Experience Overview
Delve into island adventure on this two-week trip combining the highlights of Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Get a flavour of Sri Lanka's culture, wildlife and history with a week-long tour of the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. Then, unwind aboard a traditional Dhoni as we swim, snorkel and cruise our way through the turquoise waters of the Maldives.
Highlights of Sri Lanka - Wander ancient kingdoms, witness Buddhist temples and visit the revered 'temple of the tooth'.
Wilpattu National Park - Take a jeep safari to search for leopards, elephants, and sambar deer.
Maldives cruise - Cruise through the Maldives, visiting remote fishing villages and snorkelling in tranquil waters.
Highlights
- Combine a week exploring Sri Lanka with a Maldives cruise through turquoise waters|Discover Sri Lanka's ancient kingdoms, Buddhist temples, natural beauty and wildlife|Stunning snorkeling with abundant marine life on a Maldives Dhoni cruise
- Explore Sri Lanka's Buddhist Temples and sacred sites|Search for leopards on a jeep safari|Relax on the beautiful beaches of the west coast
- Explore Sri Lanka's Buddhist Temples and sacred sites|Search for leopards on a jeep safari|Relax on the beautiful beaches of the east coast
Trip Details
Product Code: 20320
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Bus4WD
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator: Explore Worldwide
Supplier Code: SLHM
Starts: Sri Lanka
Finishes: Sri Lanka
Duration: 14 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating: Easy
Includes
- Explore Tour Leader
- Driver(s)
- Naturalist(s)
Accommodation
- Earls Regent Hotel
- Lakeside at Nuwarawewa
- Pigeon Island Resort
- Acme Hotel
- Hotel Casamara Kandy
- Mookai Hotel
- Aboard Dhoni
- Koggala Beach Hotel
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $4,830 ($345 /day)
Itinerary
Our tour starts today in Negombo, a coastal town that's famous for its fishing industry and golden sands. The perfect introduction to Sri Lankan life, Negombo is a busy coastal town with a lively fish market, and traditional ketti-maran (catamaran) fishing boats scudding across the waters - the capital, Colombo, is a short distance away, too. Head down to the water to catch the sunset and spot locals bringing in the day's catch.
For those arriving in time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for a welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Negombo at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive into Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), which is a 30-minute drive from our hotel. If you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.
If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to head to the beach or make use of the hotel facilities which include a swimming pool.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Earls Regent Hotel
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - No
- Breakfast Provided - No
- Dinner Provided - No
- Lunch Provided - No
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: None
Leaving Negombo this morning, we'll travel north following the coastal road via the small towns of Chilaw and Putalam before reaching the entrance to Wilpattu National Park, a drive of around four hours including stops. Here, we'll leave our bus and hop in jeeps for an afternoon safari through the park, hoping to spot Sri Lanka's most elusive resident, the leopard.
Despite its location in Sri Lanka's dry zone, Wilpattu National Park boasts nearly 60 lakes and is renowned for being home to leopards, elephants and sambar deer. We'll head out on a jeep safari in the hope of spotting the elusive leopard. We choose to visit this park, rather than the more touristy Yala National Park further south because we believe it offers our customers a better experience. The same animals can be seen here as in Yala, however, it's less crowded, making our visit more enjoyable and responsible.
Leaving the park, we'll drive onwards for about one hour to nearby Anuradhapura, where we'll spend the night.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Lakeside at Nuwarawewa
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - No
- Lunch Provided - No
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast
We start this morning with a visit to the mountain peak of Mihintale. It's believed that this was the site of a momentous meeting between the monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa, introducing Buddhism to the country. Exploring Mihintale involves climbing a flight of shallow stone steps leading to the summit. There are excellent panoramic views from the top across the entire surrounding landscape.
After our visit, we'll board our bus and drive to Trincomalee on the east coast of the island, a journey of around two hours. We'll visit the Koneswaram Temple, which dates back to the 3rd century BC - the ornate design is similar to that of the coloured carved temples of Madurai in South India. After exploring the temple, we'll make our way to the beach and the rest of the day is free to relax.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Pigeon Island Resort
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - No
- Lunch Provided - No
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast
Today is left free for you to relax on the beaches of Trincomalee. The waters on the east coast are particularly calm and shallow, in some areas, you can walk almost 100 metres/328 feet into the sea with the water only being waist height. Alternatively, you could take a short tuk-tuk ride into the town and explore the fort area, built in 1623 by the Portuguese and then captured by the Dutch less than twenty years later.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Pigeon Island Resort
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - No
- Lunch Provided - No
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast
Today we'll leave the coast and head inland. We'll swap our bus for a bullock cart and make our way slowly through a small village on the outskirts of Habarana. Reaching the lake, we'll change seats again and use dugout canoe-style boats - adapted with seats for a more comfortable ride - to cross the lake to Hiriwaduna Village where we'll be treated to a traditional Sri Lankan lunch with various curries, sambal and rice.
Our next stop is Dambulla, where a series of caves have been turned into temples dating from the 1st century BC. This UNESCO World Heritage Site still attracts scores of worshippers. After walking up the hill we'll visit five separate caves, which contain a large number of Buddha images, as well as sculptures of Hindu Gods.
Finally, we'll drive the short distance to Sigiriya where we'll spend the night.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Acme Hotel
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - No
- Lunch Provided - Yes
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast & Lunch
We'll have an early start this morning as we plan to climb Sigiriya ahead of the crowds and while it's still relatively cool. Rising dramatically from the central plains, the UNESCO-protected ruins of this 5th-century 'Sky Fortress' are one of Sri Lanka's major attractions and an impressive feat of engineering skill. The fortress was built in just seven years as a fortified palace atop the granite peak, to protect the reign of merciless King Kassapa who had assassinated his father and deposed his brother.
Before our final ascent to the summit, we'll pass between a set of enormous lion paws carved out of the rock - all that remains of an ancient gateway that gave Sigiriya, the 'Lion Rock', its name. From here a series of switchback steel stairways ascend to the top. Once at the 200-metre/656-foot summit, we can take in the magnificent views of the surrounding jungle and countryside. We return to our hotel in time for a late breakfast.
After a chance to have breakfast and freshen up, we leave the hotel at around 11am and we'll drive for around two and a half hours to Kandy. Sitting on a plateau 500 metres/1640 feet above sea level and 112 kilometres/69 miles northeast of Colombo, Kandy is, in climatic and cultural terms, a world apart from Colombo. Serving as the capital of the last Sinhalese kingdom until falling to the British in 1815, it's a place of cultural and spiritual importance. Buddhists from all over the world come here specifically to visit the Temple of the Tooth, the Dalada Maligawa. The costly jewelled shrine of the Holy Tooth, said to be Buddha's left canine, is kept on the upper floor of the original building. This relic was brought from India 1,500 years ago and every year, at the time of the August full moon, it is paraded around the town as part of the Perahera Festival.
On arrival, we'll have free time to explore this historic town. You might like to visit the Temple of the Tooth or take a short tuk-tuk ride out to Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Hotel Casamara Kandy
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - No
- Breakfast Provided - No
- Dinner Provided - No
- Lunch Provided - No
- Meal Name -
This morning, we'll fly to Male and after meeting up with our representative we'll transfer to our hotel. After checking in, we'll go on a walking tour of the town, taking in the Mosque, the fish market and strolling along the water's edge to watch the ferries coming and going.
Please note, not all group members will join the Maldives extension trip and we'll be saying goodbye to some in Colombo.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Mookai Hotel
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - Yes
- Lunch Provided - No
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner
This morning, we'll drive to Hulhumale Marina to meet our moored dhoni and crew. We'll have breakfast onboard and our tour leader will take time to introduce the crew and tell us about the boat and our day-to-day living for the coming days. We then begin a four-hour cruise south, passing through the Vaadhoo Canal to the South Male Atoll - a smaller and quieter neighbour to the more developed North Male Atoll. Here, many of the islands are uninhabited and are surrounded by clear turquoise water and reefs.
Heading further south, we'll cruise to the Vavuu Atoll, where we'll spend time exploring the picturesque island of Kudiboli. Please note, you don't need special footwear for getting on and off the boat and exploring these islands - most travellers manage just fine in flip-flops.
After our island exploration, we'll spend the afternoon snorkelling or relaxing onboard our dhoni. For our first snorkel we plan to enter the sea from the beach or sand bar into relatively calm waters. All subsequent snorkelling and swimming will be directly from the boat, over reefs and into deeper waters.
Over the week, we're likely to encounter plenty of underwater fauna. We might be lucky enough to spot green turtles, reef sharks and gigantic manta rays, as well as smaller sting rays and eagle rays. At each stop, we'll also swim amongst a rainbow of small, colourful fish, including the famous Clown Fish. Our knowledgeable local guides will be able to help identify many of the underwater species that we come across.
All meals are included on the dhoni. Menus are likely to include freshly caught fish, as well as curries and pasta. Drinking water, tea and coffee are readily available, with alcoholic and soft drinks can be purchased on-board, too. You can pay your bill for drinks at the end of your cruise in USD or by credit card.
Cabins are compact but spacious enough for two people. You also have the option to sleep on deck under the stars some nights.
Please note that the itinerary is entirely dependent on the local weather, winds and tides. It's very often necessary to adapt the planned itinerary to local conditions.
Accommodation:
- Type - Boat
- Accommodation Name - Aboard Dhoni
- Grade - Simple
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - Yes
- Lunch Provided - Yes
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today (if weather conditions for the next couple of days allow it) we'll sail south for a further two or three hours, crossing to Meemu Atoll.
If the weather stops us from doing that, we'll continue to explore Vaavu Atoll, snorkelling in the turtle reef before cruising on to Loabi Faru to snorkel in the pristine reef there. Back on the dhoni, we'll cruise over to Bongo Veli where we plan to spend the night close to a popular sandbank known for its pristine white sand.
We'll have time in the late afternoon to enjoy the white-sand beach, swim and watch the sunset. Later this evening, we can look forward to a barbeque beach banquet in an idyllic spot on the island, laid on by the dhoni crew.
Accommodation:
- Type - Boat
- Accommodation Name - Aboard Dhoni
- Grade - Simple
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - Yes
- Lunch Provided - Yes
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast., we cruise for about an hour to Ruhhuri Hura for a snorkel in a quieter reef. We travel on a short distance to Acho Kacho Reef nearby for another chance to marvel at the marine life and have a swim and snorkel.
Cruising north, we reach the Felidhoo, the administrative centre of Felidhoo Atoll. With a population of about 400, this is the least populated of all the country's administrative centres. Again, we'll take it easy, taking time to visit the village, meet the island's inhabitants and learn about their traditional, yet relaxed, way of life.
Please note, not many tourist groups visit the village and it's essential to dress and act respectfully. This includes removing shoes when visiting a house or a mosque.
Accommodation:
- Type - Boat
- Accommodation Name - Aboard Dhoni
- Grade - Simple
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - Yes
- Lunch Provided - Yes
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Now we've gotten into the flow of island living, our daily routine likely includes reading, sunbathing and napping between island exploration and snorkelling. Our first dip in the ocean today is to snorkel over a shipwreck, spotting myriad colourful fish.
In the afternoon, we'll pick another suitably sheltered location for our second snorkel of the day.
With a subtly different name to our previous day's stop-off, we plan to spend tonight at anchor off Fulidhoo Island. Once again, we'll meet the locals and gain more of an appreciation for their life in this tropical paradise. This evening, we'll enjoy a Bodu Beru performance, the traditional folk music of the country.
Please note that during the month of Ramadan it's not possible to arrange the Bodu Beru drumming performance. In 2026 this runs from 17th February to 18th March, and in 2027 from 7th February to 8th March.
Accommodation:
- Type - Boat
- Accommodation Name - Aboard Dhoni
- Grade - Simple
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - Yes
- Lunch Provided - Yes
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
For an early morning snorkel today, we'll dip into the waters at Nurse Shark Reef. We'll then start to motor back north for around three hours, crossing the channel once again to South Malee Atoll with time for another snorkel at a sheltered spot.
Accommodation:
- Type - Boat
- Accommodation Name - Aboard Dhoni
- Grade - Simple
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - Yes
- Lunch Provided - Yes
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Our last day on the boat sees us cruising back towards Male. Of course, we'll take the opportunity for a final splash in the water with a spot of snorkelling and swimming, at Maafushi Coral Garden and Stingray Point, before enjoying a farewell meal with our boat crew.
If the weather is clear, we'll try to find a natural spot to drop anchor for tonight but most often we find ourselves in Gulhi Falhu Marina.
Accommodation:
- Type - Boat
- Accommodation Name - Aboard Dhoni
- Grade - Simple
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - Yes
- Lunch Provided - Yes
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
The trip ends after breakfast on our dhoni in Male. The crew need to start preparing for the next voyage so we are off boarded after breakfast and dropped at the airport for 9am.
There are no activities planned today, however, the earliest your flight can depart is 11am.
If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at the airport for a cost of $6 per item. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Male International Airport (MLE).
Accommodation:
- Type -
- Accommodation Name -
- Grade -
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - No
- Lunch Provided - No
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast
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Tour Operator
Explore Worldwide
A prominent adventure travel company with over four decades of experience, this business that offers a comprehensive array of unique and thrilling experiences worldwide. Catering to various interests, they provide small group journeys, walking and cycling trips, solo holidays, and family adventures.
In Business Since 1981
Reviews
Anonymous - Traveled, February 2025
Explore leader: for Sri Lanka only satisfactory. Not easy to understand, didn't seem to feel part of the group, didn't join us for meals, a poor communicator (relative to past explore trips) For the dhoni Maldives cruise: Moosa was excellent in every way.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/11/2025
Susan - Traveled, November 2024
The highlights of Sri Lanka and the Dhoni cruise in the Maldives was excellent. The only complaint I have is that I could have spent two weeks on the boat instead of the 8 days. The cruise needs to be longer!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/21/2024
Monica - Traveled, June 2020
Great combination trips for a two week holiday - first a bit of culture, then a lot of ocean and snorkeling!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/17/2020
David - Traveled, May 2020
It was all we imagined
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/01/2020
Anonymous - Traveled, June 2019
Tour guide was fantastic! Very knowledgeable and always willing to meet our needs.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/18/2019
Anonymous - Traveled, May 2019
This is a difficult review, there are two completely different experiences here. Sri Lanka was a whistle-stop taster of central and western Sri Lanka, full on, with a couple of less good trips. We found the 'bullock cart/village' experience embarrassing and excruciating. Totally false and artificial. The Maldives were totally fantastic, but you do need to be a moderately / good snorkeller to get the best out of it. A good underwater camera is a must. The crew were amazing as was the fish based food all freshly caught and prepared.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/11/2019
Paul - Traveled, March 2025
Really enjoyed the trip, in two parts Firstly Sri Lanka highlights Itinery was very good, fitted a lot in to 7 days. Good transfers, reasonable hotels - but wish that more of them were closer to the centre of towns. Kandy one was especially good in that respect. Mixed feelings about "Sam" the Sri Lanka guide. He was a bit grumpy. But mostly he "promised" things eg currency exchange, Sri Lanka to Maldives transfer details but consistently failed to deliver. We had to chase ourselves with local agents to get flight details, which they provided in 5 minutes. Too many "buffet in hotel" meals. Nothing "local" arranged outside. He did "add" Tooth Temple to tour, and arranged for bus to take us all from Kaggola to Galle. Maldives Mahoni trip was wonderful!! Moosa the guide one of the best we have had. A shame he's moving to a rival company. Excellent on board the ship and in the water. Boat facilities excellent, especially the food. But top bunks no safety rail and difficult to get into and out. Provided equipment - seemed fine for people without their own. We only needed flippers and the largest, size 11/12, we're too small for my feet, got blisters on my toes. Really need to reign in your meet/greet bloke at airport ref currency exchange. He was recommending $100 to $150 per person, done via a "bloke with a wallet". Rate was OK BUT... we only changed $100 yet, despite being in Maldives for 3 weeks in total we spent NONE, ZERO, NADDA. And to add insult when we left Maldives the in airport bank couldn't provide £s nor $s nor €s!!! So we are stuck with unusable Maldives currency.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/15/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, June 2019
Brilliant! In Sri Lanka all the trips were brilliant. Personally I could always do with more wildlife to watch and the safari we went on was amazing. Our guide, Anya, with her perfect English was fantastic. Accommodation not too bad. Maldives, wonderful guide, Musa. Boat, was as expected except the accommodation. We were in the forward cabin which was smaller than any others with no space for our bags, so no space for us. Luckily we could sleep on deck. The loo facilities had no window so when generator not on, couldn't switch light on so couldn't use the room, or cupboard! Really only suitable for a single or crew. Also, this cabin is really difficult to access unless you are a boatie person. The boat could do with a better water supply instead of supplying small bottles. These could be refilled from a machine.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/18/2019
Anonymous - Traveled, May 2019
Good trip all round. Caught end of rainy season in Sri Lanka but didn't prevent us seeing everything. Itinery for Maldive Dhoni cruise does not emphasize how much Snorkelling involved and if you don't like being out of your depth it restricts how much you can do. That said guide and crew tried to accomodate everyone. Food exceptional on cruise.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/16/2019
Anonymous - Traveled, May 2018
A great trip of two contrasting halves. Sri Lanka was a bit too hectic with long distances most days. The Maldives was very relaxing but don't go unless you like snorkelling!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/11/2018
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