Best Day Trips from Hikkaduwa
Galle & South Coast
Galle is one of the easiest and most rewarding day trips from Hikkaduwa.
Your private tour can include:
Journey details
History, Beaches & Coastal Scenery
- Galle Fort
- Galle Lighthouse
- Fort ramparts
- Historic streets
- Colonial architecture
- Unawatuna
- Koggala
- Selected coastal stops
Because Hikkaduwa is close to Galle, you can spend more time sightseeing and less time travelling.
Madu River Safari from Hikkaduwa
Travel north from Hikkaduwa to Balapitiya for a Madu River boat safari.
Depending on the confirmed boat programme, possible experiences can include:
Journey details
Mangroves, Islands & Balapitiya
- Mangrove waterways
- Small river islands
- Cinnamon-related stop
- Kothduwa Temple
- Birdlife
- Local river scenery
You can combine the safari with Kosgoda, Bentota or another nearby coastal stop.
Bentota & Kosgoda Day Trip from Hikkaduwa
Travel north from Hikkaduwa for a relaxed day around Bentota and Kosgoda.
Possible experiences include:
Journey details
Beaches, Turtles & Coastal Experiences
- Kosgoda
- Turtle conservation visit
- Bentota
- Beach time
- Water activities
- Garden visit
- Lunch by the coast
This is a good choice for travellers wanting a lighter sightseeing day without travelling far inland.
Udawalawe Safari
A private Udawalawe Safari day trip from Hikkaduwa is one of the best choices for travellers wanting to add wildlife to a beach holiday.
Your private driver takes you to Udawalawe, where you change to a suitable 4x4 safari jeep.
Journey details
Wild Elephants & Nature
Possible wildlife can include:
- Wild elephants
- Buffalo
- Deer
- Crocodiles
- Monkeys
- Peacocks
- Other birdlife
You can also request an optional Elephant Transit Home visit.
Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Yala Safari
A private Yala Safari from Hikkaduwa can also be arranged.
Yala is a good choice if you are particularly interested in:
Journey details
Leopards, Elephants & Wildlife
- Leopard-searching opportunities
- Elephants
- Deer
- Buffalo
- Crocodiles
- Birdlife
- Wildlife photography
This is a longer full-day excursion, so the departure should be planned around your safari time.
Mirissa Whale Watching from Hikkaduwa
Travel early from Hikkaduwa to Mirissa for a confirmed whale watching boat trip.
After returning to shore, your private driver can take you back to Hikkaduwa or include selected south-coast sightseeing if time permits.
Journey details
Marine Wildlife on the South Coast
Possible marine sightings can include:
- Whales
- Dolphins
- Other marine wildlife
Sightings depend on nature, weather and sea conditions.
Sinharaja Rainforest from Hikkaduwa
Leave the beach behind for a private day trip to Sinharaja Rainforest.
Depending on the programme, your visit can include:
Journey details
Tropical Forest & Nature Walking
- Rainforest walk
- Birdwatching
- Tropical vegetation
- Forest streams
- Waterfalls depending on route
- Nature photography
A local nature guide can be arranged for the forest experience.
Kandy & Optional Pinnawala
A private Kandy day trip from Hikkaduwa can include:
This is a long inland journey, so an early departure and focused itinerary are recommended.
Journey details
Temples, Gardens & Hill-Country Culture
- Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
- Kandy Lake
- City viewpoint
- Royal Botanical Gardens
- Optional Pinnawala
- Optional cultural show
Sigiriya & Dambulla
A private Sigiriya day trip from Hikkaduwa can be arranged for travellers with limited time.
Possible highlights include:
Journey details
Explore Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Dambulla Cave Temple
- Optional Pidurangala
- Optional village experience
This is a very long-distance day trip from Hikkaduwa.
If your holiday allows, we recommend visiting Sigiriya as part of a multi-day private-driver tour.
Ella & Hill Country
Travel inland from Hikkaduwa for a private Ella day trip.
Possible highlights include:
Journey details
Mountains, Waterfalls & Famous Viewpoints
- Nine Arch Bridge
- Little Adam’s Peak
- Ravana Falls
- Ella town
- Optional tea experience
This is a long full-day excursion, so we recommend concentrating on the main attractions.
Nuwara Eliya & Tea Country
A private Nuwara Eliya day trip from Hikkaduwa can include:
An early departure is recommended.
Journey details
Tea Estates & Cool Highlands
- Ramboda Falls
- Tea plantations
- Tea factory
- Nuwara Eliya
- Gregory Lake
- Optional Seetha Amman Temple
Colombo Day Trip from Hikkaduwa
Travel north from Hikkaduwa for a private Colombo city tour.
Possible sightseeing can include:
Journey details
City Sightseeing & Shopping
- Colombo Fort
- Pettah
- Red Mosque area
- Gangaramaya Temple
- Independence Square
- Galle Face
- Optional Lotus Tower
- Shopping
Choose a cultural tour, shopping-focused programme or a combination of both.
Kitulgala White Water Rafting
Travellers looking for an active day can request a private journey from Hikkaduwa to Kitulgala.
Possible experiences include:
Journey details
- White water rafting
- River activities
- Nature experiences
- Other available adventure activities
Activities are operated separately and depend on weather, river conditions and safety requirements.
Which Day Trip from Hikkaduwa Should You Choose?
Want an Easy Heritage Tour?
Choose:
Galle & South Coast
This is one of the easiest and strongest day trips from Hikkaduwa.
Want Mangroves & a Boat Safari?
Choose:
Madu River Safari
Want Beaches, Turtles & a Relaxed Day?
Choose:
Bentota & Kosgoda
Want Wild Elephants?
Choose:
Udawalawe Safari
Want Leopards & Wildlife?
Choose:
Yala Safari
Want Whale Watching?
Choose:
Mirissa Whale Watching
Want Rainforest & Nature?
Choose:
Sinharaja
Want Culture?
Choose:
Kandy
or
Sigiriya & Dambulla
Want Mountains & Tea Country?
Choose:
Ella
or
Nuwara Eliya
Want City Sightseeing?
Choose:
Colombo
Half-Day Trips from Hikkaduwa
You do not always need a full day.
Good shorter excursions from Hikkaduwa can include:
- Galle Fort
- Unawatuna
- Ambalangoda
- Balapitiya
- Madu River Safari
- Kosgoda
- Turtle conservation visit
- Local south-coast sightseeing
Tell us how many hours you have and we can recommend a practical route.
Galle Day Trip from Hikkaduwa
One of Our Recommended Local Tours
If this is your first visit to Hikkaduwa, Galle is one of the day trips we recommend most strongly.
A possible itinerary is:
Hikkaduwa → Galle Fort → Galle Lighthouse → Unawatuna → Hikkaduwa
or
Hikkaduwa → Galle Fort → Koggala → Unawatuna → Hikkaduwa
Because Galle is nearby, this tour allows plenty of time for sightseeing without a very long road journey.
Private Day Tours from Hikkaduwa Hotels
Direct Hotel Pickup
Your driver can collect you from your:
- Hikkaduwa hotel
- Resort
- Villa
- Guesthouse
- Other agreed accommodation
You do not need to travel to Galle or another town before beginning your tour.
When sending your enquiry, provide your hotel name so we can plan the pickup and route correctly.
Private Driver or Chauffeur Guide?
Private Driver
Suitable when you mainly require:
Private Vehicle + Driver + Sightseeing Transport
Chauffeur Guide
Suitable when you also want:
Professional Guiding + Destination Information + Private Transport
A chauffeur guide can be especially useful for cultural destinations such as Galle, Kandy and Sigiriya.
Choose Your Vehicle
Private Car
Up to 3 guests
From USD 70 per day
Private SUV
Up to 3 guests
From USD 80 per day
Family Van
Up to 5 guests
From USD 80 per day
Small Group Van
Up to 9 guests
From USD 90 per day
Group Coach
Up to 16 guests
From USD 150 per day
Luxury and larger vehicles can also be requested.
How Much Is a Day Trip from Hikkaduwa?
Our current one-day private-driver base rates are:
Private Car
USD 70
Private SUV
USD 80
Family Van
USD 80
Small Group Van
USD 90
Group Coach
USD 150
The standard one-day allowance includes:
100 km
Additional mileage:
Private Car: USD 0.50 per km; Private SUV: USD 0.55 per km; Family Van: USD 0.55 per km; Small Group Van: USD 0.65 per km; Group Coaches (16-passenger option): USD 0.70 per km.
Your final price depends on:
- Destination
- Total road distance
- Vehicle
- Entrance tickets
- Safari jeep
- Boat safari
- Whale watching boat
- Adventure activities
- Guide requirements
For example, a Galle day trip from Hikkaduwa will have a very different transport requirement from a long-distance Kandy or Sigiriya tour.
What’s Included?
Depending on your selected tour and confirmed quotation:
- Private vehicle
- Professional, well-mannered English-speaking driver
- Hikkaduwa hotel pickup
- Agreed sightseeing transport
- Return transport
- Standard mileage allowance
- Fuel
- Tolls & parking
- Vehicle insurance
- Driver accommodation
Not Automatically Included
Unless specifically stated:
- Attraction entrance tickets
- National park tickets
- Safari jeep
- Boat safari
- Whale watching boat
- Adventure activities
- Traveller meals
- Professional guides
- Personal expenses
- Driver meals
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Explore Sri Lanka from Hikkaduwa?
Tell us:
- Tour date
- Hotel / pickup location in Hikkaduwa
- Number of travellers
- Children’s ages
- Day trip you are interested in
- Preferred vehicle
- Places you want to visit
We will prepare your private day-tour quotation.
Sri Lanka Chauffeur Guides
Email: srilankachauffeurguides@gmail.com
Phone / WhatsApp: +94 75 462 4624
Address: No. 305, Galle Road Balapitiya 80550 Sri Lanka
Operated and managed by Look Lanka Tours
SLTDA Registration No: SLTDA/SQA/TA/02500 Travel Agent Licence No: TA/2026/0323
