an hour away. Explore this medieval capital of Sri Lanka, a Unesco World Heritage Site. Polonnaruwa is renowned for its well-preserved ruins from the 11th to 13th centuries. It served as the second capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom and boasts impressive structures, including royal palaces, stupas, temples, and the iconic Gal Vihara statues, showcasing the grandeur of Sri Lankan medieval architecture and culture.

Return to the eco-lodge in Habarana and enjoy an al fresco dinner in the garden.

Accommodation: Eco lodge

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

day 4 - Explore the historical highlights of Dambulla and Kandy

After a hearty breakfast, drive to Dambulla, a journey of just under an hour. Visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, a Unesco World Heritage Site. This temple complex, dating back to the 1st century BCE, features stunning murals and over 150 Buddha statues. Nestled within five caves, it is a significant pilgrimage site and a remarkable example of ancient Sri Lankan art and architecture.

Next, drive to Kandy, a charming city in central Sri Lanka, known for its scenic beauty, cultural richness, and historic significance. This journey takes approximately 2:30 hours. At the heart of Kandy lies the Temple of the Tooth Relic, a revered Buddhist temple that houses a sacred tooth of the Buddha. This Unesco World Heritage Site is a focal point of religious devotion and hosts vibrant annual festivals, making Kandy a key destination for both spiritual and cultural exploration.

Afterwards, check in to a small boutique hotel close to Kandy city.

Accommodation:Boutique Hotel Other

Meals:Breakfast

day 5 - A day with a local family

After breakfast at the hotel, join a unique activity where you'll immerse yourself in Sri Lankan culture, food, and traditional hospitality by spending the day with a local family.

This full-day experiential learning begins with a visit to a local market, followed by cooking alongside the family and enjoying a meal together.

In the afternoon, take a walk through the countryside of Kandy, visiting local homes and interacting with the residents to learn about their daily lives. The activities you’ll witness may vary, but you might see a family producing incense sticks, with the mother leading the production and the father handling marketing. Other possible cottage industries include:

• A local bakery where you can observe or participate in making buns.

• Weaving reed baskets and mats.

• Making traditional sweets.

• Home gardening.

• Producing Kithul jaggery and treacle, where you may see the sap being tapped from a Kithul (Fishtail Palm) tree, which can be up to 40 feet tall. The sap is collected over several days before being made into syrup or jaggery.

The walk concludes with tea served in one of the homes, guided by the housewife of a local family.

Note: This is not a staged activity for tourists but an authentic experience hosted by real locals and their families. This initiative aims to bring travelers into the local community, ensuring they benefit from your visit.

Accommodation:Boutique Hotel Other

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

day 6 - Rainforest quest: White water rafting and canyoning

After breakfast at the homestay, bid farewell to the local family and set off on an exhilarating journey to Kitulgala, a scenic 2:30 hours drive away. Your adventure begins with an overnight stay at an adventure camp by the Kelani River, preparing you for an adrenaline-filled day in the rainforest. Get ready to dive into the following activities:

• Village Exploration: Start with a traditional catamaran ride across the Kelani River to the villages bordering the Makandawa Rain Forest Reserve. Immerse yourself in local life as you explore home gardens, tea plantations, and spice fields on this 2.5 km trek.

• Rainforest Nature Trail: Embark on a 3 km trek inside the Makandawa Rain Forest. Marvel at the natural wonders, take a refreshing dip in gushing water streams, and encounter wildlife such as birds, butterflies, mongooses, and giant squirrels.

• Canyoning in Kataram Oya: Push your limits by sliding down water streams and splashing into ponds below, with drops as high as 15 feet.

After working up an appetite, enjoy a traditional rice and curry buffet back at the camp.

• Zip Lining Adventure: Begin another exciting adventure from the camp, traveling by Tuk Tuk or Crew Cab. Feel the thrill of a 300-meter zip line ride, soaring through the rainforest canopy.

• White Water Rafting: The pinnacle of your Kitulgala adventure awaits! Conquer a 5 km white-water rafting journey with our experienced guides on the gushing Kelani River, navigating category 3 rapids.

After the exhilarating ride, jump off the boat and cool off with a refreshing swim before heading back to camp.

Conclude your day with a barbecue dinner and the camaraderie of a roaring campfire, reminiscing about the day's adventures before calling it a night.

Accommodation: Eco lodge

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

day 7 - Scenic train journey to Ella

After breakfast at the camp, drive to Hatton Railway Station, about an hour from Kitulgala, to embark on a scenic train journey to Ella.

This journey, considered one of the most beautiful rail routes in the world, is a must-experience highlight of Sri Lanka. The trip from Hatton to Ella takes approximately 5 hours, and you'll be provided with a picnic refreshment pack for the journey.

Upon arrival in Ella, after a long but unforgettable train ride, our representative will meet you at the railway station and transfer you to a charming boutique hotel nestled among towering mountains and tea plantations.

Accommodation:Boutique Hotel Other

Meals:Breakfast

day 8 - Nine Arch Bridge and trek to Little Adam’s Peak

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the restaurant of your boutique hotel in Ella, enjoying picturesque mountain vistas. The entire day is yours to explore Ella at your leisure, though our representative is available for guidance whenever needed.

Don't miss the opportunity to trek to Little Adam’s Peak and visit the Nine Arch Bridge, two of Ella's most iconic and photographed attractions. In the evening, unwind at one of the popular pubs or restaurants for a drink followed by dinner.

Accommodation:Boutique Hotel Other

Meals:Breakfast

day 9 - Trek from Haputale to Ohiya

After breakfast, you'll begin a 2-day trekking adventure through the central mountains of Sri Lanka, starting with a scenic journey from Haputale to Bambarakanda waterfall. This trek promises stunning views along one of Sri Lanka's most picturesque routes.

Your trekking guide will meet you in Haputale to kick off the journey. You'll first traverse a protected rainforest, reaching a scenic mountain cliff where you can observe trains passing on the colonial-era railway line, originally built by the British for transporting tea to Colombo port.

Continuing parallel to the railway amidst misty tea estates, you'll encounter tunnels and reach a hill country railway station. From there, you'll enter another forest leading to a scenic cliff where a picnic meal awaits.

Further through the forest, you'll pass a remote tea estate and village where descendants of Indian laborers, brought by the British to work in the tea estates, still live in a traditional manner. You can interact with villagers, observe tea plucking, and witness the weighing of tea harvest. Consider bringing small gifts like pens, candies, or chocolates, which are greatly appreciated.

You'll stay overnight at a simple lodge with breathtaking mountain vistas. Enjoy a hearty dinner before resting for the night.

Today's trek covers approximately 14 km with an elevation gain and loss ranging from 915 to 650 meters respectively.

Accommodation: Guest house

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

day 10 - Scenic trek and plunge in a pristine waterfall pool

Start your day with a warm cup of tea and enjoy a hearty breakfast prepared by our enthusiastic cook. Bid farewell to the guest house staff and begin your journey towards the mountain cliff for breathtaking valley views. Pass through a remote tea estate where you can interact with villagers and their children—a gesture like buying cookies from the village boutique is greatly appreciated by the locals.

Continue your trek through the "Devil’s Staircase," a narrow path with three hairpin bends, leading to increasingly fascinating scenery. Descend to Lanka Falls, where you can swim and take a refreshing dip in the natural pool at the waterfall's base. Enjoy a picnic meal at this scenic spot.

Continue further down to witness Sri Lanka’s highest waterfall, Bambarakanda. Optionally, visit the starting point of the waterfall and enjoy another swim at its base while soaking in the majestic views.

Today's trek covers approximately 12 km with an elevation gain and loss ranging from 230 to 550 meters respectively.

Conclude our two-day trek through Sri Lanka's central highlands by meeting our representative who will drive you to Thanamalwila, a 2 ½-hour journey away. Relax at a small guest house in Thanamalwila and enjoy a freshly cooked dinner before retiring for the night.

Accommodation: Guest house

Meals:Breakfast, Dinner

day 11 - A day out in the wild of the southern national parks

Embark on an exhilarating wildlife adventure exploring Lunugamvehera National Park and Yala National Park in a single day, guided by an experienced naturalist. Encounter elephants, spotted deer, jackals, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species during this immersive wildlife experience. With luck, you might also spot elusive leopards and sloth bears.

The day begins at 6 am and spans 12 hours, concluding at 6 pm. Enjoy refreshments, a picnic breakfast, and a fully cooked rice and curry lunch at a scenic location within the parks. Keep an eye out for wild elephant herds, fishing cats, Asian palm civets, grey mongooses, grizzled giant squirrels, and mouse deer throughout the day.

After an exciting day in the wilderness, unwind with a freshly cooked dinner and relax for the evening.

Accommodation: Guest house

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

day 12 - End of an epic adventure

Savor a hearty breakfast at the guest house before being transferred to your chosen beach destination on the south coast, arranged by yourself, or to Colombo International Airport if you're heading home. If desired, we can arrange a beach extension following this tour of Hidden Gems and Iconic Highlights of Sri Lanka.

This experiential journey across the Indian Ocean's enchanting island concludes here. Throughout this tour of Sri Lanka, you've explored nearly all of its highlights and discovered some of its hidden gems off the beaten path.

Meals:Breakfast

Hidden Gems and Iconic Highlights of Sri Lanka

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What's Included

12 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches and 5 Dinners

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Highlights

Itinerary

day 1 - Arrival in Sri Lanka and relax by the seaside

day 2 - Negombo fish market and Pidurangala Rock

day 3 - Cycle the backroads of Sigiriya and explore Polonnaruwa