Sri Lanka
February 8 - 18, 2027

Temples, Safari, and Beaches

Come discover the beauty of Sri Lanka!

Discover the enchanting beauty and vibrant cultural of Sri Lanka on this 11-day adventure designed for you by us. This journey offers a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. From pristine beaches and lush jungles to ancient temples and wildlife encounters, this trip will leave you with unforgettable experiences and lifelong friendships. Come along with us to explore the beauty of Sri Lanka and create memories that will inspire your sense of wanderlust.

We can't wait to share our love for this incredible island with you!!

A large hill with a flat top and trees growing on it, with a distant mountain range and a cloudy sky in the background, taken during twilight.
Person walking on a garden pathway next to a glass building with lush trees and plants around.
Two women standing on a rocky hilltop holding a blue banner that reads 'Women Who Explore,' with a scenic view of forest and a large rock formation in the background.
A large reclining golden Buddha statue inside a temple with ornate painted walls and ceiling.
A person leaning out of a moving train window, holding a camera, with a lush green landscape and hills in the background.
A woman stands on a train platform with a red backpack, looking towards a red train car on the tracks with a scenic landscape in the background.

ITINERARY

    • Your trip begins with your arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo (CMB). An airport transfer will be provided on arrival.

    • Once you arrive at the hotel in Negombo, enjoy time to get settled in. No activities are planned today so you can rest up before our exciting Sri Lankan adventure begins.

      • For anyone arriving a day early, our local team is happy to help with any travel arrangements. Early airport transfers, an additional night(s) at the hotel and activities can be arranged.

    • Dinner is at your leisure.

    • Enjoy breakfast, pack up, and check out. We’ll meet our driver to head to Sigiriya.

    • Sit back and relax, enjoy the scenic drive through the Sri Lankan countryside. Today’s drive takes around 3.5 to 4 hours.

    • En route, we will stop at the Dambulla Cave Temple, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. This cave dates back to the 1st century BCE. It is a stunning site that will take your breath away.

    • Next stop is our hotel. Once we arrive, we will check in and take time to have lunch and freshen up.

    • In the afternoon, we dive into learning about Sri Lankan culture through food with a hands-on cooking class. Together we will enjoy the dishes we made for dinner.

    • Meals: Breakfast and dinner

    • Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Today we have a full day of adventure in store!

    • Our morning starts with a guided tour of Sigiriya Lion Rock, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The views are incredible from the top of this 5th century palace-fortress and if we are lucky we may even encounter the monkey residents.

    • After the tour, we will enjoy lunch and down time at the hotel.

    • Optional Evening Activities - Tonight you can choose between one of two activities.

      • Sunset Hike - Around 3:30 p.m. we will meet in the lobby for an optional hike to the top of Pidurangala Rock for a sunset with panoramic views of Sigiriya Rock. Please note this a busy and hot trail at this time of day. It is rated as moderate to moderate-dificult depending on your comfortability with scrambling/bouldering. The trail begins with well-marked stone steps through a temple and turns into a moderate-difficult rock scramble towards the summit. The last 15 minutes involve maneuvering over and around boulders. It is recommended that you are comfortable with sections that may require you to scramble on hands and knees to participate in this hike.

      • Optional Jungle Night Tour to spot the elusive Loris. This activity cannot be combined with sunset hike to Pidurangala Rock. Join a local guide on an evening walking tour to spot wildlife. This tour lasts 2-3 hours.

    • Dinner is at your leisure this evening.

    • Meals: Breakfast

    • Today is an early morning. We’ll get up to enjoy the sunrise on a Jeep safari in Habarana. We’ll have the chance to spot wild elephants, monkeys, tropical birds and more. Habarana is a UNESCO-recognised biosphere reserve known for large numbers of elephants.

    • We will return to the hotel, eat breakfast, and check out. Today we journey to Kandy. The drive is approximately 3 hours.

    • Along the way we will make a stop enjoy lunch and visit the Matale Spice Garden. Here we can learn about spices and how they are used in traditional medicine.

    • Arrive in Kandy, check into the hotel and take some time to settle in.

    • In the evening we will visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, dating back to the 17th century. After we can enjoy a walk along Kandy Lake and with luck we may see the monitor lizards, monkeys and other animals that live here.

    • Tonight enjoy dinner at your leisure.

    • After dinner participate in an optional excursion to watch a cultural dance show.

    • Meals included: Breakfast

    • Wake up and enjoy a delightful breakfast before checking out. Today we make our way to the stunning mountain town of Ella.

    • Relax and enjoy the views along the drive. En route we will stop to visit a tea plantation for a tour, tea tasting and light snacks.

    • Next it's time to grab your favorite treats. We will make our way to the Nanu Oya Railway Station where we will catch a scenic train ride to Ella. Get your camera ready to take all the photos!

    • In Ella we will meet back up with our driver and head to our hotel. The train ride takes around 2-3 hours.

    • The rest of the evening is free to enjoy dinner and relax or explore as you wish. A group dinner reservation will be made for those who’d like to join at a local restaurant.

    • Meals included: Breakfast

    • Today you have the options to wake up early for a hike to Little Adam’s peak to watch the sunrise.

      • The hike is rated as moderate. It is approximately one mile round trip with 232 feet of elevation gain. It takes approximately 1-2. hours to complete.

    • After return to the hotel for a leisurely morning to enjoy breakfast and relax.

    • Later that morning we will take a short walk to visit the iconic Nine Arch Bridge for photo opportunities and enjoy a cold drink. The reward is worth the short climb.

    • Take the afternoon to explore town, grab lunch, shop, or get a massage. There will be an option to visit to Ravana Pool Club to enjoy the afternoon with drinks, lunch, and a view.

    • Dinner tonight is at your leisure.

    • Meals included: Breakfast

    • After breakfast it is time to pack up and check out. Today we make our way to Sri Lanka’s famous South coast known for spectacular beaches and surf.

    • Our drive today is the adventure with stops along the way to enjoy some short nature walks and stunning waterfalls.

    • Lunch will be along the way.

    • We’ll arrive to our hotel, check in and enjoy the rest of the day to relax. We will be staying in the Welligama / Mirissa Beach area for the next 3 nights.

    • Tonight join your trip host on an adventure to Coconut Beach to catch the sunset.

    • Dinner is at your leisure tonight.

    • Meals included: Breakfast

    • Enjoy breakfast at your leisure today. There are so many cute cafes to choose from with amazing views!

    • Today is built as a choose your own adventure day. Our hotel is located between Welligama and Mirissa Beach so there’s plenty of options to keep busy or you can head to the beach and relax. Welligama is known for its sandy bay, gentle waves and chill vibes - it’s perfect for a day at the beach and the recommended place to learn how to surf on the South Coast!

      • Surf’s Up - For anyone looking to try out surfing, this is your chance. An optional surf lesson will be arranged today for those interested.

      • If you are up for a more relaxing day, check out Weligama Beach or Mirissa Beach, test your surf skills, enjoy a yoga class, or treat yourself with a massage.

    • Enjoy lunch at a place of your choice. There are so many cute cafes with views and a favorite is Petti Petti.

    • In the early afternoon, meet back up of a group adventure to Secret Beach. Your trip host will organize the visit. To reach the beach, we will take a tuktuk to the starting point. Then we will ascend up a short, somewhat steep hiking trail that leads through a forested path and to a lovely beach. The walk takes around 20-30 minutes prior to reaching the cove. The beach has a restaurant, deck chairs and umbrellas for rent, and an opportunity to snorkel (BYO or rent gear prior).

    • Enjoy dinner and sunset at your leisure tonight.

    • Meals included: Breakfast

    • Today we have an early wake up call for a whale watching tour. We’ll head to the harbor, hop in a boat, and head out to sea in search of blue whales, sperm whales, and dolphins.

    • After our tour, we will return to the hotel for a late breakfast.

    • The rest of today is yours to enjoy as you wish. Your trip host will have ideas for things to do. A few things we recommend include: a hike to Parrot Rock for views of the South Coast, rent a surf or body board and hit the waves, visit a local snake farm, check out the local shops, practice yoga, get a tattoo, etc.

    • There will be an option to meet up with your trip host to enjoy sunset together.

    • Dinner is at your leisure this evening.

    • Meals included: Breakfast

    • Wake up and enjoy breakfast today before packing up and checking out.

    • Today we make our drive back towards Negombo for one last night in paradise. The drive takes around 4-5 hours total and we will make a few stops along the way to enjoy lunch, the views and take a dip in the ocean.

    • After we arrive in Negombo, we will check in to our hotel for the evening and enjoy some time to relax by the pool or head to the beach.

    • Tonight we will enjoy a farewell sunset and dinner together to celebrate our incredible journey and all the memories we have made together!

    • Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

    • Suba Gamnak - Safe Journey! Today is our final day and sadly, time to say goodbye. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out of the hotel.

    • Airport transfers will be arranged back to Bandaranaike International Airport Colombo (CMB). Up to 3 transfers will be provided.

    • Meals included: Breakfast

A person with a backpack walking along ancient stone ruins on a hilltop, overlooking a lush green valley with mountains in the distance.
Two elephants walking through tall green grass in a lush landscape under a clear blue sky.
A woman in a red dress walking down a paved path surrounded by tall, lush palm trees on both sides, with a cloudy sky overhead.
A small hut with a thatched roof by the water's edge, surrounded by a wooden dock and boats, with a person standing on the dock. There are lily pads on the water and a mountain in the background during sunset or sunrise.
An adult elephant walking along a dirt path in a lush, green forest.
Person sitting inside an airboat at sunset, looking over a flat water marsh with a clear sky and distant trees.
A person on a swing hanging from a tall palm tree on a beach at sunset.
Woman sitting at the train door, looking outside at greenery and houses.
Tall waterfall cascading down a rocky cliff into a shallow pool, with trees at the top and a group of people at the bottom.
Lush green hillside with tea plantations, trees, and a mountain in the background under a clear blue sky.
People walking past a large pile of green leafy vegetables or herbs in an indoor market or farm stand with signs overhead.
Two people walking on a dirt path through a park with lush green grass, trees, and a large rock formation in the background.
A vintage train with brown and beige cars traveling across a tall stone bridge in a lush green forest, approaching a tunnel in a hillside.
Lush green river landscape with overcast sky, trees, bushes, and mountains in the background.
A woman with long blonde hair sitting alone in a train's booth seat, waving outside the window at a scenic landscape of trees and mountains.

Questions? Please reach out to us at info@womenwhoexplore.com

  • $4,795 double occupancy.

    $5,995 single occupancy.

    If you are traveling solo, you will be assigned roommates upon request or you can request a single supplement upgrade (limited availability).

    A deposit is due at booking to secure your spot and a payment plan is offered. Additional payments may be applied to the trip balance prior to payment dates.

    Please note that once the trip is confirmed, the deposit is non-refundable for this trip as it is used to secure safari permits. The hot air balloon experience is also non-refundable.

  • • 11 days / 10 nights accommodations in 4 star and 5 star hotels, boutique hotels and boutique homestay

    • Private airport transfers to and from Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo (CMB)

    • A local English speaking guide for tours in Dambulla, Sigiriya and Kandy.

    • Habarana Jeep Safari where wild elephants roam

    • Visit Dambulla Cave Temple, Sigiriya Lion Rock and Kandy Tooth Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Sites)

    • Hands-on cooking class with local Sri Lankan and opportunity to enjoy tasty local dishes

    • Visit a tea plantation and a tea tasting

    • Scenic train ride from Nanu Oya to Ella

    • Hike to Little Adam’s Peak for sunrise and visit Nine Arch Bridge in Ella

    • Visit Diyaluma, Ravana, and Ellewalla waterfalls for short hikes and swims

    • Whale Watching to spot blue and sperm whales

    • Visit Coconut Hill, Secret Beach and other stunning spots along the South Coast

    • Free time to explore Ella, Sigiriya, Welligama Bay and Mirissa Beach

    • Tour escort / driver in private transportation in an A/C car between domestic destinations, to tours, etc.

    • Meals - 10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners

    • All monument entrance fees and national park fees (Royal Grandeur fee not included)

    • All government taxes, tolls, parking fees and interstate taxes

    • Women Who Explore trip leader with you and available for support 24/7

    • Trip checklists, detailed packing list and pre-travel support provided in a private WhatsApp group

    • WWE Swag to take home with you

  • • International flights to/from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).

    • Airport transfers if arriving outside of designated arrival and departure dates and locations as noted. This can be arranged at an additional cost through our local service provide.

    • Alcohol, speciality beverages, snacks, and meals as noted above

    • Tips and gratuity for local guides, tour escort and driver (at the discretion of the guest)

    • Any additional excursions or optional activities not included in the above

    • Visa if applicable U.S. citizens and Canadian citizens are required to apply for an E-Visa ahead of time. Cost varies depending on length of visa requested. E-visa is ~$60 USD. Learn more here.

    • Any travel related medical expenses such as immunizations, vaccinations, or required Covid-19 testing (not required for India as of 2/2023)

    • Travel insurance (required)

    • Personal expenses not included in the itinerary such as additional accommodations, transportation, souvenirs, etc.

  • All meals will be provided as noted in the itinerary. Please share any food allergies/sensitivities at the time of booking or reach out to share with the trip host. We always do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions but cannot make any guarantees.

  • This trip requires a minimum number of ladies to register in order for it to be confirmed. Once the trip reaches the minimum participant number, you will receive a trip confirmation email and a link to be added a private WhatsApp group just for trip guests. In this group further trip details will be provided along with pre-travel support.

  • Please see our Terms of Service.

    All deposits are non-refundable at the time of booking, but may be transferable if done so within the timeframe outlined in the Terms of Service.

    Once a trip has been confirmed (no matter the booking or trip timeline), the deposit is both non-refundable and non-transferable. Please make sure you are purchasing adequate travel insurance at the time of booking to ensure you are covered in case you need to cancel.

    Please note: some of our trips have a non-refundable fee that will be stated in the trip description. Please make sure to refer to the full Terms of Service to make sure you understand fully the Cancellation Policy of each trip.

    For India once the trip is confirmed, the leopard safari permit and the hot air balloon are both non refundable and non transferable activities.

  • Women Who Explore guests will be required to follow the local Covid-19 guidelines and requirements as set forth by the local governing body of the destination being visited.

  • Travel (and medical) insurance is required for anyone traveling on a Women Who Explore adventure. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. Your insurance policy should also include specific Covid-19 cover, including cancellation and curtailment cover if you or a close relative are diagnosed with Covid-19.

    For recommended travel insurance providers click here.

    If you purchase a Travel Select plan within 15 days of your initial trip deposit made (and insure your full trip cost), you would have two added eligible benefits for no additional premium: financial default and the pre-existing conditions waiver.

  • Please note that the itinerary provided for your adventure is subject to change. While we strive to adhere to the proposed plan, unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions, safety concerns, or other factors beyond our control may necessitate adjustments to the itinerary. We prioritize your safety and enjoyment throughout the adventure, and any modifications made will be done with careful consideration. We will make every effort to inform you in advance of any changes and provide suitable alternatives to ensure a fulfilling experience.

  • Please note that at the time this trip is confirmed, the trip deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable to another trip as it is used to secure safari permits from the government of India.

    Permits are assigned at the time of purchase. Permits will be acquired on a first come basis as specific zones are assigned at the time of purchase. Guests will be on safari with 2-6+ other guests in a shared open air vehicle.

    Please note that while we strive to provide an incredible wildlife experience, sightings of elephants, leopards, or any specific animal are not guaranteed. Wildlife is unpredictable, and animals may not be visible during your safari due to their natural behavior and habitat. The success of sightings depends on a variety of factors, including weather, time of day, and animal movements. We encourage you to enjoy the beauty of nature, the variety of wildlife, and the adventure of the journey, regardless of specific animal sightings.