The Complete Wild Coastline: Cultural Triangle to Trincomalee

A full day snorkelling at Pigeon Island Marine National Park off Trincomalee.

A seventeen day coast to coast expedition that reaches further east than any other package on the island, Trincomalee and Pigeon Island’s coral gardens, alongside Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, tea country, a Yala safari and the south coast. Built for travellers who came a long way and want to see the whole island properly.

Type: Grand Wildlife, Reef and Heritage Expedition – Extended
Best For: Travellers who came a long way and want to see the whole island properly
Comfort Level: Premium Wildlife and Nature
Best Time to Travel: April to September, calmer seas and clearer water at Trincomalee
Activity Level: Active, comprehensive
Pace: Active, comprehensive
Route: Colombo – Negombo – Sigiriya – Polonnaruwa – Trincomalee – Kandy – Nuwara Eliya – Ella – Yala – Mirissa – Galle – Colombo

Unique to This Tour: A full day snorkelling at Pigeon Island Marine National Park off Trincomalee, over shallow coral gardens among reef fish, turtles and, on a good day, blacktip reef sharks.

Signature Moment: Snorkelling reef sharks and turtles at Pigeon Island Marine National Park.

Tour Itinerary

Day 01 -

Arrival - Negombo

Transfer from the airport to Negombo. Overnight in Negombo.

Day 02 -

Negombo - Sigiriya

Drive north, approximately 3.5 hours, via the Dambulla Cave Temple. Overnight in Sigiriya.

Day 03 -

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress in the morning. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Sigiriya.

Day 04 -

Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa

Drive to Sri Lanka’s medieval capital, approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. Afternoon exploring the UNESCO-listed ruined city by bicycle, pedalling quiet park roads between the Gal Vihara’s rock-carved Buddhas and the Royal Palace ruins. Overnight in Polonnaruwa.

Day 05 -

Polonnaruwa - Trincomalee

Drive northeast to the east coast, approximately 2.5 hours. Overnight in Trincomalee.

Day 06 -

Pigeon Island Snorkelling

A full day boat trip to Pigeon Island Marine National Park off Nilaveli Beach, snorkelling over shallow coral gardens in 1 to 4 metres of water among reef fish, turtles and, on a good day, blacktip reef sharks, season May to October. Overnight in Trincomalee.

Day 07 -

Trincomalee at Leisure

Visit Koneswaram Temple, dramatically perched on Swami Rock above the harbour, and spend the afternoon on Uppuveli or Nilaveli beach, with a seasonal whale watching excursion available. Overnight in Trincomalee.

Day 08 -

Trincomalee - Kandy

Drive inland to Kandy, approximately 4 hours. Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic on arrival. Overnight in Kandy.

Day 09 -

Kandy Cultural Day

Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya. Evening Kandyan cultural dance performance. Overnight in Kandy.

Day 10 -

Kandy - Nuwara Eliya

Drive into the highlands, approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, via a tea factory tour. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 11 -

Horton Plains - World’s End

Early walk across Horton Plains to World’s End. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 12 -

Nuwara Eliya - Ella

Scenic train from Nanu Oya to Ella. Visit the Nine Arch Bridge on arrival. Overnight in Ella.

Day 13 -

Ella - Yala

Drive south, approximately 2.5 hours, via Wellawaya for an afternoon jeep safari through Yala National Park. Overnight near Yala.

Day 14 -

Yala - Mirissa

Dawn safari, then transfer to the south coast at Mirissa, approximately 3 hours. Overnight in Mirissa.

Day 15 -

Mirissa Whale Watching

Morning boat excursion to spot blue and sperm whales in the deep water canyon offshore, seasonal November to April, outside season a snorkelling trip to Polhena Reef instead. Overnight in Mirissa.

Day 16 -

Mirissa - Galle

Drive to Galle, approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Afternoon walking the ramparts of Galle Fort. Overnight in Galle.

Day 17 -

Departure

Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport, approximately 2.5 hours.

Inclusion

All private ground transport throughout the tour

Bicycle hire and guide for the Polonnaruwa cycling day

Pigeon Island boat trip and snorkelling gear

Temple of the Tooth guided visit

Private jeep safari at Yala

Scenic train tickets, Nanu Oya to Ella

Whale watching or snorkelling excursion at Mirissa

Guided Galle Fort walking tour

All airport transfers, arrival and departure

16 nights accommodation as specified above

Daily breakfast at each property

24 hour on ground support throughout

Exclusions

International flights to and from Colombo

Travel insurance (strongly recommended)

Lunches and dinners unless specified

National park entrance fees

Personal spending, souvenirs and tipping

Tour Highlights

Polonnaruwa heritage cycling

Pigeon Island snorkelling

Koneswaram Temple

Horton Plains and World’s End

Yala leopard safari

Mirissa whale watching

Where You’ll Stay

Negombo: Jetwing Blue or Jetwing Lagoon

Sigiriya: Water Garden Sigiriya or Aliya Resort (2 nights)

Polonnaruwa: Deer Park Hotel or Sunrise Lake Resort

Trincomalee: Jungle Beach by Uga Escapes or Trinco Blu by Cinnamon (3 nights)

Kandy: The Kandy House or Cinnamon Citadel (2 nights)

Nuwara Eliya: Heritance Tea Factory or Tea Trails Bungalows (2 nights)

Ella: Zion View or Ella Gap Tourist Rest

Yala: Chena Huts by Uga or Wild Coast Tented Lodge

Mirissa: Mirissa Hills or Lantern Boutique Hotel (2 nights)

Galle: Fort Bazaar or Amangalla