Experience a safari in Udawalawe National Park, discover cultural treasures of Negombo and Kandy, and then spend an entire week sailing from one tiny and perfect atoll island to another, snorkelling in crystal-clear waters and stretching out on blazing white-sand beaches. From culture to paradise, this tour's got it all.

 

Itinerary

Day 1 Negombo
Arrive at any time.

Day 2 Negombo/Kandy
Drive to Kandy, visiting a spice plantation en route. Later, visit Temple of the Tooth before enjoying the folk dances of a local cultural group.

Day 3 Kandy
Explore Kandy with a free day.

Day 4 Kandy/Ella
Depart Kandy by private vehicle and arrive in the historic town of Nuwara Eliya. Stop for a scenic lakeside picnic lunch. Head to Haputale train station from Nuwara Eliya and resume the journey to Ella via local train. Upon arrival, learn about one of the nation's most popular exports with a guided tour of a tea factory.

Day 5 Ella
Spend the morning getting active with a hike to Little Adam's peak. Enjoy free time in the afternoon. Opt to take a cooking class with spice garden tour.

Day 6 Ella/Unawatuna
Depart early this morning for Udawalawe National Park and enjoy a wildlife safari through the reserve. Afterwards, head to the beach town of Unawatuna.

Day 7 Unawatuna
In the morning travel to Galle for a tour of the fort and the city. Later, return to Unawatuna for more beach time and a final night with the group.

Day 8 Unawatuna/South Malé Atoll
Hop on a flight to Malé for the Maldives portion of your trip. Transfer to South Malé Atoll. Settle in, and set sail on a voyage of discovery.

Day 9 South Malé Atoll/Ambara
After a relaxed start, continue to the southernmost point of South Malé Atoll before crossing the channel to Felidhoo Atoll. Reach the idyllic uninhabited island of Ambara by early afternoon. Enjoy the rest of the day at the beach or snorkelling the crystal-clear waters around the island.

Day 10 Ambara/Fenboa Finolhu
Cruise across the Meemu Atoll and arrive to Fenboa Finolhu, another beautiful uninhabited island. Stay the night with plenty of time to enjoy the beach and snorkel amongst the reefs.

Day 11 Fenboa Finolhu/Dhiggaru
Head east towards the island of Djiggaru, stopping along the way to snorkel on a reef, arriving in the late afternoon. Spend the evening enjoying the laid back pace and traditional way of life of the locals. With some luck, get an invitation for an evening performance of Bodu Beru (Big Drum), the traditional folk music of the country.

Day 12 Dhiggaru/Felidhu Atholhu
Head back to Felidhoo Atoll and its administrative centre, Felidhoo. Take time to wander through the village and learn something new about the lives of the islanders.

Day 13 Felidhu Atholhu/Eboodhoofinolhu
Enjoy the longest journey of the trip back through the islands of Felidhoo and South Malé atolls. There are plenty of opportunities to swim and snorkel or to explore the islands en route. The day's destination is Emboodhu Finolhu, one of the northernmost islands of South Malé Atoll.

Day 14 Eboodhoofinolhu/Male
In the morning, make the short crossing to Malé. The tour ends on arrival at Malé International Airport.

 

Trip Specifics

  • Start/Finish: Negombo to Male
  • Price: From £1699
  • Trip Code: ASSM