Your itinerary
Day 1
Day 1: Negombo
Arrive at any time. No planned activities before the evening welcome meeting with the CEO and fellow travellers; check the lobby notice or ask reception for the meeting time and place. You may join the group for an optional local meal afterwards.
Day 2
Day 2: Negombo/Kandy
Drive by private vehicle to Kandy, visiting a spice plantation and herbal centre en route for an interactive session about Ayurvedic herbs. Have lunch at G Adventures-supported Sthree Craft Shop and Café, then visit the Temple of the Tooth with local guides.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Day 3
Day 3: Kandy
Enjoy a free day to explore Kandy.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4
Day 4: Kandy to Ella area
Travel by private vehicle to Nuwara Eliya and enjoy free time, then continue to the Ella area. Stay for two nights at G Adventures-supported AMBA Estate, an organic tea plantation and guest house. Learn about traditional tea hand-rolling and prepare and eat local food.
Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 5
Day 5: Ella area
Tour the tea plantation, learn about tea production and enjoy a tea tasting. Spend the afternoon at leisure, with the option to hike to Ella Rock or visit Ella town by tuk tuk. In the evening, enjoy a cooking demonstration of homestyle Sri Lankan dishes.
Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 6
Day 6: Ella/Udawalawe National Park
Leave Amba Estate after breakfast and travel by private vehicle to Udawalawe National Park for an afternoon wildlife safari. Drive through the reserve and make stops to observe Sri Lankan elephants.
Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 7
Day 7: Udawalawe National Park/Unawatuna
After breakfast, transfer from Udawalawe to Galle for a tour of Galle Fort and the city, including its Dutch architecture and the Dutch Hospital shopping complex. Continue to Unawatuna on the south coast.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8
Day 8: Unawatuna/South Malé Atoll
Fly to Malé and transfer to the waterfront to meet the boat captain and crew. Board the dhoni and cruise for 2–3 hours through Vaadhoo Canal to an island in South Malé Atoll, probably Guraidhoo, where the boat is expected to moor in or just outside the harbour.
Meals: Dinner
Day 9
Day 9: South Malé Atoll/Felidhu Atholhu
Cruise around South Malé and Felidhu atolls, visiting islands and sandbars, including Bodu Mora’s uninhabited beaches. Cross the channel into Felidhu Atoll, where there may be an opportunity to see traditional boat-building. Snorkel reefs and shipwrecks, or swim and relax aboard the dhoni; snorkelling may be available about twice daily, with chances to see tropical fish, turtles, reef sharks, stingrays and octopuses. Take part in a beach clean-up, and enjoy free time on the sundeck.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 10
Day 10: South Malé Atoll/Felidhu Atholhu
Spend the next five days cruising around the South Malé and Felidhu atolls, disembarking to visit islands and sandbars along the way. Snorkel ship wrecks and reefs and Bodu Moro Island is home to idyllic uninhabited beaches – the perfect photo opt.Aboard the dhoni, spend free time as you please – lounge on the sundecks and take in the views, relax with a good book, or socialize with fellow travellers as you enjoy delicious local seafood. Off the boat, opt to swim and enjoy snorkelling about twice a day amongst the spectacular marine life of the Maldives. The shallow islands and amazing coral reefs make it a key feeding ground for many species of tropical fish. Keep an eye out for turtles, reef sharks, stingrays, and octopuses.
Cruise to the southernmost point of South Malé Atoll before crossing the channel into Felidhu Atoll. The main industry here is fishing and there is typically an opportunity to see traditional boat-building on at least one of the islands.
ACTIVITY: The Maldives offer some of the most amazing snorkelling and marine life viewing opportunities in the world. The shallow islands and plentiful coral reefs make it a key feeding ground for many species of tropical fish. 70 different species of colourful corals make up the flora of this underwater city, with more than 700 species of fish and other marine life making up its fauna. Snorkelling is one of the simplest ways to experience this impressive underwater world.
ACTIVITY: Unrecycled plastic in the Maldives is compromising sea life, shorelines, and health for communities. On your trip you will have the opportunity to do a beach clean up to support community environmental initiatives in the country. All plastic collected through our partner is properly recycled and reused to create new materials.
ACTIVITY: Experience one of the Maldives uninhabited islands, with a visit to stunning Bodu Mora. The island’s stretch of idyllic beach is home to lush palm trees, soft sands, and crystal clear blue waters.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard this Maldivian boat and float on to the next stop.
FREE TIME: Relax on the sundeck, snorkel in the crystal-clear waters, go for a swim, have a cocktail, or read a book. Free time is yours to enjoy!
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 11
Day 11: South Malé Atoll/Felidhu Atholhu
Spend the next five days cruising around the South Malé and Felidhu atolls, disembarking to visit islands and sandbars along the way. Snorkel ship wrecks and reefs and Bodu Moro Island is home to idyllic uninhabited beaches – the perfect photo opt.Aboard the dhoni, spend free time as you please – lounge on the sundecks and take in the views, relax with a good book, or socialize with fellow travellers as you enjoy delicious local seafood. Off the boat, opt to swim and enjoy snorkelling about twice a day amongst the spectacular marine life of the Maldives. The shallow islands and amazing coral reefs make it a key feeding ground for many species of tropical fish. Keep an eye out for turtles, reef sharks, stingrays, and octopuses.
Cruise to the southernmost point of South Malé Atoll before crossing the channel into Felidhu Atoll. The main industry here is fishing and there is typically an opportunity to see traditional boat-building on at least one of the islands.
ACTIVITY: The Maldives offer some of the most amazing snorkelling and marine life viewing opportunities in the world. The shallow islands and plentiful coral reefs make it a key feeding ground for many species of tropical fish. 70 different species of colourful corals make up the flora of this underwater city, with more than 700 species of fish and other marine life making up its fauna. Snorkelling is one of the simplest ways to experience this impressive underwater world.
ACTIVITY: Unrecycled plastic in the Maldives is compromising sea life, shorelines, and health for communities. On your trip you will have the opportunity to do a beach clean up to support community environmental initiatives in the country. All plastic collected through our partner is properly recycled and reused to create new materials.
ACTIVITY: Experience one of the Maldives uninhabited islands, with a visit to stunning Bodu Mora. The island’s stretch of idyllic beach is home to lush palm trees, soft sands, and crystal clear blue waters.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard this Maldivian boat and float on to the next stop.
FREE TIME: Relax on the sundeck, snorkel in the crystal-clear waters, go for a swim, have a cocktail, or read a book. Free time is yours to enjoy!
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 12
Day 12: South Malé Atoll/Felidhu Atholhu
Spend the next five days cruising around the South Malé and Felidhu atolls, disembarking to visit islands and sandbars along the way. Snorkel ship wrecks and reefs and Bodu Moro Island is home to idyllic uninhabited beaches – the perfect photo opt.Aboard the dhoni, spend free time as you please – lounge on the sundecks and take in the views, relax with a good book, or socialize with fellow travellers as you enjoy delicious local seafood. Off the boat, opt to swim and enjoy snorkelling about twice a day amongst the spectacular marine life of the Maldives. The shallow islands and amazing coral reefs make it a key feeding ground for many species of tropical fish. Keep an eye out for turtles, reef sharks, stingrays, and octopuses.
Cruise to the southernmost point of South Malé Atoll before crossing the channel into Felidhu Atoll. The main industry here is fishing and there is typically an opportunity to see traditional boat-building on at least one of the islands.
ACTIVITY: The Maldives offer some of the most amazing snorkelling and marine life viewing opportunities in the world. The shallow islands and plentiful coral reefs make it a key feeding ground for many species of tropical fish. 70 different species of colourful corals make up the flora of this underwater city, with more than 700 species of fish and other marine life making up its fauna. Snorkelling is one of the simplest ways to experience this impressive underwater world.
ACTIVITY: Unrecycled plastic in the Maldives is compromising sea life, shorelines, and health for communities. On your trip you will have the opportunity to do a beach clean up to support community environmental initiatives in the country. All plastic collected through our partner is properly recycled and reused to create new materials.
ACTIVITY: Experience one of the Maldives uninhabited islands, with a visit to stunning Bodu Mora. The island’s stretch of idyllic beach is home to lush palm trees, soft sands, and crystal clear blue waters.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard this Maldivian boat and float on to the next stop.
FREE TIME: Relax on the sundeck, snorkel in the crystal-clear waters, go for a swim, have a cocktail, or read a book. Free time is yours to enjoy!
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 13
Day 13: South Malé Atoll/Felidhu Atholhu
Spend the next five days cruising around the South Malé and Felidhu atolls, disembarking to visit islands and sandbars along the way. Snorkel ship wrecks and reefs and Bodu Moro Island is home to idyllic uninhabited beaches – the perfect photo opt.Aboard the dhoni, spend free time as you please – lounge on the sundecks and take in the views, relax with a good book, or socialize with fellow travellers as you enjoy delicious local seafood. Off the boat, opt to swim and enjoy snorkelling about twice a day amongst the spectacular marine life of the Maldives. The shallow islands and amazing coral reefs make it a key feeding ground for many species of tropical fish. Keep an eye out for turtles, reef sharks, stingrays, and octopuses.
Cruise to the southernmost point of South Malé Atoll before crossing the channel into Felidhu Atoll. The main industry here is fishing and there is typically an opportunity to see traditional boat-building on at least one of the islands.
ACTIVITY: The Maldives offer some of the most amazing snorkelling and marine life viewing opportunities in the world. The shallow islands and plentiful coral reefs make it a key feeding ground for many species of tropical fish. 70 different species of colourful corals make up the flora of this underwater city, with more than 700 species of fish and other marine life making up its fauna. Snorkelling is one of the simplest ways to experience this impressive underwater world.
ACTIVITY: Unrecycled plastic in the Maldives is compromising sea life, shorelines, and health for communities. On your trip you will have the opportunity to do a beach clean up to support community environmental initiatives in the country. All plastic collected through our partner is properly recycled and reused to create new materials.
ACTIVITY: Experience one of the Maldives uninhabited islands, with a visit to stunning Bodu Mora. The island’s stretch of idyllic beach is home to lush palm trees, soft sands, and crystal clear blue waters.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard this Maldivian boat and float on to the next stop.
FREE TIME: Relax on the sundeck, snorkel in the crystal-clear waters, go for a swim, have a cocktail, or read a book. Free time is yours to enjoy!
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 14
Day 14: South Malé Atoll/Male
Make the short crossing to Malé in the morning. The tour ends on arrival at Malé International Airport; the CEO can assist with onward travel arrangements.
Meals: Breakfast
What’s included
What’s not included
Additional information
Meals Included
Group Size
Solo Travellers
Meals
Minimum Age
Local Dress
Important Notes
Group Leader
About Accommodation
What to Take
Spending Money
Udawalawe National Park 4x4 Safari
On day 6, enter the open grasslands and reservoir-edge scrub of Udawalawe National Park for an afternoon 4×4 safari. Scan the plains for wild Sri Lankan elephants and keep an eye on the treeline for toque macaques, peafowl, and raptors riding the thermals.
Guides help you read the landscape—fresh footprints, snapped branches, the hush before movement. With broad views and frequent sightings, Udawalawe offers superb wildlife photography. You’ll pause for photos and reflection at the water’s edge before exiting as the light softens across the dam and hills.
Galle Fort & Historic City Walk
Travel west on day 7 to explore the Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site shaped by Portuguese foundations and Dutch ramparts. Stroll bastions toward the Galle Lighthouse as waves strike the rocks below and sea breeze cools the lanes.
Within the walls, your guide points out Dutch-period warehouses, pillared verandas and the Old Gate’s VOC crest. Learn how the fort endured the 2004 tsunami and why today’s cafés, galleries, and the Dutch Hospital precinct bring a lively contrast to centuries of maritime history.
Dhoni Liveaboard Cruise: South Malé to Felidhu Atolls
Fly to Malé on day 8 and board a traditional wooden dhoni to set sail through the atolls. Cross the Vaadhoo Channel toward Guraidhoo, then spend days 8–14 navigating turquoise lagoons and mooring in quiet anchorages where palms fringe chalk-white beaches.
Life on board is unhurried—watch for flying fish from the sundeck, sip tea as islands slide by, and fall asleep to the slap of water on the hull. Your crew charts a course that balances snorkelling, island visits, and time to simply soak in the lagoon calm under bright tropical skies.
Guided Reef Snorkelling Sessions & Coral Gardens
Across days 9–13, slip into the water for guided sessions that snorkel vibrant coral reefs and sheltered bommies. Drift above parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish, and keep an eye out for turtles and reef sharks gliding along the drop-off. Sites may include a shallow wreck cloaked in coral.
Briefings cover currents, entry points and reef etiquette to protect the delicate corals—part of a living mosaic with dozens of species. Between swims, dry off on deck with tropical views and trade sightings as the dhoni repositions to the next crystalline lagoon.
Fulidhoo & Felidhu Island Visits with Bodu Beru Performance
Come ashore during days 9–13 on community islands like Fulidhoo and Felidhu to meet shopkeepers, see traditional carpentry and, when available, hear the pulse of Bodu Beru drumming. The insistent beat builds as dancers step into rhythm against a backdrop of palms and lagoon.
Guides share insights into everyday island life and seafaring heritage, from fishing to boat-building methods. Respect local customs with modest dress, then return to the dhoni as the sun softens and the evening breeze carries the last notes across the harbor.
Bodu Mora Uninhabited Island & Sandbar Beach Time
During days 9–13, land on the uninhabited island of Bodu Mora or a nearby sandbar where powder-soft sands meet water the color of blown glass. Swim, beachcomb for shells, or simply stretch out beneath leaning palms as the crew stands by.
This is the Maldives at its most elemental—shallow, clear lagoons graded in blues, gentle surf, and the hush of wind through fronds. Linger to watch sunset over the lagoon before motoring back to the dhoni’s warm lights and dinner on deck.
Ella Rock Hike
Use your free afternoon on day 5 to set out with a local guide toward the summit of Ella Rock. Follow tea-lined paths and railway verges as the trail climbs to wide views over misty valleys and distant peaks, with breezes scented by eucalyptus.
The hike is moderately strenuous on uneven ground and typically takes several hours. Your CEO can arrange guiding and transfers. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, rewarding those who seek misty mountain passes and a quiet perch above the hill country.
Negombo Group Dinner
After the welcome meeting on day 1, you may choose to join your CEO and group for dinner at a local restaurant. Try lagoon-fresh prawns, tangy curries and coconut-rich sides while toasting the journey ahead in Sri Lanka’s coastal breeze.
It’s a relaxed chance to swap stories and settle in before the inland adventure begins. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; your CEO will suggest trusted spots that showcase Negombo’s seafood heritage.
AMBA Estate Stay: Tea Hand-Rolling Tour & Sri Lankan Cooking
Nestled above Bandarawela in the hills near Ella, your AMBA Estate stay on days 4–5 combines craft and cuisine. Join artisans to learn traditional hand-rolling techniques used for small-batch teas, then taste a flight of amber infusions that reveal the terroir of these mist-kissed gardens.
As afternoon light fades over the valley, roll up your sleeves for a cooking demonstration featuring home-style Sri Lankan dishes—think lentil dhal, pol sambol and seasonal curries. Along the way, hear how the estate’s fair wages and co-operatives support local livelihoods, linking your table to the community’s future.
Maldives Plastic Clean-Up: Community Stewardship
Join your crew and fellow travellers on days 9–13 to join a guided beach clean-up on a local shoreline. Gloves and bags in hand, you’ll collect discarded plastics and learn how partner organizations support community environmental initiatives through sorting and responsible recycling.
It’s a hands-on way to give back to the islands you’re exploring and help protect the delicate reef ecosystems you’ve been snorkelling. A short effort leaves a tangible impact—clearer sand, safer shores, and a deeper connection to the Maldives beyond its postcard beauty.
Tuk-Tuk Ride into Ella Town
Prefer wheels to walking on day 5? Zip into Ella by tuk-tuk, skirting tea estates and hairpin bends to reach cafés, handicraft stalls, and laid-back viewpoints. It’s a lively way to take in the hill town’s buzz and browse for a spicy snack or fresh juice.
Ask your CEO to arrange a reliable driver; rides are short and scenic. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, perfect for travellers who want to capture scenic views and sample local life with minimal effort.
Spice Plantation Visit & Ayurveda Talk (En Route to Kandy)
On day 2, break the journey to Kandy with a visit to a working spice garden. Stroll among neat plots of cinnamon, cardamom and cloves as guides explain cultivation and harvesting. Join a short session to learn about Ayurveda, Sri Lanka’s age-old system of wellness, and see how roots, leaves, and oils become everyday remedies.
As aromas drift through the shade, you’ll gain context for Sri Lanka’s historic role in the global spice trade and how these botanicals shaped cuisine and healing traditions. Expect a practical, hands-on demonstration and time for questions before continuing into the hills toward Kandy’s lake and temples.
Lunch at Sthree Craft Shop & Café, Kandy (G for Good)
Arriving in Kandy on day 2, sit down to share a home-style lunch at Sthree Craft Shop & Café, a social enterprise that empowers local women and youth. Enjoy fragrant rice, vegetable curries and sambols while hearing how skills training in crafts and hospitality creates sustainable livelihoods.
Browse colourful handwoven goods and meet the people behind them, gaining insight into daily life beyond the sights. This meaningful stop connects your travels to community impact and the warm hospitality Kandy is known for.
Temple of the Tooth Guided Visit, Kandy
Later on day 2, enter the lakeside complex of the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa), where a sacred tooth relic of the Buddha is enshrined in a gilded casket. Walk past lotus offerings and white-clad pilgrims as your guide interprets shrines, murals, and ritual spaces.
Within this UNESCO-listed royal capital, the sound of drums and the scent of sandalwood evoke centuries of devotion. You’ll pause for photos and reflection beside Kandy Lake, learning how the temple’s rituals continue to anchor spiritual life in the hill country.
Welcome Meeting in Negombo
Arrive in the laid-back fishing town of Negombo and, in the evening on day 1, meet your CEO and group for a friendly welcome briefing at the hotel. Get a clear run-through of the journey from Sri Lanka’s hills to the Maldives’ lagoons, plus tips on customs, temple etiquette, and what to expect day to day.
With introductions made and questions answered, you’ll enjoy a free evening to settle in by the beach-fringed lagoon and feel the coastal breeze. This relaxed start sets the tone for the days ahead, building camaraderie and confidence before you head inland toward Kandy’s royal heritage and the tea-clad highlands.
