Sri Lanka Express
8 days, Negombo to Unawatuna
Discover Sri Lanka's incredible cultural and natural highlights on this eight-day tour. Explore a spice plantation, look for elephants on safari in Udawalawe National Park, and visit a stunning tea plantation. Wrapping up in Unawatuna, this tour is designed for add-on beach time to complete your vacation.
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
8 days
Negombo to Unawatuna
Special Offers
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
81
Itinerary
Day 1Negombo
Arrive at any time.
Day 2Negombo/Kandy
Drive to Kandy, visiting a spice plantation en route. Enjoy lunch at G Adventures-supported Sthree Craft Shop and Café. Later, explore Temple of the Tooth.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 3Kandy
Explore Kandy with a free day.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Kandy to Ella area
Travel by private vehicle to the historic town of Nuwara Eliya and enjoy some free time. Continue the journey to the rolling green valleys of the Ella area and spend 2 nights at the G Adventures-supported AMBA estate, an organic farm and guest house.
Meals included:
DinnerDay 5Ella area
In the morning, enjoy a tour through the tea plantation and learn about one of the nation's most popular exports followed by a tea tasting. After enjoy free time to soak in the stunning scenery, opt to hike to Ella Rock, or visit Ella town by tuk tuk. This evening, enjoy a cooking demonstration of classic homestyle Sri Lankan dishes, a delicious mixture of savoury and sweet.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 6Ella/Udawalawe National Park
Depart Amba Estate in the morning after enjoying a delicious home cooked breakfast. Begin the journey to Udawalawe National Park and visit the Elephant Transit home before enjoying an afternoon wildife safari through Udawalawe National Park. Afterwards, head to a tented camp by the lake on the boundary of National Park and relax with a BBQ dinner around the campfire.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 7Udawalawe National Park/Unawatuna
After breakfast transfer from Udawalawe to Galle for a tour of the fort and city. Later, head to Unawatuna, on the south coast, for a final night with the group.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Unawatuna
Depart at any time.
Meals included:
BreakfastItinerary
Day 1Negombo
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 J Negombo (or similar)
Day 2Negombo/Kandy
Drive to Kandy, visiting a spice plantation en route. Enjoy lunch at G Adventures-supported Sthree Craft Shop and Café. Later, explore Temple of the Tooth.
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.
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.
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.
Optional Activities - Day 2 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
Winter Villa kandy (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 3Kandy
Explore Kandy with a free day.
Free Time
Get out and explore more of Kandy.
Optional Activities - Day 3 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
Winter Villa kandy (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Kandy to Ella area
Travel by private vehicle to the historic town of Nuwara Eliya and enjoy some free time. Continue the journey to the rolling green valleys of the Ella area and spend 2 nights at the G Adventures-supported AMBA estate, an organic farm and guest house.
Livelihood opportunities in the valley of Bandarawela, Sri Lanka are limited for low income community members. Many rely on agricultural work, especially in the tea plantations, which can be arduous with little financial gain. Amba Estate came to the area with the purpose of promoting economic growth through their organic tea plantation, paying fair wages, sharing their profits with their workers, and creating opportunities for growth. Having established its place in the travel market, Amba is now ready to support community cooperatives as a means of better spreading the income of tourism throughout the valley.
Planeterra is working alongside Amba Estate by supporting the initial investment for the first community-led microenterprise that will work in partnership with Amba. Planeterra’s catalyst grant covers the equipment, training and setup costs for a group of six women to formally become a chutney co-operative. The chutney will be sold back to Amba Estate for travellers to consume, as well as sold to guests and in markets throughout Sri Lanka. G Adventures travellers began visiting Amba in July 2018. They now have the opportunity to eat the delicious chutneys, meet the women and see how it’s made!
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.
Your G for Good Moment: AMBA Estate
Tucked into the hills of Ella Rock, Amba Estate is an organic tea plantation that provides the local community with meaningful employment opportunities and fair wages. During your two-night stay at Amba Estate, you'll learn about traditional hand-rolling techniques used in tea production along with preparing (and eating) delicious local food.
Meals included:
DinnerDay 5Ella area
In the morning, enjoy a tour through the tea plantation and learn about one of the nation's most popular exports followed by a tea tasting. After enjoy free time to soak in the stunning scenery, opt to hike to Ella Rock, or visit Ella town by tuk tuk. This evening, enjoy a cooking demonstration of classic homestyle Sri Lankan dishes, a delicious mixture of savoury and sweet.
Free Time
Discover all Ella has to offer with a free afternoon.
Tea Plantation Tour
Learn about one of Sri Lanka’s most exported commodities with a visit to a local tea plantation. Meet a local tea expert who will enlighten you on how the leaves are harvested and processed. Enjoy a taste of pure Sri Lankan tea direct from the factory, and experience a cup of truly fresh tea from one of the world’s most renowned tea regions.
Your G for Good Moment: AMBA Estate
Tucked into the hills of Ella Rock, Amba Estate is an organic tea plantation that provides the local community with meaningful employment opportunities and fair wages. During your two-night stay at Amba Estate, you'll learn about traditional hand-rolling techniques used in tea production along with preparing (and eating) delicious local food.
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Spice Garden Cooking Class
2500LKR per personTake a tour of the spice garden, then learn some of Sri Lanka's culinary traditions with this authentic cooking class.
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.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 6Ella/Udawalawe National Park
Depart Amba Estate in the morning after enjoying a delicious home cooked breakfast. Begin the journey to Udawalawe National Park and visit the Elephant Transit home before enjoying an afternoon wildife safari through Udawalawe National Park. Afterwards, head to a tented camp by the lake on the boundary of National Park and relax with a BBQ dinner around the campfire.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Udawalawe Reserve Safari
Drive through this massive nature reserve and keep an eye out for the mighty Sri Lankan elephants – they live in abundance here and often wander along the road. Make several stops to observe these beautiful animals.
Accommodation
Big Game Camping (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 7Udawalawe National Park/Unawatuna
After breakfast transfer from Udawalawe to Galle for a tour of the fort and city. Later, head to Unawatuna, on the south coast, for a final night with the group.
Local bus
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
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.
Local bus
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Accommodation
Hotel J Unawatuna (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Unawatuna
Depart at any time.
The Colombo airport can be reached by taxi or there are train and bus connections from nearby Galle for much less. 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: AMBA Estate, Ella
- Spice plantation visit
- Temple of the Tooth visit
- Tea tasting
- Cooking demonstration
- Udawalawe National Park safari
- Barbecue and camp at Udawalawe National Park
- Galle City and Fort tour
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodations
Standard hotels/guest houses (6 nts), camping (1 nt).
Meals
6 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
Allow USD120-160 for meals not included.
Transportation
Private vehicle, 4x4, local bus, walking.
Staff & experts
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout.
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