Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.
Starts
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Ends
Colombo, Sri Lanka
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Pure Sri Lanka
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Highlights
Sigiriya: See rice fields and jungle landscapes as you ramble around this rural Sri Lankan village. Then refuel with a traditional lunch.
Sigiriya: A fortress on top of a giant rock. And did we mention it has massive lion’s paws at the front? Amazing!
Sigiriya: Want peace and tranquillity, or an array of Insta-ops? These cave temples offer both. But hide your wallet from the cheeky monkeys.
Kandy: Fire-eating. Acrobatics. Epic costumes. All based on the dances of Indian shamans. Local traditions don't get hotter than this!
Kandy: This pristine-white sanctuary is an ultimate pilgrimage for Buddhists. It holds a relic of Lord Buddha’s tooth.
Kandy: One of the world’s most scenic train rides. Pass tea plantations and lush greenery, via mountain tunnels and steep valleys.
Ella: Who doesn’t love a nice cuppa? And now you’ll get to see where the magic happens.
Udawalawe National Park: Orphaned baby elephants? Cuteness overload. This sanctuary cares for calves until they’re strong enough to head back into the wild - over 250 and counting! You’ll catch them right at milk time (every 3 hours, 365 days a year), which is honestly worth the trip alone.
Udawalawe National Park: Hang out with elephants, leopards, crocodiles – the whole jungle crew.
Unawatuna: Colonial buildings meet modern life in this UNESCO-listed spot. There are heritage walks, foodie hotspots and fun nightlife, all up for grabs.
Unawatuna: Wanna learn more about Sri Lankan village ceremonies? We'll visit a traditional mask painting centre to see how these masks (that are still used in rural villages today!) are created.
Unawatuna: Get ready for cuteness on flippers. At this conservation hub, local nesting sites are protected, eggs are rescued from predators, and hatchlings are released into the wild where they belong. See firsthand how Kosgoda is helping keep Sri Lanka’s turtle population swimming strong.
Colombo: Explore this bustling melting pot of a city with 20 of your new besties. It’s home to some seriously cool sights.
Kandy: One of the world’s most scenic train rides. Pass tea plantations and lush greenery, via mountain tunnels and steep valleys.
Ella: Who doesn’t love a nice cuppa? And now you’ll get to see where the magic happens.
Udawalawe National Park: Orphaned baby elephants? Cuteness overload. This sanctuary cares for calves until they’re strong enough to head back into the wild - over 250 and counting! You’ll catch them right at milk time (every 3 hours, 365 days a year), which is honestly worth the trip alone.
Udawalawe National Park: Hang out with elephants, leopards, crocodiles – the whole jungle crew.
Unawatuna: Colonial buildings meet modern life in this UNESCO-listed spot. There are heritage walks, foodie hotspots and fun nightlife, all up for grabs.
Unawatuna: Wanna learn more about Sri Lankan village ceremonies? We'll visit a traditional mask painting centre to see how these masks (that are still used in rural villages today!) are created.
Unawatuna: Get ready for cuteness on flippers. At this conservation hub, local nesting sites are protected, eggs are rescued from predators, and hatchlings are released into the wild where they belong. See firsthand how Kosgoda is helping keep Sri Lanka’s turtle population swimming strong.
Colombo: Explore this bustling melting pot of a city with 20 of your new besties. It’s home to some seriously cool sights.
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Fairway Hotel (or similar)Habarana Village by Cinnamon (or similar) HotelQueen's Hotel (or similar)Oak Ray Ella Gap Hotel (or similar)Athgira River Camping (or similar) HotelInsight Resort Ahangama (or similar) Hotel
Say Ayubowan to South 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.
day 1 - Colombo
Our Sri Lankan adventure begins in Colombo. Find your feet in this diverse city, buzzing with modern life, colonial buildings & historical monuments. This evening you'll meet up with your Trip Manager and your team for a full brief of the travels about to unfold, before heading out for the first taste of some local delicacies.
Location Visited:Colombo
Accommodation:Fairway Hotel (or similar)
day 2 - Colombo to Sigiriya
This morning we'll drive inland to Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress town in the Matale District. Home to palace ruins set on a giant ancient lava rock, and surrounded by ancient relics of gardens and reservoirs, Sigiriya is a hotspot of historical significance here in Sri Lanka. We'll begin our explorations with a guided visit to Hiriwadunna village. We'll sit down for an authentic Sri Lankan lunch here at the village, surrounded by greenery and wildlife. After waving goodbye to Hiriwadunna, we'll head to our hotel.
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch
Location Visited:Colombo, Sigiriya
Accommodation:Habarana Village by Cinnamon (or similar)
day 3 - Sigiriya
We couldn't visit Sigiriya without exploring the incredible Sigiriya Rock Fortress that's been dominating the skyline ever since we've arrived, and morning is the best time to visit. After our included breakfast we'll take a trip to the fortress to check out the UNESCO-listed 'Lion's Rock', with it's 5th-century buildings, painted rock frescoes and massive pair of lion paws at the entrance. We're back on the road, this time to visit the nearby town of Dambulla where you'll have the chance to find your own lunch. Here we'll find another World Heritage Site, the sacred Dambulla Cave Temple, the largest best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka complete with five inner sanctuaries, 150 gilded Buddha statues, and Buddhist murals. We'll then head back to our hotel where we'll join together for an included dinner tonight.
Meals:Breakfast, Dinner
Location Visited:Sigiriya
Accommodation:Habarana Village by Cinnamon (or similar)
day 4 - Sigiriya to Kandy
Feel like a morning adventure? You'll have the opportunity to explore the Pidurangala Rock a rite of passage for Sigiriya first-timers on a sunrise trek. Otherwise, catch some extra sleep and save your energy for later. Awed by our time brushing with the ancient world in Sigiriya, it's time to move on to the vibrant cultural scene in Kandy. This afternoon, you're free to do what you want-but we've got a hunch that the street food here might catch your eye! This evening we're gathering to watch history and mythology explode into colour & rhythm at a traditional Kandyan Folkdance show.
Meals:Breakfast
Location Visited:Sigiriya, Kandy
Accommodation:Queen's Hotel (or similar)
day 5 - Kandy to Ella
Today we head further into the hill country on the train, passing lush green hills & waterfalls en route to Nuwara Eliya. This small town is found in the heart of Sri Lanka's famous Ceylon tea industry, so it'd be rude not to visit a tea plantation (& sample some of the best) before continuing on to our next destination of Ella. We've arrived at Ella where new adventures await!
Meals:Breakfast
Location Visited:Kandy, Ella
Accommodation:Oak Ray Ella Gap Hotel (or similar)
day 6 - Ella
The day is yours to explore the beautiful countryside and laid-back backpacker hub of Ella, nestled among green cloud forests and tea plantations. Spend the day in Ella doing the local walks that show off the incredibly insta-worthy views down through the Ella Gap, including the cascading waterfalls this small town is famous for. If you're lucky, you might even get to meet one of the locals: the leaf-eating Langur monkey.
Meals:Breakfast
Location Visited:Ella
Accommodation:Oak Ray Ella Gap Hotel (or similar)
day 7 - Ella to Udawalawe National Park
Our journey continues south, as we head down from the hill country into the southern plains where a rich abundance of wildlife awaits us.Our first stop is at the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, where orphaned baby elephants are cared for before being released back into the wild. In this unmissable experience that's sure to pull a few heartstrings, we'll get to watch the babies at feeding time, while you try to restrain yourself from adopting one then and there. But tear yourself away, because next, we'll jump aboard our Safari Jeep to explore the park's wildlife and then we're heading to our Special Stay accommodation for the night. Glamping alongside the Walawe riverbed in full Safari style, surrounded by the vibrant flora and fauna of the Sri Lankan jungle.
Meals:Breakfast, Dinner
Location Visited:Ella, Udawalawe National Park
Accommodation:Athgira River Camping (or similar)
day 8 - Udawalawe National Park to Ahangama via Galle
Wave goodbye to the wild side. Today we're swapping the safari vibes for the seaside.This afternoon, well make a stop in the UNESCO-listed fort city of Galle (a must-see for its fascinating blend of European and South Asian architecture). Youll have time to wander the cobbled streets, shop for local treasures, and grab some lunch before we continue on.Sri Lankas southwest coast is all about golden beaches, tangled mangroves, and colonial port towns shaped by the Portuguese, Dutch, and English. Youve got a free evening to unwind at your beachside stay or take a dip in the ocean. Later, you can opt to join a Sri Lankan cooking class and dinner experience in Unawatuna. What better way to end the day than mastering a curry or two?
Meals:Breakfast
Location Visited:Udawalawe National Park, Galle, Ahangama
Today we'll be heading back to where it all began - the bustling capital city of Colombo. En route we'll make a stop to learn about the traditional art of balsa-wood mask painting, followed by a visit to the Kosgoda Turtle Conservation centre. Once we hit Colombo, the best way to continue is with a sightseeing tour on the coach of this sprawling, richly multicultural city. Marvel at the atmospheric temples & showstopping mosques, check out the rose-tinted colonial buildings and, if you're brave enough, pick up some hot cobra chillies or souvenirs from the truly authentic (and famously chaotic) Pettah Bazaar. Tonight you can put on your party pants, because we're going out in style - the perfect way to cap off the last incredible 10 days with your Sri Lanka crew.
Meals:Breakfast
Location Visited:Ahangama, Colombo
Accommodation:Fairway Hotel (or similar)
day 11 - End Colombo
Your Contiki trip finishes this morning in Colombo. Hold back the happy tears as you say goodbye to your newest life-long friends & plan a meet up somewhere in the world soon.
