Leave the beach behind and immerse yourself in the real Sri Lanka with this all-inclusive full-day journey from Trincomalee to the cultural heartland of Sigiriya. Unlike typical tourist packages, this unique tour takes you off the beaten track to a rural village untouched by mass tourism - followed by a thrilling wild elephant safari in one of the country’s most iconic national parks.
Start your day early with a comfortable, private transfer from your hotel in Trincomalee, Nilaveli, or Uppuveli in an air-conditioned vehicle. As you head inland, enjoy a scenic drive through countryside, paddy fields, and ancient landscapes.
By mid-morning, you’ll arrive in Pelwehera, a truly rural village near Sigiriya where tourism hasn’t yet taken root. Life here moves at a peaceful pace, and traditions are still alive. This is not a staged village but a real place where locals still live as they have for generations.
Begin with a bullock cart ride, a nod to the past when royalty travelled by cart through red soil roads and forest trails. You’ll pass through farmlands rich with birds, butterflies, and tropical flora. Then switch to a tuk tuk or hand tractor to continue deeper into the village.
Visit a local home, meet the family, and observe how rural Sri Lankans work, cook, and live with nature. See rice carried with a mamote, meals cooked on clay stoves, and children playing freely. Enjoy a canoe boat ride across a tranquil village reservoir framed by lush greenery and peaceful reflections - a perfect moment for photos and calm.
You’ll then be welcomed into a village home for a simple but delicious lunch, lovingly prepared with local ingredients. Herbal drinks will be served, giving you a taste of traditional village hospitality.
After lunch, continue to one of Sri Lanka’s top wildlife reserves: Minneriya, Kaudulla, or Hurulu Eco Park, depending on the season and elephant movement. Your guide will choose the best park on the day to maximise sightings.
Hop into a private 4x4 jeep for a 3-hour game drive. Watch wild elephants roam freely - sometimes in herds of up to 100. Spot peacocks fanning their feathers, spotted deer grazing, langur monkeys swinging from trees, crocodiles basking near water, and rare and colourful birds in flight.
On the way back, choose to visit one or more of these optional cultural experiences: a gem museum and jewellery workshop, an Ayurvedic herbal garden, or a silk workshop and saree experience. These visits are non-commercial, relaxed, and entirely optional. You may visit one, all, or none based on your interest.