Sri Lanka: Leopard Safaris, Tea Highlands & Ancient Temples

Welcome to Sri Lanka! Your tour begins at the Colombo airport where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This evening, meet your fellow travellers and CEO to learn more about the trip ahead, then enjoy a welcome dinner together.

Please arrive in Sri Lanka by 3:00 PM for the welcome meeting and included welcome dinner.

Depart Colombo and travel south to Ambalangoda, enjoying views of Sri Lanka’s scenic coastline along the way. Enjoy a boat ride through peaceful mangrove waterways, including visits to traditional coir rope-making communities. Continue to the Tukkawadu Mask Museum and Conservation Centre to learn about Sri Lanka’s rich mask-making heritage and participate in a hands-on mask painting experience. Travel to the historic city of Galle and explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Galle Fort, with time to wander its charming streets, boutiques, and cafés at your own pace.

Travel to Tissamaharama, a gateway to Yala National Park. Upon arrival, enjoy an interactive cooking demonstration followed by a freshly prepared lunch. After checking in to your hotel, enjoy some free time to relax before an evening visit to Kataragama, one of Sri Lanka’s most revered pilgrimage sites. Experience the vibrant atmosphere of the temple during the evening pooja ceremony, offering a fascinating insight into the island’s spiritual traditions.

Today is your OMG Day! Choose how you'd like to experience Sri Lanka's remarkable wildlife and natural landscapes this morning by opting in for an early safari in Yala National Park or enjoy a guided nature walk around Debarawewa, featuring birdwatching, a village visit, and a short tuk-tuk ride through the countryside. Return to the hotel to relax and make the most of the property's facilities before heading out for an afternoon safari in Yala National Park.

Journey through Sri Lanka’s picturesque hill country to Ella, stopping along the way to admire the cascading Ravana Falls. Continue to the iconic Nine Arch Bridge, where a scenic nature walk offers spectacular views of one of the country's most photographed landmarks, surrounded by lush tea plantations and jungle-covered hills. After free time for lunch, transfer to your hotel and the remainder of the afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace before dinner at the hotel in the evening.

Set out early for Horton Plains National Park and enjoy a guided trek through one of Sri Lanka’s most spectacular highland landscapes. Home to dramatic escarpments, cloud forests, and sweeping grasslands, the park offers breathtaking scenery and unique wildlife.

Travel to Kandy, stopping en route to visit a local tea factory and learn about Sri Lanka’s famous black tea production process. On arrival in Kandy, visit the Sthree Craft Centre, a G Adventures supported project, followed by lunch and a brief panoramic drive through the city. Continue to the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of Sri Lanka’s most important cultural and religious sites. Afterward, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

• Kandyan Cultural Dance: Be swept away by an entertaining performance that will provide insight into the local culture in Kandy. (5-8 USD per person)

Depart for the Cultural Triangle, stopping in Naula Village for an immersive coconut experience with a local family, including demonstrations of traditional coir-making, toddy tapping, and coconut crafts. Continue to Sigiriya for lunch and climb the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress before heading to Dambulla/Kandalama for hotel check-in.

Begin the day with a village cycling tour in Dambulla, offering an immersive look at rural life over peaceful countryside trails. Continue to the Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO-listed site known for its ancient rock temples and impressive Buddhist murals and statues. In the afternoon, opt in for a safari at Minneriya National Park, renowned for its large elephant gatherings, followed by a guided game drive through the park.

• Minneriya National Park Safari: Take a Safari through Minneriya National Park and see some of the incredible local wildlife in Sri Lanka. This park boasts multiple endemic species, like the purple-faced langur and the toque macaque. It is also common to see elephants, Sri Lankan sambar deer and Sri Lankan axis deer. If we're lucky, there's a chance to see rarer species like Sri Lankan leopard and the Sri Lankan sloth bear.

Depart for a visit to a G Adventures supported project and learn about the traditional craft of reed weaving from local artisans. Continue to Kurunegala for free time for lunch before travelling to the coastal town of Waikkal. After checking in to your hotel, enjoy a relaxing afternoon at leisure. This evening, come together for a farewell dinner and celebrate the end of your Sri Lankan adventure.

Enjoy a relaxed morning with breakfast at the hotel before checking out. Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo for your onward flight, bringing your Sri Lankan journey to a close.