Our adventure starts on the west coast before heading into Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle to climb Sigiriya at sunrise and explore the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. From there, we move into the hill country for one of the world’s most scenic train journeys, misty tea plantations, and relaxed mountain living in beautiful Ella.
There’s jungle adventure and wildlife on safari in Kumana National Park, hands-on local experiences in Kandy, and time to properly unwind on the south coast with beach days, surf, and ocean sunsets.
Welcome dinner on night one
Early morning visit to Negombo Fish Market
Sunset hike to Pidurangala Rock
Sunrise climb of Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Guided visit to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa
Visit to Dambulla Cave Temple
Tuk-tuk market experience in Kandy
Hands-on Sri Lankan cooking class + lunch included
Evening visit to the Temple of the Tooth
Scenic train journey from Ambewela to Ella
Visit to Nine Arches Bridge
Hike to Little Adam’s Peak
Morning safari in Kumana National Park
I’m the co-founder of Irish Travel Gang, and I’m so excited to take you on this adventure! This will be my second time in Sri Lanka, a country that has so much to offer, and I can’t wait to show you around!
I’ll be on hand, along with our local tour guide, to help with anything you might need throughout the tour.
Negombo – Sea Horse Negombo
Sigiriya – Elysia Hotel
Kandy – Hotel Ganthera
Kitulgala – Borderlands
Ella – Bunk Stations Hostel
Arugam Bay – Blue Wave Hotel
Mirissa – JJ’s Hostel
All accommodations will be as listed above or similar standard. For Ella and Mirissa we will have hostel style accommodations, in dorm rooms that are private for our group. In all other accommodations we will be staying in twin / triple room hotels.
All internal transport in Sri Lanka is included in this tour, such as:
We’re kicking things off on the west coast in Negombo, just a short drive from the airport. After landing, you’ll be welcomed by the Travel Gang crew and transferred to our beachside hotel.
Today is all about easing into island life. Relax by the pool, take a sunset stroll along the beach, or grab your first fresh coconut. In the evening, we’ll gather for our welcome dinner — your first taste of Sri Lankan flavours and your first proper hang with your new travel family.
In the evening we’ll all meet at the hotel for our welcome dinner. We’ll get to know each other over some traditional Tanzanian food, and settle in with your travel family for the next few days!
We are up early this morning for a real slice of local life at the Negombo Fish Market. It’s vibrant, chaotic, colourful, and the perfect intro to life in Sri Lanka!
Then we hit the road towards beautiful Sigiriya. This afternoon we hike Pidurangala Rock for sunset. The climb is manageable, the views are unreal, and from the top you’ll see the iconic Lion Rock rising from the jungle as the sky turns gold.
This morning, we’re up early to beat the heat and climb the legendary Sigiriya. As we ascend the ancient stairways, you’ll pass colourful frescoes, towering rock walls, and the famous lion’s paws carved into stone. At the summit, panoramic views stretch across the Cultural Triangle — it’s one of those bucket-list moments that lives up to the hype.
Later, we travel to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, we explore sprawling ruins, royal palaces, sacred temples, and beautifully preserved Buddha statues. It’s a fascinating glimpse into Sri Lanka’s medieval kingdom and a completely different atmosphere from Sigiriya.
Today we’re exploring Dambulla Cave Temple, one of Sri Lanka’s most important religious sites and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Perched high on a rocky outcrop, the climb up is short but rewarding — and once inside, you’ll step into a series of five caves filled with over 150 Buddha statues, intricate murals, and centuries of history painted across the walls and ceilings.
From there, we continue our journey into the hill country towards Kandy. The afternoon is free for you to explore: stroll around Kandy Lake, browse local shops, grab a coffee, or simply relax at the hotel and enjoy the cooler mountain air.
We jump into tuk-tuks and weave through Kandy’s lively streets to visit the local market. You’ll see colourful spices, tropical fruits, and the everyday rhythm of Sri Lankan life.
After gathering ingredients, we take part in a hands-on cooking experience, learning how to prepare traditional Sri Lankan dishes from scratch. And yes — we sit down together to enjoy everything we’ve made.
In the evening, we visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth, home to one of Buddhism’s most revered relics. Visiting during evening rituals allows you to witness the temple at its most atmospheric.
We leave the hills behind and head toward the rainforest region of Kitulgala.
For those feeling adventurous, there’s the option to go white-water rafting on the Kelani River. It’s a fun, beginner-friendly experience set against a backdrop of dense jungle and rushing rapids.
Tonight, we stay surrounded by nature — riverside, peaceful, and completely different from the cities we’ve explored so far.
Today is one of the highlights of the entire trip.
We board the famous hill country train bound for Ella. Over the next few hours, the train winds through rolling tea plantations, misty mountains, waterfalls, and small rural villages. Doors open, cameras out — it’s slow travel at its finest.
Arriving in Ella, you’ll immediately feel the laid-back mountain-town energy. After arriving enjoy some free time to explore the town before a day of sightseeing tomorrow.
We start the day with a sunrise hike up Little Adam’s Peak. The trail is gentle and scenic, winding through tea plantations and from the top, you’ll get sweeping panoramic views across the Ella Gap.
Next we visit the iconic Nine Arches Bridge – one of the most photographed spots in Sri Lanka. If we time it right, we’ll watch the blue train roll slowly across the arches.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy Ella’s laid-back mountain vibe. Think smoothie bowls, boutique shops, or just sitting with a coffee overlooking the hills. After a few early mornings, we’ll enjoy the down time!
The drive from Ella to Arugam Bay is one of the most scenic transitions of the trip. You’ll literally watch the landscape change from misty hills flattening into dry plains, before reaching the open coastline.
Arugam Bay has a completely different energy. It’s relaxed, a little bohemian, and centred around surf culture. After checking in, the afternoon is free to hit the beach, wander the small strip of cafés and bars, or take your first swim on the east coast.
Enjoy a stunning sunset here before catching an early night ahead of our big adventure tomorrow!
We’re up early for one of the most exciting wildlife experiences of the trip — a safari in Kumana National Park.
Travelling by 4×4 jeep through wetlands, forest and open grassland, we search for elephants, crocodiles, buffalo, exotic birdlife and, with the luck of this Irish, even leopards.
After the safari, we begin our journey south along the coast. It’s a longer travel day, but it’s also a chance to relax, nap, and unwind before a little boogy in Mirissa
Welcome to Mirissa — palm trees, golden sand and warm Indian Ocean waters.
After the pace of the past week, today is intentionally flexible. You can join an optional surf lesson (perfect for beginners and improvers), take part in a beach yoga session, or simply relax and enjoy doing absolutely nothing.
Swim, sunbathe, grab fresh seafood, sip coconuts, wander along the shoreline — this is your time to soak up the final full day on the island.
In the evening, we’ll gather as a group for one last dinner together.
Enjoy a chilled checkout, today we finish our tour with a shuttle back to Bandaranaike International Airport. An amazing trip filled with wildlife, lush beaches, epic scenery, and a whole lot of belly laughs.
Sri Lanka is a destination that truly has it all, from spotting leopards on Safari, to relaxing at white sand beaches, and finding time to stop in to some breathtaking temples along the way. This twelve day itinerary is jam packed with adventure, and the perfect once in a lifetime tour to Sri Lanka!
The tour will start in and end at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). A shuttle is included for both airport pick up and drop off on this tour.
Yes, Irish Citizens need a visa for entering Sri Lanka which can be purchased online.
We have many talents, but we are not medical professionals – there are no strict requirement vaccinations for entering Sri Lanka, but we recommend reaching out to your doctor for official advice.
This tour includes all accommodation, activities, and internal transport throughout the trip.
Dinners and lunches in general are not included, and you will also need spending money for souvenirs, gifts, and activities during our free day in Mirissa.
Our first activity is a welcome dinner on the first night. The exact time of the dinner will be arranged once we have everyone’s flight details to make sure we have a time that suits everyone.
On the last day we will arrange shuttles back to the airport for the morning, and again we will do our best to align these with the flights the group have booked.
