Sri Lanka Adventure Tour: Highlands & Coast Action Trail
15 Nights | 16 Days
Adventure
Tour Overview
Embark on an exhilarating 16-day adventure through Sri Lanka, designed for active travelers, youth groups, and adventure enthusiasts. This tour combines thrilling activities like white-water rafting, hiking, surfing, and cycling with explorations of lush rainforests, tea-covered highlands, ancient sites, and pristine beaches, offering an unforgettable and action-packed experience.
Route
Day 01 | Colombo - City Cycling Tour
Kick off your adventure upon arrival in Colombo with a light cycling tour, providing a unique perspective of the bustling capital before settling in for the night. Your Half Board (HB) meal plan begins with dinner this evening.
Day 01 | Accommodation
Day 01 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Cinnamon Red Colombo
- Meal Plan: Half Board (HB) (Dinner)
- Included Experience: Meet and greet at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). Private transfer to your hotel. Afternoon short city cycling tour of Colombo.
Day 02 | Colombo to Sigiriya - Dambulla Cave Temple and Pidurangala Sunset
After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to the heart of the Cultural Triangle, the Sigiriya area. In the late afternoon, explore the Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Afterwards, embark on a hike up Pidurangala Rock for breathtaking sunset views overlooking Sigiriya Rock, before checking into your hotel.
Day 02 | Accommodation
Day 02 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Aliya Resort & Spa
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Private transfer to Sigiriya area. Visit Dambulla Cave Temple. Hike Pidurangala Rock for sunset.
Day 03 | Sigiriya - Rock Fortress & Cultural Exploration
Begin your day by climbing the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress, marveling at its ancient frescoes and panoramic views. The rest of the day is at leisure for further exploration of the area, including a local village experience.
Day 03 | Highlights
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress & Sigiriya village tour with lunch.
Day 04 | Sigiriya to Matale - Riverston Hike & Check-in
After breakfast, depart Sigiriya and head towards the beautiful region of Matale. Upon arrival, you'll embark directly on a half-day hike in the scenic Riverston area, enjoying its misty peaks, waterfalls, and panoramic views. After your invigorating hike, you will then check into your charming bungalow, Sir John’s Bungalow, for the night.
Day 04 | Accommodation
Day 04 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: The Grand Mountain Hotel
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Private transfer to Matale. Half-day Riverston hike.
Day 05 | Matale to Kitulgala - Adventure Awaits (Rafting & Abseiling)
After breakfast, depart from Matale for Kitulgala, the adventure capital. Upon arrival, dive straight into adrenaline-pumping white-water rafting on the Kelani River and an exhilarating waterfall abseiling experience. After these thrilling activities, check into your accommodation for the night.
Day 05 | Accommodation
Day 05 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Borderlands
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Private transfer to Kitulgala. White-water rafting on the Kelani River. Waterfall abseiling adventure.
Day 06 | Kitulgala - Rainforest Hike & Cave Exploration
Delve deep into the lush rainforest surrounding Kitulgala with a full-day trek, exploring the mysterious Belilena Cave and enjoying refreshing natural rock pools.
Day 06 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Borderlands
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Full-day rainforest trekking to Belilena Cave with exploration. Time to swim in natural rock pools.
Day 07 | Kitulgala to Nuwara Eliya - Tea Country Drive
Enjoy a picturesque transfer through the emerald green tea estates of Sri Lanka's hill country. Stop to witness the tea-making process at a working tea factory.
Day 07 | Accommodation
Day 07 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Jetwing St. Andrew's
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Private transfer to Nuwara Eliya. Visit a working tea factory and plantation.
- Optional Experience (at additional cost): Horse riding or jet ski experience at Gregory Lake. Free time for local exploration in Nuwara Eliya.
Day 08 | Nuwara Eliya - Horton Plains
Embark on a captivating hike through the unique montane grasslands of Horton Plains National Park, culminating in the dramatic cliff edge of World's End.
Day 08 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Jetwing St. Andrew's
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Early morning private transfer to Horton Plains National Park. Hike the World’s End trail.
Day 09 | Nuwara Eliya to Ella - Highland Paradise
Experience an afternoon of thrilling activities like ziplining and exploring biking trails in the vibrant town of Ella.
Day 09 | Accommodation
Day 09 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: EKHO Ella
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Ziplining adventure. Explore local biking trails.
Day 10 | Ella to Udawalawe- Wildlife Encounter
Journey from the highlands to the plains of Udawalawe. Visit the heartwarming Elephant Transit Home before embarking on an evening jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park.
Day 10 | Accommodation
Day 10 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Dhalaya Resort
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Private transfer to Udawalawe. Visit the Elephant Transit Home. Evening jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park.
Day 11 | Udawalawe to Hiriketiya - Beach Paradise
After a morning at leisure, transfer to the stunning beach paradise of Hiriketiya on the south coast, known for its crescent-shaped bay and relaxed surf vibe.
Day 11 | Accommodation
Day 11 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Dots Bay House
- Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast (BB)
- Included Experience: Private transfer to Hiriketiya Beach. Check-in and relax by the beach.
- Optional Experiences (at additional cost): Sunset yoga session on the beach.
Day 12 | Hiriketiya - Surfing & SUP Day
Embrace the waves of Hiriketiya with a beginner surf lesson, perfect for all skill levels. Later, enjoy a tranquil stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) session in the calm lagoon.
Day 12 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Dots Bay House
- Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast (BB)
- Included Experience: Beginner surf lesson at Hiriketiya Beach. Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) in the lagoon.
Day 13 | Hiriketiya to Mirissa - Coastal Wonders
Continue along the captivating southern coast to Mirissa. Enjoy leisure time on the beach.
Day 13 | Accommodation
Day 13 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Paradise Beach Club
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Private transfer to Mirissa. Relax on Mirissa Beach.
Day 14 | Mirissa - Whale Watching & Leisure
Spend the morning on an exciting whale watching excursion (seasonal). Afterwards, enjoy leisure time to relax on the beach or try other activities.
Day 14 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Paradise Beach Club
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Whale watching tour (seasonal, typically Nov-Apr). Day at leisure in Mirissa.
- Optional Experiences (at additional cost): Snorkeling, fishing trips, or other beach activities.
Day 15 | Mirissa to Galle, Hikkaduwa and Negombo
Depart Mirissa and explore the colonial charm of Galle Fort. Afterwards, continue your journey north to Hikkaduwa for a boat safari to see the beautiful coral reefs and the Marine National Park. Conclude your day with a transfer to Negombo for your final night.
Day 15 | Accommodation
Day 15 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Jetwing Sea
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Private transfer to Galle. Galle Fort tour. Boat safari to coral reefs and Marine National Park (typically Hikkaduwa or similar area). Private transfer to Negombo.
Day 16 | Negombo and Departure
Conclude your Sri Lankan adventure with a private transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport for your departure, carrying memories of an action-packed journey.
Day 16 | Highlights
- Meal Plan: Breakfast Only
- Included Experience: Private transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).
Inclusions
- Airport pick-up and drop-off (Bandaranaike International Airport).
- 15 nights’ accommodation in our initial recommended hotels (twin/double sharing basis).
- Half Board (HB) meal plan, starting with dinner on Day 1 and ending with breakfast on Day 16, except for Days 11 and 12 in Hiriketiya where the meal plan is Bed & Breakfast (BB).
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking Driver (Chauffeur Guide or National Guides can be arranged upon request at an additional cost).
- Entrance tickets & charges for all included experiences mentioned in the itinerary:
- Colombo city cycling tour
- Dambulla Cave Temple
- Pidurangala Rock hike
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress climb
- Sigiriya village tour with lunch
- Half-day Riverston hike (Matale)
- White-water rafting in Kitulgala (with equipment & safety brief)
- Waterfall abseiling in Kitulgala (with equipment & safety brief)
- Full-day rainforest trekking to Belilena Cave with exploration (Kitulgala), including time to swim in natural rock pools
- Visit to a working tea factory (Nuwara Eliya)
- Horton Plains National Park entrance fees and trekking permit
- Ziplining in Ella
- Cycling experience in Ella
- Visit to the Elephant Transit Home (Udawalawe)
- Jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park
- Beginner surf lesson in Hiriketiya (including surfboard & instructor)
- Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) in Hiriketiya lagoon (including board & paddle)
- Whale watching tour in Mirissa (seasonal, typically Nov-Apr)
- Galle Fort tour
- Boat safari to coral reefs and Marine National Park (typically Hikkaduwa or similar area)
- All government taxes and service charges.
