3 of the world's most historic plants (yes, plants), and where to find them
Centuries-old flora in some of the most beautiful places on Earth
Sri Lanka Encompassed
14 days, Colombo to Mirissa
For most travellers, Sri Lanka has been off the map for too long. Well, it's back. Discover the vibrant colours, diverse cultures, and swaying palm trees of this tropical jewel. Explore tea plantations and rock fortresses on this 14-day tour, which is designed to please. This tour is about more than just beaches and stunning views; it's about the inspiring people you'll meet along the way.
Is this tour for me?
Travel Style: Classic
All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.
Service Level: Standard
Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.
Physical Rating: 2 - Light
Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
Trip Type: Small Group
Small group experience; Max 15, avg 12
Age requirement: 12+
All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Visa Requirements
14 days
Colombo to Mirissa
Creating ripples that change lives
The Ripple Score is an honest evaluation of how often we use local businesses and services to create each tour. With this score you can see the percentage of our local expenses that stay in the communities you visit. Learn more
Ripple Score
94
Itinerary
Day 1Colombo
Arrive at any time.
Day 2Colombo/Negombo
Enjoy a guided city tour of Colombo before heading to Negombo. With evening free time, explore the stunning Portuguese and Dutch architecture.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Negombo/Sigiriya
Begin the day visiting the seaside and observe fisherman sorting through their haul ashore. Board a boat to glide along the Dutch canal and get a closer look at the lives of the locals. Travel to the Dambulla province and visit the cave temple before watching the sun set over the lake.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Sigiriya
Guided tour of the rock fortress of Sigiriya — a World Heritage site. Meet locals and share a meal in a nearby village.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 5Sigiriya/Kandy
Drive through the Knuckles Mountain Range and visit a spice plantation en route to Kandy. Stop for lunch at G Adventures supported-Sthree Craft Shop and Cafe. Take a guided visit to the famous Temple of the Tooth.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 6Kandy/Digana
Enjoy a free morning in Kandy then travel to a G Adventures-supported homestay in Digana. Arrive at Tamarind Gardens Farm for lunch before embarking on a guided village walk. Stop at the home of a jewellery maker who handcrafts delicate Kandyan jewellery and the cottage of a local woman making incense. Learn to make Sri Lankan bread or sweets while helping out with dinner.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 7Digana/Nuwara Eliya
Enjoy a free morning of exploration before transferring to Nuwara Eliya. Opt for an early wake up call to lend a hand in feeding the farm animals. In the afternoon, explore a traditional tea plantation in the central highlands. Gain insight into the process of growing tea and its effect on the Ceylon region.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Nuwara Eliya/Ella
Spend a free morning hiking in the Horton Plains Nature Reserve or strolling local markets. Later, hop on the local train and take the scenic route to Ella.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Ella
Trek to the peak of Ella Rock and take in the views. With free time in the afternoon, opt to explore the surrounding landscape or relax in town.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Ella/Yala National Park
Opt to hike Little Adam's Peak with a free morning. In the afternoon, travel to Yala National Park and enjoy a safari.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 11Yala National Park to Mirissa
Enjoy one last morning visiting Yala NP then bid farewell and travel south to idyllic Mirissa Beach.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 12Galle
Take a day trip to Galle and tour the colonial city and historic fort before returning to Mirissa.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 13Mirissa
Enjoy a free day in peaceful Mirissa. Opt to relax on the beach or take a surfing lesson.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 14Mirissa
Depart at any time.
Meals included:
BreakfastItinerary
Day 1Colombo
Arrive at any time.
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your tour. Please note that normal check-in times apply at our start hotels, but you can usually store your luggage for the day if you arrive early.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher or the G Adventures App
Hotel Sapphire (or similar)
Day 2Colombo/Negombo
Enjoy a guided city tour of Colombo before heading to Negombo. With evening free time, explore the stunning Portuguese and Dutch architecture.
Pettah Bazaar Visit
Visit the Pettah district of Colombo and wind your way through a series of open-air bazaars and markets. The area is home to Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, one of the oldest and most visited mosques in Colombo, and also hosts Kayman's Gate, Colombo Town Hall, and the Khan Clock Tower.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Beacon Beach Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Negombo/Sigiriya
Begin the day visiting the seaside and observe fisherman sorting through their haul ashore. Board a boat to glide along the Dutch canal and get a closer look at the lives of the locals. Travel to the Dambulla province and visit the cave temple before watching the sun set over the lake.
Travel through the countryside to Sigiriya in Dambulla, the central province of Sri Lanka. Visit the the World Heritage Site of the Golden Cave Temple of Dambulla.
In the evening, try to catch a beautiful sunset over the Kandalamma Lake.
Dutch Canal Boat Ride
Get a closer look at daily life while cruising calmly along the Dutch canal, one of many canals in the city linking estuaries and lagoons together. Watch as Negombo's residents collect coconuts, and keep an eye out for the multitude of bird species in the area.
Private Vehicle
Negombo - Sigiriya
Dambulla Cave Temple Visit
Visit the ancient Dambulla cave temples at one of the most well-preserved temple and cave sites in Sri Lanka. See Buddhist mural paintings that line the walls of the seventh-century caves as well as a collection of hundreds of statues of Buddha in different poses.
Fishing Village Walking Tour
Take a walking tour of a fishing village. There's no better way to learn about the life of the locals than to head to the sea to take in the action. Watch the fishermen bring their boats to shore, clean their nets, dry the fish, and sell to waiting buyers.
Accommodation
Fresco Water Villa (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Sigiriya
Guided tour of the rock fortress of Sigiriya — a World Heritage site. Meet locals and share a meal in a nearby village.
Enjoy a walking tour of a local village to learn about residents' way of life while getting a chance to try the local cuisine at a lunch prepared by the families of the community. Later, visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Built in the fifth century, this rock fortress boasts well-laid out gardens, caves, monasteries, and palaces with beautiful wall motifs.
In the afternoon, opt to go for a tour of Polonnaruwa, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka, where you can cycle through the ruins.
Sri Lanka Village Tour
Wander through a typical Sri Lankan village to learn more about its residents and their way of life. Enjoy some local cuisine prepared by the families of the town and get a chance to interact with the community.
Sigiriya Rock Fortress Visit
Be mesmerized by this rock fortress, which captivates every visitor with its well-laid out gardens, caves, monasteries, and palaces adorned with beautiful wall motifs. Start at the water gardens and climb more than 1,200 steps to reach the top. Pass caves with frescoes and boulders to find the ruins of a palace on the flat surface of the old volcanic magma rock. The rock rests 370m (1,213 ft) above sea level with a shear drop on all sides.
Free Time
Head out and explore.
Accommodation
Fresco Water Villa (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 5Sigiriya/Kandy
Drive through the Knuckles Mountain Range and visit a spice plantation en route to Kandy. Stop for lunch at G Adventures supported-Sthree Craft Shop and Cafe. Take a guided visit to the famous Temple of the Tooth.
En route to Kandy, stop at the herbal centre of spices. Students of Ayurveda will explain different uses for each herb.
Arrive to Kandy in the afternoon. Go for a stroll around Kandy Lake and visit the famed Temple of the Tooth. Enjoy an included lunch at G Adventures supported-Sthree Craft Shop and Cafe. In the evening, opt to attend a Kandyan Cultural Dance.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Spice Plantation Tour
Visit the herbal centre of spices for an interactive session with students of Ayurveda. Learn all about the medicinal uses of various herbs used by the people of Sri Lanka in their massages and treatments.
Kandy Orientation Walk
Walk through the city and around Kandy Lake to get a better feel for the place.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Tour
Enjoy a tour of the Temple of the Tooth, which houses an important relic – a tooth of Lord Buddha kept in a well-preserved golden casket. Learn about the importance of this site from local guides.
Your G for Good Moment: Lunch at Sthree Craft Shop and Café
Stop for a delicious traditional Sri Lankan lunch prepared by Sthree Craft Shop and Café. This social enterprise offers opportunities for local women and youth living with disabilities, through handicraft and hospitality training.
1
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Kandyan Cultural Dance
3-5USD per personBe swept away by an entertaining performance that will provide insight into the local culture in Kandy.
Accommodation
Oak Ray Heritage Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 6Kandy/Digana
Enjoy a free morning in Kandy then travel to a G Adventures-supported homestay in Digana. Arrive at Tamarind Gardens Farm for lunch before embarking on a guided village walk. Stop at the home of a jewellery maker who handcrafts delicate Kandyan jewellery and the cottage of a local woman making incense. Learn to make Sri Lankan bread or sweets while helping out with dinner.
Accommodations at Tamarind Gardens Farm homestay are simple and authentic. Rooming will be in twin and triple-share rooms.
Free Time
Head out and explore.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Digana Guided Village Walk
Get a crash course in local life with a village walk through Digana. Learn about some of the essential local industries like it's milk collection point and dolomite mine. Meet with a local jeweller creating handicrafts from copper sheets and precious stones then take home personally crafted incense after a lesson in incense production by a local woman. Employing other women from the community, watch as oils and resins are mixed to craft the perfectly scented incense!
Your G for Good Moment: Tamarind Gardens Farm
Explore the small village of Digana, lend a hand with the farm, learn to cook authentic Sri Lankan dishes, and wake up in tranquility surrounded by palm trees. A dolomite mining community, this project supports efforts for alternative income in Digana as well as improved access to food and water.
2
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Royal Botanical Gardens Visit
10USD per personEnjoy a leisurely walk in the colourful Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya. See 300 varieties of orchids of Sri Lanka as well as a range of other plants.
Ayurvedic Hospital Visit
Visit a local hospital to learn about the history behind Ayurveda and the role it plays in Sri Lankan society. Gain an understanding of Ayurvedic oil massage treatments and its various benefits.
Accommodation
Tamarind Gardens Homestay (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 7Digana/Nuwara Eliya
Enjoy a free morning of exploration before transferring to Nuwara Eliya. Opt for an early wake up call to lend a hand in feeding the farm animals. In the afternoon, explore a traditional tea plantation in the central highlands. Gain insight into the process of growing tea and its effect on the Ceylon region.
Early birds can opt for a productive start to the day and join their hosts around the farm. Get up close with the farm animals and feed the chickens and cows.
Enjoy breakfast at Tamarind Gardens and soak in the views of the Victoria Reservoir over tea before departing for Nuwara Eliya.
The town, also known as 'Little England', offers a lot of options for visitors. Explore the nature trails, visit the plantations, or go golfing or horseback riding.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Tea Plantation Visit
The town of Nuwara Eliya produces the finest Orange Pekoe Ceylon tea, and is inhabited mainly by tea planters and plantation workers. Pay a visit to one of the factories to learn all about tea production.
1
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Tamarind Farm Duties
Ever wondered what it was like to live on a domestic farm? Get up close with the farm animals at Tamarind and help feed the cows and poultry their morning meals.
Accommodation
Hotel Jojo's (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Nuwara Eliya/Ella
Spend a free morning hiking in the Horton Plains Nature Reserve or strolling local markets. Later, hop on the local train and take the scenic route to Ella.
Use free time to explore the area. Opt to stay close to the city, wandering local markets or head further afield. There's a 9km (6 mi) trek in the Horton Plains Nature Reserve. Wander around Victoria Lake and take in the views.
Free Time
With so much to see and do, don't waste a minute.
Local train
Take the scenic route and observe the stunning scenery from the local train.
Free Time
Get to know Ella with some free time this evening.
1
Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow
Horton Plains Trek
25USD per person35USD per groupGet close to nature and stunning scenery on this Horton Plains Trek. Hike 9km (6 mi) into the Horton Plains and walk through the clouds to discover a majestic drop that provides amazing views over the plains into the sea.
Accommodation
Ella Gap Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Ella
Trek to the peak of Ella Rock and take in the views. With free time in the afternoon, opt to explore the surrounding landscape or relax in town.
Trek to Ella Rock
Set off on a trek to Ella Rock, passing through the lush surrounds and forest of rubber trees. Take in scenic views of the surrounding green valleys and plains from the peak.
3
Optional Activities - Day 9 HideShow
Badulla City Tour
Explore the provincial capital on a city tour. Enjoy visits to St Mark's Church, the Hindu Kataragame Devale, and Buddhist Muthiyagana Vihara, along the way.
Dunhinda Falls Excursion
Trek to the picturesque Dunhinda Falls, located just outside the town of Badulla. Stop to relax and enjoy the view of this impressive, 64m-high (210 ft) waterfall.
Demodara Nine Arch Bridge
The iconic Nine Arch Bridge made of stone and cement is a viaduct connecting Ella and Demodara train stations. Don't look down, this 100 year old bridge, also referred to as the "Nine Skies Bridge", can be found almost 3100 feet above sea level. With train service still operating, check the train schedule and be sure to catch a glimpse of the bridge in action!
Accommodation
Ella Gap Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Ella/Yala National Park
Opt to hike Little Adam's Peak with a free morning. In the afternoon, travel to Yala National Park and enjoy a safari.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Yala National Park Safari
Head out on a safari in Yala National Park. Keep an eye out for leopards, elephants, jackals, sloth bears, sambars, spotted deer, crocodiles, and more than 200 bird species. Learn about its diverse wildlife and the history of the park.
Free Time
Experience more of hill country with a free morning. Opt to shop or trek to Little Adam' Peak.
Accommodation
Big Game Camp Yala (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 11Yala National Park to Mirissa
Enjoy one last morning visiting Yala NP then bid farewell and travel south to idyllic Mirissa Beach.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
1
Optional Activities - Day 11 HideShow
Yala National Park Safari
36USD per personHead out on a safari in Yala National Park. Keep an eye out for leopards, elephants, jackals, sloth bears, sambars, spotted deer, crocodiles, and more than 200 bird species. Learn about its diverse wildlife and the history of the park.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 12Galle
Take a day trip to Galle and tour the colonial city and historic fort before returning to Mirissa.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Galle Fort and City Tour
Visit the Galle Fort, a 16th-century fort first built by the Portuguese, and later occupied by the Dutch. The ramparts are still standing even after being battered by Mother Nature, including the 2004 tsunami. Explore more of the beautiful capital, taking in the Dutch architecture and lively atmosphere. The Dutch Hospital shopping complex is a great place to scoop up some souvenirs.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 13Mirissa
Enjoy a free day in peaceful Mirissa. Opt to relax on the beach or take a surfing lesson.
Free Time
Kick back and relax on the beach or give surfing a try.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 14Mirissa
Depart at any time.
The Colombo airport can be reached by private taxi or bus. Your CEO can help you arrange a transfer.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
Meals included:
BreakfastWhat's Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Lunch at Sthree Craft Shop and Café, Kandy
- Your G for Good Moment: Tamarind Gardens Farm, Digana
- Colombo orientation walk
- Fishing village walking tour (Negombo)
- Dutch canal boat ride
- Dambulla Cave Temple visit (Sigiriya)
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress tour
- Village tour with local lunch
- Spice plantation visit
- Temple of the Tooth guided tour (Kandy)
- Tamarind Garden experience
- Tea factory visit
- Trek to Ella Rock
- Yala National Park safari
- Galle Fort and city tour
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodations
Hotels (13 nts), homestay (1 nt).
Meals
13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner
Allow USD225-295 for meals not included.
Transportation
Private van, boat, scenic local train.
Staff & experts
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.
Available extras (Add these to your tour when you book)
My Own Room - From €969.00
If you're travelling solo and would prefer to have your own private room throughout your trip, select this option during the online booking process.
Extend your stay with these add-on tours
Best of Southern India - From €799
Explore South India while you're in the area.
India Encompassed - From €1912
Start in Delhi and see India before heading to Sri Lanka.
Maldives Dhoni Cruise - From €1119
Tack on a cruise through the turquoise waters of the Maldives.
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