Sri Lanka
Off-the-beaten track in Sri Lanka
There’s so much more to Sri Lanka than the Cultural Triangle. We believe that (sometimes) the best travel experiences are those that are lesser known and further afield from popular haunts. This tour takes a sidestep off the well beaten tourist trail and highlights a few lesser explored destinations of the island, uncovers fascinating travel experiences and stories by spending some quality time with local people and learning more about their cultures, traditions and way of life.
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1: Colombo
Arrive in Colombo. Upon arrival, you will be met by our colleague who will escort you to your hotel and help you to check-in.
Meals: None
Meals: None
Day 2 & 3: Jaffna
You will take a flight to Jaffna.
On arrival, you will visit a local home where you will be served a traditional northern Sri Lankan lunch. After lunch, you will check-in to your hotel. Later that afternoon, you will visit the Jaffna Library, the local markets and Jaffna Fort.
The next day, you will visit the Jaffna fish market to watch the auction of the day’s fresh catch and the ‘North Ceylon Community Women’s Sarvodayam’, a charity caring for the orphans and widows affected by the 30-year Civil war that devastated the country, especially the North.
You will then visit a local resident’s home for a scrumptious traditional meal and to learn more about the local life in Jaffna. Afterwards, you will visit a village of wood craftsmen.
You will also visit the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, a significant Hindu temple. In the temple you will have the opportunity to participate in the ‘puja’ (if you like), where you will offer a basket of fruits to the Hindu deities and crack a coconut on a rock whilst making a wish.
Meals: B, L
On arrival, you will visit a local home where you will be served a traditional northern Sri Lankan lunch. After lunch, you will check-in to your hotel. Later that afternoon, you will visit the Jaffna Library, the local markets and Jaffna Fort.
The next day, you will visit the Jaffna fish market to watch the auction of the day’s fresh catch and the ‘North Ceylon Community Women’s Sarvodayam’, a charity caring for the orphans and widows affected by the 30-year Civil war that devastated the country, especially the North.
You will then visit a local resident’s home for a scrumptious traditional meal and to learn more about the local life in Jaffna. Afterwards, you will visit a village of wood craftsmen.
You will also visit the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, a significant Hindu temple. In the temple you will have the opportunity to participate in the ‘puja’ (if you like), where you will offer a basket of fruits to the Hindu deities and crack a coconut on a rock whilst making a wish.
Meals: B, L
Day 4 – 6: Trincomalee
You will drive to Trincomalee (approximately 3 hours, excluding stops).
During your stay, you will have the option to participate in the following activities:
During your stay, you will have the option to participate in the following activities:
- Visit The Maritime and Naval History Museum
- Visit Manayaweli Cove for fishing
- Visit Pigeon Island or Kokilai Lagoon for birding
- Private whale watching expedition by a private speed boat or sail boat
- Visit Nilaveli beach for snorkelling.
Day 7 – 9: Anuradhapura
You will drive to Anuradhapura (approximately 2.5 hours, excluding stops).
During your stay, you will visit Ruwanweliseya Stupa and Shri Maha Bodhiya (sacred tree) to witness the Buddhism festival at sunset. You will also have the opportunity to interact with the monks.
You will also witness a private demonstration of Sri Lanka’s indigenous martial art, Angampora and visit a Buddhist monastery to participate in a traditional ‘alms-giving’ lunch ceremony for resident monks who have only one meal a day i.e. mid -morning.
On one of the days, you will take a full-day game drive at Wilpattu National Park. The highlight of a Wilpattu safari are leopards, sloth bears, elephants, spotted deer, barking deer, sambar, wild boar, Asiatic buffalo and mugger crocodiles.
Meals: B
During your stay, you will visit Ruwanweliseya Stupa and Shri Maha Bodhiya (sacred tree) to witness the Buddhism festival at sunset. You will also have the opportunity to interact with the monks.
You will also witness a private demonstration of Sri Lanka’s indigenous martial art, Angampora and visit a Buddhist monastery to participate in a traditional ‘alms-giving’ lunch ceremony for resident monks who have only one meal a day i.e. mid -morning.
On one of the days, you will take a full-day game drive at Wilpattu National Park. The highlight of a Wilpattu safari are leopards, sloth bears, elephants, spotted deer, barking deer, sambar, wild boar, Asiatic buffalo and mugger crocodiles.
Meals: B
Day 10: Negombo
You will drive to Negombo (approximately 4.5 hours, excluding stops).
On arrival, you will check-in to your hotel and the remainder of the day is at leisure.
Meals: B
On arrival, you will check-in to your hotel and the remainder of the day is at leisure.
Meals: B
Day 11: Negombo – Colombo & Depart
Today, you will be met by our colleague in the lobby of your hotel, and he will escort you to the airport in time to check-in for your homeward flight (details to be advised).
Meals: B
Meals: B
Snapshots from the itinerary
