We can’t blame you if you want to experience everything Sri Lanka has to offer – the history, the beaches, the flavours, are all equally tempting. On this 14-day tour, search for wildlife on a safari, visit the historic city of Galle, and taste for yourself the exotic flavours at a spice plantation. Then, head over to the southern coast (with whales and dolphins as your travel buddies) for some well-earned time with snorkelling, surfing, and a beach barbecue.
Travel Style
Classic
Service Level
Standard
Physical Grading
3 - Average
What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: Lunch at Sthree Craft Shop and Café, Kandy
Your G for Good Moment: AMBA Estate, Ella
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group. Spice plantation visit. Kandyan cultural dance performance. Temple of the Tooth visit. Tea plantation visit and tasting (AMBA). Cooking demonstration. BBQ and camp at Udawalawe NP. Galle City and Fort tour. Sailing Sri Lanka's south coast. Visits to Weligama Bay and Galle. Watching for whales and dolphins from the boat. Beach BBQ. Snorkelling, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding equipment. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Visit a spice plantation to interact with Ayurveda students, Tour a tea plantation and chat with a local expert, spot Sri Lankan elephants on a reserve safari, Explore Galle and the historic fort, Sail along the southern coast, Enjoy time on beautiful beaches
How large will the group be?
Max 15 (land), 12 (boat)
What meals are included in this trip?
13 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 9 dinners
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Private vehicle, 4x4, local bus, walking, 16m (54 ft) sailing catamaran.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Standard hotel (6 nts), sailing catamaran (6 nts), camping (1 nt).
Itinerary
Negombo
Arrive at any time. There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Negombo/Kandy
Drive to Kandy, visiting a spice plantation en route. Enjoy lunch at G Adventures-supported Sthree Craft Shop and Café. Later, explore Temple of the Tooth.
Kandy
Explore Kandy with a free day.
Kandy to Ella area
Travel by private vehicle to the historic town of Nuwara Eliya and enjoy some free time. Continue the journey to the rolling green valleys of the Ella area and spend 2 nights at the G Adventures-supported AMBA estate, an organic farm and guest house. Livelihood opportunities in the valley of Bandarawela, Sri Lanka are limited for low income community members. Many rely on agricultural work, especially in the tea plantations, which can be arduous with little financial gain. Amba Estate came to the area with the purpose of promoting economic growth through their organic tea plantation, paying fair wages, sharing their profits with their workers, and creating opportunities for growth. Having established its place in the travel market, Amba is now ready to support community cooperatives as a means of better spreading the income of tourism throughout the valley.
Planeterra is working alongside Amba Estate by supporting the initial investment for the first community-led microenterprise that will work in partnership with Amba. Planeterra’s catalyst grant covers the equipment, training and setup costs for a group of six women to formally become a chutney co-operative. The chutney will be sold back to Amba Estate for travellers to consume, as well as sold to guests and in markets throughout Sri Lanka. G Adventures travellers began visiting Amba in July 2018. They now have the opportunity to eat the delicious chutneys, meet the women and see how it’s made!
Ella area
In the morning, enjoy a tour through the tea plantation and learn about one of the nation's most popular exports followed by a tea tasting. After enjoy free time to soak in the stunning scenery, opt to hike to Ella Rock, or visit Ella town by tuk tuk. This evening, enjoy a cooking demonstration of classic homestyle Sri Lankan dishes, a delicious mixture of savoury and sweet.
Ella/Udawalawe National Park
Depart Amba Estate in the morning after enjoying a delicious home cooked breakfast. Begin the journey to Udawalawe National Park for an afternoon wildlife safari through Udawalawe National Park.
Udawalawe National Park/Unawatuna
After breakfast transfer from Udawalawe to Galle for a tour of the fort and city. Later, head to Unawatuna, on the south coast.
Unawatuna/Mirissa
Spend a relaxing morning in Unawatuna, before transferring across to Mirissa, where you will meet your captain and crew.
Weligama Bay/Kudawella
Cruise along the southern coast to Kudawella, enjoying the scenery and visiting isolated beaches to swim, stand up paddle board (SUP), or kayak. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and whales along the way.
Kudawella/Kalametiya
Continue up the coast to Kalametiya and explore the lagoon. In the afternoon, opt to visit the Kalametiya village and sanctuary, or soak up the sun on the beach.
Kalametiya/Talalla Beach
Visit the small surf beach of Hirikatiya for a surf or swim, then continue on Sri Lanka's southern coast to Talalla Beach. Keep a lookout for marine life along the way.
Talalla Beach/Galle
Watch for whales and dolphins on the way to Rumassala, then spend the afternoon relaxing on Jungle Beach or hike up to the Japanese Peace Pagoda with sweeping views over the Galle Bay.
Galle/Weligama Bay
Spend the morning exploring Galle and the Dutch Fort, then sail back to Weligama Bay. Enjoy a barbecue on the beach with your group.
Mirissa
Sail back to the Mirissa Harbour and disembark. Tour ends on arrival. Opt for a transfer to Colombo Airport.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
