Premium hotels and glamping

We relax in premium resorts (mostly Sri Lankan-owned) and spend two nights in a rural glamping site plus two nights in a boutique hotel. The properties were chosen for their excellent location, comfort and style, whether lakeside in Habarana, overlooking the Ella hills (from a hot tub) or by the golden beach in Mirissa.

Negombo: Heritance Negombo (night 1)



Start your adventure in style at this five-star resort, which offers spacious contemporary rooms, a huge outdoor pool, gym and spa. The restaurant caters both international and local cuisines, introducing you to the delicious Sri Lankan curries. Shake off the weariness from travel with a dip in the pool or maybe relax in the spa before enjoying sunset as you settle in for the evening.

Habarana: Habarana Village by Cinnamon (nights 2-3)



Experience a rustic elegance at this four-star property. It was designed in the local rural village style, which helps it to blend into its natural environment. Situated close to the lake, you can sit outside the spacious bedroom on your veranda, enjoying a cup of tea or coffee while admiring the well-kept gardens and tranquil sounds of nature. The resort has a spa and outdoor pool to relax in after a long hot day.

Kandy: Cinnamon Citadel (night 4)



A brief stop in Kandy but not one to be missed at this four-star riverside property. A 10-minute drive outside the bustling city centre, this tranquil retreat has a river-view restaurant offering a wide selection of local and international cuisines. Enjoy a splendid view as you drink a fresh juice over breakfast – sure to leave you full of energy for the day ahead. The property also has a spa and gym plus an outdoor pool.

Gal Oya: Wild glamping (nights 5-6)



We stay in the historic village of Rathugala, surrounded by vegetation and misty hills. The lavishly designed tented lodges with fixed ensuite bathrooms at Wild Glamping Gal Oya come with a host of amenities, including a pool and restaurant. Enjoy an immersive experience here no other in this remote, unspoiled region of Sri Lanka as you find your inner calm.

Ella: EKHO Ella (nights 7-8)



In central Ella, EKHO is a boutique four-star hotel with only 14 rooms, offering the perfect spot to take in the picturesque (and possibly best) views of the Ella Gap. The restaurant offers indoor and al fresco dinning and there are loungers, daybeds and a hot tub on the sun terrace. The property is a stone's throw from town, which has plenty of shops and restaurants, and is close to popular hiking trails and attractions.

Tissamaharama: Chaarya Resort & Spa (night 9)



Retreat into the wilderness at this four-star property close to Yala National Park. It offers spacious chalet-style bedrooms with private balconies to take in the sounds of nature as you look out to the lush tropical gardens. Cool off in the pool, an oasis between the trees, or why not visit the spa for a welcome massage after some long travel days? The resort also has an al fresco and indoor restaurant serving international and local cuisines.

Weligama: Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa (nights 10-11)



Enjoy the beauty of the Sri Lankan coast while relishing in five-star hotel amenities, beachfront access and exceptional service. Unwind in the spacious rooms, which have private balconies, most with ocean views. Take advantage of the beachfront swimming pool and fitness centre or indulge at the luxurious Quan Spa. The resort is also ideally situated in the centre of Weligama Bay with safe waters for swimming, snorkelling and surfing.

Galle: Jetwing Lighthouse (night 12)



Fall asleep and wake up to the sound of waves rolling over the rocks as this five-star hotel looks out across the ocean. The property is well located, within a five-minute drive of the historic Dutch Fort in Galle, and has beach access from the hotel gardens for a more relaxing stay. Additional facilities include the Ayurveda and spa services, tennis court, swimming pool, and in-house boutique shops.

Colombo: Galle Face Hotel



This four-star heritage hotel is steeped in more than 150 years of history and sits on the waterfront in the heart of Colombo. Offering six unique dining venues, a wellness centre and outdoor pool, Galle Face Hotel is the ideal final stop on our journey – relax and unwind or cram in some final sightseeing and retail therapy in the Sri Lankan capital.

Worth knowing:

For 2025 departures, the start hotel in Negombo (day 1) will be Jetwing Blue
For 2025 departures, the end hotel in Colombo (day 13) will be Cinnamon Lakeside

All breakfasts, five lunches and six dinners are included.

We suggest allowing about 4,000-6,000 rupees (US$13-US$20) per lunch or dinner when not included in the itinerary. You can eat out very cheaply in Sri Lanka, but if you mainly eat at the more expensive restaurants, you will spend more than the suggested amount. Your leader will provide recommendations for where to eat locally; however, some locations may have limited local restaurant options, in which case meals will be at the hotel.

Sri Lankan cuisine is a fascinating reflection of the island’s heritage; there is a unique fusion of fresh local produce with spices brought here by Malays, Arabs, Indians, as well as the Dutch, Portuguese and English. Despite (or perhaps because of) these influences, Sri Lankan cuisine is often referred to as simply rice and curry. This is the staple dish in most restaurants and is usually a serving of rice accompanied by assorted meat and vegetable curries as well as various pickles, sambols (condiments), and a handful of tiny poppadum – all using the contrasting flavours of coconut, chilli, curry leaves, cinnamon and garlic.

Vegetarians are well catered for but please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests. Please note, the availability of certain products is minimal or non-existent in Sri Lanka. For example, wheat- or dairy-free options outside of hotels are limited. Please be prepared for this – you may need to bring these from home. Spicier food can be avoided easily and lots of the hotels will serve Western options alongside traditional food.

Mineral water is provided by our local operator in large containers throughout the trip so please bring a bottle with you to refill. Please note, restaurant service can be quite slow.

— Comfortable trainers (sneakers)/walking shoes (with good grip for the Ella walk)
— Sandals/flip-flops
— Light casual clothing
— Warm sweater/fleece (when travelling December to February)
— Sunhat
— Sunscreen
— Torch (flashlight)
— Backpack to carry camera, water bottle etc
— Anti-bacterial hand gel
— Small personal first-aid kit
— Mosquito repellent
— Swimwear and towel
— Water bottle
— Dark/neutral clothing (for the game drives in Yala)
— A pair of socks for visiting temples is useful, as the ground can get very hot

Clothing should cover shoulders and be on or below the knee, especially when visiting temples. Women especially should always dress conservatively to avoid unwanted attention and not cause offence. Vests, tight-fitting trousers, short skirts and shorts are not recommended.

It doesn’t matter what type of bag or case you use on this trip although it is preferable to use a soft holdall (with wheels if necessary) or rucksack/travel sack as they tend to be easier to manage. You should also bring a small backpack for your valuable items.

Our Sri Lankan team of leaders has proved very popular with their incredible knowledge, passion and hospitality adding greatly to the experience. There is no better way to experience Sri Lankan culture than letting a local leader show you around their country.

— Climb the ancient rock fortress at Sigiriya for breathtaking views
— Explore Gal Oya with a chief from the indigenous Veddha community
— Take a boat safari on Senanayake Samudraya, the largest lake in Sri Lanka
— Enjoy a unique glamping experience in an indigenous village
— Hike through Ella Forest, stopping at the Nine Arches Bridge
— Seek out elephants and leopards in Yala National Park

Key information
Start hotel: Heritance Negombo, 175 Lewis Pl, Negombo 11500, Sri Lanka
Phone: +94 317 431 431
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome cocktail and briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 30 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers.
Catching your return flight
Exodus provides free departure transfers for all customers to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) from the end hotel.

Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.

— Travel insurance
— Single accommodation (available on request)
— Tips for your tour leader
— Visas or vaccinations

— Comfortable trainers (sneakers)/walking shoes (with good grip for the Ella walk)
— Sandals/flip-flops
— Light casual clothing
— Warm sweater/fleece (when travelling December to February)
— Sunhat
— Sunscreen
— Torch (flashlight)
— Backpack to carry camera, water bottle etc
— Anti-bacterial hand gel
— Small personal first-aid kit
— Mosquito repellent
— Swimwear and towel
— Water bottle
— Dark/neutral clothing (for the game drives in Yala)
— A pair of socks for visiting temples is useful, as the ground can get very hot

Clothing should cover shoulders and be on or below the knee, especially when visiting temples. Women especially should always dress conservatively to avoid unwanted attention and not cause offence. Vests, tight-fitting trousers, short skirts and shorts are not recommended.

It doesn’t matter what type of bag or case you use on this trip although it is preferable to use a soft holdall (with wheels if necessary) or rucksack/travel sack as they tend to be easier to manage. You should also bring a small backpack for your valuable items.

— Accommodation: 9 Premium nights (hotels), 4 Superior nights (glamping and boutique hotel)
— Travel by air-conditioned private bus
— One leisurely/moderate trek (two to three hours)
— Boat safari and 4x4 game drives
— Relaxing beach stay
— Small group size (maximum 16 clients). Minimum age: 16

For small purchases, particularly at local shops and markets, cash is generally preferred and easier for transactions than credit cards.

It is recommended you allow at least 2,200 Sri Lankan rupees (US$6) for personal expenditures such as stamps, postcards and soft drinks. Some sites may charge a small fee for camera use. Shopping opportunities in Sri Lanka are endless and we suggest you take money for souvenirs, even if you are generally not a keen shopper, we have found most people succumb to the wide variety of handicrafts on offer.

All entrance fees and activities described in the itinerary are included with an exception for the optional activities available on some days.

Optional excursions

— Surfing, Mirissa: From 6,000 rupees (US$20) per person. A private one-hour lesson with an instructor and surfboard rental.
— Snorkelling, Mirissa: 7,500 rupees (US$25) per person. Two-hour session

Whale watching (November to April)

— One to six passengers: Private boat approximate cost is 120,000 rupees (US$400) per boat plus an additional 6,000 rupees (US$20) per person. For example with six passengers the cost would be approximately US$ 87 per person.
— Seven to 20 passengers: Private boat approximate cost is 156,000 rupees (US$520) per boat plus an additional 6,000 rupees (US$20) per person. For example with 12 passengers the cost would be approximately US$ 63 per person.

Please note, if you choose to enjoy this excursion on your free day in Mirissa, we strongly advise booking a private charter boat through your leader in advance as the boats are always subject to availability. The more members of the group who wish to join the charter the more cost-effective it will be. We do not recommend larger, commercial boats; they may be cheaper, but they do not always respect the welfare of the animals or operate in an environmentally responsible way. We have also had reports of overcrowding on the boats. Please ask your leader for further details on how to book a private charter.

On this Premium Adventure, tipping for any local support staff is included, and will normally be taken care of by your tour Leader (or in some cases through our local agent).

Our ‘included tips’ will normally cover drivers, local specialist guides, certain hotel staff, and serving staff for included meals. Amounts will be in line with the local standard. Of course, if you wish to make a further tip for some extra special service you may do so.

Tips for the tour leader are not included. Whether to tip at all and the amount is entirely at your own discretion, but if you wish to show your appreciation, we suggest around 1,200-1,600 rupees (US$4-US$5) per person per day.

Where possible, please try to tip your leader in the local currency.

We use an air-conditioned minibus or coach depending on the size of the group; however, vehicles in Sri Lanka tend to have limited legroom so we stop for regular comfort breaks as needed on the longer journeys.

We use 4x4s in Yala National Park provided and maintained by the local national park authorities. Although we always request vehicles with seatbelts, they are not always fitted in every vehicle.

This trip is rated Activity Level 1 (Easy). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

This is not a demanding trip although there are a few long drives on bumpy, twisty mountain roads. There is a lot to see, but everything is scheduled so it doesn’t feel too rushed.

On Day 8, there is a two to three-hour hike along the Pekoe Trail. Generally, this is a relatively easy (activity level 1) with the toughest part a near-165ft (50m) ascent up steps; for the most part, the trail gently undulates through forests, tea plantations and local villages.

The buses we use are comfortable and air conditioned. We use open-back 4x4s for the game drives and tuk-tuks for some activities.

Please note, when visiting Sigiriya Rock Fortress (Lion Rock) the final ascent to the top is on metal open stairs fixed against the side of the rock. There are handrails on either side but those with a strong fear of heights may prefer to stay on the lower level (where the lion “paws” are) and not continue to the rock plateau.

Sinhala and Tamil New Year (April departures)

The new year festival known as Avurudu in Sinhala and Puththandu in Tamil is unique to Sri Lanka and observed by both Sinhala Buddhists and Tamil Hindus across the country. It takes place on 12-13 April 2024 and 13-14 April 2025 (the date varies slightly each year).

If you are travelling in Sri Lanka over these dates, expect to see religious ceremonies, family activities, traditional foods, colourful decorations and a general feeling of goodwill towards neighbours and friends. Parties can run into the night and it can be quite loud during this period. Your leader will be happy to show you some of the activities where your itinerary allows. Please note, during the new year public holiday, most shops, monuments and attractions will be closed; however, your leader will modify the itinerary to ensure minimal disruption

Generally, expect rain at some time but with plenty of sunshine. On the plains, temperatures are warm to hot with Colombo having an average daytime temperature of 30C (86F). The temperatures drop as we go higher into the hills and especially at Ella where the temperature typically varies from 15C (59F) in December-January to 28C (82F) in May-August and is rarely below 12C (54F) or above 31C (88F).