Northern Passage — Jaffna & the Islands
Jaffna, Delft and a peninsula most itineraries still skip.
Six days in a part of the island that looks, cooks and sounds different from everywhere south of Vavuniya. Palmyra instead of coconut, kovils instead of temples, and an island of wild ponies left behind by the Portuguese.
What you'll remember
- Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil at the evening puja
- Delft Island — coral walls, a baobab, and free-roaming ponies
- Keerimalai's spring pools at the edge of the sea
- Jaffna crab curry, and the ice cream at Rio
The route
Day by day
What actually happens.
Break the drive at the old capital — the Sri Maha Bodhi at dusk, when the oil lamps go on and the crowds have gone.
Included
- Air-conditioned vehicle with a chauffeur-guide who speaks Tamil
- Five nights with breakfast
- Delft Island ferry and island transport
- A guided Jaffna food walk
Not included
- International flights and the ETA
- The domestic flight from Palaly, if chosen
- Most lunches and dinners
When to go
Driest February to September. From October to January the north-east monsoon can make the Delft crossing rough — boats are cancelled at short notice, so we keep that day flexible.
Most visitors need a Sri Lanka ETA before travelling. We send you the current link and a filled-in checklist once you've booked — but check your own government's advice too, because the rules move.
You might also like
