Original
Explorer
Best of Sri Lanka
15 Days | Hill country to Colombo, fuelled by curry and cups of tea
4.9
Excellent
circlelocation_on 15 days
location_on
Negombo, Sri Lanka
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Colombo, Sri Lanka
tour
HPSH
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15
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1 - 12
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12 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
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Private vehicle, Public Bus, Train, Bicycle
bed
Hotels (11 nights), Lodge (1 night), Guesthouse (1 night), Permanent Tented Camp (with basic facilities) (1 nt)
From £1,990(15 days)
Trip Informations
This tour eliminates guess work and immerses you in the must-sees, must-tastes and must-meets of this beautiful country. In other words, the best stuff. Like summiting Lion Rock in Sigiriya, cycling through sprawling ancient city ruins in Anuradhapura and touring massive granite Buddha carvings in Polonnaruwa. But the best doesn’t just mean the biggest. The best is also having lunch with a Tamil tea worker in their home, relaxing with a cold beer and your feet in the sand in Mirissa and hiking between plantations and villages in Haputale. In fact, we think the best is doing all that and more in one 15-day tour.
Why you’ll love this trip
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Ride around the ancient ruins of Anuradhapura on a bike tour, cycling through the jungle to see the dagobas, palaces, and pools of a city abandoned over 1000 years ago.
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Climb the rock fortress of Sigiriya to the ancient ruins that lie atop the 200-metre-high summit and get panoramic views over the surrounding wilderness.
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Explore the divine city of Kandy, mingling with pilgrims at the Temple of the Tooth, touring a tea factory, and taking in the views of this lush lakefront town.
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Fall in love with Sri Lankan food and get to know locals during experiences like lunching with a Tamil tea worker and a home-cooking demonstration.
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Unwind on the sandy beaches of Mirissa, where the waters are clear and warm, and monkeys play in the swaying palms that line the shores.
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By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Tuuur Foundation partner, Zero Plastic. Donations help them educate Sri Lankan communities about the impact of plastic on the environment and reduce plastic pollution in the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya.
Is this trip right for you?
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The summer months in Sri Lanka are very hot with short, sharp monsoons in the southwest of the country. Please consider your suitability to the time of year you wish to travel and be sure to use adequate sun protection and drink plenty of water.
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This trip includes hiking on Days 9 and 10, an awesome way to see the picturesque hill country and interact with the local Tamil people. The hike is over relatively flat ground and covers approximately 10-12 km each day. We recommend a basic level of fitness as some have found the experience physically demanding. Parts of the trails are on rough ground which can be muddy and slippery if it’s been raining. If you feel you are not able to complete these walks, we can arrange vehicle transport for you.
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The views from the top of Lion Rock in Sigiriya are spectacular, but getting there involves walking up uneven, narrow steps and navigating tight walkways. If you’ve got a fear of heights or conditions that affect mobility you may wish to sit this activity out.
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The drive to Mirissa on Day 11 is downhill, windy and slow. Motion sickness has been an issue for some travellers in the past. If you believe you might be affected, speak with your GP before travelling about medication that can help.
Itinerary
- DAY 1Negombo
- DAY 2Anuradhapura
- DAY 3Anuradhapura
- DAY 4Polonnaruwa
- DAY 5Dambulla
- DAY 6Sigiriya – Kandy
- DAY 7Kandy
- DAY 8Bandarawela
- DAY 9Haputale
- DAY 10Udawalawe Jungle Camp
- DAY 11Mirissa
- DAY 12Mirissa
- DAY 13Galle
- DAY 14Colombo
- DAY 15Colombo
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
12 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
airport_shuttle Transport
Private vehicle, Public Bus, Train, Bicycle
bed Accommodation
Hotels (11 nights), Lodge (1 night), Guesthouse (1 night), Permanent Tented Camp (with basic facilities) (1 nt)
festival Activities
circleAnuradhapura - Bodhi Tree Temple
circleAnuradhapura - Bike tour
circlePolonnaruwa - Bike Tour
circleDambulla - Cave Temples
circleKandy - Temple of the Tooth
circleSigiriya - Lion Rock Fortress Visit
circleKandy - Tea factory visit
circleBandarawela - Cooking demonstration & local meal
circleKandy to Bandarawela – Scenic train ride
circleHill Country trek
circleGalle - Walking tour
circleGalle - Traditional Sri Lankan Wood Carving - demonstration and participation
circleColombo - City tour by bus
museum Add on activities
circleMinneriya National Park - Jeep hire (minimum 6 pax) - USD45
circleMinneriya National Park (entrance) - USD45
circleKandy - Cultural Dance Performance - USD7
circleKandy - Botanical Gardens - USD10
circleUdawalawe National Park - Entrance fee - per person - USD45
circleUdawalawe National Park - Jeep hire (minimum 6 pax) per jeep - USD45
circleMirissa - Whale Watching (Nov to Mar) - USD70
circleExplore Galle by Bicycle - USD25
circleExplore Galle by bicycle with market visit and local lunch - USD35
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Sunday Oct 13, 2024
Sunday Oct 27, 2024
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Friday Oct 18, 2024
Friday Nov 01, 2024
Trip size max: 12 - 5 spaces left
£2,299£2,069
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Sunday Oct 20, 2024
Sunday Nov 03, 2024
Trip size max: 12 - 2 spaces left
£2,211£1,990
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Wednesday Oct 23, 2024
Wednesday Nov 06, 2024
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£2,129
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Sunday Oct 27, 2024
Sunday Nov 10, 2024
Trip size max: 12 - 1 space left
£2,464£2,218
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Sunday Nov 03, 2024
Sunday Nov 17, 2024
Trip size max: 12 - 2 spaces left
£2,316£2,084
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Wednesday Nov 06, 2024
Wednesday Nov 20, 2024
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£2,129
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Friday Nov 08, 2024
Friday Nov 22, 2024
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Sunday Nov 10, 2024
Sunday Nov 24, 2024
Trip size max: 12 - 3 spaces left
£2,360£2,124
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Friday Nov 15, 2024
Friday Nov 29, 2024
Trip size max: 12 - 2 spaces left
£2,365£2,128
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Sunday Nov 17, 2024
Sunday Dec 01, 2024
Trip size max: 12 - 7 spaces left
£2,299£2,069
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Friday Nov 22, 2024
Friday Dec 06, 2024
Trip size max: 12 - 7 spaces left
£2,299£2,069
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Sunday Nov 24, 2024
Sunday Dec 08, 2024
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£2,173
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Friday Nov 29, 2024
Friday Dec 13, 2024
Trip size max: 12 - 2 spaces left
£2,299£2,069
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Sunday Dec 01, 2024
Sunday Dec 15, 2024
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Important notes
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1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
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2. In the wet season, we occasionally need to alter the length and itinerary of the Hill Country hike due to weather conditions.
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3. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking for train tickets. Fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.
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4. Train tickets are in very high demand. We always try our best to secure tickets, but on the rare occasion that we cannot book them, you will continue your journey by private vehicle.
Reviews (287)
5 stars
262
4 stars
23
3 stars
2
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Matthew Fitch
Can’t recommend this tour enough!! We got to experience SO much that Sri Lanka has to offer and learnt SO much about its people, places and religions. A wonderful mix of historical and religious sites and some wonderful adventures in nature. Just do it!!
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Jessie Holder
I was exceptionally impressed with Dodan and his leadership in our tour. He is a passionate and dedicated guide and went above and beyond all expectations. Sri Lanka is a beautiful country and I enjoyed every second of this journey. You see cultural, mountainous and seaside destinations and the best of it all.
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Joanne Cleal
Just do it!! You won’t regret! Sri Lanka is such a beautiful country and the diversity, culture and people are amazing! Our leader Sam was outstanding, always going above and beyond ensuring we missed nothing! Despite being an action packed itinerary, I was able to relax and immerse myself into the experience, as all I had to worry about was what time to be ready. I’m hooked on Intrepid!
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Michelle Glover
Holy Moly! I can’t recommend this tour enough. Great itinerary, led by the awesome Sam and his crew. They really took every opportunity to immerse us in Sri Lankan culture and nothing was too much for them. Their hardwork, often in the background meant the tour was organised and timed to perfection. Their relationship with the local people served to provide us with the best local community experiences. Highlights were definitely the safaris in which we saw elephants, bears a leopard and much more and the train journeys through the stunning Sri Lankan mountains
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Sara Erickson
This trip has it all: wildlife safaris, cities, villages, mountains, beaches, incredible food, rich culture, and a philosophy of kindness and living in the present. I’m grateful for this experience, and I highly recommend it!
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Elizabeth McCormack
Sri Lanka was outstanding.
The tour was so well organised,
It catered for all standards,
No opportunities were missed,
The guide went above & beyond expectations.
Felt safe & well care for the entire trip.
Would never have seen & experienced anything like what we did in the same time..
Our guide’s knowledge, generosity & infectious love for his country made the trip so much more, I simply cannot find the appropriate words.
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Gillian Johnston
I woukd highly recommend this beautiful country SriLanka to those who are looking for a blend of culture, super cuisine and interesting activities...and fun !
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Krisha Patel
Great trip! Would recommend it
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Anthony Vine
Once again Intrepid had provided us with an unforgettable experience. From the Ancient temples to the peacefulness of Kandy and the colonial fort of Galle, we travelled safely with an excellent guide (Ajith) learning so much about this beautiful country.
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Thierry Menage
An incredible trip, with a great crew of fellow travellers and the best tour guide I’ve ever had !! You know you’ve had a great trip when two weeks feels like two months of memories !!