Adventure
Adventure Sri Lanka
Hiking, safari, the scenic train, surf and waterfalls
An active week: the rock fortress, the hill-country train, Ella on foot, a zipline, two safaris and a surf lesson on the way to the coast.
17 days · Adventure
Grand Island Circuit
Seventeen days: east coast, hill country and the whole south
AdventureBeach & CoastalCulture & HeritageWildlife
- Duration
- 17 days, 16 nights
- Route
- 13 destinations
- Accommodation
- 16 nights
- Transport
- Private, with guide
Overview
This is the fifteen-day east-coast route with the south coast opened right out — Hikkaduwa and Bentota added on the end, and a turtle swim at Hikkaduwa.
Seventeen days means almost nothing is a single night. It is the version for travellers with a long holiday who want to stop moving in the second half.
If you are choosing between this and the fifteen-day tour, the difference is two extra beach stops rather than more sightseeing.
Highlights
- Koneswaram Temple, Nilaveli and optional Pigeon Island snorkelling
- Two nights at Arugam Bay for the surf
- Ella, the Nine Arch Bridge and the Demodara train
- Yala jungle safari and the Koggala turtle hatchery
- Swimming with turtles at Hikkaduwa, then Bentota and Colombo
Day by day
Day 01
Negombo
Arrival
Met at Bandaranaike airport and driven to Negombo. The beach, the lagoon, or the fish market.
Hotel, Negombo or Colombo
Day 02
Sigiriya
North to Sigiriya
The Dambulla Cave Temple, then Sigiriya. An optional evening village tour, or the Minneriya elephant safari.
Hotel, Sigiriya or Dambulla
Day 03
Polonnaruwa
The rock and Polonnaruwa
An early climb up Sigiriya Lion Rock, then the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in the afternoon.
Hotel, Sigiriya or Dambulla
Day 04
Trincomalee
East to Trincomalee
Three and a half hours east. Koneswaram Temple and Fort Frederick, then Uppuveli or Nilaveli beach.
Hotel, Trincomalee
Day 05
Trincomalee
Pigeon Island
Optional snorkelling at Pigeon Island, seasonal whale watching, or simply the beach.
Hotel, Trincomalee
Day 06
Arugam Bay
Down the east coast
The coastal drive south to Arugam Bay, optionally stopping at Passikudah. The beach for the rest of the day.
Hotel, Arugam Bay
Day 07
Arugam Bay
Surf town
Surf lessons or board hire, Elephant Rock and Whiskey Point, and an optional Kumana National Park half-day safari.
Hotel, Arugam Bay
Day 08
Ella
Into the hills
A long scenic drive up to Ella, then Ravana Falls and the view from the hotel.
Hotel, Ella
Day 09
Ella
Ella on foot
Little Adam’s Peak, the Nine Arch Bridge, and the short train run to Demodara. Optional ziplining or the Ella Rock hike.
Hotel, Ella
Day 10
Yala
Yala
Down out of the hills for a jungle safari in Yala National Park.
Hotel, Yala
Day 11
Mirissa
To Mirissa
West along the coast to Mirissa, and the beach.
Beach hotel, Mirissa
Day 12
Unawatuna
Unawatuna
A short hop along the coast to Unawatuna. Swimming, and nothing scheduled.
Beach hotel, Unawatuna
Day 13
Galle
Galle and Koggala
Galle Fort and the old Dutch quarter, the Yatagala temple, Koggala lake and the sea turtle hatchery.
Hotel, Galle Fort or Unawatuna
Day 14
Hikkaduwa
Turtles at Hikkaduwa
North to Hikkaduwa to swim with the turtles that feed off the beach, then the rest of the day in the water.
Beach hotel, Hikkaduwa
Day 15
Bentota
Bentota
A short drive up the coast to Bentota, and a day with nothing in it.
Beach hotel, Bentota
Day 16
Colombo
Back to Colombo
North to the capital. Shopping, and sunset at Galle Face Green.
Hotel, Colombo
Day 17
Colombo
Departure
Transfer to Bandaranaike airport for your flight home.
What is included
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with a driver-guide
- Sixteen nights accommodation with breakfast
- All transfers, including the scenic train tickets from Ella to Demodara
- Hotel options from budget to luxury
Not included
- International flights and visa
- Surfing, snorkelling, whale watching, village tours and safari fees unless agreed at booking
- Most lunches and dinners
- Travel insurance, gratuities and personal expenses
Accommodation
Sixteen nights across eleven bases, at whatever level you choose. Most of the second half is beachfront.
Transport
Private air-conditioned vehicle with a driver-guide throughout, plus the Ella to Demodara rail leg.
The route
- 01Negombo
- 02Sigiriya
- 03Polonnaruwa
- 04Trincomalee
- 05Arugam Bay
- 06Ella
- 07Yala
- 08Mirissa
- 09Unawatuna
- 10Galle
- 11Hikkaduwa
- 12Bentota
- 13Colombo
Gallery
See more in the full gallery.
Important information
- Like the fifteen-day route, this works best around May to September when the east coast is dry.
- Turtles at Hikkaduwa are wild animals feeding in shallow water. Do not touch or chase them.
- Arugam Bay to Ella is five to six hours and is the longest single drive.
Request this tour
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