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Inside Sri Lanka

Ancient cities, misty tea hills and spectacular wildlife; dense rainforests and outstanding cuisine. It could only be Sri Lanka. Ready for a taste of heaven on earth?

What's included

  • All activities mentioned on the itinerary
  • 11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 9 dinners
  • Stay in hand-picked 3-5 star hotels
  • Private minibus & train
  • Arrival airport transfer
  • Accommodation in twin rooms
  • Experienced Pack Leader with you throughout the trip
  • Max 16 travellers per group

Flashpackers must provide evidence that they have purchased travel insurance for the duration of their adventure. Remember, flights aren't included and prices are based on sharing a twin room. If you'd like to upgrade to a single room, you can add this during the booking process or by contacting our Customer Experience team.

About your trip

Dramatic landscapes, fragrant cuisine, pristine beaches and exotic wildlife. Sound like your perfect adventure combination? Ours too.

From ancient cities to tropical beaches and the misty hills of Tea Country, Sri Lanka is an island perfectly set up for immersive group adventures – and on this 12-day Flash Pack escape you’ll really get the inside view. 

Whether it’s seafood beach BBQs by candlelight or sleeping in an ancient fort, nothing you experience on this trip will feel off-the-shelf. Instead of joining the crowds at Sigiriya Rock Fortress, for example, your group will scale the neighbouring Pidurangala Rock for sunset tea  – which is equally as beautiful and far more fun. To top it all off, your experience in Sri Lanka will be elevated by stays in some beautiful hotels: we’re talking rooftop pools, fancy spas, cocktails by starlight and idyllic lagoons. Ready? Sri Lanka awaits.

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Watch the adventure
A tropical welcome
  • Arrive into the capital of Colombo, where a private Flash Pack transfer will transport you to one of the country’s finest boutique hotels
  • Get to know your group over passionfruit cocktails before your welcome dinner in the laidback fishing port of Negombo
Sunset atop Pidurangala Rock
  • Soak up the lively atmosphere of Negombo fish market as huge trays of freshly caught fish, crabs and calamari come ashore
  • Transfer to your hotel on the shores of Lake Kandalama, a calming oasis surrounded by lush jungle
  • Scramble up ancient Pidurangala Rock for tea and sunset views – watching as the nearby (and much busier) Sigiriya Rock becomes cast in a golden glow
The temples of Polonnaruwa by bicycle
  • Cycle through the ruined temples and palaces of the 12th-century city of Polonnaruwa; a vast medieval kingdom
  • You’ll be welcomed into a local farmer’s house for lunch; enjoying true Sri Lankan hospitality over a spread of homemade curries
  • Get ready for a surprise tonight: there’s an immersive evening in store involving live music, lantern light and colourful sarongs, a bespoke experience just for your group
A private spice plantation & Kandy
  • Journey into Sri Lanka’s lush green hills for a visit to a private spice plantation; where your private expert will explain how fragrant spice are grown and used for medicinal purposes
  • Arrive in the World Heritage site of Kandy, home to the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic; where you’ll head out for a meal with your group before exploring this buzzing city
Meditate with a master
  • Visit the home of a yoga and meditation master, who’ll guide your group through a private yoga session and explain the meaning of Buddhism
  • Meet esteemed Kandyan artist Chami for a Sri Lankan cooking class, travelling by tuk tuk to the market to buy spices and vegetables before conjuring up a curry feast together
A spectacular train ride
  • Ride the famous train from Kandy to Nanuyoa – one of the most spectacular train journeys in the world
  • Stop off for lunch in the elegant town of Nurwara Eliya, dubbed ‘Little England’ for its cool climate and landscape of rolling green hills
  • Check in at your boutique resort and spa and receive the ritual Hindu Tilak mark on your forehead as a gesture of welcome
Learn the art of tea-making
  • Join Tamil tea pickers at work on a tea plantation; learning how to pluck the leaves and discover the process of weighing, withering, rolling and drying
  • Master the popular street food dish of kottu, mixing chopped up roti, stir fried vegetables and eggs to the sound of rhythmic music
  • Explore the mountain town of Ella – visiting the dramatic Nine Arches Bridge and Little Adam’s Peak – before dinner with your group at the Chill Cafe
Leopard spotting at Yala
  • Journey south to Yala National Park, Sri Lanka’s most famous wildlife destination, with the highest density of leopards in the world
  • Embark on a wildlife safari through the park, keeping your eyes peeled for elephants, crocodiles and aquatic birds as well as the elusive leopards – a real pinch-me moment
South to the Indian Ocean
  • Savour a slow morning, perhaps booking in for a massage at your hotel, before driving on to the beautiful old trading port of Galle, a Unesco World Heritage site
  • Take a walking tour of the 300-year-old city, its atmospheric streets lined with art galleries, ancient mosques and grand colonial-Dutch mansions
16th-century forts & beach resorts
  • Drive along the sparkling coast to your beachside resort in Kosgoda, known for its palm-fringed beaches and dreamy sunsets
  • Relax and enjoy the idyllic setting before gathering with your group for sundowners at the hotel bar, the lapping waves serenading you
Lazy beach living & a candlelit dinner
  • Enjoy a free day to relax by the beach or take one of the optional excursions in search of spinner dolphins, sperm whales and even blue whales at certain times of year
  • Gather with your group for a private farewell dinner, tucking into Sri Lankan seafood platters in the glow of a candlelit beach barbecue, complete with live DJ
Until next time, Sri Lanka
  • Having shared a Flash Pack transfer back to the airport, it’s time to say goodbye to your new friends. It feels all too soon, we know.
  • An adventure that takes you deep into the fabric of Sri Lanka; you’ll return home dreaming of this Eden-like island that, from its golden beaches and elusive wildlife to rolling hills and ancient history, really does seem to have it all

Where you'll be staying

We often feature these unique hotels on this trip, with final options confirmed a month before departure. We work with these or similar hotels to ensure a stylish and comfortable stay every time.

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Sheraton Kosgoda

From its stunning beach views to a huge pool overlooking the Indian Ocean and a spa with ancient healing treatments, this hotel is all about beachside living. Rooms come with sea views, private balconies, rain showers and pampering toiletries.

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Jetwing Yala

Nestled amidst sand dunes and spectacular coastal scrub, this eco-conscious boutique hotel is an idyllic place to relax after wildlife spotting in nearby Yala National Park. Facilities include a 75-metre pool and open-air lounge-bar overlooking the ocean.

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Jetwing Lagoon

An architectural masterpiece designed by Geoffrey Bawa, this chic Ayurveda spa resort offers the largest pool on the western coastline, a range of ancient healing therapies and an enviable position on a skinny peninsula between the ocean and Negombo Lagoon.

Praise for our Pack Leaders

Meet Razz, a Pack Leader in Sri Lanka

Adventure FAQs

Which airport do I need to fly in and out of? Plus airport code
What time should my flight arrive (in time for the welcome meeting)?
What time should my flight depart on the last day?
Are airport transfers included?
Are tips included?
Do I need a visa?
What vaccinations and medication will I need?
How much should I budget per day for extras?
What fitness levels do I need for this trip?
When's the best time to go? What is the weather like?
What should I pack?
What are the drive times like?
Will this itinerary change?

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