Active Sri Lanka

This escorted small-group tour from Explore Worldwide takes you through Sri Lanka with a steady rhythm of cycling, hiking and paddling. Beginning in the fishing town of Negombo, the tour quickly moves into the culturally rich triangle around Anuradhapura and Sigiriya, where ancient ruins and Buddhist sites are explored on basic local bikes and on foot. The hike up Sigiriya’s Lion Rock is a particular highlight, with the 5th century fortress and frescoes rewarding the climb.

The itinerary then takes the group to the Knuckles Mountain Range for a steep but well-marked walk, followed by a visit to Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth. Tea plantations and the local train from Gampola to Kandy add travel by less obvious means. Whitewater rafting on the Kelani River and a jungle hike in the Sinharaja Forest Reserve demonstrate a variety of landscapes, from rainforest to rapids. The days finish by the southern coast, with paddling on the quiet Dodanduwa Lagoon and strolling through the Dutch Fort at Galle.

The trip closes with a walk around Colombo’s colonial centre and a rooftop drink, noting how the city’s layers of history differ sharply from many of the remote places visited earlier. It’s a lively, uneven-paced tour for those who expect a healthy amount of genuine Sri Lankan life alongside the activity.