This is the third and final episode of my 3-part Sri Lanka video series, covering days 9-14 of our 14-day adventure with Karl Watson. If you want to read about the full itinerary and my overall experience, check out my 14-Day Sri Lanka Itinerary: Knuckles, Ella, and South Coast.
This episode takes us from the iconic Nine Arches Bridge through beach paradise in Mirissa, another incredible safari at Udawalawe, whale watching in the Indian Ocean, and exploring the historic Galle Fort. These final days brought the perfect mix of wildlife, beaches, ocean adventures, and colonial history before saying goodbye to Sri Lanka.
Featured in this video
Nine Arches Bridge in Ella: We started our journey at this famous bridge that appears on every souvenir in Ella. The timing was perfect – the train actually stops on the bridge for about 10 minutes specifically for tourists to take photos. It gets incredibly busy throughout the day, so arriving early is definitely recommended.
Lunch at Hela Bojun Hala: Before heading to our safari, we stopped at this simple food court run by local women, serving traditional Sri Lankan snacks made fresh right in front of you. It was friendly, fast, and incredibly affordable – 17 people ate for around $18 USD. I had vegetable cutlets, dosa, and curry, and everything was great.
Safari at Udawalawe National Park: Our second safari of the trip, and it started just as strong as the first one. We quickly spotted elephants and even found the silhouette of a crocodile. Throughout the 4-hour safari in the hot afternoon, we counted around 20 elephants, including a baby elephant, lots of birds, and of course our good friend the peacock. The heat was intense, but the wildlife sightings made every minute worth it.
Glamping Experience: Compared to our basic camping earlier in the trip, this was a serious upgrade. We had proper beds, as well as showers and toilets right in the room. In the evening, we gathered around a bonfire for an excellent BBQ dinner with chicken and pork. During breakfast, a Sri Lankan giant squirrel and other wildlife kept us company before we packed up for our long journey to Mirissa.
Mirissa Beach: After arriving in Mirissa, we explored the stunning beaches. The last wave caught me and got me a bit wet. The beach was absolutely beautiful. We headed up to Coconut Tree Hill, probably the best place to watch the sunset in Mirissa.
Whale and Dolphin Watching in Mirissa: Day 11 started very early at 6 am as we headed to the port for whale and dolphin watching. We spent hours sailing and searching. After about 3 hours, we spotted dolphins swimming alongside our boat. Then, in the middle of all the boats, we found something special – a fin whale, the second biggest animal in the world. After around 6 hours at sea, we headed back to explore Mirissa.
Exploring Galle Fort During Rain: Day 12 brought us to Galle, where rain followed us constantly. Thankfully, the hotel provided umbrellas. Galle is a historic coastal city about 107 kilometers south of Colombo, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its fort built by the Dutch in the 17th century. We joined a 2-hour city walk through the fort.
Kayaking Adventure Near Mirissa: Before leaving the south coast, we took on one final adventure – kayaking 11 kilometers upstream. It was a fitting final activity.
Goodbye Sri Lanka in Colombo: After kayaking, we headed back to Colombo for our final night together. We had a great farewell dinner at a curry house, said goodbye to our drivers and Dar our guide who did an excellent job. On my last day before flying out via Bangkok to Hong Kong, I walked alone through Colombo’s streets, exploring the marina promenade area – a huge construction site that will probably look like Dubai’s marina in a few years.
Why these final days completed the perfect trip
The south coast brought everything together. After the cultural immersion in Kandy and the adventures in Ella, these final days gave us the beach relaxation we needed, balanced with continued adventure – more safari wildlife, whale watching in the ocean, and kayaking upstream.
Mirissa’s beaches were stunning, and even with the rain following us to Galle, exploring the historic fort added cultural depth to close out the trip.
What made this trip so great was the combination – adventure, beautiful beaches, safaris, hikes, and cultural sites. Sometimes I was pretty tired, but I truly enjoyed every moment. The group curated by Karl Watson was a great mix of people with similar mindsets. The people you travel with are probably the most important part of any trip, and you’ll remember them for the rest of your life.
The journey ends
Check out the video above to see it all come to life. This concludes the 3-part Sri Lanka series. From climbing Sigiriya and hiking the Knuckles Mountain Range to riding the scenic train to Ella, and finally relaxing on the south coast beaches – Sri Lanka delivered on every front.
@wyssdaniel@travel-explore.asia One of my most favorite in the past years comes to an end 😃 Now online on Youtube and in my blog. 🇱🇰