Tropical Island Adventure

1. 1–2

   Days 1–2

   Arrive Sri Lanka & Transfer to Negombo

   Meals included: lunch and dinner

   We take an overnight flight to Sri Lanka. On arrival, we are welcomed by our tour leader and transferred to a hotel in the coastal town of Negombo (20 mins drive), before spending the rest of the day at leisure in preparation for the adventure ahead.

2. 3

   Day 3

   Cycling & Elephant Safari

   All meals included

   After breakfast we travel to Habarana. For part of this journey we enjoy cycling on small backroads, gravel roads, and through forests, interacting with the locals and taking in this remarkable new country as we go. After lunch, we have the chance to see elephants in the wild when we take part in an afternoon safari in Minneriya or Kaudulla National Parks (depending on where the elephant herds are). The two parks are located close to each other and are home to large herds of wild elephants and a variety of birdlife.

3. 4

   Day 4

   Sigiriya Climb & Ancient City Exploration

   All meals included

   This morning we are up fairly early to climb the Sigiriya Rock fortress before the heat of the midday sun. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an astonishing feat of engineering and construction. A series of moats, water gardens, and remnants of an ancient city are spread out on two sides of the rock, with the remains of a pair of giant stone lion’s paws still guarding the staircase that leads to the summit — once a royal palace. Later, we cycle to Polonnaruwa where we explore the ancient city, which served as a medieval capital of Sri Lanka.

4. 5

   Day 5

   Knuckles Mountain Range Hike

   All meals included

   After breakfast we travel to Matale (2.5-hour drive), transferring to 4x4s partway, where we meet our local hiking guide. We are briefed on the day’s adventure before proceeding on a hike through the forests and grasslands of the Knuckles Mountain Range. At the peak of our hike, we have panoramic views of the trees and surrounding mountains.

5. 6

   Day 6

   Kandy & Temple of the Tooth

   All meals included

   This morning, we take the short drive to the beautiful hill capital of Sri Lanka, Kandy. The city of Kandy is built around a lake and is home to the most sacred Buddhist temple on the island, the Temple of the Tooth, and the island’s biggest botanical gardens, the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens. We spend the day sightseeing in Kandy including a visit to the sacred Temple of the Tooth. The Temple of the Tooth, locally known as the “Sri Dalada Maligawa”, houses the tooth relic of Lord Buddha. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy. Visitors are required to be covered from shoulders to feet when entering these sacred premises.

6. 7

   Day 7

   White Water Rafting

   All meals included

   We begin the day with a scenic 2-hour drive to Kitulgala, surrounded by jungle landscapes and mist-covered mountains. Nestled along the Kelani River, Kitulgala is known for its adventure activities, rich rainforest scenery and incredible birdlife. On arrival, we meet our local rafting guides, get fitted with our equipment, and prepare to head downstream through a stunning stretch of river framed by dense tropical forest. As we navigate the white-water rapids, there is also plenty of time for games, swimming, and soaking up the scenery before arriving at our riverside lunch spot and accommodation for the night.

7. 8

   Day 8

   Day Trek & Camp Out

   All meals included

   After breakfast, we take the scenic drive across the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary to Belihuloya. After arriving, we have lunch and prepare for our afternoon trekking experience in the wilderness surrounding Belihuloya. The area we trek through has nothing but beauty and serenity. We trek through surrounding mountain ranges, intermittent patches of forests, and paddy fields. Soon after completing the trek, we drive to a picturesque campsite for our first night under canvas amongst nature’s night-time forest melodies.

8. 9

   Day 9

   Udawalawe Elephant Home & Temple Ritual

   All meals included

   We travel to Udawalawe (3.5-hour drive) to visit the Elephant Transit Home. This facility within Udawalawe National Park was established in 1995, with a primary objective to rehabilitate orphaned elephant calves for release back into the wild. They are looked after until they are around five years old before being released. During feeding time, visitors can watch from the viewing platform for about twenty minutes while the elephant calves are fed. We then proceed to the northern boundary of Yala National Park for a few hours of relaxation before experiencing the famous ritual at the Kataragama Maha Dewalaya (Temple) for the evening ceremony. This is our second night camping as we stay in a tented safari camp on the border of Yala National Park.

9. 10

   Day 10

   Safari & South West Coast

   All meals included

   We begin the day with an early morning safari at Yala National Park (approx. 6–9am). Yala National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. The park offers the opportunity to see Sri Lanka’s variety of wildlife such as crocodiles, monkeys, elephants, sloths, and the star attraction — the leopard. Following the safari, we take the 4-hour journey to the south-west coast of the island, where we check into the hotel that serves as our base for the remainder of our time in Sri Lanka.

10. 11

    Day 11

    Full day Project

    All meals included

    We are committed to running ethical and responsible projects, identified by need. Through Volunteering Sri Lanka, we have a list of small-scale projects that strive to improve the quality of education and the lives of those in the local communities in Sri Lanka. They are all overseen by a local project manager. Past projects in Sri Lanka have involved repairing school buildings and home and garden improvements within underprivileged communities. After our first day on the project, we have the evening to relax on the beach or by the pool in preparation for the following day’s continued efforts at the project site.

11. 12

    Day 12

    Project Work & Surf Lesson

    All meals included

    Full day on Project. Late afternoon/evening we take part in a surfing lesson. After meeting our local surf instructor, we are taught all the basics of popping up and riding the ‘green’ waves Ahangama has to offer. Sri Lankan waves are world-class and surfers from all around the globe travel here all year round.

12. 13

    Day 13

    Project Work & Galle Fort City Exploration

    All meals included

    Full day on Project. After our last day on project and saying farewell to those in the communities we have helped, we visit Galle Fort City in the evening for some sightseeing and to watch the sunset. The fort city of Galle was ruled by the Dutch during the 17th and 18th centuries and is a UNESCO world heritage site. The city still boasts a well-preserved fort, ramparts, museums, churches and other Dutch influenced architecture, in addition to the chic restaurants and boutiques that have set up more recently.

13. 14

    Day 14

    R&R Beach Day

    All meals included

    The day is entirely free to enjoy as we please. The beautiful coastal town of Mirissa is only a short transfer away and offers markets and golden beaches.

14. 15–16

    Days 15–16

    Depart Sri Lanka

    All meals included

    Subject to flight time, we transfer to the airport in time for our departure flight (3.5-hour drive).

Itineraries can change with the seasons, local conditions and your group's needs. Ask us and we'll tailor it.