Sri Lanka Adventure – December 2025 /January 2026

Stage 1 - Tangalle (South Coast)

Beautiful Beaches, Buddhist Temples, Bird’s Nest Bedroom. 

What a lovely way to start our trip. Our accommodation at Cinnabar rustic hotel was a unique experience. A real gem to have uncovered.

Rooms are treehouses overlooking the sea, so waking up to sounds of birds singing and waves rushing to the shore was a special thing.

It is easy to connect into the energy here. Really kind people who are calm, friendly and present. Everyone we have met so far, have gone out of their way to help make our journey easier and more enjoyable.

We planned everything ourselves as opposed to using a travel agent which so far is going surprisingly well. (it is only stage 1 note, but so far so good)

We spent our time in Tangalle, enjoying sunrise yoga and swimming, walking the long quiet sandy beaches, and lagoon paths, sampling the fantastic fresh fish (caught daily) and the truly delicious Sri Lankan food. (especially the fruit)

We also visited 2 of the areas special Buddhist temples, Rock Temple and Big Buddha. Both were loved and appreciated.

Spending time in a predominantly Buddhist culture can be felt. And it really feels good.

Stage 2 -  On Route to Gal Oya Lake

Elephants – Rice and Curry – And Wonderful Service 

After 7 days on the coast we travelled by Taxi (recommended and very reasonable priced) to Gal Oya (meaning strong river) in the Eastern Province of the Island.

We chose this area as it is a little more off the beaten track.

On route to Gal Oya, we passed through Yala National Park where we met Elephants in the road up very close, had an authentic Sri Lanka lunch with the locals, Mick even ate with his hands, ( the traditional way but I am afraid I had to ask for a fork.) stopped for fresh coconut and visited a local salt making farm.

The road up to Gal  Oya National Park became very green, lush rice fields, 100's of palm trees, banana trees with an abundance of wildlife, including egrets (white birds with long legs) and the sacred cows, allowed to roam freely.

There are also numerous freely roaming dogs who seem to sleep comfortably beside the roads knowing that they won't be harmed. Apparently there are special feeding days arranged for them in different areas too, as well as the locals adopting the dogs they like by giving them a regular meal and comfortable places to sleep.

We eventually arrived at our place to stay for 4 nights in Gal Oya. Wow, is all I can say. Lake side bungalows, a stunningly infinity pool facing the lake and such kind, sweet hosts and staff.

Again they have been looking after us so well. Mohan (the head man) is an absolute gem. Such a good person who works so hard and takes so much care. Love him!

I will share some of our trip out from this base separately as they deserve a space of their own.

Gal Oya Lake Safari (Part 2 Excursion) 

Sharing the Natural Peace of the Wild 

We got a jeep ride out to the lake (Lake Gal Oya is Sri Lankas largest lake) then joined a small outboard boat with a guide. It felt quite intrepid as there were hardly any tourists, other than us) I like it this way!

Out on the open water, sun lighting the way, we saw an array of wonderful wildlife all just simply living their best natural lives.

Elephants in herds or alone, (apparently, they swim out here searching for richer pastures)

A Crocodile minding his own business luckily for us, water buffalo's and many different birds.

The feeling out here was one of great peace. Surrounded by mountains, with pure oxygenated air, animals just allowed to be, felt like entering somewhere very special.

There are apparently 91 Islands here. A truly beautiful place.

We entered and left quietly without disturbance and are grateful for the memories.

Raja Gala Monastery – Part 2 Excursion

A hike into the past 

A hike up to Raja gala 2000-year-old relics of the biggest Buddhist Monasteries of it's time.

It was quite a hard hike up the rocky path, but once at the top the views were worth it, as was the walk around the relics.

We meditated in the same cave as the Monks 2000 years ago. That was really something special!

We got up close to water buffalo's, came across the fresh tracks of elephants and watched monkeys swing from the trees.

After imagining living the monastic life all those years ago we had 1000 steps to climb down, a walk through the jungle and back to civilisation!

We were the only tourists doing this, as although Raja gala is a heritage site of historical significance, it is little known yet on a wider scale.

Again, we had found ourselves off the beaten track experiencing something unique.

Polwatta Temple - Part 2 Local

Being invited in

Walk to Polwatta and the spontaneous meeting with 2 Buddhist Monks.

Our intention was just to explore the local town and visit the temple; however, it turned into something much more than that.

The local temple in Polwatta is looked after by 2 Monks. With a mix of English and Sri Lankan between us we managed a conversation and learnt quite a lot about how they live their simple monastic lives. After showing us the beautiful temple we were invited for coffee.

They kindly gave us both a special blessing and a book they of the Buddhist teachings in English.

When we offered a monetary donation ...they both refused saying Budda provides electricity, a home and food and we don't need anything else.

How lovely ...these Monks certainly live from a place of Abundance. They have enough and are grateful for that.

An extra special experience to be remembered.

Haputale – Part 3 

Hills, Tea Plantations and Waterfalls 

We travelled up to the Hill district in Central Sri Lanka to meet slightly chillier weather, rain and mist. (a bit of a shock after 12 days of sunshine (with just the odd monsoon warm shower)

However, we pressed on with our plans (asking the weather gods for some sun to light up the beautiful views)

Again, we are staying off the beaten track and Haputale feels very unaffected by tourism. We took a tuk tuk (our driver Mohammd Faleen, was our guide) out to visit Eagle Rock, Lipton’s Seat and the Dambatenne Tea Factory.

What a fantastic day it turned out to be. Amazingly the skies cleared just as we reached Eagles Rock and the sun started to appear.

Our drive and walk around the stunning green tea plantations and remote villages was special.

We learnt so much about what goes on behind the scenes of our cups of tea! So much hard work too. There is a lot we take for granted.

Tea is still handpicked, mainly by women 20kg at a time.

Walking back from the highest point Lipton’s Seat (The place Thomas Lipton used to survey his vast empire) really enabled a true connection with this special place.

Diyaluma Falls – Part 3 Excursion

Rock Pools, Natures Pantry  and Sunsets

We arranged for our special Tuk Tuk driver and guide Mohammd Faleen to take us there. What a fantastic day it turned out to be.

Faleen turned the 35km Tuk Tuk journey down the valley into a complete nature discovery experience.

He literally showed us the contents of nature’s pantry.

Peppers, jack fruits, green and orange coconuts, mangos, bananas, duryan fruits, curry plants, lemon, beetle nut...

And jungle products, rubber from the rubber trees, tiger balm plants

The amazing flowers, unusual

butterflies, different types of birds... so much to see.

We had fresh mango juice on route literally hand-picked from the tree. You can't get fresher than that.

The walk up to Diyaluma Falls, was a beautiful hike up and down that was accompanied by our monkey friends.

A cold swim in a natural rock pool, at the top, breathtaking views and a stunning sunset to end the day.

A day filled with so much abundance for which we are truly grateful.

Kandy (capital of the central region) – Part 4 

Temple of the Tooth, Cultural Dance, Budda on the Hill

Just one day (2 nights). What an experience we had.

Staying close to Kandy Lake meant walking its perimeter at different times of the day was possible. Early morning and evening walks offered an entirely different perspective.

A walk up to Arthur's seat (wonderful view), A tuk tuk ride up to the serene white Budda temple on the hill, and the beautiful Stupa close by, lunch at the Hideout Lounge, an early evening cultural dance show (brilliant), a visit to the famous Temple of the Tooth for the evening ceremony (Epic).

It felt like a total immersion in the meaning of life Buddhism guides. The meditative beating of the drums in the temple, the chanting of the locals and feeling of being a small part of something really BIG.

The sights and sounds of our one day in Kandy will stay with me.

Habarana (Central province) – Part 5 On Route

Dambulla,  Buddhist Cave Temples and Lots of Monkeys

This is one of the most iconic Sri Lankan images and experiences. A historical treasure, full of Buddhist art first created more than 2000 years ago.

Again, this was an amazingly special experience. Our walk up to the cave temple was accompanied by more monkeys than we have seen so far on this trip. (really sweet!)

The pictures speak for themselves. Epic.

Sigiriya Rock – Part 6 - On Route to Ging Oya, Negombo

Scary Rock Scrambling and Stunning Views 

The main stop today on route was to hike up to Pidurangula Peak for a special view of Sigiriya Rock otherwise known as Lion Rock. Another iconic experience.

From a monastery at its base, it was a 45-minute tough hike up.

Numerous rock stairs to start with, but with some scary rock scrambling near the top. One bit involved a rope. You can only image. The views of the special Sigiriya Rock did however make it worth the effort.

The route down was made slightly easier as I saw an alternative to the rope scramble that had not been obvious beforehand. (if only!)

We had coffee at the bottom surrounded by Monkeys 

We had decided to spend our last few days in this beautiful country relaxing in a quiet place near the coast to recharge after a lot of travelling and rich experiences.

So, reaching Ging Oya after a 3-hour drive (Near Negombo) was welcome. A peaceful jungle lodge (only an hour from the airport)

A time now to reflect of the impact this trip has had and how grateful we are to have been able to do it together.

It has been EPIC!