Sri Lanka 15 day adventure trip

Your adventure starts in the seaside resort town of Negombo, located on the West Coast, and only 10 minutes from the international airport. Your U.Guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation. Today you’ll have the opportunity to meet your fellow travellers and your tour guide. If you arrive early, head out and explore the beach and lagoons which give this town it’s unique character

Its a relaxed first day as we take a tuk tuk to explore the famous fish markets of Negombo, the second largest of its kind in Sri Lanka. Known locally as ‘Lellama’ we suggest you take time to speak and interact with the local fisherman, whose livelihoods are dependent on the markets and the industry. The fish auction is especially lively and worth catching!

This afternoon you have time to explore on your own – consider taking a boat tour of the lagoon for a locals view of the town!

Today we head north and inland to the holy town of Dambulla.

Dambulla is the gateway to a number of iconic Sri Lankan historical sites including the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. We settle in to our accommodation and you are welcome to explore the town on your own and get a feel for mountain life.

We take a day trip to the city of Sigiriya, where we will visit the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress by climbing the adjacent rock tower – a relaxed 350 metre ascent amongst stunning landscapes. The view from the top is nothing less than spectacular. In the afternoon we’ll learn how locals spend their day as we visit a small village one the outskirts of Sigiriya where a member of the village will give us our first authentic experience – a traditional Sri Lankan cooking class.

Today we venture south to the capital city of Kandy. Located on a plateau surrounded by mountains of rainforests and tea plantations, Kandy is a sacred city known for the UNESCO World Heritage site ‘the Temple of the Tooth Relic (a sacred tooth of Buddha)’. We’ll stop to along the way to experience a local spice garden and discover the flavour palette which makes Sri Lankan food so unique.

This afternoon we’ll explore the Temple of the Tooth Relic and then head out for an evening of fun after dark amongst Kandy’s nightlife.

Sri Lanka is famous for its tea industry which remains the largest source of employment in rural Sri Lanka. We experience first hand this essential livelihood as we learn to pick, brew and share a cuppa with our local village hosts.

A highlight of travelling Sri Lanka is the world-famous train ride from Nuwara Eliya to Ella, said to be one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world, so sit back and enjoy 2-3 hours of stunning views as we make our way down to Ella this afternoon.

Explore beautiful Ella at your own pace today. This small highland town has the best of Sri Lanka rolled into one place – amazing lush jungles, flowing waterfalls and extensive rural tea plantations. And there’s plenty of action to be had as well – zip line above the rich bio-diverse terrain, hike to the epic Ravana Falls or stay local and visit the numerous vibrant bars and restaurants which hum with local life.

Experiences on your own:

• Soar through nature in the Zip Line
• Visit the enchanting Ravana Falls

Adam’s Peak is a conical mountain just outside of Ella and is said to be home to Sri Pada, a sacred footprint of Buddha. It’s the most sacred mountain in Sri Lanka, and today we’ll hike to the summit where a cool refreshment and spectacular views await you. You’ll hike at your own pace and enjoy the lush jungle and mountain outcrops as we ascend, passing the monastery responsible for the protection of the Sri Pada footprint, and which delivers us high amongst the clouds.

The iconic landmark, the Nine Arches Bridge, is built exclusively of rocks, bricks and cement and stands beautifully with its 9 arches in the middle of Sri Lanka’s lunch green unspoiled nature. We are fortunate to walk the bridge and snap those insta worthy photos before moving onto Udawalawe National Park, where our accommodation stands at the gateway to the Park.

Udawalawe Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park is an important habitat for Sri Lankan elephants, wildlife and water birds. Our sunrise safari today will explore parts of this dry monsoon forest which spans over 30,000 hectors of land and is full of wild elephants, crocodiles and buffaloes. In the afternoon, we head to the small picturesque coastal market town, Dikwella, where we share a delicious beach side bbq as the sun sets.

It’s a relaxed day today as we move from one stunning beach to another, landing in our luxurious beach front eco retreat in Talalla. Talalla is known for having one of Sri Lanka’s most stunning beaches and as we have nothing on the program today, it’s a day to enjoy at your leisure. Relax and absorb the sheer beauty of Sri Lankan ocean from a hammock under palm swaying trees, join a yoga lesson, learn to surf or treat yourself to a full spa and wellness retreat.

Experiences on your own:

• Attend a yoga lesson
• Visit a spa and wellness retreat

It’s a relaxed day full of sun, sand and surf. We continue the beach hopping as we head to the party town of Mirissa. We make a stop at the turquoise shores of Weligama beach, where you have the opportunity to learn to surf in beautiful warm waves with a local surf instructor. We move on to Mirissa later in the afternoon.

Raise late and wander the beach and the town at your own leisure. We have a free day to do exactly nothing, or a little of something! Continue the day where you left off yesterday, surfing the gentle point break or head out further beyond the waves on a Whale Watching Tour. Our U.Guide is available to help plan and book any extra activities you might like to do.

Experiences on your own:

• Take on Whale Watching

It’s an interactive culture day as we spend time with Buddhist monks at a local monastery, exchanging english lessons for a peek into their lives, beliefs and daily routines. It’s our last night together so as the sun sets, we’ll enjoy a shared meal, cooked by our fabulous local hosts on the beach and prepare for departure tomorrow.

It is the last day of our epic 15 day Sri Lanka adventure and we sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed the unique culture, stunning landscapes and truely beautiful people. For those venturing to the airport, your guide will make sure you are comfortable getting there. You always have the option to stay longer, or combine this trip with another in South East Asia – Thailand for more beaches or Japan for an intensive cultural and food immersion