Signature Sri Lanka | The Island of Serendipity

Among tea fields, temple stone, and tropical coast, Sri Lanka reveals a deep and enduring beauty

Sri Lanka invites you in gently – through the aroma of freshly prepared tea, the echo of footsteps on temple floors, and the soft ripple of lakes that mirror the sky. Led by your handpicked Signature Guide, slip from the stillness around Negombo to the cultural heartlands of Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa, where local chefs, wildlife researchers, and temple hosts open windows onto everyday life. Encounters unfold slowly: observing primates among timeworn ruins, joining almsgiving, and cycling highland trails where the tea country unfurls in shifting greens.

Venture to the very heart of each destination on our Signature Collection, where every journey is shaped by our unrivalled local connections and insider expertise. Step beyond the ordinary with private invitations, rare encounters, and experiences few will ever share. So when someone says, “I’ve been there,” you’ll simply smile, knowing you’ve experienced it differently.

Signature Experiences:

• Join world-leading primate researchers in Polonnaruwa to observe macaques, langurs, and leaf monkeys, and gain expert insight into their long-term conservation
• Share an almsgiving ceremony at a rural temple, welcomed by a Buddhist host who reveals the meaning behind this gentle ritual
• Trace tea on an exclusive sapling-to-cup tour with estate owners Mike and Rosh, including hands-on leaf picking, factory insight, and a planter’s lunch

Signature Day: Experience our distinctive Signature Day, choosing between included activities such as dawn birdwatching in the Sigiriya Sanctuary, a village cycling trail with roti-making, a tuk-tuk exploration of Anuradhapura, or a sunrise climb to the top of the iconic Sigiriya rock fortress

Signature Stay: Stay at Jetwing Vil Uyana, a serene wetland sanctuary near Sigiriya, where freestanding dwellings open onto paddy fields, marshes, and forest, and nature moves quietly at your doorstep

Signature Guide: Let your handpicked Signature Guide lead you to the country’s soul — sharing their home, heritage, and heart

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

We also weave Signature Legacy moments into your itinerary, so the positive impact of your trip lasts long after your stay. These are moments to remember which help people and nature thrive, ensuring you build a harmonious, positive connection with the places you visit.

On this journey, you can:

• Join Smithsonian-affiliated researchers in Polonnaruwa to observe Sri Lanka’s primates, supporting long-term conservation research that protects endangered species and their ancient habitats.
• Take part in a privately hosted visit to Devagiri Tea Estate, where your time with the owners supports ethical tea production, skills preservation, and the future of small-scale Sri Lankan estates.
• Share meals prepared by local families, from home kitchens to village gatherings, strengthening community-led food traditions and ensuring tourism benefits remain rooted in place.

Is this trip for you?

We have graded this trip Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page.

Driving times: The longest journeys take place on Day 2 (4hr 30 min), Day 6 (five hours) and Day 7 (3hr 45min). All other journeys are under three hours.

Prebooking activities: An immersive adventure of your choice awaits on the Signature Day. This activity is included – all you need to do is prebook the activity at least 60 days before departure through our Signature Collection travel experts. Additionally, if you will be arriving early on Day 1 you can prebook an optional tour at an extra cost.

Sigiriya Rock: To reach the top of Sigiriya Rock – an option on your Signature Day – there are nearly 1,200 stone steps up and down. A reasonable level of fitness is needed for this activity which is rewarded with great views from the top.

Day 5 hike: Good fitness levels for hiking on natural trails:

• Elevation: 2,296ft (700m)
• Distance: 1.5mi (2.5km)

Day 6 cycling: Good fitness levels recommended for the cycling adventure:

• Elevation: 1,969ft (600m)
• Distance: 4mi (6km) 

Vaccinations and Health

Sri Lanka

There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, tuberculosis and typhoid. You will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you’re arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or transiting for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice. Additionally, dengue fever, a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes, is a known risk in places visited. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available; the best form of prevention is to take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

For detailed health and vaccination advice, visit:

• UK: The Travel Health Pro website
• US: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website
• Canada: ⁠The Canadian government’s travel health page

Visa

Sri Lanka

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally need a visa (ETA) to enter Sri Lanka. Travellers from most countries can obtain a 30-day ETA (US$50) at www.eta.gov.lk. We strongly recommend that you do this prior to travel to avoid any complications and delays on arrival. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/sri-lanka
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/sri-lanka
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sri-lanka/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/SriLanka.html

Local customs and laws: You should be aware of local laws and customs in Sri Lanka (see: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sri-lanka/local-laws-and-customs). The mistreatment of Buddhist images and artefacts is an offence; please note, people have been refused entry to Sri Lanka because of visible tattoos of Buddha.

Food & Drink

This journey deepens your connection to Sri Lanka through its food and drink. Dine in garden settings and village homes, enjoy estate and farm-led lunches, and savour coastal dinners shaped by the day’s catch. The journey closes with a private seven-course farewell by the sea.

Weather

Sri Lanka’s tropical climate brings warm temperatures year-round. The Cultural Triangle is typically dry and sunny, with cooler mornings ideal for exploration. In the hill country around Kandy, days feel fresher, with misty starts and mild afternoons. Along the southern coast, expect steady warmth, sea breezes and the occasional brief shower. Seasonal variations shape the landscape’s character, but conditions generally support relaxed exploration throughout the year.