Depart your home country for your flight to Sri Lanka.
Most suited for
Families, Couples
Ideal time to visit
December - September
Sri Lanka is extraordinarily biodiverse for its size, and you’ll notice wildlife and beauty all around.
This holiday suits travellers curious about the natural world who want to explore different landscapes, get a sense of everyday life and still have time to unwind.
You’ll start at The Mudhouse, waking to birdsong and monkeys, before heading north to Wilpattu in search of leopard and sloth bear. Then it’s on to the ancient sites and rural life of the Cultural Triangle, followed by the forested Knuckles range, where eagles circle overhead. In Gal Oya, you’ll roam wide-open landscapes and a vast lake where elephants sometimes swim. And at Tree Tops Jungle Lodge, on the edge of Yala, expert trackers will guide you to some of the most rewarding wildlife encounters of the trip.
Wind down near the Galle coast, among cinnamon and coconut groves and within easy reach of the ocean. Throughout, you’ll stay in small, characterful hotels, well away from the crowds.
Nature & Wildlife Explorer
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.
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Day 1
Your adventure begins
Days 2 - 4
The Mudhouse
Your private chauffeur-guide will welcome you to Sri Lanka and take you to The Mudhouse, an enchanting jungle lodge surrounded by lakes and forests at the foot of the mysterious Paramakanda Rock Temple. You can make your time here as active or as peaceful as you like. You could set off on early-morning birdwatching walks, kayak on the lakes, cycle along jungle trails, climb the ancient rock, learn to cook Sri Lankan food, or simply swing in a hammock.
Days 5 - 6
Wilpattu National Park
Travel north to Wilpattu, a vast and peaceful wilderness known for its leopards, sloth bears and exceptional birdlife. You’ll experience safaris that feel calm and unhurried, with quiet trails and far fewer visitors than the island’s busier parks.
Days 6 - 8
The Cultural Triangle
Head east with your chauffeur-guide towards Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, stopping to explore the ancient city of Anuradhapura along the way. During your time here, you’ll wander the ruins of Polonnaruwa, take in Sigiriya Rock Fortress away from crowds, and gain a clear sense of the region’s history, as well as the daily life and work of the farming communities who live here.
Days 9 - 10
The Knuckles Mountain Range
Your next stop is the Knuckles Mountain Range, where you’ll stay in a hillside villa surrounded by tea plantations. It’s an incredible area for birdwatching, and you’ll even have a telescope on the balcony for closer views. A guided trek into the hills is well worth the effort; this range is home to almost 75% of Sri Lanka’s endemic bird species.
Days 11 - 13
Gal Oya Lodge
Journey on to Gal Oya National Park, another lesser-visited natural wonder.
Here, you’ll stay in a beautifully designed eco-lodge with wonderful wildlife and meaningful cultural experiences. Sri Lanka’s largest lake is nearby, so keep an eye out for crocodiles — and, with luck, herds of elephants swimming between the islets.
Days 14 - 15
Tree Tops Jungle Lodge
Travel south with your chauffeur-guide to Tree Tops Jungle Lodge. This stay offers a different feel from Gal Oya: the camp-style accommodation brings you closer to the forest, and the wildlife experience changes, too. Head out along jungle trails with an expert guide, keeping watch for elephants and other species as you walk.
A full-day 4x drive safari into Yala National Park is included during your stay. Yala is famous for its high density of leopards, and while it can get busy, your trackers will do their best to scope out clear sightings while avoiding the typical jeep-jams.
Days 16 - 18
The Galle Coast
Your final stop brings you to the hills above the south coast, within easy reach of the beach and the historic town of Galle. You might spend your days relaxing by the ocean or exploring the ramparts of the Dutch Fort with an expert historian. There’s also the chance to head inland for a waterfall picnic, take a leisurely boat trip along a river, go on a bike ride or pick up new skills in a local cookery class.
Day 19
Fly home
Your driver will drop you off at Colombo airport for your flight back home.
We have just returned from a two-week trip to Sri Lanka
Best family holiday ever. A mixture of beach, temples, wildlife, quiet and fun. [ETG] understands us and we won't be using anyone else for our holidays to Asia.
The Reynolds-Maclean 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.
“Come eye to eye with Sri Lanka’s wildlife and those wide, open landscapes. If you’re the sort who wants to seek out elephants in the wild, listen to birdsong at first light or walk through a landscape that feels totally untouched, this trip’s for you. Your chauffeur-guide will also be on hand to help you spy small details you’s otherwise miss.”
Holly
Sri Lanka 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.
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.
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.
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.
Experiences of Sri Lanka
Crafting bespoke packages is the heart of what we do. Each holiday is specially designed to confound preconceptions and share magical, memorable, and truly exceptional experiences.
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 month 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.
