Pure Sri Lanka

Our Sri Lankan adventure begins this afternoon in Negombo. 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 in this beachside town.

This morning, we’ll leave the coast behind and journey inland to Sigiriya - Sri Lanka’s legendary rock fortress town in the heart of 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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Our journey continues south, as we head down from the hill country into the southern plains where a rich abundance of wildlife awaits us.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.

Wave goodbye to the wild side. Today we're swapping the safari vibes for the seaside.This afternoon, we’ll make a stop in the UNESCO-listed fort city of Galle (a must-see for its fascinating blend of European and South Asian architecture). You’ll have time to wander the cobbled streets, shop for local treasures, and grab some lunch before we continue on.Sri Lanka’s southwest coast is all about golden beaches, tangled mangroves, and colonial port towns shaped by the Portuguese, Dutch, and English. You’ve 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?

Today is yours to unwind on the tropical palm-studded beaches with clear turquoise waters, or opt in for a surf lesson at nearby Weligama Bay.

Still obsessed with those beaches? Good news. You’ve got the whole day to enjoy them. Chill by the ocean, pop over to Mirissa, or sip something cool at a beachfront cafe. Your day, your vibe.

Your journey ends by the sea. You're welcome to stick around for more sunsets or catch the ride back to Colombo.And just like that, it's time to say goodbye to your new travel crew but the memories (and probably the tan) are here to stay.