A Cultural and Wildlife Adventure
Sri Lanka Private Journey
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As you explore, you'll meet a wonderful array of people, from tea planters to monks who follow the traditions of Theravada Buddhism, introduced to the island in the 3rd century BC. 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Overview
With your private guide, discover the legendary temples, verdant tea plantations, welcoming people, and 2,000-year-old culture of Sri Lanka. Explore the 12th century temple-ruins of Polonnaruwa, hike up the stone steps of King Kashyapa's fortress at Sigiriya, visit cool highlands where tea is cultivated, sample Sri Lanka's famous fish curries, and look for wildlife at Yala National Park, haunt of elephant and leopard. As you explore, you'll meet a wonderful array of people, from tea planters to monks who follow the traditions of Theravada Buddhism, introduced to the island in the 3rd century BC. Optional add-ons include a cocktail-making class and tasting at a rooftop bar, participating in a traditional almsgiving to local monks, and a private tour of a cinnamon estate.
Arrive: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Depart: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Highlights
- Explore Anuradhapura, where Buddhist shrines date to the 3rd century BC, colonial Nuwara Eliya, and the Buddhist cave temples of Dambulla
- Charming accommodations, from seaside hotels to chalets set among rice paddies
- Be welcomed into Sri Lankan culture, meeting monks, tea planters, artists, and students
Itinerary
Download Itinerary
Expand All Days
In Colombo, once the traditional gateway to the Orient, explore the blend of east and west, then head out to visit the royal cities of ancient Sri Lanka. You'll discover three World Heritage Sites: the Buddhist gardens of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's capital for 1,300 years, 10th century Polonnaruwa, with its graceful pagodas, and King Kashyapa's impressive citadel at Sigiriya. You'll also be welcomed at a local school and in the historic village of Angampora, where we can watch students at a martial arts academy perform angampora, the ancient Sri Lankan fighting art. While in Colombo, you can learn how to make the famous “Tamarind,” a Sri Lankan “whiskey” made with Arrack (also spelled Arak), a distilled alcoholic beverage produced using coconut (you will have the opportunity to create one of your own). You can also take part in a traditional Almsgiving to local monks.
Climb up to the great cave-temple complex at Dambulla, enjoy a private lunch in the home of a local professor and art collector, and travel up to tea country. In Kandy, the hill capital and last stronghold of the Sinhala kings, you'll see the famous 16th century Temple of the Tooth, and from your heritage hotel above colonial Nuwara Eliya, walk through tea plantations and learn the fine art of “tasting” tea. A short rail journey brings you to the peaceful town of Ella, where you can enjoy a village bike ride and a lesson in preparing Sri Lankan cuisine.
In Yala, look for fabulous bird life, troops of monkeys chattering in the trees, and herds of wild elephant. You can add on an optional private tour of a cinnamon estate with the estate owners. After walking the ramparts of the historic seaside trading post of Galle, founded as a Dutch fort, depart on Day 13 via Colombo.
- Cocktail Making Course and Tasting
- Traditional Almsgiving
- Private Tour of a Cinnamon Estate
Dates & Pricing
Best months to go: Mid-December to March. For our Private Journeys, you choose your own group and your preferred dates. Prices are not guaranteed until services are confirmed. Contact us for availability, questions, or to book your adventure!Payment & Cancel Schedule
At time of reservation: $1,000
90 Days prior to departure: Balance
*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.
Cancellation & Transfer Schedule
Minimum fee: $500 per person
61-90 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost
46-60 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost
45 days or less: 100% of trip cost
*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.
Included
- Expert leadership of local guides
- Accommodations in hotels
- All meals included except 1 lunch as indicated in Detailed Itinerary
- Tea and coffee at all meals
- All ground transportation and baggage handling from arrival until departure
- All activities as indicated in Detailed Itinerary
Not Included
- Travel to and from the arrival and departure location as indicated in Detailed Itinerary
- Additional hotel nights outside the trip's scheduled dates
- Optional gratuities to guides or staff
- Optional travel insurance
- Other expenses of a personal nature (some alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.)
- Any activities and services described as an upgrade or optional
Accommodations
Listed below are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
Galle Face Hotel
Days 1-2 (2 nights)
Combining old world charm and elegance with modern amenities, the historic Galle Face Hotel enjoys a wonderful location, right on the beach and facing the Galle Face Green, an urban park along the seafront. If you're a swimmer, you can get your laps in at the 30-meter-long saltwater swimming pool. After, sip a cocktail in the garden and watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean. And don't miss the hotel's own collection of historical memorabilia and artifacts.
Aliya Resort
Days 3-5 (3 nights)
From this hotel, you'll enjoy breathtaking views of the verdant landscape and Sigiriya, or "Lion's Rock," an ancient palace once home to the king. Guestrooms are spacious and the art and decor are inspired by the Aliya, elephant. During our stay here, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a BBQ in the gardens of the hotel.
Cinnamon Citadel Hotel
Days 6-7 (2 nights)
The hills above the Mahaweli River provide a tranquil setting for this hotel in Kandy. Take in the views of the river and the surrounding greenery from the swimming pool or the modern lobby bar. Each of the rooms here are thoughtfully decorated in red, yellow, and crimson to represent the royalty and majesty of this region.
Heritance Tea Factory
Day 8 (1 night)
This restored tea factory-turned-hotel makes for a unique stay in the hills above Nuwara Eliya. Its remote mountainside setting is a bit of an oasis, and offers views of lush tea plantations. While here, you can hike through tea plantations and enjoy High Tea.
Jetwing Kaduruketha
Days 9-10 (2 nights)
Set amid paddy fields and natural forest, Jetwing Kaduruketha is designed to nestle unobtrusively into the rural landscape. Its 25 chalets, spaced out over 60 acres, are simply crafted with bamboo and wood and feature a king-sized bed, en suite bathroom, and an open plan to offer an indoor and outdoor ambiance (a roll-away bed will be provided for those needing a twin room). The resort's cuisine mixes fresh ingredients to produce traditional Sri Lankan curries as well as international menus. Meals can be enjoyed in the restaurant or on the outdoor terrace.
Jetwing Yala
Day 11 (1 night)
Facing Yala Beach and adjacent to Yala National Park, this 80-room hotel is an excellent base for game drives in search for painted storks and herds of elephants. With modern and colorful rooms, this hotel offers ample opportunities for relaxation, from a swing in a hammock to a refreshing dip in the swimming pool.
Lighthouse Hotel Galle
Day 12 (1 night)
Listen to surf crash against the rocks at this luxurious oceanfront hotel designed by Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. Each of the hotel's 85 rooms offers private balconies with views of the sparkling Indian Ocean. On the hotel grounds, you can enjoy a swim in one of three pools, a walk to a small accessible beach, or an after-dinner drink at The Coat of Arms Bar, decorated with antique flags.
1/7
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 2+, Easy to Moderate, with some optional short hikes and several nature walks at archaeological sites. Accommodations are in lovely hotels, including one night in a converted tea factory! Comfortable walking shoes are recommended and occasionally we must take off shoes to visit temples.
Review Trip Level Details
Sri Lanka has a tropical climate with high humidity, tempered by sea breezes on the coast. The average temperature is about 81°F. In the highlands in places like Nuwara Eliya, it is in the 60s during the day and can get very cold at night, with lows in the 40s, so you'll need a sweater. Sri Lanka has two monsoon seasons. The southwest part of the island gets a monsoon between May and July while the northeast monsoon is December and January. Humidity is high year round and you can expect some rain showers most days.
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
Submit the form below to download itinerary
Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.
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Accommodations are in lovely hotels, including one night in a converted tea factory! Comfortable walking shoes are recommended and occasionally we must take off shoes to visit temples.","Custom_Terrain":"","Custom_Getting_in_Shape":"","Custom_Weather":"Sri Lanka has a tropical climate with high humidity, tempered by sea breezes on the coast. The average temperature is about 81\u00b0F. In the highlands in places like Nuwara Eliya, it is in the 60s during the day and can get very cold at night, with lows in the 40s, so you'll need a sweater. Sri Lanka has two monsoon seasons. The southwest part of the island gets a monsoon between May and July while the northeast monsoon is December and January. 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If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please call Wilderness Travel at 1-800-368-2794 and ask for the<\/p>","System_References":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T07:50:51 --><p>We'd be happy to put you in touch with a past client that has traveled with us on this trip.<\/p>","System_Visit_Our_Website":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T07:51:32 --><p>At <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildernesstravel.com\">www.wildernesstravel.com<\/a>, you can find out about added departures, last-minute deals, and special WT Expeditions that aren't listed in our catalog. You can also access a complete library of our detailed itineraries and browse the customized reading guides for each of our adventures.<\/p>","System_Helpful_Links":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T07:52:03 --><p>Wilderness Travel has compiled a list of useful websites for travelers. Find the Toucan Club tab on the home page of our website and choose Helpful Links: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildernesstravel.com\/ toucan\/links\">www.wildernesstravel.com\/ toucan\/links<\/a>.<\/p>","System_About_Private_Journeys":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-02-17T11:00:24 --><p>Wilderness Travel Private Journeys are designed for people who want to travel with their own small private group, but who still want to experience the same superb itinerary design, great accommodations, and signature quality of Wilderness Travel's escorted group trips. These Private Journeys allow you to choose your own dates and your traveling companions -- even if it's just the two of you -- yet still enjoy a guided adventure.<\/p>","System_About_New_Trips":"","System_Social_Media":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:33:43 --><p><strong>SOCIAL MEDIA:<\/strong> We invite you to share your adventure with us on social media. Tag @wildernesstravel and we may even feature your content on our pages!<\/p>","System_If_You_Miss_Your_Flight":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:34:09 --><p><strong>IF YOU MISS YOUR FLIGHT<\/strong><br \/>If you miss your flight or are otherwise delayed, contact our Wilderness Travel office as well as our local partners, with your new flight information. Refer to the Emergency Contact Information listed in this Final Bulletin.<\/p>","System_Valid_Passport":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-06-16T10:26:21 --><p><strong>VALID PASSPORT:<\/strong> Check that your passport is valid for at least six months from the last day of your trip, and that you have at least two blank pages for any necessary visa or entry and exit stamps.<\/p>","System_Insurance_Policy":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:36:23 --><p><strong>INSURANCE POLICY:<\/strong> If you have purchased the Travelex Travel Protection Plan, you should have received an email confirmation of your policy. Please bring a digital or printed copy of this policy with you. If you cannot find your email confirmation, please contact Travelex's Customer Solutions team at 844-877-1885 or e-mail customersolutions@travclcxinsurancc.com. If you have not purchased Travelex insurance already, you have the option to do so up to 24 hours prior to your departure.<\/p>","System_Covid-19_Travel_Requirements":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-04-19T13:27:44 --><p><strong>COVID-19 TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:<\/strong> Please double-check COVID-19 entry requirements for any countries you may be traveling to or transiting through, on this website: <a href=\"apply.joinsherpa.com\/travel-restrictions\">apply.joinsherpa.com\/travel-restrictions<\/a><\/p>","System_Pre-Trip_Safety":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:37:06 --><p><strong>PRE-TRIP SAFETY:<\/strong> In the next weeks, we encourage you to do everything possible to stay healthy. Please practice social distancing, steer clear of potential COVID-19 exposure, and take an at-home antigen or lab based PCR test before you depart.<\/p>","System_Wilderness_Travel_Office":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:38:07 --><p>Our office in Berkeley, California can be reached at 510-558-2488, or by email at info@wildernesstravel.com. We are available during regular business hours (M-F, 8:30 am-5:00 pm, PST). <\/p>","System_ECI_Travel_Insurance":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:38:31 --><p>If you have purchased the Travelex Travel Protection Plan through Wilderness Travel, please remember to bring your Confirmation of Coverages (COC) with you on the trip, including your Plan Number and important emergency contact information.<\/p><p>If you've purchased a travel protection plan on your own, we recommend that you bring a copy of your policy, including all coverages, with you on your trip.<\/p>","System_Face_Masks_and_Hand_Sanitizer":"","System_DidNotPurchase_Insurance":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-02-28T12:27:44 --><p>Travel Insurance: We recommend that you purchase travel insurance for this trip. For your convenience, we offer Travelex travel protection. Please let us know if you would like us to add the Travelex Travel Protection Plan to this final invoice. You can learn more about the policy on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildernesstravel.com\/toucan\/travel-insurance\">website<\/a>.<\/p>","System_Purchased_Insurance":"","System_Questions?":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T13:47:31 --><p>Our Area Specialists are you single point of contact and would be happy to answer any questions about yout trip!<br \/>800.368.2794 | 510.558.2488<\/p>","System_Travel_Insurance":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T07:58:05 --><p>We highly recommend you purchase travel insurance. You can take advantage of a comprehensive Travel Protection Plan designed for Wilderness Travel by Travelex, or purchase other insurance on your own. See our website for details: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildernesstravel.com\/insurance\">www.wildernesstravel.com\/insurance<\/a><\/p>","System_Make_it_Your_Trip":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:44:18 --><p>The prices above are for the ready-to-book adventure outlined in this Detailed Itinerary, a popular option that has been handcrafted by our Area Specialists to include the best of every destination. While many travelers choose to book this tour as is, our Area Specialists are also happy to work with you to customize this Private Journey to suit your specific interests and style of travel. We can arrange for longer or shorter stays, offer hotel upgrades (see below for sample costs), or add an extension to additional places of interest. We can even add special activities or customize excursions depending on your interests. We invite you to contact us to discuss your options!<\/p>","System_Signing_up_for_a_Trip":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:44:42 --><p>Early reservations are recommended since accommodations often sell out far in advance. Please call 1-800-368-2794 and ask for our [Africa Manager] or email us at [africa@ wildernesstravel.com] with any questions that you may have about this trip. To reserve your Private Journey, we will need to know your preferred dates of travel. We will then check availability and send you a proposed itinerary with exact pricing for your adventure. We can typically hold a provisional booking for one week. At that time, we must collect your initial deposit or accommodations will be released. We accept Visa, Mastercard, or American Express card. Upon receipt of your deposit, we will send you a Welcome Packet that includes a letter of confirmation, Detailed Itinerary, Trip Application, Medical Form, and Pre-Departure Information Booklet with information to help you prepare for your adventure. Please see our Cancellations and Transfer Fee Schedule for specific payment information.<\/p>","System_Trip_Leaders":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-02-13T09:24:57 --><p>Wilderness Travel Trip Leaders have a passion and a joy for creating an unforgettable journey. We are extremely proud of them and the incredible travel experiences they make possible. The Trip Leader for each departure is listed on the "Dates & Prices" tab on our Pilgrim's Way webpage:<\/p>"},"terms":{"PaymentSchedule":"<meta charset=\"utf-8\"\/><body><p>At time of reservation: $1,000<br>90 Days prior to departure: Balance <br><br><em>*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.<\/em><\/p><\/body>","CancelSchedule":"<meta charset=\"utf-8\"\/><body><p>Minimum fee: $500 per person<br>61-90 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost<br>46-60 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost<br>45 days or less: 100% of trip cost <br><br><em>*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.<\/em><\/p><\/body>"}}