Culture, nature and wildlife trips

It’s time for a real wildlife adventure as you journey deep into one of Sri Lanka’s most famous national parks; Yala. You’ll travel by jeep safari across the parks wild terrain, spotting monkeys swinging through the trees, crocodiles lurking along the river banks and elephants stroll close to your jeep as you pass by.

You’ll begin this trip with a train ride through the Sri Lankan countryside. Sharing a carriage with the locals only adds to the experience and soon you’ll see the rolling landscape of valleys and tea hills pass by your window. Your hotel in Ella is nestled right in the hillside with breathtaking views of the Ella Gap mountains. Go on a nature hike to local waterfalls and the hills of Little Adam’s Peak and Ella Rock. It’s time to pack some lunch in your backpack and set off on your own adventure!

This bite-sized trip will take you to Wilpattu, the largest National Park in Sri Lanka. This park was closed for a long time during the civil war, but reopened to tourists in 2010. It’s the perfect place to head out on an adventurous jeep safari in search for leopards and sloth bears.

With the unmistakable air of a quintessential English village, Nuwara Eliya is affectionately known as ‘Little England’ and it won’t take you long to see why. Colonial style buildings, rose scented flower gardens and even red telephone boxes, all surrounded by a blanket of vibrant tea plantations; this is a totally different side of Sri Lanka.

It’s time to discover the soul of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country – the gorgeous Knuckles Range. Your home for the next few days is a beautiful lodge perched on the edge of the hill, with emerald green tea plantations stretching as far as you can see. During your stay here, you will visit the local community and enjoy a warm traditional welcome from the host family who will invite you into their home and tell you about their life over a cup of freshly brewed tea.

Positioned right in the heart of central Sri Lanka and nestled in the lush green ‘hill-country’, you’ll find the historical city of Kandy. There is so much to discover here, from the Temple of the Tooth to traditional dance shows, colourful markets and the vast Botanical Gardens.

Get a real taste of Sri Lanka during this homestay experience, where you’ll learn to cook up a storm. It’s a really authentic way of learning the secrets of traditional Sri Lankan cuisine and getting a glimpse of daily life with a local family just outside Kandy.

Gal Oya is a real treat for the wildlife lovers who want to venture off the beaten path. Set on the shores of the largest lake in Sri Lanka, this undiscovered paradise teeming with wildlife will give you a proper feel of the untouched jungle. Enjoy a nature spotting boat trip around the lake. To learn more about wildlife in the area, why not chat to one of the local naturalists or join them on a short cycling tour if you are feeling adventurous?

A beautifully preserved port town sitting on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka, Galle is well known for its multi-cultural heritage. Embraced by the Indian Ocean from the three sides, its iconic Dutch fort is not only a famous landmark but a living community worth plunging into! Try your hand at creating traditional dishes with the help of a local chef and explore Galle’s entangled streets that take you on an adventure through the centuries.

With its strategic location on the east-west trade route, Colombo has grown into a vibrant capital city with a mix of modern life and colonial buildings from the English, Portuguese and Dutch periods. During this trip, you’ll enjoy a city tour, Sri Lanka style, in one of the colourful tuk-tuks and spend the night in a stylish hotel in Colombo. The city itself probably won’t be the highlight of your holiday, but it’s an interesting and convenient way to begin or end your Sri Lankan adventure.

From exotic insects and lizards to colourful birdlife and green canopies, explore the sights and sounds of one of Sri Lanka’s last remaining rainforests on this adventure into the wild. Joined by a guide, you’ll follow hidden trails as you journey deep into the jungle.

Although only around an hour from the hustle and bustle of busy Kandy, Digana and its surrounding villages feel like a million miles away. From lush jungle to tumbling rice paddies, the only sounds you’ll hear are those of the wildlife, the gurgling of the nearby river, and perhaps the occasional swish of a scythe.

Only opened up to tourists in recent years, the northern city of Jaffna is a melting pot of cultures, religions and cuisines. Cycle around the battered ramparts of Jaffna Fort, learn about the traditional way of farming and be welcomed into a local home for lunch.