Discover Kerala & Sri Lanka: Islands & Ruins

Arrive at any time and welcome to the port city of Kochi, known for its unique fishing nets, artsy cafes, and tasty seafood.

Get to know your fellow travellers in the seaside neighbourhood of Fort Kochi. Stroll along the tropical backwaters and capture a group photo in the stunning scenery. Pick the best looking spot and cheers to new adventures and friends!

Travel to Alleppey, a golden streak of land woven with rivers, lakes, lagoons, and canals. Enjoy an empowering lunch before checking out the island along the lagoon with a local guide and learn about the way of life here. Settle into a homestay and get to know your hosts.

Private VehicleKochi – Alleppey1h30m
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Alleppey Guided WalkAlleppey1h-2h
Explore the area, known as the "Venice of the East," on foot with a local English-speaking guide and learn about the way of life here.

Your Local Living Moment: Alleppey Homestay
Enjoy a stay with a local family in Alleppey and get a real taste of the culture and what life on the islands is like. Learn how to cook some delicious Kerala dishes and dig in and enjoy the meal after your lesson.

Explore the unique ecosystem of Alleppey backwaters on a morning ferry cruise. Afterward, travel down the coast by bus to the port city of Kollam. On arrival, choose to relax on the beach, climb Thangassery Light House, or peruse the nightlife.

Alleppey Ferry CruiseAlleppey2h-3h
Enjoy a morning ferry ride through the backwaters, observing the unique ecosystem with blue-green stretches of water and coconut trees.

Local BusAlleppey – Kollam3h
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Orientation With CEO30m-1h
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.

Visit the Kollam Harbour and experience the importance of fishing for the community. Afterward, settle into a private vehicle and see who can count the most palm trees as you cruise down the coast to tropical Varkala. Enjoy lots of free time to explore the town, get treated by local healers, or visit the Varkala Temple.

Note that Kollam Harbour is closed to visitors May through June.

Kollam Fishing Docks VisitKollam1h
See where all of the action happens in this busy port city and walk around Kollam's bustling fishing docks.

Neendakara Fishing Harbour VisitKollam
Visit the largest wholesale fishing market and harbour on the Arabian Sea, dating back to the sixteenth century. Take in the sights and sound of a busy fish market at work, and check out the morning's fishing haul.

Private VehicleKollam – Varkala5h-6h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Choose your own adventure today, exploring Varkala solo or with your new friends. Spend time wandering the peaceful gardens of an ashram devoted to Kerala's most eminent spiritual and social reformer at the mystical Janardhana Swamy Temple. Or head to the beach and relax while watching the Arabian Sea with a drink in hand.

Free TimeVarkalaFull Day
Lots of free time to explore the town, relax with an Ayurvedic massage, get treated by local healers, or visit the Varkala Temple.

Return to Kochi by train and take an orientation walk visiting Fort Kochi, St Francis Church, the Dutch cemetery, and the Jewish Quarter with curio shops and a synagogue more than 400-years-old. In the late afternoon, continue to wander the streets or opt to catch a traditional Kathakali dance performance. For your big night out as a group, immerse yourself in the exciting Kochi nightlife. Enjoy a drink on us and reminisce about the life-changing adventures you've shared.

TrainVarkala – Kochi3h30m-4h
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Orientation WalkKochi1h-2h
Get to know the delightful city of Kochi through this guided walk. Visit the Dutch Palace and Jewish Quarter, with its 400-year-old synagogue. Explore St Francis Church, the oldest church in India.

Free TimeKochiAfternoon
Visit any sites skipped on the first visit to Kochi.

Your Big Night Out Moment: Kochi Nightlife
Whether it’s a pub crawl, drink specials or a bonfire on the beach, celebrate late into the night with your new best friends.

Fly from Kochi to the stunning island country of Sri Lanka, landing first in Negombo. Spend the evening at the beach relaxing under a leaning palm tree and toast to the sun a goodnight.

Today, new travellers may join you for the rest of your adventure (yay! more friends). You are welcome to join them at a group meeting this evening followed by an optional dinner.

Travel to the centre of the island to explore the UNESCO World Heritage City, Sigiriya. Opt to visit the Dambulla Cave Temple or the ancient Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

Private VehicleNegombo – Sigiriya4h30m156km
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Free TimeSigiriya
Head out to discover the area.

Spend the day freely exploring more of this ancient yet luscious region. Opt to visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, view elephants on a safari drive in Minneriya national park, or go back in time at the Anurhadhapura historical site.

Visit a medicinal spice garden en route to Digana. After, enjoy lunch before embarking on a guided village walk for insight into rural daily life. Maybe stop at the home of a crafter who hand-makes delicate Kandyan jewellery or the cottage of a local woman making incense. Later, learn how to cook Sri Lankan bread or sweets while helping out with dinner.

Private VehicleSigiriya – DiganaMorning
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Spice Garden VisitKandy
Visit a herbal centre where students of Ayurveda learn the traditional medicinal uses of various spices for massages and treatments. Enjoy demonstrations and learning about the different plants and their uses.

Digana Guided Village WalkDiganaAfternoon
Get a crash course in local life with a village walk through Digana. Learn about some of the essential local industries like it's milk collection point and dolomite mine. Meet with a local jeweller creating handicrafts from copper sheets and precious stones then take home personally crafted incense after a lesson in incense production by a local woman. Employing other women from the community, watch as oils and resins are mixed to craft the perfectly scented incense!

Enjoy breakfast and soak in the views of the Victoria Reservoir over tea before departing for Kandy. Have an afternoon of free time to explore the sweet city, opting to visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth, view a traditional Kandyan cultural show, or root for a team at a cricket match.

Private VehicleDigana – KandyAfternoon
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Free TimeKandyFull Day
Explore Kandy with a full free day.

Enjoy a traditional breakfast prepared by women and youth living with disabilities at G Adventures-supported Sthree Craft Shop and Café. Travel on to the rolling hills and luscious forests of Nuwara Eliya. Visit a tea plantation and opt to explore the beauty on foot.

Tea Plantation VisitNuwara Eliya1h-1h30m26km
The town of Nuwara Eliya produces the finest Orange Pekoe Ceylon tea, and is inhabited mainly by tea planters and plantation workers. Pay a visit to one of the factories to learn all about tea production.

If you want to experience morning mist flowing through the valley, wake early and trek the serene trails of Horton Plains National Park. In the afternoon, cruise to the laid-back village of Ella and enjoy a free evening to explore or relax.

Private VehicleNuwara Eliya – Ella1h30m-2h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Spend the morning trekking Little Adam's Peak to get a 360-degree view of Sri Lankan countryside encompassing the giant Ella Rock and textured green mountains. For the rest of the day, enjoy the freedom to explore scenic Ella more in-depth. Opt to trek Ella Rock, venture to the iconic Nine Arches Bridge, or hunt for some waterfalls with your fellow explorers.

Free TimeEllaFull Day
Get outside and explore scenic Ella.

Little Adam's Peak TrekElla2h-3h
Enjoy a hike up Little Adam's peak to catch stunning views of the town below.

Set off towards the southern coast stopping en route to explore the indestructible Galle Fort. Finish the day's journey oceanside on the white sand beaches of Hikkaduwa.

Private VehicleElla – Galle4h30m-5h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Galle Fort TourGalle – Hikkaduwa
Visit the Galle Fort, a 16th-century fort first built by the Portuguese, and later occupied by the Dutch. The ramparts are still standing even after being battered by Mother Nature, including the 2004 tsunami.

Private VehicleGalle – Hikkaduwa30m
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Enjoy a free day to bliss out on the beach sipping your favourite drink or jump on a boat in search of whales and dolphins. For your big night out, follow your CEO to the best beach bar in town, enjoy a drink on us, and dance under the stars. Perhaps take a night swim, who knows, see where the night takes you.

Free TimeHikkaduwa
Enjoy a free day to do as much or as little as you'd like.

Your Big Night Out Moment: Hikkaduwa Beach Bar
Follow your CEO to the best beach bar, grab a drink on us, and cheers to all the life-changing adventures you've shared with new friends. Dance under the stars and perhaps take a night swim, who knows, see where the night takes you.

Another day in paradise to recover from last nights fun. Relax on the beach, snorkel with sea creators, or wander through the bustling beach town. Pick a local restaurant with your buds and reminisce about all the awesome adventures you've experienced over a farewell dinner.

Free TimeHikkaduwaFull Day
Don't waste a single second. Whether it's on the beach or throughout the town, get out and explore!

Wow! What a trip, right? Luckily there is no such thing as goodbye, only until next time. Hug your new friends, exchange social medias, and depart at any time.