Compare On the Leopard's Trail in Sri Lanka by Audley Travel vs Sri Lanka: Hike, Bike & Kayak by Intrepid Travel
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 16 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 5,828 | $ 1,666 |
| Price Per Day | $ 364 | $ 196 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions | N/A |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
The cultural triangle, neatly tended tea estates, rose-gold beaches... On a tailor-made holiday to Sri Lanka with Audley, you’ll see the highlights — and much more — your way. We’ll design your ideal trip with you, paying close attention to your interests, your travel style and your budget. Our Sri Lanka specialists know the country inside out and can lead you to experiences you won’t find in a guidebook. |
On a 10-day active adventure in Sri Lanka, you’ll see the best UNESCO World Heritage sites and varied landscapes of this beautiful country. Cycle through tea plantations, kayak down rivers and hike to ancient fortresses from Negombo to Colombo. Explore Sigiriya’s Lion Rock, wander through the Knuckles Mountain Range and feel the breeze in your hair as you fly past the Golden Valley of Ceylon on two wheels. Sri Lanka is one of Asia’s most exciting destinations and it’s not hard to see why – with expansive coastlines, ancient ruins, rugged mountain peaks and wildlife-filled national parks, it’s a dream for travellers who like to get outdoors and experience a truly wild landscape. |
Day 1 : International outbound flight
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Colombo.
Day 2 : Dambulla
On arrival in Colombo you will be met by one of our representatives and introduced to your chauffeur driver who will then take you to the Cultural Triangle.
Day 3 : Dambulla
This morning you will visit Sigiriya Rock accompanied by your chauffeur guide, who will be able to provide you with the history of the area as you admire the views from the top of the rock. Later in the afternoon you will have a jeep safari, giving you the chance to see a variety of wildlife including elephants, sambar deer, monkeys as well as bird life.
Day 4 : Dambulla
Enjoy another morning jeep safari, followed by a visit to Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka's second capital. The now ruined city has a mix of both Buddhist and Hindu influence, and is a great place to learn more about the history of Sri Lanka.
Day 5 : Kandy
Today you travel to Kandy, en route you will visit the Dambulla Caves, dating back to the 1st century. All of the caves contain varying sizes of statues of Buddha. Additionally several of the caves have impressive ceiling frescos.In the evening you will visit the famous Temple of the Tooth in Kandy.
Day 6 : Kandy
Explore Kandy - the beautiful botanical gardens, the famous and impressive Temple of the Tooth as well as experiencing a traditional Kandyan dance performance.
Day 7 : Nuwara Eliya
You will be collected from your hotel and taken to the train station in Gampola. You will then board the train for the approximately four hour journey up to the tea country. The rail route rises slowly through the changing countryside. From Hatton the scenery is the most spectacular passing waterfalls and many tea plantations. You will be collected by your driver from Nanu Oya and taken on a tea factory tour on route to your hotel.
Day 8 : Nuwara Eliya
An early morning start is recommended for your trip to Horton Plains as the views tend to be at their best in the morning. The 8km circular route takes you past firstly Little World's End and then World's End view points before passing Baker's Fall, a 20m high waterfall, on your return to the car. You will have the rest of your day at leisure to relax.
Day 9 : Yala National Park
Today you will take the drive down from Nuwara Eliya to Yala National Park. It's a long drive that tends to last all day, but there are plenty of places to stop along the way to enjoy some local food.
Day 10 : Yala National Park
Morning and afternoon jeep excursions in the park in search of leopards and other wildlife. In-between, you'll have time to enjoy the hotel's pool and take a walk on the beach.
Day 11 : Uda Walawe
You will leave Yala and head for Uda Walawe National Park this morning. Enjoy an afternoon game drive in Udawalawe National Park - hopefully you will spot some of the park's elephants.
Day 12 : Sinharaja
Visit the elephant transit centre this morning, close to Uda Walawe, before taking the drive over to the Sinharaja Biospheric Reserve.On arrival you will have some time to take a walk in the local area, or simply relax by the pool.
Day 13 : Galle
Morning excursion in the Sinharaja Biospheric Reserve, before travelling down to the coast to Galle.Galle is full of small cafes and shops, making for a wonderful place to stroll in the evening.
Day 14 : Galle
This morning you will be taken on a guided tour of Galle Fort. The ancient city of Fort Galle has a real colonial feel given the previous Portuguese, Dutch and British presence there. The sleepy streets are dotted with some interesting colonial buildings.Your afternoon is at leisure on the coast.
Day 15 : Galle
Your day is at leisure to relax on the coast. You might like to take a tuk tuk to a nearby beach for a swim or do some shopping in Galle's boutiques.
Day 16 : International return flight
You will be driven from Galle to Colombo airport today for your international onwards flight. Your return flight will arrive the same day.
Day 1 Negombo
Ayu-bowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka. Your adventure begins in the beachside town of Negombo with a welcome meeting at 5.30 pm. Known for its centuries-old fishing industry, Negombo is a historic port city close to Sri Lanka's international airport. If you arrive early, maybe watch the fishing boats head out to sea, stroll along the beach to see the daily catch drying in the sun or indulge in a seafood feast. The surrounding countryside, with its network of canals, is a fascinating slice of Sri Lankan rural life and is best explored by bicycle.
Day 2 Sigiriya
Leave bright and early this morning and travel to Dambulla – home to the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. After checking into your accommodation, make the short drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sigiriya for your first activity – a hike up the 1200 steps of the famed Lion Rock. This ancient carved-rock fortress rises dramatically above the surrounding plains, elevating Sigiriya high into the air. On the way you’ll visit the water and boulder gardens, frescoes and the mirror wall. The next section of the climb takes about half an hour along steep walkways and steps all the way up to the rocky plateau, which soars 200 m above the jungle. From here, the views over the surrounding area and the nearby Pidurangala Rock are jaw-dropping. Make your way back down and head back to Dambulla for a relaxing evening.
Day 3 Minneriya National Park & Knuckles Mountain Range
Today you’ll head out on a relaxed jeep safari for about 3 hours through the nearby Minneriya National Park. The park is home to a mix of evergreen forest and scrublands – look out for sambar deer, leopards and elephants roaming the wild. After the safari, travel by private vehicle to the Knuckles Mountain Range – your home for the next two nights. Named after its striking visual likeness to human knuckles, this UNESCO World Heritage site features 34 mountains that range from 900 to 2000 m. Surrounded by dense forest, waterfalls and terraced rice fields, they are home to some of Sri Lanka’s best hiking trails. Tonight, get closer to nature as you set up camp next to the pristine waters and natural rock pools of the Thelgamu Oya stream. To keep you fresh for tomorrow’s hike your activity is limited to an evening walk around the village before relaxing by the riverside with a group dinner.
Day 4 Knuckles Mountain Range Hiking
Today you’ll head out early for a full-day guided hike along the Manigala Trek through the Knuckles region. Start hiking after breakfast and wind your way through emerald forests and hillsides, past cliffs and alongside fast-flowing rivers. Maybe stop to explore a few of the villages along the way, which are surrounded by sweeping rice terraces. Have lunch by the river and continue up the stone and dirt trail all the way up to the imposing Manigala Rock, for the panoramic views of the peaks and valley below. After taking in the views, make your way back down to camp to enjoy a hearty dinner after a long but rewarding day of hiking.
Day 5 Kandy & Knuckles/Mini World’s End Hiking
Begin the day with a moderate hike through the forest to Knuckles’ renowned Mini World’s End – an observation point overlooking the Thelgamuwa Valley and a sheer drop of 1192 m (4000 ft) to the forest floor below. The panoramic views over the misty valley and distant mountain peaks are truly spectacular, you’ll want your camera today! After the hike, you’ll drive to Kandy, passing the gorgeous scenery along the way. Lying in the hills of the Kandy plateau, this city previously served as the last capital of the ancient kings’ era of Sri Lanka. The rest of the day is free for your own discoveries – maybe visit the golden roofed Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Housed inside, the relic of the tooth of the Buddha has played an important role in local politics due to the belief that whoever holds the relic holds governance of the country. Kandy’s temple and its status as the last city of the Sri Lankan Kings have made it a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Day 6 Hatton & Tea Country Cycling
Start your day with a scenic train journey to Hatton. When you arrive, cycle from the train station to the small village of Norton Bridge, passing vast tea estates and scenic, tree-lined hills along the way. Check in to your hotel and if you’re still feeling energetic, maybe opt to hike up to Adam’s Peak. The peak is often visited by pilgrims who climb a candle-lit trail in the evening, passing shrines and food stalls along the way. Or you can simply put your feet up with a nice cup of Ceylon tea – the afternoon is yours.
Day 7 Tea Country Cycling & Mirissa
After breakfast, it’s back on your mountain bike for a mostly downhill ride through the heart of tea country. Pedal from Hatton through Bogawantalawa – home to premium Ceylon Tea – to Balangoda. Cycle through the sculpted green hills of ‘the Golden Valley of Ceylon’. Your ride will be broken up with snack breaks and a lunch stop, providing plenty of fuel (and photo opportunities) for your ride. Then, transfer to the delightful coastal town of Mirissa. This town is part fishing village, part beachside resort and is the perfect place to sit back and relax by the beach after a few active days. For those looking to keep their heart rate up, you can visit nearby Weligama – the ideal place to hit the waves at one of the local surf or bodyboarding schools.
Day 8 Gin River Kayaking & Galle Cycling
Start your day with a short drive to the small town of Unanwitiya – your starting point for an exciting day of kayaking down the Gin River. After instruction from your expert guides, you’ll cruise down the clear waters as it winds its way downstream. Paddle past dense forests, sandbanks, tea plantations and rice paddy fields while keeping an eye out for monitor lizards, birds and the occasional troop of monkeys. After kayaking, head to the boathouse for a delicious local lunch and then head to UNESCO World Heritage city of Galle for a countryside cycling tour. Once the main port for local cinnamon trade, this city features a maze of streets with mansions, ancient churches, a lighthouse and the imposing 17th-century fort. Surrounded on three sides by the ocean, this is surely one of the most dramatic structures in all of Sri Lanka. Start your exploration of Galle Fort on a walking tour along the ramparts and winding streets of the Fort. Return to Mirissa in the evening for a well-earned rest tonight.
Day 9 Colombo
Depart Mirissa after breakfast and transfer to Colombo. When you arrive, check into your hotel and then take a leader-led walk past the bustling Petta Bazaar, Independence Square, Parliament, and the National Museum. Your walk finishes with a shopping opportunity at the Barefoot fairtrade store. Here, you can find a collection of handicrafts from around the country and support small cottage industries. Tonight, there's an optional group dinner to celebrate your journey – if you opt in, you’ll go on a fun food crawl along the city's many market stalls.
Day 10 Colombo
There are no activities planned after breakfast today and your adventure comes to an end. You're free to leave at any time after check out. If you'd like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
