Itinerary
You are greeted upon arrival at the airport in Colombo by your chauffeur guide and you are then driven to your hotel in nearby Negombo for assisted check-in.
Check-out of your hotel and join your chauffeur guide for a drive to Anuradhapura, the first Sinhalese capital, from the 4th century BC to the 10th century and the center of the island's Buddhist civilization. The island's oldest Buddhist shrines - some dating back to 3rd century BC are found here. The ruins of Anuradhapura are one of South Asia’s most evocative sights. The sprawling complex contains a rich collection of archaeological and architectural wonders: enormous dagobas (brick stupas), ancient pools and crumbling temples, built during Anuradhapura’s thousand years of rule over Sri Lanka.
You will also visit the mountain of Mihintale, which is purported to be the ancient site where Buddhism was founded in Sri Lanka. There are several historical ruins and religious edifices to enjoy here.
After your tour, you are driven to Habarana and check-in to your hotel.
After breakfast proceed to another ancient city on the island, Polonnaruwa. This fascinating 11th century city is home to many interesting ruins and famous monuments including the Royal Palace and Gal Vihara. Polonnaruwa was once the capital and is also the second most ancient city in Sri Lanka. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Afternoon: Proceed for a visit to Sigiriya Rock Fortress known as “The Fortress in the Sky”. Built over 1500 years ago, this beautiful citadel stands 200 meters high in the middle of a verdant jungle and was an important stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. It can be viewed from miles around and is definitely one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic and famous sites. King Kashyapa selected this site for his new capital and built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colorful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. The name of this place is derived from this structure — Sinhagiri, the Lion Rock.
The capital and the royal palace were abandoned after the king's death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century. Sigiriya today is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site.
After breakfast check-out from your hotel and join your Chauffeur guide for the journey to Kandy. Drive through the scenic landscape until you arrive at Matale. You may choose to stop here as there are dozens of visitor-friendly spice plantations where vanilla, rubber, cinchona, jackfruit, cocoa and cardamom thrive. The area is also famous for kohila (a type of watercress) and small, mild chillies. Since ancient times, traders from all over the world who came to Sri Lanka brought their native cuisines to the island, resulting in a rich diversity of cooking styles and techniques. Sri Lankan people use spices liberally in their dishes and typically do not follow an exact recipe.
Arrive at Kandy in the early afternoon and check-in to your hotel. Kandy is the picturesque capital of the hill country, and is built around a peaceful lake in a valley surrounded by lush hills. It is Sri Lanka’s current center of Buddhism, arts, crafts and culture.
Afternoon: Visit the most important religious monument of Sri Lanka, the Temple Of The Tooth Relic. This famous temple is the abode of a tooth relic from the Buddha, ever since 4th Century A.D, when the Buddha's Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orissan princess's hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka's most prized possession. Wander around the exterior walls before heading inside to see the elaborately decorated halls and visit the room where the revered relic is hidden away in a lavishly adorned golden casket.
Evening: Attend a cultural show – Sri Lanka, a country rich with culture & tradition offers a very vibrant and unique show of Sri Lankan traditional dances, in the form of the Kandy cultural show. The dances are accompanied by Ceremonial Drums and the Drum Orchestra rising and falling to the lively tempo.
Enjoy a guided tour of Kandy, last capital of the Sri Lankan kings which is a World Heritage Site. The name "Kandy" conjures visions of splendor 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 Kandy town and Bazaar, the arts & crafts centre, a gem museum and a lapidary. After the tour you will return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Check-out after breakfast, and you will enjoy the scenic drive to Nuwara Eliya. On this journey you will stop at Ramboda Falls for a photo opportunity and then again for a tea break at a tea factory. The incredible plantation views are a visual treat as you enjoy the delicious fresh tea.
Upon your arrival at Nuwara Eliya you will check in at your hotel.
Sri Lanka’s most popular hill resort, Nuwara Eliya, is known as “Little England”. It is nestled in the middle of lush, beautiful mountains, valleys, waterfalls and tea plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coldest places on the island, but is really just like an England spring day although the temperature does drop at night. Seasons may be absent elsewhere in Sri Lanka, but here you can read them by the flowers, which bloom in the spring (March to May) and the fall (August and September). These are the ‘seasons’ when low-country folk flock to Nuwara Eliya to escape the sea level heat and humidity.
You have the option of enjoying a city tour this afternoon, which includes a stroll through scenic Victoria Park.
In the morning, depart for Horton Plains. The highest plateau at 7000ft (2134 meters) is a National Park, visited by both domestic and international tourists. The Patnas in the lower parts, rising from the Marshes and streams extend up to the tree-line. The trees, stunted by the wind and mist, covered with ‘Sphagnum moss ‘ or old man’s beard, and the jungle is full of rare and endemic plants. The red flowered Rhododendrons, or the ‘Niloos’ that blooms once in 12 years, and the Butterflies, Birds, found only in the hill areas, the ‘Bear Monkey,’ large herds of Sambhur, Leopard and other animals are found in the plains. The ‘World End’ and ‘Little World End” with sheer drops of 3000ft to the plantation below and the beautiful scenery, are not found anywhere else in the country. This can be the total three-hour roundtrip trek to World’s End, which is an amazing experience. You can make the trek shorter and you can also hike up to the Baker’s Falls, a gorgeous symphony of water as it cascades down the rocky mountain outcrop. An iconic temple of Hinduism is nearby and well worth a visit. Located where Ravana imprisoned Goddess Sita, the massive imbedded footprints created by Lord Hanuman’s landing are awe-inspiring.
Check-out after breakfast and then you proceed on yet another incredibly scenic drive to Yala National Park. This Park is Sri Lanka’s most popular wildlife park and is considered one of the best places in the world for spotting leopards. The scenery is amazing and you will see lots of wild elephants, including herds with their children, crocodile, wild boar, deer, monkeys, sloth bear, aquatic bird and many more.
You will stop at Rawana Falls and and Ella Gap for photo opportunities before arriving in Yala, where you will check-in to your jungle lodge.
Afternoon: You are at leisure to enjoy the facilities and surroundings of your lodge this afternoon.
Check-out in the morning and then you proceed on the drive to Galle. You will pass many interesting sights, including beautiful beaches and the area where the dying tradition of Sri Lankan Stilt Fishing is practiced just off the coast. Technology has now allowed them to be able to catch fish in easier ways, but the fishermen will perform the unique activity for you for a fee, upon request.
Arrive at Galle and you are assisted with check-in to the hotel.
Afternoon: Enjoy a guided excursion to the historic fort city. Explore the Dutch architecture and various monuments, much of it still the same as it was centuries ago. The Galle Fort is now a designated world heritage site. Other prominent landmarks in Galle include the Natural Harbor, the National Maritime Museum, St. Mary’s Cathedral founded by Jesuit priests and the Clock Tower.
Check-out after breakfast and you will join your chauffeur guide for the trip to the capital city of Colombo.
En route, stop at Balapitiya for a river cruise on the Madu River. The river flows through a terrain where it creates a large number of islands, and the eco system creates a beautiful wetland rich in biodiversity. It may be one of the last remaining tracts of pristine mangrove forests in Sri Lanka. A boat trip is a wonderful way of seeing some of the hundreds of species of plants and animals. There are numerous islands and lagoons in the river, from a tiny speck housing a deserted shrine to one housing 250 families connected to the mainland with a very long footbridge.
Afternoon: Enjoy a city tour of Colombo: the largest city and commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Located on the west coast, it is a busy and vibrant city with a mixture of modern and colonial impressions. Architecture is a mixed affair in Colombo, with remnant structures from the bygone colonial era co-existing with tall skyscrapers and other such large buildings that dot the skyline. You will be given an insider’s view to the bustling metropolis and discover the many layers, which form its colorful character.
You are driven to the airport at the appropriate time to board your international flight.
Our services end at Colombo airport.
