OFF THE BEATEN PATH

Embark on a journey that takes you beyond the ordinary tourist routes and into the realm of extraordinary adventures. Our tour package, ‘Off the Beaten Path,’ is designed for those seeking to explore hidden gems and veer away from the well-trodden trails. Prepare to immerse yourself in the untamed beauty of untouched destinations, where you can escape the crowds and embrace a truly unique travel experience.

Leave behind the familiar and venture into the unknown, where each step unveils a new story waiting to be told. Our carefully crafted itinerary will lead you to off-the-grid destinations, where you’ll encounter breathtaking landscapes, encounter vibrant cultures, and engage with local communities. From serene hidden beaches to secluded mountain villages, from ancient ruins shrouded in mystery to remote natural wonders, every moment will be an opportunity to tread the road less traveled.

Our experienced guides, with their extensive knowledge of these offbeat locations, will ensure your safety and provide fascinating insights along the way. Discover the joy of exploring untouched terrain, where you can connect with nature, discover hidden treasures, and create unforgettable memories.

Uncover the allure of the unknown, as you embark on this extraordinary journey beyond the tourist maps. ‘Off the Beaten Path’ awaits, inviting you to step into a world of unparalleled exploration and discovery. Embrace the thrill of forging your own path and experiencing the true essence of travel.

Day 01 – Arrival / Chilaw

Once you land in our beautiful isle, we take you to the small seaside town of Chilaw, to get some rest and relaxation. It is a quiet town, where people from different religious backgrounds live in relative harmony and is also home to a thriving fishing community. The name Chilaw comes from the Tamil name Cilāpam, which means Pearl Fishery.

Things to do Chilaw

• Relax by the famous Chilaw beach or go for a nice beach walk (avoid going for a sea swim, as the water can be quite rough and dangerous)
• Enjoy a small guided city tour and take a moment to visit the popular Chilaw seafood market to buy some fresh seafood

Day 02 – Chilaw / Wilpattu / Anuradhapura

From Chilaw, we head towards the historically significant city of Anuradhapura. On the way there, we take a wild detour and visit the Wilpattu National Park. This reserve is famous for being the largest national park in the country, spanning over 1,000 square kilometers and is home to some of the most amazing animals in the island. After our wildlife adventure, we make our way towards Anuradhapura. This was once the first ancient capital of Sri Lanka and under the governance of great kings of old, the city prospered and this success is seen today, thanks to the well-preserved ruins that are scattered around the city.

Things to do in Anuradhapura

• Go on an exciting safari at Wilpattu National Park and witness some of the fascinating wildlife that roam the forest
• Enjoy a guided tour around the city of Anuradhapura and marvel at the wonder of this ancient city
• Visit the ancient stupas, monuments, statues, gardens and ponds that are sprinkled around the city and get to know the amazing stories behind them

Day 03 – Anuradhapura / Habarana

From Anuradhapura, we head towards Habarana, which is a popular departure point for nearby locations of greater interest, as the area is close to some famous national parks and is not too far away from Sigiriya and Anuradhapura, making it a very popular tourist destination. Once there, we help you check-in to the hotel, where you can grab some much needed rest.

Day 04 – Habarana / Dambulla / Knuckles

After getting some rest, we get ready for an early morning climb to reach the top of Sigiriya or Lion Rock, which is near the town of Dambulla. This is a massive rock castle, which is believed to have been built by King Kashyapa in the 5th Century. The history behind this structure is a powerful family drama, where it is believed that Kashyapa built the rock fortress after murdering his father to take over the throne. Experience all of this history and more, as you make your way to the top of Lion Rock. Later, we visit another iconic historical site – The Dambulla Cave Temple. This is the largest and the most well-preserved cave temple compound in the country and is filled historic statues dating back to thousands of years. After our time in Dambulla, we make our way towards the Knuckles mountain range. This stunning range is perhaps one of the most incredible destinations in the country and is home to lovely cloud forests that has more than 30% of Sri Lanka’s endemic trees, herbs and plants.

Things to do on the way to Knuckles

• Go on a morning climb to reach the top of Sigiriya Rock and take in the stunning views and history of this ancient engineering marvel
• Visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, which is the largest and the most well-kept cave temple compound in the country

 Day 05 – Knuckles Mountain Range

Interestingly, the name “Knuckles” comes from a series of horizontal folds, which is similar to the knuckles of a clamped fist. It is home to beautiful cloud forests and waterfalls, making it the best hiking destination. After getting some rest, we get ready for the early morning, Manigala Hike. This trail begins from the Knuckles Conservation Centre and runs through the mountains, forests and plains, until we reach Illukkumbura. After that amazing hike, our journey continues as we make our way towards the Mini World’s End. This is a stunning cliff that has a 1,200 meter sheer drop, which in turn provides wonderful, panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, making it a spectacular observation point within the Knuckles range. Later, we take a moment to cool off after all that hiking and so, we head towards a beautiful river that flows through the mountain range.

Thing to do in Knuckles

• Go on the early morning trail, known as Manigala Hike and take in the beauty of the magnificent Knuckles Mountain Range
• Visit the Mini World’s End, which is a cliff that has a 1,200 meter sheer drop, providing wonderful, panoramic views of the surrounding landscape
• Cool off and take a river bath in one of the many rivers that flows through the mountain range

Day 06 & 07 – Knuckles / Kandy

We leave the mountain range and head towards the cultural capital of Sri Lanka – the city of Kandy. The area is famous for being a beautiful scenic town surrounded by the hills and is a very important location for Buddhists, making it part of the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka. We will assist you to check-in to your hotel and then get ready for a small guided tour around the city. After some rest, on the 7th day, we make our way towards Digana – a gorgeous picturesque town not too far away from Kandy. Once there, you will get to experience your very own master-class, as we will organize some cooking lessons with some of the most popular chefs in the area.

Things to do in Kandy

• Enjoy a guided tour around Kandy and take in the atmosphere of this historic city
• If time permits, visit the the Temple of the Tooth Relic, which holds the only remaining artefact of Lord Buddha
• Go to Digana and experience your very own master-class, where some of the popular chefs in the area will organize some exciting cooking lessons

Day 08 & 09 –Digana / Wasgamuwa National Park / Mahiyanganaya

After staying the night in Digana, we go on a wildlife adventure in Wasgamuwa National Park. The reserve has one of the richest biodiversity amongst the protected areas in Sri Lanka and is famous for being a place where you can see large herds of Elephants roaming together. Compared to other parks, the Elephants here hardly interact with people, making them quite territorial and aggressive. Wasgamuwa has over 20 species of birds and mammals, including leopards, bears, wild buffalo and more, making it one of the best safari locations in the country. From there, we make our way towards Mahiyanganaya, which means 'Flat Land' in Pali. The area is famous for being the first place visited by Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka, as it is believed that he came to the area to settle a dispute among two rival tribes. The town is a significant historic location and is very popular for being the homeland of the indigenous people of Sri Lanka, the Vedda community. After these amazing experiences, we head back to Digana for some much needed rest and relaxation.

Things to do in Wasgamuwa and Mahiyanganaya

• Go on a safari in Wasgamuwa National Park, which is rich biodiversity and famous for being a place where you can see large herds of Elephants roaming together
• Experience a guided tour around the town of Mahiyanganaya and visit some of the historically significant locations
• Visit the indigenous people of the island – the Vedda community and witness how they go about their daily lives

Day 10 – Digana / Nuwara Eliya

After our stay in Digana, we make our way towards one of the most popular towns in the hills – Nuwara Eliya. The area has stunning tea estates and tea plantations, waterfalls, flower gardens and even beautiful colonial-era architecture and a pleasant cool climate, which gives the town its nickname – “Little England”, making it a very popular spot among tourists and locals.

Things to do in Nuwara Eliya

• Enjoy a guided tour around the beautiful town of Nuwara Eliya and capture the sights and sounds of the area
• Visit Lake Gregory and go on a quiet boat ride and take in the beauty of the surrounding landscape

Day 11 – Horton Plains / Haputhale / Belihul Oya

From Nuwara Eliya, we head towards the nearby Horton Plains National Park, which is a protected area, rich in biodiversity and covered by grasslands and cloud forests. It is a popular tourist destination for hikes and camping, making it one of the most visited locations in Sri Lanka. After spending some time exploring the great open plains, we take a train ride through the mountains and head towards the beautiful hillside town of Haputhale. It is located over 1400 meters above sea level and is surrounded by hills with rich cloud forests and tea plantations. Due to its high elevation, the town has a cooler climate compared to its surroundings, making it a popular scenic destination. Later, we visit Belihul Oya, which is a hillside destination that links both the dry zones and the wet zones. It is located at an elevation of over 600 meters and is home to a number of popular waterfalls, including Pahanthuda Ella, Bambarakanda Ella and many more.

Things to do in the Hills

• Visit Horton Plains National Park, which is home to World’s End, Baker’s Falls and large herds of Sri Lankan Sambar Deer
• Take a train ride to Haputhale and experience the cool climate of this quiet hillside town
• Visit Belihul Oya, which is a stunning hillside location that is popular for having a number of beautiful waterfalls

Day 12 & 13 – Belihul Oya / Negombo

From there, we take you to the coastal town of Negombo, to get some rest and relaxation. The city has grown immensely over the past decade or so and has become a major tourist attraction, offering visitors great options when it comes to food, shopping, beach fun and parties.

Things to do in Negombo

• Relax by the beach or go for a sea swim in the beautiful, calm waters of Negombo
• Take a boat ride into the open ocean for some deep sea fishing
• Take a quiet boat ride through the Negombo Lagoon, rich with mangrove forests