25 Oct 2026
Twin share
£3,990pp
Single from £4,535
Escorted tour
Sri Lanka in Depth & a Maldives Dhoni Cruise – 22 Days
Sri Lanka's ancient cities, hill country and safaris, then six nights on a dhoni in the Maldives.
22 days
From £3,775
Tour overview
This 22-day small-group adventure explores Sri Lanka from its ancient cities to its hill country and beaches, then sets sail for six nights among the atolls of the Maldives. A tour leader travels with the group, which numbers no more than eighteen, with a flight from Colombo to Malé included. You stay twenty-one nights: fourteen in hotels around Sri Lanka, one in a fixed-tent river camp, one in a hotel in Malé and six aboard a traditional Maldivian dhoni. Breakfast is included daily, along with seven lunches and eight dinners, and all meals are included on the cruise.
From Negombo you set off on a jeep safari in Wilpattu National Park, then explore the ancient citadel of Anuradhapura and climb Mihintale, where Buddhism came to Sri Lanka. You see the Aukana Buddha and the cave temples of Dambulla, the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa and, at sunrise, the rock fortress of Sigiriya. In Kandy you visit the Temple of the Tooth and the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, then head into the tea-covered hill country of Nuwara Eliya for a walk on Horton Plains.
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A scenic train crosses the Nine Arch Bridge to Demodara, and after a jeep safari among the elephants of Udawalawe and a night in a river camp, you visit the Dutch fort at Galle and relax on the beaches of Koggala. Flying to Malé, you board a dhoni for six nights in the South Malé, Vaavu and Meemu atolls, snorkelling over reefs, shipwrecks and a nurse shark reef, visiting the island village of Fulidhoo for a Bodu Beru drum display and sleeping on deck under the stars if you wish.
The physical rating is medium. This trip suits travellers who want both culture and a laid-back island finale.
Trip highlights
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A Wilpattu jeep safari (Day 2)
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Sigiriya at sunrise (Day 6)
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The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy (Day 7)
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The train over the Nine Arch Bridge (Day 10)
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Galle Fort (Day 12)
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Six nights on a Maldives dhoni (Days 16–21)
Your route
21 stops from Negombo to South Malé Atoll
- Negombo Day 1
- Wilpattu National Park Day 2
- Anuradhapura Days 2–3
- Mihintale Day 3
- Dambulla Day 4
- Giritale Day 4
- Polonnaruwa Day 5
- Sigiriya Day 5
- Kandy Days 6–7
- Nuwara Eliya Days 8–9
- Nine Arch Bridge Day 10
- Ella Day 10
- Udawalawe Day 11
- Galle Day 12
- Koggala Days 12–13
- Colombo Day 14
- Malé Days 15 & 21
- Vaavu Atoll Days 16–17
- Felidhoo Day 18
- Fulidhoo Day 19
- South Malé Atoll Day 20
Why choose this tour
Sri Lanka in depth plus a Maldives cruise in one trip. A small group with all meals on the dhoni.
Best suited to
- Culture and wildlife lovers
- Snorkellers and beach lovers
- Solo travellers and couples
- Travellers with three weeks to spare
Day-by-day itinerary
22 days from Negombo, Sri Lanka to Malé, Maldives
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Day 1 · Negombo Negombo
A fishing town by the sea.
- Hotel
- Jetwing Sea
-
Day 2 · Wilpattu National Park, Anuradhapura Wilpattu
A jeep safari.
- Hotel
- Lakeside at Nuwarawewa
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 3 · Mihintale, Anuradhapura Anuradhapura
An ancient citadel.
- Hotel
- Lakeside at Nuwarawewa
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 4 · Aukana, Dambulla Giritale
Cave temples.
- Hotel
- Giritale Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 5 · Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya Sigiriya
A medieval capital.
- Hotel
- Sigiriya Jungles
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 6 · Sigiriya, Kandy Kandy
Lion Rock at sunrise.
- Hotel
- Hotel Suisse
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 7 · Temple of the Tooth, Peradeniya Kandy
The sacred city.
- Hotel
- Hotel Suisse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 8 · Hill Country, Nuwara Eliya Nuwara Eliya
Tea country.
- Hotel
- The Blackpool Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 9 · Horton Plains National Park Horton Plains
A highland walk.
- Hotel
- The Blackpool Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 10 · Nine Arch Bridge, Demodara Ella
A scenic train.
- Hotel
- Oak Ray Ella Gap Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 11 · Ravana Ella Falls, Udawalawe National Park Udawalawe
Elephants by jeep.
- Hotel
- Athgira River Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 12 · Galle, Koggala Koggala
A Dutch fort.
- Hotel
- Koggala Beach Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 13 · Koggala Koggala
A beach day.
- Hotel
- Koggala Beach Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 14 · Colombo Colombo
To the capital.
- Hotel
- Fairway Colombo
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 15 · Malé Malé
Fly to the Maldives.
- Hotel
- The Somerset Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 16 · Kuda Boli Vaavu Atoll
Set sail.
- Hotel
- Aboard a dhoni
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 17 · Meemu Atoll Vaavu Atoll
Clear-water snorkelling.
- Hotel
- Aboard a dhoni
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 18 · Acho Kacho Reef, Felidhoo Felidhoo
Quiet reefs.
- Hotel
- Aboard a dhoni
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 19 · Fulidhoo Fulidhoo
A shipwreck and drums.
- Hotel
- Aboard a dhoni
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 20 · Nurse Shark Reef South Malé Atoll
Nurse sharks.
- Hotel
- Aboard a dhoni
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 21 · Maafushi, Stingray Point Malé
A last snorkel.
- Hotel
- Aboard a dhoni
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 22 · Malé Malé
Drop-off at the airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Negombo (1 night) Jetwing Sea
- Anuradhapura (2 nights) Lakeside at Nuwarawewa
- Giritale (1 night) Giritale Hotel
- Sigiriya (1 night) Sigiriya Jungles
- Kandy (2 nights) Hotel Suisse
- Nuwara Eliya (2 nights) The Blackpool Hotel
- Ella (1 night) Oak Ray Ella Gap Hotel
- Udawalawe (1 night) Athgira River Camp
- Koggala (2 nights) Koggala Beach Hotel
- Colombo (1 night) Fairway Colombo
- Malé (1 night) The Somerset Hotel
- Maldives atolls (6 nights) Aboard a dhoni
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 21 nights in hotels, a river camp and a dhoni
- Meals 21 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 8 dinners
- Colombo–Malé flight and private transport in Sri Lanka
- Wilpattu and Udawalawe jeep safaris
- Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla and Kandy visits
- Scenic train to Demodara
- Six-night dhoni cruise with snorkelling and a tour leader
Not included
- International flights
- Meals not included 12 lunches and 13 dinners
- Optional activities
- Visas, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want a luxury resort in the Maldives
- You don't like boats
- You want a short holiday
- You want international flights included — they are not
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 2–22 · Lunch: Days 4, 7 and 16–21 · Dinner: Days 11 and 15–21
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £3,775 per person, twin share, tour only. 21 upcoming departures.
08 Nov 2026
Twin share
£4,105pp
Single from £4,700
22 Nov 2026
Twin share
£4,105pp
Single from £4,700
21 Feb 2027
Twin share
£4,169pp
Single from £4,764
28 Feb 2027
Twin share
£4,049pp
Single from £4,644
14 Mar 2027
Twin share
£4,049pp
Single from £4,644
04 Apr 2027
Twin share
£3,999pp
Single from £4,544
25 Jul 2027
Twin share
£3,775pp
Single from £4,320
08 Aug 2027
Twin share
£3,829pp
Single from £4,374
19 Sept 2027
Twin share
£3,775pp
Single from £4,320
26 Sept 2027
Twin share
£3,825pp
Single from £4,370
03 Oct 2027
Twin share
£3,825pp
Single from £4,370
10 Oct 2027
Twin share
£3,825pp
Single from £4,370
17 Oct 2027
Twin share
£3,825pp
Single from £4,370
24 Oct 2027
Twin share
£4,145pp
Single from £4,734
31 Oct 2027
Twin share
£4,175pp
Single from £4,780
07 Nov 2027
Twin share
£4,175pp
Single from £4,780
14 Nov 2027
Twin share
£4,175pp
Single from £4,780
21 Nov 2027
Twin share
£4,175pp
Single from £4,780
28 Nov 2027
Twin share
£4,175pp
Single from £4,780
12 Dec 2027
Twin share
£4,205pp
Single from £4,820
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 a dhoni?
A traditional Maldivian boat with compact two-person cabins, and the option to sleep on deck.
Is the flight to the Maldives included?
Yes, the flight from Colombo to Malé is included.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
Snorkelling is optional, but being comfortable in the water helps you make the most of the cruise.
Do I need a visa?
UK citizens need an ETA for Sri Lanka. The Maldives issues a free visa on arrival.
When can I fly home?
The trip ends at Malé airport around 9am on Day 22.
How many people travel together?
Between four and eighteen travellers, with a tour leader.
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