+44 203 048 3044 Agent login
From £1362 pp*
Request Availabilty
See more photos

Walking through Sri Lanka’s Cities and Jungles

Highlights

  • Guided Food Walk Tour through the historical “Fort” district of Colombo
  • Guided tour of Colombo
  • Guided Walk in Sinharaja Forest Reserve
  • Cooking with a local in Galle
From £1362 pp*
Trip Dates
Please select
Trip Dates
Please select
Guests
Please select
Room #
Adults
12+
- +
Children
2 -11
- +
Add room
Done
Guests
Please select
Request Availabilty

7 Nights

Trip Dates
Request Availability'

Trip Dates

Please select
Clear dates
Done

Guests

Room #
Adults
12+
- +
Children
2 -11
- +
Add room
Done

What you'll do

Overview

This walking holiday is designed to showcase Sri Lanka: we visit urban areas, off the beaten track villages and farms and immerse ourselves in the colonial history of Sri Lanka.

Colombo is the modern Sri Lanka, an eclectic mix of bustling markets, skyscrapers, dense suburbs, tucked away parks and temples.

We will head away from the hustle and bustle into the relaxing calm of the rural hinterland. In this countryside of farms and small villages we will get a glimpse of local village life and enjoy the country’s nature and wildlife.

Lastly, we head to Galle and learn about the Colonial impact in Sri Lanka here a melting pot of cultures co-exists, each influencing the other. Though a well know area for tourists, we will get get under the skin of this region, experiencing it like a local.

Tour Summary:
Day 1 & 2 Colombo
Day 3 – 5 Ratnapura
Day 6 & 7 Galle

*From price based on travel for 2 people between 1st Sept 2025 until 31st October 2054. For larger groups or solo travellers please enquire directly to hello@nitgb.com

*Please note*
All accommodation will be reserved at time of booking. Depending on availability there may be changes to similar accommodation.
This is a private itinerary but on some experiences throughout the tour you may join a small group.

Airport to Colombo and walking food tour

On arrival, we will meet you at the airport and drive to Colombo (1 hour).

Spend some time to relax after your flight.

Around 5pm we set out on a food walk through the historical “Fort” district. Heavily influenced by the Colonial powers who occupied Sri Lanka from 1600s onwards, there are Portuguese, Dutch and British influences in the architecture. The food is a similar eclectic mix, of Indian, Malaysian, Muslim and Sri Lankan. Walk through the bustling market streets, grab a G&T at the port before heading for dinner at local roadside restaurant.

Accommodation: The Steuart

Meals: Dinner on the food walk

Exploring Colombo

With your bellies full, we will spend today putting your energy to good use! We’ll walk through Colombo to get a glimpse of life in the capital. We will walk through the cities memorials, suburbs, parks, financial district, temples and lakes. Sit on a bench and people watch or grab a refreshing King Coconut in the shade. There’s no better way to experience a city than on foot.  A few transfers by car will be done to cover the most area.

Accommodation: The Steuart

Meals: Breakfast

Colombo to Ratnapura

We now head away from the bustle of urban areas and head inland to the district of Ratnapura. Low land tea, rubber estates, paddy and spices fill the surroundings. We spend the next three days in a hidden little hotel by a lake.

Spend the evening walking the hotel grounds and exploring the organic garden.

Accommodation: Lake Serenity Resort & Spa

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Day Trip to Sinharaja

Today we head to the country’s last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare. The reserve is only 21 km  from east to west, and a maximum of 7 km  from north to south, but it is a treasure trove of endemic species, including trees, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

We will go on a guided walk with a local naturalist inside the forest.

Accommodation: Lake Serenity Resort & Spa

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Farms at Ratnapura

Today we explore the surrounding greenery and farming life. Go on a walk through the rubber plantations and small villages. A contrast from the urban settings of Colombo.

Accommodation: Lake Serenity Resort & Spa

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Ratnapura to Galle

Today we head to beautiful Galle. The 17th century Dutch Fort town is a UNESCO heritage site. Galle is an interesting mix religion, cultures and ethnicities. Once settled in we can spend the evening exploring the fort and catching the sunset from the ramparts.

Accommodation: Fort Bliss Galle

Meals: Breakfast

At Galle

Today is leisurely day, lounge around in the morning. For lunch meet up with a local resident who will take you shopping in the local market. Learn to prepare a delicious meal with a Galle based host, whose expertise in cooking has brought her much fame in the area. Whether it’s a Biryani, a seafood feast or hot hoppers with accompaniments, she will take you through an unforgettable culinary journey.

Accommodation: Fort Bliss Galle

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Departure Day

Today your experience finishes and you will be transferred back to the airport in time for your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast

What's included

Included

  • All transfers in air conditioned vehicle with an English speaking guide
  • 2 nights Colombo BB*
  • 3 nights Ratnapura HB*
  • 2 nights Galle BB
  • Food Walk in Colombo including dinner
  • Guided walks in Colombo and Ratnapura
  • Sinharaja Forest Reserve entrance fees
  • Experience cooking with a local in Galle including lunch
  • *BB - Breakfast included
  • *HB - Breakfast and dinner included

Accommodation

The Steuart (or similar)

The old 'Steuart House', a colonial building in Colombo 01 that housed the head-quarters of George Steuart & Co. Ltd, the country's oldest mercantile institution, was transformed into a boutique business hotel in July 2015. The Steuart by Citrus embodies the essence of true Scottish style.

The hotel is centrally located making it an urban escape in the heart of the city. It features one of the best restaurants and pubs in Colombo. &Co Pub and kitchen is an authentic Scottish themed pub.

Lake Serenity Resort & Spa (or similar)

The grace of this boutique hotel is magnified with the encircling paddy cultivations, tea plantations, rubber cultivations and the overlooking mountain range crowned with the milky clouds.

The property features an outdoor swimming pool, garden, terrace and bar. The restaurant serves international cuisine including vegetarian and dairy-free options.

Fort Bliss Galle (or similar)

Fort Bliss is a spacious property in Galle Fort, elegantly furnished and built in harmony with the old Dutch architecture, located conveniently a few yards from the famous ramparts.

There is a spacious living and dining area open to the rear courtyard/garden, dine in the living room which is furnished with a ten seater table or sit out on the verandah.

Your local host

Prateeque

Hi! My name is Prateeque, your host. I grew up in India, in Bangalore and after completing an engineering degree, I decided to not actually follow this path and chose to follow my passion of travel. I quickly got a job as an actual tour guide in the wonderful southern region of Kerala, India, for a few months and ended up staying for 2 years.

An opportunity opened up to go to Sri Lanka to become manager for the country, so when I was offered it, I jumped at the chance. During my time working in travel, I’ve travelled the majority of both India and Sri Lanka and discovered almost place you could possibly explore in these crazy, yet amazing countries.

I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors and exploring, even as a kid. ... Read All

Hi! My name is Prateeque, your host. I grew up in India, in Bangalore and after completing an engineering degree, I decided to not actually follow this path and chose to follow my passion of travel. I quickly got a job as an actual tour guide in the wonderful southern region of Kerala, India, for a few months and ended up staying for 2 years.

An opportunity opened up to go to Sri Lanka to become manager for the country, so when I was offered it, I jumped at the chance. During my time working in travel, I’ve travelled the majority of both India and Sri Lanka and discovered almost place you could possibly explore in these crazy, yet amazing countries.

I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors and exploring, even as a kid. I would go out on my bike and get lost and then try to find my way back. I grew up in an urban setting, so any chance I could get I was out exploring. The feeling of release you get from the outdoors, is completely different to anything you can feel.

The one thing that inspired me to work in travel and pursue it as a long term career, is the feeling of pure amazement when discovering something new or seeing something spectacular for the first time. It’s an indescribable feeling, but you’re just totally immersed in this place and you just forget about everything else for a while.

And seeing this look on people’s faces and being with them when they’re doing this, is something I found out very quickly when I was tour guide I absolutely loved and just had to pursue this further.

Another thing is, you always learn in travel, there’s always something new that comes up, whether it be an experience, untapped location, or new people, you’re always learning and this pushes me to find new things to do.

It’s fair to say that Sri Lanka is oversaturated, there are plenty of companies here offering the same tours to the same places. We however, like to go off the beaten track. It’s unbelievable how much there is to see in this wonderful country away from the main sights. For example, the busy national parks e.g. Udawalawe National Park can have up to 600 jeeps a day on it’s roads. But if you go just 2 hours away at Gal Oya national park, it’s much less busy and you can get much closer to the wildlife.

Prateeque image

Location

Your journey will begin in Sri Lanka’s capital city, Colombo. Colombo is the beating heart of Sri Lanka, and you will be able to experience all the excitement of the city before heading into the beautiful countryside. The experience will end in Galle, a picturesque city with a rich history.

Join our community

Get off the beaten track and support local communities that you visit.

Sign up for inspiriation for your itinerary, new experiences and special offers.