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Sri Lanka: Active Adventure

Highlights

  • Spot elephants, buffalo, and if you're lucky leopards on an incredible safari
  • Ride one of the most scenic train routes on earth through lush hillsides and tea country
  • Hike to remote villages and ancient temples in the jungle
  • Experience true local Sri Lankan life and hospitality at an authentic homestay
From £1961 pp*
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10 Nights

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What you'll do

Overview

Discover the very best of Sri Lanka on this once in a life time adventure. Visiting one of the most beautiful destinations on earth where you are guaranteed a warm welcome and wonderful hospitality. Get under the skin of the country's culture, cuisine and community whilst visiting the stunning natural wonders which abound from lush jungles and mountains, to beautiful wildlife in national parks.

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Discover the very best of Sri Lanka on this once in a life time adventure. Visiting one of the most beautiful destinations on earth where you are guaranteed a warm welcome and wonderful hospitality. Get under the skin of the country's culture, cuisine and community whilst visiting the stunning natural wonders which abound from lush jungles and mountains, to beautiful wildlife in national parks.

Tour Summary:
Day 1 Negombo
Day 2-4 Habarana (Cultural Triangle)
Day 5-6 Gammaduwa
Day 7 Riverstone
Day 8 Nuwara Eliya
Day 9 Train to Ella
Day 10 Ella
Day 11 Departure

On arrival, you’ll be met by your local host and taken straight to your hotel accommodation, a short drive from the airport.

You begin at the coast, where the air is thick with salt and stillness, before moving inland into landscapes shaped by centuries. Ancient cities rise unexpectedly from the earth — vast, sacred, and quietly enduring. Here, history isn’t presented; it lingers. You move through it slowly, guided not just by knowledge, but by narrative — each place revealing itself in layers rather than headlines.

Then the rhythm changes. The roads narrow, the air cools, and the scenery begins to climb. In the Knuckles Mountains, you step into something more raw and less defined. Villages sit quietly among the hills, and daily life unfolds without performance. You walk through it, not observing from a distance, but passing through it — a guest, not a spectator.

Further on, the landscape softens into tea country. Endless green hills ripple outward, shaped by hand and time. Conversations here feel different — more reflective, more rooted — especially when shared over tea with those who have spent a lifetime within these plantations. It’s not just about what you see, but what you begin to understand.

And then, almost without announcement, you arrive in Ella. The pace lifts slightly, but the connection remains. You hike, you swim in hidden pools, you watch the land stretch endlessly beneath you. There’s space here — to explore, to pause, to take it all in without feeling hurried.

What defines this journey isn’t just where you go, but how it reveals itself. It resists spectacle in favour of substance. It trades crowds for quiet moments, and certainty for discovery. And somewhere along the way, almost without noticing, Sri Lanka shifts from a destination into something far more personal.

*From price is based on 2 people sharing a room travelling between the 1st May – 30th June and 1st September – 31st October. For large groups or solo travellers please enquire directly to hello@nitgb.com

*Please note*
All accommodation will be reserved at time of booking. Depending on availability there may be changes to similar accommodation.
This is a private itinerary but on some experiences throughout the tour you may join a small group.

Arrive Sri Lanka

On your first night, arrive and you will be met at the airport by your local host and drive to your accommodation for your first night in Sri Lanka.

It’s just a short drive to your hotel in Negombo where you can relax and enjoy the hotel pool or swim in the sea, take a stroll to explore the old Dutch canals and wake refreshed and ready for your awesome adventure to begin!

Accommodation: Jetwing Blue

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Cultural Triangle

Today you’ll head North to Anuradhapura, the UNESCO world heritage site which was the  capital of Sri Lanka from the 5th century BC to the 10th century AD. The ruins of Anuradhapura are one of South Asia’s most evocative sights. The sprawling city contains an abundant collection of ancient buildings and architectural wonders: enormous dagobas (stupas), Buddhist bathing  pools and the ruins of temples dating back to Anuradhapura thousand year of rule over Sri Lanka. Several sites are still in use as holy places and temples where regular ceremonies and processions create  a vibrant atmosphere.

Explore the ancient brick dagobas, and walk in the footsteps of ancient people centuries ago.

The jewel in the crown of the city is the sacred Bo Tree, the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world, planted 2250 years ago. It is said that it grew from a branch of the tree under which Buddha gained enlightenment.

At the end of your day of exploring, you’ll head to your accommodation.

Accommodation: Cinnamon Lodge

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Cycling & Minneriya Safari

Today you’ll visit another World Heritage Site, the capital of Sri Lanka from 11th–13th Centuries, Polonnaruwa.

The city contains splendid and spectacular statues and the medieval capital was fortified with inner & outer moats and walls.

Explore royal palaces, audience halls and other spectacular examples of ancient Sri Lankan architecture on a guided bike tour, the best way to see as much of possible of the city.

In the afternoon, the mood shifts. You enter Minneriya National Park, where the landscape opens wide and wild. Elephants gather in quiet herds, especially during the dry season, creating one of Asia’s most compelling wildlife spectacles.

Dinner is included, and the day closes with the lingering sense of having witnessed something both powerful and fragile.

Accommodation Cinnamon Lodge

Meals Breakfast and dinner

Lion Rock

Today you’ll head south to Sigiriya and Dambulla. Though you may have see many pictures of ‘Lion Rock’, nothing can quite prepare you for the real thing.

Sigiriya, the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the 5th century “Fortress in the Sky” is perhaps the most jaw-dropping single wonder on the island. It’s known as Lion Rock because it was said there was a huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the Palace, on the summit of the 600-foot high rock.

The walk to the summit leads you on paths and staircases through some of the oldest landscaped gardens in the world, past pools, statues, carvings and caves with ornate frescoes. There are plenty of stopping places on the ascent and you should stop to admire the stunning panoramic views.

The whole climb to the top is around 1200 steps, but these are spread across 3 sections. It normally takes about 1 hour for the entire climb with multiple stops for pictures, explanations, and breaks.

Once you reach the summit you can still find the foundations of the Royal Palace, which you will explore with your guide and learn the many fascinating stories about what took place in this incredible location.

Lunch is included today with a farm-to-table experience in Dambulla. You walk through local farmland, learning how ingredients are grown, before sharing a freshly prepared lunch rooted in tradition.

Next you head to  Dambulla Cave Complex, the largest and best-preserved cave temples in Sri Lanka. There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. We spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the cave complex, and its many statues and paintings before heading back to the hotel for dinner.

Accommodation Cinnamon Lodge

Meals Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Hiking in Hill Country

Today you will you’ll take the short drive to Andawala, where you will begin your guided hike to the remote village of Gammaduwa, a spot where you’ll get a taste of true Sri Lankan culture.

You suitcases will be transported to your hotel and you will take the rest of the journey on foot.

Your hike starts on tiny village paths and then leads you across small paddy farms, you will walk along narrow irrigation streams for the first 2 kilometres before turning off into the forest. The trek continues through patches of forest interspersed with pepper farms until you  reach the village of Hanguranketa. Here you will take a short break and refill your water bottles before the next stretch through this lush green landscape to reach the forest bungalow where you will spend the night.

This is an 8 kilometers hike, which normally takes around 3-4 hours. The trail is through small village paths, farms and alongside a canal. There is a small waterfall mid-way through the trail and the last 3 kilometers are on a flat jeep track.

You’ll stay at Gammaduwa Heritage Bungalow, a beautiful building on an old tea plantation, and a great base from which to start your journey to Riverstone.

Accommodation: Gammaduwa Bungalow

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Life in Gammadhuwa

Today unfolds slowly, shaped by the rhythms of village life and the surrounding hills. You explore on foot, guided through forest trails, farmland, and quiet viewpoints where the landscape stretches endlessly into layered green. There is no urgency here — only the gentle pull of nature and the subtle details that reveal themselves when you move slowly.

Walks can be as structured or as spontaneous as you choose. The hotel staff are always on hand to suggest local routes, offering directions for self-guided exploration through the hills. If you prefer a little reassurance on unfamiliar terrain, it may be possible to arrange for a local young guide to accompany you (a small fee payable locally). And, almost inevitably, you won’t be walking alone for long — the bungalow’s dog, Mouse, has a habit of leading the way.

For those wanting to cover more ground, mountain bikes are available — six US-built Mongoose “hardtail” bikes with helmets. These are complimentary for guests staying three nights or more on half board, or available for a small daily fee otherwise. The surrounding tracks and quiet roads offer a different perspective of the region, where each turn reveals something unexpected.

You may also choose to venture further afield by tuk-tuk, visiting nearby waterfalls for a swim, riverside spots, hill towns, spice gardens, or temples perched high above the valleys. For wider views, journeys towards Riverston Peak, Little World’s End, and the Knuckles Conservation Area offer dramatic, open panoramas that feel far removed from the everyday.

Back at the bungalow, the pace remains unhurried. There is space to simply be — whether that’s a casual game on the badminton or volleyball court, a round of carrom or darts, or something more playful like Giant Jenga. A small library and musical instruments invite quieter moments, should you wish to lean into them.

Accommodation: Gammaduwa Bungalow

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Hiking to Manigala Rock

Today from your base at Riverstone you’ll head to the famed Manigala Rock. You will start off on the village road before turning off onto narrow back roads, passing through bright green paddy fields with 360 degree panoramic views over the lush green landscape.

You’ll see the awe inspiring paddy terraces that use “step farming” or “Helmalu”, necessary in hilly areas where flat land is in short supply. Your climb then takes you through the forests criss-crossed with numerous silver streams, before you begin your climb to the top of Manigala Rock.

This can be a hike of between 3 kilometers to 10 kilometers hike depending on your preference. The trail is through stepped paddy fields and forest canopy.

From the top you can see the famous and mighty Knuckles range. After spending some time on the peak, begin your leisurely hike down, and in the afternoon you will enjoy a stunning safari game drive through the world-renowned Wasgamuwa National Park.

Spot the elephants that roam freely as well as wild buffalo, spotted deer, wild boar, crocodiles and leopard, for an unforgettable afternoon searching for Sri Lanka’s wildlife.

Accommodation: Riverston Deck

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Transfer to Nuwara Eliya

Over the next two days you will explore the tea capital of the country, and the stunning areas within it, in a way most tourists won’t, as you head to  The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka – Nuwara Eliya. Set against beautiful backdrop of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. It is one of the coolest places on the Island, with temperatures similar to an English spring day, although the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence, houses like country cottages and Queen Ann style mansions.

Victoria Park, in the middle of the town, is a lovely place for a stroll or a picnic and is also a good place for bird spotting as some rare bird species are found  in this Park. 

Seasons may be absent elsewhere in Sri Lanka, but here you can read them by the flowers, which bloom in the Spring (March to May) and the Autumn (August and September). These are the “seasons” when low-country folk like to visit Nuwara Eliya to escape the sea level heat and humidity.

In Nuwara Eliya, you step into a different chapter — one influenced by colonial heritage. The highlight is a tea experience with a retired planter, offering insight into both the craft and the culture behind Ceylon tea.

Accommodation: Tranquil Villa

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Adams Peak and the Train to Ella

Today you will leave Nuwara Eliya and take the famous blue train to Ella where you will stay overnight at the Waterfall Homestay. The train ride is one of the most iconic in the world, crossing deep valleys and skirting along vibrant green mountain sides, and is sure to be one of the most memorable parts of your trip.

In Ella, you’ll hike up mini Adam’s Peak with a local guide for a stunning view of the sunset, before heading to your homestay accommodation – another opportunity to experience authentic Sri Lankan culture, cuisine, comfort and hospitality.

Accommodation: Waterfall Homestay

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Diyaluma Falls Adventure

You set out for Diyaluma Falls, one of Sri Lanka’s most striking natural wonders. The hike leads you to the upper pools, where water cascades gently before plunging dramatically below.

Here, you pause for a picnic lunch — simple, but unforgettable in this setting. There is time to swim, to sit, to absorb the vastness of the landscape.

Returning to Ella, dinner is included, and the final evening carries a quiet sense of completion.

Accommodation: Waterfall Homestay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

 

Departure Day

Today, your amazing Sri Lankan adventure will come to an end when your guide transfers you back to the airport.

This has been a truly immersive adventure covering iconic sights and wonderful landscapes, mountains and paddy fields, from Buddhist temples to free roaming wildlife staying in unique and stylish accommodation and enjoying delicious authentic food overlooking bucket list views.

We hope you’ve had an unforgettable time in Sri Lanka, and head home feeling as though you haven’t just visited Sri Lanka, but experienced it like a local, supporting local communities.

Meals: Breakfast

What's included

Included

  • All transfers in an Air Conditioned vehicle with a driver/guide
  • 1 night in Negombo HB*
  • 3 nights Habarana HB
  • 2 nights Gammaduwa HB
  • 1 night Riverstone HB
  • 1 night Nuwara Eliya HB
  • 2 nights Ella HB
  • Guided tour of Anuradhapura - ancient capital of Sri Lanka
  • Cycling tour of Polonnaruwa with a guide-ancient capital of Sri Lanka
  • Guided walk of the ruins of Polonnaruwa with a local primatologist
  • Tour of Sigiriya with a local guide
  • Guided hike from Andawala to Gammaduwa
  • Guided hike from Gammaduwa to Riverstone
  • Guided hike from Riverstone to Manigala Rock
  • Safari at Minneriya National Park
  • Tea with a retired planter experience in Nuwara Eliya
  • Scenic train ride from Nuwara Eliya to Ella ( *first or second class subject to availability at time of booking)
  • Guided hike up to mini Adam's Peak
  • Farm-to-table Lunch experience in Dambulla
  • Day trip to Diyaluma falls with picnic lunch in Ella
  • *HB - Breakfast and dinner included

Accommodation

Jetwing Blue (or similar)

Sitting on the bronzed sand of Negombo Beach, Jetwing Blue Resort has two spectacular outdoor pools, a spa and two dining restaurants.

Jetwing Blue Hotel's restaurant serve a wide variety of international dishes, while refreshing beverages are offered at Centre Point Bar located by the pool.

Cinnamon Lodge (or similar)

Located amidst green forests in a expansive 27 acre hideaway, the Cinnamon Lodge Habarana offers a large outdoor pool, a butterfly garden and 3 dining options which include the Ehala restaurant offering buffets with international and themed dishes, The Lotus caters Western culinary delights and local contemporary cuisine. Beverages can be enjoyed at cafe Veranda or bar Tuskers.

Enjoy an exhilarating safari to watch herds of Elephants roam free over the land.

Guests can unwind at Svastha Serene Spa, enjoy a round of tennis or play a game of billiards.

Gammaduwa Bungalow (or similar)

The bungalow lies in 7 acres of tea estate land with glorious mountain views, with the opportunity for hill country tea trail walks or mountain biking.

The luxurious guest house accommodation offers superb Sri Lankan food cooked in traditional ways within a tranquil rural village environment.

The property features a garden and inner courtyard with views, outdoor dining area, guests can relax in the on-site bar or lounge or play darts at the guest house.

Riverston Deck (or similar)

A simple, elevated retreat perched on the edge of the Knuckles Mountains, where the focus shifts from luxury to landscape. Your standard room is comfortable and unpretentious, offering everything you need after a day on the trails — a place to rest, reset, and take in the cool mountain air.

Riverston Deck itself is all about its setting. Set high above the valleys, it opens out to sweeping views that change with the light — mist rolling in, clouds drifting low, and distant peaks fading into the horizon. It’s a place that feels quietly removed, where the scenery does most of the talking.

Tranquil Villa (or similar)

Tranquil Villa offers breathtaking views overlooking Kande ella reservoir, ideal location to see picturesque mountain views including Sri Lanka's tallest mountain, mount Pedro, Kande Ella and watch beautiful birds found in this iconic forest.

There is a on-site restaurant.

Waterfall Homestay (or similar)

Perched high upon a hill in Ella, the purpose built Waterfalls Homestay, is a large open planned guesthouse designed to provide you with the best possible views of the local waterfall, surrounding jungle and wildlife.

At Waterfalls you can relax on the sundeck and watch the squirrels perform amazing aerodynamic feats, be entertained by the highly amusing antics of the macaque’s as they play in their jungle garden or see if you can identify one of the many colourful birds, all this while sipping on a cup of delicious Sri Lankan up country tea!

Take a stroll along one of the many spectacular trails that wind through the beautiful hill country that Ella is famous for.

Enjoy a local cuisine dinner within the on-site restaurant or pizzas on the terrace whilst watching the sunset.

Your local host

Prateeque

Hi! My name is Prateeque, your host. I grew up in India, in Bangalore and after completing an engineering degree I decided to not actually follow this path and chose to follow my passion of travel. I quickly got a job as a tour guide in the wonderful southern region of Kerala, India, for a few months and ended up staying for 2 years.

An opportunity opened up to go to Sri Lanka to become manager for the country, so when I was offered it, I jumped at the chance. During my time working in travel, I’ve travelled the majority of both India and Sri Lanka and discovered almost every place you could possibly explore in these crazy, yet amazing countries.

I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors and exploring, I grew up in an ur... Read All

Hi! My name is Prateeque, your host. I grew up in India, in Bangalore and after completing an engineering degree I decided to not actually follow this path and chose to follow my passion of travel. I quickly got a job as a tour guide in the wonderful southern region of Kerala, India, for a few months and ended up staying for 2 years.

An opportunity opened up to go to Sri Lanka to become manager for the country, so when I was offered it, I jumped at the chance. During my time working in travel, I’ve travelled the majority of both India and Sri Lanka and discovered almost every place you could possibly explore in these crazy, yet amazing countries.

I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors and exploring, I grew up in an urban setting, so any chance I could get I was out exploring. The feeling of release you get from the outdoors, is completely different to anything you can feel.

The thing that inspired me to work in travel is the feeling of pure amazement when discovering something new or seeing something spectacular for the first time, you’re just totally immersed in this place and you just forget about everything else for a while.

Seeing this look on people’s faces during their tour in Sri Lanka is something I absolutely love and it’s what drives me to find amazing experiences for travellers to enjoy.

Sri Lanka has become very busy with tourism in some areas as many companies here offer the same tours to the same places. We however, like to go off the beaten track. It’s unbelievable how much there is to see in this wonderful country away from the main sights. For example, the busy national parks such as Yala or Udawalawe National Park can be very crowded, but if you go just 2 hours away to Gal Oya national park, it’s much less busy and you have a much more intimate experience, getting closer to the wildlife.

Prateeque image

Location

Your Sri Lankan adventure begins when your host meets you at Bandaranaike International Airport, where you will be met by your local host and taken straight to your first accommodation.

From there you’ll head inland and northwards towards the centre of the island, where you’ll find the unforgettable cultural triagle including Auradhapura, Polonnaruwa and  Sigiriya, then to Gammaduwa for some trekking through stunning scenery and  Wildlife spotting in Wasgamuwa National Park. Here you’ll turn south towards Nuwara Eliya, before  taking a train to the relaxed town of Ella, nestled in the lush green hills of Sri Lanka’s interior.

On your last day you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

 

What our travellers are saying...

The itinerary was perfectly thought out, we saw all the highlights of Sri Lanka, but still had the flexibility to adapt our plans along the way, which made the experience feel incredibly personal and relaxed. Our private driver‑guide absolutely made the trip. His knowledge, passion, and genuine care turned every day into something special. From sharing local stories to helping us discover hidden gems, he brought the country to life in a way

Manisha

11 wonderful days in Sri Lanka with so many wonderful experiences that will stay with me for life. Our guide was incredible with lots of insider information. I especially loved the authentic cooking class and Sigiriya sunrise hike. We felt very well looked after from beginning to end.

Carol S
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FAQs

How long are the hikes?

Day 4 – Climbing Sigiriya and Dambulla

Sigiriya Rock

While this is not really a hike it does involve climbing some stairs. The whole climb to the top is around 1200 steps, but these are spread across 3 sections. It normally takes about 1 hour for the entire climb with multiple stops for pictures, explanations, and breaks.

Dambulla Cave Temple complex also is at the top of a flight of approx. 200 stairs, again these can be climbed at leisure with stops.


Day 5 – Andawala to Gammaduwa:

This is an 8km hike. It normally takes 3-4 hours. The trail is through small village paths, farms and alongside a canal. There is a small waterfall mid-way through the trail and the last 3 kilometres are on a flat jeep track.


Day 7 – Hike to Manigala Rock

This could be 3 kilometres to 10 kilometres hike depending on the guest’s preference. The trail is through stepped paddy fields and forest canopy.

NOTE: ALL our hikes are led by trained hiking guides. We are flexible to modify the hikes and make changes on the day based on the guests. During the hikes there will be multiple water and snack breaks. Our guides are able to gauge how the clients are doing and set an appropriate pace and number of breaks.

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