Earlier this year, I joined one of my favorite YouTubers, Karl Watson, on a 14-day adventure through Sri Lanka. Karl is known for his engaging travel content and unique approach to exploring destinations with small groups of like-minded travelers. When I saw he was organizing a tailor-made trip to Sri Lanka in partnership with Intrepid Travel, I knew I had to join.
This was my first time joining an organized tour group, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would I enjoy traveling with strangers? Spoiler alert: it turned out to be one of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had. You can check out Karl’s content on Youtube.
The itinerary
Day 1 – Negombo: We arrived in Negombo late at night and checked into our hotel. The next morning, I woke up to discover a beautiful beach right outside. We had our welcome meeting and group dinner that evening.
Day 2 – Negombo to Sigiriya: We started the day at the Negombo Fish Market, watching fishermen work and learning about the local fishing industry. Then we drove to Sigiriya and climbed the 1,203 steps to Sigiriya Rock Fortress, where monkeys kept us company and we enjoyed stunning panoramic views.
Day 3 – Safari and Pidurangala: We went on a jeep safari at Hurulu Eco Park, making a bet about how many elephants we’d see (we spotted 21!). After the safari, we hiked up Pidurangala Rock, scrambling over steep sections to reach the top with great views. Then we drove to our basic campsite below the Knuckles Mountain Range.
Day 4 – Knuckles Mountain Range: We hiked 17 km along the Manigala Trek. After reaching the summit at 1,090 meters with stunning views, we descended back to camp. That evening, we celebrated with an amazing curry dinner and watched a traditional cultural performance.
Day 5 – Knuckles to Kandy: We hiked to Pitawala Pathana (Mini World’s End), a dramatic cliff dropping. Then we drove to Kandy. We explored Kandy’s vibrant markets In the evening, we attended a cooking class and prepared an authentic Sri Lankan curry meal together.
Day 6 – Kandy to Ella: We visited the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of Buddhism’s most sacred sites. We stopped at Damro tea factory in the mountains before boarding the train at Nanu Oya station. The scenic train ride to Ella took about 4 hours through tea plantations and mountains. Even though the train was packed and we had to stand for a while, the views made it worth it.
Day 7 – Ella: We started with a challenging uphill bike ride (8km, mostly uphill despite what we hoped!). Then we hiked to Mini Adam’s Peak before experiencing the mega zip-line at 80 km/h over the valleys. The highlight was watching Karl Watson swing on the giant swing in a red dress while a crowd gathered to watch.
Day 8 – Ella: We hiked through beautiful terrain to Bahanu Dava waterfall, where we jumped into the refreshing pools despite the steaming hot rocks. We also visited a second waterfall hidden in the forest. In the evening, we explored Ella town’s nightlife, checking out local shops, cafes, and enjoying a few beers with the group.
Day 9 – Ella to Udawalawe: We visited the famous Nine Arches Bridge early in the morning, watching as the train stopped on the bridge for tourists to take photos. For lunch, we stopped at Hala Bola food court, where 17 of us ate authentic Sri Lankan food for just $18 total. Then we headed to Udawalawe National Park for a 4-hour afternoon safari, spotting around 20 elephants, crocodiles, and many birds.
Day 10 – Glamping near Udawalawe: After the Udawalawe safari, we stayed at a glamping site with proper facilities – a real upgrade from our basic Knuckles camping experience. We enjoyed a BBQ dinner with chicken and pork around the bonfire.
Day 11 – Udawalawe to Mirissa: The next morning, peacocks woke us up early with their loud calls. After breakfast at the glamping site (joined by a Sri Lankan giant squirrel and other wildlife), we packed up and made the long journey to Mirissa beach. We arrived at the beautiful beach and later hiked to Coconut Tree Hill, probably the best spot to watch the sunset in Mirissa.
Day 12 – Mirissa and Galle: We had a very early start at 6am for whale and dolphin watching. After 3+ hours of searching the ocean, we finally spotted dolphins and a fin whale (the second-largest animal in the world) – we spent 6 hours total on the sea. Back on land, the weather turned rainy. We headed to Galle to explore the historic Dutch Fort. We took a guided city walk through Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site built by the Dutch in the 17th century.
Day 13 – Galle to Colombo: Then we went kayaking upstream for 11 kilometers (about 2 hours of paddling). After kayaking, we drove to Colombo for our farewell dinner at a curry house, where we said goodbye to our drivers and our guide.
Day 14 – Departure from Colombo: On our final day, I walked alone through Colombo’s streets for the first time in 14 days, exploring the marina and port city construction area. After 13 incredible nights with the group, it was time to head to the airport and fly home via Bangkok to Hong Kong.
My experience
This was my first organized group tour, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. But joining Karl Watson’s group turned out to be one of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had. The trip perfectly balanced adventure and relaxation – from intense 17 km hikes through the Knuckles Mountain Range and safaris spotting elephants, to zip-lining at 80 km/h and relaxing on Mirissa’s beaches. The cultural experiences, like learning to cook Sri Lankan curry and visiting sacred temples, added depth to the adventure. Most importantly, traveling with a group of like-minded, adventurous people made all the difference. Looking back, Sri Lanka exceeded all my expectations.
In a more detailed blogpost coming soon, I’ll share my personal experience and reflections from this incredible journey. Stay tuned!
Coming soon: The videos
I documented this entire adventure in a 3-part video series launching on December 25, 2025. Each episode captures different aspects of our Sri Lankan journey, from mountain hikes to beach relaxation.
These videos are coming soon on YouTube, and I will link them below.
Episode 1: Sigiriya, Minneriya, and the Knuckles Mountain Range (December 25)
Starting at the Negombo fish market, climbing 1,203 steps to Sigiriya Rock Fortress, scrambling up Pidurangala Rock, counting elephants on safari at Hurulu Eco Park, hiking 17 km through the Knuckles Mountain Range, and camping outdoors under the stars. This episode covers the adventurous first days of our trip.
Watch the video now on YouTube or read more about the first part of the trip here.
Episode 2: Kandy & the train to Ella (January 1, 2026)
Exploring Kandy’s vibrant markets, learning to cook authentic Sri Lankan curry, visiting the sacred Tooth Relic Temple, riding the scenic train from Kandy to Ella, biking uphill through tea plantations, zip-lining over valleys, and watching Karl Watson swing in a red dress.
Watch the video now on YouTube or read more about the second part of the trip here.
Episode 3: Mirissa, Udawalawe Safari, and Galle (January 8, 2026)
Visiting the iconic Nine Arches Bridge, tasting authentic Sri Lankan street food, spotting 20 elephants on safari at Udawalawe National Park, relaxing on Mirissa’s stunning beaches, searching for whales and dolphins in the Indian Ocean, and exploring the historic Galle Fort. This final episode captures our time along the coast and brings our Sri Lankan adventure to a close.
