I can’t even start to describe how incredible this trip was! It meant the world to me since it was my first time in Sri Lanka and my first micro-group tour ever!
“ÇOK güzel” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
”Lassanai” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
”SO very beautiful” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
were the most frequently used expressions on our epic two-week trip in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is a place where history, culture, nature, and adventure come together, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a well-rounded travel experience. Our strength at MAHO on Earth is hand-crafted journeys and enriching experiences. So, I crafted an off-the-beaten path itinerary to spend 2 weeks in Sri Lanka, reaching all the way to Jaffna and Delft Island in the north.
This trip was extra special not just because of the unique route, but also because I planned the trip around TWO incredible festivals: Kandy Perahera and Jaffna Nallur. I don’t want to blow my own horn here, so I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved once again: starting with Bernd’s infectious enthusiasm for Sri Lanka, through the absolute trust of our wonderful guests (now friends) to our local operations manager Mili, who would bend over backwards and remain utterly motivated and creative no matter what. Without all of you, this incredible trip would not have been possible!
From “milk with tea” to the spectacular Kandy Esala Perahera festival out of 1001 nights, from hiking among leeches in the Knuckles Mountains to snorkeling in the choppy Indian Ocean, from wildlife safaris to Hindu festivals, king coconuts, yummy food, and a whole a lot more, but above all lots of laughter sums up our epic time in this gem of an island nation, that is Sri Lanka
This journey certainly wasn’t a typical tour aiming for relaxation or ticking off places. It was the sort of travel aimed to build a deeper connection with the destination, involving an element of adventure, be it physical, cultural or spiritual. No two days were the same but equally beautiful.
It’s tough to capture everything in words, but check out our itinerary and photo diary from the Sri Lanka Kandy Perahera Tour (August 2024) below!
How to Spend Exceptional 2 Weeks in Sri Lanka
2 Weeks in Sri Lanka – Off-the-beaten-path Sri Lanka Itinerary
While Sri Lanka undoubtedly boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, this narrow perception overlooks the vibrant cultural, historical, and natural diversity that the country presents. In reality, Sri Lanka confronts the curious traveler with an impressive array of options.
We explored unique places in Sri Lanka during our 15-day trip in August 2024 and even included a few days of beach time in Trincomalee on the east coast. It was such a fantastic trip that we will be repeating the same route in 2025 and beyond. Although we have several, shorter or longer (7-day, 10-day, 13-day etc.) Sri Lanka itineraries as diverse as the country itself, our flagship trip is just another level in terms of its sense of adventure, be it physical, spiritual or cultural.
Let’s have a quick look at some of the unique things to do in Sri Lanka on an awe-inspiring tour.
Day 1-2: Arrival in Negombo and Journey to Kandy
Our group gathered in Negombo before making our way up to Jaffna over the course of two weeks, and honestly, it was one of the most unforgettable adventures I’ve ever had.
In fact, our magical journey towards this gentle and green island nation started with a WhatsApp Group called “Yay, we’re going to Sri Lanka!!!” long before we met in Negombo.
Negombo is only 8 kilometers away from Colombo International Airport and is the perfect place to recover from a long-haul flight. Negombo is known for its long sandy beaches and centuries-old fishing industry as one of the largest commercial centers. Of course, we did not leave this town without visiting the fishermen, the vegetable and fruit market full of tropical fruits, and a sunset stroll on the beach. Our attempt to take a boat tour on the Negombo Lagoon was hindered by the rain Gods, but to compensate we treated ourselves to a fantastic Ayurveda massage at our wonderful riverside hotel, following the “milk with tea” for a good night’s sleep…Negombo was a gentle start to our adventure.
The following day at 8:00 am sharp, we made our way to Kandy, breaking the journey at the Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex to enjoy some stunning views from the top of the 48m tower. Our lunch spot near the “white tower” was run by one of the most welcoming Sri Lankan families we have ever met.
Once arrived in Kandy, you could really feel the buzz as we got ready for the Kandy Esala Perahera, which is one of the most spectacular festivals in Sri Lanka.
Day 3-4: Experiencing Kandy Perahera
We dedicated these days to experiencing the grand procession and the day procession of the Perahera festival.
While the Kandy Perahera lasts 10 days with processions getting bigger and more spectacular each day, the absolute highlight is the so-called Grand Randoli Procession on the final night, when the streets turn into a dazzling spectacle. The grand procession lasts over 5 hours featuring over hundred (a total of 114 individuals in 2024) elephants dressed in elaborate costumes, hundreds of elegant Kandyan Dancers, whip crackers, fire dancers, the mystical sounds of traditional Sri Lankan music, drummers, and more. A breathtaking sight you’ll cherish forever!
On the final day, a shorter 2-hour long day parade brings the Buddha’s tooth relic back to the temple. This deeply spiritual event gave us a profound insight into Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage while simultaneously transporting us into a surreal night like something out of a fairy tale. You can read further details about this epic festival at this link here.
Apart from attending the festival, we visited the Royal Botanical Garden, observed ceremonies in nearby temples, walked around the lake, did some souvenir shopping, enjoyed delicious food, and even squeezed in a morning yoga session.
Day 5: Hiking the Knuckles Mountain Range
Leaving Kandy early in the morning, we made our way to the stunningly beautiful Knuckles Mountain Range. Our group decided to tackle the 5 Peaks Trail. The official signposts claimed that it was an 8 km hike with an elevation gain of about 700m, but our GPS showed 14 km at the end of the day. Slightly harder hike than thought, we reached our guesthouse with the beautiful mountain views just before sunset, where we were treated to a warm tea/coffee before dinner.
Knuckles region is beautiful on its own right, surprisingly we were the only hikers on that day, so the ever speedy leeches were hungry for fresh blood. Our team organized leech-socks, but boy they were quick!
At the end of such adventures I always ask myself one question to judge if it was worth it or not: Would I do it again?
Hell, YES!
Day 6-7: Exploration of the Cultural Triangle
Leaving Knuckles we traveled through the Cultural Triangle, visiting iconic sites like the Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the Dambulla Cave Temple. The views from the top of Sigiriya and Pidurangala rocks were breathtaking, offering a glimpse into the ancient civilization that once thrived here.
For overnight, we picked a tree house in the jungle, but honestly we didn’t have time to properly enjoy the beautiful place. So, the next version of our tour will be more balanced and leave some activities optional. Yet, this time we invested our time in a visit to a local village with cooking session, and a half-day safari in Minneriya National Park, where we encountered herds of elephants.
Day 8-10: Beach Relaxation and Boat Safari
Having survived a pretty fast-paced first week, we set off to hit the beach in Trincomalee for a couple of days. But before that, we had one more important place on our agenda: Polonnaruwa‘s ancient city with its well-preserved ruins and statues.
Well…mission accomplished, we all deserved a tropical vacation in Trinco! We had some of the most delicious meals here at a beachfront restaurant. So good that we went there for lunch and dinner, almost every day.
On our second morning, we did a combined whale watching and snorkeling boat trip where we got to see a pod of dolphins spin out of the water. We relaxed on the pristine beaches of Trincomalee, and while snorkeling we spotted vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life. There are many more water activities available in Trinco, but we needed to take it slow here after climbing countless stairs, early morning wake-up calls and all of the action in the past week. A tiny but vital detail in our planning!
Day 11-13: Discovering Jaffna, Nallur Festival and Delft Island
In the northern region of Jaffna, we immersed ourselves in Tamil culture, visiting the Nallur Kandaswamy Temple during its vibrant festival. This festival is the longest Hindu festival lasting 25 days in total. I was a tiny bit worried that it wouldn’t be as mind-blowing after the spectacle in Kandy, but I was wrong. It was so different and special in its own way that we will keep the Nallur Festival as part of our itinerary despite the remoteness of Jaffna. We love what we do and never hesitate to go the extra mile create exceptional experiences that truly immerse our guests in the beauty and culture of each destination.
On our second full day in Jaffna, a ferry ride took us to the remote Delft Island, a unique place with wild ponies, historical ruins, and coral-stone structures—a stark contrast to the bustling mainland.
Getting to Delft is an adventure in itself. You take a local boat that’s pretty basic—don’t expect luxury here—but it’s all part of the fun if you’re up for it. Just a heads-up: if you’re not a fan of cramped spaces, the boat ride might feel a bit tight. But once you set foot on the island, it’s like discovering a hidden, untouched corner of Sri Lanka.
Day 14: Mihintale: The Icing on the Cake
We visited Mihintale, the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, and climbed the sacred rock temple complex at sunset. The spiritual aura and panoramic views made our penultimate attraction a highlight of the trip. It’s hard to maintain the “wow” factor on longer trips, we know this from experience. That’s why we strive not to be repetitive and pay great attention to alternate the attractions, accommodations, meals and activities. All hand-picked and fueled by a passion to create journeys beyond your dreams.
As our epic trip neared its end, we savored a farewell dinner, reflecting on the unforgettable experiences and connections we made throughout the tour.
Day 15: Safari in Wilpattu – Departures or see you next time!
On the final day, we set off on a safari adventure in the stunningly beautiful Wilpattu National Park, encountering the elusive leopard, (YES we did spot one!), water buffalos, and a variety of bird species.
After the thrilling wildlife encounters, we returned to Negombo for a late lunch at our favorite place before flight departure, already dreaming of returning for another enriching adventure.
Bottomline: Offbeat Sri Lanka Tour
Our Sri Lanka tour was truly special because it offered a deeper connection with the places we visited. By including off-the-beaten-path experiences in our Sri Lanka itinerary, we were able to witness the authentic beauty of the country beyond the typical tourist spots allowing us to discover the island’s rich array of experiences. And most importantly, our tour attracted like-minded people, not your typical tourist, ensuring a smooth and harmonious experience as well as new-found friendships.
If you’re looking for a journey that combines cultural immersion, natural wonders, and unforgettable memories, we invite you to join us for the next Sri Lanka tour during Kandy Perahera in August, or for the Sinhala & Tamil New Year edition in April!
Check out all our itineraries below for one-of-a-kind group adventures and bespoke trips:
https://earthmaho.com/sri-lanka-group-tour-2-weeks
https://earthmaho.com/sri-lanka-itinerary-7-days
https://earthmaho.com/sri-lanka-itinerary-14-days
https://earthmaho.com/sri-lanka-trip-april-sinhala-new-year
Our strength at MAHO is offering curated trips that focus on culture, adventure, and off-the-beaten-path experiences. These tours reveal the true diversity of the destination, allowing our guests to connect deeply with its history, landscapes, and people, far beyond a typical holiday. Our passionate and professional team will ensure you have an amazing experience with us from start to finish.
Get in touch today for a journey beyond your dreams!
