Explore Sri Lanka high and low with this fascinating tour starting in the capital, Colombo, and taking an inland loop that covers all the main historical, cultural, and natural attractions of this magical island. Experience firsthand the love and respect that Sri Lankans have for the Elephants. Explore the medieval city of Polonnaruwa. Visit Nuwara Eliya, the heart of Sri Lanka's tea country producing a significant share of the world’s best tea. Discover Yala National Park, stepping into the most visited national park in the country but also the lands of a civilization that thrived during the reign of Sri Lankan kings. Visit Galle, the epic Southern capital is the intersection where classic Dutch architecture meets a tropical setting creating a vivid atmosphere in beauty.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Colombo: Sri Lanka’s vibrant capital is both a historic city packed with colonial architecture and a bustling metropolis.
Dambulla: Catch a glimpse of this fascinating Buddhist cave-temple carved deep into a mountain and decorated with impressive frescoes.
Polonnaruwa: An ancient city characterized by temples and palace ruins, as well as an interesting still-functioning irrigation system.
Kandy: This beautiful city hosts the famous Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and its paradisiacal palaces and gardens.
Yala National Park: Explore the magnificent fields of green and meet many wild animals such as elephants, buffalo, crocodiles, and leopards.
Galle: Travel back in time while exploring the historical streets of this well-preserved fortified Dutch colonial city.
Day 1: ARRIVAL COLOMBO – NEGOMBO (8 km – 30 min)
Your Sri Lankan adventure begins on arrival at Colombo airport. Here a representative awaits to greet you and assist on arrival before you hop on your transfer to Negombo, for your first night in Sri Lanka.
Overnight in Negombo.
Day 2: NEGOMBO
Recharge your energies with a delicious breakfast at the hotel before enjoying Negombo at your own pace. In the evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Negombo.
Day 3: NEGOMBO – PINNAWALA – SIGIRIYA (235 km – 4.5hrs)
Charge your batteries with breakfast at the hotel and then head out to Sigiriya. On the way, visit the Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage to experience firsthand the love and respect that Sri Lankans have for these animals. The orphanage was the first of its kind in the world, a unique reserve where abandoned and disabled elephants get care and protection from expert naturalists, but also enjoy a healthy social life and freedom. It is home to about 60 elephants, including babies found orphaned in the wild. Then accompany the herd to the nearby river and see them taking their daily bath. Many travellers have counted this experience as among the most memorable of their travels in Sri Lanka. Arrive in Sigiriya for dinner at the hotel.
Important note: Tourists are allowed to visit Pinnewala by getting down from the vehicle. Times of the visit are 8.00 am to 5.00 pm. Clients should always wear masks, use Hand sanitisers and maintain social distancing for 1.5 meters.
Overnight in Sigiriya.
Day 4: SIGIRIYA – POLONNARUWA – SIGIRIYA (115km – 2.5hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel proceed to a Polonnaruwa city tour. Island's medieval capital (built in the 11th and 12th century AD) rose to fame after the decline of Anuradhapura. It is a world heritage site. Many of the ruins are in excellent condition. Its great artificial lake, the Parakrama Samudra which covers an area of 6,000 acres, feeds a network of irrigation canals and minor tanks. Visit the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya which has 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in 'Upright', 'Sedentary' and 'Recumbent' postures carved out of the rock, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath and the statue of King Parakramabahu. There are also monuments of famous places of worship such as the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilake, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic. On completion return to the hotel, for dinner.
Important note: Tourists are allowed to visit the Polonnaruwa site by getting down from the vehicle. Clients should always wear masks, use Hand sanitisers and maintain social distancing for 1.5 meters
Overnight in Sigiriya.
Day 5: SIGIRIYA – DAMBULLA – KANDY (90km – 2.5hrs)
Indulge in a delicious breakfast at your hotel before hopping on the transfer to Dambulla. Visit the Dambulla Rock Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The temple dates back to the 1st century BC when King Valagam Bahu was driven out of the ancient capital city of Anuradhapura and took refuge here. Home to magnificent mural paintings and 157 statues of the Buddha, it has been a sacred pilgrimage site ever since, an astounding 22 centuries. Then, proceed to Kandy. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site. The name "Kandy" conjures visions of splendour and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy.
Important note: The visit to Dambulla cave temple is subject to Tourist Board approval as it remains pending. Kandy temple can be visited any weekday from 11.30 am to 1.30 pm. Clients can get down from the vehicle and visit the temple. Clients should always wear masks, use Hand sanitisers and maintain social distancing for 1.5 meters.
Overnight in Kandy.
Day 6: KANDY – PERADENIYA – KANDY (12km – 30min)
Have breakfast at the hotel and proceed to Peradeniya Botanical Garden. This beautiful garden is located 4 miles off Kandy. It was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British. It covers approximately 147 acres and is a walker’s paradise with extensive well-kept lawns, pavilions, an octagon conservatory, fernery, a giant Javan fig tree and numerous flower beds. The best attraction is the orchid house. Return to the hotel and in the evening enjoy dinner.
Important note: Tourists are allowed to visit Peradeniya botanical garden by getting down from the vehicle. Times of the visit are 8.00 am to 5.00 pm. Clients should always wear masks, use Hand sanitisers and maintain social distancing for 1.5 meters.
Overnight in Kandy.
Day 7: KANDY – NUWARA ELIYA (80km – 2.5hrs)
Delight in a tasty breakfast at the hotel and proceed to Nuwara Eliya. Visit Nuwara Eliya from the vehicle. Nuwara Eliya, because of its invigorating mountain climate and scenery, is Sri Lanka's most popular hill resort. Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of Sri Lanka's tea country producing a significant share of the world’s best tea. Sri Lanka s highest mountain Pidurutalagala (8282 feet) is located here. Nuwara Eliya also has one of the finest 18-hole golf courses in South Asia.
Important note: Clients are not allowed to get down from the vehicle while they do the Nuwara Eliya city tour.
Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.
Day 8: NUWARA ELIYA – YALA (150km – 4hrs)
After a delectable breakfast get on the transfer to Yala, and upon arrival enjoy an afternoon safari. Spreading into a vast 1259 Km2 Yala - with its glory spinning around vast grasslands, shrubs, tanks and dunes - rightfully is the heartland of wildlife in Sri Lanka. As your jeep rumble through the giant gates of Yala, you are not only stepping into the most visited national park in the country but also the lands of a civilization that thrived during the reign of Sri Lankan kings. You name it, and Yala has it! Its usual inmates cover herds of elephant, sloth bear, spotted dear, jackal, extensively populated birdlife as well as the highest density of leopards in the world that garnish the park to be one of the finest destinations in the country. Feel the rough track as your jeep thunders over rocks and swish passing narrow bends for an exhilarating experience blended with the cries of wilderness under the tropical sun. On completion, check-in and dinner at the hotel.
Important note: Yala national park can be visited any weekday from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm. Clients should always wear masks, use Hand sanitisers and maintain social distancing for 1.5 meters.
Overnight in Yala.
Day 9: YALA – GALLE – COLOMBO (275km – 4hrs)
Charge your batteries with breakfast at the hotel and then head out to Galle, for a city tour. Galle, the epic Southern capital, is the intersection where classic Dutch architecture meets a tropical setting creating a vivid atmosphere in beauty. Walk the Dutch-haunted streets listening to the creaks of wooden saloon doors and observe how European architecture mingles with South Asian traditions today flooding cultural enthusiasts on a global scale. Its original ramparts and bastions preserved up to date showcase evidence of a heritage preserved for more than 3 1/2 centuries. Walk clockwise within the fort to observe the 'old gate' carrying the British coat of arms. Flanking the old gate is the Zwart bastion - the oldest of all - and the lighthouse standing 18 feet in its glory next to the Point Utretcht Bastion. This Dutch bliss is painted with streets that spread in a rectangular grid pattern pierced with houses carrying Dutch colonial style verandas. Hop into the Dutch Hospital Shopping Complex to be mesmerized by an array of souvenir selections. However, its hallmark stands a reality where the Dutch fort remains a working community with its usual buzz of administrative offices, court complex, commercial buildings, churches and Southern folks frequenting its streets bracing the air of the Elysium of architecture, Galle! Then proceed to Colombo, for a city tour. Colombo like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing its face. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood. Yet in some parts, the old-world charm is retained. For example, there is a 100-year-old clock tower and several British built colonial buildings. Other places of interest are the Pettah bazaar - where one can shop for a bargain, a Hindu and a Buddhist temple, residential areas - where you find stately homes of the affluent and the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH)- an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the People's Republic of China. Check-in and dinner at the hotel.
Important note: Clients are not allowed to get down from the vehicle while they visit Galle and Kandy cities.
Overnight in Colombo.
Day 10: DEPARTURE COLOMBO (32km – 1hr)
Now that you are at the end of your journey with us, after breakfast your chauffeur will comfortably take you to the international airport in time for your departure flight.
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Sri Lanka. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Shoes should be removed before entering a temple or private house. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
