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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

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
About

A beautifully-preserved, colonial-style, boutique hotel offers a relaxing stay and an incredible on-site tour of the massive working coconut estate, on which it sits. Gorgeous antique furniture and polished wooden floors welcome you in, where you’ll be greeted by the charming group of staff that serve up delicious authentic food, whilst providing incredible service and an all around relaxing stay.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

About

In a haven of tranquility, hugging Sri Lanka’s immaculate western coast’s golden shoreline, lies Jetwing Beach, the winner of 2013 Certificate of Excellence and member to the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. This lavish beach resort is one of Negombo’s finest hotels, offering a relaxing holiday in sophisticated comfort.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 2

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
About

Located in the centre of Kandy, just a short drive from the railway station and the famous Temple of the Tooth, Earl's Regency Hotel is a luxurious property with splendid views of the mountains around Kandy. All its rooms are air-conditioned and come with a minibar, tea- and coffee-making facilities and a TV with satellite channels.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

About

Tucked away in green in the heart of the city, Kings Pavilion offers an urban retreat in a prime Kandy location. Guest rooms are decorated in a cozy and modern style, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows flooding the space with natural light and balconies with mountain views.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Kandy
Kandy

Day 3

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
About

Nestled among the beautiful hill country of Sri Lanka rests the 98 Acres Resort & Spa. Housed in a 98-acre tea estate, the resort's unique chalets have a rustic beauty mixed with such modern amenities as complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen televisions, and minibars.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 4

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
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: This hotel enjoys a stunning and unique location, nestled high in the hills of Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Tea region, bordering the World Heritage Central Highlands.

Service: Each room and suite comes with a personal butler, who serves guests Bed Tea in the morning and draws them a bath.

History: The world’s first-ever tea bungalow resort, this hotel celebrates the historic tea plants of Ceylon, first discovered over a century ago.

See Hotel
Ceylon Tea Trails Preferred Hotel
Bogawantalawa Valley
Bogawantalawa Valley

Day 5

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

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
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: The Uga Bay Passekudah is situated along some of the longest stretches of beach in Sri Lanka and near stunning coral reefs.

Activities: Besides lounging on the beach and enjoying spa treatments, there are also a number of watersport activities for guests to engage in.

Comfort: Accommodations start at a generous 520 square feet of space and offer stunning views of the tropical surroundings.

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Uga Bay by Uga Escapes Preferred Hotel
Passekudah
Passekudah

Day 7

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

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
Passekudah

Day 9

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.

Suggested Hotels For Day 1

Horathapola Coconut Estate Hotel

Horathapola Coconut Estate Hotel


A beautifully-preserved, colonial-style, boutique hotel offers a relaxing stay and an incredible on-site tour of the massive working coconut estate, on which it sits. Gorgeous antique furniture and polished wooden floors welcome you in, where you’ll be greeted by the charming group of staff that serve up delicious authentic food, whilst providing incredible service and an all around relaxing stay. Rooms are spotless and spacious, while other facilities, such as the pool, offer a refreshing way to end your day. Each room has its own balcony and ample space for bigger families. Bicycles, laundry service, outdoor pool and daily excursions are offered. Tours of the village and paddy fields have always been popular among guests, both day and night.


Jetwing Beach Resort

Jetwing Beach Resort


In a haven of tranquility, hugging Sri Lanka’s immaculate western coast’s golden shoreline, lies Jetwing Beach, the winner of 2013 Certificate of Excellence and member to the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. This lavish beach resort is one of Negombo’s finest hotels, offering a relaxing holiday in sophisticated comfort. Designed by one of Sri Lanka’s top architects, Geoffrey Bawa, this exquisite resort enables you to wind in hours of recreational beach fun, revitalize in invigorating spa wellness treatments, indulge in mouthwatering Sri Lankan dishes and rich international cuisine in one of several dining venues, and take advantage of the gorgeous swimming pool. Your day will always end on a high note, as you watch the stunning sun drop off the edge of the horizon, illuminating the sky into warm shades of pink, yellow, orange and red.


Suggested Hotels For Day 2

Kings Pavilion

Kings Pavilion

Tucked away in green in the heart of the city, Kings Pavilion offers an urban retreat in a prime Kandy location. Guest rooms are decorated in a cozy and modern style, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows flooding the space with natural light and balconies with mountain views. Suites also offer living areas and whirlpool tubs. Hotel facilities include a restaurant with a terrace, an outdoor swimming pool, lush gardens and a spa with a sauna.
Earl's Regency Hotel

Earl's Regency Hotel

Located in the centre of Kandy, just a short drive from the railway station and the famous Temple of the Tooth, Earl's Regency Hotel is a luxurious property with splendid views of the mountains around Kandy. All its rooms are air-conditioned and come with a minibar, tea- and coffee-making facilities and a TV with satellite channels. Free WiFi is available in the public areas. The hotel also has a 24-hour coffee shop, as well as the sumptuous Far Pavilions restaurant, which offers local and international cuisine. The spa has massage rooms, a sauna and steam room, and there are also tennis and badminton courts.

Suggested Hotel For Day 3

98 Acres Hotel

98 Acres Hotel

Nestled among the beautiful hill country of Sri Lanka rests the 98 Acres Resort & Spa. Housed in a 98-acre tea estate, the resort's unique chalets have a rustic beauty mixed with such modern amenities as complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen televisions, and minibars. Rooms also have stone showers, balconies with scenic views, and some even have plunge pools. The on-site Spa 98 offers a variety of herbal treatments. Guests can enjoy Sri Lankan, Continental, and East Asian dishes from the resort's restaurant or enjoy one of the various drinks available from the bar. All facilities are eco-friendly and constructed with environmental considerations. There are two outdoor pools, a gym, and yoga classes offered.

Suggested Hotel For Days 4–5

Ceylon Tea Trails
Preferred Hotel

Ceylon Tea Trails

Sri Lanka, once known as Ceylon, is one of the world's historic centers of tea production, replete with rolling green hills and genteel plantation homes. Ceylon Tea Trails, run by the Dilmah Tea Company, has restored four classic colonial bungalows built for British tea estate managers in the days of the Raj. These historic houses offer guests the unique experience of life on a working tea estate in the highlands (elevation here is over 4,000 feet). The bungalows range in size from four to six rooms and two have their own pools. Summerville and Castlereagh are situated opposite each other on the shores of the Castlereagh Lake, Norwood is at the other end of the valley about 15 minutes away by car and Tientsin is about 30 minutes away in the next valley. Maintained trails with beautiful views run between all the bungalows, and through the surrounding hillsides and plantations. Each house comes with its own manager, chef, butler and houseboys; in-house massage appointments can be arranged. Meals and afternoon tea are prepared by your private chef using gourmet ingredients and produce grown right on the property, and can be served indoors or on the lawn.

See Hotel

Suggested Hotels For Days 6–8

Uga Bay by Uga Escapes
Preferred Hotel

Uga Bay by Uga Escapes

Passekudah Bay is home to some of the longest stretches of soft, golden sand that Sri Lanka has to offer, and it is best enjoyed from the Uga Bay Passekudah. This elegant resort is situated close enough to the pristine beach line that guests can hear the waves rolling from the comfort of their luxurious accommodations. Housing a gourmet restaurant and world-class spa, Uga Bay guarantees a lap of luxury experience devoid of worry. A tireless staff works to ensure vacations go smoothly, whether that means jet skiing under the tropical sun or lazing around the resort's stunning infinity pool.

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Maalu Maalu Resort and Spa

Maalu Maalu Resort and Spa


Far away from the hustle and bustle lies this exquisite beach resort surrounded by crystal clear ocean water and velvety-soft white sandy beaches, in the coastal village of Pasikuda. The exotic Maalu Maalu is situated in the Indian Ocean, guaranteeing you the most relaxing stay one could wish for. With an infinity pool that has a backdrop of the ocean, coconut palm trees and charming wooden chalets, awake to a new dream while you lose yourself in time, in the graceful elegance of this unique resort and spa. Winner of the 2012 World Luxury Hotel Awards, expect to wine and dine in five-star service, with food lovingly cooked by world class chefs. The menu offers fresh seafood delicacies, traditional Sri Lankan cuisine and international dishes. Sundowner cocktails are a favorite among guests staying in this paradise, while absorbing the natural beach vibe.


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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.

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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