Adventure & Wildlife: The Active Explorer’s Ceylon

Route

Colombo - Negombo - Kitulgala - Kandy - Ella - Diyaluma

For travellers who'd rather hike to the view than drive to it.

Tour Highlights

  • Kitulgala white-water rafting
  • Diyaluma Falls abseiling
  • Gal Oya swimming-elephant boat safari
  • Yala leopard safari (two drives)
  • Hiriketiya cove

Day by Day

12 Nights / 13 Days

  1. Day 1

    Arrival - Negombo

    Transfer from the airport to Negombo. Overnight in Negombo.

  2. Day 2

    Negombo - Kitulgala

    Drive into the rainforest at Kitulgala (approximately 3 hours). Afternoon white-water rafting, grade 2-3 rapids. Overnight in Kitulgala.

  3. Day 3

    Kitulgala - Kandy

    Drive to Kandy (approximately 2-2.5 hours). Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Overnight in Kandy.

  4. Day 4

    Kandy - Ella

    Drive into and across the highlands (approximately 4-4.5 hours). Visit the Nine Arch Bridge on arrival. Overnight in Ella.

  5. Day 5

    Diyaluma Falls Abseiling

    A day of canyoning at Diyaluma Falls, Sri Lanka's second-tallest waterfall at 220 metres, descending part of the cliff face on rope before swimming in the natural infinity pools at the top. Overnight in Ella.

  6. Day 6

    Ella - Gal Oya

    Drive to Gal Oya (approximately 3-3.5 hours), one of Sri Lanka's least-visited wilderness areas. Afternoon guided walk with a local Vedda community. Overnight near Gal Oya.

  7. Day 7

    Gal Oya Boat Safari

    A dawn boat safari on the Senanayake Samudraya reservoir - the only safari in Sri Lanka where elephants are regularly seen swimming between islands. Overnight near Gal Oya.

  8. Day 8

    Gal Oya - Yala

    Drive to Yala (approximately 2.5 hours). Afternoon jeep safari through Yala National Park. Overnight near Yala.

  9. Day 9

    Yala National Park Safari

    A second, dawn safari through Yala National Park. Overnight near Yala.

  10. Day 10

    Yala - Hiriketiya

    Drive to Hiriketiya cove (approximately 2.5 hours). Overnight in Hiriketiya.

  11. Day 11

    Hiriketiya at Leisure

    A relaxed day at one of the south coast's newest boutique surf coves. Overnight in Hiriketiya.

  12. Day 12

    Hiriketiya - Galle

    Drive to Galle (approximately 1.5 hours). Afternoon walking the ramparts of Galle Fort. Overnight in Galle.

  13. Day 13

    Departure

    Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport (approximately 2.5 hours).

Suggested Stays

  • Negombo (beachfront hotel)
  • Kitulgala (riverside eco-lodge)
  • Kandy (heritage hotel)
  • Ella (hillside guesthouse, 2 nights)
  • Gal Oya (eco-lodge, 2 nights)
  • Yala (safari lodge, 2 nights)
  • Hiriketiya (design-led boutique guesthouse, 2 nights)
  • Galle (boutique fort-area hotel)

Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusions

  • All private ground transport throughout the tour
  • White-water rafting at Kitulgala with certified guides
  • Temple of the Tooth guided visit
  • Diyaluma Falls abseiling with certified guide and full safety equipment
  • Guided Vedda community walk
  • Gal Oya boat safari
  • Private jeep safaris at Yala, two drives
  • Guided Galle Fort walking tour
  • All airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • 12 nights accommodation as specified above
  • Daily breakfast at each property
  • 24/7 on-ground support throughout

Exclusions

  • International flights to/from Colombo
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Lunches and dinners unless specified
  • Yala National Park entrance fee (approximately USD 25-35pp)
  • Personal spending, souvenirs and tipping

Enquire Now

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