Welcome to Sri Lanka, the Indian Ocean’s pearl, and 11 days of explorations highlighting the best of ancient history and culture, lush green tea estates and waterfalls, wildlife, and beautiful golden sandy beaches.
When you arrive at Colombo CMB airport, you will be met by your tour leader and transferred to your hotel (we can pick you up from any hotel in Colombo or Negombo as well). The first destination will be the coastal town of Negombo, which has long been known as Sri Lanka’s most popular beach, famous for its golden sandy beach, food, and fun.
We haven’t planned any activities for day one, so you can arrive in Sri Lanka whenever you want. If your flight arrives early in the morning, unwind at your cozy hotel’s beach and pool.
In the evening, you can take a walk along the beach while admiring the beautiful sunset and the pleasant evening atmosphere.
Stay the night in a Negombo seafront hotel. As a result, you are free to visit Sri Lanka at any time. If your flight arrives early in the morning, unwind at your cozy hotel’s beach and pool. In the evening, you can take a walk along the beach while admiring the beautiful sunset and the pleasant evening atmosphere.
Stay the night in a Negombo hotel.
After enjoying a delicious breakfast with a hot cup of Sri Lankan tea or a coffee, you will take a wonderful journey across the stunning Sri Lankan countryside towards Dambulla city, which is the central point of the cultural triangle on the island.
En-route to Dambulla, you’ll visit the Millennium Elephant Foundation. Take the opportunity to feed them and give them a bath at the nearby river.
Upon arrival at Dambulla, you’ll enjoy a wonderful cultural village tour while exploring the beautiful countryside (ADMISSION FEES INCLUDED). It will start with a Bullock Cart ride, one of the most ancient and prime transportation systems in Sri Lanka, still used in some villages. While on the tour you will enjoy a canoeing boat ride across the lake and a pleasant Tuk Tuk ride before reaching the farmer’s house where you will experience the typical Sri Lankan countryside hospitality.
Thereafter, check-in to your cozy resort and relax with by the pool and surrounding nature.
Overnight stay in a nature-friendly resort at Sigiriya / Dambulla.
In the morning, you will visit Sigiriya Lion Rock, an ancient rock fortress located near the town of Dambulla. King Kasyapa (477 – 495 BC) built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colorful frescoes. Sigiriya today is a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE and it is one of the best-preserved examples of an ancient civilization. Sigiriya refuses to reveal its secrets easily; in fact, you have to climb a series of vertiginous staircases to reach the top. On the way, you’ll pass quite remarkable frescoes and a pair of colossal lion paws carved into the bedrock.
Afternoon, your tour leader will take you to Minneriya / Kaudulla National Park for an afternoon safari, since it is the best time to spot wild elephants on their natural habitat. If you’re up for a serious rumble in the jungle, then Minneriya / Kaudulla is your ideal destination! Spreading over 8800 hectares, this park is mainly a sanctuary for elephants, but it is also home to herds of deer, bulls, wild boars and colorful birdlife. This place is well known as the largest elephant gathering place in the world.
Thereafter, spend your evening on your own walking around and enjoying the surrounding nature. If you are interested, you could experience an Ayurvedic herbal massage
Overnight stay in a nature-friendly resort at Sigiriya / Dambulla.
After breakfast, proceed towards Kandy, the capital of the last Sinhalese kingdom. It’s set on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and bio-diverse rainforests. Kandy is also famous for its sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth Relic.
Early morning, if you are up to it, you could enjoy an amazing hot-air balloon tour around the beautiful Sigiriya area (Optional activity / Need to be pre-booked).
After breakfast, visit the Royal Cave Temple (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE). Dambulla has the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 meters over the surrounding plains and houses 5 cave temples with some of the most unique and significant historical drawings.
Upon arrival at Kandy, visit the Temple Of Tooth Relic (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE) and Kandy view point.
Overnight stay in a cozy mount view hotel at Kandy.
Morning, visit Museum; get to know more about the World-renowned and most prestigious Sri Lankan gems and jewelry in a gem museum tour.
Thereafter, visit Peradeniya Botanical Garden, one of the best botanical gardens in Asia. It attracts 2 million visitors annually and it is renowned for its collection of orchids. The garden includes more than 4000 species of plants, including orchids, spices, medicinal plants, and palm trees. The total area of the botanical garden is 147 acres.
Afternoon, you’ll enjoy walking around Kandy’s city centre before engaging with a cultural dance show which is inspired by Sri Lankan arts, traditional dance and cultural heritage (ADMISSION FEES INCLUDED).
Overnight stay in a mount view hotel at Kandy.
After breakfast, you’ll have a wonderful journey towards Sri Lanka’s tea region of Nuwara Eliya. It is often referred to as “Little England” because many of the buildings in this city retain from the British colonial period, such as the Queen’s Cottage, the General’s House, the Grand Hotel, the Hill Club, and the Town Post Office.
En-route to Nuwara Eliya, while driving through the cold and misty hills that host lush green tea plantations, stop at a tea factory to observe the rich tradition of making Ceylon tea kept alive up to date. Make sure to end your factory visit in style over a perfectly blended cup of tea.
Afternoon, you will enjoy walking through Nuwara Eliya city center and the fruit and vegetable market.
Overnight stay in mount view hotel at Nuwara Eliya.
In the morning, if you are up to it, you can enjoy a spectacular train journey from Nanu-oya station to Ella village. It is known as one of the most picturesque hill country train journeys in the world (Train tickets included, will be arranged at the station).
Explore the village, Ella is everyone’s favorite hill country village due to the fact that it’s a wonderful nature-friendly location. The Nine Arch Bridge, a major tourist attraction in Ella, is a massive bridge built entirely of solid rocks, bricks and cement without using a single piece of steel.
Thereafter, depart from Ella towards Yala National Park. En route, you will visit Ravana waterfall, one of the most popular sightseeing attractions in Ella.
Overnight stay in a cozy safari resort at Yala.
Early in the morning when it’s still cool and breezy out there, you will visit Yala National Park, the largest and most stunning national park in Sri Lanka. Thanks to a river running through it, Yala National Park is divided into two sections. Because the river makes crossing to the other side difficult, Yala is really treated as two separate parks. But that doesn’t change the fantastic offerings! Encompassing a range of diverse ecosystems, the park has an impressive variety of wildlife, including sloth bears, leopards, and lots of colorful birds. Enjoy a 4×4 jeep ride searching for leopards hanging on trees or whispering through the bushes, crocodiles patrolling the river, or wild elephants drinking water and playing around under the morning sunrise.
Thereafter, you will be heading towards Mirissa. Upon arrival at your hotel, you could grab a towel to relax on the beach while enjoying a cocktail or a chill beer under the shade of a palm tree.
Overnight stay in a seafront hotel at Mirissa / Dickwella.
Early in the morning, hit back to the beautiful golden sandy beach and jump into a boat for an amazing ride on the sea to capture the blue whales and dolphins. Please note that whale watching is a SEASONAL activity.
Thereafter, head back to your resort and relax on the beach or by the pool of your cozy hotel.
Optional activities, Jet Ski, Diving, Snorkeling, Surfing, Fishing & Deep sea fishing are few among the popular list.
Evening, you’ll could enjoy the stunning scenery of sunset and the pleasant seaside atmosphere. You may also pop into a seafront restaurant and try some authentic Sri Lankan seafood – a wonderful crab curry is likely to be on the menu.
Overnight stay in a seafront hotel at Mirissa / Dickwella.
After breakfast, you’ll continue your journey along the beautiful south coast towards Galle, a city well known for its Fort (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE). It is the intersection where classic Dutch and British architecture meets a tropical setting, creating a vivid atmosphere in beauty.
En-roue to Galle, stop at Matara to witness and take pictures of the most famous Sri Lankan stilt Fishermen.
Upon arrival to Galle. walk through the Galle Fort listening to the creaks of wooden saloon doors and observe how European architecture mingles with South Asian traditions nowadays flooding cultural enthusiasts on a global scale.
Thereafter, you’ll visit a turtle hatchery centre where baby turtles learn to take their first swim and injured adults are rehabilitated back into the wild.
Evening, head back to your resort and relax on the beach or by the pool.
Overnight stay in a cozy beach resort at Bentota.
After breakfast, you’ll visit Sri Lanka’s capital city of Colombo, which has an interesting history running back to the fifth century. Even in ancient times, this was an important port city in the East-West sea trade. Nowadays it has become a bustling modern town with a unique atmosphere. The
Upon arrival at Colombo, you have the opportunity to visit all the highlighted places in the city such as Red Mosque, Gangarama temple, Independent square and so on.
Thereafter, perhaps you may pop into a famous and internationally renowned restaurant in Colombo to end your Sri Lanka visit over an unforgettable meal.
Afterwards, proceed to the airport in time for your return flight or we drop you back to your hotel in Colombo or Negombo to end this wonderful tour across the island.
