This 15-day trekking and adventure tour is designed for travellers who want to experience a different side of Sri Lanka, away from the main tourist routes.
Discover some of Sri Lanka’s most remarkable cultural and natural attractions while venturing into remote villages, peaceful paddy fields, spice plantations, mountains and lesser-visited national parks. The tour combines trekking, wildlife, cycling, cultural experiences and scenic journeys with stays at small, characterful hotels.
This tour is particularly suited to adventurous travellers looking for an active holiday and authentic experiences beyond mainstream tourism.
Transfer from the airport to your hotel near Chilaw.
Your room will be available from 2:00 PM.
Enjoy a game drive through Wilpattu National Park, the largest national park in Sri Lanka and one of the country’s quieter wildlife destinations.
The park is home to diverse birdlife, including Painted Storks, Spoonbills, Purple Herons and Eagles, as well as wildlife such as leopards, sloth bears, water buffalo, spotted deer, sambar deer and crocodiles.
Continue to Anuradhapura.
Explore Anuradhapura, one of Sri Lanka’s most important ancient capitals and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Discover its impressive ancient monuments, including the Ruvanvelisaya, Thuparama, Jetavanarama and Abhayagiri Dagobas, the Twin Ponds and the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi.
Continue to Mihintale, an important Buddhist pilgrimage site associated with the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Explore the ancient ruins and enjoy panoramic views across the surrounding plains.
Enjoy a bicycle ride through rice paddy fields and rural villages, following quiet back roads away from the main tourist routes.
Along the route, an irrigation channel provides opportunities to observe local birdlife and wildlife such as monitor lizards, chameleons and mongooses.
Stop for refreshing King Coconut along the way and enjoy lunch at a local farmer’s house.
Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic landmarks.
Explore the ancient water gardens, frescoes, Mirror Wall and Lion’s Paws before enjoying spectacular views from the summit.
Continue to the magnificent Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 1st century BC.
Later, travel towards the Knuckles Mountain Range, an exceptionally scenic and relatively less-visited mountain region.
Embark on the Manigala Trek, taking approximately 4–5 hours.
Walk through beautiful paddy fields, cross streams and continue through forested landscapes. From the summit, enjoy impressive panoramic views across the surrounding countryside.
Later in the afternoon, visit Mini World's End, another spectacular viewpoint within the Knuckles region.
Travel to Kandy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the last indigenous royal capital of Sri Lanka.
Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the town, walk beside Kandy Lake or browse the local markets.
In the evening, experience a traditional Kandy Cultural Show featuring traditional costumes and energetic drumming.
Visit the Temple of the Tooth, home to the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha, and witness the ceremonial rituals surrounding the relic.
Travel to Digana on the southern side of the Knuckles Mountains.
Enjoy a walk through clove and nutmeg plantations to an old village featuring houses that are more than 150 years old. This offers an opportunity to experience a traditional way of life that has changed little over generations.
There may also be an opportunity to take a refreshing dip in the river before travelling back to the hotel by local bus.
Later, take part in a traditional Sri Lankan cookery demonstration. Guests can also participate in the preparation of local dishes if they wish.
Travel to Medewaka and walk through the surrounding paddy fields.
Depending on the agricultural season, you may see farmers preparing the land with buffaloes, planting rice by hand or harvesting the crops. Guests may have the opportunity to participate in some traditional farming activities.
Enjoy lunch at a traditional house that is more than 180 years old.
Continue to Wasgamuwa National Park for a game drive. This lesser-visited national park offers a peaceful wildlife experience and is particularly known for its elephant population.
Other wildlife may include purple-faced langurs, sambar and spotted deer, wild boar, buffalo, leopards and sloth bears, along with reptiles such as water monitors and crocodiles.
Travel to Dambana, home to the indigenous Vedda people of Sri Lanka.
Learn about their traditional lifestyle, culture and connection with the forest. You will have the opportunity to observe and participate in traditional cultural activities.
Enjoy a traditional Sri Lankan lunch in the village.
ravel towards Nuwara Eliya, passing the scenic Ramboda Falls along the way.
Enjoy a beautiful journey through vast tea plantations covering the surrounding hillsides, with tea pickers working among the lush greenery.
Visit a tea factory to learn how Sri Lanka’s famous Ceylon tea is produced.
Explore Nuwara Eliya, often known as “Little England”, with its colonial-style architecture and cooler mountain climate.
Later, walk to Lovers Leap Waterfall, which is more than 30 metres high and offers beautiful views across the surrounding area.
Visit Horton Plains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Enjoy a walk through the cloud forest, with highlights including World’s End and Baker’s Waterfall. On a clear day, World’s End offers spectacular views towards the southern part of Sri Lanka.
The area is also home to wildlife such as sambar deer, purple-faced monkeys and endemic reptiles.
Later, take a scenic train journey through the hill country towards Haputale.
Visit magnificent Bambarakanda Waterfall, described in the source as Sri Lanka’s highest waterfall.
Continue to Surathali Falls, a smaller waterfall surrounded by scenic landscapes, rugged terrain and tea plantations.
Later, travel to Waikkal, just north of Negombo.
Enjoy a free day to relax and unwind.
Stays are handpicked to match the off-the-beaten-track theme, featuring characterful eco-lodges, boutique nature resorts, and colonial bungalows close to nature.
Bring sturdy walking shoes with good grip, lightweight clothing for cycling, a light fleece or warm layer for the cooler highlands, a rain jacket, and modest attire for temple visits.
Yes, all long-distance transfers are in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a dedicated chauffeur guide, alongside a scenic hill country train journey and 4x4 safaris.