Relax on Sri Lanka's Southern Coast Bespoke Holiday Itinerary / Experience Tour

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This holiday includes less travel than the typical Sri Lanka tour and focuses solely on the south coast of the island. You’ll travel with your chauffeur-guide and days will be balanced with immersive cultural experiences and time relaxing on the beach. A laid-back way to explore the country’s variety.

Highlights include

Cruising along the Maadu Ganga on a river safari, watching out for life along the banks
Discovering the countryside villages around Galle by boat and tuk-tuk
Heading out to watch dolphins and whales frolicking in the waters off the shores of Mirissa
Spending several days at your leisure relaxing on the beautiful south coast beaches

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 own holiday, fill in the form below.

DAY 1 DEPART THE UK

Depart London Heathrow on your direct flight to Colombo.

DAY 2-5 BENTOTA

Transfer in a chauffeur driven vehicle to Bentota where you will spend the next four nights. Bentota is a thriving resort with plenty of water sports, nightlife, bars, great dining, and peaceful beaches.

A beautiful boat trip is planned along the Madhu Ganga, lined with mangroves. Watch out for river life including lizards, birds of prey, and the odd crocodile. The guided trip takes a few hours and refreshments are served on board.

DAYS 6-8 THE GALLE COAST

Galle is the capital of southern Sri Lanka and a cultural cosmopolitan highlight. A history rich with diverse cultural influences and plenty of sights (such as the 17th century Dutch fort) makes Galle a popular stop for those seeking to learn about Sri Lanka’s colourful past. The tropical inland scenery is complemented by fabulous beaches, such as Thalpe, Koggala, and Unawatuna.

During your stay there will be a day spent on a tour of the local countryside. Cruise along the Kapu Ela river with a naturalist guide watching birdlife, water monitors, and the endangered purple faced monkey. This is followed by a tuk-tuk ride or a leisurely bike tour to traditional villages where you can learn how to make a traditional Sri Lankan egg hopper breakfast.

DAYS 9-13 THE DEEP SOUTH

The south east coast of Sri Lanka extends from Matara to Hambantota and it’s the perfect destination for rest and relaxation. This part of our tour is all about enjoying the "deep south" beaches with their lush vegetation, idyllic villages, and palm fringed white stretches of sand.

During your stay there will be time to explore the Bundala National Park biosphere with 200 species of birds and nesting grounds for four species of marine turtle. You will also have time to take an exciting whale watching safari off the shore of Mirissa.

DAY 14 & 15 COLOMBO

You’ll transfer back to Colombo, a vibrant city with Portuguese, English, and Dutch influence. Start your exploration with a sunset through Colombo’s suburbs and the countryside beyond. Pass paddy fields and waterways and finish off with a puja ceremony at the Kelaniya temple. The following day, a unique tea excursion at the Dilmah Tea Lounge includes a tour and gourmet high tea. Learn about tea mixology and don’t forget to try a tea-inspired cocktail before you leave. In the afternoon, a 3-4 hour Colombo city walk will reveal Colombo’s cultural highlights: explore heritage 17th century buildings from the time of Dutch and British reign. Avoid the crowds of tourists and head to the marketplace at Pettah.

DAY 15 RETURN HOME

Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

As every holiday is unique to you, prices vary. To give you an indication, two-week holidays range from roughly £2,500 to £8,000 per adult, with an average price of £3,300. We also offer substantial child and seasonal discounts.

Fill in our Quote Request form to get your quick, no-obligations proposal.

As every holiday is unique - Call our experts on 1-888-577-8452 for an inclusive, personalised quotation for your preferred dates or use the quote request form below...

Inclusions

Your personalised quotation with Experience Travel Group will include:

International Flights (which can be omitted from your quotation if you prefer)
Accommodation as described
Privately guided tours and transfers
Original Experience Travel Group "Signature" experiences
Full financial protection (full ABTA and ATOL bonding)
Meals as described
24 hour in-country backup whilst away
Your own dedicated travel expert in the UK

For more on our pricing policy read here.

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...

Buckingham Place, Rekawa

Stylish, fun, contemporary villas with a great atmosphere and a sublime location overlooking Rekawa's lagoon and beaches

Maniumpathy, Colombo

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

River House, Balapitiya

The River House is a beautiful boutique hotel on the banks of the broad and sleep Madhu Ganga. 4 suites, a river and a beautiful garden = peace at last!

Why House, Inland from Galle

A beautiful boutique hotel combining luxury facilities with the friendliness and relaxed atmosphere of a home.

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...

Bundala National Park, Tissamaharama

Spend a morning or afternoon on safari in Bundala National Park, a less visited but just as excellent centre for wildlife spotting.

Colombo City Walk, Colombo

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

Essence of Galle, Galle Fort

One of our selection of unique signature tours, exclusively designed for Experience Travel Group clients.

River Safari, Bentota

Morning river safari along the Bentota Ganga.

Tea Factory Visit, Nuwara Eliya

See the inner-workings of a tea factory and follow the process from plucking the bud to brewing a cup

Whale watching, Mirissa, Mirissa

Spend the morning on the lookout for Moby Dick

Customer Feedback

We stayed in Villa Aspara. Awesome. I am not telling you why, as I want to go back there and it will get fully booked. (sorry Andrew - we can't keep a secret...)

- Andrew

Customer Protection

The air holiday packages shown are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 9324. Please see our booking conditions for more information.

Sri Lanka Holiday Ideas