Island of Shores

About This Tour

Day 1 — Benthara Highlights: Bentota River Safari Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport and head down the western coast to the laid-back beach town of Bentota, where you spend the afternoon on a peaceful Bentota River safari through mangrove-fringed waterways, watching kingfishers, monitor lizards, and the occasional crocodile before settling into your beachside hotel; Day 2 — Galle Highlights: Unawatuna continue down the coast to Galle, wander the cobbled lanes of the UNESCO-listed Dutch fort with its boutique shops, art galleries, and colonial-era cafés, then in the afternoon head to nearby Unawatuna Beach for a swim in calm turquoise waters and a fresh seafood dinner; Day 3 — Mirissa Highlights: Coconut Tree Hill Mirissa, Weligama Bay drive a short way down the coast to Mirissa, snap photos at Coconut Tree Hill, then visit Weligama Bay to watch surfers and stilt fishermen or take a beginner surf lesson, before relaxing on Mirissa’s palm-fringed sands; Day 4 — Tangalle Highlights: Hummanaya Blow hole, Rekawa turtle watching continue east along the coast to Tangalle, visit the dramatic Hummanaya Blowhole, the second largest of its kind in the world, and after dark head to Rekawa Beach for a guided turtle-watching experience with a chance to see endangered sea turtles nesting under the stars; Day 5 — Yala Highlights: Yala National Park, Kirinda temple drive a short way east to Yala for an exhilarating jeep safari in Yala National Park, famous for its high density of leopards alongside elephants, sloth bears, and crocodiles, then end the day with a sunset visit to the seaside Kirinda Temple perched above the Indian Ocean; Day 6 — Arugam Bay Highlights: Arugambay continue north-east to Arugam Bay, 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 seafood dinner by the sea; Day 7 — Arugam Bay spend a relaxed second day on the east coast with options to take a surf lesson, explore the wild beaches and lagoons of Pottuvil by tuk-tuk, or simply unwind in a beachside hammock; Day 8 — Ella Highlights: Little Adams peak drive west into the central highlands to Ella, hike to the top of Little Adam’s Peak for sweeping views over tea-clad valleys, then enjoy a relaxed evening in town; Day 9 — Ella Highlights: Tea factory visit, Pekoe trail (Stage 16) spend a second day exploring Ella, hiking the Pekoe Trail Stage 16 through tea plantations and forest paths, then visiting a working tea factory to learn how Ceylon tea is produced; Day 10 — Kandy Highlights: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Royal botanic garden take the scenic train to Kandy, wander through the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, then visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in the evening, the spiritual heart of Sri Lanka; Day 11 — Sigiriya/Dambulla Highlights: Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla village tour drive north into the Cultural Triangle, climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress with its frescoes, water gardens, and summit ruins, then in the afternoon enjoy a Dambulla village tour with a home-cooked Sri Lankan meal; Day 12 — Polonnaruwa Highlights: Ancient City of Polonnaruwa drive to Polonnaruwa and spend the day exploring its UNESCO-listed ruins by bicycle, including the royal palace, Gal Vihara Buddhas, and ancient irrigation tanks that once sustained the kingdom; Day 13 — Colombo Highlights: Colombo city tour finish by driving to Colombo for a city tour of Independence Square, Galle Face Green, and the Old Parliament, before transferring to Bandaranaike International Airport for your homeward flight.

Route Map

Day-by-Day Itinerary