Sri Lanka Rustic Adventure Tour

Your Itinerary

Days 1 to 3 - Jump straight in - head to your first Adventure stop

Welcome to Sri Lanka!

We’ll collect you from the airport and get started with your adventure right away. Arrive in Kitulgala and stay at Borderlands Eco Lodge for a couple of nights, filling your days with a busy schedule of activities. White Water Rafting, Kayaking, Canyoning, Hiking, Caving, Fishing, Cycling and more

All your delicious local meals are taken care of by the lodge and dining is a sociable affair in the evening.

Accommodation

Days 3 to 6 - Eco Lodge stay

After breakfast, your driver will take you to one of our favourite eco lodges in the country. Hidden in the greenery away from the crowds, with welcoming hosts that know the area so well and will gladly guide you on treks and visits to the villages, welcome you into their spice gardens and provide more excellent local meals – stay here on a full board basis.

You can also explore the area they are managing for reforestation via the Forest Healing Foundation while staying here.

One of the days, set out on a more challenging hike into the Knuckles Mountain Range. You’ll find fantastic views, birds and rare lizards.

Accommodation

Days 6 to 8 - Up up up in to the higher hill country

Spend a couple of nights in beautiful Ella, home of Little Adams Peak, Ella Rock, the famed Nine Arch Bridge, and even adrenalin sports like zip lining.

Choose one of the beautiful hotels we love in the hills, stay on a breakfast only basis and dine out in the evenings in Ella.

Days 8 to 10 - Camp and safari in Yala

Transfer to Yala for a couple of nights camping and head out on safaris. We can recommend a simple campsite or more luxurious one, whichever feels right for you. During your stay in the park, all meals are covered – and sometimes drinks too!

Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s most famous National Park and with good reason, as it is home to an amazing range of wildlife including majestic elephants, fine-feathered peacocks, great black bears and agile leopards.

After your stay here, head home – or extend with a short beach stay if you prefer.

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

Exploring Sri Lanka