Led by our trusted local guide · Classic small group tour
Sri Lanka
rich in every detail
Ancient cities, misty tea country, wildlife, tropical beaches and the warmth of Sri Lankan hospitality.
16–29 September 2027
Negombo to Colombo
14 days · 13 nights
$5,350 pp
The journey
Ancient wonders.
Wild landscapes.
A beautiful island journey.
Discover Sri Lanka over 14 days, from the Indian Ocean to the Cultural Triangle, tea country, Yala and the southern coast.
Travel by first-class train through the highlands, climb Sigiriya, meet elephants, cook Sri Lankan curries, explore Galle Fort and slow down beside the sea. The tour is guided throughout by CJ, our trusted English-speaking local guide, while Judy remains your point of contact before departure and throughout the tour.
The journey
The moments that make Sri Lanka unforgettable
Experience the island through its landscapes, wildlife, food, history and everyday life.
Wildlife
Elephants and Yala’s wild landscapes
Visit Pinnawala’s elephant sanctuary, then head out by jeep in Yala National Park in search of elephants, crocodiles, sloth bears and leopards.
Hill country
One of the world’s great train journeys
Travel first class from Nanu Oya to Ella through tea plantations, misty mountains and deep green valleys.
Cultural Triangle
Ancient cities and village life
Climb Sigiriya, enter Dambulla’s cave temples and travel by bullock cart and catamaran into rural Hiriwadunna.
Food and culture
Cook, taste and meet local people
Share a village lunch, learn the techniques behind Sri Lankan curries and enjoy high tea in Nuwara Eliya.
Southern coast
Galle, Bentota and the Indian Ocean
Walk Galle Fort’s ramparts, cruise the Madu River, visit a turtle hatchery and enjoy three unhurried nights in Bentota.
Colombo
A final taste of the capital
See colonial landmarks, colourful markets and modern Colombo before a memorable Sri Lankan farewell dinner.
Is this tour for you?
Come independently.
As a couple. Or with friends.
For people who love discovering new places, sharing memorable experiences and travelling in good company.
You’ll be welcomed into a classic small group, with all the arrangements taken care of. CJ will guide you throughout Sri Lanka, while Judy remains your point of contact before departure and throughout the tour.
The pace
This is an active sightseeing journey with early starts, longer drives, a scenic train journey, uneven historic sites and a climb at Sigiriya. Relaxed beach time is built into the second half of the tour.
If you are unsure whether the pace will suit you, contact Judy before booking.
Days 1–2
Negombo
A soft landing beside the Indian Ocean, with time to unwind, explore Negombo and meet the group over dinner on the beach.
Day 1Welcome to Sri Lanka
Arrive to a traditional garland welcome and meet CJ, your guide for the journey. Travel by private vehicle to the golden sands of Negombo, settle into the beachfront resort and enjoy your first ocean views.
Day 2Ocean Breezes & a Beachside Welcome
Enjoy a free morning to relax at the resort. This afternoon, you may choose to explore Negombo with CJ, discovering its colonial heritage and fishing community. Tonight, gather for a welcome dinner on the beach with live Calypso music.
Days 3–4
The Cultural Triangle
Elephants, ancient cave temples, the climb to Sigiriya and a warm introduction to rural village life.
Day 3Elephants, Cave Temples & the Cultural Triangle
Begin at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, a sanctuary caring for orphaned elephants. Continue to the UNESCO-listed Dambulla Cave Temple, Sri Lanka’s largest and best-preserved cave temple complex, before settling into the lakeside hotel.
Day 4Sigiriya & Village Life
Start early to climb Sigiriya, the fifth-century Lion Rock fortress, for extraordinary views across the Cultural Triangle. Later, travel by bullock cart and catamaran into Hiriwadunna Village, share a traditional lunch and enjoy a private cultural performance followed by dinner.
Days 5–6
Kandy & Tea Country
Spices, sacred Kandy and the cool highlands of Nuwara Eliya, with tea country views and Grand Hotel high tea.
Day 5Spices, Sacred Kandy & Kandyan Culture
Travel south through Matale and stop at a spice garden to learn how cinnamon, cardamom, pepper and cloves are grown and used. Continue to Kandy for the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, then enjoy time to explore before dinner at the hotel.
Day 6Tea Country & Grand Hotel High Tea
Travel into the cool hill country, with views of tea plantations, waterfalls and mist-covered mountains. Visit a tea factory and explore Nuwara Eliya’s lake and local market before traditional high tea and dinner at the iconic Grand Hotel.
Days 7–9
Ella & Yala
One of the world’s great train journeys, mountain walks, hands-on cooking and the thrill of an early safari in Yala.
Day 7The Train to Ella
Board the first-class train from Nanu Oya to Ella for one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys. After checking in, explore Ella’s laid-back streets, then travel by tuk-tuk to Nine Arches Bridge and enjoy a cocktail overlooking the hills before dinner.
Day 8Little Adam’s Peak & Sri Lankan Cooking
Walk to the summit of Little Adam’s Peak for sweeping views over Ella Gap and the tea estates. Back at the hotel, join a hands-on cooking class and enjoy the Sri Lankan lunch you have prepared before travelling to Yala.
Day 9Yala Safari & Galle Fort
Set out by jeep in Yala National Park, watching for elephants, crocodiles, sloth bears, birdlife and the park’s famous leopards. After breakfast, travel west to explore UNESCO-listed Galle Fort before dinner overlooking the coast.
Days 10–12
Galle & Bentota
Historic ramparts, mangrove waterways and three nights beside the Indian Ocean with time to properly settle in.
Day 10From Galle’s Ramparts to Bentota’s Shores
Leave Galle and follow Sri Lanka’s sun-drenched southwest coast to Bentota. Settle into the Geoffrey Bawa-designed resort between the river and the sea, then spend the afternoon by the pool or on the beach.
Day 11Madu River & Turtle Conservation
Cruise the tranquil Madu River through mangroves and past small islands, looking for birds, water monitors and monkeys. Visit a coastal turtle hatchery to learn about its conservation work, then return to the resort to relax.
Day 12A Day by the Indian Ocean
Enjoy a completely free day. Relax around the pool or on Bentota’s golden sands, take a bike ride through the paddy fields or book a spa treatment at the hotel.
Days 13–14
Colombo
Markets, colonial landmarks, a memorable farewell dinner and a final unhurried day in Sri Lanka’s capital.
Day 13Colombo & a Sri Lankan Farewell
Travel north to Colombo and settle into the historic Galle Face Hotel. Tour the capital’s colonial architecture, modern skyline and lively markets, with a short tuk-tuk ride, then gather for a village-style farewell dinner at Nuga Gama.
Day 14A Final Day in Colombo
Enjoy a relaxed final day for shopping or exploring Colombo at your own pace. Late checkout is included until 6pm, allowing time to rest and freshen up before the evening transfer to the airport.
Your stay
Nine hotels. Thirteen nights.
From a beachfront welcome and peaceful lakeside villas to misty hill-country retreats, wildlife lodges and heritage hotels beside the Indian Ocean.
- Negombo · 2 nights
Jetwing Blue
Deluxe Room
- Dambulla · 2 nights
Amaya Lake Dambulla
Standard Villa
- Kandy · 1 night
Kandy Myst by Cinnamon
- Nuwara Eliya · 1 night
The Grand Hotel
Deluxe Room
- Ella · 1 night
EKHO Ella
Premier Room
- Yala · 1 night
Cinnamon Wild Yala
Jungle Chalet
- Galle · 1 night
Le Grand Galle
Deluxe Room
- Bentota · 3 nights
Cinnamon Bentota Beach
Premium Terrace Room
- Colombo · 1 night
Galle Face Hotel
Classic Sea View Room
Your local guide
Guided locally.
Beautifully looked after.
CJ was our guide when I travelled in Sri Lanka, and he was excellent: warm, knowledgeable and attentive. I know him personally and trust him to take very good care of the group.
CJ will meet the group on arrival and guide the journey from Negombo to Colombo, supported by a dedicated driver and assistant. I have carefully prepared the tour and remain your point of contact before departure and throughout the tour, but I will not be travelling with the group.
CJ
Your trusted guide in Sri LankaGood to know
Your questions, answered.
Who is guiding the tour?
CJ, our trusted English-speaking local guide, will meet the group on arrival and guide the journey from Negombo to Colombo, supported by a dedicated driver and assistant. Judy has carefully prepared the tour and remains your point of contact before departure and throughout, but will not be travelling with the group.
Can I come on my own?
Yes. Many guests join independently, and you’ll be welcomed into a classic small group from the start, with CJ guiding the journey and Judy as your point of contact throughout.
Can I have my own room?
Please get in touch and I’ll be happy to answer this for you.
How active is the itinerary?
This is an active sightseeing journey with early starts, longer drives, a scenic train journey, uneven historic sites and a climb at Sigiriya. Relaxed beach time is built into the second half of the tour. If you are unsure whether the pace will suit you, contact Judy before booking.
Is the scenic train included?
Yes. The first-class train journey from Nanu Oya to Ella on Day 7 is included.
Will we definitely see leopards in Yala?
Please get in touch and I’ll be happy to answer this for you.
Which meals are included?
Breakfast is included daily from Day 2, along with 12 dinners (including the welcome and farewell dinners), 2 lunches and high tea at the Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
Can dietary requirements be accommodated?
Please get in touch and I’ll be happy to answer this for you.
What will the weather be like, and what should I pack?
Please get in touch and I’ll be happy to answer this for you.
Do I need a visa?
Please get in touch and I’ll be happy to answer this for you.
What is the deposit?
Please get in touch and I’ll be happy to answer this for you.
Sri Lanka · September 2027
Could this be your next journey?
If this sounds like your kind of holiday, get in touch. I’d love you to join us.