East

Travel from May to September · 12 days, 11 nights

East Coast Escape

Twelve days for the summer months, from the lion rock to the calm bays of the east.

Negombo
Sigiriya
Trincomalee
Pasikudah
Arugam Bay
Ella

Overview

When the monsoon reaches the south-west, the east coast comes alive with calm seas and blue skies. This route pairs Sigiriya and the ancient cities with Trincomalee's coral, the shallow lagoon of Pasikudah and the surf town of Arugam Bay.

It finishes in the hills of Ella before the drive back to the airport.

Highlights

Snorkelling at Pigeon Island National Park

Koneswaram temple on Swami Rock

The shallow, glassy waters of Pasikudah

Surf lessons at Arugam Bay

A safari in Kumana or Lahugala for elephants and birds

Day by day

Theitinerary.

Day 01
Arrival
Airport welcome and a first night by the sea in Negombo.
Day 02
To Sigiriya
Drive to the Cultural Triangle, with a stop at the Dambulla cave temples.
Day 03
Sigiriya
Climb the rock early and spend the afternoon at leisure.
Day 04
Trincomalee
Cross to the east coast and settle into a beach hotel at Nilaveli.
Day 05
Pigeon Island
Take a boat to the reef to snorkel with reef sharks, turtles and bright coral fish.
Day 06
Trincomalee town
Visit Koneswaram temple, Fort Frederick and the busy fish market.
Day 07
Pasikudah
Drive south to a bay where you can wade far out into warm, shallow water.
Day 08
Pasikudah at leisure
A free day for swimming, kayaking and slow meals.
Day 09
Arugam Bay
Continue to the surf capital of the east, with its laid-back cafés and long beach.
Day 10
Surf and safari
Take a morning surf lesson and an afternoon safari to see elephants by the lagoons.
Day 11
Up to Ella
Climb into the hills for cool air, Ravana Falls and a sunset at the Ella Gap.
Day 12
Departure
An early start for the drive back to the airport.

A suggested plan. Every day can be changed, extended or swapped to suit you.

Beach holidays

Compare the routes

See where this tour goes next to the other beach holidays packages. Every route can be mixed and matched.

Which places each beach holidays package visits
Places	Beach Holiday Packages8 days, 7 nights	South Coast Slow Days10 days, 9 nights	This tourEast Coast Escape12 days, 11 nights	Two Coasts14 days, 13 nights
Bentota	Included	Included	Not included	Not included
Hikkaduwa	Included	Not included	Not included	Not included
Galle	Included	Included	Not included	Included
Mirissa	Included	Included	Not included	Included
Tangalle	Included	Included	Not included	Not included
Unawatuna	Not included	Included	Not included	Not included
Udawalawe	Not included	Included	Not included	Not included
Negombo	Not included	Not included	Included	Included
Sigiriya	Not included	Not included	Included	Included
Trincomalee	Not included	Not included	Included	Included
Pasikudah	Not included	Not included	Included	Not included
Arugam Bay	Not included	Not included	Included	Not included
Ella	Not included	Not included	Included	Included
Kandy	Not included	Not included	Not included	Included
Nuwara Eliya	Not included	Not included	Not included	Included

More journeys

Gold line drawing of palm trees and the sun setting over the sea

Beach Holiday Packages

8 days, 7 nights

Aerial view of a palm-lined beach on the south coast

South Coast Slow Days

10 days, 9 nights

A long sandy beach and gentle waves under a soft sky

Two Coasts

14 days, 13 nights

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East Coast Escape

Overview

Highlights

Theitinerary.

Arrival

To Sigiriya

Sigiriya

Trincomalee

Pigeon Island

Trincomalee town

Pasikudah

Pasikudah at leisure

Arugam Bay

Surf and safari

Up to Ella