15-Day Ultimate Sri Lanka

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This morning, you'll be up very early to head to Sigiriya to climb the Rock Fortress before the crowds of tourists arrive and it gets too busy. The ruins of the capital built by the parricidal King Kassapa I lie on the steep slopes and at the summit of a granite peak standing some 180 metres high. In the afternoon, you'll head out on your Anuradhapura Backroads Cycling Journey, an exciting excursion whereby you cycle through the back roads of the Kingdom of Anuradhapura with a resident guide.

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This morning, you'll say goodbye to Sigiriya and begin the four-hour journey to Mannar, your next destination. Upon arrival, you'll explore the city with your local guide, visiting a number of sites. Arippu Fort is a two bastion fort that was built by the Portuguese and was taken over by the Dutch in 1658 after the fall of Mannar. You'll then head to Doric Bungalow, the Lord Shiva temple of Thiruketheeswaram Kovil, the 16th-century Mannar Fort and the Graves of Adam and Eve.

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After breakfast, you'll drive to Jaffna, which takes around three hours. Upon arrival, you'll set off to visit Jaffna Fort and Nallur Kovil Temple. Jaffna Fort is a fort built by the Portuguese in 1618 under Phillippe de Oliveira following the Portuguese invasion of Jaffna. The fort is located near the coastal village of Gurunagar. Afterwards, you'll visit Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, a Hindu Temple dedicated to the deity, Lord Murugan.

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In the morning, you'll head of on a guided day excursion to Delft Island by a private yacht. Located off the coast of Jaffna in Sri Lanka, Delft Island is situated in the Palk Strait. A small population of Tamil people live on the island, as well as an impressive population of wild horses. The ruins of an ancient temple and an old Dutch fort can be found on the island. You'll sail to visit Nagadeepa Temple and Nainativu Nagapooshani Amman Temple before heading back to the hotel in the afternoon.

After breakfast, you'll head off on the five-hour drive to Trincomalee. Upon arrival, you'll have the rest of the day free to enjoy your unique beachfront jungle escape hotel, visit the spa or relax by the pool. Blending into its lush green surroundings effortlessly, staying here makes you feel as though you are staying in a big luxurious treehouse. In close proximity to Trincomalee city, there's a range of exhilarating adventure activities and sightseeing opportunities on offer.

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After breakfast, you'll explore the city of Trincomalee. First, you'll visit the Koneswaram Temple, a colourful ancient temple dedicated to the Hindu god, Shiva. The temple was built on a raised platform overlooking Gokarna Bay, and one of its key features is the thousand-pillared hall. Later on, you'll visit Girihandu Seya, an ancient Buddist temple believed to be the first Buddhist Stupa in Sri Lanka. You'll then return to your hotel for an afternoon of relaxing.

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This morning, you'll pack up after breakfast and travel to Gal Oya. Upon arrival, you'll have the afternoon to settle into your luxurious lodge. In the evening, you'll enjoy the only experience in Sri Lanka that allows you to spot wildlife from the water. It’s a unique way to immerse yourself in the animals’ habitats. A 2-3 hour safari by boat and a scenic 40-minute drive from the lodge to the lake is the perfect amount of time to explore the national park and surrounding villages.

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This morning, you'll rise very early to do a trek to the top of Monkey mountain with your Gal Oya host. Up top, dramatic 180-degree views over the large forested valley await. An early start allows you to watch the sunrise over the hills in the distance, observing the never-ending jungle canopy below. After a day of relaxing, in the evening, you'll discover why Gal Oya National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s natural treasures on a jeep safari and guided walk in the forgotten Nilgala section.

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Today, you'll drive three hours to Arugam Bay. You'll check into your hotel and then have the rest of the day free to chill on the beach, try your hand at surfing, ease the mind with some yoga or explore the countryside. This lazy beach town is one of the most charming, yet simple spots on the island. You really will find everything you need here to make the most of your Sri Lanka trip plan.

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Early in the morning, you'll set off on a safari game drive to Kumana National Park. The Kumana National Park is an 18,149-hectare park situated in Sri Lanka. The park is a popular ecotourism spot well known for its bird sanctuary that is home to a multitude of birdlife. One of the highlights of the park is the Kumana Cilly, a natural mangrove swamp lake, that is fed by the Kubukkan Oya. After hopefully spotting lots of animals, you'll head back to your hotel to relax for the afternoon.

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This morning, you'll set off in the direction of Ella, set amid the rolling hills of Sri Lanka's tea plantations interspersed by stunning waterfalls. Ella is one of Sri Lanka's most beautiful mountain towns that is best seen from the viewpoint, Ella Rock and is a refreshingly cool break from the south. Casual strolls in the town are met with slightly more challenging hikes and the overall laidback atmosphere is contrasted by the mix of colonial heritage.

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This morning, you'll make the four-hour journey to Galle, your final destination of this amazing trip. Upon arrival, you'll head out with a local guide for a tour of the city. Nestled within fourteen strategically erected bastions, which demarcate Galle Fort’s extent, are numerous places of worship, a plush hotel originally used as the Dutch Governor’s residence, an old warehouse utilised to safe keep ship equipment and store spices, several local schools, a post office, a lighthouse and more.

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This morning, you'll have the option to head to Mirissa and set out on a whale-watching excursion by boat. It is one of the best places in this part of the world to spot whales so it is certainly worth the early wake-up! Alternatively, you can visit the Handunugoda Estate, the only tea estate situated in the coastal belt of Sri Lanka specialising in the artisanal manufacturing of ‘virgin white tea’ and is one of the handful of estates in Sri Lanka exporting high-quality teas to global markets.