Overview
For most travellers, Sri Lanka has been off the map for too long. Well, it's back. Discover the vibrant colours, diverse cultures, and swaying palm trees of this tropical jewel. Explore tea plantations and rock fortresses on this 14-day tour, which is designed to please. This tour is about more than just beaches and stunning views; it's about the inspiring people you'll meet along the way.
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Our Price From
A$2,498 per person
Price shown based on twin share
Save up to $901 per person
Trip Length
14 Days
Trip Starts
Colombo
Trip Ends
Mirissa
Departures
Trip Style
Classic
Budget
Affordable
Age Range
12-99 Years
Max. Group Size
15
Pace
Leisurely
Guide Style
Fully Guided
Tour Code
ASSL
Countries Visited:
Itinerary
Arrive at any time. There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Accommodation:
Morven Hotel
Included Experiences
- Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Enjoy a guided city tour of Colombo before heading to Negombo. Visit the seaside and observe fisherman sorting through their haul ashore. Board a boat to glide along the Dutch canal and get a closer look at the lives of the locals. With evening free time, explore the stunning Portuguese and Dutch architecture.
Accommodation:
Golden Star Beach Hotel
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Pettah Bazaar Visit: Visit the Pettah district of Colombo and wind your way through a series of open-air bazaars and markets. The area is home to Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, one of the oldest and most visited mosques in Colombo, and also hosts Kayman's Gate, Colombo Town Hall, and the Khan Clock Tower.
- Negombo Lagoon Boat Ride: Get a closer look at daily life while cruising calmly along the Dutch canal, one of many canals in the city linking estuaries and lagoons together. Watch as Negombo's residents collect coconuts, and keep an eye out for the multitude of bird species in the area.
- Fishing Market Walking Tour: Take a walking tour of a fishing market. There's no better way to learn about the life of the locals than to head to the sea to take in the action. Watch the fishermen bring their boats to shore, clean their nets, dry the fish, and sell to waiting buyers.
- Free Time: Spend an evening free on beautiful Negombo Beach.
Begin the day traveling to the Dambulla province and visit the cave temple before before enjoying the rest of the day free. Join an optional safari to see elephants or watch the sun set over the lake. Travel through the countryside to Sigiriya in Dambulla, the central province of Sri Lanka. Visit the the World Heritage Site of the Golden Cave Temple of Dambulla. In the evening, try to catch a beautiful sunset over the Kandalamma Lake or go on a safari.
Accommodation:
IORA Resort
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Dambulla Cave Temple Visit: Visit the ancient Dambulla cave temples at one of the most well-preserved temple and cave sites in Sri Lanka. See Buddhist mural paintings that line the walls of the seventh-century caves as well as a collection of hundreds of statues of Buddha in different poses.
- Free Time: Opt to join a safari to see elephants in Minneriya National Park or relax at the resort.
Optional Experiences
- 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.
Visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Built in the fifth century, this rock fortress boasts well-laid out gardens, caves, monasteries, and palaces with beautiful wall motifs. Afterwards, enjoy a walking tour of a local village to learn about residents' way of life while getting a chance to try the local cuisine at lunch in a community hut. In the afternoon, opt to go for a tour of Polonnaruwa, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka, where you can cycle through the ruins.
Accommodation:
IORA Resort
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch
Included Experiences
- Sri Lanka Village Tour: Wander through a typical Sri Lankan village to learn more about its residents and their way of life. Enjoy some local cuisine prepared by locals of the town and get a chance to interact with the community.
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress Visit: Be mesmerized by this rock fortress, which captivates every visitor with its well-laid out gardens, caves, monasteries, and palaces adorned with beautiful wall motifs. Start at the water gardens and climb more than 1,200 steps to reach the top. Pass caves with frescoes and boulders to find the ruins of a palace on the flat surface of the old volcanic magma rock. The rock rests 370m (1,213 ft) above sea level with a shear drop on all sides.
- Free Time: Head out and explore.
En route to Kandy, drive through the Knuckles Mountain Range and visit a spice plantation upon arrival where students of Ayurveda will explain different uses for each herb. Stop for lunch at G Adventures supported-Sthree Craft Shop and Cafe. Take a guided visit to the famous Temple of the Tooth. In the evening, opt to attend a Kandyan Cultural Dance.
Accommodation:
Ganga Addara Hotel
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch
Included Experiences
- Spice Plantation Tour: Visit the herbal centre of spices for an interactive session with students of Ayurveda. Learn all about the medicinal uses of various herbs used by the people of Sri Lanka in their massages and treatments.
- Lunch at Sthree Craft Shop and Café: Stop for a delicious traditional Sri Lankan lunch prepared by Sthree Craft Shop and Café. This social enterprise offers opportunities for local women and youth living with disabilities, through handicraft and hospitality training.
- Temple of the Sacred Tooth Tour: Enjoy a tour of the Temple of the Tooth, which houses an important relic – a tooth of Lord Buddha kept in a well-preserved golden casket. Learn about the importance of this site from local guides.
Optional Experiences
- 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)
Spend the morning free in Kandy to visit the Ayurvedic Centre for massage or wander the Royal Botanical Gardens. Then, enjoy a guided village walk to gain insight into Sri Lankan rural daily life. Discover unique local experiences, from visiting a working cattle and goat farm to enjoying refreshing herbal drinks at a local woman's cottage. After lunch, drive to Digana for some time to rest. Later, learn how to cook Sri Lankan curries infused with authentic local spices while helping out with dinner. Accommodations at a nature resort are simple and authentic.
Accommodation:
Oruthota Chalets
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Experiences
- Free Time: Head out and explore.
- Kandy Orientation Walk : Walk through the city and around Kandy Lake to get a better feel for the place.
- Digana Guided Village Walk: Get a crash course in local life with a village walk through Digana. Learn about some of the essential local industries and meet with local families, going about their daily routines. Visit their humble abodes to learn about their way of life before enjoying a traditional herbal drink.
- Nature Resort Stay: Explore the small village of Digana, lend a hand with the farm, learn to cook authentic Sri Lankan dishes, and wake up in tranquility surrounded by palm trees. A dolomite mining community, this project supports efforts for alternative income in Digana as well as improved access to food and water.
- Sri Lankan Cooking Demonstration: Enjoy a cooking demonstration and see how local Sri Lankan delicacies are prepared.
Optional Experiences
- Royal Botanical Gardens Visit : Enjoy a leisurely walk in the colourful Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya. See 300 varieties of orchids of Sri Lanka as well as a range of other plants.
- Ayurvedic Center: Visit an Ayurvedic Center to learn about the history behind Ayurveda and the role it plays in Sri Lankan society. Gain an understanding of Ayurvedic oil massage treatments and its various benefits.
Enjoy a free morning of exploration before transferring to Nuwara Eliya. In the afternoon, explore a traditional tea plantation in the central highlands. Gain insight into the process of growing tea and its effect on the Ceylon region. The town, also known as 'Little England', offers a lot of options for visitors. Explore the nature trails, visit the plantations, or go golfing or horseback riding.
Accommodation:
Top Rich Hotel Nuwara Eliya
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Tea Plantation Visit: The town of Nuwara Eliya produces the finest Orange Pekoe Ceylon tea, and is inhabited mainly by tea planters and plantation workers. Pay a visit to one of the factories to learn all about tea production.
Spend a free morning hiking in the Horton Plains Nature Reserve or strolling local markets. Later, hop on the local train and take the scenic route to Ella. Use free time to explore the area. Opt to stay close to the city, wandering local markets or head further afield. There's a 9km (6 mi) trek in the Horton Plains Nature Reserve. Wander around Victoria Lake and take in the views.
Accommodation:
Oak Ray Ella Gap Hotel
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Free Time: Get to know Ella with some free time this evening.
- Local Train: Take the scenic route and observe the stunning scenery from the local train.
Optional Experiences
- Horton Plains Trek: Get close to nature and stunning scenery on this Horton Plains Trek. Hike 9km (6 mi) into the Horton Plains and walk through the clouds to discover a majestic drop that provides amazing views over the plains into the sea. (60-70 USD per person)
Enjoy a free day in the charming town of Ella. Opt to tour the iconic Nine Arch Bridge, hike to Little Adam's rock, admire views of Ella Rock, or simply relax and wander around town.
Accommodation:
Oak Ray Ella Gap Hotel
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Free Time: Enjoy a free day to visit Ella's sights, or simply relax in town.
Optional Experiences
- Demodara Nine Arch Bridge: The iconic Nine Arch Bridge made of stone and cement is a viaduct connecting Ella and Demodara train stations. Don't look down, this 100 year old bridge, also referred to as the "Nine Skies Bridge", can be found almost 3100 feet above sea level. With train service still operating, check the train schedule and be sure to catch a glimpse of the bridge in action!
- Little Adam's Peak Trek: Enjoy a hike up Little Adam's peak to catch stunning views of the town below.
Enjoy a free morning. In the afternoon, travel to Yala National Park and enjoy a safari.
Accommodation:
Big Game Camp Yala
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Yala National Park Safari: Head out on a safari in Yala National Park. Keep an eye out for leopards, elephants, jackals, sloth bears, sambars, spotted deer, crocodiles, and more than 200 bird species. Learn about its diverse wildlife and the history of the park.
- Free Time: Experience more of hill country with a free morning. Opt to shop or trek to Little Adam' Peak.
Optional Experiences
- Ravana Falls Excursion: Drive to the picturesque Ravana Falls, located just outside the town of Ella. Stop to relax and enjoy the view of this impressive, 25m-high (82 ft) waterfall.
Enjoy one last morning visiting Yala NP then bid farewell and travel south to idyllic Mirissa Beach.
Accommodation:
Olu Ayurveda Resort
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Optional Experiences
- Yala National Park Safari: Head out on a safari in Yala National Park. Keep an eye out for leopards, elephants, jackals, sloth bears, sambars, spotted deer, crocodiles, and more than 200 bird species. Learn about its diverse wildlife and the history of the park. (60-70 USD per person)
Take a day trip to Galle and tour the colonial city and historic fort before returning to Mirissa.
Accommodation:
Olu Ayurveda Resort
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Galle Fort and City Tour: Visit the Galle Fort, a 16th-century fort first built by the Portuguese, and later occupied by the Dutch. The ramparts are still standing even after being battered by Mother Nature, including the 2004 tsunami. Explore more of the beautiful capital, taking in the Dutch architecture and lively atmosphere. The Dutch Hospital shopping complex is a great place to scoop up some souvenirs.
Enjoy a free day in peaceful Mirissa. Opt to relax on the beach or take a surfing lesson.
Accommodation:
Olu Ayurveda Resort
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Free Time: Kick back and relax on the beach or give surfing a try.
Depart at any time.
The Colombo airport can be reached by private taxi or bus. Your CEO can help you arrange a transfer. Please note that it will take about 2.5 hours to get to Colombo from Mirissa.
The Colombo airport can be reached by private taxi or bus. Your CEO can help you arrange a transfer. Please note that it will take about 2.5 hours to get to Colombo from Mirissa.
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Trip Inclusions
- Explore the Sigriya rock fortress.
- Enjoy a Sri Lankan cooking demo for dinner.
- Gain insight into the national heritage at a tea plantation.
- Relax on pristine beaches.
- Embark on a safari through Yala National Park.
- Overnight at a nature resort in Digana.
- Your G for Good Moment: Lunch at Sthree Craft Shop and Café, Kandy
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Colombo orientation walk
- Fishing market walking tour
- Negombo Lagoon Boat Ride
- Dambulla Cave Temple visit
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress tour
- Village tour with local lunch
- Spice plantation visit
- Temple of the Tooth guided tour
- Tea factory visit
- Yala National Park safari
- Galle Fort and city tour
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Private van, boat, scenic local train
- Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides
- Hotels (13 Nights)
- 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.
Operator
G Adventures came from a desire to deliver authentic and responsible small group travel adventures that were equally life-changing for travellers and the communities they visit. And we’re been doing just that for almost 30 years. Our award-winning trips span seven continents and over 100 countries, more giving you meaningful experiences with people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife, as well as offering you the freedom and flexibility to explore on your own.
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
Trip Style: Classic
Get the best of both worlds with G's Classic trips as your knowledgeable CEO (Chief Experience Officer) leads you to iconic highlights and hidden gems, while ample free time lets you discover what excites you most. Enjoy included meals showcasing local flavours, plus opportunities to dive deeper into the food scene independently. Stay in comfortable hotels, authentic homestays, and unique accommodations that capture the spirit of each destination.
Dates & Pricing
AUD
Monday
27 Jul 2026
27 Jul 26
Colombo
Sunday
09 Aug 2026
09 Aug 26
Mirissa
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
A$3,149
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sold Out
Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
