Date
Feb 17, 2027 - Mar 4, 2027
Trip Type
By Land

Group Size: 10-24 participants
Price: Starting from $11,295 per person, double occupancy 
Co-sponsored with: Harvard Exclusive

Activity Level
3

Trip Overview

Journey through Sri Lanka on this 15-day adventure that begins in the vibrant capital of Colombo before tracing the palm-fringed coast to historic Galle and its UNESCO-listed fort. Continue inland to Yala National Park for multiple safari drives in search of elephants, crocodiles, and the elusive Sri Lankan leopard, then ascend into the cool central highlands to Nuwara Eliya, “Little England,” with its misty tea plantations and optional hike in Horton Plains. Ride one of the world’s most scenic trains to Kandy to visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth, serene botanical gardens, bustling markets, and lakeside viewpoints. Conclude in the Cultural Triangle, exploring the cave temples of Dambulla, the ancient capitals of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, and the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress, before unwinding on the beaches of Negombo and returning home—or continuing on to India.

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Schedule by Day

Click each drop-down below to view a detailed itinerary. For a full view, please select "print page".

This is the recommended departure date from the U.S.A. 

Travel day

Arrive in Colombo, where you’ll be warmly greeted by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Sri Lanka’s dynamic capital blends contemporary energy with layers of colonial history, revealed through bustling streets, temples, and a scenic seaside promenade.

Later, gather with fellow travelers for welcome drinks at the hotel bar (for arrivals before 5:00 p.m.), marking the beginning of your journey. 

Overnight: Galle Face

Meals: R, D

Explore Sri Lanka’s vibrant capital on a guided city tour where old-world charm meets modern energy. Visit Independence Square, a powerful symbol of the nation’s 1948 independence, then pass through the leafy avenues of Cinnamon Gardens and along the oceanfront at Galle Face Green.

Visit the colorful Gangaramaya Temple, showcasing a stunning mix of Sri Lankan and Asian architectural styles, before wandering the bustling Pettah Market, alive with spices, fabrics, and local treasures. Pass the Old Parliament Building and discover the historic Dutch Hospital Precinct, home to stylish boutiques and cafés.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, followed by free time to explore Colombo’s creative scene at ODEL or the Barefoot Gallery, known for locally crafted fashion, art, and design. 

This evening, gather for a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers. 

Overnight: Galle Face

Meals: B, L, D

Journey south along the scenic coastal highway, lined with palm-fringed beaches and fishing villages. (The drive is approximately 2 hours). 

Arrive in Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the cobbled streets of Galle Fort, browse boutique shops, art galleries, and cozy cafés, and visit landmarks including the Dutch Reformed Church, Galle Lighthouse, and Maritime Museum.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then check in to your hotel for some leisure time.

In the evening, experience a hands-on cooking class and dinner at a local's home, selecting fresh ingredients from the market and preparing traditional dishes with your hosts.

Overnight: Mosvold Villa

Meals: B, L, D

Travel inland to Yala National Park, Sri Lanka’s most famous wildlife reserve, where coastal plains give way to forests, villages, and paddy fields. 

Check in to your safari lodge and enjoy lunch before embarking on an afternoon game drive in search of elephants, crocodiles, sloth bears, and the elusive Sri Lankan leopard.

Overnight: Jetwing Yala

Meals: B, L, D

Enjoy a morning game drive in Yala National Park. Return in time for lunch and spend the rest of the day relaxing in the wilderness.

Overnight: Jetwing Yala

Meals: B, L, D

Journey north into Sri Lanka’s scenic central highlands. The route winds through lush forests, misty valleys, and rolling tea plantations. (The drive is approximately 5-6 hours).  

Stop in the mountain village of Ella to see the famous Nine Arches Bridge set among green hills.

After lunch, continue to Nuwara Eliya, known as “Little England,” with its charming colonial-style buildings, rose gardens, and cool mountain air. Check into your hotel and enjoy dinner later in the evening. 

Overnight: Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya

Meals: B, L, D

Optional early morning, hike through Horton Plains National Park to the dramatic “World’s End” viewpoint, where sweeping vistas stretch across misty plains. Guests not joining the hike can enjoy a leisurely morning at the hotel.

Later, take a heritage walk through Nuwara Eliya, passing the charming Post Office, Hill Club, and colonial cottages. Visit a tea estate to see how Ceylon tea is grown and processed, and enjoy a fresh cup overlooking the hills. 

Lunch follows at a local restaurant, with the afternoon and evening free to relax or explore town before dinner.

Overnight: Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya

Meals: B, L, D

Board one of the world’s most scenic trains from Nanu Oya to Kandy, passing tea-covered hills, waterfalls, and charming villages. 

After checking in, visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic and enjoy a peaceful stroll around Kandy Lake before dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Cinnamon Citadel

Meals: B, L, D

Begin the day at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, a lush paradise of orchids, towering palms, and vibrant flora.

 Return to Kandy for lunch, then discover the city’s treasures: explore the Gem Museum, wander the colorful Kandy Market brimming with spices, tropical fruits, and handicrafts, and take in panoramic city views along Upper Lake Drive. 

Conclude the day with dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Cinnamon Citadel

Meals: B, L, D

Travel north through Matale, the island’s fragrant spice region, and visit a garden to learn about the cultivation of cinnamon, cardamom, and pepper. 

After lunch, continue to Dambulla to explore the stunning Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site adorned with centuries-old murals and more than 150 Buddha statues. 

Evening at leisure, followed by dinner.

Overnight: Amba Yaalu Kandalama

Meals: B, L, D

Discover the medieval wonders of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s UNESCO-listed capital, visiting the Royal Palace, Quadrangle, and the giant rock-carved Buddhas of Gal Vihara. 

After lunch, embark on a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park, home to impressive herds of wild elephants, and enjoy the park’s serene beauty at sunset before dinner.

Overnight: Amba Yaalu Kandalama

Meals: B, L, D

Explore Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s ancient royal capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover iconic stupas, including Ruwanwelisaya, Jethawanarama, and Thuparamaya, and visit the historic Brazen Palace and serene Twin Ponds. 

After lunch, pause for reflection at the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree, then admire the elegant stone carvings at Isurumuniya Rock Temple. 

Conclude with a short walk through the sacred precinct before returning to Dambulla.

Overnight: Amba Yaalu Kandalama

Meals: B, L, D

Rise early for a visit to Sigiriya Rock Fortress (Lion Rock), one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic landmarks. Climb to the summit past frescoes and ancient ruins to take in sweeping views of the surrounding plains. 

Continue to Negombo, a charming coastal town known for its beaches and fishing culture (the drive is approximately 5 hours). Arrive at your seaside resort and unwind before your farewell dinner by the ocean.

Overnight: Jetwing Blue

Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Colombo International Airport for your departure flight. --OR-- Continue your adventure in India.

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Pricing

Double Occupancy

Single Occupancy

$11,295 per person

$13,965

• 14 nights’ accommodations as indicated. • 13 breakfasts (including departure day). • 12 lunches during tours. Lunches included 1 soft drink (water, soda or juice) or 1 beer per person (Sri Lankan brand). • Welcome dinner (day 2) and farewell dinner (day 13) + 2 glasses of wine/ beer or soft drink. • 10 dinners. Includes + 2 glasses of wine/ beer or soft drink per dinner. • Home-hosted dinner in Galle on day 3 inclusive of 2 glasses of wine/ beer or soft drink per dinner. • All site visits and entry fees as indicated. • Optional early morning hike on Horton's Plains. • Transfers, tours, and excursions by an air-conditioned vehicle as per the Itinerary. • Full-time English-speaking guide and trip manager. • 2 private Yala National Park Jeep safaris (5 guests per jeep). • 1 private Minneriya National Park Jeep safaris (5 guests per jeep). • Train ride from Nanu Oya to Kandy. • Meeting with a local historian in either Colombo or Galle. • All applicable taxes. • Pre-paid gratuities

• International flights to Colombo. • Any other major meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary. • Visa fees for Sri Lanka for guests • Early check-in & late checkout. • Travel and medical Insurance. • Anything not mentioned under “Cost Inclusions” above.

To reserve a space on this program, a $2,000 deposit is required per person. Final payment is due 120 days before departure (October 21, 2026) payable by cash, check, wire transfer, ACH, debit card, or American Express credit card. Participants will receive an invoice directly from the tour operator, Immersion Journeys for all subsequent payments after the initial deposit.

Notification of cancellation must be received in writing by HAA from the participant. Cancellations received within 14 days of booking are eligible for a full refund, provided that initial deposits were made 121 days or more prior to departure. After 14 days, $1,000 per person becomes non-refundable.

The program terms and conditions can be found here and must be acknowledged upon registration.

 

Accommodations

  • Two nights at Galle Face in Colombo
  • One night at Mosvold Villa in Galle
  • Two nights at Jetwing Yala in Yala National Park
  • Two nights at Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya in Nuwara Eliya
  • Two nights at Cinnamon Citadel in Kandy
  • Three nights at Amba Yaalu Kandalama in Dambulla
  • One night at Jetwing Blue in Negombo

Optional Post-Tour Extension: Backwaters of Kerala

March 4 - 8, 2027

Extend your journey into India’s serene southwest with this 5-day exploration of Kerala, beginning in the historic port city of Kochi, where colonial-era churches, synagogues, and palaces reflect centuries of maritime trade and cultural exchange. Wander the atmospheric streets of Fort Kochi, watch traditional Chinese fishing nets in action, and experience a mesmerizing Kathakali dance performance. Continue to Alleppey to board a traditional houseboat for a tranquil cruise through the palm-lined backwaters, then unwind at a lakeside resort in Kumarakom, with a full day at leisure to enjoy Ayurvedic therapies, gentle boat rides, or simple relaxation before departing from Kochi.

Overnight: Two nights at Fragrant Nature, Two nights at Rhythm

Meals: 5B, 1L

  • $2,475 per person, double occupancy
  • $3,230 single occupancy

Optional Post-Tour Extension: Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur)

March 4 - 9, 2027

Extend your journey to experience the essence of North India on this 6-day extension, beginning in Delhi, where the bustling bazaars and grand mosques of Old Delhi contrast with the wide boulevards, monuments, and government buildings of New Delhi. Continue to Agra to explore the mighty Agra Fort and witness the Taj Mahal at sunrise, its white marble glowing in the early light. Travel onward to Jaipur, the “Pink City,” to discover the hilltop Amber Fort, intricate Hawa Mahal façade, royal City Palace, and Jantar Mantar Observatory, before returning to Delhi with time to refresh in a day room ahead of your international departure.

Overnight: Two nights at Le Méridien New Delhi, One night at Taj Agra, Two nights at ITC Rajputana, Day room at Hotel Pullman New Delhi Aerocity

Meals: 6B

  • $2,970 per person, double occupancy
  • $4,275 single occupancy

The opportunity to register for the extension will be provided directly from the tour operator following the participants confirmation on the program

What to Expect

Activity Level 3

activity iconThis program is rated easy to moderate. Most days involve light to moderate walking at a comfortable pace through cities, cultural sites, gardens, and historic areas, with some steps, uneven surfaces, and cobblestones. Walking distances generally range from 1–3 miles per day, spread throughout the day. Travel will be by air-conditioned coaches, scenic trains, and 4x4 safari vehicles, with some longer driving days (5–6 hours) and occasional travel over bumpy terrain. Elevation increases in the central highlands, where temperatures are cooler, while coastal and lowland regions may be warm and humid. More physically demanding activities include the Sigiriya Rock Fortress climb, which involves many steps, and the optional Horton Plains hike, considered moderate to difficult due to rocky, narrow paths and changing terrain. Participation in these activities is optional, and guests who choose not to participate may enjoy alternative activities or rest time without impacting their overall experience.

Study Leader(s)

Former U.S. Ambassador

For More Information

Please email haatravels@harvard.edu or call our office at 800-422-1636 or 617-496-0806.