Sri Lanka & Maldives Adventure
14 Days / 13 Nights
Sail the Maldives and Venture Sri Lanka
This 14-day combo trip brings together the best of Sri Lanka's cultural highlights and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sail the islands of the Maldives aboard a dhoni boat. Experience a safari in Udawalawe National Park, discover cultural treasures of Negombo and Kandy, and then spend an entire week cruising from one tiny and perfect atoll island to another, snorkelling in crystal-clear waters and stretching out on blazing white-sand beaches. From culture to paradise, this tour's got it all.
Tour Includes:
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G for Good: Sthree Craft Shop & Café (Kandy), AMBA Estate (Ella), Maldives plastic clean-up
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Welcome meeting with CEO (Chief Experience Officer)
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Spice plantation, Temple of the Tooth & tea plantation visits
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Cooking demonstration & Udawalawe National Park safari
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Galle city & fort tour
Maldives Highlights
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7 days aboard a dhoni boat
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Fulidhoo Island visit & Bodu Beru performance
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Felidhu & Bodu Mora island visits
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Snorkelling equipment & beach time
Inclusions
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Internal flight
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All transport between destinations & activities
Accommodation
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7 nts hotels/guesthouses, 6 nts dhoni boat
Meals
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12 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 9 dinners
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Budget estimated at 200-300CAN for additional meals
Transport
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Private vehicle, 4x4, local bus, walking, plane, dhoni boat
Staff
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CEO, skipper, crew
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Negombo
Arrive at your destination and settle in before meeting your CEO and fellow travellers to begin your journey.
Included Activities
Your Welcome Moment – Meet Your CEO and Group
Meet your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. You may choose to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Check the lobby notice or ask reception for the official meeting time and location.
Transportation
Not specified for this day
Accommodation
Beach Corridor Hotel (or similar) – Hotel
Day 2 – Negombo/Kandy
Travel to Kandy with a scenic drive and cultural stops along the way, including a spice plantation visit, a social enterprise lunch, and a tour of the Temple of the Tooth.
Included Activities
Spice Plantation Tour
Visit a herbal spice centre for an interactive session with Ayurveda students. Learn about the medicinal uses of local herbs used in traditional Sri Lankan treatments.
G for Good Moment – Lunch at Sthree Craft Shop and Café
Enjoy a traditional Sri Lankan lunch at this social enterprise, which supports local women and youth living with disabilities through training in handicrafts and hospitality.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Tour
Explore this important religious site, home to a sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha preserved in a golden casket, and learn about its cultural significance.
Meals
Breakfast | Lunch
Transportation
Private Vehicle – Negombo to Kandy
Travel comfortably while enjoying the scenic journey.
Optional Activities
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Kandyan Cultural Dance (Additional Cost)
Accommodation
Kuwera Kandy (or similar) – Hotel
Day 3 – Kandy
Spend a full day at leisure in Kandy, with time to explore the city or take part in optional cultural and nature experiences.
Included Activities
Free Time in Kandy
Enjoy a full day to explore Kandy at your own pace.
Meals
Breakfast
Transportation
Not specified for this day
Optional Activities
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Royal Botanical Gardens Visit (1.5–2 hrs)
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Ayurvedic Center Visit
Accommodation
Kuwera Kandy (or similar) – Hotel
Day 4 – Kandy to Ella area
Travel through Sri Lanka’s scenic highlands to Nuwara Eliya and onward to Ella, where you’ll stay at a community-focused organic tea estate.
Included Activities
Your G for Good Moment – AMBA Estate Stay
Stay at this organic tea plantation supporting local communities through fair wages and sustainable tourism. Learn traditional tea-making techniques, enjoy local cuisine, and discover initiatives like a women-led chutney cooperative supported by Planeterra.
Meals
Breakfast | Dinner
Transportation
Private Vehicle – Kandy to Nuwara Eliya (3 hr 30 min, 75 km)
Scenic drive through the highlands.
Private Vehicle – Nuwara Eliya to Ella (2 hr 30 min, 60 km)
Continue through rolling green valleys to Ella.
Accommodation
Amba Estate (or similar) – Hotel
Day 5 – Ella Area
Enjoy a day exploring Ella. This evening, enjoy a cooking demonstration of classic homestyle Sri Lankan dishes, a delicious mixture of savoury and sweet.
Included Activities
Your G for Good Moment – AMBA Estate
Tucked into the hills of Ella Rock, Amba Estate is an organic tea plantation that provides the local community with meaningful employment opportunities and fair wages. During your two-night stay at Amba Estate, you'll learn about traditional hand-rolling techniques used in tea production along with preparing (and eating) delicious local food.
Tea Plantation Tour – Ella
Learn about one of Sri Lanka’s most exported commodities with a visit to a local tea plantation. Meet a local tea expert who will enlighten you on how the leaves are harvested and processed. Enjoy a taste of pure Sri Lankan tea!
Free Time – Ella (Afternoon)
Discover all Ella has to offer with a free afternoon.
Optional Activities (Additional Cost)
Trek to Ella Rock (3h30m–4h)
Set off on a trek to Ella Rock, passing through the lush landscape and a local tea plantation. Take in scenic views of the surrounding green valleys and plains from the peak.
Meals
Breakfast | Dinner
Accommodation
Amba Estate (or similar) – Hotel
Day 6 – Ella/Udawalawe National Park
Depart Amba Estate in the morning after enjoying a delicious home cooked breakfast. Begin the journey to Udawalawe National Park for an afternoon wildlife safari through Udawalawe National Park.
Included Activities
Udawalawe Reserve Safari (3h–3h30m)
Drive through this massive nature reserve and keep an eye out for the mighty Sri Lankan elephants – they live in abundance here and often wander along the road. Make several stops to observe these beautiful animals.
Transportation
Private Vehicle – Ella to Udawalawe National Park (2h30m, 88 km)
Meals
Breakfast | Dinner
Accommodation
Royal Tuskers (or similar) – Resort
Day 7 – Udawalawe National Park/Unawatuna
After breakfast transfer from Udawalawe to Galle for a tour of the fort and city. Later, head to Unawatuna, on the south coast.
Included Activities
Galle Fort and City Tour – Galle
Visit the Galle Fort, a 16th-century fort first built by the Portuguese, and later occupied by the Dutch. The ramparts are still standing even after being battered by Mother Nature, including the 2004 tsunami. Explore more of the beautiful capital, taking in the Dutch architecture and lively atmosphere. The Dutch Hospital shopping complex is a great place to scoop up some souvenirs.
Transportation
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Private Vehicle – Udawalawe to Galle (2h30m, 125 km)
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Local Bus – Galle to Unawatuna (30 min)
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel J Unawatuna (or similar) – Hotel
Day 8 – Unawatuna/South Malé Atoll
Hop on a flight to Malé for the Maldives portion of your trip. Transfer to South Malé Atoll. Settle in, and set sail on a voyage of discovery.
You will be met by airport representatives who will transfer you to the Malé town waterfront to meet our boat captain and crew. Once settled into our cabins, we will depart.
Cruise south for 2–3 hours through the Vaadhoo Canal to a nearby island in South Malé Atoll; probably Guraidhoo, a small inhabited island where the plan is to moor in (or just outside) the small harbour for the first night on board.
Transportation
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Private Vehicle – Unawatuna to Colombo
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Plane – Colombo to Malé (Morning)
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Converted Dhoni (37ft) – Malé to South Malé Atoll (2h–3h) Climb aboard this converted Maldivian fishing boat and float on to the next stop!
Meals
Dinner
Day 9 to 13 - South Malé Atoll/Felidhu Atholhu
Spend the next five days cruising around the South Malé and Felidhu atolls, disembarking to visit islands and sandbars along the way. Snorkel ship wrecks and reefs, and Bodu Mora Island is home to idyllic uninhabited beaches – the perfect photo opt.
Aboard the dhoni, spend free time as you please – lounge on the sundecks and take in the views, relax with a good book, or socialize with fellow travellers as you enjoy delicious local seafood.
Off the boat, opt to swim and enjoy snorkelling about twice a day amongst the spectacular marine life of the Maldives. The shallow islands and amazing coral reefs make it a key feeding ground for many species of tropical fish. Keep an eye out for turtles, reef sharks, stingrays, and octopuses.
Cruise to the southernmost point of South Malé Atoll before crossing the channel into Felidhu Atoll. The main industry here is fishing and there is typically an opportunity to see traditional boat-building on at least one of the islands.
Included Activities
Snorkelling in the Maldives (2h)
The Maldives offer some of the most amazing snorkelling and marine life viewing opportunities in the world. The shallow islands and plentiful coral reefs make it a key feeding ground for many species of tropical fish. 70 different species of colourful corals make up the flora of this underwater city, with more than 700 species of fish and other marine life making up its fauna.
Your G for Good Moment – Maldives Plastic Clean Up
Unrecycled plastic in the Maldives is compromising sea life, shorelines, and health for communities. On your trip you will have the opportunity to do a beach clean up to support community environmental initiatives in the country. All plastic collected through our partner is properly recycled and reused to create new materials.
Bodu Mora Island Visit – Felidhu Atholhu
Experience one of the Maldives uninhabited islands, with a visit to stunning Bodu Mora. The island's stretch of idyllic beach is home to lush palm trees, soft sands, and crystal clear blue waters.
Free Time – Felidhu Atholhu
Relax on the sundeck, snorkel in the crystal-clear waters, go for a swim, have a cocktail, or read a book. Free time is yours to enjoy!
Transportation
Maldives Dhoni – South Malé Atoll to Felidhu Atholhu
Climb aboard this Maldivian boat and float on to the next stop.
Meals
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 14 - South Malé Atoll/Male
In the morning, make the short crossing to Malé. The tour ends on arrival at Malé International Airport.
Your CEO can offer assistance with any onward travel you may require.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.
Transportation
Maldives Dhoni – Eboodhoofinolhu to Malé
Meals
Breakfast