2026 Sri Lanka Photography TOUR

August 19– August 28, 2026

Overview

Sri Lanka, ‘The Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, and the birthplace of my family of origin, is a small tropical island nestled at the southern tip of India. Some seven degrees above the Equator it is about 150 miles wide, and 270 miles long. Sri Lanka boasts a recorded history spanning approximately 2,500 years, with its early history marked by the arrival of Indo-Aryan immigrants from North India and the establishment of kingdoms like Anuradhapura. This period is documented through chronicles and other written records, distinguishing it from the prehistoric era.

Background

I was born and lived in Ceylon until I was 14 years old, and finally returned to the island for the first time some 55 years later in 2014. My father was of British and French descent, with my mother being of Dutch ancestry. My detailed genealogy documents show ancestry going back nine generations in Ceylon, renamed Sri Lanka in 1972!

This will be an experience of a lifetime, spanning several disciplines of photography – landscapes, street portraits, low-light action photography at one of the most colorful festivals in the world – the Kandy Esala Perahera, and last but not least, big game wildlife at one of the finest National Parks in Sri Lanka, Minneriya, where we visit in time for ‘The Gathering’ of elephants, an annual event.

You will enjoy clean, comfortable, and luxurious accommodations in 5-star hotels, with breakfast and dinner included at the hotels. Also included is all transportation to and from the Colombo International Airport, and the in-country travel via a private air conditioned vehicle.

So, come join us as we take you on a journey like no other, to experience some of the best sights, sounds, and tastes that Sri Lanka has to offer!

Tour Highlights

Landscape – abundant opportunities in the coastal towns of Negombo, our first stop, for beautiful tropical sunsets, as well as the one of a kind fisherman’s catamarans unique to Negombo, and seen nowhere else in the country, let alone anywhere else in the world!

There will also be plenty of opportunities for beautiful landscapes/seascapes in the 2 nights we spend in Unawatuna, another coastal town in southern Sri Lanka.

Religious Festival - The Kandy Esala Perahera – probably the most exciting event of this journey, and around which this itinerary was built. It is a spectacular 10-day annual street parade in the Central Province city of Kandy, a four plus hour event involving 100 plus majestic elephants, traditional dancers, and other performing artists.

Wildlife - We plan to spend several hours in a private safari 4-wheel drive vehicles with experienced local guides, at Minneriya National Park. Minneriya is known for some of the largest gatherings of Asian elephants in any one area.

Street Portraits - last but not least, over the many times I have visited Sri Lanka I have enjoyed capturing images of interesting and extraordinary looking local people in the streets, that I refer to as ‘Street Portraits’. This is something I began doing in Australia many years ago and I would be happy to show you how, and what I have learned about doing this anywhere along our journey.

My Complete Sri Lanka Gallery: https://www.davidjgrenier.com/sri-lanka

At A Glance

Dates: August 19 through August 28, 2026 Price & Registration: please contact me directly at djgrenier@gmail.com
Begins/Ends: Negombo, a 30 minute ride from the Colombo International Airport.

Itinerary

Please note this itinerary is our intended plan. We reserve the right to revise daily activities as necessary (based on weather, circumstances beyond our control, etc.) to provide you the best opportunities to experience and photograph each location.

Day 1, August 19 – Arrival at Colombo International Airport, Katunayake, Sri Lanka.

You will need to arrive in Sri Lanka August 19. Your room will be available to check-in any time after 2:00 pm the afternoon of that day. In order to accommodate your arrival that day, or later, it has to be paid for, and therefore it is considered to be Day 1.
We will pick you up at the airport and you will be driven to the hotel, a 30-minute drive.
Check-in to the hotel in Negombo – Jetwing Blue https://www.jetwinghotels.com/jetwingblue/

Day 2, August 20 - Negombo.

We will meet for breakfast in the hotel at 9AM, where you will get the chance to meet everyone for the first time as a group, and receive an overview of the workshop and the daily activities.

This will be a get acclimated, relax, use the hotel’s beautiful swimming pool, and get your feet on the ground kind of a day. This is our Negombo hotel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghtnNV_vpco

There will be opportunities to shoot close by to the hotel for those who want to in the mid-morning and sunset timeframes.
Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 3, August 21 – Negombo

Breakfast at hotel.

Negombo is the 5th largest city in Sri Lanka. It’s a fishing village, resort city and a commercial hub all in one, and has a very visible Roman Catholic influence due to Sri Lanka’s history of being a former colony of the Portuguese, Dutch and British. The catamarans utilized in Negombo for fishing are unique to this town, and found nowhere else in Sri Lanka, let alone the world.

We will photograph these beautiful vessels in the ocean, when they leave to go fishing in the mornings and when they return - times to be determined on a daily basis subject to local wind & tide conditions.
We will also take a boat ride down the Hamilton Canal, also known as the Dutch Canal. This waterway leads to the Negombo Lagoon, one of Sri Lanka’s largest coastal lagoons. Experience the life of the fishing community, as you drift through the colorful wilderness of fishing boats, coconut palms, mangrove forests, bird life and marine creatures.

Sunset on the beach in front of the hotel can be spectacular as well.
Dinner & overnight at hotel.

Day 4, August 22 – Negombo, then drive to Dambulla (about 3.5 hrs).

At sunrise we will visit and photograph the Negombo Fish Market.

The Negombo Fish Market is a fresh fish market, literally, on the beach shore. The endless rows of dried fish against the Negombo sky makes a startling sight, and unique photographic opportunities.

Return to hotel for breakfast.
After checkout head to Dambulla.
Check-in to the hotel – Heritance Kandalama https://www.heritancehotels.com/kandalama/
After lunch, we go for a 4-wheel drive safari (approx. 3-6 PM) in Minneriya National Park (or Kaudulla National Park) to view the natural phenomenon known locally as “The Gathering”, where hundreds of elephants gather around the Minneriya Tank (reservoir), during the dry season, June – September, for a bath and some fun.

“The Gathering” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6PY43_w1bQ

Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 5, August 23 – Dambulla, then drive to Kandy via Polonnaruwa

In the morning, after breakfast we check out of the hotel and travel to Polonnaruwa (about 1 hr.) which became Sri Lanka’s Royal Medieval Capital in 1073 and remained Sri Lanka’s capital until the late 13th Century. The ancient city’s ruins remain in remarkably good shape, and are a fascinating site to visit. The most impressive are the ancient sculptures of Lord Buddha at the rock temple Gal Vihara, cut into granite dating back to the middle of the 12th century.

After our visit to Polonnaruwa proceed to the hill capital Kandy, located in Sri Lanka’s central highlands and is surrounded by mountains, tea plantations and biodiverse forests. The city was the last kingdom of ancient Sri Lanka. It is built around a lake and is home to the most sacred Buddhist temple on the island, the Temple of the Tooth Relic, and the islands biggest botanical gardens, the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens.
Check-in to hotel – Grand Kandyan https://www.grandkandyan.com/

Early evening we drive to visit and photograph the Cultural Dance Show at the Kandy Lake Club in the evening.
It is a stimulating Sri Lankan Arts, Dance & Cultural Heritage Show that is a must see for any visitor who visits the historic city of Kandy. The Kandy Lake Club Dance started in 1982 with the view of having a cultural dance performance bringing together all Sri Lankan dance types to one platform. It is the first Cultural Dance Show of its kind to be established in Sri Lanka. It has since become a tourist attraction for many people visiting the country and keen on a glimpse of its rich cultural heritage.

This is great opportunity to experience low light action photography to ready you for the Kandy Perahera that we will shoot the next night.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 6, August 24 – Kandy.

After early breakfast, we visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. We will observe locals worshiping in the Temple, one of Sri Lanka’s most sacred shrines that houses the tooth relic of Lord Buddha.

Later we will visit a local Buddhist monastery, where we will have an opportunity to photograph young novice monks.
One of the biggest Buddhist celebrations of the year, the annual Kandy Esala Perahera is a religious ceremony during which devotees pray for good rains to cultivate the crops. One of Buddhism’s most sacred relics, the Sacred Tooth, is taken from the Temple and paraded through the streets. Following this, more festive events take centre stage and you can expect to see a lively cast of Kandyan dancers and drummers in colourful traditional costumes. Kandyan Chieftains in medieval court dress, more than one hundred caparisoned elephants, whip crackers, torch bearers etc., make it an unforgettable & spiritual experience.
2015 Kandy Esala Perahera, a short video that I shot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E11Up7wDtM

We leave early evening to reserved seating for viewing and photographing The Kandy Esala Perahera, the grandest of all Buddhist festivals in Sri Lanka, featuring dancers, jugglers, musicians, fire-breathers, and about 150 lavishly decorated elephants. This is held in Esala (July or August) which is the month that is believed to commemorate the first teaching given by the Buddha after he attained enlightenment.
One of the biggest Buddhist celebrations of the year, the annual Kandy Esala Perahera is a religious ceremony during which devotees pray for good rains to cultivate the crops. One of Buddhism’s most sacred relics, the Sacred Tooth, is taken from the Temple and paraded through the streets. Following this, more festive events take centre stage and you can expect to see a lively cast of Kandyan dancers and drummers in colourful traditional costumes. Kandyan Chieftains in medieval court dress, more than one hundred caparisoned elephants, whip crackers, torch bearers etc., make it an unforgettable & spiritual experience.
2015 Kandy Esala Perahera, a short video that I shot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E11Up7wDtM

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7, August 25 – Kandy, then drive to Unawatuna (about 7 hours).

Breakfast at the hotel, and then checkout and drive to Unawatuna.
This will be our longest drive in this tour, so we will make a couple of rest stops along our journey.
Check-in to the hotel https://cocobayunawatuna.com/
After we check into the hotel we drive to Koggala to photograph at sunset the stilt fisherman, unique to Sri Lanka on the beaches of this coastal town.
Dinner & overnight in hotel.

Day 8, August 26 – Unawatuna.

After breakfast at hotel we visit the Dutch Fort in Galle. This historical area, was initially built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and significantly fortified by the Dutch. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site and a popular tourist destination, showcasing a unique blend of European colonial and local architectural styles. These days, the old beautiful buildings are transformed into trendy shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Sunset shoot of the stilt fisherman, just in case the previous night didn’t give us the best sunset conditions.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 9, August 27 – Unawatuna, then drive back to Negombo (about 3.5 hours).

After breakfast departure to Negombo.

Check-in to hotel – Jetwing Blue https://www.jetwinghotels.com/jetwingblue/
Sunset shoot on the beach in front of the hotel.

Day 10, August 28 – Negombo

Sunrise shoot of the catamarans.
Afternoon shoot of young novice Buddhist monks.
Dinner at the hotel.
Late night/early morning transfer to the airport in time for your departure flight. (Approx. 30 minutes drive). This means your return flight will leave Colombo in the early hour of August 29th. This also means you will return to the USA on August 29th because you will cross the International Dateline again.

What's Included:

10 days, (11 nights) accommodation, double occupancy.
All breakfast, and dinner meals.
Bottled water.
All transportation as per itinerary in an air-conditioned bus.
Entrance fees to all sites visited on the itinerary.
Fees paid for the Negombo Lagoon boat ride.
Private Safari Jeeps hired for 2 half day safaris at Minneriya/Kaudulla National Park.
Private Safari Jeeps hired for 2 half day safaris Yala National Park.
Reserved seating to view the Kandy Lake Club Cultural show for 1 night
Reserved seating to view the Kandy Esala Perahera for 1 night at the Kandy Pizza Hut.
Fees paid for photographing the stilt fisherman.

What's Not Included:

International airfares.
Any airport taxes, visa fees and travel insurance.
Traditional gratuities to our tour’s Guide, and/or Driver.
Optional excursions and anything not stated in ‘What’s Included’.
Any expenditure of personal nature such as tips to porters and waiters, sodas and alcoholic beverages, telephone charges, laundry, etc.
Any other services not mentioned above.

What to Bring:

Your favorite camera body.
A sturdy tripod.
Lens’ to cover a focal range from 16mm though 400mm.
Bring a laptop to download and work on your images.
A lightweight rain jacket.
Insect repellent.
Imodium tablets just in case!
Pack lightly with clothes, as laundry services are very reasonable in the hotels.
Sun block and use it liberally – we will be 7 degrees above the equator!

Cancellation Policy:

I want to be accommodating as possible, but once I have prepaid for accommodations, the transport, permits, and the driver, etc., refunds are not possible. Since this workshop involves international travel, replacing a participant at the last minute is extremely difficult if not impossible, and this is one of the main reasons travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Cancellation before 90 days prior to arrival date – full refund.
Cancellation 60 days prior to arrival date – 50% refund.
Cancellation 30 days or less prior to arrival date - NO cancellation. NO refund.

Common Q&As

Q: Who should attend this tour?
A: Due to the many disciplines of photography involved during this workshop, this is ideal for any photographer who is experienced, and or has control of their camera settings. However, if you want to attend because you simply want to experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of this incredible country, as well as the many beautiful and unique photo opportunities of this tour using a simple point and shoot or iPhone, you are also most welcome.

Q: Do I need a Visa to enter Sri Lanka?
A: If you are an American citizen, a 30-day double entry Sri Lankan Tourist Visa is required. You need to apply for this visa after you have booked your return flights (arrival and departure flight details are required). The application can be done within ninety (90) days of your outbound flight. Apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) online at THIS SITE ONLY at a cost of US$20: http://www.eta.gov.lk/ Beware of other fake sites that look almost identical but want to charge you US$90 plus!

Q: What are the passport requirements for entry into Sri Lanka?
A: To enter Sri Lanka, passports should have one blank page and be valid for no less than six months from the date of arrival.

Q: Should I buy travel insurance?
A: Yes. you are strongly advised to procure travel insurance that includes medical evacuation coverage.

Q: Do I need vaccines for Sri Lanka?
A: It is safest and best to check with your personal physician.

When do I need to arrive in Sri Lanka for the workshop?
A: You will need to arrive in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on August 19, anytime after 2:00 pm or 14:00 hrs. The international flights from the USA, departing from the West Coast, typically arrive in Colombo just before midnight. Your room will be available to check-in any time after 2:00 pm the afternoon of August 19, in case your flight arrives in Colombo at an earlier time as may happen if you fly into Colombo from the East Coast.

Q: What about the return journey on August 28?
A: Most flights from Colombo to the West Coast leave just after midnight, that means early hours of August 29.

Q: Can I use a credit card during my travels?
A: Yes, most retail places will accept Visa & Mastercards. Before you leave home, check with your credit card company on what additional charges they may add. I use a card that has no additional usage fees as long as the transactions entered overseas are in US dollar amounts.

Q: What about money exchanges?
A: We will help you get to an approved money exchange when needed. The current exchange rate for the US$ 1.00 is LKR 300.88, as of this writing in August, 2025.

Q: Is there a dress code for entering the Temples that we visit in Sri Lanka?
A: Yes. For women - no bare shoulders, and skirts and shorts will need to be below your knees. A light weight wrap around your waist is the most common item used by women that I have seen. For men - pretty much the same, wear long shorts that hang below your knees or full-length trousers.

Q: What kind of food will be available?
A: Breakfast, and dinner will almost always include both western and local options, and typically are buffet style.

Q: What is special about Sri Lankan food?
A: 40 Delicious Things To Eat While in Sri Lanka! https://www.notquitenigella.com/2019/10/16/sri-lankan-food-what-to-eat/

Q: Does Sri Lanka have unusual precious gemstones?
A: Yes, and it is worth looking into. Here is a good summary of the available: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/sri-lanka/articles/why-these-gorgeous-gemstones-from-sri-lanka-are-worth-taking-home/

Q: What will the weather be like?
A: Pleasant average temperatures of 82-86°F (28-30°C) can be expected across the whole of the island during July/August, although the Cultural Triangle region could be a little warmer than the coast, and the hills around Kandy and the Tea Country will be a little cooler, especially in the evenings.

Q: Will we need special electrical converters in Sri Lanka?
A: While some hotels have universal plugs built in, these are the 2 common converters that I have always taken with me: (1)https://www.amazon.com/Grounded-Universal-Adapter-India-Africa/dp/B005JK5O3O/ref=sr_1_38?keywords=power+plug+adapter+sri+lanka&qid=1571619238&sr=8-38 (2) https://www.amazon.com/OREI-Grounded-Universal-Adapter-Singapore/dp/B004SCSV2U/ref=sr_1_33?keywords=power+plug+adapter+sri+lanka&qid=1571619468&sr=8-33

About: David J. Grenier

I am passionate about photography and travel. I was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and moved to Brisbane, Australia in 1958. I have also lived in South Africa, England, France, Spain, and came to California in 1972. I have dual citizenship – Australian and American. I have photographed in Australia, Argentina, Chile, Iceland, Italy, Sri Lanka, India, Canada, as well as many beautiful locations in the USA.

I was first introduced to photography at an early age by my father in Sri Lanka. He had a great love for the ocean, and a passion for photography – both passions that I have shared with him all of my life. I can vividly recall the sights and pungent odors of watching him reveal his back and white images on a piece of paper by immersing it in a tray of development liquid. My photography began on the beaches in Sri Lanka with my father, and here I am decades later leading a photography workshop to some of those very same beaches! It is a small world afterall…

2026 Sri Lanka Photography Tour