Culture & Adventure Tour

Day 01

Negombo -Day at Leisure

Negombo, a charming coastal city in Sri Lanka, is a popular tourist destination known for its rich cultural heritage and stunning beaches. Located just a short drive from the Bandaranaike International Airport, Negombo offers a perfect blend of relaxation and exploration. The city’s golden sandy beaches are ideal for sunbathing, swimming, and enjoying water sports, making it a favorite spot for both locals and international visitors.

Negombo’s bustling fish market, one of the country’s largest, provides a glimpse into the local way of life, where fresh catches are auctioned off daily. The city is also home to several historical sites, including the Dutch Fort and St. Mary’s Church, which reflect its colonial past. The serene Muthurajawela Marsh offers boat tours through lush mangroves, where visitors can spot a variety of wildlife. With its mix of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and vibrant local life, Negombo is a must-visit destination in Sri Lanka.

Negombo Highlights

Day 02

Minneriya National Park Safari

Minneriya National Park, located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka, is a stunning natural reserve that epitomizes the country’s rich ecological heritage. Spanning approximately 88.9 square kilometers, the park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1938 and later elevated to national park status in 1997. The park’s centerpiece is the ancient Minneriya Tank, a reservoir constructed by King Mahasen in the 3rd century AD, which plays a crucial role in sustaining the park’s diverse ecosystems.

One of Minneriya’s most famous attractions is “The Gathering,” an annual event recognized as one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in the world. During the dry season, from July to September, hundreds of Asian elephants migrate to the park, drawn by the receding waters of the Minneriya Tank, which expose fresh grasslands. This gathering of elephants, sometimes numbering over 300, is one of the largest in Asia and offers an unparalleled opportunity to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. The sight of so many elephants, including playful calves, against the backdrop of the ancient tank, is truly mesmerizing.

Beyond elephants, Minneriya National Park is a haven for a wide variety of wildlife. The park is home to sambar deer, leopards, sloth bears, and a rich diversity of bird species, including endemics like the Sri Lanka grey hornbill. The park’s diverse habitats, ranging from dry tropical forests and grasslands to wetlands, support this incredible range of fauna. The flora of the park is equally diverse, with evergreen shrubs and ancient trees dotting the landscape.

Minneriya National Park - Highlights

Day 03

Sunrise at Sigiriya Rock

An essential destination of every Sri Lanka trips, the amazing ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya might strike one as a peculiar sight. Its round structure and its intricate ancient urban landscape surely astound the best of us! Declared as a world heritage by UNESCO, this massive column of rock once used to be the capital of an ancient Sri Lankan kingdom. As you step into Sigiriya rock, you are bound to be amazed by the infamous Sigiriya frescoes depicting the beautiful Lankan women of the fifth century. The Mirror Wall, providing an outlook of ancient poetry, gives you a glimpse into the lives of early visitors of the site. Moreover, you will be overwhelmed by the beauty of the Gardens of Sigiriya as you wonder about the intellect and ingenuity of the ancient minds at work. Topping the list of tourist destinations in our Sri Lanka tour packages, Sigiriya fortress is a captivating masterpiece of ancient urban landscape and architecture.

Sigiriya Highlights

Sigiriya - Village Tour

A village tour in Sri Lanka offers an immersive experience that showcases the country’s rich culture, natural beauty, and rural lifestyle. These tours take you beyond the typical tourist spots, providing a glimpse into the daily lives of villagers who live in harmony with nature. As you explore, you’ll encounter lush paddy fields, serene lakes, and vibrant wildlife.

One of the highlights of a village tour is the chance to interact with the local community. You can participate in traditional activities such as pottery making, cooking, or farming, learning skills passed down through generations. The villagers are warm and welcoming, eager to share their customs, stories, and way of life.

Often, these tours include a scenic ride in a bullock cart or a boat trip on a tranquil river, offering peaceful moments to soak in the surroundings. You might also enjoy a traditional meal prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, giving you a true taste of Sri Lankan cuisine.

A village tour in Sri Lanka is more than just a journey through picturesque landscapes; it’s a cultural exchange that deepens your understanding of the island’s heritage and traditions, leaving you with unforgettable memories.

Village Tour Highlights

Polonnaruwa Ancient City Tour

Polonnaruwa, located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka, is a UNESCO World Heritage site that serves as a testament to the island’s rich history and cultural heritage. Once the thriving capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom from the 11th to 13th centuries, Polonnaruwa is renowned for its well-preserved ancient ruins, offering a glimpse into the grandeur of the past.

The city is home to remarkable archaeological sites, including the Royal Palace, the Audience Hall, and the Quadrangle, a sacred area featuring the Vatadage, a circular relic house. Polonnaruwa is also famous for the Gal Vihara, a rock temple complex with four magnificent Buddha statues carved into a single granite slab, showcasing the artistic excellence of ancient Sri Lankan sculptors.

The city’s layout reflects sophisticated urban planning, with intricate irrigation systems like the Parakrama Samudra, a vast artificial reservoir, highlighting the advanced engineering skills of the time. Visitors to Polonnaruwa can explore these historical treasures, which are spread across a sprawling archaeological park, offering an immersive experience into Sri Lanka’s medieval history and its enduring legacy. Polonnaruwa stands as a symbol of the island’s golden age and remains a key destination for cultural and historical tourism in Sri Lanka.

Polonnaruwa Highlights

Day 04

Dambulla Cave Temple

Kandy, a city nestled in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, is renowned for its cultural, historical, and natural significance. As the last capital of the ancient kings of Sri Lanka, Kandy holds a special place in the country’s heritage. The city is most famous for the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), which houses a tooth relic of the Buddha, making it one of the most sacred sites in the Buddhist world. Each year, the Esala Perahera, a grand procession, is held in honor of the relic, attracting thousands of pilgrims and tourists.

Surrounded by lush mountains and tea plantations, Kandy offers breathtaking scenery. The city is centered around the tranquil Kandy Lake, a man-made lake that adds to its charm. The Royal Botanical Gardens in nearby Peradeniya are another highlight, showcasing a vast array of flora.

Kandy’s cultural richness is also reflected in its traditional music, dance, and crafts. The city’s vibrant markets and streets are alive with activity, offering a glimpse into the daily lives of its residents. Despite modernization, Kandy retains its old-world charm, making it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Sri Lanka.

Kandy Highlights

Sudu River Trekking

Day 05

Heeloya Trekking

Trekking to Heeloya Village, nestled in the scenic central highlands of Sri Lanka, offers an immersive experience in rural village life and nature. The trek, which is moderately easy, takes visitors through lush landscapes of terraced paddy fields, dense forests, and cascading waterfalls. Along the way, trekkers witness traditional farming methods, including the use of buffaloes for plowing and homegrown organic farming practices.

Heeloya is a self-sustained village where the locals live off the land, cultivating rice, vegetables, and spices. Visitors can engage with villagers, learning about their daily lives, culture, and history. The trek also includes a chance to sample authentic Sri Lankan village cuisine, freshly prepared with ingredients sourced directly from the fields.

The journey to Heeloya is not only a nature trek but also a cultural experience, offering a glimpse into the simplicity and sustainability of traditional rural life in Sri Lanka.

Heeloya Highlights

Kandy Temple of the Tooth

Kandy Highlights

Day 06

Train Ride from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

The train ride from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka is often described as one of the most scenic journeys in the world. As the train winds its way through the heart of Sri Lanka’s hill country, passengers are treated to breathtaking views of lush tea plantations, mist-covered mountains, and cascading waterfalls. The slow-paced journey allows travelers to fully soak in the beauty of the landscape, with each turn revealing a new picturesque scene.

The train itself, with its vintage carriages, adds a nostalgic charm to the experience. As it climbs higher into the hills, the air becomes cooler and fresher, a welcome change from the tropical heat of Kandy. Passengers can lean out of the open windows and feel the cool breeze, capturing stunning photos along the way. The journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is more than just transportation; it’s an unforgettable experience that captures the essence of Sri Lanka’s natural beauty

Train Ride Kandy to Nuwara Eliya Highlights

Day 07

Horton Plains and World's End

Horton Plains National Park, located in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, is a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity. The park is characterized by rolling grasslands, cloud forests, and dramatic cliffs, making it a haven for nature lovers and hikers. At an elevation of over 2,000 meters, the cool, misty climate adds to the park’s ethereal beauty.

One of the most popular attractions in Horton Plains is World’s End, a sheer cliff with a drop of approximately 870 meters. On clear days, the view from World’s End is breathtaking, offering a panoramic vista that stretches all the way to the Indian Ocean. However, when the mist rolls in, the cliff’s edge seems to vanish into an abyss, creating a surreal and awe-inspiring experience.

The park is also home to diverse wildlife, including the elusive Sri Lankan leopard, sambar deer, and various endemic bird species, making it a significant site for both conservation and ecotourism. The hike to World’s End typically also includes stops at Baker’s Falls, a picturesque waterfall that adds to the park’s scenic allure. Horton Plains and World’s End offer a unique blend of natural beauty and adventure, making it one of Sri Lanka’s must-visit destinations.

Horton Plains & World's End

Day 08

Bentota - White Water Rafting

Bentota, a coastal town in Sri Lanka, is best known for its stunning beaches, but it also offers thrilling adventure activities like white water rafting. While Bentota itself is a serene beach destination, the nearby Kelani River, particularly around Kitulgala, is where the excitement of white water rafting comes to life.

The Kelani River, which flows through lush rainforests and rugged landscapes, provides the perfect setting for rafting enthusiasts. The river’s rapids range from grade 2 to 3, making it suitable for both beginners and those seeking a moderate challenge. A typical white water rafting adventure in this region covers a distance of about 5 kilometers, with rapids named amusingly as “Killer Fall,” “Rib Cage,” and “Head Chopper,” among others, adding to the adrenaline rush.

The rafting experience is not just about navigating the rapids; it also offers stunning views of the surrounding scenery, including waterfalls, dense jungle, and the occasional glimpse of wildlife. The river’s calmer sections allow for a more relaxed drift, where one can soak in the natural beauty.

With professional guides ensuring safety, white water rafting near Bentota is an exhilarating experience that combines the thrill of adventure with the breathtaking beauty of Sri Lanka’s natural landscapes.

Bentota- White Water Rafting

Day 09

Bentota Beach Day at Leisure

The train journey to Bentota Beach in Sri Lanka offers a unique blend of coastal beauty and local culture. Starting from Colombo, the train ride is a delightful experience, hugging the island’s western coastline with stunning views of the Indian Ocean. As the train chugs along, passengers can watch as the bustling cityscape gradually gives way to serene palm-fringed beaches and turquoise waters.

Bentota, a renowned beach destination, is where the train journey culminates in relaxation and adventure. The beach itself is a stretch of golden sand, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and enjoying water sports like jet-skiing and windsurfing. The journey to Bentota is not just about the destination but also the experience of the train ride itself, where the rhythmic sound of the rails and the sight of the endless ocean create a sense of peace. This picturesque journey is a must for anyone looking to explore Sri Lanka’s coastal charm.

Bentota Beach Highlights

End - Airport

Client Reviews

David S

Excellent, our dream tour comes true

We had a choice of tour companies, but we settled on Cealan Tours and we never regretted it. Our tour consultant was patient and understanding in the planning phase, helping us and guiding us in planning our tour, advising and accommodating all our wishes to the minute detail. Our guide and driver then made sure that all our plans worked like clockwork, and made our stay in Sri Lanka one of the best holidays we have ever had, and we have been to many places. He is an expert driver and guide, and is very knowledgeable and trustworthy. We had cultural activities, safaris, relaxing time at the hotels/ beaches/ pools, good food, great accommodation. If going to Sri Lanka contact Cealan Tours.

Daniel

Excellent travel agent

Cealan Tours prepared a custom made tour that was excellent. They took all our input and also recommended places and activities that we wouldn’t have thought of otherwise. Even the smallest inconveniences were resolved satisfactorily and made even better. Our guide and driver that took us to discover his country with a great smile and all his knowledge. Also he would stop at any moment for yet another picture, or to explain us about a new wild animal and bird that was in our way. If you are coming to Sri Lanka please do not doubt to book through Cealan Tours and you will have a guaranteed great experience.

Christian S

An excellent experience!

I booked a weeklong tour for myself and 4 friends through Cealan Tours. We had some trouble narrowing down the number of people for our trip but the representative from Cealan Tours was incredibly patient and helped support us throughout. We made several changes to our itinerary to fit what we wanted. When arriving in Sri Lanka we were met by our tour guide in summary he was brilliant. He immediately helped us change currency at the best rate and acquire a SIM card before leaving the airport. Throughout the tour he was excellent providing us with information at each attraction and providing us with help for things we did outside of the Itinerary. Overall our experience was excellent and I would absolutely recommend!

Laurita

Awesome trip with Cealan Tours

We had being doing a 10 day trip in Sri Lanka with Cealan Tours and the experience has been extremely good. All the staff of Cealan Tours has been really efficient and nice from the beginning, they have being very flexible organizing exactly the trip that we wanted to do and giving us really good suggestions and our driver, couldn’t have been better, always smiling and helping us and being very flexible to be sure that we were happy at every moment of our trip. I have to mention also that he is a very good and experienced driver. I highly recommend Cealan Tours, do not hesitate to contact them to have your perfect vacation in Sri Lanka. Thank you for everything.

Anna M

Great first trip to Sri Lanka

Cealan Tours was my preferred choice as they were responsive and attentive to our needs from the itinerary planning stage. Our guide also extended his warm and gentle hospitality to us throughout the trip.

We covered good ground in a week via Dambulla, Sigiriya, Nuwara Eliya, Yala,Galle…

Definitely recommend anyone considering a reliable agent/guide for traveling to Sri Lanka!

Rendy W

Perfect guided tour through Sri-Lanka

CealanTours made our trip to Sri-Lanka to an unforgettable adventure. They created a varied tour through this so beautiful country, including all our whishes. We didn‘t need to care about anything and could just enjoy our holiday.

Our guide/driver (and now good friend) showed us beautiful places, told us everything about the country and culture, we wanted to know, and also introduced us in Sri-Lanka food. The driver was a very secure driver. We can highly recommend.

Jonathan S

Super professionel private family tour

Super professional tour filled with fantastic experiences. We travelled with family and friends for 2 weeks in Sri Lanka. The trip was tailor made for our group by Cealan Tours and it was a great success from the beginning to the end. A special thanks to our amazing guide and his team (driver and assistant). They made our tour unforgettable through exceptional care and attention to our needs. It was enough to mention that we want to see, do or buy something and it was immediately included into our agenda. They helped us to learn a lot about Sri Lanka, its people, culture and history though his deep knowledge of the matter. I can recommend Cealan Tours without any doubt. Big thanks once again!!

Alisha B

Exceptional Service

Cealan tours provided exceptional service during our recent trip to Sri Lanka. From the moment we began our journey, it was clear that we were in the hands of professionals who genuinely care about their clients. Every detail of our itinerary was thoughtfully planned by the very knowledgeable and most amazing and the passion and knowledge of our guides and our driver. They brought each destination to life in a way we could never have imagined. The team’s dedication and personal touches made our trip not just a vacation, but an unforgettable adventure filled with cherished memories. We will forever treasure the moments we shared and look forward to embarking on another adventure with you in the future.