The Southern Loop
What is The Southern Loop?
Discover the southern heart of Sri Lanka with our comprehensive, premium tour package. This is an all-inclusive experience, meticulously designed to ensure your complete comfort and immersion. Our itinerary is uniquely curated to take you beyond the usual tourist trail, providing exclusive access to sites that are traditionally difficult to find and hard to reach. You can forget the stress of planning and logistics as we meticulously organise everything for you, allowing you to simply relax and fully immerse yourself in the experience. Throughout your entire journey, a dedicated chauffeur-cum-guide will be by your side, serving as both your expert navigator and personal concierge, ensuring your comfort and well-being every step of the way.
What is included?
- Bespoke Transport: Transport is provided via Tuk Tuks, offering an authentic and intimate Sri Lankan travel experience. We believe this method of travel significantly enhances the tour, allowing you to connect authentically with the local landscape and culture. A single Tuk Tuk comfortably accommodates a maximum of two guests. Should you require an alternative mode of transport, we can gladly arrange a motor car for the duration of your tour upon request.
Expert Chauffeuring and Guidance: Each Tuk Tuk is operated by your dedicated fully-qualified and knowledgeable chauffeur-cum-guide.
Accommodation & Dining: All accommodations and all meals throughout the duration of the tour are included in the price.
Access: Inclusive of all necessary entry tickets to attractions.
Note on Beverages: Please note that beverages are excluded from the package price.
Where does the tour start and end?
Your adventure begins and concludes in the coastal city of Matara, just south of Galle, tracing a route through all the key attractions of Southern Sri Lanka.
Joining us from Galle, Mirissa, or any other location in Southern Sri Lanka? We are delighted to arrange complimentary pick-up directly from your hotel on the tour start date.
Should your plans include the scenic hill country city of Ella, you may depart the tour midway at Udawalawe. We will bid you farewell and happily arrange your onward transport to Ella.
For those traveling from Ella, we offer the unique option to join the tour at Udawalawe and experience the Southern Loop traveling in the reverse direction back to Matara.
What should I bring with me?
To ensure the most comfortable experience in our Tuk Tuks, we kindly request you travel with essentials only for the duration of the tour, as carriage of heavy or bulky luggage is not feasible.
If you have extra baggage, you can store it securely and free of charge at our Matara office, for you to collect upon your return.
If you have laundry that needs cleaning we can make arrangements for it to be done during the time you are away on the tour (this is subject to an extra cost)
As with any journey across Sri Lanka, we strongly advise all guests to secure comprehensive medical and travel insurance with adequate coverage. While we take every measure to ensure your safety and well-being, having robust insurance ensures peace of mind and protection against any unforeseen circumstances during your adventure.
What is the itinerary?
Day 1 - Harvest, History, and Highlands: The Great Ascent
Step into the heart of Sri Lanka’s agricultural heritage with a guided visit to a lush estate where tea, rubber, and cinnamon—the island’s iconic crops—come to life before your eyes. Walk through fragrant cinnamon groves, watch the age-old art of rubber tapping, and try your hand at tea plucking alongside local tea pickers. After a morning of discovery, unwind with a refreshing dip in a secluded, crystal-clear natural pool hidden within the estate—your own private slice of paradise.
After a hearty meal, step into the living history of Sri Lanka at an ancient cave temple carved into a forested hillside, founded in the 2nd century BC. Descend over 200 granite steps into a tranquil stream, then climb to discover a magnificent reclining Buddha sheltered within a natural rock chamber. It’s a serene pilgrimage through the heritage of an island devoted to its sacred past.
The journey will end by ascending to the tea highlands of southern sri lanka.
Departure: Matara
Stay: Lankagama, Deniyaya
Distance to travel: 110 km
Day 2 (with option to expand up to a 3 days stay) Sri Lanka's Wild Side: Rainforest Rhythms
Step into the Sinharaja Rainforest, Sri Lanka’s last remaining primary tropical rainforest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is more than a hike; it’s a journey into the wild, green heart of Sri Lanka. Join our expert-guided treks and:
- Walk Beneath the Canopy: Immerse yourself in a world of misty trails and towering trees.
- Explore Hidden Cascades: Hike through dense jungle to reach pristine waterfalls. Cool off and relax by taking a dip in the clear, icy-cool waters of a natural rainforest pool, untouched by the outside world.
- Discover Endemic Wildlife: Search for the vibrant Sri Lankan Blue Magpie and Green-billed Coucal, along with over half of the island’s endemic mammals and butterflies.
You have the option to select one or more from the following tours. Your duration of stay in Lankagama, Deniyaya will depend on the tours chosen and will range from 1-3 days. The Tea Connoisseur’s Journey will require an additional 1-2 days depending on the option chosen.
- Lankagama Waterfall Tour: Embark on the ultimate water trek from the Lankagama Entrance of the UNESCO World Heritage Sinharaja Rainforest. This unique route is a hidden gem that delivers an incredible concentration of natural beauty, guiding you to a series of five breathtaking waterfalls nestled within a single, short stretch of pristine jungle. Duration: 2-3 hours; Intensity: moderate
- Kekuna Ella Tour: Follow an adventurous trail through the dense, primary forest canopy keeping an eye out for endemic birds and rare wildlife with the help of our expert naturalist. Emerge from the jungle to the sight and sound of the 11-meter-high Kekuna Ella, where the cool, crystal waters cascade over dark rock into a perfect, natural bathing pool. Duration: 3-4 hours; Intensity: moderate
- Twin Waterfall Experience: Follow an adventurous trail through the dense, primary forest canopy keeping an eye out for endemic birds and rare wildlife with the help of our expert naturalist. Trek along the Aranuwa Dola stream to witness the gentle, stepped cascade of Pathan Ella before continuing to the impressive Kekuna Ella, known for its deep, refreshing bathing pool. Duration: 5-6 hours; Intensity: moderate
- Sinhagala Trail: Take a full-day hike through dense, wet evergreen jungle while keeping your eyes peeled for rare and colorful creatures. At the end of the hard trek, be rewarded for your efforts with spectacular, panoramic views of the entire misty rainforest canopy from the peak of Sinhagala (Lion Rock). Duration: 7-8 hours; Intensity: difficult
- Sinharaja Bird-watching Tour: With an expert local naturalist guide leading the way, you’ll have the best opportunity to tick off some of the island’s most elusive and spectacular species. Keep your binoculars ready for sightings of the magnificent Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, the strikingly colorful Red-faced Malkoha, the secretive Green-billed Coucal, and the endemic owls, including the Chestnut-backed Owlet and the recently discovered Serendib Scops Owl. Duration: 2-3 hours; Intensity: easy
- Lankagama White Water Rafting: Get ready for an adrenaline-pumping ride down a challenging stretch of the Gin Ganga (Gin River) bordering the Sinharaja rainforest. There is something for everyone here, from river floating for beginners to exhilarating grade 3 and 4 rapids for the more experienced.
- Patna Water Slide Tour: Take the exhilarating slide down a natural water slide over the smooth, naturally polished rock surface into a cool, crystal-clear pool.
- Tea Connoisseur’s Journey: For the avid teaholic eager to go beyond the teacup, we can arrange a personalized Tea Experience Program, where you get the rare opportunity to master the tricks of the trade firsthand. This 1- or 2-Day Tea Experience Program tailored just for you, allows you to hand-pluck your own leaves in the lush tea fields, process your own pluck while by being personally guided through the entire tea-making process and take your creation home in a personalized tea pack.
Stay: Lankagama, Deniyaya
Day 3 - From the Rolling Hills to the Open Plains: The Great Descent
Today you will watch Sri Lanka transform before your eyes! Start from your abode bordering the dense Sinharaja Rainforest, journey through the cultivated perfection of the Southern Tea Highlands, and conclude your adventure by sweeping down to the tranquil expanse of the Southern Plains of Sri Lanka.
Kick off your day with an adventure tailored just for you! Depending on your interest, you can dive into one of these two unforgettable morning experiences:
- Ceylon Tea Trail: Step into the heart of Sri Lanka’s emerald hills with an immersive tour of a working tea estate. Walk the fragrant rows of tea bushes, then follow the journey of the leaf on a guided factory tour. Watch, step-by-step, as fresh leaves are transformed into the perfect brew. The experience culminates in a curated tea tasting, where you’ll savor the nuances of the freshest blends.
- Secret Waterfall Escape: Trade the cultivated hills for pure, untouched nature. Travel to a secluded, “secret” waterfall where you’ll find true privacy. Take a refreshing dip in the clear pool beneath the roaring cascade, and enjoy a natural fish therapy session to soothe your feet.
Gongala Heights: After a late morning snack, prepare for an exhilarating adventure! We’ll tackle the slopes of Gongala Mountain in rugged style with a thrilling safari jeep climb. Once we reach the top, we’ll embark on a picturesque trek through the tropical forest to an epic viewpoint. The reward: spectacular, panoramic vistas of the emerald tea estates giving way to the sprawling plains below.
Your epic day of exploration concludes in the Southern Plains of Sri Lanka, setting you down in Udawalawe, ready for the next chapter of your adventure!
Departure: Lankagama, Deniyaya
Stay: Udawalawe
Distance to travel: 80 km
Day 4 - Jeep into the Wild: Udawalawe Wildlife Immersion
Hop aboard our custom-built 4×4 safari jeep for a thrilling journey across the Udawalawe National Park, the ultimate destination to witness Asia’s majestic giants in their natural, undisturbed habitat. Watch the adorable orphans of Udawalawe charge for their milk feed at Udawalawe’s Elephant Transit Home.
With one of the highest densities of Sri Lankan Elephants anywhere, close-up sightings of magnificent herds, solitary males, and playful calves are virtually guaranteed! Your expert local tracker and guide will navigate the open plains, sharing insights into elephant behavior and the rich ecosystem that sustains them. Beyond the elephants, keep your binoculars ready to spot Wild Water Buffalo, Spotted Deer, Mugger and Estuarine Crocodiles, a vibrant array of exotic birdlife, and for the truly lucky, the fleeting sight of the elusive Sri Lankan Leopard.
You also get to visit the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home which focuses on rehabilitating orphaned elephants for release into the wild. Visitors can watch lively feeding sessions held three times daily, observe the elephants’ playful interactions, and learn from informative displays about conservation and elephant evolution.
In the evening, trade the thrill of the day for the silence of the water. Your epic journey culminates in a magical, restorative night by the shores of the Ridiyagama Lake.
Departure: Udawalawe
Stay: Ridiyagama
Distance to travel: 62 km
Day 5 - Wild Day, Magical Night: Safari, Sea and Turtles
Imagine waking gently, not to an alarm, but to the serene symphony of nature—the soft, melodic calls of shorebirds and the subtle, rhythmic lapping of pristine water of the Ridiyagama lake. You may take an invigorating plunge into the clear, cool, emerald waters of the lake and let yourself be driven on a private safari on water, allowing you a unique, unobstructed perspective of the protected ecosystem.
After the morning relaxation, a thrilling two-part adventure awaits you today! Begin with an unforgettable daytime drive through Ridiyagama Safari Park, enjoy a purely blissful coastal downtime in the afternoon and then as the sun sets, journey to a pristine southern beach for a serene, magical Turtle Tour.
First, you will join a drive through the Ridiyagama Safari Park, Sri Lanka’s first drive-through safari park. Divided into six zones, this 500-acre park is home to an interesting wildlife mix. You will tour the park by a safari jeep while watching the lions, tigers, elephants and many others animals roam freely in their sprawling zones.
Then, trade your jeep for a sun lounger! Spend the afternoon immersing yourself in the warm, clear waters of the southern Sri Lankan ocean for a refreshing sea bath and soak up the tropical sun on the golden beaches.
As the stars come out, witness nature’s gentle miracle on a turtle tour, watching the majestic mother turtles emerge from the Indian Ocean to lay their precious eggs under the moonlight. With luck, you may even see tiny hatchlings take their very first, unforgettable steps toward the ocean.
Short on Time? Skip to Tomorrow. While Day 5 offers an unforgettable trifecta of safari, beach leisure, and the rare turtle nesting experience, we understand that time is precious. If you need to maximize your schedule, you have the flexibility to give this wonderful day a miss and proceed directly to Day 6.
Departure: Ridiyagama
Stay: Rekawa
Distance to travel: 45 km
Day 6 - Along the Ocean's Edge: The Grand Finale
Sadly, it’s time to say Adios! Spend your last hours on the Southern Loop, soaking up the best of Sri Lanka’s South Coast.
Today’s scenic drive traces the stunning shoreline, leading you to the crescent-shaped paradise of Hiriketiya Beach. Here, you’ll enjoy a final, refreshing sea bath in the turquoise waters, followed by a delicious seaside lunch that captures the essence of coastal life.
If you can accomodate a late arrival at Matara, we may stop for dramatic photos at the Hummanaya Blow Hole, where the ocean roars through the rocks, and stand at the very edge of the island at the majestic Dondra Lighthouse, marking the southernmost tip of Sri Lanka.
As the final stretch of coastline melts away, we arrive back in Matara, where our unforgettable journey began. It’s here we bid you farewell, leaving you with sand in your shoes, sun in your soul, and a lifetime of Sri Lankan memories.
Departure: Rekawa / Ridiyagama
Arrival: Matara
Distance to travel: 56 / 83 km
