Take the express route through the best of Sri Lanka's sites like Sigiriya

Operated by Intrepid Travel

Sri Lanka Express

From

CAD 2,295

Duration

9 days

Countries

Sri Lanka

Activity

easy

Group size

Max 12

The adventure

Travel from Colombo into Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, where you’ll meet a local farmer, share a village lunch and search for wild elephants on safari. Climb Sigiriya’s Lion Rock, visit Kandy’s sacred Temple of the Tooth and continue into the cooler highlands for its tea country and the beautiful Horton Plains National Park. Ride the train towards Ella, stop at the Nine Arch Bridge, then head south to Unawatuna. Along the coast, cook with a local fishing family and explore Galle’s UNESCO-listed fort, then return to Colombo after nine days of wildlife, food, history and friendly locals.

Dambulla - Minneriya Elephant Safari

Dambulla - Chena cultivation Farm visit & Lunch

Sigiriya - Lion Rock Fortress visit

Kandy - Temple of the Tooth

Sigiriya - Zero Plastic Impact Centre Visit, an Intrepid Foundation partner

Nuwara Eliya - Tea plantation visit

Day by day

Your journey through

Sri Lanka

Day 1ColomboAyubowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka. Your adventure begins in the seaside city of Colombo with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe head out onto the walkable streets for a stroll through the leafy neighborhoods or head to one of the waterfront promenades for a drink by the water. After your meeting, maybe head out to dinner with your group – your leader will have the best recommendation.

Scenic view of a coastal city with tall buildings and waves crashing against the shore.

Colombo

Ayubowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka. Your adventure begins in the seaside city of Colombo with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe head out onto the walkable streets for a stroll through the leafy neighborhoods or head to one of the waterfront promenades for a drink by the water. After your meeting, maybe head out to dinner with your group – your leader will have the best recommendation.

Day 2DambullaThis morning, travel inland towards Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, where rural life and wildlife encounters await. Begin with a visit to a traditional chena cultivation farm and learn about this age-old agricultural practice directly from a local farmer. After, enjoy a freshly prepared lunch made with homegrown ingredients in the village. In the afternoon, set out on a safari in Minneriya National Park. Board a 4WD jeep and venture into the wilds of the park in search of elephants, often seen gathering near the reservoir, along with other wildlife like deer, birds and reptiles.

Dambulla

This morning, travel inland towards Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, where rural life and wildlife encounters await. Begin with a visit to a traditional chena cultivation farm and learn about this age-old agricultural practice directly from a local farmer. After, enjoy a freshly prepared lunch made with homegrown ingredients in the village. In the afternoon, set out on a safari in Minneriya National Park. Board a 4WD jeep and venture into the wilds of the park in search of elephants, often seen gathering near the reservoir, along with other wildlife like deer, birds and reptiles.

Day 3KandyRise early and make the short drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sigiriya, where Lion Rock rises 200 m (656 ft) above the surrounding plains. Climb to the top of the ancient fortress complex – these defensive capital remains include 5th-century frescos, terraced gardens and fountains. Then, return to the hotel to fuel up with some breakfast before visiting a local impact centre to learn how community initiatives are supporting sustainable livelihoods. Later, travel to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s cultural capital, and visit the Temple of the Tooth – one of the country’s most sacred Buddhist sites.

Kandy

Rise early and make the short drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sigiriya, where Lion Rock rises 200 m (656 ft) above the surrounding plains. Climb to the top of the ancient fortress complex – these defensive capital remains include 5th-century frescos, terraced gardens and fountains. Then, return to the hotel to fuel up with some breakfast before visiting a local impact centre to learn how community initiatives are supporting sustainable livelihoods. Later, travel to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s cultural capital, and visit the Temple of the Tooth – one of the country’s most sacred Buddhist sites.

Day 4Nuwara EliyaJourney into the cooler hill country, where rolling green landscapes dominate the scenery. Visit a working tea plantation to learn about the process behind Sri Lanka’s world-famous tea, from leaf to cup. In the afternoon, explore the area on two wheels, starting at Gregory Lake and pedaling past some of Nuwara Eliya’s viewpoints, tea plantations and tea estates. Along the way, pop into a local home to enjoy a cup of tea, some tasty traditional snacks and warm, local hospitality.

Nuwara Eliya

Journey into the cooler hill country, where rolling green landscapes dominate the scenery. Visit a working tea plantation to learn about the process behind Sri Lanka’s world-famous tea, from leaf to cup. In the afternoon, explore the area on two wheels, starting at Gregory Lake and pedaling past some of Nuwara Eliya’s viewpoints, tea plantations and tea estates. Along the way, pop into a local home to enjoy a cup of tea, some tasty traditional snacks and warm, local hospitality.

Day 5Nuwara EliyaRise early for a visit to Horton Plains National Park – a highland plateau known for its unique biodiversity and dramatic viewpoints. Set out on a guided walk through misty grasslands and cloud forests, visiting park highlights like Baker’s Falls and the famous World’s End escarpment, where sheer cliffs drop dramatically into the plains below. This evening, maybe join your group for dinner. Your leader will have some great recommendations where you can try a local curry or idiyappam (also known as string hoppers, this dish is a soft, lacy nest of steamed rice noodles) with dhal.

Peaceful rural scene with a cyclist on a path through greenery in Sri Lanka.

Nuwara Eliya

Rise early for a visit to Horton Plains National Park – a highland plateau known for its unique biodiversity and dramatic viewpoints. Set out on a guided walk through misty grasslands and cloud forests, visiting park highlights like Baker’s Falls and the famous World’s End escarpment, where sheer cliffs drop dramatically into the plains below. This evening, maybe join your group for dinner. Your leader will have some great recommendations where you can try a local curry or idiyappam (also known as string hoppers, this dish is a soft, lacy nest of steamed rice noodles) with dhal.

Your journey through

Maldives

Day 6Ella to UnawatunaHop aboard a local train today for a ride through Sri Lanka’s highlands and tea country towards Ella, passing emerald-green hills, waterfalls and small villages along the way. When you arrive in Ella, take a tuk-tuk to the picturesque Nine Arch Bridge – an iconic British-bridge set in the jungle and tea plantations where you might see one of Sri Lanka's trademark blue trains passing. Then, continue south to the coastal town of Unawatuna.

Hop aboard a local train today for a ride through Sri Lanka’s highlands and tea country towards Ella, passing emerald-green hills, waterfalls and small villages along the way. When you arrive in Ella, take a tuk-tuk to the picturesque Nine Arch Bridge – an iconic British-bridge set in the jungle and tea plantations where you might see one of Sri Lanka's trademark blue trains passing. Then, continue south to the coastal town of Unawatuna.

Day 7UnawatunaToday, you'll see a slice of coastal life on a visit to a local fisherman’s family home. Help cook a traditional Sri Lankan meal using fresh ingredients, then sit down together and savour what you’ve made as you chat with your hosts. Later, head further down the coast to Galle – home to the impressive UNESCO World Heritage-listed Galle Fort, known as the best surviving European fort in Asia. With extensive walls and many historic buildings, there’s heaps to explore here.

Unawatuna

Today, you'll see a slice of coastal life on a visit to a local fisherman’s family home. Help cook a traditional Sri Lankan meal using fresh ingredients, then sit down together and savour what you’ve made as you chat with your hosts. Later, head further down the coast to Galle – home to the impressive UNESCO World Heritage-listed Galle Fort, known as the best surviving European fort in Asia. With extensive walls and many historic buildings, there’s heaps to explore here.

Breathtaking view of Ella's lush mountains and foliage under a serene twilight sky.

Your journey through

Sri Lanka

Day 8ColomboHead north to Colombo – Sri Lanka’s commercial heart and the final stop in your adventure. You’ll have some free time to explore the city’s mix of street markets, historic buildings, museums, restaurants and shops. When you arrive, maybe join your group for a farewell dinner and toast to an awesome journey.

Colombo

Head north to Colombo – Sri Lanka’s commercial heart and the final stop in your adventure. You’ll have some free time to explore the city’s mix of street markets, historic buildings, museums, restaurants and shops. When you arrive, maybe join your group for a farewell dinner and toast to an awesome journey.

Day 9ColomboYour trip comes to an end after breakfast today, with no further activities planned. If you'd like to stay longer and continue exploring Colombo, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Colombo

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast today, with no further activities planned. If you'd like to stay longer and continue exploring Colombo, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.