Coast 2 Coast - Sri Lanka

Airport Pick Up, Meet the Team & Chill 

Volunteers will fly into Bandaranaike Airport in Sri Lanka's vibrant capital of Colombo to meet the Travelteer team and relax after a long flight.

The Travelteer team will be on hand to collect all participants from the airport and transfer them to the accommodation in Colombo to rest up after the flight. All participants will be staying in the same hotel, so this is a great place to meet everyone before kicking off the tour! 

The hotel is cool and comfortable with A/C rooms and the group can relax before having dinner together. The Travelteer tour leader will give a full Coast 2 Coast tour briefing later in the evening so that everyone is ready for their adventure!

Climb Sigiriya Fortress & Traditional Batik Workshop visit

Heading out of Colombo, the group heads North on the Travelteer bus into Sri Lanka's 'Cultural Triangle', a hot, dry region that boasts amazing landscapes and cultural riches.

Immerse yourself in Sri Lanka's rich history! The next group stop on our Coast 2 Coast Tour is the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya, also known as Lion Rock. Considered by many as the '8th Wonder of The World', the fortress towers 200 metres over the surrounding landscape and offers breath-taking views over lush terrain. It's time to lace up your walking boots as we'll be trekking to the top - learning about the landmark's rich history along the way.

Pigeon Island Snorkelling, Hindu Cliff Temple & Wild Deer Feeding

An early morning start from our Sigiriya accommodation has the group driving to Sri Lanka's east coast - get ready for white sand beaches and crystal-clear water.

Enter the palm fringed beaches of Sri Lanka's East Coast. Pigeon Island is a protected marine park and home to the best coral reef in all of Sri Lanka. Our group will be taken across to the reef via speedboat and can snorkel with sea turtles and countless varieties of tropical marine life including the occasional juvenile black tip reef shark (don't worry they're harmless!). 

The group will then visit the town of Trincomalee to feed the wild deer. Then make our way up to a famous Hindu temple on the side of a cliff – you can spot the fishmen praying to the temple as they make their way out to sea. 

Royal Botanical Gardens, Temple of The Tooth & Spice Gardens

Following Pigeon Island, the tour heads back inland from the island's East Coast into the island's Central Province to enjoy Sri Lanka's cultural capital of Kandy with curated gardens and awe-inspiring temples. 

On arrival in the beautiful city of Kandy, the group gets the unique opportunity to visit local spice gardens, where they learn about natural medicines and discover how various fruits and spices are cultivated. Our tour continues by exploring the city's stunning Royal Botanical Gardens before heading to one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world - The 'Temple Of The Tooth'. The group will embark on an unforgettable sunset tour of Sri Lanka's iconic Temple, immersing themselves in the magic and history of this sacred site as the day fades into night!

Tea Plantation & Train Journey

An early morning start from our Kandy accommodation has the group driving into Sri Lanka's world renowned 'Hill Country' featuring endless tea plantations, mountainous landscapes and beautiful hikes.

Heading into the Hill Country, our tour first reaches Nuwara Eliya, once called 'Little England'. Here the group will have a guided tour of a tea plantation before setting off on the world renowned Nuwara Eliya to Ella train journey. The train winds its way through the heart of Sri Lanka's Hill Country and drops the group off in the midst of Ella's dramatic landscapes. The group spend their evening exploring the town, listening to live music and taking in the atmosphere!

Ella Rock, Ravana Waterfall & Jeep Safari 

Early the next morning the group treks up to the top of Ella Rock at sunrise before jumping into the local waterfall to cool down! 

Leaving Ella for the Udawalawe Region is an experience in itself, with the Travelteer Bus twisting and turning along beautiful mountain roads with awe-inspiring scenery wherever you look! As the group moves out of the Hill Country, you will see a marked difference in climate as we leave the tea producing region for the dry savannahs of Udawalawe.

A tour favourite! Our group will experience a private Jeep safari through Sri Lanka's Udawalawe National Park - a stronghold for wild Asian Elephants, monkeys, buffalo, crocodiles and more. The biodiversity within this park is renowned and offers the chance to see many endangered species up close. Our safari includes local guides and trackers to deliver the perfect savannah experience!

Surf Lesson, Beach Day & Beach Party!

The group will have a private surf lesson on the mellow beginner waves of Weligama Beach. Our professional coaches will be on hand to show you everything you need to know to get surfing your first wave with all equipment provided! You don't need any previous experience to have an amazing time - warm water and friendly locals make Sri Lanka the perfect destination to get in the water and give surfing a go!

UNESCO Galle Fort and Travelteer House Check-in

We finish the South Coast section of our tour in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Galle Fort. Originally built by the Portuguese and then fortified by the Dutch in the 17th century, Galle fort offers travellers the chance to explore boutique arts, crafts & souvenir shops as well as several beautiful western style cafes.

Leaving Galle, we head to the vibrant beach town of Hikkaduwa - home to our volunteering projects and volunteer accommodation. The Travelteer team will help you get settled at Travelteer House and introduce you to your fellow volunteers - it's time to make an impact!