For the more adventurous traveller, Sri Lanka offers a myriad of activities through which you can explore the island’s numerous landscapes, rural villages, wilderness, waterways, as well as the turquoise seas that surround this magnificent island. Red Dot, in partnership with the leading adventure tour operators on the island, offers several sport and adventure activities. The most popular activities include cycling trips and excursions, whitewater rafting adventures, dolphin-watching and whale-spotting, a variety of watersports including surfing and scuba diving, and horse-riding treks and safaris.

We have put together several itineraries for families as well as individual travellers who are interested in a more adventurous holiday.  You can either select one of our many pre-planned adventure itineraries or choose to have a tailor made holiday to suit your interests.

Family Adventurer:  This is a cultural and wildlife-themed tour of Sri Lanka for families with teenage children.  Experience the sun and surf, untouched wilderness, coastal fishing villages, and the glorious tea-country. The holiday aims to strike a balance between the need to relax and unwind, but also to provide an opportunity for sufficient activities to keep children and adults entertained.  (More)

Sri Lanka Elephant Pilgrimage:  Our ‘Sri Lanka Elephant Pilgrimage’ has been designed for nature-loving families. The Asian elephant has been an important part of Sri Lanka’s culture and ecology for thousands of years (10% of the world’s elephant population is concentrated in this small island).  This fascinating animal provides the central focus of this holiday, but there is plenty more packed in besides including exploration of the island’s rich history, tea-growing hills, and the palm-fringed south coast.  (More)

Cycling Island Hop:  The beauty and diversity of the countryside, coupled with the warmth and hospitality of the people, makes Sri Lanka a perfect destination for a cycling holiday. The main roads, with their hurtling buses and zig-zagging trishaws, are to be avoided but there are a multitude of small rural roads and dirt tracks that criss-cross the island, guiding you through jungles, paddy fields, rural villages, tea estates, past cricket grounds, around inland lakes and even through ancient cities. (More)

Walk Sri Lanka:  Walk Sri Lanka is our most popular walking tour – a chance to sample some of Sri Lanka’s most uplifting scenery on foot. If you wish, we will provide a daily guide so that you can concentrate upon gazing at the scenery without worrying about the route. But for independent walkers, who prefer to walk without the help of a guide, we provide all the back up you need. (More)

Adventurous Sri Lanka:  'Adventurous Sri Lanka' is an exciting and fun-filled journey where you will trek through mountainous villages, cycle past ancient ruins, camp in the wilderness, climb a 2,234 meter sacred mountain, raft down the white water rapids of the Kelani River and challenge the waves of the Indian ocean.  This is a fascinating journey through this island’s wondrous landscapes that is perfect for couples and families wanting more than a beach holiday.  (More)

Undiscovered Sri Lanka:  'Undiscovered Sri Lanka' is a journey through this island’s ancient heritage, untouched wilderness and beautiful landscapes.  We have included a mix of cultural insights with some active adventures and a glimpse of wildlife which gives you an experience Sri Lanka’s remarkable natural beauty, amazing diversity and legendary hospitality.  This adventurous journey ends with several days of lazy relaxation on a beautiful little-known beach near Galle that even the guidebooks cannot name. (More)

Island Safari:  'Island Safari' is a riding journey that takes you through Sri Lanka’s myriad of landscapes, ancient cultural heritage and rural villages on horseback.  Beginning at the famous Cultural Triangle, this journey takes you through ancient kingdoms, tea plantations of the southern highlands, lush paddy fields and lotus filled lakes of the south and finally, rest and relaxation on the sunkissed beaches of Bentota. (More)

Canoeing

Paddling a canoe can be the most practical way to discover Sri Lanka’s country rivers, jungles, swamps, lagoons and canals. For jungle river canoeing there is a rewarding journey from the Sinharaja Forest Reserve to the coastal town of Kalutara. It can be done as a day or an overnight trip and is good for people who have never canoed before but are looking to experience wilderness and adventure. Small jungle river tours and riverbank camping are also offered on the Bo-path Ella waterfalls to Kaluganaga trip. (More)

Caving

With an archaeological history dating back to pre-historic Stone Age settlements on the island, Sri Lanka has a range of ancient caves scattered across the country that can be explored by amateurs as well as experts. Red Dot Tours in partnership with Eco Team offers adventurous caving excursions accompanied by an experienced local guide. All necessary caving gear is provided. There are several ancient caves located in the Sabaragamuwa Province, of which the Belilena Caves situated about 8 km from Kitulgala, is of great archaeological significance. (More)

Cycling

The size of Sri Lanka makes it extremely accessible by bike and a two-wheel adventure is a great way to view the country’s beautiful landscapes. Hear the birds tweet as you cruise along the Horton Plains or a jungle path, take a pedal back in time in the ruins of the ancient cities at Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, or try a relaxing route along the beaches on the south-west coast. The circuit at the Sigiriya rock fortress – a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to the 5th century, is particularly rewarding. The Kandy to Knuckles mountain range trail is also stunning - and can be extended by going on to Nuwara Eliya and the Horton Plains. (More)

Horse Riding

Explore Sri Lanka’s myriad of landscapes, ancient cultural heritage and rural villages on horseback. Red Dot’s horse riding holidays are the latest exciting itineraries to emerge from Sri Lanka’s most in-form holiday stable. We have teamed up with the Premadasa Riding School to develop a collection of horse riding safaris that will give you a taste of some of the island’s most beautiful surroundings. The Marwari horses, famed for their endurance in challenging climates, have been specially imported from Rajastan in Northern India. The stable consists of more than 30 horses – Marwari thoroughbreds and half-breeds – stationed at different locations in Sri Lanka. (More)

Fishing

Fishing provides one of Sri Lanka’s most enduring images – even if it is difficult to tell these days whether the famous stilt fishermen of Weligama are more interested in catching fish or tourists. But Sri Lanka’s fishing heritage runs much deeper than the traditional craft of the stilt fishermen and is the lifeblood of coastal communities all around the island. Sport fishing in Sri Lanka is relatively undeveloped, but 1,140 miles of shoreline and warm Indian Ocean currents ensure there is a plethora of fish in the sea, estuaries, mangrove lagoons and rivers. Red Dot works with selected fishing specialists and is able to offer deep sea fishing (trolling), bottom fishing and fly-fishing. (More)

Rafting

Experience the thrills and spills of an exciting rafting adventure in a jungle paradise. Rafting mixes the ups and downs of rapids with calm sections perfect for looking at the tea and rubber plantations or mountains covered in jungle rainforest. Rafting options range from a one-hour ride in the Kelani River at Kitulgala, an ideal spot for beginners, to the “experienced paddlers only” rivers of Kotmale, Mahaweli and Kalu Ganga. (More)

Hot Air Ballooning

Soar high above the southern coast line, lakes, paddy fields, rural villages and the magnificent Galle Dutch Fort. Glide through the morning mist rising from the countryside and bid good morning to scores of school children dressed in their crisp white uniforms on their way to school. A typical trip would start at dawn and last for approximately one hour – depending on the prevailing winds. Flights depart from the historic city of Galle. (More)

Scuba Diving

	Scuba diving in Sri Lanka is immensely rewarding off the North West coast, south coast from Beruwela to Weligama and the east coast in Trincomalee. Diving in Sri Lanka is suitable for beginners as well as the more advanced. Spotting bright corals and exotic fish is easy and there is the opportunity to explore ship wrecks in some areas. (More)

Snorkelling

Sri Lanka’s western, southern and eastern coastal belts are ideal for snorkelling. The turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, reefs, colourful corals and an array of exotic marine life, have attracted many sea farers for centuries. The southern and eastern coasts are less-developed and more secluded than the west coast, and are famous for its cove-like beaches, reefs and interesting dive spots including several ship wrecks that are surrounded by large schools of tropical fish. (More)

Surfing

	The turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean surrounding Sri Lanka’s coastline are ideal for surfing. Arugam Bay on the southeast coast is listed as one of the Top Ten surf spots in the world and is popular especially during the season between May and October when surfers come in search of the thrilling wave breaks. Surfing season in the southwest is from November to April. (More)

Wind Surfing

	The west coast town of Bentota is popular for windsurfing with water and wind conditions best during the season from November to April. On the East coast the best winds are from July to August when windsurfers head to Trincomalee. Windsurfing in Sri Lanka is also possible inland on lagoons and lakes in Negombo, Bolgoda and Bentota. (More)

Sailing

	The Indian ocean waters of Sri Lanka’s south coast is magnificent with several bays including Unawatuna, Mirissa, Weligama, Dickwella, and Tangalle providing ideal waters for sailing during the season from December to April. Sailing inland on Bolgoda Lake close to the capital city of Colombo is also popular. (More)

Whale & Dolphin Watching

The south of Sri Lanka beyond Dondra is considered one of the best locations in the world for spotting Blue Whales, Sperm Whales and Spinner Dolphins. These gigantic marine mammals can be spotted in the deep seas off the southern coastal towns of Galle, Mirissa and Kirinda. The North West coast off Kalpitiya is also ideal for spotting pods of Spinner Dolphins, Dugongs, sting rays and the endangered marine turtles. (More)

River Cruising

	Sri Lanka is an island with many rivers, lagoons and old canals that meander past a myriad of landscapes before gently flowing out to the Indian Ocean. Cruise by remote rural villages, pristine white Buddhist temples, centuries old churches, lush green paddy fields, and mangrove marshes rich in birdlife. (More)

Walking

Few, if any, small islands in the world have as much geographical diversity as in Sri Lanka. What better way to discover this unique Indian Ocean island than on foot? Sri Lanka is blessed with diverse landscapes which changes within a short distance of travelling. Sandy beaches lined with swaying palms on the coast soon changes into lush green paddy fields, meandering rivers and rural villages. Venture up into the central hills passed Kandy and discover Sri Lanka’s dramatic tea-growing hills. (More)