Paths of the Pearl Island: A Journey Through Culture, Nature and Spirit
Negombo | Sigiriya | Kandy | Nuwara Eliya | Tangalle | Galle Fort | Negombo
20 February - 3 March 2027
11 nights | 12 Days
$6695 Twin share* or $8425 Single Room
Join Lisa Allwell on a Sri Lankan adventure in 2027. A vibrant island rich in culture and soul, think ancient temples, lush jungles, ocean breezes, colourful markets and the rhythm of daily life.
Join me for a journey through Sri Lanka, a place that feels both alive and deeply still at the same time.
This is a land where ancient kingdoms, jungle and ocean, ritual and daily life all sit side by side. Where you can move from the rhythm of the sea to the quiet of a temple, from wild landscapes to moments of real simplicity.
We’ll begin gently, arriving on the coast and settling into our beachside home. Time to exhale after your flight. To let your body catch up with where you’ve landed.
From there, we travel inward… into the cultural heart of the island.
Sigiriya rises out of the earth in the most extraordinary way. We’ll climb the ancient rock fortress, passing frescoes and weathered stone, and stand at the top looking out across jungle and plains that seem to stretch forever. There’s something about that place that stays with you.
We’ll wander through the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, where ruins sit quietly amongst trees and long-standing Buddha statues hold a kind of presence that’s hard to put into words.
There’s a wildness to this journey too. A safari through Minneriya, watching elephants move across the land in their own time, completely undisturbed. And the cave temples of Dambulla, where centuries of devotion are held in colour, stone and stillness.
In Kandy, we step into something more ceremonial, visiting the Temple of the Tooth for evening ritual. There’s a sense of reverence there… something you feel rather than understand.
Then the landscape shifts again.
We move up into the hills, where everything softens into green. Tea plantations rolling across mountains, mist in the mornings, a slower, quieter pace. We’ll visit a working tea estate, experience the process from leaf to cup, and stay in a beautiful heritage setting that feels like stepping back in time.
There’s a morning walk through Horton Plains, open and expansive, ending at a waterfall. And one of the most beautiful train journeys you’ll ever take, winding slowly through mountains and villages from Nanu Oya to Ella.
Eventually, we make our way back down to the south… to the ocean again.
Here, we settle into our coastal wellness space. There’s time to breathe, to integrate, to just be. We’ll visit local markets, cook together, and experience the texture of everyday life in a really grounded, human way.
We’ll receive a blessing at a local temple, walk quietly at night in search of turtles, and let the days unfold without needing to rush anywhere.
We close in Galle Fort, wandering cobblestone streets, exploring, perhaps finding a few treasures to take home… or simply taking it all in.
Threaded through all of this is our practice.
Yoga and meditation woven into the rhythm of each day. Sometimes grounding, sometimes spacious, always meeting you exactly where you are.
This is a journey of contrast and connection. Movement and stillness. Outer exploration and something quieter unfolding within.
This will be my tenth year of leading groups to exotic destinations and every single trip still feels like magic.
In Sri Lanka, yoga is so much more than movement. It’s devotion. It’s ritual. It’s daily life. It’s chai with your teacher and gratitude in action. This trip invites you to experience yoga in its fullest expression, woven into culture, community, and connection.
We’ll travel in comfort, staying in beautiful, carefully selected accommodation with all the thoughtful details handled for you—so you can fully relax into the experience. And you’ll be surrounded by a small group of like-minded souls, all keen to explore yoga, India, and maybe a little more of themselves too.
This journey is perfect for all from complete beginners to long-time yogis. No flexibility required, just curiosity, openness, and a sense of adventure.
The tour is lovingly crafted in collaboration with Essence of India Tours, who are absolute experts in creating meaningful travel experiences (they can also help you with flights, travel insurance, or tacking on a few extra days if you're keen to explore more).
I’d love you to come with me.
Lisa Allwell
* Price is per person twin share. Single Supplements and payment plans are available.
bookings
To book this tour (or to ask further questions) leave your details below and we will send you the Booking and Payment Information.
Ascend the legendary Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Discover ancient frescoes, and panoramic views of the plains and jungles from the summit.
Explore the sacred ruins of Polonnaruwa, home to the magnificent Gal Vihara Buddha statues and royal palaces.
Discover the spiritual beauty and serene cave shrines of Dambulla Cave Temple, adorned with centuries-old murals and over 150 Buddha statues.
Embark on an exhilarating jeep safari in Minneriya National Park, famed for its majestic gatherings of wild elephants.
Witness the sacred evening rituals at Kandy’s revered Temple of the Tooth Relic.
Wind through mountain landscapes blanketed in tea plantations before visiting the Ramboda Tea Factory, where you’ll try your hand at traditional tea plucking and discover the art of Ceylon tea from leaf to cup.
Take an early morning gentle guide nature walk through the misty highlands of Horton Plains National Park, culminating at the picturesque Waterfalls amid serene mountain scenery.
Experience the devotional evening Aarti ceremony at the Seeta Amman Temple, a sacred site linked to the Ramayana legend.
Board one of the world’s most scenic train rides from Nanu Oya to Ella, winding through tea plantations, misty mountains, and picturesque villages.
Discover the flavours of Sri Lanka with a local market visit in Tangalle followed by a hands-on cooking experience, preparing and savouring your own traditional lunch.
Visit Wewrukannala Temple, home to one of the island’s tallest Buddha statues and receive a blessing from a resident monk.
Rejuvenate with a traditional Ayurveda Abhyanga full-body oil massage.
Conclude with a heritage walking tour and shopping through the cobblestoned streets of Galle Fort.
Yoga and meditation facilitated by Lisa Allwell (this one’s priceless…obviously)
Day 1: Arrival: Colombo International Airport. Upon arrival and once you have cleared customs, you will be met in the arrivals hall and transferred from the airport to your beachside hotel in Negombo.
Day 2: Our journey begins as we travel inland to the Cultural centre of Sigiriya. Afternoon at Leisure and this evening we begin with an opening circle, Yoga & Meditation, followed by Welcome Dinner.
Day 3: Early Morning we ascend the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress, discovering ancient frescoes and breathtaking views from the summit. Afternoon at Leisure. Evening Yoga & Meditation. Afternoon yoga.
Day 4: Morning with Yoga. We then set of to explore the ancient city ruins of Polonnaruwa, lunch and an exhilarating jeep safari through Minneriya National Park in search of wild elephants.
Day 5: Morning Yoga. This morning we visit the remarkable shrines of Dambulla Cave Temple before continuing to the hill capital of Kandy and the sacred evening ceremony at the Temple of the Tooth.
Day 6: We depart early ascending through lush tea plantations to visit the Ramboda Tea Factory, where you’ll learn about leaf to cup Ceylon tea and try traditional tea plucking. Lunch and arrival in our hill station Nuwara Eliya. Evening Yoga
Day 7: Enjoy a gentle morning trek through the misty landscapes of Horton Plains National Park. Afternoon at Leisure, optional High Tea. Yoga and Meditation, followed by the devotional evening Aarti at Seeta Amman Temple.
Day 8: This morning we board one of Sri Lanka’s most scenic train rides from Nanu Oya to Ella, passing tea plantations, misty mountains, and charming villages. After lunch we travel south through Sri Lanka’s scenic countryside to your tranquil coastal wellness retreat. Evening Yoga.
Day 9: This morning, we visit a local market in Tangalle before enjoying a hands-on cooking experience preparing traditional Sri Lankan dishes followed by lunch. Afternoon at Leisure. One Ayurveda Abhyanga Massage is available today or tomorrow. This evening enjoy a peaceful beach walk for the chance to spot local sea turtles along the shoreline.
Day 10: Morning yoga, then we visit a local Temple which houses the largest Buddha statue in the country, for a blessing from a resident monk. Afternoon at Leisure followed by Evening Yoga & Mediation.
Day 11: The final leg of our journey takes us to Galle Fort. Morning at Leisure and this afternoon we take a guided heritage walk through the cobbled streets, with time to meander through its winding lanes and charming local shops.
Day 12: Morning at Leisure. Enjoy cafes and local shops. After Lunch, we return to Negombo for a sunset farewell dinner before boarding our international flight home.
Inclusions
11 Nights Premium, Deluxe Boutique Accommodation or similar.
11 Daily Breakfasts.
5 Lunches.
10 Dinners including Farewell Dinner.
Shared Jeep Safari Minneriya National Wildlife Park
Scenic Train journey Nuwara Eliya to Ella
Ayurveda Abhyanga Massage Treatment
All sightseeing as per program with Private Driver & Air-Conditioned Coach or vehicles.
English Speaking Escort Guide.
Entrance fees to the monuments (one visit) as per the program & applicable taxes.
Group Airport transfers within the included package dates.
Yoga and meditation program with Lisa Allwell
Exclusions
International Airfares.
Applicable Visas.
Expenses of personal nature such as gratuities, drinks, telephone calls, camera fees, laundry, or any other items.
Comprehensive Travel Insurance which is mandatory for this tour.
Cancellation Conditions:
A non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking.
Further payment and cancellation conditions apply, refer to booking conditions provided at time of booking.
Many of our guests travel solo. If you're intending to come alone and would like to share a room, we may be able to arrange a room share with a like-minded soul of the same gender and similar age. If you would like your own room, a single-room supplement is available.
A non-refundable deposit is required at time of booking
Further payment and cancellation conditions apply, refer to booking conditions provided at time of booking
Participants will be required to sign an indemnity form prior to commencement of this retreat
Payment plans are available for this retreat
Booking terms and conditions apply
“Thank you Lisa Allwell. What an amazing tour! Everything was so well planned; beautiful hotels, restaurants, food, our extremely informative, friendly and fun tour guide. Meeting new and like-minded people that are now my friends. This was an important spiritual journey for me, with yoga and meditation the centre of it. My first adventure to India will stay in my heart forever.”
“Thank you for a trip of a lifetime. Your leadership and fun-loving all-conquering nature made the trip more than just a holiday to India. From the get-go, the flights and ground arrangements were made simple and easy by Essence of India and Sanctuary Travel (I had previously worked in the travel industry, these guys were amazing to deal with!) Lisa, your knowledge of India, the culture, the navigating the everyday travel needs were insightful and you had unwavering patience and consideration of everyone’s individual needs. I loved all the little surprises. You have a gift of bringing people together, manifesting fun and heartfulness, and have an affinity with Mother India that is soul deep! I will hopefully be joining you again next year if the universe complies.”