About us
D r i v e r I n S r i L a n k a
DURATION
10 Nights - 11 Days
STYLE
Coast & Wildlife
DESTINATION
Sri Lanka

Tour Overview

This 11-day coast-to-coast Sri Lanka tour starts among the dolphins and reefs of Kalpitiya on the west coast, threads through Wilpattu National Park and the ancient city of Anuradapura, then crosses to Trincomalee and the surf town of Arugam Bay in the east, before finishing back on the south-west coast. It is built for travellers who want to see both sides of the island in one trip.

Tour Highlights

  Dolphin and whale watching at Kalpitiya
  Half-day safari inside Wilpattu National Park
  Anuradapura's ancient dagobas and ruins
  Snorkeling at Pigeon Island National Park
  Surfing at Arugam Bay
  South-west coast beach finish

Day-by-Day Itinerary

01
Airport / Kalpitiya

Greeted by our representative at Colombo Airport and depart for Kalpitiya. Overnight stay at Kalpitiya.

  • Kalpitiya
02
Kalpitiya

Snorkeling & Diving: Bar Reef, about 30 minutes offshore, is the largest living coral reef in Sri Lanka and a superb snorkeling spot with vibrant marine species. Whale & Dolphin Watching: season runs November-March, with pods of spinner dolphins a common sight alongside sperm and blue whales. Overnight stay at Kalpitiya.

  • Kalpitiya
  • Dolphin Watching
  • Snorkeling
03
Kalpitiya / Wilpattu / Anuradapura

After breakfast depart for Anuradapura, with a Half Day Game Safari at Wilpattu National Park en route. Wilpattu National Park: Sri Lanka's largest national park at 1,085 sq km, home to an estimated 50 elephants, 50 leopards, spotted deer, sloth bear, wild hog and crocodiles. Anuradapura Historical Site: the island's ruling capital for 1,000 years, with giant dagobas, lofty pillars, ancient rock pools and museums; allow about 2.5 hours. Overnight stay at Anuradapura.

  • Kalpitiya
  • Wilpattu
  • Anuradapura
  • Half-Day Game Safari
04
Anuradapura / Trincomalee

After breakfast depart for Trincomalee. Kandasamy Kovil: perched atop a rock, consecrated to Shiva, one of the island's Pancha Ishwaram sites; prayer ceremonies at 06.30, 11.30 and 16.30. Fort Frederick: built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, later modified under Dutch and British rule, with canons, artillery and royal insignia. Overnight stay at Trincomalee.

  • Anuradapura
  • Trincomalee
  • Temple Visit
  • Fort Exploration
  • Kandasamy Kovil
05
Trincomalee / Nilaveli

Leisure time on Trinco beach with optional activities. Kanniya Hot Water Wells: legend ties their origin to King Ravana striking the earth with his sword; nearby ruins hint at an ancient Buddhist temple complex. Pigeon Island National Park: 1km offshore from Nilaveli, with natural rock pools, forest tracks and snorkeling among reef, coral, reef fish and turtles. Overnight stay at Trincomalee.

  • Trincomalee
  • Nilaveli
  • Snorkeling
  • Hot Water Wells
  • Pigeon Island National Park
06
Trincomalee / Arugam Bay

After breakfast depart for Arugam Bay. Pasikuda Beach: powdery white sand and shallow, clear water extending hundreds of metres offshore, among the safest beaches on the island. Overnight stay at Arugam Bay.

  • Trincomalee
  • Arugam Bay
  • Pasikuda Beach
07
Arugam Bay

Surfing: a surfers' paradise from April to October, with a natural rock formation running parallel to the shore. Overnight stay at Arugam Bay.

  • Arugam Bay
  • Surfing
08
Arugam Bay / Ahungalla

After breakfast depart for Ahungalla, a longer transfer day. Overnight stay at Ahungalla.

  • Arugam Bay
  • Ahungalla
09
Ahungalla

Breakfast, then visits to nearby attractions. Ambalangoda Mask Museum: traditional hand-carved masks tracing centuries of craft and cultural significance. Island Hopping on the Madu River: a lagoon of hundreds of islets in southwest Balapitiya, with an old Buddhist monastery and local cinnamon cultivation and prawn fishing (about 2 hours). Moonstone Mines: near Ambalangoda in Meetiyagoda, the country's only concentrated moonstone deposit, with narrow mining shafts open to visitors. Overnight stay at Ahungalla.

  • Ahungalla
  • Moonstone Mine Visit
  • Mask Museum Visit
  • Madu River Island Hopping
  • Ambalangoda Mask Museum
10
Ahungalla / Negombo

Breakfast then depart for Negombo. Turtle Hatchery: begun in 1988, incubating purchased turtle eggs for roughly 50 days before releasing hatchlings to the sea at night; survival to adulthood is roughly 1 in 1,000. Negombo: a small fishing town near the airport, known for traditional catamarans, a Dutch-era fort and canal from the late 16th century. Overnight stay at Negombo.

  • Ahungalla
  • Negombo
  • Turtle Hatchery Visit
  • Traditional Catamaran Fishing
  • Fort Exploration
11
Negombo / Airport

Depart to Colombo Airport with delightful memories.

  • Negombo

What's Included / Excluded

✓ INCLUDED
  Private air-conditioned vehicle for the full itinerary
  English-speaking chauffeur guide
  Fuel, parking and highway toll charges
  Driver accommodation and meals
  Daily breakfast at listed hotels
  Airport pick-up and drop-off
– NOT INCLUDED
  International flights and visa fees
  Entrance tickets to sites and national parks
  Lunches and dinners unless noted
  Personal expenses and gratuities
  Travel insurance
  Optional activities such as surfing lessons or snorkeling gear

Tour Route

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best season for this coast-to-coast route?+

November to March is best for Kalpitiya's dolphin and whale watching, while April to October suits the Arugam Bay surf leg, so the route is typically timed around one of these windows.

Sightings are frequent but not guaranteed, as this is a wildlife encounter in open water; spinner dolphin pods are seen on the large majority of trips in season.

The Anuradapura-to-Trincomalee leg is the longest driving day on this route, broken up with stops along the way.

Most nights are at beachfront or near-beach properties in Kalpitiya, Trincomalee, Nilaveli and Arugam Bay, with inland stays at Anuradapura.

Request This Tour

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    Prefer to talk directly? Call or WhatsApp us at +94 76 874 4701