Compare Sri Lanka Express by G Adventures vs Culture and East of Sri Lanka by Direct Traveller

Day 1 Negombo

Arrive at any time.

There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.

Day 2 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.

Day 3 Kandy

Explore Kandy with a free day.

Day 4 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!

Day 5 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.

Day 6 Ella/Udawalawe National Park

Depart Amba Estate in the morning after enjoying a delicious home cooked breakfast. Begin the journey to Udawalawe National Park and visit the Elephant Transit home before enjoying an afternoon wildlife safari through Udawalawe National Park. Afterwards, head to a tented camp by the lake on the boundary of National Park and relax with a BBQ dinner around the campfire.

Day 7 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.

Day 8 Unawatuna

Depart at any time.

The Colombo airport can be reached by taxi or there are train and bus connections from nearby Galle for much less. Your CEO can help you arrange a transfer.

Day 1: Arrival- Habarana

Your local representative will greet and transfer you to Habarana (4 hours journey).  Overnight in Chaaya Village 

Day 2: Polonnaruwa & Sigiriya

Accommodation: Chaaya Village

Once you have had a lovely breakfast in Chaaya Village, the tour will start by visiting Sigiriya where you will climb the rock fortress built by a famous King (Kashyapa). You will get to see the Lion Rock carved into the rock pointing out from the jungle. Also, whilst there the 'Heavenly Maidens' of Sigiriya, housed in a sheltered pocket of the rock and approached by a spiral stairway will be visited. We move onto Polonnaruwa – (two hour drive). Polonnaruwa used to be the island’s medieval capital. The historic ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya, and four impressive statues of Buddha all carved from the same rock will be visited. Keep a look out for the popular worship areas and the Temple of Tooth Relic.

Day 3: Trincomalee & Nilaveli

Accommodation: Nilaveli Beach Hotel

Today you will be visiting the port city (Trincomalee). This port was constructed on a peninsula dividing the inner and outer harbours, formerly known as Gokanna or Gokarna. The port was a significant role in maritime and international trading. The bay near Trincomalee is used for surfing, scuba diving, fishing and whale watching. The city also has the biggest Dutch fort in Sri Lanka. 

Day 4: Island of Pigeon

Accommodation: Goldi Sands Hotel

Today you will have a boat ride to Pigeon Island a mile off of Nilaveli beach. The island was selected as a marine national park because it has some of the greatest coral reefs in the whole of Sri Lanka.  Overnight at Nilaveli Beach Hotel

Day 5: Negombo & Anuradhapura

On today’s agenda we visit Anuradhapura (Sri Lanka’s first capital). Undeniably the grandest city of ancient Ceylon. You can see Brazen Palace, Ruwanweliseya  (or ‘stupa’); the Samadhi Buddha statue and many more. We will head towards Negombo (4 hours drive). The tour will then make the four hour drive to Negombo.

Day 6:

Final Day Today the tour sadly comes to an end, after breakfast we will take you the airport from Negombo (20 minutes journey)