Relaxed Culture & Nature in Sri Lanka: Galle to Negombo - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Colombo, Transfer to Galle, Explore the Galle Fort

Welcome to Sri Lanka! After touching down in Colombo, the island's biggest city, meet your driver outside the airport and transfer 2.5 hours to Galle on the southern coast. When you arrive, check in at your hotel and freshen up before joining your guide on a tour of the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort. Originally built by the Portuguese in the 15th century and later extended by the Dutch, the fort spans over 90 acres (36 ha) and encompasses the city's galleries, cafés, and shops.

Step through the gates and wander the narrow cobblestone streets lined with Dutch colonial buildings. Then, head up to the massive ramparts, where you'll be treated to panoramic views of the Indian Ocean on one side and the bustling city on the other. After the two-hour tour, the rest of your evening is free. Return to the hotel to relax or grab dinner at one of the restaurants within the fort. Galle's coastal location means fresh seafood is abundant, so consider trying the local specialty: fish curry, with sparkling fresh fish, prawns, or crab cooked in a spicy coconut milk sauce.

Day 2: Transfer to Udawalawe via the Handunugoda Tea Estate, Afternoon Safari 

After a restful night in Galle, it's time to hit the road again on a two-hour transfer to Udawalawe, a charming town that serves as the gateway to Udawalawe National Park. On the way, you can visit the Handunugoda Tea Estate, a family-owned estate famed for producing the world's only "virgin white tea," a rare and delicate tea harvested without being touched by human hands. Stroll through acres of lush tea bushes, then head to the antique tea factory to learn how the leaves are collected, dried, withered, and processed.

End your tour with a freshly made cup of Ceylon before completing the drive to your safari resort, just five minutes outside of the national park. Check-in and get ready for a Jeep safari through the park's diverse landscapes, ranging from vast grasslands to dense forests. The park is renowned for its large and stable elephant population, with 600 to 700 elephants residing within its boundaries. You may also see water buffalo, monkeys, sambar deer, and even the occasional leopard, so keep your eyes peeled.

Day 3: Visit the Elephant Transit Home, Transfer to Koslanda, Dinner Experience

Before leaving Udawalawe today, you'll visit the Elephant Transit Home, a wildlife protection facility within the national park. The facility is dedicated to caring for young elephants that have been orphaned or separated from their herds. If you visit during feeding hours, head to the viewing platform for a close-up look at the calves being bottle-fed and learn about the rehabilitation efforts to prepare them for eventual release back into the wild. After your visit, transfer two hours to Koslanda, a serene village in the heart of Sri Lanka's hill country. 

Check-in at your luxury boutique hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing by the infinity pool that offers uninterrupted views of the lush paddy fields below. In the evening, head to the dining ambalama (an open, wooden structure traditionally used as a resting place during long journeys) for a delicious dinner. You'll feast on an array of traditional Sri Lankan curries, rice, Western favorites, soups, salads, and seafood. For a more intimate experience, opt for private dining in the hotel's jungle ambalama, where you'll dine amid secluded waterfall views.

Day 4: Picnic Lunch & Swim at a Private Waterfall

Choose between traditional Sri Lankan delights, a full English breakfast, or fresh tropical fruits to kickstart your day. Then, set off on a leisurely 35-minute walk through the forest to get to the hotel's private waterfall. When you arrive, jump into the natural pool below and swim to the foot of the falls for a natural hydro massage. Dry off on the rocks and enjoy a picnic lunch with a bottle of wine or a few cold beers. Whenever you're ready, stroll back to the hotel and toast your final night in Koslanda with a sundowner on the terrace.

Day 5: Transfer to Kandy, Guided Tour of the UNESCO-listed Sacred City

After breakfast, set off on a four-hour transfer to Kandy in the Central Province, often called Sri Lanka's "Cultural Capital." When you arrive, join your guide on a tour of the UNESCO-listed sacred city, starting at the Royal Palace overlooking Kandy Lake. The palace was the official residence of the Sinhalese kings who ruled the region from the 15th to the 19th century. Today, it serves as a museum and home to Sri Dalada Maligawa, an active Buddhist temple housing the sacred relic believed to be a tooth of the Buddha. 

If you want to enter the temple, wear clothing covering your shoulders and knees and remove your footwear and hats before stepping inside. Outside the temple, you'll find plenty of royal buildings, including the audience hall, the queen's palace, the royal treasury, and the guard room. Don't miss the on-site National Museum of Kandy to learn more about the Kandyan Kingdom. Peruse the treasure trove of artifacts, including royal regalia, ancient manuscripts, ceremonial weapons, and intricately crafted jewelry. Afterward, you'll transfer to your hotel for the next two nights.

Day 6: Enjoy a Floating Breakfast, Knuckles Mountain Range Trek

Change into your swimwear and dip into your resort's heated outdoor pool to enjoy a floating breakfast. Indulge in a selection of fresh fruits, pastries, and gourmet dishes as you look out at the surrounding tea plantations and mist-covered mountains. After breakfast, lace up your hiking boots for a trek through the Knuckles Mountain Range, part of the UNESCO-listed Central Highlands. The range's diverse terrain offers a variety of hiking options, from challenging ascents to more moderate trails, each showcasing the lush forests, rugged peaks, and serene highland landscapes. 

As you trek through the dense, mist-shrouded forests and across undulating ridges, you'll encounter an array of endemic plant and animal species, including colorful birdlife and flora. Depending on the trail your guide chooses, you may see landmarks like Alugallena Cave or the Mini World's End, named after the famous viewpoint within the Horton Plains National Park. Once you're back at the resort, unwind with a treatment at the on-site spa overlooking a natural steam and waterhole. Choose from a range of treatments, like a deep tissue massage, body scrub, facial, or manicure.

Day 7: Transfer to Negombo, Guided City Tour

Say goodbye to Kandy this morning as you transfer three hours to your final destination, Negombo, a charming coastal town that blends vibrant culture, history, and natural beauty. After checking in at your hotel, set off on a city tour, starting at the Old Dutch Fort, built by the Portuguese in the early 17th century and later fortified by the Dutch. Walk along the fort's sturdy walls and explore its well-preserved structures, including the iconic gate and bastions. Don't miss the on-site museum showcasing artifacts and exhibits about the past inhabitants. 

Continue to the Hamilton Canal, better known as the "Dutch Canal." It was originally built as a transportation route by the Dutch in the 17th century. Stroll along the historic waterway surrounded by lush greenery and the tranquil rhythm of local life. Discover a selection of centuries-old churches next, such as the 18th-century St. Sebastian's Church, dedicated to the town's patron saint. Afterward, you'll leave the coast and its charming fishing villages behind as you head inland to some of the area's temples, like Angurukaramulla, home to an enormous, seated Buddha statue. 

Day 8: Transfer to Colombo, Depart

Your eight-day journey across Sri Lanka comes to an end today. If you have time before your flight, explore a little more of Negombo on your own. Head to the Negombo Fish Market to experience the bustling atmosphere and see daily life unfold. Then, hop on a boat to explore the Hamilton Canal from the water. Glide past lush mangroves, traditional fishing villages, and vibrant local markets before meeting your driver for a 40-minute transfer to the airport in Colombo for your flight home. Safe travels!

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