Adventure Tour

This Adventure Tour of Sri Lanka offers the best of what Sri Lanka has to offer. Starting off in the Cultural Triangle in the North Central part of Sri Lanka, it climbs through the hill country and then heads down to the beautiful golden sanded beaches of the Southern coast. Activities include jeep safari through national parks, cycling, hot air balloon rides, white-water rafting and abseiling, picturesque hikes, whale watching, scuba diving and snorkeling. This tour is ideal for those who are looking for an adventure tour in Sri Lanka.

What to see and do on this tour
  • Cycling through the ancient medieval capital of Polonnaruwa
  • Jeep safari through the Minneriya National Park
  • Pidurangala rock hike
  • Hot air ballooning
  • White-water rafting and waterfall abseiling
  • Mountain biking to Beli Lena Caves
  • Hike through Horton Plains National Park
  • Explore the Sinharaja Rain Forest
  • Whale watching in Mirissa
  • Snorkeling/Diving in Unawatuna
Highlights

What’s included

  • Private tour in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English speaking Chauffeur Guide.
  • All entry fees for places of interest as described in the itinerary.
  • Jeep hires at national park.
  • Meal plan as stated.
  • Train tickets from Ella to Kandy (Strictly subjected to availability).
DAY 01
Arrival - Negombo
Fishing Boats in Negombo Beach
On arrival, you will be picked up from the airport and will be transferred to your hotel in Negombo. Check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Time permitting, you may also have the option of exploring Negombo in the evening.

Overnight stay in Negombo.
DAY 02
Habarana
Elephant Gathering in Minneriya
After breakfast, you will leave for the North-Western part of Sri Lanka. Majority of cultural ruins and archaeological marvels which provide testaments to Sri Lanka’s early civilizations are found here. Upon arrival in Habarana, check in and relax.

In the evening, proceed on a jeep safari through either Minneriya or Kaudulla National Parks. Minneriya National park is particularly interesting during the periods - July through September as the low water levels prompt a phenomenon called “The Gathering” that is quite rare. The gathering is the coming together of elephants numbering up to 300 at the shores of the Minneriya lake. This is the largest gathering of elephants in South Asia.

Overnight stay in Habarana.
DAY 03
Cycling tour of Polonnaruwa - Pidurangala rock hike
Ancient Ruins in Polonnaruwa
Obtain packed breakfast from the hotel and proceed to Polonnaruwa. Polonnaruwa is Sri Lanka’s second medieval capital and offers countless interesting ruins and marvels to visit. Interesting places to visit include The Royal Palace, The Audience Hall, The Kings Swimming Pool, The Sacred Quadrangle, Shiva Temples, Lankatilake, Gal Viharaya, numerous Dagobas and more. You will be provided a bicycle if you so wish to ride around visiting these places. Afterwards, return to Habarana.

In the evening, leave for a hike up Pidurangala rock in time to observe the sunset. Lesser known to its counterpart Sigiriya, Pidurangala is growing in reputation for its adrenaline enticing climbs.

Overnight stay in Habarana.
DAY 04
Optional hot air balloon ride (Seasonal) – Kitulgala
White Water Rafting in Kithulgala
Taking a packed breakfast, you have the option of going on an early morning hot air balloon ride. Ballooning is a wonderful experience for people of all ages and is gathering a lot of interest from locals and tourists alike. Ride silently through the sky, wandering over the central plains, towns, national parks and more. A memory that lasts a lifetime.

Afterwards, proceed to Kitulgala which is famous for white-water rafting.

Overnight stay in Kitulgala.
DAY 05
White water rafting and Waterfall Abseiling
White Water Rafting in Kithulgala
Today, you will leave for white-water rafting. With rapids of level 2 and level 3, it is a paradise for white-water rafting. Experience the thrill of rafting down the very picturesque Kelani River, which has four level 2 and five level 3 rapids through roughly 5 km of river. This activity is suitable for anyone over the age of 12 with safety gear, inflatable rafts, and a very thorough safety briefing given beforehand.

Overnight stay in Kitulgala.
DAY 06
Mountain Biking to Belilena Ancient Cave – Nuwara Eliya
St. Clair's Waterfall Nuwara Eliya
Today, you have the choice of mountain biking to the pre-historic Beli Lena Caves. The cave lies at 9,000 feet upon a very steep path atop a ledge halfway up a mountain, offering breath-taking views of the countryside. The place where the 'Balangoda Man', a 16,000-year-old skeleton was found, it’s also offered up substantial findings of artifacts and tools going back to about 30,000 years BC. These discoveries are considered to be very important as the earliest evidence of tools are thought to be from Europe, dating back to 12,000 years BC. These findings have proven that the “Balangoda Man” was far more advanced than the Europeans of that era.

Afterwards, continue journey to Nuwara Eliya. Upon arrival, check in and relax.

Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.
DAY 07
Early morning Horton Plains – leisure
Bakers Falls in Horton Place
Obtain packed breakfast and leave for Horton Plains National Park before the sun rise. A very beautiful yet eerie highland plateau, Horton Plains offers one of the best trekking opportunities for adventure enthusiasts. The trail offers astonishing sights such as Small World’s End, Big World’s End and Baker’s Falls. The plateau runs roughly 09 km taking approximately 3.5 hours to fully complete. Afterwards, return to the hotel.

Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.
DAY 08
Sinharaja – leisure
Sinharaja Rain Forest Trails
Today, you will leave for the infamous Sinharaja Rain Forest. Your trip to this forest reserve will wind through mounts and valleys and offer up one of the most attractive rides in Sri Lanka. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and rest whist preparing yourself for the next day’s activities.

Overnight stay in Sinharaja.
DAY 09
Full day trek at the Forest Reserve
Sinharaja Rain Forest Trails
Proceed on a full day trek at Sinharaja Forest. Located in the South-Western area of Sri Lanka, Sinharaja Rain Forest is Sri Lanka’s only remaining virgin tropical rain forest. The bio diversity found here is unrivaled, with 60% of the flora being endemic and rare. There is much fauna to be observed, especially the birdlife.

This reserve is home to over 50% of Sri Lanka’s endemic mammals and butterflies. There are many trekking trails found here. The main trail is 2.5 km and winds through varying forest canopies with roughly 3 feet of clearance and the adventure trail is a more difficult trail but offers up a very scenic route with waterfalls and streams.

Overnight stay in Sinharaja.
DAY 10
Mirissa – leisure
Whale Watching in Mirissa
After breakfast, check out and proceed to the Southern coastal area of Mirissa. The Mirissa beach has just enough going on, giving it an atmosphere without it feeling too crowded. It is a picture perfect beach with palm trees lining the borders, clean golden coloured sand and incredibly clear blue green waters. It is no wonder that it is known as one of Sri Lanka’s best beaches.

Overnight stay in Mirissa.
DAY 11
Early morning whale watching – leisure
Whale Watching in Mirissa
Obtain packed breakfast and head out on a whale watching excursion. Most times, whales can be seen quite close to the shore. However, on some days, you may need to go out further as they can leave for deeper water to feed. Blue whales, Orcas, Sperm whales, Byrd’s Whales and Pygmy Killer Whales are the usual whales to be spotted. Spinner, Bottled Nose and Risso's Dolphins too may make a presence. If you are extremely lucky, you may catch sight of a whale shark as well.

Overnight stay in Mirissa.
DAY 12
Scuba diving / snorkeling in Unawatuna – Colombo
Beach Views of a Sri Lankan Beach
After breakfast, leave for Unawatuna. Hiring snorkeling or diving gear, based on your preference and ability, you will take to the ocean and explore the reefs found here. If you are lucky, you may be able to catch sight of a turtle.

Afterwards, proceed to Colombo. Colombo, a town that has existed over 2000 years, is now a modern city dotted with many colonial era buildings among hundreds of sky scrapers. Sightseeing highlights include the Colombo National and Dutch period museums, old and new parliament houses, Gangarama Buddhist Temple, Town Hall, and the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall.

Overnight stay in Colombo.
DAY 13
Departure
Beach Views of a Sri Lankan Beach
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Bandaranaike International Airport where you will take your return flight.
Unawatuna
Sinharaja
Ancient Ruins in Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa
Bakers Falls in Horton Place
Nuwara Eliya
Fishing Boats in Negombo Beach
Negombo
Mirissa
White Water Rafting in Kithulgala
Kitulgala
Synonymous with white water rafting, Kitulgala, Sri Lanka is situated three hours away from Colombo.
Horton Plains
The locals refer the plains as Maha Eliya Thenna. However, during the colonial era, the plains were renamed Sir Robert Wilmot-Horton who took the trail through the plains to visit the local administrative officer.
Habarana
Boasting of an accessible position in the district of Anuradhapura, Habarana provides to be the ideal base for your excursions.
Night View of the Colombo City
Colombo