
Tour · 14 nights · with Explore Worldwide
Two weeks with Explore Worldwide on an escorted tour through Sri Lanka’s ancient capitals, hill country tea plantations and coastal fishing villages, balanced with time in national parks and relaxed beach days in Koggala.
Highlights
Jeep safaris in Wilpattu and Udawalawe National Parks
Sunrise climb of Sigiriya's Lion Rock fortress
Ancient capitals of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa
Train journey across Nine Arch Bridge to Ella
Beach days in KoggalaWith optional whale watching
This small-group tour with Explore Worldwide traces Sri Lanka’s diverse landscapes and landmarks over 14 nights. Starting in the fishing town of Negombo, it moves on to Wilpattu National Park for a quieter alternative to the usual safari hotspots. The itinerary visits the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, where long-abandoned temples and giant Buddha statues stand quietly among the ruins.
Journeys
A climb at Sigiriya’s Lion Rock is scheduled early to avoid crowds and heat, followed by time in the hill town of Kandy and the cooler tea fields around Nuwara Eliya. A train journey through tea country reaches Ella, then it’s south to Udawalawe National Park for a day among elephants and other wildlife. The tour ends with a few days relaxing by the beach in Koggala and a final evening in Colombo, taking in the city’s colonial history and busy markets.
The rhythm here is a considered one, paced with thoughtful stops rather than rushed lists. And though the itinerary touches on the island’s better-known spots, it often avoids the busiest corners. It’s the kind of trip where spotting the stilt fishermen in action or lingering at a spice garden can feel like a proper glimpse into daily life, rather than a tick in the itinerary box.
Itinerary
Negombo
Wilpattu National Park
Anuradhapura
Sigiriya
When to go
Lowest price each month, per person.
Explore Worldwide confirms exact dates, availability and prices when you book.
Need to know
For full details of what’s included, check with Explore Worldwide. See the full details on their site
The operator
Small-group adventures, walking and wildlife
Small groups with local leaders, and a fondness for the places at the end of the road. Trips are graded so you know how active they are.
You book with Explore Worldwide directly. They confirm your place, take payment, and look after you from the moment you leave home; Atlas & Passage’s part ends when you click through.

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Kandy
Nuwara Eliya
Ella
Udawalawe National Park
Galle
Colombo
These are the places the trip visits, in order. Explore Worldwide publishes the day-by-day itinerary on its own site.