Experience Travel Group
1-888-577-8452 020 7924 7133
Call

Nature Trails and Cultural Tales

Download Guide Get in Touch
  • Destinations
    • South Asia
      • Sri Lanka
      • The Maldives
      • India
      • Bhutan
    • South East Asia
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
      • Cambodia
      • Laos
      • Myanmar
      • Indonesia
      • Borneo
    • Middle East
      • Oman
  • About us
    • Why choose ETG?
    • Our Story
    • Meet the Team
    • Reviews
    • In the Press
    • Travel Blog
    • Our brochure
    • Newsletter Signup
  • How it works
    • Get in touch
    • Booking with confidence
    • How much does it cost?
    • Financial protection
    • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
    • Working with in-country partners
    • My Booking
    • Come and see us
  • Immersive Holidays
    • Immersive Family Holidays
    • Immersive Honeymoons
    • Ideas & Inspiration
    • Holidays by Month
    • Family Holidays by Month
    • Download Free Country Guides
  • Sustainability
    • Travel Better
    • Our Counter-Carbon Pledge
    • One bottle at a time
    • Building a Sustainable Future
    • Giving Back
Nature Trails and Cultural Tales
  • Holidays in Sri Lanka
    • Essential Holidays
    • Family Holidays
    • Sri Lanka & Maldives Holidays
    • Luxury Holidays
    • Slow Holidays
    • Nature & Wildlife Holidays
    • Immersive Holidays
  • Guide to Sri Lanka
    • Sri Lanka Guide
    • Weather & When to go
    • Hotel inspiration
    • Experiences inspiration
    • Sri Lanka Travel Blog
  • Places in Sri Lanka
    • Regions of Sri Lanka
      • Overview
      • The Cultural Triangle
      • Colombo, Negombo & Around
      • Kandy and Around
      • The Hill Country
      • West Coast Beaches
      • Galle and Around
      • The South Coast
      • Puttalam & the North West
      • The East Coast
      • Jaffna & The North
    • National Parks
      • Overview
      • Bundala National Park
      • Flood Plains National Park
      • Gal Oya National Park
      • Horton Plains National Park
      • Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary
      • Kumana National Park (Yala East)
      • Lahugala National Park
      • Lunugamvehera National Park
      • Maduru Oya National Park
      • Minneriya National Park
      • Somawathiya National Park
      • The Knuckles Range
      • The Sinharaja Rainforest
      • Udawalawe National Park
      • Wasgamuwa National Park
      • Wilpattu National Park
      • Yala National Park
Experience Travel Group

Nature Trails and Cultural Tales

  • Info
  • ItineraryDays
  • Hotels
  • ExperiencesTo-Do
  • Price
  • Map

We created this itinerary to cover 20km of the 300km 'Pekoe Trail', an immersive way to experience the beautiful hill country's rural villages and lush scenery. Explore remote Gal Oya National Park, where you can connect with wildlife in a unique way on a boat safari and on foot. Beyond these off-the-beaten-track adventures, there will be time to experience Sri Lanka's fascinating culture and ancient heritage in the Cultural Triangle and Galle Fort.

You'll find some of our favourite boutique hotels and lodges throughout this suggested holiday itinerary.

Highlights include:

  • Embark on two days of privately guided trekking along the Pekoe Trail through secluded countryside
  • Search for elephants swimming in the lakes at Gal Oya National Park
  • Explore the ancient sites of Sri Lanka's heartland, The Cultural Triangle

As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We can tailor it completely to suit your budget, pace and style. To find out more about how this suggested itinerary could inspire your holiday, start your journey by calling us today.

 

Day 1  Depart UK

Depart the UK on your flight to Colombo

Day 2-4  Galle Fort

Meet your chauffeur guide and transfer to your hotel near Galle.

Spend your first full day with a local archaeologist exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Galle Fort. Wander the streets of the fort, built by the Portuguese and Dutch in the colonial period. To break up the day, stop at a traditional Dutch House for tea with a local family that has lived here for generations.

On day 4, take a boat trip searching for whales and dolphins. Blue whales and pods of dolphins are commonly spotted a few miles off the coastline.

Day 5–7  The Pekoe Trail

From Galle, your guide will drive you to your hotel in Demodara. A small hotel with lovely personal service on a working tea plantation. It's a great little base for walking some of the Pekoe Trail. 

Your first-morning trekking starts early at nearby Demodara Railway Station – arriving at around 6:30 am, you'll see the local villagers on their morning commute. After a picnic breakfast at the Black Bridge, your guide will join you for the 11km section of the 300km Pekoe Trail. The scenery is glorious, with vibrant green hills lined with rows of tea bushes punctuated by spectacular views. Later you'll return to Nine Skies, where you can relax and refuel with an afternoon tea on the terrace. 

Your second morning of trekking will begin in the small village of Ella, where you'll start the next 9km section of the Pekoe Trail with your guide. Not far from Ella, you will reach the remarkable 9-Arch Bridge (the inspiration behind the name of your accommodation). From the bridge, you can view the towering arches below and an abyss of rich green filled with tea plants and swaying tropical palms. During this stretch of the trail, you'll likely see tea pluckers and farmers who will be pleased to take a moment to demonstrate their skill or even stop you for a chat along the way.

Day 8-10 Gal Oya National Park

From Ella, travel with your chauffeur guide to Gal Oya National Park. Here, take a boat safari, spotting wildlife from the water. With a bit of luck, you will see elephants swimming in the lake. After lunch, continue your safari by Jeep to Nigala, a less-visited part of the park. Here look out for wild boar, deer, and sloth bears. Continue into the park on foot to be closer to the wildlife.

Beyond the wildlife, whilst at Gal Oya, you can take a cooking lesson with the lodge's resident chef or explore the organic farm.

Day 11-14  The Cultural Triangle

Continue north with your chauffeur guide to the Cultural Triangle. 

During your time here, you will be able to experience the magnificent Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Pidurangala Rock Temple. A hike to the latter's summit rewards you with stunning views of Sigiriya. Beyond the well-known sites, you can also explore local life with our local village experience.

Day 15  Colombo Food Tour

From The Cultural Triangle, drive back to the capital, Colombo. Spend your final day exploring the city with highlights, including a food focussed walking tour. 

Day 16  Return Home

Today your guide will drive you to Colombo airport for your return flight to the UK.

As every holiday is unique to you, prices vary. To give you an indication, our holidays typically cost between £4,000 and £6,000 per adult depending on trip length and time of year as well as the hotels and flights involved. We offer child and seasonal discounts. You can read our ultimate guide to holiday costs in Asia for more in-depth information.

To start your journey, talk to one of our friendly consultants today.

Since every traveler is unique - Call our experts on 1-888-577-8452 to create your personalised vacation itinerary.

Inclusions

Your bespoke proposal with Experience Travel Group will include:

  • International Flights (we can omit if you prefer)
  • Accommodation as described
  • Privately guided tours and transfers
  • Tips for guides and drivers
  • Original Experience Travel Group "signature" experiences 
  • Full financial protection (ABTA and ATOL bonding.) 
  • 24-hour in-country backup while away
  • Your dedicated travel expert in the UK 

You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.

Here are the hotels and villas within this holiday as standard...

Gal Oya Lodge

Gal Oya Lodge, Sri Lanka

Surrounded by a stunning national park, Gal Oya is an environmentally responsible all-natural lodge experience.

Kumbukgaha Villa

Kumbukgaha Villa, Sigiriya

A collection of comfortable villas surrounded by wilderness and a veranda to relax on at the end of a long day.

Maniumpathy

Maniumpathy, Colombo

Old world charm and modern comforts in a restored heritage home in Colombo, boasting a relaxing swimming pool.

Nine Skies

Nine Skies, Demodara

A restored bungalow sitting on a working tea plantation providing an all-inclusive stay with personalised service and wonderful views.

Why House

Why House, Talpe

A beautiful boutique hotel. Attentive, friendly, relaxed comfort that feels more home away from home, than high life.

You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.

Here are the experiences & activities within this holiday as standard...

Colombo City Walk

Colombo City Walk, Colombo

Spend a few hours exploring Colombo's architecture, hidden gems and colonial history with local expert Mark Forbes.

Galle Fort

Galle Fort, Galle Fort

Explore Galle's beautifully preserved fortified city

Pidurangula Rock

Pidurangula Rock, Sigiriya

Just beside Sigiriya Rock Fortress lies another granite rock jutting out of the surrounding lowland, Pidurangala Rock.

Rural cycling and Polonnaruwa

Rural cycling and Polonnaruwa, Polonnaruwa

A lovely rural cycling trip around villages with an afternoon explore of ancient Polonnaruwa

Sigiriya and Village Farm experience

Sigiriya and Village Farm experience, Sigiriya

Visit local farms and learn firsthand about the life and work of the villagers, enjoy a home-cooked lunch and visit the stunning Sigiriya rock fortress

Map showing Hotels & Experiences associated with 'Nature Trails and Cultural Tales '

More Holiday Suggestions

Boutique Sri Lanka

Boutique Sri Lanka

For curious first-timers. An alternative take on a more intimate Sri Lanka. Effortlessly, atmospheric boutique hotels and experiences.

Classic Sri Lanka & Undiscovered Maldives

Classic Sri Lanka & Undiscovered Maldives

Our trademark authentic experiences and boutique accommodation in Sri Lanka combined with a different take on The Maldives.

Essential Sri Lanka with East Coast

Essential Sri Lanka with East Coast

The east coast has calm seas and the island's best weather from May-September, making it a fantastic option for a summer holiday.


~
Your next adventure
starts with a conversation
~

Every ETG journey is unique. Tell us your loves, your hates, your holiday ambitions, your hopes and fears, and we’ll share a suitcase so full of inspired holiday ideas you’ll need to sit on it to shut it tight.

Not sure what you’re looking for? Let us inspire you...

Get in Touch

Call us 020 7924 7133

ETG - immersive holidays that give back, since 2004.
Don’t just see Asia - feel Asia.

How it works
  • Get in touch
  • Booking with confidence
  • How much does it cost?
  • Financial protection
  • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
  • Working with in-country partners
  • My Booking
  • Come and see us
About Us
  • Why choose ETG?
  • Our Story
  • Meet the Team
  • Reviews
  • Our Promise
  • In the Press
  • Our Offices
  • Jobs
Information
  • Immersive Escapes
  • The Revitalise Collection
  • Our Rating System
  • Exclusive Signature Experiences
  • Your Protection
  • Travel Insurance
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Package Travel Regulations
  • Foreign and Commonwealth (FCO) Travel Advice
Get Social

facebook.com/experiencetravel twitter.com/ExpTrav instagram.com/experiencetravelgroup

  • Visit us on Facebook
  • View @ExpTrav Twitter Feed
  • Visit our Travel Blog
  • Follow our Instagram page
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Book Club

© Experience Travel Group Ltd
Registered in England, Company No. 5071391 | ABTA Member | 9324 ATOL Protected
Site by Livingstone Creative

Website Terms of Use | Cookie Policy | Privacy Policy

Experience Travel Group

020 7924 7133 Get in touch

Call
  • Destinations
    • South Asia
      • Sri Lanka
      • The Maldives
      • India
      • Bhutan
    • South East Asia
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
      • Cambodia
      • Laos
      • Myanmar
      • Indonesia
      • Borneo
    • Middle East
      • Oman
  • Holidays in Sri Lanka
    • Essential Holidays
    • Family Holidays
    • Sri Lanka & Maldives Holidays
    • Luxury Holidays
    • Slow Holidays
    • Nature & Wildlife Holidays
    • Immersive Holidays
  • Guide to Sri Lanka
    • Sri Lanka Guide
    • Weather & When to go
    • Hotel inspiration
    • Experiences inspiration
    • Sri Lanka Travel Blog
  • Places in Sri Lanka
    • Regions of Sri Lanka
      • Overview
      • The Cultural Triangle
      • Colombo, Negombo & Around
      • Kandy and Around
      • The Hill Country
      • West Coast Beaches
      • Galle and Around
      • The South Coast
      • Puttalam & the North West
      • The East Coast
      • Jaffna & The North
    • National Parks & Sancturaries
      • Overview
      • Bundala National Park
      • Flood Plains National Park
      • Gal Oya National Park
      • Horton Plains National Park
      • Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary
      • Kumana National Park (Yala East)
      • Lahugala National Park
      • Lunugamvehera National Park
      • Maduru Oya National Park
      • Minneriya National Park
      • Somawathiya National Park
      • The Knuckles Range
      • The Sinharaja Rainforest
      • Udawalawe National Park
      • Wasgamuwa National Park
      • Wilpattu National Park
      • Yala National Park
  • About us
    • Why choose ETG?
    • Our Story
    • Meet the Team
    • Reviews
    • In the Press
    • Our Offices
    • Our Brochure
    • Travel Blog
    • Newsletter Signup
  • How it works
    • Get in touch
    • Booking with confidence
    • How much does it cost?
    • Financial protection
    • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
    • Working with in-country partners
    • My Booking
    • Come and see us
  • Immersive Holidays
    • Immersive Family Holidays
    • Immersive Honeymoons
    • Ideas & Inspiration
    • Holidays by month
    • Family Holidays by Month
    • Download Free Country Guides
  • Sustainability
    • Travel Better
    • Our Counter-Carbon Pledge
    • One bottle at a time
    • Building a Sustainable Future
    • Giving Back
  • Come and see us
  • My Booking
  • Brochure
  • Travel Blog