Wake up to a peaceful morning and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before we begin our Sri Lanka expedition by immersing ourselves in its rich flavors.

Our culinary journey starts at the bustling Negombo Fish Market, where fishermen bring in the day’s fresh catch. Walk through the lively stalls, soaking in the aromas of the ocean and the vibrant energy of local traders. Here, you’ll learn how to identify the freshest seafood, understand the variety of fish available, and gain insight into how Sri Lankan cuisine is deeply connected to its coastal heritage.

From the market, we head to Wallawwa, where the chef will guide you through the art of Sri Lankan cooking. Using fresh ingredients sourced from the market and the hotel’s own organic garden, you’ll learn how to balance flavors with fragrant spices and cook traditional curries in clay pots—an age-old technique that gives Sri Lankan food its distinctive taste. Together, we’ll prepare a selection of dishes, including a seafood or chicken curry, a hearty lentil dhal, and an array of seasonal vegetable curries.

Finally, sit down to enjoy the meal you’ve created, savoring the authentic flavors of Sri Lanka in a serene garden setting. This hands-on experience is the perfect way to begin our journey, offering a true taste of Sri Lankan culture and hospitality.

Have a relaxing evening at your hotel, or head out to explore Negombo town with your chauffeur. Visit the town’s key highlights, including the historic Dutch Fort, charming colonial churches, and the serene Negombo Lagoon.

Today we explore deeper into the mountains with a gentle trek to a rural village. After breakfast, embark on the Heel Oya trek, a scenic 4-hour walk that follows a comfortable descending trail to the small farming village of Heel Oya, located at the foothills of the Knuckles Range. This unspoiled village, far from mass tourism, offers a rare and authentic glimpse into everyday Sri Lankan life.

The trail takes you through tea estates, pine forests, terraced paddy fields, and small waterways, with misty hills and open viewpoints appearing along the way. Midway through the walk, you can take a refreshing dip in a natural waterhole — a simple, calming moment surrounded by nature.

In Heel Oya, you’ll meet the local community and learn about their traditional terraced paddy cultivation, a farming style still practised without modern machinery. You will then enjoy a home-cooked lunch at a village house, prepared using fresh ingredients from the area — a meaningful community-based tourism experience that directly benefits the families you visit. After lunch, join a relaxed cooking demonstration inside the village kitchen to see how a few everyday Sri Lankan dishes are made.

Once your visit is complete, your chauffeur will meet you in the village and drive you back to your lodge, where you can unwind and enjoy a peaceful evening in the mountains.

Enjoy a restful evening, taking in the mountain scenery and the quiet, peaceful surroundings.

oday you’ll leave the lush mountains behind and descend into Sri Lanka’s flat, arid dry zone. As you wind down the hairpin bends, enjoy the sweeping views and the steady change in scenery. The air becomes warmer, the forests thin out, and the landscape opens into long stretches of dry woodland and rocky plains. You may like to stop along the way for a light snack or a drink to keep your appetite up before lunch.

” Your destination is Gal Oya National Park, a quiet and less-visited part of the country known for its peaceful atmosphere, wide open landscapes, and the rare chance to see elephants swimming between the islands of the reservoir. The park surrounds the large Senanayake Samudra Reservoir, with views of granite hills, grasslands, and calm stretches of water. Wildlife is often seen throughout the area, including elephants, deer, leopards, and a good variety of birdlife, making it a gentle introduction to Sri Lanka’s dry-zone wilderness without the crowds found in other parks.”

You will arrive at Gal Oya Lodge in time for lunch. The lodge has a peaceful, back-to-nature feel — spacious bungalows built from wood and thatch, open-air spaces, and plenty of privacy. Inside, you’ll find rustic wooden furniture and private verandahs where you can sit and enjoy the stillness of the dry zone. The atmosphere is quiet and unhurried, with friendly staff who make the experience feel warm and personal. There’s no Wi-Fi here and very limited phone signal, which creates a rare chance to fully switch off and enjoy the wilderness. The surrounding forest and open landscape bring wildlife close, making the lodge feel like a comfortable hideaway in the middle of nature.

In the late afternoon, a guide from the lodge will take you to a hidden river or small waterfall, where a simple picnic will be prepared. It’s a relaxed and peaceful way to unwind. Afterwards, enjoy a gentle Jungle Drive, watching the landscape soften as the sun sets across the dry plains.

Start your day with a morning boat safari at Gal Oya National Park, gliding across the quiet waters of the Senanayake Samudra Reservoir. The early hours are peaceful, with soft light and calm surroundings. Keep an eye out for elephants by the water’s edge, deer moving through the scrub, and crocodiles resting on the banks. Birdlife is especially active at this time, with many waterbirds, raptors, and island-dwelling species commonly seen around the reservoir. Gal Oya has one of the highest concentrations of bird species in the dry zone, making it a great place for both casual and keen birdwatchers. The whole experience is relaxed and enjoyable, without the need to rush or search too hard.

Seasonal changes in Gal Oya
From January to May, the park is green and the lake is full, with misty hills in the background. This is also when migratory birds arrive, and there is a chance of seeing elephants swimming between the small islands.

From June to December, the landscape becomes drier and more open, making it easier to spot herds of elephants on the grassy plains. As the water levels drop, fresh grass grows on the exposed lakebeds, attracting elephants to feed — creating excellent viewing opportunities from the boat.

After the safari, return to your lodge for a relaxed afternoon. It’s a good time to unwind by the pool with some travel reading and enjoy the quiet surroundings. Your chauffeur will be available if you’d like to take a gentle scenic drive or explore the area at your own pace.

Another restful day, planned without long drives, giving you time to peacefully enjoy the surroundings. Your lodge is located near one of the last remaining communities of the Veddha, the indigenous forest-dwelling people of Sri Lanka.

After breakfast, join a Veddha elder for a gentle walk through the jungle, guided by stories and knowledge passed down through generations. As you move through the forest, you’ll learn about local plants, medicinal herbs, old hunting paths, and cave shelters used by their ancestors. It’s a rare opportunity to understand the traditional hunter-gatherer way of life that has existed in the forests of Gal Oya for centuries.

After a relaxed lunch, head into the park with one of the lodge’s resident naturalists for a drive through the remote Nilgala section, an area known for its abundance of medicinal plants and quiet, untouched landscapes. As you travel through this lesser-visited part of the park, keep an eye out for elephants, deer, and a wide range of birdlife. The combination of nature, culture, and silence makes this a calm but memorable wildlife experience.

Today after breakfast, you’ll head south to your next destination, where dry-zone forests and village life sit side by side. This region is shaped by farming communities involved in paddy cultivation, chena (slash-and-burn) fields, buffalo herding, and inland fishing — giving the landscape a distinct rural character as you approach Weerawila Sanctuary.

You’ll be based at Flameback Eco Lodge, a beautifully designed retreat set right on the edge of a quiet lake. Hidden within the bush, the lodge offers a blend of nature and comfort: luxury air-conditioned tents, a serene pool, and attentive, friendly service. The design is warm and intimate, making it an ideal place to slow down, listen to birdsong, and settle into the easy rhythm of the countryside.

One of the highlights of staying here is the location. From Flameback, you have effortless access to three major national parks:

• Yala – world-famous for its leopard sightings.

• Lunugamwehera – quieter, less crowded, and excellent for elephants.

• Bundala – an internationally important wetland known for its rich birdlife.

On your first evening, the adventure begins close to the lodge.
A short 10-minute jeep ride takes you to Debarawewa Lake for a guided bird-watching walk with the resident naturalist. This man-made reservoir, bordered by woodlands and waterways, is full of life. With binoculars in hand, you may spot black-headed ibis, crested serpent eagles, large egrets, rosy starlings, and red-wattled lapwings as the sun sets over the water.

This morning begins with a relaxed village cycle ride.
Pedal along quiet backroads and take in the rhythm of rural life. You’ll pass wide stretches of green paddy fields and see the care local farmers put into growing rice, their most important livelihood. Stop for a refreshing king coconut, wood apple juice, or fresh watermelon before continuing to meet local artisans. From pottery makers and chena farmers to Palmyrah weavers, each visit offers a simple look at the traditional skills that shape everyday life in the dry zone.

Afternoon – your choice

• Safari: Head out on a wildlife drive in the park of your choice — Yala, Lunugamwehera, or Bundala.
or
• Explore Tissamaharama: Visit the historic town of Tissamaharama and its landmark stupa, surrounded by a chain of calm lakes. Built in the 3rd century BCE, it is the largest stupa in southern Sri Lanka and remains an important symbol of the region’s Buddhist heritage. The lakes and open spaces around it give the area a peaceful, scenic feel, making it a pleasant place to explore in the late afternoon.
or
• Relax near the lodge: Enjoy a quiet boat ride on the lake or spend the afternoon at Flameback Eco Lodge, taking in the peaceful natural surroundings.

Today you’ll leave the dry zone behind and make your way south to begin your beach stay. After breakfast, set out from Weerawila and journey west towards the coast, arriving at Mihiripenna Beach for a relaxed change of pace.

Your stay here is at Sielen Diva, an elegant boutique property set directly on the beachfront. The villa-style accommodation blends modern luxury with coastal charm, offering spacious rooms with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. Each suite is thoughtfully designed with floor-to-ceiling windows, stylish interiors, and private spaces that let the sound of the waves and the sea breeze become part of your stay. The infinity pool overlooking the beach, lush gardens, and attentive hospitality make it a truly indulgent retreat.

The villa is perfectly situated: tucked away on tranquil Mihiripenna Beach, yet just minutes from the lively sands of Unawatuna and the cultural treasures of Galle Fort.

The rest of the day is yours to unwind.
Relax on the quiet beachfront, take a dip in the pool, or simply stretch out with a book as the waves roll in. For those who wish, a short drive brings you to Galle, where cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and boutique cafés await. But for many, the real luxury here is slowing down and enjoying the serenity of the beach itself.

Morning – Dalawella Beach
After breakfast, head to nearby Dalawella Beach for a morning swim and snorkel. Arriving early, around 8:00–9:00 am, gives you the best chance to have the beach mostly to yourself before the crowds arrive. From November to April, sea turtles regularly visit this calm stretch of shoreline, offering an unforgettable opportunity to swim alongside them in their natural environment.

Evening – Galle Fort
Later in the day, make your way to the historic Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site where colonial ramparts overlook the Indian Ocean. Explore the cobblestone streets and Dutch-era architecture by cycle, weaving past boutiques, cafés, and art galleries. As the sun sets, the fort comes alive with warm light and sea breezes, making it a magical setting to end your day.

On your last day of the tour!