• Ayubowan (May You Live Long!)

   

  Welcome to Sri Lanka, a land like no other. Awaiting you is 12 days of explorations, featuring the best of cultural adventure, lush green tea estates and waterfalls, amazing wildlife, and beautiful golden sandy beaches.

   

  DAY PLAN:

  • Upon arrival at Colombo CMB airport, you will meet your tour leader and be 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 (20 minutes away from the airport), which has long been known as Sri Lanka's most popular beach, famous for its golden sandy beach, food, and fun.
  • For day one, we haven’t planned any activities, allowing you the freedom to arrive in Sri Lanka at any time. If your flight arrives early in the day, you can relax at the beach or pool of your cosy hotel.
  • In the evening, you may take a walk along the seashore while enjoying the beautiful sunset and the pleasant evening atmosphere of the beachside.
  • Overnight stay in a modern seafront hotel in Negombo

• 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.

  
  
  

  DAY PLAN:

  • En route to Dambulla, you'll visit the Pinnawala Elephant Rehabilitation Centre, originally created in order to protect and look after the wild elephants found wandering about the forests of Sri Lanka. 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 that is still used in some villages.
  • While on the tour you will enjoy a canoeing boat ride across the lake and a pleasant TukTuk ride before reaching the farmer’s house where you will experience typical Sri Lankan countryside hospitality.
  • In the afternoon, you will visit the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE), since it is the best time to witness and capture the sunset from the summit. King Kasyapa (477 – 495 AD) built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes and it is long known as one of the wonders of the world due to the amazing architecture & technology used.
  • Overnight stay in a nature-friendly resort at Sigiriya

DAY PLAN:

• Early morning, join the Pidurangala Rock hike to witness and take pictures of the sunrise (optional activity).
• After breakfast, visit Polonnaruwa

In 1070 King Vijayabahu chose this place as his kingdom making it one of the most ancient cities in the history of Sri Lanka. Cycling through Polonnaruwa's ancient locations is a wonderful experience.

• In the afternoon, you will be heading to Minneriya/Kaudulla National Park for an afternoon 4x4 jeep safari, since it is the best time to spot wild elephants in 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. It is always a pleasure to watch baby elephants playing at the lake under the evening sun.

• Thereafter, spend your evening on your own, walking around and enjoying the surrounding nature.
• Overnight stay in a nature-friendly resort at Sigiriya.

• 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.

   

  DAY PLAN:

  • En route to Kandy, 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 metres over the surrounding plains and houses 5 cave temples with some of the most unique and significant historical drawings.

   

  • Afternoon, visit the Temple of Tooth Relic (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE) and Kandy viewpoint.
  • Evening, you’ll explore on your own, 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
  • Overnight stay in a cosy mount view hotel at Kandy.

In the morning, proceed towards Kitulgala forest, which is a major ecotourism venue in Sri Lanka. It is a real paradise for those who love adventures.

DAY PLAN:

• Upon arrival at Kitulgala, experience White Water Rafting in the picturesque Kelani River. The river and its surroundings will make you feel enchanted, with a memorable experience during your River Rafting Tour in Kitulgala. This activity is for anyone above the age of 10 years with all the safety measures.
• Afterwards, trek to a natural rock pool, which is an extremely beautiful gift of nature, and you will be able to experience it by sliding down an inclined 05-metre waterfall with safety gear into the rock pool.

NOTE: above activities are optional, if you do not wish to attend, you can simply have a relaxing day at your cosy hotel while enjoying the surrounding nature.

• Overnight stay in a cosy mount view hotel at Kandy/Kitulgala

• After breakfast, you’ll have a wonderful journey toward Sri Lanka's tea region of Nuwara Eliya. It is often referred to as “Little England” because many of the buildings in this city are retained 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.

   

  DAY PLAN:

  • Morning, visit the Museum; and get to know more about the World-renowned and most prestigious Sri Lankan gems and jewellery in a gem museum tour.
  • Thereafter, visit Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden, which is known as one of the best botanical gardens in Asia.
  • 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 centre and the fruit and vegetable market.
  • Overnight stay in a beautiful villa at Nuwara Eliya

DAY PLAN:

• In the morning, you will 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 will be arranged at the station / Class category is subject to availability).
• Explore the village of Ella

Ella is everyone’s favourite 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. Ella is an excellent place for walking and its most famous trekking route is “Mini Adam’s Peak”.

• Evening, you can chill out at the village centre where there are lots of restaurants, pubs and evening entertainments.
• Overnight stay in a mount view hotel at Ella Village.

After breakfast, depart from Ella towards 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 its fantastic offerings! Encompassing a range of diverse ecosystems, the park has an impressive variety of wildlife, including sloth bears, leopards, and lots of colourful birds.

DAY PLAN:

• Early morning, join with a trek to Ella Rock to capture the sunrise (optional activity).
• En route to Yala, stop at Ravana waterfall, another popular sightseeing attraction in Ella.
• Afternoon, enjoy a 4x4 jeep ride searching for leopards hanging on trees or whispering through the bushes, crocodiles patrolling the river and baby elephants drinking water and playing under the evening sunset.
• Overnight stay in a safari resort at Yala/Tissamaharama

After a fantastic journey through the coconut palms, mountains and waterfalls, you will finally arrive at the world-famous beachside of Sri Lanka. Mirissa/Dickwella is a delightful sandy beach that was a well-kept secret in the past, but now restaurants and pubs are opening up to visitors. It's a magnificent place characterised by white sands and coconut palms growing right from the edge of

the sea as if in imitation of a postcard of a perfect tropical beach.

DAY PLAN:

• En route, stop at Hummanaya Natural blowhole that is caused by sea water rushing through a submerged cavern and being pushed upwards. It is considered to be the second-largest blowhole in the world.
• Upon arrival at your hotel, you may grab a towel to relax on the beach while enjoying a cocktail or a chill beer under the shade of a palm tree.
• Optional activities.

Jet Ski, Banana & Tube Boating, Diving, Snorkeling, Surfing, Fishing & Deep sea fishing are few among the popular list.

• Overnight stay in a wonderful seafront resort at Mirissa/Dickwella

DAY PLAN:

• Early in the morning, head 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.
• Spend the rest of the day on your own while enjoying the awesome atmosphere on the beach side.
• Optional activities include Jet Ski, Diving, Snorkeling, Surfing, Fishing & Deep sea fishing.
• You'll definitely 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 wonderful seafront resort at Mirissa/Dickwella.

After breakfast, you’ll visit Sri Lanka's capital city; Colombo, which has an interesting history dating 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 colourful streets, restaurants and modern shopping malls attract hordes of locals and tourists alike.

DAY PLAN:

• 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..
• Afterward, Perhaps, you may pop into a famous and internationally renowned restaurant in Colombo to end your trip over an unforgettable meal.
• Thereafter, proceed to the airport in time for your return flight or we will drop you back to your hotel in Colombo or Negombo.