The Ultimate Bucket-list
Try Typical Village Life
Experience Sri Lankan farm life
Learn to make incense, go fishing with a local fisherman or help the community in the village
Clay Pottery making, Village Bakery, Village Market, Cook with a local family in the village & enjoy the Village Trekking trail
Coconut Treacle making experience
Bee Honey Farm experience
Guided Excursion: from US$ 150 per person
- We can tailor this experience to suit your requirements
- Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered
Checkout the Less-Visited Cultural Site – Ritigala
As legend has it, Lord Hanuman traveled over Ritigala, and is said to have accidentally dropped a chunk of a Himalayan mountain he was carrying back from India for his mortally wounded brother Lord Rama, thus accounting for the pocket of vegetation of healing herbs and plants at the strange mini-plateau at the summit of Ritigala, distinct from the dry-zone flora of the lower slopes and surrounding plains. At 766 m (2513 feet) above sea level, and 600 m above the surrounding plains, Ritigala is the highest mountain in northern Sri Lanka.
Guided Excursion: from US$ 30 per person
- We can tailor this experience to suit your requirements
- Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered
Try the Famous Swing on Dalawella Beach
You must have seen those epic pictures of a makeshift swing tied to a palm tree on Instagram. Well, you can find that amazing Instagram-worthy spot at the Dalawella Beach, about 2km drive from Unawatuna Beach. And then you can easily explore nearby attractions and even set aside an evening for swinging and filming at this spot. The owner would charge you an amount of 5 USD for swinging as many times as you may want.
Guided Excursion: from US$ 5 per person
- We can tailor this experience to suit your requirements
- Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered
Dip Toes in Diyaluma Falls
In a lot of places, just seeing one of the tallest waterfalls in the country is an amazing thing to do. But it’s even better if you get to climb to the top and swim in it! At Diyaluma Falls, you have the opportunity not just to see but even hike up to the top. It is not only a unique thing to do in Sri Lanka but the whole of Asia. Don’t forget to carry a nice travel sling bag to keep all essentials handy during the hike.
Just an hour outside of Ella, you’ll reach Diyaluma Falls – a stunning waterfall that most people only take in from the bottom. If you find the right route though, you can hike all the way to the top of Diyaluma Falls without a guide. The hike is very pretty but it is also quite steep. All the tiredness is soon forgotten as and when you dip your toes in the cool water at the top.
What makes it even better is that not many people go to the top, so if you time it right you may have one of the best experiences in Sri Lanka all to yourself.
Guided Excursion: from US$ 50 per person
- We can tailor this experience to suit your requirements
- Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered
Disconnect and Unwind at Living Heritage Koslanda
Living Heritage Koslanda is not just a boutique retreat in the Beragala hills of Sri Lanka. It is an absolute gem built with heart and soul with a commitment to sustainability. The hotel is 1 hour drive from Ella – the small laid-back town popular for its jaw-dropping beauty and tea estates. You get to enjoy the tranquil atmosphere without compromising on your creature comforts.
Set in the heart of Sri Lankan countryside, LHK welcomes guests to utmost serenity & it’s stylishly designed bedrooms with an ensuite bathroom and Jacuzzi pool. We not just enjoyed disconnecting from the world here but also participated in planting a few trees as a part of hotel’s commitment to sustainability and love for environment. The hidden oasis might be hidden and a little difficult to find. But believe me, it would be worth the effort. Visit to experience the most stunning sunset of your life swimming in the hotel’s infinity pool overlooking mountains.
Guided Excursion: from US$ 150 per person
- We can tailor this experience to suit your requirements
- Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered
Hike the Ella Rock
A hike up Ella Rock doesn’t come without its challenges. First of all, there is no trail map, no official markings and no obvious way of actually knowing about the hike whatsoever. It’s uncertain whether this secrecy is intentional to support local guides or to protect the trail from overuse. With Ella being one of the more popular town in Sri Lanka’s & provided the recent tourism boom, it’s surprising this hike is still on the down low.
The hike itself takes you through town, along the famed Kandy to Ella railway track, into a village, through a tea plantation and up a steep forest trail. The reward is a bird’s eye view from an exposed rock peering down a deep ravine leading to the ocean. You will likely enjoy the view all to yourself. Ella is a sleepy town full of cafes with a laid-back vibe. The hike up Ella Rock makes for the perfect morning or afternoon exercise to get the blood pumping.
The challenge to navigate to Ella Rock is of course part of its appeal. You can chat with a local to get a roughly drawn map. Otherwise you can follow other tourists treading the trail and hope they know the way. Or last of all you can even pay a local tour guide to help you hike all the way up.
Guided Excursion: from US$ 20 per person
- We can tailor this experience to suit your requirements
- Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered
Tea Trails in Hatton & Dickoya
One of the favorite places of many a British traveler to Sri Lanka is Castlereigh reservoir & Warleigh Church in Dickoya gifted by Englishman William Scot, find out about your ancestors in this lovely outback location.
Experience an authentic tea plucking experience with the estate workers and enjoy a guided visit to Tea Factory where the best tea in the world is produced. You may also have a chance of tasting pure cup of Ceylon Tea at the Factory.
Guided Excursion: from US$ 25 per person
- We can tailor this experience to suit your requirements
- Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered
Devil's Staircase
This experience offers you the opportunity to hike on one of the most famous hiking and jeep trails in Sri Lanka, ‘The Devil’s Staircase’. This rather ominous sounding trail is one of the toughest in the country and is attempted only by the most experienced hikers. A harsh 15km trail from Bambarakanda Rest, near the Bambarakanda Falls, to Ohiya near the Horton Plains. All hikes start at 7:30am. Enjoy lunch on the trail. You will be spending approximately 7 hours of solid hiking over rough terrain in the hills. Get to see Bambarakanda Waterfalls, the tallest waterfall of Sri Lanka, and the ‘V cut’ a narrow pass which pierces through a hill. This tour is recommended from January to March, but also available from June to August.
Guided Excursion: from US$ 70 per person
- We can tailor this experience to suit your requirements
- Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered
Walk to Sri Lanka’s Highest Waterfall; Bambarakanda
At 240m, the remote Bambarakanda Falls are the highest in Sri Lanka. March and April are the best months for viewing the falls, but any visit after heavy rainfall should be worthwhile. At other times, the water may be reduced to a disappointing trickle. The waterfalls are located off the A4 Hwy, between Belihul Oya and Haputale.
After breakfast we will take you for a walk to Bambarakanda fall via a path on the mountain with panoramic views of the tea plantations and rural villages. On the way we will pass a smaller waterfall in the forest, where we will swim and have a picnic.
The turn-off to the falls is Kalupahana Junction. From here, it’s 6km along a rough track, which many cars won't be able to manage. Waiting three-wheelers charge up a barely there track. For a return ride with an hour's wait, it's Rs 1000.
Guided Excursion: from US$ 75 per person
- We can tailor this experience to suit your requirements
- Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered
Trekking Riverston Gap
Get ready to feel the essence of Riverston, located approximately 30 km from the Matale town. Get picked up from your hotel in Kandy and commence your exploration by 8:30 AM in the morning after reaching Riverston and enjoy the view until it is dusk. Visit the two great waterfalls of Riverston “Sera Ella” and “Bambarakiri Ella which will get refreshed and rejuvenated. Embark on a 4 KM trek along the Sera Ella waterfalls and passing through the beautiful dense forest. Aftermath, enjoy a lip-smacking lunch and proceed to enjoy a photography session in Pitawala Pathana trail and witness the beauty of the surroundings. At around 5.30 PM in the evening, end your trip and head back to Kandy by getting dropped off to your respective hotel.
Guided Excursion: from US$ 50 per person
- We can tailor this experience to suit your requirements
- Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered
Sleeping in the Top of the Trees
Sleep in a cozy tree house and feel the gentle sway as the evening turns into night, Catch the morning rays of the rising sun, Enjoy the view from your tree house hideout with your morning tea or coffee, one tree house can accommodate up to 4 people.
This is easily the coziest tree house. Built for a maximum of 4 people this is a true Ewok's hideout in the leaves. A circular landing at the bottom gives you the chance to sit and enjoy a moment of quiet and catch the morning rays of the rising sun. Sit inside its cozy netting and feel its gentle sway as the evening turns into night and hear the sound of cicadas rising into a deep chorus.
Each tree house has a little survival box from binoculars, a cool box and first aid kit with free Wi-Fi thrown in for those who remain desperate for connectivity even on holiday. Look out of your tree house hideout with your morning tea or coffee, seated on the cushions liberally spread out on the floor of your tree house.
Guided Excursion: from US$ 78 per person
- We can tailor this experience to suit your requirements
- Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered
Walk with an Elephant
Elephant Welfare Centre is an organization and charity set up to rescue and care for captive Asian elephants in Sri Lanka. The Welfare Centre is situated on a 15 acre estate by the name of Samaragiri, which is located 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Kegalle, within the Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka. As of 2014 there are 9 elephants that either permanently or temporarily reside at the sanctuary. These elephants are taken care of by 13 local mahouts and a number of foreign volunteers.
The Welfare Centre is funded predominantly by tourists and volunteer fees. This money is used to develop and improve conditions for the elephants at Elephant Welfare Centre
Guided Excursion: from US$ 20 per person
- We can tailor this experience to suit your requirements
- Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered
Folk-walk with a lady guide in Kandy
Set out an intriguing cultural walk early evening with the objective of meeting the village people, visiting their humble abodes, chatting with them, seeing what they do for a living and maybe have a cup of tea with them. Most females in the village if not working elsewhere indulge in cottage industries so as to sustain the family income. Hats off to them for their courage and determination!
While enjoying the evening breeze and the serene environment walk through the footpaths and thick greenery observing the fauna and flora around.
Watch how an entire family engages in producing incense sticks with the mother taking the lead in the production and the father marketing the product. Some of the cottage industries include the weaving of reed baskets and mats, making of traditional sweets, home gardening and the production of Kitul jaggery and treacle. You may also have the opportunity to witness the tapping of the Kitul (Fishtail Palm) sap with the tapper climbing the tree that might be close to 40 feet in height with the aid of a wooden ladder tied on one side where he makes sharp incisions at the base of the cluster of flowers, where a container is attached to collect the sap. The sap is collected over several days before it is made into Kitul Syrup or Jaggery. You may also buy some of the produce to take with you. The walk ends after enjoying tea served in one of the homes.
Guided Excursion: from US$ 75 per person
- We can tailor this experience to suit your requirements
- Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered
Catamaran Sailing & Fishing Tour, Negombo
Our fully guided tour in English from dock on the historic Hamilton Canal, cruises through the town and inner harbor to our first stop at the main wholesale fish markets. We cruise across the harbor for a visit to the fishing village where we find hundreds of fishing families sorting their catch and washing their nets as they return from their overnight fishing in the sea. From the fishing harbor we continue to the main lagoon where we have a quick stop at a mangrove island before we meet with the sailing catamaran crew and embark on a sailing adventure to the southern end of the lagoon. We share stories of our traditional way of life and drink fresh King Coconut as we sail the smooth waters of our beautiful lagoon. We pass villages, greet the lagoon fishermen and enjoy the breeze as we cruise through the colorful wilderness of our spectacular natural environment. Upon our return to the northern end of the lagoon we transfer back to our motor boat and head back to the Hamilton Canal dock to complete tour.
Guided Excursion: from US $ 60 per person
- We can tailor this experience to suit your requirements
- Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered
Cook Bread & Buns with a wood-fire village baker
Visit the Village Bakery, which is run by a family of four. The father who owns the bakery has been involved in this profession from when he was a teenager helping his father and comes with over forty years of experience in baking. The bakery has both traditional baking methods using wood fired ovens and the more modern electric ovens. The mother helps with the baking activities, while the teenage daughter mans the trading counter and the son undertakes the delivery to the village boutiques. The bakery visit starts early morning when you can witness the dough being kneaded, weighed and put aside for the making of assorted bakery products. Actively participate in making your own buns, jam tarts, bread rolls and other goodies. Watch the wood fired oven being lit up for the days baking and the loaded trays arranged inside. Come back later in the evening to see the baked products and check how good a product you had made yourself. Enjoy tea with freshly baked cakes, buns and bread rolls or choose to enjoy crispy bread baked in a wood fired oven (which is delicious and different with its smoky woody aroma and taste) for dinner
Guided Excursion: from US $ 20 per person
- We can tailor this experience to suit your requirements
- Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered
Living with Vadda; Indigenous Village Stay
It's all about spending some quality time in the backwoods of Sri Lanka with the Vedda People, the indigenous people of Sri Lanka. The Veddas are a native community believed to be decedents of Prince Vijaya (5th – 6th century BCE), the first recorded King of Sri Lanka.
Does the idea of camping out in the Veddah villages itself sound out of this world? Then join us on a memorable journey to the back of beyond. Your night out in the Veddah village will include your own private tent and flushable toilet and an independent kitchen where your meals will be prepared and served.
Meet and greet this forest dwelling people who endeavor to maintain their distinctive cultural identity and traditional lifestyles by living in mud huts, speaking their own distinctive Vedda language and engaging in some remarkable rituals and customs. Staying with the Veddha people in the remote village of Dambana would mean you get a closer opportunity to understand their culture and lifestyles. Trek through the jungle and see how they hunt using bows and arrows, harvest bees honey from the live honeycomb and indulge in fishing using pounded poison tree barks and plants as bait. Learn how they use the forest resources to provide for their food, clothing and medicine. Enjoy a meal of boiled yams and coal-cooked fish before inspecting the wide range of primitive tools and weapons on display. As the sun goes down get ready for some traditional Vedda dancing around the blazing campfire accompanied by folk music and singing. Remember to take some rare photographs of a rapidly disappearing community.
Guided Excursion: from US $ 100 per person
- We can tailor this experience to suit your requirements
- Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered
Tempting Kottu Rotti evening in Kandy
Be part of a popular Sri Lankan street food treat, right here and now. Watch this spicy treat being prepared while taking in the delectable aroma of freshly chopped onions; ginger and garlic sizzling on the heated griddle, followed by chopped carrots and leeks, chicken, eggs and cut up roti; all rocking and rolling to the rhythmic clanging of metal spatulas that go ‘taka taka taka’ resulting in the most awesome Kottu ever! And for the more daring foodies, you can try your hand at creating some music of your own while preparing a portion of delicious Kottu Rotti!
Guided Excursion: from US $ 10 per person
- We can tailor this experience to suit your requirements
- Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered
Be the guests of Monkey Family
A specialist guide will meet you at the Polonnaruwa cultural site to do a guided tour of Monkeys of Sri Lanka where you will be able to observe the habitat of cheeky Monkeys. The specialist guide will explain you about three types of Monkeys namely Toque Macaques, Grey Langurs and Purple Face Langurs. This is an interesting experience for children as they get to see these Monkeys having a family time playing cuddling and being cheeky over other Monkeys. These Monkeys are call Polonnaruwa historical site as their home. This is the exact location which “The Monkey Kingdom” documentary film was shot by Discovery channel.
After observing the Monkey habitat you then explore the glory of the bygone era which could be found in the archaeological treasures in Polonnaruwa that still give a good idea of how the city looked in its glory days. You'll find the archaeological park a delight to explore, with hundreds of ancient structures – tombs and temples, statues and stupas.
Guided Excursion: from US $ 10 per person
- We can tailor this experience to suit your requirements
- Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered
Local bus , train , ride, cycle ride and a tuk tuk ride in the villager followed by a home-cooked lunch
The first segment is a local bus ride to the rural out-backs of Galle. It’s a fun way to intermingle with the locals and is amusing and interesting. A local will accompany you, so no fears, just enjoy. On arrival at your destination you will be welcomed by the village hosts who will invite you into their humble abode where you will be hosted for a light meal of boiled Cassava or Jak fruit, which you can help, make. While the host prepares the dish it’s time to cycle around the village for some interesting sightseeing. Cycle through Rubber Plantations and see how the womenfolk tap rubber sap, pedal to a Cinnamon Estate to see how true Ceylon Cinnamon is grown and if you are lucky maybe see the processing too and enjoy a cup of Pure Cinnamon tea. Stop at the village temple and the rice fields to see them being worked on before proceeding to the children’s nursery school close by. Here you can engage with the toddlers, sing along and spend some creative time with them. On returning enjoy the meal with the family over an informal chitchat before leaving for Galle in a tuk-tuk.
Guided Excursion: from US $ 80 per person
- We can tailor this experience to suit your requirements
- Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered
Explore Colombo
Colombo, as the country’s capital, tends to be an almost must-stop on any trip to Sri Lanka but the majority of the visitors do not spend much time there and try to head out as soon as they can.
But the capital also has a few interesting spots to visit which merit at least a couple of days. Start at Gangaramaya Temple with its massive bodhi tree, and then head to the nearby lake and Seema Malakaya shrine followed by the impressive Red Mosque. After the mosque, wander the chaotic and fascinating streets of Pettah area where it is located, only to end at Galle Face Green, in the evening, for a stroll and a few snacks by the sea, this is the city’s liveliest part.
If you want to learn more about the country’s rich and long history, the National Museum is a treasure trove of artifacts, objects and remains gathered from all across the country from the many civilizations who inhabited the tear-shaped island. You can learn about Anuradharapura, Pollonaruwa and even about British colonial times.
Temple of the Tooth, Kandy
Famously home to a sacred tooth relic reputedly belonging to the Buddha himself, the Temple of the tooth is the most revered sight in the country and thus one of the most iconic places for travelers to visit. The tooth is kept in a gold casket, which is of course heavily guarded, but it’s still exciting to join pilgrims processing through the temple and past the tooth to pay their respects. Many worshippers stop at a table laden with colorful flowers to make offerings to the Buddha, and the air is filled with fragrance and prayer, so it’s quite a spiritual experience even if you’re not particularly religious.
There are also several museums dotted around the site, charting the history of the tooth relic, as well as temples and shrines to explore. You don’t need a guide, as audio guides are available and there are quite a few signs around. All visitors need to keep their legs and shoulders covered whilst inside the temple complex, and have to remove their footwear at the entrance. The floor can get very hot in the sun so it’s a good idea to have a pair of socks to wear.
If you happen to be in Kandy during July or August you might get to witness the Esala Perahera, which is a colorful 10 day Buddhist festival complete with fire-breathers, dancers, jugglers and ornately decorated elephants. It’s quite a spectacle to see the tooth casket being carried around the streets, before finishing its journey back at the temple.
Visited Cultural Site , Yapahuwa
Yapahuwa is a rock fortress that rises up nearly 100 meters from the surrounding jungle-clad plain. It’s built in a style that’s similar to the more famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress, but it’s on a smaller scale and more off the beaten track. If you make the journey here, you’re likely to have the place mostly to yourself.
A Buddhist monastery was first built here in the 3rd century BC, but Yapahuwa’s heyday came 1,000 years later in the 13th century, when King Bhuvanekabahu I made it his capital and brought the sacred Buddha tooth relic here. This is the same tooth that is now venerated in Kandy at the Temple of the Tooth.
The most impressive structure at the site is the fabulously decorated staircase, which seems to climb up to the heavens in a stunning jungle setting. It is even featured on the 10 rupee note. Chinese influence can be seen in the carvings of the stone lion sculptures that stand guard on either side of the staircase.
Once you reach the top of the staircase, it’s possible to continue climbing up to the top of the rock, where you will find the remains of two stapes. The path starts on the left side of the doorway at the top of the staircase that once led into the Temple of the Tooth.
Watch elephants at Udawalawe National Park
The national park was created to provide a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River, as well as to protect the catchment of the reservoir. The reserve covers 30,821 hectares of land area and was established on 30 June 1972. Before the designation of the national park, the area was used for shifting cultivation. The farmers were gradually removed once the national park was declared. The park is 165 kilometers (103 mi) from Colombo. Udawalawe is an important habitat for water birds and Sri Lankan elephants. It is a popular tourist destination and the third most visited park in the country.
Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home
Elephant Transit Home (ETH) takes care of orphaned elephant calves – until they are independent and able enough to be released back to the wild. It has been recognized as one of best wild animal rehabilitation centers in the world. Situated in the western border of the 33,000 hectares of Udawalawe National Park, ETH is adjacent to the “Udawalawe reservoir”. The elephant calves have no boundaries in the area and have freedom to roam wherever they want. Similarly wild elephants also visit the ETH premises. Seasonal fluctuating water level of the reservoir creates a diverse environment for both the baby elephants and wild elephants.
The Transit Home is a lively place. Feeding milk to the calves every three hours is a recurring job on all 365 days of the year. Elephant calves at ETH are fed once every three hours. ETH turns into frenzy if the feeding times are delayed; the pathetic cry and the charges of elephants for milk is agonizing to hear. Getting the orphaned elephant calves adapted to milk powder and a whole new environment requires utmost patience and care, as there is still no special milk formulae that has been introduced for elephants.
Public viewing of the feeding is permitted daily at 9 a.m., 12 noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Climb the Sigiriya Rock
Sigiriya Rock is alluded to as the eighth marvel of the world. It is a truly astonishing feat of architecture. The stronghold at the top has been exposed to numerous wars and attacks, making this an exceptionally memorable site. It's one of the most well known traveler activities in Sri Lanka.
370 meters above ocean level and 200 meters higher than the wilderness beneath is the head of Sigiriya Rock. The post is included relinquished royal residences, lakes, conduits, trenches, steps and dividers. We climbed right to the top for dusk and saw Sri Lanka's most well known site during perhaps the best nightfall of the year.
Hike to the Top of Pidurangala Rock
While Sigiriya Rock is rich in history and has some pretty dramatic features such as the lion’s paw and the mirror wall, Pidurangala Rock has a much more natural feel, despite also housing a temple.
Pidurangala Rock is adjacent to Sigiriya Rock and is the best viewing spot of Sigiriya Rock as it is only slightly lower. Pidurangala is a popular spot for sunrise as you can enjoy 360-degree views of not only the valleys but also Sigiriya Rock.
There is no need to choose between the two. Many travelers wake up for the sunrise at Pidurangala and then head to sunset on top of Sigiriya Rock. This is exactly what I did and I highly recommend it.
Surf at Hikkaduwa
The south coast of Sri Lanka is a surfers paradise. Around each corner is a new break being enjoyed by only a handful. A searing sun, the warmest water and endless waves makes the south the perfect surfari destination. What makes it a surfari? No matter where you travel along the coast you are never far from the jungle, monkeys, peacocks and jungle bliss. There really aren’t too many places in the world that combine both the jungle and surf in such close proximity.