Discover Kerala & Sri Lanka: Islands & Ruins

18 Days
From CAD 2099
Best Rate
Guarantee
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Average

Rating


(20 reviews)

Experience Overview

Now's the time to explore South India and Sri Lanka on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers. Get a taste of South India's diversity before making your way to Sri Lanka, a small island that packs a huge cultural punch. You and your fellow trip-mates will make your way down India’s southwest coast, watching sunsets in Kochi before laying out on whitesand beaches and dabbling in (or tumbling through) yoga in your free time. In Sri Lanka, 'gram some beautiful ruins, hike through tea plantations, tour a spice garden, and say hello to even more beachy days at Hikkaduwa. This 18-day journey lets you relax or run around as much as you see fit.

Highlights

  • Stay with a local family in Alleppey for a real taste of the culture
  • Check out the catch of the day at Kollam’s fishing docks
  • Visit the G Adventures-supported Sthree Craft Shop and Café
  • Learn about local plants uses at a Spice Garden
  • Trek to Little Adam’s peak

Trip Details

Product CodeProduct Code: 1526

Tour TypeTour Type: Small Group

AccommodationAccommodation: Basic

TransportTransport: Private vehicle, walking, tuk-tuk, ferry, local bus, train, airplane.

Guide LanguageGuide Language: English

Supplier CodeSupplier Code: AHKH

StartStarts: Kochi, India

FinishFinishes: Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka

DurationDuration: 18 days

DeparturesDepartures: Guaranteed

Physical RatingPhysical rating: Average

Includes

Activities

  • Your G for Good Moment: Lunch at Theruvarom Women Empowerment Project, Alleppey Your G for Good Moment: Breakfast at Sthree Craft Shop and Café, Kandy Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends Your Local Living Moment: Alleppey Homestay, Alleppey Your Big Night Out Moment: Kochi Nightlife, Kochi Your Big Night Out Moment: Hikkaduwa Beach Bar, Hikkaduwa
  • Guided Kerala boat tour and homestay
  • Morning ferry cruise on Kollam's backwaters
  • Neendakara Fishing Harbour visit
  • Orientation walks in Kochi, and Kollam
  • Internal flights
  • Sri Lankan lunch at a local village
  • Spice garden visit
  • Tea plantation tour
  • Little Adam's Peak Tour
  • Galle Fort tour
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodation

  • Simple hotels/guest houses (16 nts), homestay (1 nt).
  • 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

  • Private vehicle, walking, tuk-tuk, ferry, local bus, train, airplane.

Group Leader

  • CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 2099 (CAD 117 /day)

Itinerary

1

Day 1: Kochi

Arrive at any time and welcome to the port city of Kochi, known for its unique fishing nets, artsy cafes, and tasty seafood.

Get to know your fellow travellers in the seaside neighbourhood of Fort Kochi. Stroll along the tropical backwaters and capture a group photo in the stunning scenery. Pick the best looking spot and cheers to new adventures and friends!

2

Day 2: Kochi/Alleppey

Travel to Alleppey, a golden streak of land woven with rivers, lakes, lagoons, and canals. Enjoy an empowering lunch before checking out the island along the lagoon with a local guide and learn about the way of life here. Settle into a homestay and get to know your hosts.

3

Day 3: Alleppey/Kollam

Explore the unique ecosystem of Alleppey backwaters on a morning ferry cruise. Afterward, travel down the coast by bus to the port city of Kollam. On arrival, choose to relax on the beach, climb Thangassery Light House, or peruse the nightlife.

4

Day 4: Kollam/Varkala

Visit the Kollam Harbour and experience the importance of fishing for the community. Afterward, settle into a private vehicle and see who can count the most palm trees as you cruise down the coast to tropical Varkala. Enjoy lots of free time to explore the town, get treated by local healers, or visit the Varkala Temple.
Note that Kollam Harbour is closed to visitors May through June.

5

Day 5: Varkala

Choose your own adventure today, exploring Varkala solo or with your new friends. Spend time wandering the peaceful gardens of an ashram devoted to Kerala's most eminent spiritual and social reformer at the mystical Janardhana Swamy Temple. Or head to the beach and relax while watching the Arabian Sea with a drink in hand.

6

Day 6: Varkala/Kochi

Return to Kochi by train and take an orientation walk visiting Fort Kochi, St Francis Church, the Dutch cemetery, and the Jewish Quarter with curio shops and a synagogue more than 400-years-old. In the late afternoon, continue to wander the streets or opt to catch a traditional Kathakali dance performance. For your big night out as a group, immerse yourself in the exciting Kochi nightlife. Enjoy a drink on us and reminisce about the life-changing adventures you've shared.

7

Day 7: Kochi/Negombo

Fly from Kochi to the stunning island country of Sri Lanka, landing first in Negombo. Spend the evening at the beach relaxing under a leaning palm tree and toast to the sun a goodnight.
Today, new travellers may join you for the rest of your adventure (yay! more friends). You are welcome to join them at a group meeting this evening followed by an optional dinner.

8

Day 8: Negombo/Sigiriya

Travel to the centre of the island to explore the UNESCO World Heritage City, Sigiriya. Opt to visit the Dambulla Cave Temple or the ancient Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

9

Day 9: Sigiriya

Spend the day freely exploring more of this ancient yet luscious region. Opt to visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, view elephants on a safari drive in Minneriya national park, or go back in time at the Anurhadhapura historical site.

10

Day 10: Sigiriya/Digana

Visit a medicinal spice garden en route to Digana. After, enjoy lunch before embarking on a guided village walk for insight into rural daily life. Maybe stop at the home of a crafter who hand-makes delicate Kandyan jewellery or the cottage of a local woman making incense. Later, learn how to cook Sri Lankan bread or sweets while helping out with dinner.

11

Day 11: Digana/Kandy

Enjoy breakfast and soak in the views of the Victoria Reservoir over tea before departing for Kandy. Have an afternoon of free time to explore the sweet city, opting to visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth, view a traditional Kandyan cultural show, or root for a team at a cricket match.

12

Day 12: Kandy/Nuwara Eliya

Enjoy a traditional breakfast prepared by women and youth living with disabilities at G Adventures-supported Sthree Craft Shop and Café. Travel on to the rolling hills and luscious forests of Nuwara Eliya. Visit a tea plantation and opt to explore the beauty on foot.

13

Day 13: Nuwara Eliya/Ella

If you want to experience morning mist flowing through the valley, wake early and trek the serene trails of Horton Plains National Park. In the afternoon, cruise to the laid-back village of Ella and enjoy a free evening to explore or relax.

14

Day 14: Ella

Spend the morning trekking Little Adam's Peak to get a 360-degree view of Sri Lankan countryside encompassing the giant Ella Rock and textured green mountains. For the rest of the day, enjoy the freedom to explore scenic Ella more in-depth. Opt to trek Ella Rock, venture to the iconic Nine Arches Bridge, or hunt for some waterfalls with your fellow explorers.

15

Day 15: Ella/Hikkaduwa

Set off towards the southern coast stopping en route to explore the indestructible Galle Fort. Finish the day's journey oceanside on the white sand beaches of Hikkaduwa.

16

Day 16: Hikkaduwa

Enjoy a free day to bliss out on the beach sipping your favourite drink or jump on a boat in search of whales and dolphins. For your big night out, follow your CEO to the best beach bar in town, enjoy a drink on us, and dance under the stars. Perhaps take a night swim, who knows, see where the night takes you.

17

Day 17: Hikkaduwa

Another day in paradise to recover from last nights fun. Relax on the beach, snorkel with sea creatures, or wander through the bustling beach town. Pick a local restaurant with your buds and reminisce about all the awesome adventures you've experienced over a farewell dinner.

18

Day 18: Hikkaduwa

Wow! What a trip, right? Luckily there is no such thing as goodbye, only until next time. Hug your new friends, exchange social medias, and depart at any time.

Tour Operator

G Adventures

G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.

In Business Since 1990

Reviews

 

Jacqueline H   -  Traveled, November 2022

As a solo traveller it is a safe and easy way to travel and to also travel with like minded people

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 12/12/2022

 

Robyn C   -  Traveled, November 2022

I was able to see and experience a lot of different things that I would not have done if I traveled on my own. I also had a group of people that were very encouraging to enhance my travel experience

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 12/12/2022

 

Stephen I   -  Traveled, November 2022

Well organized

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/28/2022

 

Sylwia Z   -  Traveled, October 2022

Insider tipps from the CEO, great service, always trying to exceed our expectations and surprise us.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/07/2022

 

Lily M   -  Traveled, November 2023

These tours are fun, everything is well organised, it's super easy to meet people, and the guides are incredible.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 12/08/2023

 

Kristina N   -  Traveled, November 2023

Well organised

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/24/2023

 

Nicole J   -  Traveled, October 2023

Well organised and nice group

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 10/27/2023

 

Sifra t   -  Traveled, October 2023

I've never had a bad experience.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 10/27/2023

 

Shu-Min H   -  Traveled, September 2023

I've had good experiences having been on several G Adventures tours already in the past.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/29/2023

 

Fabienne F   -  Traveled, September 2023

Great way to travel for single travellers with limited time to organize their own trip

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/29/2023

 

Rosie W   -  Traveled, July 2023

it's a fantastic way to see a country which i don't know the language for or the local culture well- it makes places more accessible, fun, and memorable as it's shared with so many people.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/29/2023

 

Susannah D   -  Traveled, August 2023

I think these tours are great for young people who want to travel alone and get to meet new people as part of a group. The tours are well organised and the CEO?s are generally knowledgeable and helpful.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/15/2023

 

Jesse M   -  Traveled, August 2023

You can get local advice from someone who knows the region. You can experience more of the country.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/15/2023

 

Mairead F   -  Traveled, April 2023

it's a great way to see places and just get totally immersed. You meet people on the way and it's just a really good way to travel

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 05/12/2023

 

Michaela K   -  Traveled, March 2023

perfect trip, but prices of optional activities often very high and therefore should be known in advance for the whole tour if possible.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/14/2023

 

Paul M   -  Traveled, March 2023

Very easy process. Good deals on trips. Guaranteed to see key places. Takes the hassle out of planning and booking.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/31/2023

 

Mark G   -  Traveled, January 2023

Both my guides (Sama and Ash) where very welcoming and made my holiday stress free and lots of fun. They are the main reason for me to recommend G Adventures.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 02/17/2023

 

Grace D   -  Traveled, January 2023

Enjoyable way to travel if you want to make friends and not plan everything. But if you prefer to do things in your own time then i would recommend going solo. Depends on the friend?s preferred method of travel.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 02/17/2023

 

Johanna H   -  Traveled, January 2023

I've done tours with G before, I have always been happy with it!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 02/06/2023

 

Sofia E   -  Traveled, December 2022

Trips are well organised and the itineraries are varied and fun.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 12/26/2022

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