North & East Sri Lanka Tour
Northern and eastern Sri Lanka bring together distinct cultural settings, historic places and coastal destinations. Review our North and East Sri Lanka tour to see the route covered and understand how the journey is organized.
About thisItinerary
The quieter side of the island – Trincomalee's sacred rock and calm bays, the white sands of Nilaveli and Pasikuda, the surf of Arugam Bay and the distinct culture of Jaffna in the far north. Designed to offer a seamless and authentic experience, this journey ensures that every detail is taken care of so you can simply relax and enjoy the wonders of Sri Lanka.
Throughout your tailor-made – you choose the length, you will travel comfortably in a private air-conditioned vehicle. With an english-speaking driver handling the logistics, you have the freedom to fully immerse yourself in the experience. Like all our journeys, this is a fully customizable starting point—whether you want to upgrade your accommodation, adjust the pace, or add more time to explore Trincomalee and Nilaveli.
Tour highlights
- Koneswaram Temple, Trincomalee
- Nilaveli beach
- Pasikuda bay
- Arugam Bay surf
- Jaffna culture
- Quiet east-coast beaches
Through the journeyDay by Day
- Arrive in Trincomalee and settle into your selected accommodation
- Visit the magnificent Koneswaram Temple perched high on Swami Rock
- Enjoy the pristine white sands and calm waters of the east coast
- Spot deer wandering the town and explore the historic Fort Frederick
- Snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of Pigeon Island National Park
- Spend the evening at your leisure, enjoying authentic local dining or relaxing at your hotel
- Travel comfortably to Nilaveli in your private air-conditioned vehicle
- Relax on the untouched, powdery white sands of the east coast
- Take a short boat trip to Pigeon Island for world-class snorkeling
- Swim in the crystal-clear, calm waters ideal for families
- Experience the laid-back, serene atmosphere away from the busy southern beaches
- Spend the evening at your leisure, enjoying authentic local dining or relaxing at your hotel
- Travel comfortably to Pasikuda in your private air-conditioned vehicle
- Walk far out into the shallow, calm, reef-protected waters of the bay
- Relax in luxury on one of Sri Lanka's most beautiful east-coast beaches
- Enjoy water sports like snorkeling, windsurfing, and sailing
- Take a leisurely walk along the long, sweeping crescent of white sand
- Spend the evening at your leisure, enjoying authentic local dining or relaxing at your hotel
- Travel comfortably to Arugam Bay in your private air-conditioned vehicle
- Ride the world-renowned surf breaks on the east coast
- Experience the laid-back, bohemian surf culture of the town
- Take a lagoon safari to spot crocodiles, elephants, and abundant birdlife
- Enjoy the lively evening atmosphere with reggae bars and delicious local cafes
- Spend the evening at your leisure, enjoying authentic local dining or relaxing at your hotel
- Travel comfortably to Jaffna in your private air-conditioned vehicle
- Experience the unique Tamil culture, cuisine, and heritage of the northern peninsula
- Visit the colorful Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil and the historic Jaffna Fort
- Take a boat to the surrounding islands like Delft and Nagadeepa
- Taste unique local delicacies like fiery Jaffna crab curry and sweet Rio ice cream
- Spend the evening at your leisure, enjoying authentic local dining or relaxing at your hotel
DestinationsCovered
Stop 1: Trincomalee
- Visit the magnificent Koneswaram Temple perched high on Swami Rock
- Enjoy the pristine white sands and calm waters of the east coast
- Spot deer wandering the town and explore the historic Fort Frederick
- Snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of Pigeon Island National Park
Stop 2: Nilaveli
- Relax on the untouched, powdery white sands of the east coast
- Take a short boat trip to Pigeon Island for world-class snorkeling
- Swim in the crystal-clear, calm waters ideal for families
- Experience the laid-back, serene atmosphere away from the busy southern beaches
Stop 3: Pasikuda
- Walk far out into the shallow, calm, reef-protected waters of the bay
- Relax in luxury on one of Sri Lanka's most beautiful east-coast beaches
- Enjoy water sports like snorkeling, windsurfing, and sailing
- Take a leisurely walk along the long, sweeping crescent of white sand
Stop 4: Arugam Bay
- Ride the world-renowned surf breaks on the east coast
- Experience the laid-back, bohemian surf culture of the town
- Take a lagoon safari to spot crocodiles, elephants, and abundant birdlife
- Enjoy the lively evening atmosphere with reggae bars and delicious local cafes
Stop 5: Jaffna
- Experience the unique Tamil culture, cuisine, and heritage of the northern peninsula
- Visit the colorful Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil and the historic Jaffna Fort
- Take a boat to the surrounding islands like Delft and Nagadeepa
- Taste unique local delicacies like fiery Jaffna crab curry and sweet Rio ice cream
Things you will do
- Temple visits
- Beach time and swimming
- Snorkelling
- Surfing
- Boat rides
Optional experiences
- Pigeon Island snorkelling
- Whale watching from Trincomalee (seasonal)
- Surf lessons at Arugam Bay
Inclusions &Exclusions
What's included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for the whole journey
- Experienced English-speaking driver
- Fuel, parking and highway charges
- Airport pickup and drop-off
- Bottled water during travel
- Complimentary gift for the guest
Not included
- Accommodation and meals (as selected in your quotation)
- Attraction entrance tickets and safari fees (confirmed in your quotation)
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Travel insurance, visa and air fare
The Quieter Side of the Island
While most visitors stick to Sri Lanka's western circuit, the north and east coastline offers a completely different experience — sacred temples perched on ocean cliffs in Trincomalee, pristine white-sand beaches at Nilaveli and Pasikuda, world-class surf at Arugam Bay, and the distinct Tamil culture and cuisine of Jaffna in the far north.
This tailor-made itinerary takes you through Sri Lanka's lesser-explored regions, travelling comfortably in a private air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver who knows every back road and hidden gem along the way.
EverythingYou Need to Know
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