Embark on an exhilarating journey through Sri Lanka! From exploring vibrant city life in Colombo to hiking ancient rock fortresses in Sigiriya, encountering the best of Sri Lanka’s wildlife on Safari to taking to the waters for surfing, each day offers thrilling activities, for an unforgettable adventure!
Hostel throughout and 1 night camping
11 Breakfast and 2 lunches
All local transport throughout your tour.
A jeep safari, white water rafting and much more
Local bilingual adventure leaders throughout the trip
Airport pick up and drop off
Depending upon your nationality, you may require a visa. Please check with the country's embassy website for more details.
International flights
Travel Insurance is needed and can be purchased separately.
Any optional activity not included in the tour and personal expenses like laundry, extra meals, shopping
On the first day of your Sri Lanka group tour, meet your Adventure Leader in the lobby of the Colombo hostel. You’ll drop off your luggage and have a pre-departure briefing, where you’ll discuss the itinerary and get to know your fellow travellers. After this, a city tour of Colombo!
Day 2 - Negombo & Dambulla
Begin at Negombo’s vibrant fish market with local fishermen. Volunteer at Sputnik Centre, empowering Sri Lankan youth. Experience inspiring community programs and local impact. Explore the ancient Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO site. Wind down with a relaxing evening at your hostel.
Day 3 - Sigiriya
Climb the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress for epic views and ancient history. Spend your afternoon exploring at leisure or bike through Polonnaruwa’s stunning ruins. Discover temples, palaces, and pagodas in this medieval UNESCO city. End the day in Dambulla, relaxing with a glass of local arrack.
Day 4 - Knuckles Mountain Range
Hike the stunning Manigala Trail in the Knuckles Mountain Range, soaking in epic views and rich biodiversity. Enjoy a scenic packed lunch before heading to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s charming hill capital. Explore the city's blend of ancient and modern vibes, and unwind at a local pub.
Day 5 - Kandy
Start your day with an optional visit to the sacred Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. Explore the city or wander through the orchid-filled Royal Botanical Gardens. Then head to Kitulgala for thrilling white-water rafting and a jungle night stay.
Day 6, 7 & 8 - Ella
Ride the iconic train from Nanu Oya to Ella on Day 6, then hike to Little Adam’s Peak for sunset views. Day 7 kicks off with a packed breakfast and a full-day trek along the scenic Pekoe Trail, passing Ella Rock, Nine Arches Bridge, and tea estates. On Day 8, dive into Sri Lankan flavors with a fun cooking class, then enjoy optional activities like yoga or ziplining. Each day offers a perfect mix of adventure, culture, and chill time in Ella’s lush hill country.
Day 9 - Udawalawe
Head to Udawalawe, stopping at the serene Buduruwagala Temple to admire ancient rock-carved statues. Arrive at your safari campsite near the national park, surrounded by lush wilderness. Keep an eye out for elephants, crocs, deer, and vibrant birdlife as you settle in.
Day 10 - Handunugoda & Unawatuna
After breakfast, visit Handunugoda Tea Estate to see how Sri Lanka’s famous tea is made, from leaf to cup. Tour the historic factory and museum, then sip on freshly brewed tea with a view. Next, drive along the beautiful southern coast to Unawatuna. Get ready to unwind in one of Sri Lanka’s top beach spots.
Day 11 - Unawatuna
Soak up the sun in Unawatuna, then hit the waves with an optional surfing lesson (seasonal from Dec–Apr). If surf conditions aren’t ideal, no worries – you’ll get a full refund. In the afternoon, get creative with a traditional Sri Lankan mask painting session. These vibrant masks are believed to hold healing and protective powers.
Day 12 - Galle
Hop in a tuk-tuk to explore Galle, home to the stunning UNESCO-listed Galle Fort. Wander through its 16th-century Portuguese architecture, now filled with trendy cafés and boutiques. Soak up the mix of history and charm as you stroll the cobbled streets. End the day with a magical sunset on the fort’s ramparts before heading back to Unawatuna.
Day 13 - Bye Bye Sri Lanka
On your final day, journey back to Colombo and say goodbye to your travel crew. Along the way, visit a temple for a special pooja blessing with a local Buddhist priest. Take in this peaceful moment to reflect on your adventure. Then it’s time to wrap up your unforgettable Sri Lanka journey!
This tour starts and ends in Colombo. Throughout, all your local travel is included, excluding airport transfers.
ou can find all of our set departure dates on the calendar at the top of the page. You can join a trip at any point – if you need to discuss a situation like this, such as joining a tour late, email our team on fly@exceltrips.com.
On this adventure tour, you’ll be based in hostels. All of the hostels we use are clean, comfortable, and well-located. In them, you’ll have all bedding provided for you, so no need to bring anything extra! Some of the hostels we use on this tour include: Drop Inn Hostel, Colombo Acme Grand Hotel, Habarana Sky View Hostel Kandy Downtown Hostel, Ella Athgira River Camp, Udawalawe Hotel J, Unawatuna
While we get a huge range of people on this tour, we tend to see that this tour is most popular with people in their mid-20s to early 30s.
The use of Drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is prohibited during activities organized by Excel Trips. If you are in possession of a drone when entering the country it is your responsibility to be informed of and follow all local laws. This may include registering your drone with authorities. If you violate this policy or operate a drone illegally you are subject to removal from the tour as per our terms & conditions.
If you’d like to upgrade your room for this Sri Lanka group tour, the prices are listed below. The upgrade fee is for the room, not per person. Room upgrade to single – £250 Room upgrade to twin – £73 Room upgrade to double – £73 Please note: room upgrades are not available in Ella.
USD 399
Experience the best of Sri Lanka—from city vibes in Colombo to wild safaris, epic hikes, and surf-filled shores. Adventure awaits at every turn!
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