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Sri Lanka Escape

12 days from £1,349

Safari, beaches and culture, from Negombo to Mirissa

With endless golden beaches, atmospheric ruins, and elephants and leopards galore, Sri Lanka packs a big punch for a small island. This tropical adventure takes you through the best of the country, from the soaring heights of Sigiriya Rock, and Kandy’s sacred temples, to the hill country’s rolling tea plantations and the pristine sands of Mirissa and Talalla. You’ll learn to surf, meet the locals in a rural village, take the most beautiful train journey in the world, see elephants on a sunrise jeep safari, and chat with the monks in a Buddhist monastery. What’s more, we’ve put together a selection of stylish stays from a luxe eco-retreat on an unspoilt beach, to a modern city centre hotel with stunning views over the urban skyline. 


Highlights include

Buddhist monastery visit
Udawalawe jeep safari
Sigiriya Rock
Ella train journey
Temple of the Tooth
Spice garden visit
River boat ride
Little Adam’s Peak hike
Negombo tuk-tuk tour
Nine Arches Bridge
Talalla eco-retreat
Welligama surf lesson

Itinerary

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Real Travelling Brochure

Accommodation & Meals

Accommodation

This trip features a carefully curated selection of stylish stays, from a luxe yoga and surf retreat on an unspoilt beach, to a modern city centre hotel with rooftop pool and stunning views over the urban skyline. 

Lots of our travellers are solo travellers, so when you book with us, we’ll pair you up with a like-minded roommate of the same sex. Our trips are great for couples or friends as well - just let us know you’re together, so we can be sure to put you in the same room.

Negombo (1 night): Funky hotel with a colourful 70s vibe, rooftop bar, wooden decked pool, and lush tropical gardens opening onto Negombo Beach (twin/double rooms with en suite, Wi-Fi and air con).

Sigiriya (2 nights): Simple hotel with tropical gardens, generous pool, and tranquil lake views (twin/double rooms with en suite, Wi-Fi and air con).

Kandy (1 night): Large, modern hotel with great views of the city and a rooftop pool and bar (twin/double rooms with en suite, Wi-Fi and air con).

Ella (2 nights): Small hotel set in the mountains with sun terrace, stunning, flower-filled gardens and views of Ella Peak (twin/double rooms with en suite, Wi-Fi and air con).

Udawalawe (1 night): Boutique hotel with pool and poolside restaurant on the border of Udawalawe Elephant Park (twin/double rooms with en suite, Wi-Fi and air con).

Talalla (2 nights): Luxury eco-retreat set amongst the palm trees on a pristine beach with freshwater lap pool, yoga pavilions, Ayurvedic spa, and a gourmet open air restaurant (twin/double/ triple rooms with en suite, Wi-Fi and air con).

Mirissa (2 nights): Laid back beach club on Mirissa Bay, with private beach area, large pool right on the beach, and restaurant with Indian Ocean views (twin/double rooms with en suite, Wi-Fi and air con).

The above information is only intended to be used as a guide, giving you a flavour of some of our accommodation providers, and the style of accommodation you may be staying in. Please note that all nights are subject to change.

Meals

11 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners are included on this trip. You’ll have the freedom to eat wherever and whenever you like the rest of the time.

Similar to South Indian food, yet with its own distinct flavours, Sri Lankan cuisine is one of the world’s most underrated. Making use of local ingredients from coconut and jackfruit to fresh seafood and an array of spices, Sri Lankan cooking delivers incredible dishes influenced by years of colonisation. From sour fish curry, hoppers (Sri Lanka’s answer to the pancake), and comforting dhal to roti and lamprais (meat, rice, and chilli sauce wrapped in a banana leaf and steamed), you’ll find that the food is diverse, delicious, and very affordable. 


Dates & Prices


Flights

To get a flight quote use the buttons below or call our fantastic flights team on 01892 277037.

Cheapest flights between London and Colombo for the next 6 months.

Cheapest: £379 October, 2023
Most expensive: £950 December, 2023

Extra information

Fly into Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) on day 1, where one of our team members will be waiting to transfer you to our starting accommodation in Negombo.

The trip ends on day 12 in Mirissa. Return airport transfers are not included but your tour guide can help you book any onward travel. There is a free bus which takes you back to the starting hotel in Negombo. It leaves in the morning and arrives in Negombo around 2pm. A taxi from there to the airport is approximately £10. Alternatively, you can book a taxi direct from Mirissa to the airport for around £60-£70. We recommend you book an evening flight or fly home the following day. 

The maximum group size is 16.

This trip is designed for travellers aged 18-39.

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