Goa to Sri Lanka: Beaches, Backwaters & Highlands

Land in Goa, India's beach capital, and get ready to move. There's no time to settle in here; the real trip starts with an overnight train to Hampi. Your best bet is to find the rest of the crew for a quick dinner and a drink before heading to the train station. This is a dive-right-in kind of start.

You'll pull into Hubballi station early and finish the journey to Hampi with a three-hour overland drive. After a final tuk-tuk ride to the hotel, drop your bags, grab some breakfast, and wash off the train grime. The afternoon is yours to wander the historic town before the group gets together to catch the sunset from the hilltop Raghunatha Temple. The view across the boulder-strewn landscape is the proper welcome to Hampi.

Today is all about exploring the sprawling ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire, a UNESCO World Heritage site that feels like another planet. You'll spend the day navigating between ancient temples, royal structures, and the iconic boulders that litter the landscape. In the afternoon, the plan is a hike up Anjanadri Hill to the monkey temple. It's a classic Hampi move for a reason – the sunset view is worth the climb.

If you're up for an early start, a sunrise hike up Mantanga Hill offers one last look over Hampi's rocky horizon. The rest of the day is free. You can use the time to check out the bazaar or revisit any ruins you missed. Don't get too comfortable, though. In the evening, you'll be grabbing a tuk-tuk back to the station for another overnight train, this time heading south to Mysore.

Wake up as the train pulls into Mysore. After dropping your bags and a quick refresh, the day kicks off with a walk through the chaotic, colourful Devaraja Market. From there, it's a visit to Chamundi Hills and the giant Monolithic Bull statue. The city's main event, the ridiculously grand Mysore Palace, is an optional visit in your free time. Later, catching a Bollywood movie at a local cinema is a solid move for the evening.

It's a local travel day. A morning tuk-tuk ride gets you to the bus station, where you'll cram onto a public bus with the locals for the winding journey south to Ooty. The scenery shifts from city to rolling green hills. Once you arrive, a quick walk around town will get you oriented, and then the evening is free to explore this cool, green hill station.

An early start is required for the sunrise hike up Dodapetta Peak, the highest point in the Nilgiris mountains. The view over the lush forest makes the wake-up call worth it. The rest of the day is free; riding the famous miniature 'toy train' is a popular option. Later in the afternoon, there's a visit to the Dodabeta Tea Factory to see how the local brew is made, from leaf to cup.

This is a classic India travel day involving a bus, a train, and a tuk-tuk to reach the port city of Kochi. It's a long haul, but the destination is worth it. You'll arrive in the afternoon with enough time to start exploring the cobblestone streets of Fort Kochi. The vibe here is completely different—a mix of Portuguese, Dutch, and British history. Some new people might be joining the group tonight, so it's a good chance for a reset.

The morning starts with a walk through Fort Kochi, hitting St. Francis Church, the Dutch cemetery, and the old Jewish Quarter. Then it's an overland journey to Alleppey, the gateway to Kerala's famous backwaters. Lunch is at a women-run community project, followed by a walk to get a feel for life on the waterways. Tonight, you'll be staying with a local family in a homestay, a proper look into life in this unique part of India.

Wake up in the backwaters and spend the morning on a boat, cruising through the network of canals and lagoons. It’s quiet, green, and a world away from the cities. Afterwards, you'll travel down the coast by bus to the port city of Kollam. Once you arrive, the evening is yours. You can hit the beach, climb the Thangassery Lighthouse for a view, or see what the local nightlife is like.

The day starts with a visit to Kollam Harbour to see the fishing industry in action. It's a busy, gritty, essential part of the local economy. From there, it's a short drive down the coast to Varkala, a town famous for its dramatic cliffs overlooking the Arabian Sea. The rest of the day is free to explore the cliff-top shops and cafes, visit the Janardanaswamy Temple, or just find a spot to watch the waves.

You've got a full free day in Varkala to do your own thing. You can head down to the beach, check out the gardens of the Sivagiri Mutt ashram, or maybe try an Ayurvedic massage from one of the many local practitioners. It's a good day to recharge, either solo or with a few people from the group, before the final push back to Kochi.

It's back to Kochi today, this time by train. You'll arrive with a free afternoon to catch anything you missed the first time around. An optional but recommended evening activity is a traditional Kathakali dance performance—it's intense and colourful. Afterwards, the whole crew heads out for one last night in the city to wrap up the India leg of the trip.

Time for country number two. Today you'll fly from Kochi, India, to Negombo, Sri Lanka. After landing and checking in, the agenda is simple: head to the beach. It's a chance to relax and watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean. A new batch of travelers might be joining for the Sri Lanka portion, so it's a good night to meet the new faces.

The journey moves inland today, heading for Sigiriya in the heart of Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle. After the drive, the afternoon is open. The main choices are climbing the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress for sunset, visiting the nearby Dambulla Cave Temple, or going on a safari drive in Minneriya National Park to look for elephants. You can't do them all, so you'll have to pick your priority.

A full free day to explore more of the region's ancient history. Your best move is to rent a bike or a tuk-tuk and head out. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa is a popular day trip, offering a vast complex of ruins to explore. Alternatively, you could venture to the even older Anuradhapura historical site. It's a choose-your-own-adventure kind of day.

On the way to Digana, you'll stop at a spice garden to learn about the medicinal plants that are a core part of Ayurvedic tradition. After lunch, a guided walk through a local village offers a glimpse into rural Sri Lankan life, including a visit to a cattle and goat farm. The day ends with a hands-on cooking lesson, where you'll help prepare a dinner of Sri Lankan curries.

After breakfast with a view of the Victoria Reservoir, it's a short drive to Kandy, Sri Lanka's cultural capital. The afternoon is free to explore. The main attraction is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a major pilgrimage site. You could also catch a traditional Kandyan cultural dance show or, if the season is right, try to see a local cricket match.

Start the day with breakfast at the Sthree Craft Shop and Café, a social enterprise that supports local women and youth. From Kandy, the road climbs into the misty hills of Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka's main tea-growing region. The air gets cooler and the landscape turns into a rolling green carpet of tea bushes. You'll visit a tea plantation to see the process from picking to brewing.

If you're up for a very early start, there's an option to trek in Horton Plains National Park to see the sunrise at World's End. For everyone else, the morning is more relaxed before the afternoon drive to Ella. This laid-back village is a backpacker hub, known for its stunning views and chill atmosphere. The evening is free to find a bar and settle into the vibe.

The main event today is the morning trek up Little Adam's Peak. It's a relatively easy hike that delivers huge rewards: a 360-degree view of the surrounding green mountains, valleys, and the giant Ella Rock. The rest of the day is free. A popular move is to walk along the tracks to the iconic Nine Arches Bridge or go chasing waterfalls with others from the group.

It's time to head for the coast. The drive south is broken up by a stop at Galle Fort, a fortified old city built by the Portuguese and Dutch. You can walk the ramparts and explore the colonial-era streets. The day's journey ends at the beach town of Hikkaduwa, where you'll finally see the white sand and turquoise water of Sri Lanka's southern coast.

You've earned a free day to just enjoy the beach. You can chill on the sand, go for a boat trip to look for whales and dolphins, or just wander around town. As the sun goes down, the plan is to hit one of the local beach bars for a final big night out with the crew. It's the kind of night for dancing on the sand and maybe a late-night swim.

This is your recovery day and your last full day in Hikkaduwa. Your best move is to spend the day on the beach or go snorkeling. For lunch, wander off to find a local spot to eat. You have the entire afternoon to relax by the water before heading back to Coral Rock by Bansei Hikkaduwa. It is a solid way to finish up three and a half weeks of travel.

And that's a wrap. Nearly a month across two countries is done. There are no activities planned for today, so you're free to pack up, exchange contact info with the crew, and head to the airport whenever you need to. Until the next trip.