Sri Lanka Backroads Adventure from Hunumulla to Galle

Upon arrival in Colombo, clear immigration and customs, then proceed to the arrival area, where your private chauffeur guide meets you and takes you to your lodge in Hunumulla.

Ambarella Lodge, located in the heart of the Kotaliyadde coconut estate, offers a great introduction to Sri Lankan culture. The fresh evening air and surrounding coconut trees create a relaxing atmosphere. Cool off with a refreshing swim in the pool after exploring the area, or enjoy a peaceful stroll through the lush gardens. A nighttime dip in the pool under the stars is also a perfect way to unwind.

Airport – Hunumulla (Approx. 40 mins) 
Overnight Stay at Ambarella Lodge, Hunumulla – Superior Room

After a leisurely breakfast, head to Kalpitiya, check in at your resort and enjoy a relaxing afternoon.

Kalpitiya, a coastal town on the island’s northwestern shore, is uniquely positioned between a lagoon and the ocean, making it rich in ecological diversity.

Dolphin Beach Makara Resort is set right on the beach and features cozy, stylish villas with a hint of local charm. The deck offers panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and the western coastline, while the resort’s infinity pool is perfect for a refreshing swim.

Colombo – Kalpitiya (Approx. 3 hrs.) 
Overnight Stay at Dolphin Beach, Kalpitiya - Standard Tents

Volunteering in Seagrass restoration
This morning, head out to the lagoon near Kalpitiya and Puttalam for a half-day seagrass restoration volunteering session. The project, organized with the OCEA Sri Lanka charity, focuses on Research, Education, and Action. Seagrass is declining globally at 1.5% per year, so conservation and expansion are critical to boosting marine productivity, biodiversity, water quality, and fishing resources, which support local communities. During this activity, you'll collect seagrass plugs from a nearby bed and replant them in shallow areas of the lagoon. The session begins with a brief overview of the methods used. A short boat ride is included, and afterward, enjoy a simple lunch at a village house.

Note: This activity is suited for travelers eager to actively participate in conservation efforts. It involves physical effort, working under the sun for 2–3 hours, and walking in muddy areas.
What to wear: Clothes that can get wet, ideally quick-dry material. Bring a change of clothes for after the session.

After volunteering, continue to Wilpattu for a unique experience in nature. Backwaters Lodge, your accommodation, embodies conservation, using repurposed materials like shipping containers as rooms and pallets as furniture. Despite its eco-conscious design, it provides modern comforts, with meals prepared from locally sourced ingredients like kamaranka flower drinks, wild curry leaves, and passion fruit mallum.

This afternoon, enjoy a boat ride along the Uppu Aru River, where you may spot river birds like Kingfishers and Grebes.

Kalpitiya - Wilpattu (Approx. 1 ½ hours)
Overnight at Backwaters Lodge, Wilpattu – Standard Room

Full-Day Safari in Wilpattu National Park
Start the day early with a packed breakfast, heading to Wilpattu National Park for a full-day private jeep safari.

Located in Sri Lanka's northwestern region, Wilpattu is the island’s largest national park, covering 1,300 square kilometers. Its name comes from the over 100 natural lakes, or "Willus," that dot its landscape. Known for its exceptional natural beauty, Wilpattu is a prime spot for sightings of elephants, leopards, spotted deer, sloth bears, and crocodiles, along with vibrant peacocks, painted storks, jungle fowl, and mongoose. The park's mix of dense foliage, streams, and expanding tanks in the rainy season make it an ideal sanctuary for wildlife.

Wilpattu's vast size means a full-day safari is more rewarding than two half-day trips, allowing time to reach the park's interior. The lower visitor numbers enhance the sense of exclusivity, with unique and memorable wildlife encounters awaiting patient explorers.

Tip: After you stop to have breakfast, restroom facilities are minimal inside the park, so be prepared to "catch a rabbit in the bushes," as locals say.

After the safari, return to the lodge to relax and recharge.

Overnight Stay at Backwaters Lodge, Wilpattu – Standard Room

After a relaxed breakfast, head to Habarana.

Upon arrival, check in to Sevanagama Villa, a charming, mid-range boutique property tucked away in Habarana. With its minimalist design set against a naturally beautiful landscape, the villa provides modern comforts, outstanding Sri Lankan cuisine, and a prime location for exploring the cultural triangle.

In the afternoon, visit the Ritigala Archaeological Monastery, a serene site set within a forest. Ritigala feels like an undiscovered world, a quiet contrast to Sri Lanka’s more famous cultural spots. Beyond a cultural visit, this trip includes a forest walk, adding to the unique blend of history and nature. Take time to fully explore and reach the upper areas of the complex, where the ancient meditation paths lead into thick jungles and stone-lined reservoirs. This sacred site offers a perfect setting to pause, connect with nature, and appreciate its ancient tranquility.

Wilpattu – Habarana (Approx. 3 hours) – Ritigala (Approx. 1 hour) - Habarana
Overnight stay at Sevanagama Villa, Habarana – Deluxe Room

Cycling Village Tour: Hues of Habarana
This morning, enjoy a village cycling tour that immerses you in local life and culture. The experience focuses on the people, as they bring the village’s beauty to life. Pedal through village roads, where you might spot birdlife along the way. This isn’t a staged tour, so each stop provides a genuine look into daily life and small local industries.

You’ll visit various homes where villagers make items like clay bricks and coir brooms, learn traditional dance steps from the local dance teacher, and see a grandmother creating traditional Ayurvedic oil. You’ll also pause for a tea break, served in a coconut shell, with a local snack. The final stop is at a village home where you can savor a delicious traditional Sri Lankan rice and curry lunch prepared by Dilini, a resident of the village.
Notes: Your guide will be a local villager who, while not fluent in English, will charm you with warm hospitality and local knowledge. The route covers around 12 km / 7.5 mi on mostly flat terrain and is manageable for anyone with basic fitness and cycling skills.

Later, climb Pidurangala Rock at sunset for breathtaking views. Believed to have been the royal temple during King Kashyapa’s time, this hike takes about an hour, with the final stretch involving a scramble over rocks. At the top, you’ll find stunning views of lush forest with Sigiriya Rock rising in the distance. This is the perfect spot to take in the fresh air and enjoy a peaceful sunset away from the crowds.

Overnight at Sevanagama Villa, Habarana – Deluxe Room 

After breakfast, drive towards Gal Oya, a hidden gem.

Gal Oya is an unexplored treasure in Sri Lanka. A National Park surrounded by water. It is rustic but it has all you need wonderfully appointed lodgings, an excellent team of guides, and some of the best food to be found in the country. One thing to note is the poor phone signals, which are a real luxury in this modern age to get away from your electronic devices!

The Gal Oya Lodge Team is committed to being an eco-tourism lodge that has a positive impact on the wildlife within the remote region of Gal Oya National Park in Sri Lanka. They have found multiple species of animal surrounding the Lodge, such as mouse-deer (smallest species of deer in the world), wild boar, land and water monitor, porcupines, and the highly endangered and most trafficked animal in the world, the thick-tailed pangolin. Furthermore, they have observed 3 out of the 4 species of wild cats in Sri Lanka: fishing cats, jungle cats, and rusty-spotted cats. 

They are planning on soon concentrating efforts on studying the 4th species of wild cat in Sri Lanka, the leopard. Although they haven’t yet seen any leopards on their cameras on the property, their naturalists have seen more than a dozen over the last few years in and around the National Park. They are aiming to determine as much as they can about their population dynamics, diet, and population numbers. They mostly are doing this using an elaborate grid of 20+ trail cameras and non-invasive DNA analysis.

Later in the afternoon join a resident naturalist for a walk around the lodge, enjoying the abundant birdlife and beautiful surroundings. The walk offers several possible routes through the trees and around the nearby lake, to observe a wide range of bird species such as Kingfishers, Eagles, Kites, and many aquatic birds. Feel free to discuss your interests with your naturalist for a tailored trip to suit your preferences.

Habarana – Gal Oya (Aprox. 3 ½ hours) 
Overnight at Gal Oya Lodge, Gal Oya - Bungalow (Non-A/C)

Boat Safari on Gal Oya Lake
Start your day early with a boat safari at Gal Oya National Park, a truly unique experience in Sri Lanka. You’ll also get to enjoy a picnic on a remote island within the park.

This safari offers the chance to see wildlife from Gal Oya Lake, including crocodiles, deer, elephants, and many rare and endemic bird species. As the only experience in Sri Lanka that lets you view wildlife from the water, it’s a rare chance to see animals in their natural habitats. Keep an eye out for elephants that sometimes swim between islands or bathe along the lake’s edge.

Note: The boat safari can be scheduled in the early morning or afternoon, based on boat availability from the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Be sure to bring a hat and sunscreen as it can get hot during the day.

This afternoon, connect with Sri Lanka’s indigenous Vedda community. The Veddas are an indigenous forest-dwelling community in central Sri Lanka, having lived off the land in harmony with nature for hundreds of years. The Gal Oya Lodge is near one of the last remaining Vedda communities, and you’ll have the chance to go on a guided jungle walk with the village chief himself. During the walk, he’ll share the tribe’s uses for medicinal plants, point out ancient hunting grounds and cave dwellings, and explain how they sustained themselves as hunter-gatherers in the forests of Gal Oya.

Overnight stay at Gal Oya Lodge, Gal Oya - Bungalow (Non-A/C)

After breakfast, head to Bandarawela.

Bandarawela is a tranquil town nestled in Sri Lanka's central highlands, known for its cool, refreshing climate, lush tea plantations, and gentle hills. Surrounded by beautiful forests and scenic viewpoints, it’s an ideal spot for nature lovers and hikers seeking a peaceful escape.
Upon arrival, check in at your accommodations.

Villa Perpetua is a relaxing retreat for connecting with nature. Named as a tribute to a husband’s love for his wife, Perpetua, this villa offers elegant rooms combining comfort and style. With its serene surroundings and attentive service, it provides an ideal getaway.

Gal Oya – Bandarawela (Approx. 3 hours)
Overnight at Villa Perpetua, Bandarawela – Standard Room (Non- A/C) 

Tails and Trails of Tea
After an early breakfast, take a short drive to the outskirts of Bandarawela, where you'll begin a hike through quiet tea plantations, guided by a local host. (approximately a 20-minute drive to the starting point). 

While Ceylon Tea is world-renowned and many standard tours include factory visits, this experience takes you off the usual path. Your local guide shares deeper stories about tea cultivation, including planting techniques, harvesting methods, and insights into the daily lives of tea estate workers. You may even have the chance to observe workers plucking tea leaves.

During the hike, enjoy a break with a typical estate worker’s snack of coconut roti, vadai, and plain tea. For estate workers, this modest meal is an affordable staple, contrasting with the costly meals often out of reach for them. Throughout the hike, you'll be treated to stunning views across mountain valleys. However, mountain weather can change rapidly, and mist can sweep over the landscape within minutes. Be ready to snap photos whenever the view clears! The hike concludes on the outskirts of Haputale.

Elevation details:
Starting Point: 1,390m / 4560.4 ft above sea level
Mid-Point: 1,590m / 5217 ft
Highest Point: 1,700m / 5577.4 ft
End Point: 1,525m / 5003.3 ft

Note: The hike covers about 10 km / 6.2 mi with gentle elevation changes, taking around 4-5 hours, depending on pace. Moderate fitness is sufficient, and we recommend trainers or hiking boots, as well as a raincoat. Leeches may be present during rainy days, so some repellent can be helpful.

Overnight at Villa Perpetua, Bandarawela – Standard Room (Non- A/C) 

Galle fort walk with the chauffeur guide
After breakfast, head to Galle for a guided walk through the historic Galle Fort with your chauffeur guide.

Galle Fort transports visitors back in time. Its cobbled streets have witnessed 400 years of history, from Arab traders to the Portuguese adventurers and the hardworking Dutch. Colonial homes with red-tiled roofs line the streets, and an impressive rampart encircles the peninsula, jutting into the Indian Ocean. Galle Fort is unique in that it remains a living monument, with local residents still inhabiting its streets. However, with more homes being converted into boutique hotels and tourist attractions, Galle Fort may soon evolve into a tourist hub. Now is the perfect time to experience its charm.

After the tour, check in to your accommodation.

The Fort Printers, your stay for the night, is an elegantly restored 18th-century mansion with roots in the Dutch period. Expanded during the British era, it features high ceilings and large windows, making it a beautifully preserved historical retreat.

Bandarawela – Galle (Approx. 4 hours)
Overnight Stay at Fort Printers, Galle Fort – Church Suite 

It’s time to bid farewell to the Isle of Serendipity! Head to the airport, aiming to arrive 3 hours before your flight (standard hotel check-out time is 12:00 pm).

Safe travels!

Galle Fort – Airport (Approx. 2 hours)