Depart your home country on your flight to Sri Lanka.
Most suited for
Couples
Ideal time to visit
December - September
This holiday is a take on our flagship Sri Lanka highlights itinerary, carefully tweaked to better suit those more interested in wildlife.
Packed with our best local experiences and our favourite tried and tested boutique hotels, we will ensure you’ll discover both the wildlife, culture, and diversity of this amazing island country.
Natural & Wild Sri Lanka
As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We will create a bespoke package which will be completely unique for you.
Skip
Day 1
Your adventure begins
Days 2 - 3
The Notary's House
Your private chauffeur-guide will welcome you to Sri Lanka and transfer you straight to the Notary’s House. The residence is a fantastic spot to relax after the flight, take a swim, explore the grounds, or sit back and enjoy the hospitality.
Days 4 - 5
Rural Anamaduwa
Your guide will transport you north to The Mudhouse, an enchanting jungle lodge surrounded by lakes and forests at the foot of the mysterious Paramakanda Rock Temple. You can make the experience as adventurous or as relaxing as you please. Enjoy early morning birdwatching walks, kayaking in lakes, climbing the ancient rock, cycling on jungle trails, learning to cook Sri Lankan food, or relaxing in the comfort of a hammock.
Days 6 - 8
Cultural Triangle
With your chauffeur guide, you’ll travel across to the Cultural Triangle, where you’ll spend three days. Our insider tours of the Cultural Triangle don’t miss the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa or the remarkable Sigiriya Rock Fortress, but they also incorporate some unique vantage points to give you a feel for the local way of life away from the crowds. With your guide, you’ll learn firsthand about the area’s history and the villagers’ life and work.
Days 9 -10
Kandy
You’ll be driven onwards to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s second city. During your stay, our signature excursion will offer you the chance to discover the city’s contrasts. It combines the main tourist attractions with a visit to a heritage home, where you’ll get a sense of Sinhalese culture and enjoy a traditional Sri Lankan lunch.
Days 11 - 12
Haputale
Jump aboard Sri Lanka’s most iconic train ride and wind through the spectacular tea-clad hills towards Haputale. On arrival, your driver will meet you with the car and your luggage to complete the journey by road. Check in to your hideaway accommodation and enjoy the lovely pool and beautiful views. While here, you’ll have time to appreciate the scenery, take walks in the hills and go to local waterfalls.
Days 13 - 15
Yala National Park
You’ll travel with your chauffeur-guide south to the low-impact Treetops Jungle Lodge – an extraordinary wildlife experience. Trackers will take you to local spots where elephants often bathe, and there are fantastic birdwatching opportunities just after sunrise.
During your stay, a full day four-wheel-drive safari to Yala National Park will be included. Yala is Sri Lanka’s most famous park on account of the high density of leopards, but it gets swamped with visitors in Yala Block One. Your trackers will take you to a different part of Yala and aim to scope out leopard sightings without the typical jeep-jams.
Days 16 - 19
Tangalle
Travel west along the coast with your chauffeur-guide to towards Tangalle. The beaches here are less busy than the West Coast, and you’ll find some of the prettiest palm-fringed bays in the country here.
Your accommodation is in the village of Rekawa and is one of the most comfortable and relaxing resorts on the island.
We recommend a visit to the wetlands and a bird sanctuary, but otherwise, we suggest that you spend the rest of your time at leisure here. It’s a great place to chill out around your hotel or at the beach, or maybe explore inland where you’ll find tropical vegetation amongst temples and idyllic villages.
Days 20 - 21
Colombo
Spend your last two days in energetic Colombo, alive with activity and a fascinating history. On a morning tuk-tuk tour, you’ll find leftovers of the colonial past and former glory. After some relaxation time at the hotel, an evening walking tour will bring to life the cultural heart of the city to life, giving you a peep into the influences, traditions, and cultures that have shaped the city over the centuries.
Day 22
Fly home
Your driver will drop you off at Colombo airport to depart for your flight back home.
Travelled with teenage kids to experience a taste of Sri Lanka
Stayed in beautiful boutique hotels and enjoyed everything from snorkelling among the coral reefs of Trincomalee to riding in tuk tuks through Colombo.
The Moore Family
Excellent
850 Reviews
850 Reviews
What’s included:
With ETG, what’s included goes well beyond the basics. From the moment your trip begins to your final farewell, the essentials are already taken care of, leaving you free to immerse, explore and enjoy without the hassle of hidden extras.
Here’s what comes as standard in all of our holidays:
All flights (unless you’ve booked your own!)
Expert guides and drivers
All accommodation
Many meals and snacks
Immersive experiences throughout
All regional transfers
Tips
24/7 In-Country support
Personal travel consultant throughout
Pricing:
As every holiday is bespoke, prices vary depending on destination, flights, hotel choices, inclusions and travel dates. We aim to include as much as possible upfront, so you know exactly where you are. As an approximate guide:
Bespoke Holidays £4,500 - £8,500pp
Bespoke Luxury Holidays £8,500 - £14,500pp
Bespoke Family Holidays from £4,000 - £7,500pp
Meet Our Sri Lanka Experts
Holly is a true Sri Lanka enthusiast, with a talent for designing holidays that blend the must-see highlights with the hidden corners of the country. Whether it’s a family-friendly wildlife encounter, a romantic retreat in the tea hills, or an off-the-beaten-track adventure, Holly loves curating trips that surprise and delight ETG travellers.
“This sample itinerary is a delightful twist on our flagship highlights tour—perfectly curated for wildlife lovers seeking both adventure and comfort. From swapping urban bustle for hammock-side bliss at The Mudhouse, to sharing space with elephants at Treetops Jungle Lodge, every day brings something new.”
Holly
Sri Lanka Travel Specialist
Explore Our Hotels & Villas
Wherever you go, and whatever you do, at the end of every day you can always be sure of a comfortable rest. Every location on our list of hotels is handpicked, and in its own way, shares the history, the hospitality, and the soul of Sri Lanka. Below are some examples of the different hotels we use.
See More
The Deep South, Sri Lanka
Buckingham Place
Stylish, fun, contemporary villas with a great atmosphere and a sublime location overlooking Rekawa’s lagoon and beaches
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Couples
Friends
Gallery
See More
Cultural Triangle, Sri Lanka
Kumbukgaha Villa
A collection of comfortable villas surrounded by wilderness and a veranda to relax on at the end of a long day.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Solos
Couples
Friends
Gallery
See More
Colombo, Negombo & around, Sri Lanka
Maniumpathy
Old world charm and modern comforts in a restored heritage home in Colombo, boasting a relaxing swimming pool.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Couples
Solos
Gallery
See More
Sri Lanka, Puttalam & The North West
The Mudhouse
Tucked away in sixty acres of forest and surrounded by serene lakes, The Mudhouse sits at the foot of the enigmatic Paramakanda Rock Temple. It’s a unique jungle retreat where rustic charm meets immersive adventure.
This eco-lodge offers a one-of-a-kind experience, with beautifully crafted, thatched huts made entirely from natural materials. Thoughtfully designed to blend seamlessly into the lush landscape, each private cluster of huts forms its own mini-village within the jungle, complete with spaces for sleeping, dining, and relaxing.
Highlights
Highlights
Fun local experiences,
Bike rides,
Birdwatching
Best for
Families
Nature nuts
Good to know
Gallery
See More
Colombo, Negombo & Around, Sri Lanka
The Notary’s House
The Notary’s House is a charming six-bedroom boutique hotel set amidst beautifully manicured gardens and a coconut grove. Bordering a lake, it offers a calm and serene stay, complete with wonderful facilities and scenery. Located just a 45-minute drive away from Colombo’s international airport, it is an ideal place to ease into your Sri Lankan holiday.
Highlights
Highlights
Lakeside setting
Infinity pool
Relaxed atmosphere
Best for
Couples
Families
Honeymooners
Good to know
Ideal for first or last night stays
Gallery
See More
Sri Lanka, The Deep South
Tree Tops Jungle Lodge
A wilderness luxury camping safari experience in one of the remotest corners of Sri Lanka.
Highlights
Highlights
Off-grid wilderness,
Jungle walks
Best for
Couples
Gallery
See More
Kandy and around, Sri Lanka
Villa Rosa
A villa style, boutique hotel; offering personal comforts, great food and the finest views of any hotel in Kandy
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Couples
Families
Friends
Gallery
The ETG Guarantee
We guarantee you an experience no one else has ever had.
The travel magic you’ll remember won’t be found on a well-trodden – or over-Instagrammed – itinerary. It will be the surprises, discoveries and secrets that you’ll uncover along the way with us.
Do you ever feel like people aren’t listening to you?
We get it. And we will – that’s a promise. Your holiday starts with with a proper, no-pressure call to understand what you want, what you don’t want, and what matters to you.. From there, we create a completely unique adventure, inspired by our conversation together.
And because of our long-standing relationships with trusted partners across Asia, you’ll have access to experiences you can’t find on Google. The kind of special experiences that are literally impossible to find on your own.
View Experience Page
Kandy, Sri Lanka
Contrasts of Kandy
Experience the historic city of Kandy with your very own expert guide.
The city is a real cultural gem to explore, it served as the Sinhalese Capital – defying Portuguese and Dutch rule for three centuries before being taken by the British in 1818. Kandy has a very unique character, maintaining its sense of tradition whilst incorporating a distinct colonial footprint.
View Experience Page
Sri Lanka, Puttalam & The North West
Bike Riding at The Mudhouse
Given its size and rural location, cycling is a great way to explore both the Mudhouse grounds and the surrounding area. All guests are provided with good quality bikes during their stay, and they’re a fun and convenient way to get between the rooms and different areas of the property.
Gallery
View Experience Page
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Colombo City Walk
To start the tour you will be picked up at your hotel by your local guide, Mark and head off to the busy city of Pettah. Here you will search out colonial architectural gems such as the Dutch Museum. This 17th Century building was originally the residence of a Dutch Governor and it is very easy to imagine him sitting upon the veranda looking down to the port below whilst having a cup of tea or gin and tonic.
Important FAQs about Sri Lanka
At Experience Travel Group, we’ve been curating immersive Sri Lanka holidays since 2006 long before the island became a mainstream destination. Our deep-rooted local knowledge, trusted partnerships, and passion for meaningful travel make us the ideal choice for discovering Sri Lanka beyond the ordinary.
Over nearly two decades, we’ve developed unique experiences that blend cultural depth, comfort, and flexibility. Whether it’s staying in boutique hotels hidden in tea country, meeting local artisans, or exploring UNESCO heritage sites with expert guides, we design every journey to reveal the real heart of Sri Lanka, not just the tourist highlights.
With our thoughtful planning and in-country support, you’ll have peace of mind while enjoying a tailored adventure that suits your interests and travel style. We don’t do off-the-shelf holidays — we create personalised journeys that capture what’s truly special about Sri Lanka.
Let us show you the Sri Lanka we know and love.
Sri Lanka is a year-round destination, but the best time depends on where you’re going. One of the best times to visit is between December and March. The summer months and September is also a great all-round option, with good weather and fewer crowds.
Every ETG holiday to Sri Lanka is carefully designed to be seamless, immersive, and stress-free. Your journey typically includes international flights (if requested), chauffeur guide throughout and accommodation in hand-picked, characterful hotels.
You’ll enjoy incredible, immersive experiences unique to you, all planned by dedicated Sri Lanka specialists, with the added reassurance of 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
The Curious Traveller’s Guide to Sri Lanka
Wondering when to visit Sri Lanka? Our Curious Traveller’s Guide to Sri Lanka will give you a more detailed breakdown of the best time of year to book a holiday, as well as tips on the best beaches, unmissable sites, and much more.
