Essential Sri Lanka

11 Days | Spot wildlife on safari, soak up some beachside sun and sip the finest Sri Lankan tea

4.8 out of 5 based on 19 reviews submitted.
18 to 29s
From
AUD $1,429
View dates and book
This trip is for the 18 to 29 year olds

Take Sri Lanka, boil it like the tea leaves the country’s famous for and strain out all the best stuff. On this 11-day trip through natural paradise, small villages and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, you’ll wander past barracuda at the Negombo Fish Market, search for elephants in Yala National Park, feast on spicy curry prepared by a local in Ella, hike through lush mountains and get horizontal on the beach in Unawatuna – Sri Lanka’s idyllic beach spot, perfect for lounging, tanning (don’t forget the sunscreen) and sipping cocktails. With a local leader who knows where to find all the best teahouses and a group of likeminded travellers, this one’s gotta be an adventure of a lifetime!

Trip overview

Map of Essential Sri Lanka including Sri Lanka
Start
Negombo, Sri Lanka
Finish
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Theme
18 to 29s
Destinations
Sri Lanka
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Basix
Ages
Min 18 - Max 29
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
HPYL
This trip generates 33.21 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.
Bucket list destinations

Tick off all the popular spots and enjoy unique local experiences

Great value

Affordable trips with the freedom to choose how you spend your time

Responsible travel

You book, we donate to help support local communities


Why you'll love this trip
  • Cruise around in a 4WD on a wildlife safari, searching for majestic elephants, lone leopards and aquatic birdlife in Yala National Park.
  • Learn the benefits of washing down a spicy curry with piping-hot Ceylon tea during lunch in a lush mountain village near Ella in a local home.
  • Kick back on the warm sands of paradisical palm-lined Unawatuna, with plenty of free time to soak up the sun at the beach and the opportunity for an optional whale-watching tour.
  • Leave the imprint of your face on the train window as you stare out wide-eyed on a journey from Kandy to Ella – this scenic rail ride is basically a six-hour nature documentary, there’s so much amazing scenery!
  • Enjoy super fun included activities mixed with plenty of free time to choose your own adventure – maybe use some of it to visit UNESCO World Heritage Site Sigiriya. These palace ruins sit atop a massive rock structure surrounded by gardens and are a must-see for any Sri Lanka visit.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid 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?
  • This trip puts the power in your hands – there’s tonnes of free time for optional activities, so you’ll have plenty of freedom to decide what you want to do.
  • The road from Ella to Tissamaharama takes a winding road down the mountains to the coast, which means the drive can feel a little slow. But don't worry, it also means that you’ll get to see the awesome scenery from literally every angle.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2023

Map of Essential Sri Lanka including Sri Lanka

Inclusions

Meals

10 breakfasts, 1 lunch

Transport

Train, Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (8 nights), Hostel (Multi-share) (2 nights)

Activities
  • Negombo - Fish market
  • Mawanella - Spice Garden visit
  • Kandy - Scenic train ride to Ella
  • Ella - Trek to Ella Gap
  • Ella - Nine Arch Bridge
  • Ella - Lunch at a Local Family Home
  • Yala/Udawalawe National Park - Wildlife safari
  • Galle - Walking tour
  • Colombo – Guided Market Visit
  • Galle - Local train ride to Colombo
Add on activities
  • Sigiriya - Lion Rock Fortress (entrance) - USD30
  • Dambulla - Cave temples (entrance) - USD7
  • Kandy - Cooking Class with Dinner - USD15
  • Kandy - Botanical Gardens - USD7
  • Kandy - Cooking Class in a Sinhalese Home - USD8
  • Kandy - Temple of the Tooth - USD7
  • Kandy - Cultural Dance Performance - USD4
  • Mirissa - Whale Watching (Nov to Mar) - USD55

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement is not available on Days 3 and 4 (Kandy) and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. The Perahera Festival is a 10-day period of evening processions to honour the Sacred Tooth, which is enshrined at Kandy's Temple of the Tooth. Each night features thousands of perfomers, including dancers, drummers, and a parade of more than 50 decorated elephants. Due to Intrepid's stance on elephant cruelty we do not visit the Perahera Festival and cannot purchase tickets on your behalf.
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.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 based on 19 reviews submitted.
While we try our best to display all reviews, removal may be due to the following: privacy concerns, profanity/inappropriate content or it is unrelated to this trip. We welcome honest feedback and will directly respond to negative reviews.

Filter by rating

Ellie · Traveled July 2023
Fantastic tour, the perfect mix of activities (something for everyone!) and a great way to see the country. Locals are incredibly friendly and our tour guide Mathisha was brilliant. Cannot recommend this enough! Made friends and memories for life too :)
Review submitted 25 Jul 2023

Nicholas · Traveled July 2023
Fantastic trip with something different every day! Really great taste of an amazing country. Our tour guide Mathisha was excellent and we felt in safe hands the whole time. Highly recommended.
Review submitted 25 Jul 2023

John · Traveled February 2023
The best experience of my life! There was no bad days on this trip. 110% recommend
Review submitted 15 Feb 2023

Tristan · Traveled February 2023
During this tour I experienced an entirely different culture of people, with a fascinating history and religion Srilanka is an unforgettable country and I wouldn't have experienced half of without this tour! 100% would recommend!
Review submitted 13 Feb 2023

Jemima · Traveled February 2023
If you’re undecided about visiting Sri Lanka please let this be a sign to go ahead and book it! It’s a beautiful country with so much to see, from rolling tea plantations to misty valleys, jungle to elephant safaris and beaches. We had a fantastic time on this tour and our leader, Ku was absolutely brilliant from start to finish. I really can’t recommend this trip enough
Review submitted 13 Feb 2023
Essential Sri Lanka
From
AUD $1,429