Northern Soul and Eastern Sun

About This Tour

Day 1 — Kalpitiya: Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport and travel up the western coast to Kalpitiya, a tranquil peninsula known for its marine life and quiet lagoons, where you settle in for a relaxed first afternoon by Kalpitiya Lagoon with optional kitesurfing, kayaking, or simply unwinding to the rhythm of the Indian Ocean. Day 2 — Wilpattu: Travel inland for a thrilling jeep safari in Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka's largest reserve, spending the day searching its forests and natural lakes for leopards, sloth bears, elephants, and a wide array of birdlife before retiring to a comfortable lodge for the night. Day 3 — Sigiriya/Dambulla: Drive east into the Cultural Triangle, beginning with an authentic Dambulla village tour complete with a bullock-cart ride and home-cooked meal, then climb the legendary Sigiriya Rock Fortress in the afternoon, with its frescoes, water gardens, and panoramic summit views. Day 4 — Kandy: Travel south through tea country to Kandy, starting with a fragrant spice garden walk before visiting the revered Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the spiritual heart of the country, and ending the day with a traditional Kandyan dance performance featuring drummers and fire dancers. Day 5 — Jaffna: Drive north along the A9 highway to Jaffna, the cultural capital of Sri Lanka's Tamil heartland, where you wander the ramparts of the historic Jaffna Fort, originally built by the Portuguese and later expanded by the Dutch, and settle in with a flavourful Jaffna crab curry dinner. Day 6 — Jaffna: Spend a full day exploring Jaffna's rich Tamil culture, visiting the magnificent Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil with its colourful gopuram and vibrant rituals, and taking a boat to Nainativu or Delft Island for ancient temples, wild ponies, and quiet beaches. Day 7 — Trincomalee: Drive south-east across the northern plains to Trincomalee on the pristine east coast, checking into a beachfront hotel and spending the day relaxing on the powder-soft sands of Nilaveli Beach with its calm turquoise waters ideal for swimming and snorkelling. Day 8 — Arugam Bay: Continue south along the east coast to Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka's most famous surf town, where you settle into your beachfront accommodation and spend the rest of the day relaxing on the golden curve of the bay, watching surfers and enjoying a fresh seafood dinner by the sea. Day 9 — Arugam Bay: Spend a relaxed second day on the east coast, visiting nearby Elephant Rock for spectacular ocean views and a quieter beach, then rounding off the day with a sunset surf lesson or a beachside dinner under the stars. Day 10 — Tangalle: Drive south-west along the coast to Tangalle, visiting the dramatic Hummanaya Blowhole, the second largest of its kind in the world, before heading to Rekawa Beach after dark for a guided turtle-watching experience with a chance to see endangered sea turtles nesting under the stars. Day 11 — Galle: Continue west along the coast to Galle, wandering the cobbled lanes of the UNESCO-listed Dutch fort and enjoying a final swim at nearby Unawatuna Beach before lunch and a transfer up the coast to Bandaranaike International Airport for your homeward flight.

Route Map

Day-by-Day Itinerary