Sri Lanka: Leopard Safaris, Tea Highlands & Ancient Temples

  • thumbnail image_srilankaleopardsafaristeahighlandsancienttemples
  • thumbnail map_srilankaleopardsafaristeahighlandsancienttemples

Duration: 11 days

Begins: Colombo

Ends: Negombo

Trip Code: ASCN

From

£2,199 per person

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    Sri Lanka rarely does one thing at a time. In Yala, leopards move through the undergrowth as if daring you to look away, while up in Ella and Nuwara Eliya, tea terraces climb into the mist and the pace slows to a crawl. Ancient temples, sun-warmed coastal towns, and home-cooked curry round out an island that somehow fits several countries' worth of character into one.
    Is this tour for me?
    Travel Style
    The Geluxe Collection
    With perfectly paced itineraries, one-of-a-kind accommodations, and comfort at their very core, these premium active trips are adventure at its finest.
    Service Level
    Upgraded
    Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other G Adventures tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.
    Physical Rating
    3 - Average
    Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.
    Trip Type
    Small Group
    Age requirement
    12+
    All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
    What's Included
    • Your G for Good Moment: Lunch at Sthree Craft Shop and Café, Kandy
    • Your G for Good Moment: Reed Weaving Community Project, Dambulla
    • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Meeting & Dinner - Meet your CEO and Group, Colombo
    • Madu River boat safari through mangroves and village waterways in Ambalangoda
    • Traditional mask-making workshop and cultural visit in Ambalangoda
    • Authentic home-style cooking experience with a local family in Tissamaharama
    • Visit to the sacred Kataragama Shrine and evening devotional ceremony
    • Leopard safari and wildlife game drives in Yala National Park
    • Scenic stop at Ravana Falls and journey through Sri Lanka’s southern highlands
    • Walk across Nine Arch Bridge and tea country viewpoints in Ella
    • Trek through Horton Plains National Park to World’s End
    • Tea factory visit and colonial town exploration in Nuwara Eliya
    • Cultural exploration and Temple of the Tooth visit in Kandy
    • Community craft experience and village lunch in Kandy region
    • Village coconut experience and rural artisan visit in Naula
    • Climb of Sigiriya Rock Fortress and exploration of ancient royal ruins
    • Cycling through Dambulla countryside villages and farmland
    • Cave temple visit in Dambulla
    • Arrival and departure transfers
    • All transportation included between activities
    • All tips except for CEO and porterage

    Allow USD175-230 for meals not included.

    Day 1 : Arrival in Sri Lanka

    Welcome to Sri Lanka! Your tour begins at the Colombo airport where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This evening, meet your fellow travellers and CEO to learn more about the trip ahead, then enjoy a welcome dinner together.

    Please arrive in Sri Lanka by 3:00 PM for the welcome meeting and included welcome dinner.

    Arrival Transfer

    Bandaranaike International Airport - Colombo

    You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.

    Welcome Meeting & Dinner - Meet your CEO and Group

    Colombo

    This is an opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers while learning more about the journey ahead. Please check the notice in the hotel lobby, or speak with reception, for the confirmed time and location of the welcome meeting. Following the briefing, join the group for a welcome dinner and the chance to get acquainted before the adventure begins.

    Acommodation

    Radisson Colombo

    Acommodation

    Radisson Colombo

    Meals Included:

    Dinner

    Day 2 : Southern Sri Lanka

    Depart Colombo and travel south to Ambalangoda, enjoying views of Sri Lanka’s scenic coastline along the way. Enjoy a boat ride through peaceful mangrove waterways, including visits to traditional coir rope-making communities. Continue to the Tukkawadu Mask Museum and Conservation Centre to learn about Sri Lanka’s rich mask-making heritage and participate in a hands-on mask painting experience. Travel to the historic city of Galle and explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Galle Fort, with time to wander its charming streets, boutiques, and cafés at your own pace.

    Private Vehicle

    Colombo - Ambalangoda 2h30m - 2h30m

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Madu River Boat Ride

    Ambalangoda

    Embark on an Madu River boat ride, cruising through tranquil mangroves, traditional villages, and coir rope-making communities.

    Visit Tukkawadu Traditional Masks & Dance Conservation Center

    Ambalangoda

    Visit the Tukkawadu Traditional Masks & Dance Conservation Center to discover the rich history and cultural significance of Sri Lanka’s iconic masks. Then, take part in a hands-on mask painting experience, creating your own unique piece inspired by this centuries-old artistic tradition.

    Private Vehicle

    Ambalangoda - Galle 1h - 1h30m

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Galle Fort Tour

    Galle - Hikkaduwa

    Visit the Galle Fort, a 16th-century fort first built by the Portuguese, and later occupied by the Dutch. The ramparts are still standing even after being battered by Mother Nature, including the 2004 tsunami.

    Acommodation

    La Grande Galle

    Acommodation

    La Grande Galle

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch

    Day 3 : Journey to Yala

    Travel to Tissamaharama, a gateway to Yala National Park. Upon arrival, enjoy an interactive cooking demonstration followed by a freshly prepared lunch. After checking in to your hotel, enjoy some free time to relax before an evening visit to Kataragama, one of Sri Lanka’s most revered pilgrimage sites. Experience the vibrant atmosphere of the temple during the evening pooja ceremony, offering a fascinating insight into the island’s spiritual traditions.

    Private Vehicle

    Galle - Tissamaharama 2h15m - 2h30m

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Cooking Class and Lunch

    Tissamaharama

    Enjoyan authentic cooking demonstration with a local Sri Lankan family, followed by a traditional lunch. Discover regional ingredients, local cooking techniques, and the rich culinary heritage of southern Sri Lanka.

    Kataragama Visit

    Kudaoya

    Enjoy a visit to this pilgrimage town and temple. People of varying religions visit Kataragama to pay their respects. Usually, you can spot men covered in ash and chanting sacred vows, and hear the music of drums and brass flutes.

    Acommodation

    Ekho Safari

    Acommodation

    Ekho Safari

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch

    Day 4 : Your OMG Day

    Today is your OMG Day! Choose how you'd like to experience Sri Lanka's remarkable wildlife and natural landscapes this morning by opting in for an early safari in Yala National Park or enjoy a guided nature walk around Debarawewa, featuring birdwatching, a village visit, and a short tuk-tuk ride through the countryside. Return to the hotel to relax and make the most of the property's facilities before heading out for an afternoon safari in Yala National Park.

    Morning Safari or Debarawewa Nature & Village Experience

    Yala

    Option 1 – Embark on an exciting wildlife safari through Sri Lanka’s most famous national park. Option 2 – Enjoy a guided nature walk around the scenic Debarawewa Lake, combining birdwatching, village interactions, and a short tuk-tuk ride through the local countryside, offering a glimpse into rural Sri Lankan life.

    Afternoon Safari in Yala National Park

    Yala National Park

    Head out on a safari in Yala National Park. Keep an eye out for leopards, elephants, jackals, sloth bears, sambars, spotted deer, crocodiles, and more than 200 bird species. Learn about its diverse wildlife and the history of the park.

    Acommodation

    Ekho Safari

    Acommodation

    Ekho Safari

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Dinner

    Day 5 : Travel to Nuwara Eliya

    Journey through Sri Lanka’s picturesque hill country to Ella, stopping along the way to admire the cascading Ravana Falls. Continue to the iconic Nine Arch Bridge, where a scenic nature walk offers spectacular views of one of the country's most photographed landmarks, surrounded by lush tea plantations and jungle-covered hills. After free time for lunch, transfer to your hotel and the remainder of the afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace before dinner at the hotel in the evening.

    Private Vehicle

    Yala National Park - Ella 2h30m - 3h

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Demodara Nine Arch Bridge

    Ella

    The iconic Nine Arch Bridge made of stone and cement is a viaduct connecting Ella and Demodara train stations. Don't look down, this 100 year old bridge, also referred to as the "Nine Skies Bridge", can be found almost 3100 feet above sea level. With train service still operating, check the train schedule and be sure to catch a glimpse of the bridge in action!

    Private Vehicle

    Ella - Nuwara Eliya 2h30m - 2h45m

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Acommodation

    The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya

    Acommodation

    The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Dinner

    Day 6 : Horton Plains Trek

    Set out early for Horton Plains National Park and enjoy a guided trek through one of Sri Lanka’s most spectacular highland landscapes. Home to dramatic escarpments, cloud forests, and sweeping grasslands, the park offers breathtaking scenery and unique wildlife.

    Horton Plains Trek

    Horton Plains Nature Reserve - Nuwara Eliya 4h - 4h30m 9km

    Get close to nature and stunning scenery on this Horton Plains Trek. Hike 9km (6 mi) into the Horton Plains and walk through the clouds to discover a majestic drop that provides amazing views over the plains into the sea.

    Acommodation

    The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya

    Acommodation

    The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Dinner

    Day 7 : Tea Country Journey to Kandy

    Travel to Kandy, stopping en route to visit a local tea factory and learn about Sri Lanka’s famous black tea production process. On arrival in Kandy, visit the Sthree Craft Centre, a G Adventures supported project, followed by lunch and a brief panoramic drive through the city. Continue to the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of Sri Lanka’s most important cultural and religious sites. Afterward, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

    Private Vehicle

    Nuwara Eliya - Kandy 3h - 3h30m

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Tea Plantation Visit

    Nuwara Eliya 1h - 1h30m

    The town of Nuwara Eliya produces the finest Orange Pekoe Ceylon tea, and is inhabited mainly by tea planters and plantation workers. Pay a visit to one of the factories to learn all about tea production.

    Lunch at Sthree Craft Shop and Café

    Kandy

    Stop for a delicious traditional Sri Lankan lunch prepared by Sthree Craft Shop and Café. This social enterprise offers opportunities for local women and youth living with disabilities, through handicraft and hospitality training.

    Temple of the Sacred Tooth Tour

    Kandy 1h - 1h36m

    Enjoy a tour of the Temple of the Tooth, which houses an important relic – a tooth of Lord Buddha kept in a well-preserved golden casket. Learn about the importance of this site from local guides.

    Acommodation

    Radission Hotel Kandy

    Optional Activities - Day 7

    Kandyan Cultural Dance

    Kandy 1h

    Be swept away by an entertaining performance that will provide insight into the local culture in Kandy.

    Acommodation

    Radission Hotel Kandy

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch

    Day 8 : Naula Village & Sigiriya Rock Fortress

    Depart for the Cultural Triangle, stopping in Naula Village for an immersive coconut experience with a local family, including demonstrations of traditional coir-making, toddy tapping, and coconut crafts. Continue to Sigiriya for lunch and climb the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress before heading to Dambulla/Kandalama for hotel check-in.

    Private Vehicle

    Kandy - Sigiriya 3h

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Naula Coconut Experience

    Naula

    Arrive in Naula Village for an exclusive visit with a local family to explore Sri Lanka’s traditional coconut-based industries. Watch demonstrations of coir-making, toddy tapping, and coconut product processing, and gain insight into the cultural importance of the “Tree of Life” in rural life.

    Arrive in Naula Village for an exclusive visit with a local family to explore Sri Lanka’s traditional coconut-based industries. Watch demonstrations of coir-making, toddy tapping, and coconut product processing, and gain insight into the cultural importance of the “Tree of Life” in rural life.

    Sigiriya Rock Fortress Visit

    Sigiriya 2h - 3h

    Be mesmerized by this rock fortress, which captivates every visitor with its well-laid out gardens, caves, monasteries, and palaces adorned with beautiful wall motifs. Start at the water gardens and climb more than 1,200 steps to reach the top. Pass caves with frescoes and boulders to find the ruins of a palace on the flat surface of the old volcanic magma rock. The rock rests 370m (1,213 ft) above sea level with a shear drop on all sides.

    Acommodation

    The Paradise Dambulla

    Acommodation

    The Paradise Dambulla

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch

    Day 9 : Dambulla

    Begin the day with a village cycling tour in Dambulla, offering an immersive look at rural life over peaceful countryside trails. Continue to the Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO-listed site known for its ancient rock temples and impressive Buddhist murals and statues. In the afternoon, opt in for a safari at Minneriya National Park, renowned for its large elephant gatherings, followed by a guided game drive through the park.

    Dambulla Cycling Tour

    Dambulla

    Set out on a guided village cycling tour through the scenic countryside of Dambulla. Cycle past traditional villages, lush farmland, and rural landscapes while experiencing the authentic charm of local Sri Lankan life.

    Dambulla Cave Temple Visit

    Sigiriya 1h - 1h30m

    Visit the ancient Dambulla cave temples at one of the most well-preserved temple and cave sites in Sri Lanka. See Buddhist mural paintings that line the walls of the seventh-century caves as well as a collection of hundreds of statues of Buddha in different poses.

    Acommodation

    The Paradise Dambulla

    Optional Activities - Day 9

    Minneriya National Park Safari

    Sigiriya

    Take a Safari through Minneriya National Park and see some of the incredible local wildlife in Sri Lanka. This park boasts multiple endemic species, like the purple-faced langur and the toque macaque. It is also common to see elephants, Sri Lankan sambar deer and Sri Lankan axis deer. If we're lucky, there's a chance to see rarer species like Sri Lankan leopard and the Sri Lankan sloth bear.

    Acommodation

    The Paradise Dambulla

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch

    Day 10 : Dambulla/Negombo

    Depart for a visit to a G Adventures supported project and learn about the traditional craft of reed weaving from local artisans. Continue to Kurunegala for free time for lunch before travelling to the coastal town of Waikkal. After checking in to your hotel, enjoy a relaxing afternoon at leisure. This evening, come together for a farewell dinner and celebrate the end of your Sri Lankan adventure.

    Private Vehicle

    Dambulla - Negombo 2h45m - 3h

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Reed Weaving Community Project

    Dambulla

    Interact with local artisans while learning about the cultural significance of reed weaving and its role in supporting sustainable livelihoods.

    Acommodation

    Club Hotel Dolphin Waikalli

    Acommodation

    Club Hotel Dolphin Waikalli

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Dinner

    Day 11 : Departure Day

    Enjoy a relaxed morning with breakfast at the hotel before checking out. Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo for your onward flight, bringing your Sri Lankan journey to a close.

    Departure Day

    Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

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