09 Nov 2026
Twin share
£3,100pp
Single from £3,325
Escorted tour
Sri Lanka Highlights & a Maldives Dhoni Cruise – 14 Days
Wilpattu, Sigiriya, Kandy and Galle in Sri Lanka, then six nights on a traditional dhoni in the Maldives.
14 days
From £2,725
Tour overview
This 14-day small-group trip pairs a week of Sri Lankan culture and wildlife with a week of snorkelling and island life aboard a traditional boat in the Maldives. Groups have between 4 and 18 travellers aged 16 and over, with a tour leader throughout. You travel by bus and 4×4 in Sri Lanka, take an included flight to Malé, and live aboard a dhoni with simple cabins for six nights. In Sri Lanka you stay in comfortable hotels, several with pools. All meals are included on the boat, and the trip is otherwise land-only, starting in Negombo and ending in Malé.
From the fishing town of Negombo you head north for a jeep safari in Wilpattu National Park, known for its leopards, sloth bears and lakes, before the ancient city of Anuradhapura. You climb the sacred hill of Mihintale, explore the painted cave temples of Dambulla and rise early to climb Sigiriya, the Lion Rock fortress, before the crowds. In Kandy you see the hill capital and the Temple of the Tooth, then stop at a tea factory in the highlands on the way south to Galle's Dutch fort and two nights on the beach at Koggala, with seasonal whale watching as an option.
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A short flight takes you to Malé, the tiny, busy capital of the Maldives, for a walking tour of its mosque, fish market and waterfront. Next morning you board your dhoni, a traditional wooden boat with a small crew, for six nights among the atolls. Days follow the rhythm of island life: snorkelling over coral reefs and a shipwreck, swimming with nurse sharks and stingrays, visits to local villages such as Fulidhoo with a Bodu Beru drum display, and a barbecue on a sandbank.
The physical rating is medium, with early starts in Sri Lanka and plenty of time in the water in the Maldives. This trip suits travellers who want culture and wildlife followed by a sociable, back-to-basics week at sea, at a fraction of the cost of a Maldives resort.
Trip highlights
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A jeep safari in Wilpattu National Park (Day 2)
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Mihintale and the cave temples of Dambulla (Day 3)
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Sunrise climb of Sigiriya Rock (Day 4)
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A tea factory and Galle Fort (Day 5)
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Six nights on a traditional dhoni in the Maldives (Days 8–13)
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Snorkelling with nurse sharks, stingrays and a shipwreck (Days 9–13)
Your route
14 stops from Negombo to South Male Atoll
- Negombo Day 1
- Wilpattu National Park Day 2
- Anuradhapura Day 2
- Mihintale Day 3
- Dambulla Day 3
- Sigiriya Day 3
- Kandy Day 4
- Galle Fort Day 5
- Koggala Days 5–6
- Male Days 7 & 13–14
- Vaavu Atoll Days 8–9
- Felidhoo Day 10
- Fulidhoo Island Day 11
- South Male Atoll Day 12
Why choose this tour
Sri Lanka's cultural triangle and the Maldives' reefs in two weeks, with the flight between them included. Experience the Maldives by boat, visiting local islands, at a fraction of resort prices.
Best suited to
- Snorkellers and lovers of the sea
- Travellers who want both culture and beach time
- Sociable travellers happy with simple cabins on a boat
- Anyone keen to see real island life in the Maldives
Day-by-day itinerary
14 days from Negombo, Sri Lanka to Malé, Maldives
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Day 1 · Negombo Arrive in Negombo
Arrive in Negombo, a coastal town famous for its fishing fleet, lively fish market and golden sands, a gentle introduction to Sri Lanka.
- Hotel
- Earls Regent Hotel or similar
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Day 2 · Wilpattu National Park, Anuradhapura Wilpattu safari to Anuradhapura
Drive north along the coast to Wilpattu National Park for a jeep safari among its lakes and forests, home to leopards, sloth bears and elephants. Continue to the ancient capital of Anuradhapura.
- Hotel
- Lakeside at Nuwarawewa or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Mihintale, Dambulla Cave Temples, Sigiriya Mihintale and Dambulla
Climb Mihintale, where Buddhism is said to have arrived in Sri Lanka, then explore the painted cave temples of Dambulla before reaching Sigiriya.
- Hotel
- Acme Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 4 · Sigiriya, Kandy Sigiriya to Kandy
Climb Sigiriya, the 5th-century Lion Rock fortress, early in the morning before the heat and the crowds. Then drive to Kandy, the old hill capital, home of the Temple of the Tooth.
- Hotel
- Hotel Casamara or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 5 · Tea factory, Galle Fort, Koggala Tea country and Galle
Visit a tea factory to learn about Sri Lanka's most famous export, then travel south to explore the Dutch-built Galle Fort before arriving at the beach in Koggala.
- Hotel
- Koggala Beach Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 6 · Koggala, Galle Free day at Koggala
A free day to relax on the beach, return to Galle's galleries and cafés, or join a seasonal whale-watching trip.
- Hotel
- Koggala Beach Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 7 · Malé Fly to the Maldives
Fly to Malé, the compact capital of the Maldives, for a walking tour of its mosque, fish market and waterfront, followed by dinner.
- Hotel
- The Somerset Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 8 · Hulhumalé, Vaavu Atoll Board the dhoni
Meet your crew and board your dhoni at Hulhumalé, then sail south to Vaavu Atoll for your first snorkel and a visit to a local island.
- Hotel
- Traditional dhoni
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 9 · Vaavu Atoll, Meemu Atoll Vaavu and Meemu atolls
Weather permitting, sail on to Meemu Atoll, with snorkelling stops over coral reefs teeming with fish.
- Hotel
- Traditional dhoni
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 10 · Felidhoo Reefs and Felidhoo
Snorkel at quiet reefs such as Acho Kacho, then cruise to the island of Felidhoo to see local village life.
- Hotel
- Traditional dhoni
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 11 · Fulidhoo Shipwreck and Fulidhoo
Snorkel over a shipwreck, then visit the traditional village of Fulidhoo, with a Bodu Beru drum display in the evening.
- Hotel
- Traditional dhoni
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 12 · South Malé Atoll Nurse shark reef
An early snorkel at Nurse Shark Reef, then cross the channel back to South Malé Atoll, with more swimming along the way.
- Hotel
- Traditional dhoni
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 13 · Maafushi, Stingray Point Maafushi and Stingray Point
A final day of snorkelling at the Maafushi coral garden and Stingray Point as you cruise back towards Malé.
- Hotel
- Traditional dhoni
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 14 · Malé Trip ends in Malé
After breakfast on board, you are taken to the airport for around 9am, and the trip comes to an end.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Negombo (1 night) Earls Regent Hotel or similar
- Anuradhapura (1 night) Lakeside at Nuwarawewa or similar
- Sigiriya (1 night) Acme Hotel or similar
- Kandy (1 night) Hotel Casamara or similar
- Koggala (2 nights) Koggala Beach Hotel or similar
- Malé (1 night) The Somerset Hotel or similar
- Maldives atolls (6 nights) Traditional dhoni
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 13 nights in hotels and aboard a traditional dhoni
- Meals 13 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners, including all meals on the dhoni
- Flight Sri Lanka to Malé
- Transport bus and 4x4 in Sri Lanka, and the dhoni in the Maldives
- Visits a Wilpattu jeep safari, Mihintale, Dambulla, Sigiriya, a tea factory, Galle Fort and a Malé walking tour
- Snorkelling trips with equipment provided, a beach barbecue and local island visits
- Tour leader throughout
Not included
- International flights to Sri Lanka and from the Maldives
- Visas for Sri Lanka and the Maldives
- Meals not listed and drinks
- Optional activities, such as whale watching
- Single supplement, tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want international flights included — they are not
- You want a luxury Maldives resort — the boat cabins are simple
- You get seasick easily — six nights are spent at sea
- You are under 16 — the minimum age is 16
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £2,725 per person, twin share, tour only. 16 upcoming departures.
16 Nov 2026
Twin share
£2,800pp
Single from £3,025
21 Dec 2026
Twin share
£3,170pp
Single from £3,420
18 Jan 2027
Twin share
£2,925pp
Single from £3,160
25 Jan 2027
Twin share
£2,925pp
Single from £3,160
01 Feb 2027
Twin share
£2,925pp
Single from £3,160
08 Feb 2027
Twin share
£2,925pp
Single from £3,160
22 Feb 2027
Twin share
£2,925pp
Single from £3,160
29 Mar 2027
Twin share
£2,925pp
Single from £3,160
05 Apr 2027
Twin share
£2,925pp
Single from £3,160
02 Aug 2027
Twin share
£2,795pp
Single from £3,080
13 Sep 2027
Twin share
£2,745pp
Single from £2,980
11 Oct 2027
Twin share
£2,745pp
Single from £2,980
08 Nov 2027
Twin share
£2,725pp
Single from £2,960
15 Nov 2027
Twin share
£2,725pp
Single from £2,960
20 Dec 2027
Twin share
£2,775pp
Single from £3,040
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
What is the dhoni like?
A traditional Maldivian wooden boat with simple twin cabins, most with private bathrooms, fans and a generator. Many travellers choose to sleep on deck under the stars.
Is the flight to the Maldives included?
Yes. The flight from Sri Lanka to Malé on Day 7 is included. International flights to Sri Lanka and home from Malé are not.
Do I need to be a good swimmer?
You should be comfortable in the water to enjoy the snorkelling. Equipment is provided, and you can stay on board whenever you prefer.
What meals are included?
13 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners. All meals are provided on the dhoni, and a beach barbecue is part of the cruise.
How early should I book my flight home?
Departure day starts with a 9am drop-off at Malé airport, so morning or afternoon flights work well.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age on this trip is 16.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary