Some holidays give you a break. Others change your whole state of mind. This is one of those.
Sri Lanka has a way of slowing you down without you even noticing. One morning you’re hiking through misty tea fields, your boots treading softly on the trail, and that afternoon you’re sipping tea on a hillside scented with cardamom. By sunset you’re leaning back in a pool chair thinking, ‘When was the last time I felt this relaxed… and how do I bottle this feeling?‘
That’s what this trip is about – giving you space to breathe, experiences to savour, and people to share it with. Without you ever having to worry about the logistics.
The feeling of travelling with us
If you haven’t travelled much before, the idea of airports, check-ins and tuk-tuk drivers who can haggle better than you can say “hello” might feel daunting. That’s why this trip works so well. You’re not alone. From the moment you find us at the airport, you’ll be part of a small group of like-minded travellers. You’ll have a professional local guide alongside ICON’s Suzanne Holden, making sure the trip feels seamless and you can just focus on enjoying it.
👉 Imagine yourself stepping off the plane, slightly bleary-eyed from the flight, and instead of worrying about where to go, or how to get there, someone is already waiting with a sign and a smile. Bags whisked away, hotel bed ready. You just exhale and think: oh, this is easy.
Hiking, but gentle on the knees (and the ego)
If the word ‘hiking’ conjures images of heavy backpacks and bunkbeds, relax. On this trip it’s more ‘pleasant ramble with tea breaks’ than ‘conquer the summit.’ Just three pack-free day-hikes on the newly opened Pekoe Trail, where paths meander through lush tea plantations, misty hills, and sleepy villages.
👉 Imagine lacing up your boots, walking through fields so green they look photoshopped, and pausing at a ridge where the view rolls out forever. Your heart’s beating a little faster, but not so fast you can’t chat with your new hiking buddy about life, travel, or the merits a financial advisor who encourages you to take extended holidays.
It’s perfect for beginners or anyone rediscovering their hiking legs after a decade (or three). You’ll feel accomplished, refreshed, and – let’s be honest – entitled to that dessert at dinner.
Culture you can actually connect with
Sri Lanka’s culture is rich, colourful, and thankfully not delivered via a dry lecture. Instead, it’s immersive and alive.
👉 Imagine climbing the ancient Sigiriya Rock Fortress as the sun rises, the air cool and pink-tinged, and feeling that little zing of pride that you made it to the top. Or stepping into the glow of the Dambulla caves, where walls covered in golden Buddhas make the air itself feel sacred.
There’s the scenic train ride that rattles past waterfalls and tea pickers in bright saris. An optional cooking class where the aroma of cinnamon and curry leaves clings to your hands (and tempts you to lick the spoon). And a safari in Yala National Park, where elephants, crocodiles, and maybe even a leopard remind you how wild and wonderful the world still is.
Where you’ll lay your head (and your tired feet)
We believe that adventure by day deserves comfort by night. That’s why your accommodation isn’t just ‘somewhere to sleep.’ It’s part of the experience. From old-world charm to eco-cabins on the edge of the jungle, and modern beachside hotels.
👉 Imagine sitting by a fire-lit lounge in a highland hotel, G&T in hand, swapping stories from the day. Or pulling open the curtains of your jungle cabin at Yala to find monkeys already doing their morning acrobatics. Or slipping into a beachside pool, the Indian Ocean just beyond, and wondering if you really have to go home at all.
And yes, the beds are actually VERY comfortable.
Solo, couple, or friends – everyone fits in
If you’re travelling solo, this trip might be exactly what you’ve been looking for. You can share a twin room with another traveller (who could end up a lifelong friend) or have your own space if that feels right. Couples, friends, solo adventurers – our groups always have a good mix, and everyone ends up part of the family.
👉 Imagine laughing over a tuk-tuk ride with someone you met three days ago, or sharing a quiet sunrise moment with a friend you didn’t know you needed until this trip.
How we know you’ll feel
- Safe, supported, and quietly smug you didn’t have to plan a thing.
- Connected, with a group that starts as strangers and ends as travel family.
- Energised, rediscovering the joy of walking in beautiful places.
- Inspired, surrounded by stories, landscapes, and flavours that stay with you.
- Rested, because we don’t cram in every possible sight – we choose the best and give them space to breathe.
Sri Lanka doesn’t just hand you sights to tick off – it wraps you in warmth, slows you down, and reminds you that travel is supposed to feel good.
👉 Be part of it: 20 March – 2 April 2026. Because hiking, culture, and cocktails at sunset sound better in real life, rather than in someone else’s holiday photos.
ICON tours with easy hiking
