Signature: Sri Lanka's Highlands, Yala & Galle

Signature: Sri Lanka’s Highlands, Yala & Galle

• Trip code: 475X009
• Dauer: 11
• Stil: National Geographic Signature

Uncover the soul of Sri Lanka as you glide from mist-shrouded tea plantations to the wild, untamed savannah. Explore ancient cave temples, track magnificent wildlife alongside local rangers, and board a private yacht with a marine researcher. Guided by experts, immerse yourself in vibrant communities keeping timeless traditions alive.

Übersicht

Accommodation

Hotels (10 nts)

Checklist

Conservative Dress:
• Modest clothing that covers knees and shoulders (Long pants, long skirts, shirts that cover shoulders)
• Shawl or scarf (for temple visits)

Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)

Essentials:
• Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Headphones (Noise-cancelling recommended)
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket

Health & Safety:
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Hand sanitizer
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)

Smart Dress:
• Smart outfit (For evenings out)

Warm Weather:
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sturdy water shoes/sandals
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear

Group Leader

National Geographic Expedition Leader and National Geographic Expedition Expert

Group Size Notes

Max 22

Highlights

Follow the leaf from field to factory during a private estate tour and curated tasting, Set sail on a private yacht alongside a marine researcher to study coastal conservation, Track leopards and elephants alongside local rangers on privately guided game drives, Intertwine with local culture at a women’s reed project reviving ancestral crafts, Savor authentic home-style cuisine at a women-led community development project

Introduction

Uncover the soul of Sri Lanka as you glide from mist-shrouded tea plantations to the wild, untamed savannah. Explore ancient cave temples, track magnificent wildlife alongside local rangers, and board a private yacht with a marine researcher. Guided by experts, immerse yourself in vibrant communities keeping timeless traditions alive

Meal Budget

Plane USD55-75 für nicht inbegriffene Mahlzeiten ein

Optional Activities

Keine optionale Aktivitäten

Start / Finish

Colombo nach Galle

Transport

Private Vehicle, Walking, Train, Tuk-Tuk, Safari Vehicles

What's Included

Dein Welcome-Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group, Colombo
Signature Moment: Artisanal Tea Immersion, Nuwara Eliya
Signature Moment: Marine Conservation Cruise, Weligama. Arrival transfer. Colombo heritage experience. Colonial Colombo vintage car drive. Dambulla Cave Temple visit. Sigiriya Rock Fortress exploration. Polonnaruwa UNESCO ruins exploration by Tuk Tuk. Temple of the Sacred Tooth visit with puja ceremony. Scenic first-class train journey through Sri Lanka’s Hill Country from Ambewela to Ella. Private Yala National Park safaris with local rangers. Private cinnamon estate visit with cinnamon harvest demonstration and lunch. Galle Fort walking tour with historian insights. Candlelit temple blessing at Yatagala Temple. Tips are included for all activities, meals and porterage, except for your Expedition Leader. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities. All internal flights. Engaging Discussions with the National Geographic Expedition Expert Throughout. Porterage at hotels and when getting on and off of vehicles

Meals Included

10 Frühstück, 9 Mittagessen, 8 Abendessen

Minimum Age

Um ohne Begleitperson mit G Adventures zu reisen, musst du mindestens 18 Jahre alt sein. Das Mindestalter für Kinder in Begleitung eines Erziehungsberechtigten (über 21) beträgt 12 Jahre

Itinerary

Day 1 Colombo

Welcome to Sri Lanka. Your expedition begins in Colombo, a coastal capital where warm tropical breezes mingle with the scent of the Indian Ocean. You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel. Rest and recharge tonight, letting the ambient sounds of the city soothe you as you prepare for the captivating historical and cultural treasures that will unfold across the island in the days ahead

Day 2 Colombo

The morning comes alive as you gather for a welcome meeting with your National Geographic Expedition Leader, followed by insights from your National Geographic Expedition Expert. Next, dive into the sensory swirl of the capital. Board a motorized tuk tuk to rumble past colonial landmarks, vibrant markets, and the historic streets of Colombo Fort and Pettah beside a local historian. Inhale the aroma of toasted spices during a heritage lunch at the Dutch Hospital precinct. The afternoon brings a nostalgic spin through the city in beautifully restored vintage cars. Conclude the day watching the sky turn amber during sunset drinks overlooking the crashing ocean waves before your welcome dinner

Day 3 Colombo/Kandalama

Leave the coast behind and head into the emerald heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. Watch the urban bustle seamlessly dissolve into a canvas of rural countryside and swaying palms. En route, ascend a dramatic rock outcrop to reach the ancient Dambulla Cave Temple. Step into the cool, silent cavern shrines to marvel at centuries-old Buddha statues and intricate murals illuminated by soft light. After soaking in sweeping views of the plains, pause for a relaxed lunch at a tranquil lakeside restaurant. Arrive at your lodge nestled deep in the natural surroundings of Kandalama. Take the afternoon to unwind at leisure before gathering for a dinner overlooking the mirror-like lake

Day 4 Kandalama

Greet the dawn with a choice, each offering a distinct perspective on this ancient wonder: ascend the sheer vertical walls of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress to marvel at ancient frescoes and summit views from above, or capture the immense scale of the dramatic citadel from below via a guided scenic drive. Mid-morning, connect with a vibrant community initiative at a women-led reed weaving project. Listen to the rhythmic rustle of natural materials as local artisans demonstrate their craft, sharing light refreshments and stories of empowerment. After an authentic Sri Lankan lunch, the low hum of a tuk tuk carries you through the ruins of Polonnaruwa. Explore UNESCO-listed temples and royal palaces as historical tales bring the stone to life, before returning to the resort to relax before dinner

Day 5 Kandalama/Nuwara Eliya

Watch the lowlands dissolve into mist-shrouded peaks as you ascend into the lush highlands of Kandy. Arrive at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, where the air is thick with the scent of jasmine and burning incense. Witness the atmospheric puja ceremony, letting the rhythmic throb of traditional drums and low chanting anchor you in this deeply spiritual space. Afterward, enjoy a home-style lunch at a women-led social enterprise, a G Adventures-supported project, while connecting with local artisans. Continue your drive deeper into the mountains, where neat rows of emerald tea bushes carpet the hillsides like velvet. Arrive in Nuwara Eliya, a cool highland retreat wrapped in crisp mountain air and timeless charm

Day 6 Nuwara Eliya

Step into the dew-kissed fields of a historic tea estate, welcomed by a plantation specialist. Inhale the earthy fragrance of the highlands as you learn traditional plucking techniques, working alongside local workers to harvest the bright green leaves. Follow the harvest inside the factory, watching the processing from withering to grading, and learn how the global auction system functions. Next, participate in a curated tasting led by a tea expert, identifying subtle flavor profiles before enjoying a freshly brewed cup. Return to the hotel for a lunch overlooking the rolling estate and an elegant high tea

Day 7 Nuwara Eliya/Yala National Park

The whistle blows as you settle into your seats, watching the rugged peaks begin to roll past the window. Travel into a landscape of pure cinema. Peer out the window as the locomotive snakes past cascading waterfalls, deep gorges, and dramatic stone viaducts, cutting through rolling green hills wrapped in mountain mist. Disembark in the mountain town of Ella for a local lunch, then watch the scenery transform dramatically as you descend into the sun-drenched southern lowlands. Arrive at the edge of the wild savannah of Yala, checking into your lodge as the calls of the wild echo through the dry scrub and twilight settles over the wilderness

Day 8 Yala National Park

Set out in the crisp pre-dawn light in an open-air safari vehicle, entering Yala National Park as the wild awakens. Scan the golden grasses and gnarled trees as park rangers track wildlife, offering deep insights into elephant behavior and ecosystem pressures. Return to the lodge for breakfast, followed by a private presentation on elephant conservation led by an active researcher. In the afternoon, head back into the bush for a second safari, observing how the changing light shifts animal movements around the watering holes. As evening falls, toast the day's discoveries with sundowners overlooking the wild landscape, followed by a dinner celebrating local flavors

Day 9 Yala National Park/Galle

One final morning safari offers a chance to catch the park's predators and birdlife active in the cool dawn air. After breakfast, swap your safari vehicle for a tuk tuk, rumbling along coastal lanes to a fragrant cinnamon estate. Watch a harvesting demonstration, learning the intricate art of peeling the bark, before enjoying a private lunch infused with local spices. Continue along the coast to the historic trading port of Galle. In the late afternoon, join your Expedition Leader for a walking tour of the massive Galle Fort. Walk the stone ramparts past the lighthouse and historic churches, before choosing to stay in the fort for dinner or returning to the hotel

Day 10 Galle

Wake early for fresh pastries and coffee before transferring to the harbor. Board a private yacht for an exceptional ocean cruise alongside a Marine Biologist and National Geographic Explorer. Inhale the salty sea spray and enjoy breakfast and lunch on board while contributing to marine conservation fieldwork, scanning the deep blue waves for marine life. Return to shore for a free afternoon to wander Galle's cobblestone lanes. At dusk, visit a serene hillside temple to participate in a moving, candlelit blessing experience. Conclude the expedition with a festive farewell dinner

Day 11 Galle

Your expedition to Sri Lanka concludes today. Take advantage of a provided day room to refresh and pack at your leisure, depending on your flight schedule.Transfers are provided to the airport at any time during the day

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Colombo

Day 2 Colombo

Day 3 Colombo/Kandalama

Day 4 Kandalama

Day 5 Kandalama/Nuwara Eliya

Day 6 Nuwara Eliya

Day 7 Nuwara Eliya/Yala National Park

Day 8 Yala National Park

Day 9 Yala National Park/Galle

Day 10 Galle

Day 11 Galle