Wild Elephants 🐘, Beaches & Scenic Train Rides
Dates: December 28th – January 5th
Cost: €2,650
Country: Sri Lanka
After hosting SIX AMAZING trips to Sri Lanka over the past 4 years, Janet’s Journeys is launching another unforgettable trip to this magical country and we’re going for New Year’s Eve 2026 🎉
This 9-day adventure packs in an almost unfair amount of variety. Ancient rock fortresses, two national park safaris, tea-covered highlands, a colonial fort town, a beach stretch along the south coast, and one of the most scenic train journeys on the planet. Sri Lanka is one of those places that just keeps delivering, and we think it might be one of our best trips yet!
What’s Included
Airport pick-up the day the trip starts
All domestic transport, including scenic train ride to Ella
All accommodation
All activities as stated, including sunset boat rides and Jeep safaris at national parks
Entrance fees to all sites
New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner!
Meals, as stated
Local Sri Lankan guide
Janet’s Journeys Trip Leader
Excluded
Visa fees (if applicable)
Unspecified meals
Personal expenses
International Flights
Travel Insurance
Tips for guides
Accomodation
Throughout the trip you’ll stay in a mix of beach hotels, heritage properties, boutique mountain retreats and safari lodges.
All rooms on all trips are shared, with 2 people in each room. We will partner you with an adventure buddy – an amazing way to make new friends! You’ll be moved around to pair up with a new friend every couple of nights.
All rooms will be twin-sharing, private rooms.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Negombo
Welcome to Sri Lanka! You will arrive in the capital, Negombo, home to beautiful palm tree-lined beaches! You’ll be met at the airport by our guide and transferred to the beachside town of Negombo.
As people arrive at different times throughout the day, we will have a relaxing day by the pool so everyone can get acquainted!
This evening, we’ll take a sunset boat ride through the lagoon, drinks and fruit in hand, which is honestly one of the nicest ways to arrive anywhere.
Meals: Welcome Dinner
Day 2 - Dambulla
After breakfast, we heaead north to Dambulla, stopping at the incredible Dambulla Rock Cave, and hike up the steps to get to this enchanting cave temple situated at the top of a hill. Be prepared for some steps, but the view is worth the climb!
The evening brings our first safari, a jeep drive through Minneriya National Park. Minneriya is famous for one thing: elephants. During the dry season, hundreds gather at the reservoir in what’s known as “The Gathering”. We’ll also spot some leopards, deer and other wildlife here!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3 - Sigiriya
After an early hotel breakfast (their buffets are incredible!), we’ll make our way to one of Sri Lanka’s most famous sites, Sigiriya. Sigiriya is a 5th-century royal palace built on top of a 200-metre volcanic rock, with ancient frescoes halfway up and panoramic views from the summit. Proper bucket list stuff.
If you’re up for a very early start, there’s also an optional pre-breakfast hike up Pidurangala Rock for a different angle on the whole thing.
This evening, a catamaran ride on the lake is followed by a BBQ dinner. Good food, good company, can’t complain.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 4 - New Year's Eve! Kandy, Ambuluwawa & Nuwara Eliya
Today we leave Sigiriya and make our way up into the hill country, with a couple of stops along the way. First up is Kandy, where we’ll visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic. This is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world, home to a tooth of the Buddha himself.
From there, we continue up into the hills to the Ambuluwawa Tower in Gampola, a spiral tower rising above a biodiversity complex with views across the highland landscape.
Then we continue up into the cool, foggy hills to Nuwara Eliya, a former British colonial retreat nicknamed “Little England” for its strawberry farms, horse racing and old tudor-style estates. Tonight is our New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner. Ring in 2027 in proper style.
Meals: Breakfast & New Year’s Eve Dinner
Day 5 - Train to Ella
Happy New Year! Today is the day! We make our way to Nanu Oya station to board the train to Ella, widely considered one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world! Nine carriages winding through misty tea estates and steep green valleys. You’ll want a window seat, some pretty dresses and the guts to hang on the side of the train for photos 😀
We arrive in Ella and spend the afternoon exploring: the famous Nine Arch Bridge, Ella Gap viewpoint, and Rawana Falls are all on the cards. Ella is a small, laid-back town with brilliant food spots and a great vibe for an evening out. The town gives ‘Bali vibes’ as it’s super geared towards backpackers and has so many great bars and restaurants. It’s the backpacking epicentre of Sri Lanka!
We’ll do some sightseeing in the afternoon, and there’s an opportunity to go ziplining and have some chill time at a pool club.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 - Little Adam's Peak & Yala National Park
Today, we have an early wake-up call, and we start our hike up Little Adams Peak (30-45 mins, don’t worry!) to catch the sunrise. This is one of the most spectacular views in all of Sri Lanka.
In the afternoon, we’ll do a jeep safari in Yala, where you can see wild elephants, incredible bird life and leopards! Yala has the highest density of leopards of any national park in the world. We can’t promise a sighting (that’s wildlife for you), but the odds here are about as good as they get anywhere on earth.
We’re staying at one of our favourite hotels in Sri Lanka as it’s practically INSIDE the National Park and often has some very large visitors at night…
There’s even a lake on the grounds full of crocodiles…and yes, sometimes they do come walking out looking for some snacks!
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 7 - South Coast Beaches
We leave the wildlife behind and head for the coast, arriving in the Unawatuna and Galle area by mid-morning. The rest of the day is yours! Chill by the beach, swim, explore, and eat. We’ll stay near the water and let Sri Lanka’s south coast do its thing.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 - Galle Fort & Colombo
After a leisurely breakfast, we drive up to Colombo via Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Dutch in the 1600s and still intact. It’s full of boutique shops, cafes and gorgeous colonial architecture.
We arrive in Colombo in the afternoon with time for some last-minute shopping and a final group dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 9 - Departure
It’s a wrap! Bus will transfer everyone to Colombo’s airport for their flights home.
Safe travels and we’ll see you on the next one!
Meals: Breakfast
FAQ & Itinerary Note:
This itinerary, as always, is open to small changes depending on the weather, flights, etc. Fear not, if we have to make any adjustments, it will be to swap something out with an equally, if not better, experience!
I'm ready! How do I book?
Ready for an unforgettable adventure in Sri Lanka? Click the BOOK NOW button to head to our payment portal and secure your spot with a €750 deposit. The remaining balance will be divided into two equal payments, due 2 and 3 months before departure.
Need a custom payment plan? No problem! Reach out to us, and we’ll create a plan tailored to your needs. Remember, spots are booked on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t wait!
How many people are on the trip?
This trip requires a minimum number of guests to proceed, and this minimum must be met at least 4 months before departure to be guaranteed. If the minimum number of guests is not met by then, a full refund will be issued.
Expect to travel with 6-14 new friends!
Why are deposits non-refundable?
The deposit for your trip is non-refundable due to several important factors. Firstly, when you book a spot, we immediately begin the process of planning and preparing for your journey. This involves engaging staff who work diligently behind the scenes to ensure every aspect of your trip is meticulously organised. These preparations often involve upfront costs that are incurred from the moment your booking is confirmed. Additionally, by requiring a non-refundable deposit, we aim to ensure that all participants are committed to the trip.
We understand that plans can change, which is why we insist all travellers have trip insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances that might affect their ability to participate.
What about my other payments? Are they refundable?
All payments, except your deposit, are fully refundable three months prior to the departure date. After the three-month mark, any payments made are non-refundable. This is because we are usually unable to find a replacement at such short notice, and have contracts in place with our vendors that need to be fulfilled.
Again, we strongly recommend all travellers have travel insurance so that they can refund you should your plans change. At the end of the day, we are a small business, and we want nothing more than to continue showing our guests the world. We hope you understand the importance of adhering strictly to this policy.
How much money will I need for non-included meals, alcohol, and souvenirs?
Sri Lanka is great value once you’re there. For non-included meals, you’re looking at roughly €5–10 for a local lunch and €10–20 for dinner at a decent restaurant. A beer runs about €1–3 depending on where you are, and cocktails at beach bars tend to stay under €5.
For souvenirs, the obvious ones are Ceylon tea, spices, and handmade textiles. You can pick up lovely gifts without spending much at all. If you want to splash out, Sri Lankan gems and sapphires are famously good value compared to anywhere else in the world.
How does tipping work?
To make things smooth and stress-free, we will be collecting a kitty of €50-100 at the beginning of the trip. This ensures all of our incredible on-the-ground vendors are taken care of, including guides, drivers, meals, and activities that are listed in your itinerary.
For any additional meals or personal expenses not included in the itinerary, you should expect to pay a separate tip. We will guide you on what is appropriate throughout the trip so you feel confident and comfortable.
How physically demanding is the trip?
This trip is accessible for most people in reasonable health. The Sigiriya climb, Little Adam’s Peak hike and the optional Pidurangala Rock walk are the most active parts. Sigiriya involves around 1,200 steps so a decent level of fitness will help. Nothing is obligatory – you can always wait at the base if needed.
Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?
Yes! Most of our group meals are served buffet-style with plenty of variety. Sri Lankan food is naturally quite veggie-friendly, with lots of rice, dhal, curries and fresh coconut dishes. Just let us know your requirements in advance.
What if I want my own room?
We believe that rooming is one of the best parts of the experience. It feels a little like adult summer camp and has always been a highlight for our guests, with nothing but positive feedback in the past.
That being said, if you feel that sharing does not suit your travel style, we are happy to discuss the option of a single room supplement. Simply reach out to us at janetsgrouptrips@gmail.com and we will do our best to accommodate you.
What are the health and vaccination requirements?
There are no required vaccinations to enter Sri Lanka. However, it’s always wise to be up-to-date with routine vaccinations. We recommend to consider vaccinations for MMR, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, and yellow fever (if travelling from a country with yellow fever risk). Please consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice.
Who’s leading the trip?
An experienced Janet’s Journeys leader and a local tour guide will be with you every step of the way.
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