18 to 35s Essential Sri Lanka

Ayubowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka. Your adventure kicks off with a welcome meeting in Negombo at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe stroll along the seaside or explore the beautiful surrounding countryside on a bicycle, which you can rent from your hotel reception. Tonight, maybe head out with your fellow travellers for dinner and get to know each other over a couple of drinks – you’ll spend the night by the beach, near plenty of beach bars and pubs.

Make your way to Dambulla – the second-largest centre in the Matale District. When you arrive, maybe explore the Dambulla Cave Temples. With five sanctuaries, it’s the largest cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka! Maybe spend the day walking through the UNESCO World Heritage site, visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa or climb Pidurangala Rock for views of the Lion Rock Fortress, which you’ll visit tomorrow. Tonight, maybe head out to a local restaurant to taste some delicious local cuisine.

This morning, walk to the Lion Rock Fortress – a 200-m-tall rock structure in Sigiriya. Explore the ruined fortress on the top of the rock, learn about the region’s history and see why the fortress is called ‘Lion Rock’, then head to Kandy. Your afternoon is free for you to explore – maybe learn how to make a traditional batik cloth during a workshop, then create your own under the watchful guidance of a local expert. You could also take a cooking class and learn how to make some of the local cuisine you’ve now grown to love.

Once the capital under the last Sri Lankan king, Kandy managed to resist European control for hundreds of years, long after the coastal areas surrendered. If you’re looking to relax this morning, you might want to book an Ayurvedic massage to rejuvenate those weary muscles. Kandy is home to a beautiful lake, some great old shops and a bustling market, so there’s lots to see and do with your free day today. Maybe walk through the town to take in the city’s highlights, head to the Royal Botanical Gardens, visit the Temple of the Tooth or book a cultural dance performance.

This morning, say goodbye to Kandy and hop on a train to Ella. This train trip is kind of famous, due to the gorgeous views of mountains and greenery (so grab a window seat if you can!). Today is a bit of a long travel day, so it's a good idea to get stuck into your book or listen to music while you take in the views just outside the window. When you arrive, maybe visit a local tea factory or go for a drink in one of the many bars. Tonight, your leader can help you with the best spots for nightlife – maybe grab a couple of your new friends and head to a local restaurant for some live music and delicious eats.

Today, you’ll hike one of the shortest and most popular stages of the Pekoe Trail. This trekking route runs through Sri Lanka’s tea region and is maintained by a non-profit organisation promoting sustainable tourism practices to benefit local communities. Head through the Ella Forest Reserve, passing tea plantations and the famous Nine Arch Bridge. Then, cut across small local villages and see the bridge from a different vantage point. Along the way, stop in at a small village for a spicy curry lunch at a local family home. Get to know your gracious hosts as you eat together and refresh with a steaming pot of Ceylon tea to wash it all down. This is the perfect opportunity to rub shoulders with the locals, learn about their lifestyle and swap stories. After the hike, the rest of the day is free for you to explore on your own.

Travel south today for an exciting 4WD safari through Udawalawe National Park, where you'll come across the area's native wildlife – look out for elephants, leopards and aquatic birds. Make sure you grab your camera and stay hydrated! Tonight, while you reflect on the day, maybe join your travel buddies in search of some appa (AKA hoppers – crispy, bowl-shaped pancakes), kottu roti (stir-fried, shredded roti with eggs, veggies and meat) and parippu (lentil curry).