
2 Weeks in Sri Lanka
Join others in their 30s and 40s on this trip to see temples, turtles and tea plantations
Length
14 Days
Group size
4-12 travellers
Experience Sri Lanka
Trip highlights
The world's most beautiful train ride
Safari tour to see elephants
Sunrise over Nine Arches Bridge
View over Sigiriya Fortress
The "Indico Travels" experience
Travel with others in their 30s and 40s
Stay in a traditional village
Cook fresh curry with locals
Relax on the beach
An island in the Indian Ocean that combines nature, history, spirituality, cuisine - and warm-hearted people who always have a smile on their face. Lonely Planet named Sri Lanka as the world's top travel destination in 2019 for a reason! On this adventurous trip through the country formerly known as Ceylon, expect to see lush tea plantations, temples steeped in history with enchanting decorations, elephants, sea turtles, aromatic curries and a rural population whose hospitality is unrivalled. And what better way is there to relax after an exciting deep dive into a country's rich history than to unwind on a sandy beach in paradise? Pack your bags, adventure awaits!

We compensate the CO2 created by this trip and your flights via a gold standard programme.



Map
Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Sri Lanka!



Relax by the pool
Ayurveda dinner
Meals included: Dinner
Transportation: Private Taxi (1:00h)
Step off the plane in Colombo to find your chauffeur waiting for you. Welcome to Sri Lanka!
Receive a warm welcome at the Hotel Ayur Ayur Ayurveda - the triple name stands for triple satisfaction ;) If you arrive early, feel free to relax by the pool after your long journey, or optionally treat yourself to a massage in the hotel's spa. Your holiday has begun!
Once everyone has arrived, let's get to know each other over an Ayurveda dinner. Here's to our journey!



Ayur Ayur Ayurveda Hotel
Facilities:
Hot water
Laundry service
Spa
Air conditioning & private bathroom
Swimming Pool
Internet/Wifi
Restaurant
Day 2
Tour de Sri Lanka

Arrak - cheers!
Experience rural life
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Transportation: Private Bus (3:00h), Bicycle (3:00h)
We spend our first day together in Sri Lanka getting to know the country on two wheels. We cycle along the coast, watching fishermen go about their daily business. We observe rural life in the crop fields and marvel at the many coconut plantations.
On one of our stops, we'll learn how the famous local liquor called arrak is made. Thirsty from all that cycling, we all deserve a little shot! At the end of the tour we catch a ride to Kurunegala, where a delicious lunch menu is waiting for us.
Afterwards, we'll head towards the so-called cultural triangle, to Dambulla. Here, we will spend the next three nights and discover the most impressive UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Can't wait!



The Other Corner
Type: Hotel
Category: Standard
Facilities:
Hot water
Laundry service
Air conditioning & private bathroom
Swimming Pool
Internet/Wifi
Restaurant
Day 3
Monks and mountains


Sunset over Sigiriya
Ritigala Nature Reserve
Ruins dating back to the 700s
Meals included: Breakfast
Transportation: Private Bus (3:00h), By Foot (4:00h)
Today we'll experience beautiful landscapes as well as cultural highlights. First, we explore the highest mountain in Northern Sri Lanka's Ritigala, which - thanks to its biodiversity - is a strictly protected nature reserve. Ritigala is also where Sri Lanka's largest Buddhist monastery can be found. The monks lead a particularly secluded and ascetic life. We marvel at buildings dating back to the eighth century that are thought to have been constructed by members of a unique Buddhist sect.
In the afternoon we hike up Pidurangala. Insiders know that this place provides the best views of the famous Sigiriya Rock. We enjoy the breathtaking view over the supposed royal palace as the sun sets. This is the kind of moment you travel for.
End the day with sparkling eyes and relax back at the hotel.



The Other Corner
Type: Hotel
Category: Standard
Facilities:
Hot water
Laundry service
Air conditioning & private bathroom
Swimming Pool
Internet/Wifi
Restaurant
Day 4
A royal city full of Buddha statues



Cycling tour of royal city
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Transportation: Private Bus (2:00h), Bicycle (2:00h)
Polonnaruwa has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982 - and today you'll understand why! 800 years ago, the city was the spiritual and commercial center of Sri Lanka, which explains why it is so rich in archaeological treasures. Cycle through the former royal city in awe, past the temples, 14 metre tall Buddha statues and remains of dagobas.
In the afternoon you have some free time to do whatever you feel like. Maybe you want to climb the 1200 steps of Sigiriya rock fortress (optional - approx. USD35) and enjoy the view from a height of 200 meters?
Or maybe you'd rather chill out at the resort's pool, or treat yourself to an optional massage at the hotel spa?
In the evening, let's regroup for a delicious dinner together.



The Other Corner
Type: Hotel
Category: Standard
Facilities:
Hot water
Laundry service
Air conditioning & private bathroom
Swimming Pool
Internet/Wifi
Restaurant
Day 5
Discover Sri Lanka's spirituality

Campfire
Nalanda Gedige Temple
Bambaragala-Teldiniya Monastry
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Transportation: Private Bus (5:00h), By Foot (2:00h)
After a relaxing night in a beautiful nature resort, the journey continues: we drive up into the mountains near Kandy. Spirituality is very important in Sri Lanka. To gain a better understanding of the country's religious side we explore two very different temples.
First we stop at Nalanda Gedige. The stone temple dating back to the 10th century is special because of its decorations in the South Indian Pallava style. It's a bit naughty - if you look closely, you can make out tantric stone carvings. Afterwards we visit the lesser known Bambaragala-Teldiniya monastery nestled between the mountains. Stone steps lead us through the enchanted grounds, where we find an impressively painted cave and soak up the spiritual atmosphere of the devotional site.
In the evening, after dinner, we gather around a campfire to enjoy the flickering flames.



Oruthota Chalets
Type: Hotel
Category: Simple
Facilities:
Hot water
Laundry service
Air conditioning & private bathroom
Swimming Pool
Internet/Wifi
Restaurant
Day 6
Hiking and village life

Hike in Knuckles National Park
Experience village life
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: Offroad vehicle (2:00h), By Foot (4:00h)
Rise and shine: The mountains are calling! Today we go hiking in the Knuckles Mountain Range area. Make your way past scrubby hills, open woodland and rice paddies to the village of Heeloya. On the way we encounter beautiful waterfalls - fancy a refreshing shower?
In Heeloya we get to know the traditional way of life in Sri Lanka. The village is very remote and therefore must be self-sufficient. We're welcomed by the village elder, who will tells us more about traditional customs. We also have the opportunity to accompany the local farmers to their rice paddies, learning more about their farming techniques while we harvest fresh fruit and vegetables for our lunch.
We head back to our accommodation, where we'll have enough time to freshen up before we meet again for dinner.



Oruthota Chalets
Type: Hotel
Category: Simple
Facilities:
Hot water
Laundry service
Air conditioning & private bathroom
Swimming Pool
Internet/Wifi
Restaurant
Day 7
An unforgettable train ride



The most beautiful train ride
Meals included: Breakfast
Transportation: Train (7:00h)
When you think of Sri Lanka, you probably think of trains traversing the pretty countryside - and today we get to experience the most beautiful train ride of them all! Once on board, it's all about relaxing as we chug through tea plantations and breathtaking landscapes for several hours. Locals mingle with tourists and there is always something to see on and off the train. Bring your camera, as we've booked seats in a compartment with windows that open so we can capture our impressions of this magnificent route.
We get off at the backpacker's paradise of Ella. Freshen up at the hotel and then explore the village, visit the bars or relax at the hotel enjoying the view of famous Ella Rock.



Ella Flower Garden Resort
Facilities:
Hot water
Internet/Wifi
Restaurant
Day 8
Tuk-tuks & Ceylon tea



Lipton Seat & tea plantations
Ride a tuk-tuk
Meals included: Breakfast
Transportation: Private Taxi (3:00h)
The early risers among you might want to watch a beautiful sunrise at the famous Nine Arches Bridge today. The view is truly spectacular and a popular photo motif!
For those who'd rather sleep in, the day starts after breakfast with a ride on the country's most popular mode of transport. What is that? That's right, the tuk-tuk!
Now let's taste another Sri Lankan staple: tea! We hop out of our tuk-tuks and enjoy Lipton Seat, one of the most magnificent viewpoints on the island and the favorite spot of Sir Thomas Lipton (right, namesake of the tea we all know!).
Afterwards we continue through tea plantations to a tea factory, where you can learn more about tea cultivation and of course taste it, too. Sri Lanka was called Ceylon in colonial times - this is where the famous Ceylon Tea comes from.
In the afternoon we have more free time in Ella. If you want, you can climb Little Adam's Peak. Alternatively, you can walk along a beautiful trail, past slopes full of tea plants and traditional villages, until you arrive at a magnificent viewpoint. From here you can see Ella Gorge, the pristine mountain landscape, and even the Indian Ocean.
In the evening, feel free to join the scene of international backpackers in the local bars.



Ella Flower Garden Resort
Facilities:
Hot water
Internet/Wifi
Restaurant
Day 9
Rural hospitality

Traditional dancing
Homestay in rice paddies
Village life in Seelogama
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: Private Bus (2:00h), By Foot (2:00h)
Today you say goodbye to the backpackers of Ella and dive into the heart of Sri Lankan village life. We make our way to a remote village, where we will spend the night in a homestay: the best way to really experience the life of the locals up close! As is customary in Sri Lanka, we are welcomed by the village leader. The houses are located amidst rice paddies, by a beautiful river.
Look forward to meeting new people and seeing traditional dances. We have lunch and dinner together with the villagers, and we also stay the night with a local family. This gives you a unique insight into everyday life in the village.

Seelogama Homestay
Type: Host family
Category: Simple
Day 10
Culinary delights & boat tour

Boat tour at sunset
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: Private Bus (2:00h)
Of course, a cooking class is a must on a trip to Sri Lanka! It tastes even better when you gather your ingredients yourself. Together with our countryside hosts, we harvest vegetables in the garden. Afterwards, they show us how to cook a delicious, authentic curry. Definitely take notes, so you can impress your friends back home!
In the late afternoon we head south to Udawalawe National Park, where a real highlight awaits us tomorrow. Before that, though, we'll catch our first glimpse of the national park. We take a boat trip on Lake Udawalawe, where we enjoy a sundowner and learn more about the local flora and fauna.
We spend the night in a gorgeous eco safari camp, where we talk about our impressions of the national park over a delicious dinner. Can you hear the animals at night?!



Banyan Camp
Day 11
Get ready for your safari!


See elephants & water buffalo
Wake up in a safari camp
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Transportation: Offroad vehicle (3:00h)
Today is a very special day that will surely be a dream come true for many of us. We're so lucky to see elephants in their natural habitat! On our 3-hour safari tour we can also spot water buffalo and many different species of birds.
Before venturing out, enjoy the camp and its surroundings. Do sunrise yoga on nearby rocks, hop in the river for a swim or rent a bike to cycle around the area (all optional).
At safari o'clock, remember that these elephants are fortunately wild animals. We cannot guarantee that we will see them, but we have chosen Udawalawe National Park specifically to give us the best chance: it's known for its large elephant population and offers good visibility through its open vegetation. So don't forget your camera!
In the evening, share your favorite snaps over a shared dinner.



Banyan Camp
Day 12
Turtles in paradise


Unwind at the beach
Adorable baby sea turtles
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Transportation: Private Bus (2:00h)
Today is a day to unwind and simply enjoy life.
After a short drive, we reach our beach hotel near Tangalle. From now, it's all about relaxing. The hotel is located 100 metres from a dream beach that stretches for kilometres. Enjoy the sound of the waves, lie by the pool and forget all worries. If you feel like doing something more active, you can join the hotel team to collect wood for our evening barbecue and campfire at the beach. You can also lend a hand at the grill. There will be delicious beer to cool down afterwards!
After dinner, we quietly and carefully make our way to a nearby beach to look for turtles that lay their eggs in the sand at night. With a bit of luck, we might see baby turtles hatching from their eggs and making their way across the beach into the sea!



Lagoon Paradise Beach Resort
Day 13
Play cricket and relax at the beach

Cricket with kids
Visit children's NGO
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Transportation: Public Bus (4:00h)
After breakfast, we drive to a school that is financed by the NGO Foundation of Goodness. We support the project through our visit. The Foundation of Goodness was founded after the devastating tsunami of 2004 and leads a variety of initiatives to help people in rural areas. The students challenge us to a round of cricket - who's in?
By having exhausted ourselves with the energetic kids, we have definitely earned some time out. Our final accommodation is a beach camp. We arrive with plenty of time to read, go for a swim in the ocean and fill up on vitamin D before our journey home.
Together we reminisce about the trip over our last dinner - and perhaps already make plans for the next trip?



Jungle Beach Camp
Facilities:
Spa
Internet/Wifi
Day 14
Last morning at the beach



Meals included: Breakfast
Transportation: Private Bus (3:00h)
After our last precious hours together, we start our journey towards the airport. As we'll take a shared shuttle, you should book your flight for after 3pm. Those who can't get enough say their goodbyes now and spend a few more days at the beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka.
The rest travel back home with many new beautiful memories.
Dates & Prices
Start date
End date
Info
Availability
Price
28
Dec
2023
10
Jan
2024
From
USD 1,899
Show more
Info
New departure! : Due to high demand, we are offering this newly opened departure date!
Celebrate News Year's eve together!: Get in touch to find out what we have planned for you!
All CO2 emissions of your trip (transport, hotel, etc. - including your international flights) will be 100% offset by Indico Travels via a Gold Standard climate protection project for you.
28
Dec
2023
10
Jan
2024
-
New departure!
-
Celebrate News Year's eve together!
From
USD 1,899
20
Jan
2024
2
Feb
2024
From
USD 2,089
20
Jan
2024
2
Feb
2024
From
USD 2,089
9
Mar
2024
22
Mar
2024
From
USD 2,089
9
Mar
2024
22
Mar
2024
From
USD 2,089
4
May
2024
17
May
2024
From
USD 2,089
Show more
Info
Bank Holiday (UK)
All CO2 emissions of your trip (transport, hotel, etc. - including your international flights) will be 100% offset by Indico Travels via a Gold Standard climate protection project for you.
4
May
2024
17
May
2024
Bank Holiday (UK)
From
USD 2,089
3
Aug
2024
16
Aug
2024
From
USD 2,089
3
Aug
2024
16
Aug
2024
From
USD 2,089
2
Nov
2024
15
Nov
2024
From
USD 2,089
Show more
Info
Bank Holiday (USA)
All CO2 emissions of your trip (transport, hotel, etc. - including your international flights) will be 100% offset by Indico Travels via a Gold Standard climate protection project for you.
2
Nov
2024
15
Nov
2024
Bank Holiday (USA)
From
USD 2,089
28
Dec
2024
10
Jan
2025
From
USD 2,089
Show more
Info
Celebrate News Year's eve together!: Get in touch to find out what we have planned for you!
All CO2 emissions of your trip (transport, hotel, etc. - including your international flights) will be 100% offset by Indico Travels via a Gold Standard climate protection project for you.
28
Dec
2024
10
Jan
2025
Celebrate News Year's eve together!
From
USD 2,089
Preferred date unavailable? Contact us
Info
Single Room Upgrade
The trip includes accommodation in a shared twin room. Treat yourself to a private single room for USD 590!
What's included
All activities & entrance fees described (except those highlighted as optional).
Tour guide throughout (English speaking)
Accommodation in twin room with same-sex roommate
Single room available at extra cost, subject to availability
Transfer from Colombo airport to hotel on day 1
Transfer (in group) to Colombo airport on day 14
Offset of CO2 emissions of the trip (incl. for your international flight)
What's not included
International flights (please book after departure has been confirmed by us)
Possible visa fees
Tips & gratuities
FAQs
How do I apply for a visa for Sri Lanka?
It depends on what citizenship you have. Here are some examples - but do check with your destination country's embassy for confirmation.
U.S. citizens intending to visit Sri Lanka for purposes of tourism or transit require an approval notice from Sri Lanka’s Electronic Travel Authorization System, onward/return ticket, and proof of sufficient funds. The Electronic Travel Authorization System is available online or at the port of entry. Visitors are strongly urged to use the online system to avoid lengthy delays at the port of entry. The online application, fees, and other relevant information are available here. This travel authorization allows entry for up 30 days.
British citizens must have a valid passport for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry in Sri Lanka, and are also required to have a visa. You can apply for a tourist visa online at www.eta.gov.lk
As a German/Austrian/Swiss citizen, you can easily and conveniently apply for a visa for Sri Lanka online for approx. 35 US dollars or 30 Euros: https://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/
Please apply for the visa at least 2 weeks before departure. Please note that your passport must be valid for at least half a year after entry.
From time to time, Sri Lanka offers exemptions where visas are free of charge.
A hotel address for the first night is required for the application - please ask your contact at Indico Travels for the confirmed accommodation for your trip.
In exceptional cases, you can also apply for a visa on arrival at the visa on arrival counter at Colombo airport, but we do not recommend this as it can often take longer, be more expensive or cause other problems.

What vaccinations are recommended or required for my trip?
As a tour operator, we are not allowed to give specific vaccination recommendations for liability reasons. We strongly recommend that you consult your local doctor or, even better, a qualified doctor specialized in tropical diseases in good time before your trip. Here are some relevant links for residents of several countries: UK: Gov.uk, USA: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Germany: Auswärtiges Amt.
Please note that for our Colombia tour, a yellow fever vaccination is not mandatory.
When can I book my international flights?
As soon as we have confirmed that the minimum number of participants for your trip has been reached and the trip is therefore guaranteed to take place, you can book your flights. The trip will be confirmed or cancelled at least 45 days before departure. We will be happy to give you tips on booking flights! By the way: it is in our interest to fill the trips as soon as possible, so we do our best to confirm them as soon as possible.
When is a trip guaranteed to take place?
A trip is guaranteed to take place when the minimum number of participants has been reached. If you have already booked before the minimum number of participants has been reached, we will let you know, so you can book your flights. We will confirm or cancel the trip no later than 45 days before the scheduled departure date. If a trip has to be cancelled unexpectedly, you will of course receive a 100% refund of your deposit or any other payments made.
What language are the tours led in?
We are an English speaking company based in Berlin. Our tours are led in English and co-travellers are international English speakers.
Can I cancel my trip?
You may cancel your place on our tours at any time. If you have booked our Flexi fare, you can cancel for free up to 65 days before your departure. You may also choose to rebook to a different date or tour, which costs 50 Euro, if no other irredeemable costs have been incurred by us.
a) General cancellation fees (as a percentage of the booking price):
For bookings in the CLASSIC fare:
- up to 65 days before departure 20%
- from the 64th to the 30th day before departure 25%
- from the 29th to the 15th day before departure 45%
- from the 14th to the 7th day before departure 60%
- from the 6th day before departure 80%
- on the day of departure and in case of no-show 90%
For bookings in the FLEXI fare
- up to 65 days before departure 0%
- from the 64th to the 30th day before departure 20%
- after 29 days before departure, cancellation fees are identical to those in the CLASSIC fare
Indico Travels reserves the right to claim a higher, specifically calculated compensation instead of the above cancellation flat rates if Ventura can prove that significantly higher expenses were incurred than the applicable cancellation flat rate.
For more information on our cancellation policy, you can have a look at our Terms & Conditions.
Experience Sri Lanka
From
USD 1,899
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