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15 Days | Fuelled by curry and cups of tea, travel to the hills, plantations, forests and countryside of Sri Lanka
![Traveller on from the outside of the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, Sri Lanka on an Intrepid Travel tour.](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt590c5bb5e876deea/63c8a109ba3c0a11eaa63c98/HPSH_sri-lanka_kandy_temple-of-the-tooth_traveller.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![sri lanka sigiriya lion rock fortress](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blte375c6998d3d4915/63c8a10490bfff5ce1d42ca8/sri-lanka-sigiriya-lion-rock-fortress.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Tuk-tuk on a busy city street in Kandy, Sri Lanka](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt2970d6dabfa2a1fc/63c8a10ec82c4c38f2dbeec5/HPSH_sri-lanka_kandy_tuk-tuk_street.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Group of travellers looking out on landscape from a scenic viewpoint on Sigiriya in Sri Lanka during an Intrepid Travel tour.](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt14651ecece0c25ea/63c8a1135f19960a1aa77882/HPSH_sri-lanka_sigiriya_group-pax_scenic-point.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![A monkey in the foreground with travellers in the background on a wilderness walk in Sri Lanka](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt6ef7b93cfe811f4d/63c8a118f24a9210a363148a/HPSH_sri-lanka_ruins_monkeys_wilderness.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
This 15-day trip immerses you in the must-sees, must-tastes and must-meets of beautiful Sri Lanka. You’ll summit UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lion Rock in Sigiriya, cycle through sprawling ancient city ruins in Anuradhapura and wander the massive granite Buddha carvings in Polonnaruwa. Have lunch with a Tamil tea worker in their home, relax with a cold beer and your feet in the sand in Mirissa and hike between plantations and villages in Haputale. This is the best of Sri Lanka!
Trip overview
![Map of Best Of Sri Lanka including Sri Lanka](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt7d6d6e7e9fbaa682/66de7468c51a6743175fe826/HPSH_2025-1_(1).gif?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
- Start
- Negombo, Sri Lanka
- Finish
- Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Theme
- Explorer
- 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
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- HPSH
- Ride around the ancient ruins of Anuradhapura on a bike tour, cycling through the jungle to see the dagobas, palaces and pools of a city abandoned over 1000 years ago.
- Climb the rock fortress of UNESCO-listed Sigiriya to the ancient ruins that lie atop the 200-m-high summit and get panoramic views over the surrounding wilderness.
- Explore the divine city of Kandy, mingling with pilgrims at the Temple of the Tooth, touring a tea factory, and taking in the views of this lush lakefront town.
- Fall in love with Sri Lankan food and get to know locals during experiences like lunching with a Tamil tea worker and a home-cooking demonstration.
- Unwind on the sandy beaches of Mirissa, where the waters are clear and warm, and monkeys play in the swaying palms that line the shores.
- The summer months in Sri Lanka are very hot with short, sharp monsoons in the southwest of the country. Please consider your suitability to the time of year you wish to travel and be sure to use adequate sun protection and drink plenty of water.
- This trip includes hiking on Days 9 and 10, an awesome way to see the picturesque hill country and interact with the local Tamil people. The hike is over relatively flat ground and covers approximately 10-12 km each day. We recommend a basic level of fitness as some have found the experience physically demanding. Parts of the trails are on rough ground which can be muddy and slippery if it’s been raining. If you feel you are not able to complete these walks, we can arrange vehicle transport for you.
- The views from the top of Lion Rock in Sigiriya are spectacular, but getting there involves walking up uneven, narrow steps and navigating tight walkways. If you’re afraid of heights or have conditions that affect mobility, you may wish to skip this activity.
- The drive to Mirissa on Day 11 is downhill, windy and slow. Motion sickness has been an issue for some travellers in the past. If you believe you might be affected, speak with your GP before travelling about medication that can help.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2024
Inclusions
12 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
Private vehicle, Public Bus, Train, Bicycle
Hotels (11 nights), Lodge (1 night), Guesthouse (1 night), Permanent Tented Camp (with basic facilities) (1 nt)
- Anuradhapura - Bodhi Tree Temple
- Anuradhapura - Bike tour
- Polonnaruwa - Bike Tour
- Dambulla - Cave Temples
- Kandy - Temple of the Tooth
- Sigiriya - Lion Rock Fortress Visit
- Kandy - Tea factory visit
- Bandarawela - Cooking demonstration & local meal
- Kandy to Bandarawela – Scenic train ride
- Hill Country trek
- Galle - Walking tour
- Galle - Beeralu lace weaving experience
- Colombo - City tour by bus
- Minneriya National Park - Jeep hire (minimum 6 pax) - USD45
- Minneriya National Park (entrance) - USD45
- Kandy - Cultural Dance Performance - USD7
- Kandy - Botanical Gardens - USD10
- Udawalawe National Park - Entrance fee - per person - USD45
- Udawalawe National Park - Jeep hire (minimum 6 pax) per jeep - USD45
- Mirissa - Whale Watching (Nov to Mar) - USD70
- Explore Galle by Bicycle - USD25
- Explore Galle by bicycle with market visit and local lunch - USD35
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. In the wet season, we occasionally need to alter the length and itinerary of the Hill Country hike due to weather conditions.
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.
4. Train tickets are in very high demand. We always try our best to secure tickets, but on the rare occasion that we cannot book them, you will continue your journey by private vehicle.
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