Ayubowan!
Sri Lanka had been on my travel wish list for a while, and after spending 8 days exploring this beautiful island with Intrepid Travel, I can definitely see why!
I travelled on a familiarisation trip with Intrepid in mid-October 2026, joining their 8-day Classic Sri Lanka tour (Comfort style), starting in Negombo and finishing in Colombo, travelling through Kandy, Habarana and Anuradhapura along the way.
One of the first things you learn in Sri Lanka is the greeting Ayubowan, which is a traditional way of wishing someone a long and happy life. And if there’s one thing that stood out throughout the trip, it was the warmth and friendliness of the local people.
A few of my favourite highlights...
Wildlife and Safari Experiences
One of my biggest highlights was our safari at Hurulu Eco Park, where we spotted several elephants in their natural habitat. We even came across a rather confident bull elephant who was making sure everyone knew he was in charge!
We also decided to add an extra excursion to Wilpattu National Park, which wasn’t included in the original itinerary. It’s one of Sri Lanka’s best-known national parks for leopard spotting, although sightings are never guaranteed.
Lion Rock Fortress – Sigiriya
Absolutely unreal! This ancient rock fortress is one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic sights. There are over 1,000 steps to reach the top, so unfortunately, with my recent knee surgery, climbing wasn’t on the cards for me. However, the beautiful gardens and surrounding scenery at the base were still well worth visiting.
Culture, Food and Local Experiences
From visiting ancient temples and a local tea factory to experiencing traditional Sri Lankan cooking, there was so much packed into the trip.
We enjoyed a visit to the community-based tourism village of Heeloya, where we got to experience a little more of everyday village life and learn about the local community. There was also the option to explore the village on foot or by tuk-tuk (I opted for the tuk-tuk thanks to my recovering knee!).
We also watched a traditional Sri Lankan cultural dance performance, which was a fantastic way to experience some of the country’s traditions.
The food was honestly incredible! We enjoyed two home-cooked traditional meals with local families, and I can confirm that Sri Lankan spicy is on another level!
We also visited the Zero Plastic Impact Centre, an Intrepid Foundation partner, which was a great opportunity to learn more about local initiatives working towards reducing plastic waste.
A Little About Travelling in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has a population of around 22 million people and a tropical climate, with different regions experiencing different weather patterns throughout the year.
We travelled in mid-October, which is part of the second inter-monsoon season, so the forecast wasn’t looking particularly promising before we left. We were incredibly lucky, though, with only one afternoon of rain during the tour, followed by a full day of rain on our final day in Colombo!
Would I Recommend Intrepid? Absolutely!
We had a group of 10 travellers, which was a great size, and our guide really went above and beyond to make sure everyone had a fantastic experience. Having a local guide made such a difference, giving us a much better understanding of the country’s culture, history and everyday life.
My biggest recommendation? If you have the time, I’d suggest allowing at least two weeks in Sri Lanka. Eight days was a fantastic introduction, but there is so much more to explore, and I definitely could have stayed longer!
Sri Lanka is a wonderful mix of wildlife, culture, history, incredible food and genuinely lovely people. It’s definitely a destination I’d recommend adding to your travel wish list!
Ayubowan!
