A Pure Insight into Sri Lanka
The top attractions of this 13 day Sri Lanka tour include UNESCO World Heritage Sites, wildlife destinations, picturesque tea plantations, beaches, and interactions with Veddas, the Sri Lankan aborigines!
Discover heritage sites such as Anuradhapura, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and the Dambulla Cave Temple, and go on a guided cycling tour of Polonnaruwa. Also, stop by a secluded secret gem – the Ritigala Forest Monastery. Visit interesting places in Kandy on a fun tuk tuk ride. Admire the fort and the ocean views at stunning Fort Galle.
Experience life in a village, interact with locals, learn Sinhala and take cooking lessons. See mighty tuskers at the Minneriya National Park, and spot leopards on a wildlife safari at Yala National Park. On your trip to Sri Lanka, you can also go on a train ride to the scenic tea plantations at Nuwara Eliya. And, you will have fun on the beach in Mirissa!
Services
Included:
- 12 nights accommodation in double room in 3-, 4-star hotels
- 12 x breakfast, 12 x dinners
- Private transfers in air-conditioned car with private, English-speaking driver
- Meet and Greet At the Airport
- Daily supply of mineral water during excursions / sightseeing
- WiFi in Vehicles
Excluded:
- Entrance fees to attractions as per the program
- Jeep hire for safari
- Tips to guides and drivers
- Visa, air tickets & travel insurance
- Peak season and festival surcharges
Optional:
- Scenic Train Journey (from USD 15 per person)
Itinerary at a Glance
Negombo
Welcome to Sri Lanka!
Anuradhapura
Visit Anuradhapura, the Ancient Capital
Sigiriya - ritigala
Ritigala Forest Monastery and Dambulla Temple
Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa
Tour Glorious Polonnaruwa, and Spot Elephants at Minneriya
Mahiyanganaya
Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and Interact with the Veddas
Kandy
Go On a Tuk Tuk Ride Around Kandy
Bandarawela - Haputale
Tour The Scenic Tea Plantations at Nuwara Eliya
Buttala
Stunning Views at Ella Gap
Buttala
Enjoy the Village Life
Yala - Tissamaharama
Go On a Game Drive at Yala National Park
Mirissa
Hang out at the Beach in Mirissa
mirissa - Galle
Discover the Attractions at Galle Fort
Airport
Goodbye, Sri Lanka!
Detailed Itinerary
Negombo
Day 1: Welcome to Sri Lanka!
After your arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), in Katunayake, you will be welcomed by the chauffeur/guide. You will then be transferred to your hotel in Negombo where you can relax before commencing your tour of Sri Lanka tomorrow.
Anuradhapura
Day 2: Visit Anuradhapura, the Ancient Capital
It’s destination Anuradhapura today!
You will set out in the morning to this sacred city via Chilaw. In the afternoon, you will explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Anuradhapura, the oldest ancient capital of Sri Lanka comprises an extensive archaeological site. You can view the elaborate constructions of the time, that include monastic buildings, the ruins of which include raised platforms and stone pillars, dagobas (stupas), bathing tanks and much more. Most of these ruins reveal intricate planning and ornamentation. The site also contains a sacred Bodhi tree that is revered by Buddhists.
Stay in Anuradhapura overnight.
Sigiriya - ritigala
Day 3: Ritigala Forest Monastery and Dambulla Temple
Proceed to Sigiriya/Habarana with a stop at the Ritigala Forest Monastery en route.
If you are looking for something off the beaten track, this is it!
A place of tranquility, secluded from the busy world, Ritigala Mountain is located 2513 feet above sea level.
The ruins of the monastery can be found here. Often shrouded in mist during the rains, the abundant greenery calms your senses. Feel one with nature!
Afterwards, proceed to your hotel for check-in.
Then, get set for an afternoon visit to the CIC Seed Farm at Hingurakgoda, the biggest seed paddy production farm in Sri Lanka.
Later, you will travel to one of the most exquisite cave temples in Sri Lanka– the Dambulla Rock Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will see five spectacular caves from the 3rd century BC in this cave complex. Marvelous paintings, and stunning statues adorn the caves. It’s a mesmerizing sight!
Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa
Day 4: Tour Glorious Polonnaruwa, and Spot Elephants at Minneriya
Are you ready for a guided cycling tour to another wonderful UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Today you will venture out to Polonnaruwa, a medieval Sri Lankan capital. The fabulous ruins include palaces and sculptures, while the reservoirs and irrigation methods are a reminder of the advanced planning system that existed even at that time.
Take a short break to enjoy a delicious king coconut by the roadside. Later, in the afternoon, you will set forth for a safari at the Minneriya National Park. A breeding ground during the dry season, the park is famous for its large population of elephants. From June to September, you can see elephants converging at this park in huge numbers. Almost 200 elephants have been spotted together here, in fact some accounts put the number at around 700! You can even see some cute little baby elephants.
Stay in Sigiriya overnight.
Mahiyanganaya
Day 5: Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and Interact with the Veddas
Wake up to another fabulous day filled with interesting sights and experiences! A visit to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) will enable you to see the mammoth rock column that functioned as a fortress. An entranceway is flanked by a huge pair of lion’s paws sculpted on the rock. With its dramatic presence, the fortress with extensive gardens and moats as well as superb frescoes is simply fantastic.
Did you know that the indigenous inhabitants of Sri Lanka are known as Veddas?
Today, you will get a chance to interact with them as you travel to Mahiyanganaya via Bakamuna. Witness their expertise with the bow and arrow, and take photographs if you wish to. Later, proceed to the Mahiyanganaya Temple, a place that the Buddha visited when he came to Sri Lanka for the first time, nine months after his enlightenment.
Check into your hotel for an overnight stay at Sorabora.
Kandy
Day 6: Go On a Tuk Tuk Ride Around Kandy
Let’s continue our fascinating journey in Sri Lanka with a visit to its hill capital, Kandy.
Check into your hotel and get set for a fun tuk tuk ride around the city. Proceed to enjoy the sights in the heart of this beautiful city, especially the lake, temples, and palaces. Stroll through the local markets to experience local life. You can also take a walk around the pretty Kandy Lake.
Visit one of the main attractions of the city – the Temple of the Tooth Relic, known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, in the evening. The temple is a sacred place that houses the tooth of the Buddha, and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Stay in Kandy overnight.
Bandarawela - Haputale
Day 7: Tour The Scenic Tea Plantations at Nuwara Eliya
It’s time to go on a wonderful train journey to Nuwara Eliya in the morning. Traveling by train is a delightful way to see the scenic locales consisting of green hills and beautiful waterfalls. A fun ride indeed!
After you arrive in the hill country, you will visit a tea plantation and factory. It will give you an understanding of tea production–from picking tea leaves in the plantation to processing tea at the factory. Now you know everything that needs to be done to get a delicious cup of tea! You can also purchase high quality tea from the factory if you would like to.
From here, you will head towards Bandarawela/Haputale and stay overnight at the hotel.
Buttala
Day 8: Stunning Views at Ella Gap
Today, you can spend the morning at leisure exploring the area or doing anything that interests you. Then, you will travel towards Buttala via Ella. On your way, you can see the incredible panoramic views of the landscape from Ella Gap, and lovely waterfalls.
Stay in Buttala overnight.
Buttala
Day 9: Enjoy the Village Life
Would you like to start your day with a tasty Sri Lankan traditional breakfast? Relish pittu, string hoppers, coconut rotti and milk rice in the morning.
Afterwards, you have the day at leisure. You can take a walk around the village or navigate your way on a cycle. Interact with local farmers to understand their farming methods. We can also help arrange a half-hour session for you to learn Sinhala. How cool is that!
Afterwards, you can visit a local house and learn a thing or two about Sri Lankan cooking by helping the lady of the house to prepare a meal. After your cooking lesson, sit down to enjoy the meal with the family.
Up next in the afternoon is an exclusive private jeep safari at Yala National Park – Block 3. This is a great opportunity for you to enjoy a private nature experience in this protected wilderness area, as this block has few visitors.
Stay in Buttala overnight
Yala - Tissamaharama
Day 10: Go On a Game Drive at Yala National Park
In the morning you will travel to Yala/Tissamaharama.
En route, you will make a stop at the Kataragama Temple, a Hindu and Buddhist temple complex. It is a temple venerated by various religions and communities including Sinhala Buddhists, minority Hindu Tamils, Muslims and Vedda people.
Afterwards, you will proceed to your hotel to check in.
In the afternoon, set out to discover Sri Lanka’s wildlife at Yala National Park – Block 1. One of the largest national parks in the country, Yala has an impressive variety of flora and fauna.
Enjoy a guided game drive to spot the animals in the wild that may include the sight of an elusive leopard!
Rest at your hotel in Yala/Tissamaharama for the night.
Mirissa
Day 11: Hang out at the Beach in Mirissa
Beach time, folks!
In the morning, you will commence your journey to Mirissa, a fabulous beach destination on the south coast of Sri Lanka.
After you arrive and check into your hotel, you can spend your time as you wish. After all, the beach is one of the best places to unwind.
Enjoy the lovely views and various other activities on the beach. Or relax at the pool in your hotel by the beachside. Stay in Mirissa for the night.
mirissa - Galle
Day 12: Discover the Attractions at Galle Fort
Today, you will visit a fabulous place–the Galle Fort and its fortifications. Located along the coast, the vistas around the fort are incredibly picturesque, and the fort itself is wonderful. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the fort is a product of European occupation. Its architecture blends the styles of the Portuguese, Dutch and the British. Galle Fort covers an extensive area with gorgeous views of the ocean, a wonderful lighthouse, maritime museum, and charming restaurants and shops. You will definitely be able to capture some amazing photographs here!
In the afternoon, you will return to your hotel in Mirissa to relax in your room or at the poolside. You can take a stroll on the beach in the evening. It’s your time to spend at leisure. Stay at this beach destination overnight.
Airport
Day 13: Goodbye, Sri Lanka!
It is the last day of your Sri Lankan tour. In the morning, you will leave for Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Enjoy a sightseeing tour around the city and go shopping before proceeding to Bandaranaike International Airport. Safe travels!
