Southern Sri Lanka experience
Tea, treks and Tangalle’s beaches
Start your southern Sri Lanka adventure in the historic town of Galle, exploring the city’s walled fort and hiking along its ramparts with views of the ocean. From here, travel by train into tea country. The quaint hillside town of Haputale offers tea tours, treks and the chance to see Diyaluma Waterfall - Sri Lanka’s second-highest. Next, go wildlife watching in Yala National Park, where you can see leopards, elephants and crocodiles. End your trip on the beaches around Tangalle, before travelling to cosmopolitan Colombo for your flight home.
Key information
| Destinations | Tangalle, Yala National Park, Colombo, Haputale, Galle |
|---|---|
| Activity | Luxury, Beach, Nature & Wildlife, Culture |
| Physical Level | Mild |
 Season |
January - December |
Suggested itinerary
Take a walk through historic Galle
Day 1–3 in Galle
The historic fort town of Galle is best explored on foot, allowing you to take in its grandiose colonial buildings, ancient temples and mosques and many quirky side streets. Make sure to take a walk on the ramparts of the fort, with views out over the ocean.
Don't miss
Cruise down the Kapu Ela river
Enjoy a scenic boat ride down the Kapu Ela River, exploring rural villages and watching grey fish eagles soar through the air.
Explore the lesser-visited tea country of Haputale
Day 4–6 in Haputale
The hillside town of Haputale is a little-visited stop on the train route into tea country from Kandy to Ella.
Surrounded by tea plantations, this is the perfect place for a hike through Sri Lanka’s countryside away from the crowds. Take a side-trip to Diyaluma Waterfall to see the country’s second-highest waterfall, complete with three sets of pools to soak in.
Don't miss
Train to tea country
Take the rickety train through the hills to the village of Ella, where you can enjoy hiking, waterfalls and — of course — tea.
Go leopard spotting in Yala National Park
Day 7–8 in Yala National Park
Southeast Sri Lanka’s Yala National Park is the country’s most visited wilderness reserve.
Home to leopards, elephants and crocodiles, the park’s trails can get crowded during the high season.
Relax on the low-key beaches of Tangalle
Day 9–12 in Tangalle
Laidback Tangalle in Sri Lanka’s south is one of the region’s more relaxed beach destinations, combining simple guesthouses and some upmarket hotels.
What really sets it apart from the other resorts along the coast are the nearby attractions, including turtle-watching at Rekawa and the rock temples of Mulkirigala – both a half-day trip away.
Historic markets and modern malls in Colombo
Day 13 in Colombo
Cosmopolitan Colombo is more than just the gateway to Sri Lanka.
Here, you can learn about Sri Lanka’s multi-ethnic history, with churches, mosques and temples all in a line, street food with influences from around the world, and shopping in a mix of ancient markets and huge malls in Pettah.
Don't miss
Sample diverse Sri Lanka cuisine
From Jaffna crab curry to breakfasts of hoppers (fermented rice crepes), Sri Lankan food has a distinct identity depending on where you visit.
Where to stay
Classic
Melheim Resort
Located in Beragala at the southern edge of the hill country, Melheim Resort Sri Lanka is a quality nine-bedroom hotel with great views across the southern plains to the coast. Simple, clean and reasonably priced, all rooms have en-suite bathrooms, private balconies and commanding views, and guests can enjoy the swimming pool, mini spa and restaurant with outdoor dining.
Superior
KK Beach
A contemporary beachfront hotel with stylish, modern interiors and fantastic service, KK Beach sits on a quiet beach just a 20-minute drive from Galle.
With just 10 rooms and a lovely pool, the property is wonderfully intimate. Rooms range from deluxe, suites and penthouse rooms, all with private terraces looking over the pool, palm trees and beach.
Superior
Coco Tangalla
Coco Tangalla is an intimate colonial villa situated on Tangalle beach. Decked out in black and white, this old house has been decorated in a fun and contemporary style with splashes of Sri Lankan tradition. It’s chic, compact, and very laid back here. With only six rooms, you can expect personal service, attentive staff and terrific food.
Book this itinerary
This route booked with one of our specialist tour operators may cost between £3,150 and £3,900pp. Pricing varies by accommodation class, and can be tailored to suit your budget.
Pricing is typically inclusive of hotels, transfers, meals, and all guided excursions and activities.
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This tour is operated by
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