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Things to do in Sri Lanka

Our most recommended things to do in Sri Lanka

Yala National Park: Private Safari at Golden Hours

1. Yala National Park: Private Safari at Golden Hours

After being picked up from your hotel in the local area or Park Entrance you will enter Yala National Park to explore the light forests, scrubs, grasslands, lagoons, and magnificent range of animals. With your private 4WD Jeep and expert guide, the ‘Golden Hours’ of the day will be used to focus on leopard spotting, either the first 2 hours or the last 2 hours of the day. Throughout this safari, you will search for the world’s most concentrated number of leopards, sloth bears, and elephants, as your knowledgable guide and driver expertly navigates the vast area and roads. The morning tour will begin at 5am from your hotel, to take in sunrise as the park opens at 6am. Whilst the afternoon option allows you to explore from 2pm until sunset when the park closes at 6pm. Situated on Sri Lanka’s south-east, hugging the panoramic Indian Ocean, Yala is a wildlife sanctuary and home to 44 varieties of mammals and 215 bird species. Leopards, elephants, water buffalo, sloth bears, sambars, jackals, spotted deer, peacocks, and crocodiles can all be found in this rich environment.

From Galle/Weligama/Mirissa: Day Trip to Ella Highlands

2. From Galle/Weligama/Mirissa: Day Trip to Ella Highlands

Start Ella tour at 7.00 a.m, Ella is pure natural beauty, with its waterfalls, greenery, and hills it is just jaw-dropping. Ella is the perfect place to go to if one wants to refresh the brain. It has many famous places and has been under the attention of tourist for a decent amount of time now. On the way to Ella our first visit is Buduruwagala rock temple. Buduruwagala is an ancient Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. The complex consists of seven statues and belongs to the Mahayana school of thought. Next stop is Ravana waterfall, a popular sightseeing attraction in Sri Lanka. It currently ranks as one of the widest falls in the country. After that we will reach Ella City, a small town in the Badulla District of Uva Province, it is situated at an elevation of 1,041 meters above sea level. Then next we will go to Nine Arch Bridge. It is one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country. Then time to climb little Adams peak, Little Adam’s Peak attracts many travelers who come to Sri Lanka. While climbing the Adams peak take lunch at 98 Acres Resort & Spa. It is an elegant, chic hotel that stands on a scenic 98-acre tea estate, surrounded by a stunning landscape. After having lunch you can experience Flying Ravana Mega Zip Line South Asia's longest and Sri Lanka’s first-ever mega dual zip-line, located amidst the luscious green estates of Ella, Sri Lanka. Finally, visit Halpewaththa Tea factory. Drink a cup while enjoying the magnificent natural beauty of the area. It is the final destination of our tour. Finally, back to the hotel.

Mirissa: Morning Whale Watching Tour

3. Mirissa: Morning Whale Watching Tour

Set sail from Mirissa to witness the breathtaking sight of the planet’s largest mammal, the blue whale, in its natural habitat. Sri Lanka’s southern waters are rich in aquatic life. As well as blue whales, you might see fin whales, sperm whales and pilot whales, as well as many species of dolphins. Depart at 6:30 AM, ahead of the other boats. A complimentary breakfast of sandwiches and fruits will be served on board, along with water and tea or coffee. Knowledgeable guides are on board to answer any questions you may have and help you spot these wonderful creatures. The boat is fitted with a GPS tracking systems, to guide you to the best location to see these extraordinary animals. With over 90% probability of seeing whales and dolphins, you are promised a morning to remember.

Colombo: 3-Day Cultural Triangle 5 UNESCO Heritage Site Tour

4. Colombo: 3-Day Cultural Triangle 5 UNESCO Heritage Site Tour

Day 1 Explore the important historical monuments in Sri Lanka on this 3 days tour while visiting ancient Buddhist temples, museums, palaces, gardens, Buddha statues, and many more. Embark on an exciting and very rare 3-day cultural tour of Sri Lanka's holiest, the Cultural Triangle. Explore 5 UNESCO-listed sites where important historical monuments are to be found. Visit cultural triangle cities including Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla, and Kandy. Stay overnight at a hotel in Sigiriya between private-guided sightseeing ventures. Get picked up in Colombo and head to your hotel in Sigiriya via Anuradhapura, the oldest city in Sri Lanka. The first activity of the 3 days tour is the hop-on hop-off city tour of the historical city of Anuradhapura. The tour covers a large number of historical places such as Buddhist temples, dagobas, palaces, gardens, and other remarkable structures in the city testify to the grandeur of ancient civilization. The city tour also includes the most sacred 8 Buddhist sites in the city, better known as "Atamasthana", Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, Ruwanwelisaya, Thuparamaya, Lovamahapaya, Abhayagiri Dagaba, Jetavanarama, Mirisaveti Stupa, and Lankarama. Later in the day settle in for a good night's sleep at your hotel in Sigiriya. Day 2 After breakfast leave for the Sigiriya rock fortress, home to one of the oldest landscaped gardens in the world. Your Sigiriya tour starts early morning, allowing you to escape the mid-day heat. Climb the rock and reach the summit to see the site of the King's palace, swimming pool, and king's throne. Soak up in the breathtaking scenery from the top of the pinnacle. Later drive to Polonnaruwa and see the dozens of ancient temples, Buddha statues, and many ancient structures built by ancient Kings. Witness massive stone-cut Buddha statues, dagobas, an audience hall, and much more at the cultural museum of Polonnaruwa. Later in the day Minneriya safari on an open jeep. Enhance your experience with a wildlife safari at Minneriya National Park. Spot wild elephants, bears, wild boar, deer, buffalo, monkeys, and maybe even a leopard. Stay overnight in Sigiriya. Day 3 Depart early for Colombo via Kandy, visiting a spice/herbal garden en route. In Matale, spices and herbs are used for Sri Lankan cuisine and medicine. Hear about this history as you explore the site with your guide. Later visit Dambulla Golden Temple and Tooth Relic Temple are sure to add another level of sacrosanctity to your experience. Dambulla hosts more than 150 Buddha statues and a large number of ancient murals. The next stop will be Kandy city. Today Kandy is one of Sri Lanka's most important cities because of the presence of the temple of the sacred tooth of the Buddha. This is the most visited Buddhist temple on the island, frequented by thousands of devotees every day. Return to your hotel in Colombo.

Sigiriya and Dambulla Day Trip from Colombo

5. Sigiriya and Dambulla Day Trip from Colombo

Depart Colombo and travel by a shared vehicle, in a small group, to the city of Sigiriya, and head directly to Sigiriya Rock on arrival. Gaze in awe at the massive column of rock that, according to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle The Culavamsa, was selected by King Kasyapa as the site of his new capital. Admire numerous paintings of historic queens, princesses, and maids inside the rock fortress before getting a break for lunch at your own expense. Then, explore some of the traditional crafts of the region, such as wood carving and batik textiles, with time to purchase souvenirs before departing. Start the journey back towards Colombo via Dambulla to explore the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. Discover the magnificent Buddha images and rock paintings of vivid colors and different shapes, painted from around the 2nd century B.C. up to the 18th-century Kandyan era.

From Ella: Shuttle to Mirissa/Galle with Udawalawe Safari

6. From Ella: Shuttle to Mirissa/Galle with Udawalawe Safari

After pick-up from your hotel in Ella, Haputale or Bandarawela, head for Udawalawe National Park, where you'll switch to an open concept safari jeep in order to have the best views. An early morning start ensures you'll see the animals during one of their most active times of day. See herds of elephants for sure and have fun watching for crocodiles, monkeys, water buffaloes, various endemic birds species and much more. Along the way, you'll learn about and observe the natural habitats of the local wildlife while you snap some amazing photos. Then, at the end of your 3-hour safari adventure, switch back to the comfortable, air-conditioned car for the ride on to Mirissa/Weligama/Unawatuna or Galle where you'll be dropped off at your hotel.

Udawalawe National Park Safari w Elephant Transit Home Visit

7. Udawalawe National Park Safari w Elephant Transit Home Visit

Explore one of Sri Lanka's best wildlife reserves on this 4x4 Jeep safari tour at Udawalawe National Park. Spot wild animals and interact with baby elephants at the Elephant Transit Home. Enjoy a more convenient trip with hotel pick-up and drop-off. Enter the park via a 4-wheel drive Jeep to start your tour. Spend some time among the amazing wildlife of Sri Lanka and discover the beauty of Udawalawe National Park and its thriving elephant population. Get a chance to see wild buffalos, spotted deer, barking deer, wild boars, sambars, hares, mongoose, crocodiles, and 30 species of snakes. You can also find 50 species of butterflies and many species of birds in the park. Next, stop at the Elephant Transit Home during feeding hours and take a closer look at hundreds of wild elephant babies. The park sustains large numbers of elephants with its abundant water sources. After the thrill of your safari, finish your experience with a return transfer to your pickup location.

From Colombo: Whale Watching Tour with Breakfast & Transfers

8. From Colombo: Whale Watching Tour with Breakfast & Transfers

Take an exciting yet comfortable boat trip out to sea and be fortunate to see Blue Whales; the largest creatures on earth, Bryde’s Whales, Sperm Whales, Killer Whales, and Fin Whales. You can also meet pods of friendly Dolphins such as the Common dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Spinner dolphins, Risso’s dolphins and striped dolphins as they playfully somersault and dance on the ocean waves. There’s also a good chance of seeing flying fish, turtle, manta rays and even sharks. Depart from Marissa harbor by right about 7am and watch blue whales,bryde whale,sperm whales and spinner dolphins. Boat tour may last 3-5 hours and you will be served coffee,breakfast,water bottles,also our qualified crew will assist you whenever you need.

Yala National Park: Leopard Safari Full day tour with Lunch

9. Yala National Park: Leopard Safari Full day tour with Lunch

After being picked up from your hotel in the local area at around 5:00 AM, you will enter Yala National Park to explore the light forests, scrubs, grasslands, lagoons, and magnificent range of animals. Over nearly 400 square miles, the park consistently wows visitors, with its range of lagoons, riparian zones, monsoon jungles, and more, supporting a veritable arc of fauna. As you traverse the park, get the best view of it all from a modified game viewing safari Jeep. After exploring the vast park for a few hours at the helm of your knowledgeable guide, you’ll stop for a picnic lunch at a beautiful viewing spot. Unwind for a while after lunch and get ready to enjoy your second round of the game drive.  As you criss-cross through the stunning landscape, you have the opportunity to see elephants, sloth bears, toque monkeys, wild boar, water monitors, marsh crocodiles, and perhaps the crown jewel of Yala National Park, the spotted leopard—of which the park has one of the highest densities in the world. After your full day of safari exploration, you’ll be transported back to your accommodation, thrilled at the preserved piece of nature that you have experienced.

Galle Fort: Guided Walking Tour

10. Galle Fort: Guided Walking Tour

You will start your tour at the entrance to the Fort, where you will be met by your host at 4:30 pm. Your guide and host is a local who has been a resident of Galle his whole life, along with his ancestors. His masterful knowledge of the town and its history will show you the layers below the colorful beauty of Galle. The natural harbor of Galle was famous as far back as 1400 BC. At that time it was one of the main ports in the world from which cinnamon was exported. The arrival of the Portuguese marked a change in the history of the town. They made Galle their headquarters and destroyed many important monuments which were in the area. The initial earth and palisade fort built by the Portuguese was expanded on by the Dutch, after their takeover of the Portuguese assets in the 17th century. The Dutch Fort was highly advanced with high stone ramparts and many bastions. They also built many other buildings for administration and residency. The Dutch made renovations to the streets and added advancements such as storm water drains. Today much of the Dutch fort still stands, contradicting the ravages of time. The history seeped streets of Galle retain their life and originality. You will be able to climb up to the ramparts of the fort, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and walk through the streets. The delicate filigreed roofs and old street signs with Dutch names add to their character. Your host will also take you on a tour to the museums which have many antiquities relating to the history of Galle and its harbor. Your walking tour will also take you to the Galle lighthouse which was built by the British. Along the way you will take a break with a cup of fine Ceylon Tea or a refreshing drink of King Coconut milk. Your walk will be completed back at the Dutch Fort at 6:30 pm.

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What people are saying about Sri Lanka

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 596 reviews

We had a lovely day with CJ, he was very caring in showing us the sites and stopping at places for views and food. It is a long drive from Colombo to Kandy but we were very comfortable in his car and with his driving. It was an exhausting day but totally worth it. The elephant sanctuary, the tea factory, the temple and the botanical gardens were all fabulous as well as the restaurants CJ stopped at for us. I have nothing negative to say about the day.

Our driver/guide, Keerthe, was punctual, informative, and trustworthy. He had a good understanding of the best times to enter a location and helped us buy our tickets to facilitate our visits. Keerthe navigated the city and town roads safely and with great skill.

Superb adventure, the landscapes are incredible. I recommend doing it if you are passing through Sri Lanka

I had a wonderful time in Sigiriya and Dambulla. The driver was friendly.

Amazing guide, amazing day out. Muthu was awesome!