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Exploring Sri Lanka

Experience & Adventure

If you are keen to arrange a unique holiday for your family our Experience & Adventure itinerary is for you.

Carefully designed, this itinerary covers all the things that Sri Lanka is most famous for without falling into any of the normal tourist traps, as you stay off the beaten track. Camp under the stars, interact with remote local communities, witness age old traditions such as the pilgrimage to Adam’s Peak, enjoy some thrilling adrenaline sports and spot wild animals in the lesser visited Wilpattu National Park.

With a wonderful blend of back to basics accommodation and luxurious comfort, you will come back feeling rested while the children will have had a proper adventure.

Your Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive & Get Stuck In

Land at Colombo International Airport from where your driver will transfer you immediately to The Mud House in the remote Puttulam District of Sri Lanka.

The Mud House is a eco project located on the outskirts of a typical, rural, Sri Lankan village. The majority of the people are farmers and the area is surrounded by acres of paddy fields which are irrigated by the various tanks (lakes). Most of the roads are made of earth and the local village of Paramakanda was only connected to mains electricity in 2012.

Day 2 & 3 - Explore & Learn

There are endless things to do while at the Mud House and most can be reached by bicycle. Therefore start your day with a guide bike ride through village roads to the Paramakanda Temple and Tonigala Rock. For lunch enjoy a lakeside picnic and then some kayaking or swimming. Other activities include nature trails, bird watching and cookery classes with the Mud House’s excellent team on hand to look after you throughout.

Day 4 & 5 - Wilpattu National Park

From the Mud House it is not far to Wilpattu National Park. Large and just as impressive as the well known Yala National Park in the south, Wilpattu’s location means it benefits from smaller visitor numbers. This means you are unlikely to find yourself in a traffic jam and almost feel as though you have the park to yourself.

We recommend doing a tented safari with Kulu Safaris. While a fairly expensive option, the team are superb and camping under the stars is a great experience.

Day 6 - Anuradhapura & The Sigiriya Rock Fortress

After leaving the safari park you will make your way to Jim’s Farm, stopping en route at Anuradhapura – which was Sri Lanka’s first capital and a  vast monastical centre that saw the introduction of Buddhism to the country. Again, this sight is less visited by tourist compared to the second capital Polonnaruwa, but it is of huge significance to the people of Sri Lanka to this day. Therefore you are able to observe people practicing their religion in an authentic way.

In the afternoon, climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress which was originally carved into the shape of a lion, before arriving at Jim’s Farm.

Day 7 - Chill Out Day on the Farm

By this stage you should be ready for a rest day and a comfy air-conditioned bedroom. Jim’s Farm is the perfect spot to relax, set on a extensive fruit and spices planation which you can amble through and some lovely surrounding scenery.

Day 8 - Kandy City Tour & Kituagala

You will have an early start from Jim’s Farm and a busy day today. Arrive in to Kandy just after nine o’clock to explore the Temple of the Tooth, Commonwealth Cemetery and (if it is of interest) the Royal Botanical Gardens.

After lunch continue on to Gampola which is 45 minutes south of Kandy. You will be staying at Ellerton Bungalow, a former tea manager’s estate.

Day 9 - Tea Plantations, Kayaking & Canyoning

This morning you can explore the surrounding plantations by bicycle, go for a tour of the Orange Field Tea Factory and sample some tea.

Then, head to Borderlands Adventure Camp in time for a delicious curry lunch overlooking the river. In the afternoon you can go canyoning and kayaking or head off for a jungle trek up to to a cave.

Day 10 - 14: - West Coast Watersports & The Galle Fort

End your trip with 4 or 5 nights on the beach in Bentota. Club Villa is a traditional family run villa with direct beach access. There is plenty to do in the area and the beach is safe for swimming and surfing. For the most authentic local experiences however we recommend taking the train down to the UNESCO Galle Fort, visiting the Beruwela Fish Market and enjoying a fishing catamaran tour on the Lunuganga Lake.

Your driver will depart on arrival at Club Villa but return to transfer you to the airport.

What's included?

INCLUDED:
  • Road transfers and transport for the excursions mentioned, excluding the optional excursions while at Club Villa.
  • 3 Nights Accommodation at The Mud House on a full board basis, including activities.
  • 2 Nights Accommodation at Kulu Safaris on an all inclusive basis, including game drives.
  • 2 Nights Accommodation at Jim’s Farm on a half board basis.
  • 1 Night Accommodation at Ellerton on a half board basis.
  • 1 Nights Accommodation at Borderlands Adventure Camp on a full board basis, including activities.
  • 4 Nights Accommodation at Club Villa on a half board basis.
  • Bike and Kayak hire while at the Mud House.
  • White water rafting, canyoning and trekking while at Borderlands

 

EXCLUDED:
  • International Flights.
  • Entrances fees to the points of interest i.e. Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Temple of the Tooth etc..
  • Meals and drinks not mentioned above.
  • Gratuities for drivers or guides.
  • Personal allowances.
  • Visas and any other prevailing entry requirements at the time of travel
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Colombo
There is only one word to describe Colombo and that is hectic! It can be fun with a handful of good shops and restaurants to explore but we wouldn't overly recommend it as the first point of call for newcomers to Sri Lanka. It isn't a must see. More
Kandy
Kandy is 3 hours from Colombo and the religious heartland of Sri Lanka. It was made a world heritage site in 1988. The city's main attraction is the Temple of the Tooth, home to Sri Lanka 's most precious Buddhist relic which becomes the focus of a fortnight long festival known as the Perahera each July. Other points of interest include the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Royal Botanical Gardens and the Commonwealth Cemetery. More
Negombo
Originally a fishing town the long beaches of Negombo are nowadays dominated by tourists who like the short transfer times from Colombo International Airport. With a few good hotels, Negombo is a popular jumping off point for visitors but it is by far the most touristy town in Sri Lanka and so may not appeal to everyone. More
Bentota
Bentota is just 2 hours from the airport and as such has a good range of facilities such as watersports and local restaurants. There are a number of larger hotels along the main beach, but your likely to have the smaller beaches to yourself. The area is ideal for families with elephant rides on the beach, banana rides year round and Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery nearby. More
Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa is traditionally a surfer town and so has a number of laid back beachfront bars and restaurants, as well as two of the only discos on the island. We have a few accommodation options in Hikkaduwa and recommend it as a day trip from both Bentota and Galle for the glass bottom boat and chance to swim with turtles in the bay. More
Galle Fort
The Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to its Dutch colonial past and makes a great day trip from a coastal villa. It has a real cosmopolitan feel due to boutique gift shops and hotel restaurants, mixed with Moorish, Portuguese, Dutch and British history. It is possible to stay in the fort and definitely fun for a few nights. It is approx 3 hours from the airport.
Adam's Peak
Adam's Peak at 7500 ft high is the most famous physical feature in Sri Lanka and a place of pilgrimage. Sri Lankans come mainly in the month of April to pay their respects to the mountains deity Sumana, while foreigners come to admire the sunrise. The climb takes several hours and is done at night, therefore only suitable for the physically fit. More
Yala National Park
Yala National Park on the southeast tip of the island is the most well known of Sri Lanka 's 15 wildlife reserves. Yala is prime leopard spotting territory, especially in August when the area is at its driest, but it is also home to a healthy population of elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, wild boar, buffalo, jackal and an abundance of bird life. More
Ella
Ella has one of the best views in Sri Lanka - through the Ella Gap to the Kirinda Lighthouse on the coast 1000m below. Ella can be reached by road or rail, 7 hours from Colombo. Home to some lovely waterfalls, working tea estates and mini Adam's Peak you can happily spend a few nights in this charming little hill town. More
Kitugala
Home to the Kelani River, Kitugala is a pretty riverside village dedicated to white water rafting, canyoning and kayaking. More
Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay on the east coast of Sri Lanka is a surf paradise, popular with backpackers during the months of April - September. Best avoided in the off season when most of the local businesses close down. More

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