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Sri Lanka Yala
13 Days // 12 Nights
MAY - OCTOBER
Tour Overview
Sri Lanka truly is one of the most diverse and memorable countries to visit for any traveller! An incredible mix of ancient culture, rich history, delicious food, mesmerizing nature and the warmest people you’ll meet, Sri Lanka ticks all the boxes!
This tour will allow you to get up close and truly enjoy all the wonders Sri Lanka has to offer, with a unique itinerary created from years spent exploring the country, including several unique experiences for your benefit.
This tour includes all the highlights Sri Lanka has to offer: hiking both Pidurangala and Sigiriya Rock, experiencing the elephant gathering at Minneriya National Park, one of the most scenic train rides in the world, exploring the hidden-away beach town of Arugam Bay and its surroundings, before visiting the highlights of the South Coast.
*This tour runs from May - October, if you are travelling to Sri Lanka between November - April please check out our Maha Tour!
Activities
23 included activities, potential for multiple optional activities
Route
Negombo - Ahangama
Transportation
All transportation, including TukTuk, Bus & Train
Accommodation
12 nights twin/double accommodation
Meals
12 x Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 x Dinners
Sundream Team
Sundream guide, local guide, drivers
Day 1 - Welcome to Sri Lanka!
Arrive and be greeted by a Sundream Travels representative at the airport, who will take you to our beachfront hotel and assist with check-in. Day 1 is all about recovering from your flight, relaxing on the beach, and soaking in your first impressions of Sri Lanka in Negombo. Later in the afternoon, we will all meet up for our welcome dinner together, marking the beginning of our adventure!
Meals - Dinner
Accommodation - Twin/Double rooms
Included activity - Welcome dinner
Optional activities - Traiditional Orü sailing, TukTuk tour of Negombo, Fish market,
Physical rating - Low
Day 2 - Dambulla & Pidurangala
Wake up and take in your first stunning Sri Lankan sunrise and enjoy breakfast, before we start our journey towards the Cultural Triangle. As we leave Negombo behind and head towards Dambulla you will get your introduction to Sri Lankan culture and history, along with a basic Sinhalese language lesson to help you during your stay! Our first stop is Dambulla Cave Temple, before we fill up on some delicious local food, and make our way towards our hotel for the next two nights. In the afternoon we hike up Pidurangala, which offers the best view of Sigiriya Rock, before we enjoy a special local dinner together.
Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation - Twin/Double rooms
Activities - Dambulla Cave Temple, Village Tour, Pidurangala Rock
Optional activities - N/A
Physical rating - Moderate
Day 3 - Sigiriya, Local Village & Safari
Today, we have an early start to beat the crowds and head straight to Sigiriya, or Lion Rock, to explore the ancient palace built on top of the rock. After learning about the history of Lion Rock and exploring the ruins, we enjoy another delicious local meal together as we visit a local village. Then, we head back to the hotel to relax for a while. In the afternoon, we go on safari to get up close with some of the native fauna, mainly to find the gentle giants of the island, elephants!
Meals - Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation - Twin/Double rooms
Included activity - Sigiriya Rock, Local Village Experience, Elephant Safari
Optional activities - N/A
Physical rating - Moderate
Day 4 - Kandy & Temple of the Tooth
After an optional second sunrise mission to Pidurangala, we have breakfast together before leaving for Kandy. Upon arrival in the last Kingdom of Ceylon, we check into our hotel and spend the afternoon exploring the town. We visit the famous Temple of the Tooth and take in the view of the area from the giant Buddha statue overlooking the city.
Meals - Breakfast
Accommodation - Twin/Double rooms
Included activity - Temple of the Tooth, Tour of Kandy,
Optional activities - Pidurangala sunrise hike,
Physical rating - Low
Day 5 - Tea & Trains
We leave Kandy behind and head higher up into the mountains of Sri Lanka, driving past countless tea plantations as we make our way towards our train ride from Nanu Oya to Ella. Along the route, we visit the scenic Ambuluwuwawa Tower before continuing our ascent into the mountains. We stop to learn more about the history of tea in Sri Lanka and sample some before having lunch. After lunch, we head to the train station to board the train for an unforgettable journey to Ella. Known as one of the most scenic train rides in the world, you will spend the afternoon enjoying some of the best views Sri Lanka has to offer before arriving in the beautiful tranquil mountain town of Ella.
Meals - Breakfast,
Accommodation - Twin/Double rooms
Included activity - Ambuluwawa Tower, Tea Plantation Visit, Ella Train Journey
Optional activities - N/A
Physical rating - Low
Day 6 - Waterfalls & Hike
Today is your chance to catch up on some rest if you need it and explore Ella at your own pace. If you want to make the most of your visit, your guide has a busy day of hiking planned for those who are interested! An early guided hike along the train tracks, through tea plantations to Ella Rock, followed by an afternoon visit to the beautiful Diyaluma Waterfalls, is sure to satisfy even the most avid hiker. If hiking is not your preference, your guide will provide you with other options to enjoy your day in the beautiful mountains!
Meals - Breakfast,
Accommodation - Twin/Double rooms
Included activity - Ella Gap Rock, Diyaluma Falls,
Optional activities - Massage, Yoga, Ravana Pool Club, Zip line,
Physical rating - High
Day 7 - Bridges & Beaches
The earliest start of our trip is a memorable one! We get up before sunrise and make our way to Nine Arches Bridge to take in the view, explore the bridge before the crowds arrive, and witness the train passing over the bridge. Afterward, we hike up Little Adams Peak before returning to our hotel for a late breakfast. We then begin our descent from the mountains and head towards Arugam Bay, where you'll enjoy some well-deserved beach time followed by a visit to a scenic lookout point for sunset.
Meals - Breakfast,
Accommodation - Twin/Double rooms
Included activity - Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adams Peak, Elephant Rock,
Optional activities - N/A
Physical rating - Moderate
Day 8 - Arugam Bay Exploring & Cooking
This morning is yours to enjoy as you please. Arugam Bay offers amazing options for exploration. If you prefer, you are more than welcome to spend a relaxing morning at the beach, watching surfers and exploring the charming town and its surroundings. Later, we will meet up for a traditional Sri Lankan cooking class for lunch, where you will learn how to make delicious Sri Lankan cuisine yourself to impress your friends and family back home. In the afternoon, we will gather for sunset together.
Meals - Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation - Twin/Double rooms
Included activity - N/A
Optional activities - Surfing, yoga, safari,
Physical rating - Low
Day 9 - TukTuk Safari
After breakfast, we'll dive into one of the most iconic parts of Sri Lankan culture: the tuk-tuk! We have the rest of the day to explore around Arugam Bay and Kumana National Park, searching for elephants and other native animals, even leopards if we're lucky! We'll drive through rice fields, perhaps visit a monastery, and in general, get off the beaten path to enjoy the peace and tranquility the east coast has to offer. We will enjoy lunch together picnic style during the safari before returning to Arugam Bay for some free time in the afternoon
Meals - Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation - Twin/Double rooms
Included activity - Arugam Bay TukTuk Safari,
Optional activities - N/A
Physical rating - Moderate
Day 10 - Surfari
Today, we finally get to enjoy the magical waves of the East Coast of Sri Lanka. Depending on your surfing level, you can either enjoy some of the best waves in Sri Lanka on your own or with the rest of the group and our instructors. Depending on conditions, we will choose the best time and location for you to surf. This will also give you some free time either before or after the lesson, before we watch yet another spectacular sunset together!
Meals - Breakfast
Accommodation - Twin/Double rooms
Included activity - Surf lesson,
Optional activities - Yoga, safari,
Physical rating - Moderate
Day 11 - Southward Bound
Today, we make our way towards the south coast town of Ahangama after a few glorious days together on the magical east coast. We'll stop for lunch along the way and visit Coconut Tree Hill. After checking into our final hotel of the tour, you'll have some time to explore the area before we gather for another sunset spot together, followed by dinner and an exploration of what the south coast has to offer at night.
Meals - Breakfast,
Accommodation - Twin/Double rooms
Included activity - Coconut Tree Hill,
Optional activities - N/A
Physical rating - Moderate
Day 12 - Galle & Southcoast Exploring
We visit the beautiful fort city of Galle together in the morning before it gets too hot, followed by a stop at the Tsunami Memorial and lunch en route. On the way back to the hotel, we'll make a stop at the Dog Care Clinic to learn more about the work they do caring for local dogs. In the evening, we have our farewell dinner, ensuring our last night together is one to remember!
Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation - Twin/Double rooms
Included activity - Galle Fort visit, Tsunami Memorial Museum, Dog Care Clinic Visit,
Optional activities - N/A
Physical rating - Low
Day 13 - Departure
After an amazing journey through Sri Lanka together, it is sadly time to say see you later to your new friends, as it is the end of your tour through this magical island together!
After breakfast, the tour bus will depart for Negombo and the airport. You can choose to either stay behind on the south coast and continue your travels there, or get a lift to Negombo or the airport.
Meals - Breakfast
Included activity - N/A
Optional activities - N/A
Physical rating - Low
Included activities
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Welcome dinner
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Dambulla Cave Temple
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Pidurangala Climb
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Local village experience
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Sigiriya Climb
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Elephant Safari
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Temple of the Tooth
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Bahirawakanda
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Ambuluwawa Tower
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Tea Plantation Visit
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Ella Train Journey
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Ella Rock Hike
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Diyaluma Waterfall
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Nine Arch Bridge
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Little Adams Peak
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Arugam Bay TukTuk Safari
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Cooking Class
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Surf lesson
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Elephant Rock
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Coconut Tree Hill Visit
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Stilt fishing viewing
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Dog Care Clinic visit
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Galle Fort visit
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Tsunami Museum & Memorial
Other inclusions
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12 nights accommodation
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2 Experienced Tour Leaders
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Private transport throughout the tour, safari jeep, TukTuks, train ride,
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12 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
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Max 16 travellers per group
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Airport pickup
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Photos and videos of the tour
Not included
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International flights
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Travel insurance
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Visa
Where we stay
We handpick all our accommodation, selecting only hotels that we know our guests will love! Amazing locations and overall quality ensure that you travel in style and get to rest up from some very active and fun-filled days when you tour with us!
*The featured accommodation are our usual hotels, occasionally we use alternative properties of equal standard when needed.
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1 hr
From 200 British pounds