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Example Itinerary
Thrills & Spills: Hikes & Watersports in Sri Lanka
From the highest peaks to the sandy white beaches, this action-packed adventure trail around beautiful Sri Lanka caters to intrepid explorers who are looking for the ultimate thrill-filled holiday. Starting with colonial coastal beauties in Negombo, you’ll later discover the historic and mystic magic of ancient capital Kandy. Next it’s up to the highlands to explore the country’s fabled tea plantations with verdant rainforest treks and mountain hikes, then rounding off the tour by returning to the ocean for two days of aquatic action.
This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.
Highlights
- Adam's Peak: The pilgrimage up to the summit of 7,359-foot Adam's Peak is significant in Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, and Christian traditions, as the sacred footprint at the peak is said to belong to Buddha, Siva, Adam, or St. Thomas.
- Bogawantalawa Valley: Choose your adventure in Sri Lanka's Central Highlands, where there are options for hiking and biking through seas of verdant tea plantations, or mounting the Grade Three rapids of Kelani River on a white water rafting ride.
- Underwater Exploration: Passekudah has one of the longest stretches of shallow reef coastline on the planet and combined with the weak currents, this destination is a snorkeler's dream.
Day-by-Day
Day 1
Map ▲Negombo
Arrive in Sri Lanka to be greeted and escorted by car to the pretty coastal town of Negombo. Check in to your hotel and explore the town at your leisure. Take in the colonial buildings, from the Dutch fort to the Catholic church, and enjoy the bustle of the fish market before a relaxing night’s sleep.
Hotel Options
Day 2
Map ▲Kandy »
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before heading inland to the historic city of Kandy. Take the afternoon to explore the town’s many treasures: a World Heritage Site, Kandy is set around a picturesque lake and home to a sacred Buddhist temple housing a Siddhartha tooth relic. Browse the bazaar and gem market before taking in a cultural show and resting up at your hotel.
Hotel Options
Kandy
Day 3
Map ▲Ella
Today, begin the leisurely and scenic journey up into the mountains to the picturesque town of Ella, located deep in the heart of tea country. Take a gentle trek around Adam’s Peak for views of the countryside and, after checking into the comfortable and cozy 98 Acres Hotel, explore the town at your leisure.
Hotel Options
Day 4
Map ▲Bogawantalawa Valley »
After your day spent enjoying Ella, an early night is in order so you’re ready for the hike up Adam’s Peak. Beginning just after midnight, it’s a four-hour trek to the summit where you’ll catch the dawn break across the valleys below. Then, make your way down the path and check in to the Tea Trails Bungalow for a relaxing afternoon.
Hotel Options
Bogawantalawa Valley
Day 5
Map ▲Bogawantalawa Valley »
The day is yours to leisurely explore the surrounding areas, hike the many routes across the hills, learn about the tea-making process, enjoy a game of croquet or tennis, and indulge in afternoon tea. Adventurous types can take on mountain biking, white-water rafting, and hiking.
Day 6
Map ▲Passekudah
After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, you’ll say your goodbyes to the mountains and start on your journey to the coast. At Passikudah, check in to your comfortable beachside hotel and enjoy the ocean for the afternoon and evening.
Hotel Options
Passekudah
Day 7
Map ▲Passekudah
It’s time to gear up for an action-packed day of aquatic adventures. Enjoy the thrills and spills of a range of watersports and explore the submarine world with a spot of snorkeling. Then, relax back at your hotel after a busy day on the water.
Day 8
Map ▲Passekudah
Make sure you’ve got your sea legs for today because you’re setting sail on a boat trip to explore the crystal waters surrounding Passikudah. Stop off and dive into the sea to explore life beneath the waves, armed with your snorkel equipment.
Passekudah
Day 9
Map ▲Departure »
After breakfast at your hotel, say goodbye to the beach as you’re transferred back to Colombo for your onward flight to your next exciting destination.
Terms & Conditions
Price is based on double or twin hotel room occupancy and includes accommodation, transfers, car/driver, English-speaking guide, activities and entrance fees, breakfasts and some casual lunches while touring. Flights and optional special activities will be quoted separately. Most personal expenses, including dinners, alcoholic beverages, spa treatments and gratuities can be paid on the spot while traveling. Prices may vary depending on season, choice of accommodation and other factors.
Why Remote Lands?
Exclusively Asia
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
Travelogues
An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.
Surf and Sand: Four stops on an East Coast Sri Lanka Roadtrip
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- Zinara Rathnayake
With seaside, ancient stupas, rustic rural hamlets, and abundant wildlife, Sri Lanka’s east coast is a holistic island experience.
Malik Fernando Speaks to Remote Lands on Reopening Sri Lanka
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Travelogues speaks with Malik Fernando of Resplendent Ceylon, proprietor of some of the finest accommodations on Sri Lanka, including Wild Coast Tented Lodge, Ceylon Tea Trails, and Cape Weligama.
A Luxurious Comeback for Sri Lanka
- Author
- Remote Lands
The tiny island of Sri Lanka has endured a lot, both in the past and in recent memory. Torn apart by civil war and a devastating tsunami, this strong and determined little country has fought its way through the hard times and come out on the other side not only with its beauty and culture intact, but also with its eyes on bigger rewards.
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