Northern Peninsula & East Coast Explorer (8 Days)
About this Journey
"A focused 8-day private journey into Sri Lanka's less-travelled north and east — the Jaffna Peninsula, the wild ponies of Delft Island, the Dutch fort and baobab trees of Mannar, and the white-sand east-coast beaches of Nilaveli, Pasikuda and Batticaloa. Tamil and Muslim cultural heartland, distinctive cuisine, and long drives through landscapes most visitors never see. Private AC vehicle with English-speaking chauffeur throughout."
Experience Highlights
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Colombo to Vavuniya
Day 1: Colombo to Vavuniya
Depart Colombo and drive north via the A9 highway to Vavuniya, the gateway to the Tamil north. Overnight in Vavuniya.
Day 2: Vavuniya to Jaffna
Day 2: Vavuniya to Jaffna
Continue north to Jaffna. Visit Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil (one of Sri Lanka's most significant Hindu temples), Jaffna Fort and Jaffna Public Library. Overnight in Jaffna.
Day 3: Delft Island / Nagadeepa
Day 3: Delft Island / Nagadeepa
Day trip by passenger ferry to Delft Island — wild Portuguese-descended ponies, coral-wall paddocks, baobab trees. Optional stop at Nagadeepa (Nainativu) temple. Return to Jaffna for the night.
Day 4: Jaffna to Mannar via Talaimannar
Day 4: Jaffna to Mannar via Talaimannar
Drive south-west across the causeway to Mannar Island. Visit the Dutch Fort, the ancient baobab tree, and continue to Talaimannar lighthouse — the historic ferry point toward India. Overnight in Mannar.
Day 5: Mannar to Trincomalee
Day 5: Mannar to Trincomalee
Cross-country drive through dry-zone Sri Lanka to the east-coast port city of Trincomalee. Evening at Nilaveli beach. Overnight in Nilaveli.
Day 6: Trincomalee & Nilaveli
Day 6: Trincomalee & Nilaveli
Full day on the east coast. Koneswaram Temple on Swami Rock, Fort Frederick, Pigeon Island snorkelling (optional, seasonal), and long-stretch Nilaveli beach. Overnight in Nilaveli.
Day 7: Trincomalee to Pasikuda / Batticaloa
Day 7: Trincomalee to Pasikuda / Batticaloa
Drive south along the east coast to the calm shallow bay of Pasikuda. Optional Batticaloa stop — Dutch fort and singing-fish lagoon. Overnight on the east coast.
Day 8: Return to Colombo
Day 8: Return to Colombo
Long cross-island drive back to Colombo / Bandaranaike Airport, timed to your outbound flight.
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Terms: Tickets are not included in the fare. Waiting charge of 50p per minute applied after the specified duration. The price is fixed for an 8-seater vehicle. The vehicle cannot be changed.