Compare Sri Lanka Photography Holiday by Creative Escapes vs Walking Trails of Sri Lanka by Exodus Travels

DAYS 1 & 2 : COLOMBO

On arrival to your Sri Lanka photography holiday, we whisk you straight off for some rest and recuperation at our luxury private hideaway, The Walawwa, a hip refurbished colonial house set in stunning 4-acre gardens just outside Colombo. Unwind into your holiday with a dip in the 16-metre pool, or catch some zzz’s in one of the sunkissed hammocks, then later grab your camera for the first session on camera basics, all in non-techy language.

Next day, we try out our new found skills at the nearby fishing port of Negombo, shooting the colorful catamaran fleet of large-sailed or was boats returning with their catch of ocean fish, crab and lobster, providing ample temptation to tuck into some of the island’s finest seafood for dinner. Yum.

DAYS 3 & 4 : KANDY & DAMBULLA

Considered to be one of the finest train journeys in the world, this morning we board the train with the locals and spend 3 hours climbing through stunning tropical plantations, jungle waterfalls and rolling valleys up to Kandy, the hill capital of Sri Lanka.

We’ll take a hike through the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens to shoot the majestic Javan fig tree, dressed in scores of fruit bats, before a dusk visit to Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist shrine, The Temple of the Tooth.

The next day, at our mountain retreat hotel – set in over 50 acres of organic farmlands, with long, lush views over forested hills and the Mahaweli river snaking through the valley below – we’ll build on our new skills, exploring techniques used by professional photographers to shoot still life, interiors and architecture.

Today, we visit one of Sri Lanka’s most important temples, at Dambulla, with over 2 kilometers of murals in a temple underneath a majestic 160m rock. A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest, best-preserved monument in Sri Lanka. Outside, 157 statues, incredible sweeping vistas; chance to generate some incredible imagery for your collection.

DAY 5: ELLA

Next morning ,we board the mountain train, and head south, journeying at a leisurely pace through the heartland of Sri Lanka’s hill country, and chance to shoot incredible landscapes of hill stations, carpeted tea plantations, mountain ranges, plus railway life as we stop off at rural stations to stock up on sweet tea and snacks.

This is a traveling classroom, our team roaming the carriages helping you craft fine art landscapes of these ever-shifting vistas, giving individual tuition on tripod use, composition, styling and impact. You’ll even get chance to shoot some people; we’ve plenty of tips to make those images sing too.

After a long day’s photographing, we relax in the canopied jungles of Ella, everyone’s favorite hill country village. We’ll have a review of the finest of the day, and get chance for a walk through tea plantations to temples, waterfalls and viewpoints.

DAYS 6 & 7 : YALA & TANGALLE

It’s only a short hop to Yala from here, so early we’ll board our 4×4 elevated Jeep, and entering the realms of the leopard, crocodile and sloth bear at Yala National Park, touring at speed to capture nature in the wild. Monkeys crashing through the trees in this vast region of dry woodland and open patches of grasslands; with elephants and crocodiles ambling about and cunning leopards sliding like shadows through the undergrowth. This the Jungle Book brought to glorious life – and enormous fun.

Later, we’ll review our best images of the day on our big screen by the pool at Tangalle, then kick back and relax beachside, enjoying a glass of something cold. Next day is a you day, chance to take a breath and enjoy some seclusion on Sri Lanka’s southernmost shores overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Beach-blessed Tangalle is the go-to place for laid-back, forget-about-everything lounging.

DAY 8: GALLE

This morning, we’ll take a look at the masters of portrait photography, and understand how to craft people images with impact, before venturing inland to the world-renowned 140-year-old Handunugoda Tea Estate, where you’ll learn about the plantation history and try out documentary & portrait photography – right in the plantations where they make the world’s most expensive and renowned Ceylon Virgin White Tea. Later, we’ll capture stunning architecture shots in the grounds of historic Galle Fort – a World Heritage site and Sri Lanka’s most perfectly preserved colonial town – where time-warped streets lined with historic Dutch villas sit hidden behind enormous ramparts. Late afternoon, we shoot fishermen at Unawatuna, a picturesque bay with ramshackle charm, then come evening dine out in one of the many candle-lit cafes strewn along the horseshoe-shaped beach.

DAYS 9 & 10: COLOMBO

We’ll slowly make our way north, and discover the delights of Colombo, before editing down all of your best images of the week, and get ready for our final night pop-up exhibition in the grounds of the hotel – first a cocktail reception, then a gourmet dinner to celebrate all our exploits.

Next morning, chance to get some final 1-on-1 feedback from your professional tutors on your progress emerging style and tips on where next to take your photography. Before lunch, we sadly say our farewells, exchange email addresses with new found friends (and creative collaborators) – chance to reflect on 10 days on world-famous trains, adventure-laden safaris, stilt fishermen, World Heritage sites and the fine taste of the world’s most expensive cuppa.

Day 1 Start Dambulla

The group flight arrives at Colombo's Katunayake Airport and we transfer to our hotel at Dambulla (100mi/160km, four hours' drive). Those not flying with the group can meet us at the hotel or the airport in time for the transfer. Please be aware, if you are meeting the group at the airport for a transfer you might need to purchase a ticket outside to enter the arrivals hall. We make our way to the hotel in Dambulla (100mi/160km, four hours’ drive). Accommodation: Pelwehera Village Resort (or similar)

Day 2 Visit Dambulla Caves, village walk towards Sigiriya; afternoon visit to Lion Rock fortress

After breakfast, we visit the magnificent Cave Temple at Dambulla, one of the most impressive sights in Sri Lanka. There are colourful, well-preserved paintings and statues of Buddha inside, dating to the first century BCE. We then have a short, gentle, warm-up walk through villages and rice paddies and on towards Sigiriya, where we have lunch. In the afternoon, we visit the imposing fifth-century rock fortress, which rises 590ft (180m) from the plains overlooking the countryside with far-reaching views. The route to the top is up a series of steep steps and gangways. From the base, where a moat surrounds impressive water gardens, we ascend 655ft (200m) and pass an overhanging rock, under which superb portraits of indigenous maidens holding flowers and temple offerings still adorn the walls. Crowning the flat-topped summit are extensive remains of the King's Summer Palace from where there are breath-taking views of the countryside. The descent is much easier and we have a final 35-minute drive back to our hotel in Dambulla. Accommodation: Pelwehera Village Resort (or similar)

Day 3 Drive to Illukkumbura; walk the Manigala Trail in the Knuckles Mountain Range

The next two days takes us across the Knuckles Mountain Range. We start early with a three-hour drive to the start of our walk, where we begin with an easy descent past paddies and through the villages of Pitawala Patana and Etanwala. Descending to the river, we cross a small bridge and climb up through more farmland. Finally, emerging at the top of an escarpment, we are rewarded with great views of the countryside. An easy trail takes us along the escarpment to Manigala Top at 3,660ft (1,115m), the high point of today. Next, we descend to the Mahalakotuwa village area, which leads to the main road and then it’s a 20-minute walk to our campsite by the river where we can bathe in the cool, refreshing water. Accommodation: Camping at Knuckles with Eco Team (or similar) (Occasionally, we use an alternative campsite due to high water levels, which is about 40 minutes’ drive from Illikumbura).

Day 4 Walk through forests to Meemure; transfer to Orutota

We begin with a half-hour drive to the Narangamuwa Temple at Ranamuregama. Starting our walk, we pass paddies and coconut groves before we enter a heavily forested area. The trail climbs gently for an hour and then levels out before undulating though this lush forest. The only sound we can hear is the birdsong around us. Emerging from the forest in the village of Meemure, make sure to look back for a spectacular view of the Lakegala peaks. Passing farms growing pepper and other spices, we come to a small tea shop where we have lunch. After, we take a truck or rickshaws for a bumpy 90-minute ride to Corbett’s Gap, a much-loved viewpoint. Our bus meets us here for the 1hr 30min drive to our hotel at Orutota overlooking the Victoria Reservoir. Accommodation: Oruthota Chalets (or similar)

Day 5 To Kandy; visit the Temple of the Tooth

We enjoy a relaxing morning in the hotel garden and pool. Mid-morning, we have an 11mi (18km) drive to Kandy and the afternoon to explore. The town is located around a small lake and we can walk round to look for water birds and large water monitors. Later, we visit the Temple of the Tooth, which houses the most important Buddhist relic in Sri Lanka, the Tooth of Buddha, which was taken from the funeral pyre in India in 543 BCE and found its way to Sri Lanka in the fourth century. Hundreds of worshippers visit the temple each day and in July/August the most spectacular ceremony takes place. Accommodation: Hotel Suisse (or similar)

Day 6 - 7 Ascend Adam’s Peak

This morning, we drive to Dickoya (three hours), where we stay for two nights in a simple summer house with a wonderful view of the Castlereagh Reservoir. On a clear day, we can see the outline of Adam’s Peak in the distance. In the pilgrim season (December to May), we have the day to relax or you can take a walk around the lake (approximately 3.7mi/6km). We leave around midnight for the walk up Adam’s Peak (approximately 8.7mi/14km). This will take around four hours and we should reach the top with the many pilgrims at sunrise. In the off season (May to November), we spend the first day at Dickoya and can walk around the lake and we climb Adam’s Peak during daylight hours on the following day. (Day 6: B) (Day 7: B,L) Accommodation: Summer House Hatton (or similar)

Day 8 Drive to Nuwara Eliya; optional walk to explore the town

This morning, we have a wonderful drive through tea plantation districts to Nuwara Eliya. This was the favourite hill station during the British era, situated in the cool highland air. Known locally as Little England, it is dotted with British-style houses, hotels and a racecourse. There will be an optional walk into the hills around the town and also time to explore the bazaar. Accommodation: Windsor Hotel (or similar)

Day 9 Early morning to Horton Plains; walk to World's End viewpoint; to Ella by train

Today we drive to Horton Plains, a large plateau more than 6,560ft (2,000m) above sea level, overlooked by the second and third highest peaks in Sri Lanka. The scenery is beautiful and best explored on foot. We trek through the rolling grasslands, seeing forest and unusual wildlife, such as the sambar deer and purple-faced monkey, all the way to World's End, one of the most stunning sights in Sri Lanka. Here the ground drops 3,445ft (1,050m) to the plains below. We then catch the train from the highest railway station in the country; within two hours we go from 6,197ft (1,889m) to 3,599ft (1,097m). The train travels through the cloud forest into the tea plantations, the views are spectacular; we disembark at Ella. Accommodation: Hotel Country Comfort (or similar)

Day 10 Morning trek to Ella Rock; Free afternoon

This morning, we set out to ascend the iconic Ella Rock, the highest point in Ella standing 3,743ft (1,140m). The round trip to Ella Rock takes about four to five hours. Starting off gently with flat trail where you walk through farm land, passing by locals as they get on with their day to day life. The second phase is a gradual ascent to reach the top. You look out over the Ella gap, a deep valley connecting the city of Ella with the low country. The afternoon is free to explore the vibrant and busy Ella town. Accommodation: Hotel Country Comfort (or similar)

Day 11 Drive to Yala National Park; afternoon game drive

We now head south of the hills to Tissamaharama down the plains. On the way, we stop at Ella Gap where the most of the southern part of the island is in view and the shimmering silver of the ocean is visible on a clear day . We continue on our journey visiting the spectacular Ravana waterfalls, which is 82ft (25m) tall and one of the widest waterfalls in the country. We also stop at the Buduruwagala Temple, where we see seven statues of Buddha carved out of a rock that dates to the 10th century. Tissamaharama is our base for visiting Yala National Park – its open terrain was well known for elephants for many years, but recently the park has become better known as a place to spot leopards. The park, which is primarily shrub jungle with several salt and freshwater lagoons, has one of the highest concentrations of leopard in the world. We have a game drive in the afternoon. (Please note, the sanctuary may be closed for four to six weeks from September to October allowing the park authorities to check the animals. In this instance, we visit a nearby alternative, usually Udawalawe National Park). Accommodation: Chaarya Resort (or similar)

Day 12 Walk around Yodakandiya Lake; transfer to the coast.

This morning, we drive to the beautiful Yodakandiya Lake in Tissamaharama where we walk for approximately 3hr 30min (approximately 3mi/5km). This is an opportunity to see the day-to-day life of the local people plus a range of birdlife. In the late afternoon, we drive for approximately four hours to the coast and your beach front hotel. Accommodation: Insight Resort (or similar)

Day 13 Free day to relax on the beach or optional activities including whale watching (November to April)

We have a free day to relax on the beach or by the pool. There are also numerous optional activities including a boat ride through mangrove swamps to a cinnamon plantation or you can go whale watching off Dondra Head from November to April. This is one of the best places in the world for seeing blue and sperm whales. Accommodation: Insight Resort (or similar)

Day 14 To Galle; transfer to Colombo

We drive along the coastal road to the historic port of Galle, which dates to the 17th century and is now a Unesco World Heritage site. On the way, we stop at a small folk museum inspired by the local writer Martin Wickramasinghe. The museum is a typical house from the Koggala region and is set among beautiful gardens. We continue along the expressway to Colombo reaching our hotel in the late afternoon (the drive takes around two to three hours plus stops). Accommodation: Hotel Cinnamon Red (or similar)

Day 15 End Colombo

Today is the end of your journey. If you are travelling on the group flight we will have a morning transfer to the airport for the daytime international flight. The arrangements for those not flying with the group ends after breakfast. If you would like to continue the adventure with our post-trip extension to the Maldives or a beach stay in Ahangama, speak to your sales representative.