Because of Sri Lanka’s sheer diversity, planning a first trip and deciding what places to visit, what to do and how much time is available for each activity may be daunting. Highlights of the Sri Lanka Tour Package is for those with no specific interest but are keen to experience what Sri Lanka is about. This itinerary will take you through the main historical places of the Cultural Triangle, the charming natural beauty of the hill country, along with the opportunity for a face to face encounter with the Sri Lankan elephant in the wilds, and experience the quintessential Galle Fort together with other key attractions of the south coast and the fast evolving metro of Colombo.
This tour may be booked using the Book Now button and ideally combined with a beach stay extension of your choice in the South or South West coast or Negombo. Contact us through Enquire now tab for options and details of beach stays at various classes of hotels in these areas to cut down on your search time. If you wish to customise the highlights tour itself you may refer our Top 50 things to do in Sri Lanka for some inspiration.
We will meet you upon arrival at the International Airport and drive you to Negombo to check into your hotel and rest and relax. Alternatively we could pick you up from Colombo or Negombo to commence this tour.
Meals: None
Accommodation: Suriya Resort, Amaluna or similar
Entrance tickets included: None
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle, guiding services
After breakfast, drive to Dambulla to explore the Dambulla cave temple complex and there after to Minneriya National Park to encounter large herds of Elephant in the wild. The park is famed for the phenomenon known as “the gathering” that occurs during the dry season from August to October whereby hundreds of elephants may be seen at the evening drink. Drive to your base in Habarana, Dambulla or Sigiriya for the next two days.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Sigiriya Village, Oak Ray Elephant Lake or similar
Entrance tickets included: Dambulla cave temple, Minneriya National Park Safari
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle (excluding safari jeep), guiding services
Early morning before breakfast visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress to beat the crowds and see one of the ancient architectural wonders and the ruins of King Kassapa’s palace perched atop a 200 meter granite rock. Take a Village Tour, by foot and trying other rustic forms of transportation, taking in the beautiful sights and sounds of village life. Enjoy some village cuisine served up in lotus leaves. In the afternoon visit the Polonnaruwa historical sites.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sigiriya Village, Oak Ray Elephant Lake or similar
Entrance tickets included: Sigiriya rock, Village tour, Polonnaruwa historical sites
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle, guiding services
Visit a spice garden where you may learn about the variety of Sri Lankan spices, how they are grown and processed and their benefits. Drive to Kandy and start a city tour which includes Kandy Lake, marketplace and gem museum. In the evening visit the temple of the tooth relic and thereafter witness a cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dancing and drumming.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Suisse Hotel, Hotel Topaz or similar
Entrance tickets included: Spice garden, Kandy city tour, Temple of the tooth relic, Kandyan cultural dance show
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle, guiding services
Take the very scenic train ride from Kandy to Nanu Oya and drive to the city of Nuwara Eliya, also known as ‘Little England’, set against beautiful backdrops of mountains, lush green valleys, waterfalls and tea plantations. High up in the hills, the green and pleasant city offers colonial heritage and proximity to pristine natural areas. Visit a tea plantation and factory where ‘Ceylon Tea’ is grown and produced to witness the process and taste a factory-brewed cup of Ceylon tea. Take a city tour to explore Nuwara Eliya and its lakeside, parks and markets at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Heaven Seven, Oak Ray Summer Hill Breeze or similar
Entrance tickets included: 2nd class train ticket, Tea plantation and factory visit, Nuwara Eliya city tour
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle, guiding services
After breakfast, drive down to your beach destination in the popular south or south western coasts of Sri Lanka to rest and relax. “Enquire Now” to add more days on the beach.
En route, break journey at the popular Kitulagala and choose to par take in any optional excursions of your choice including white water rafting and jungle treks.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon, Avani Kalutara or similar
Entrance tickets included: None
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle, guiding services
After breakfast drive to Madu River and embark on boat safari through the primitive depths of the mangrove marshes and you can see various species in their natural habitat. Dip your feet in the river for a brief fish pedicure experience. Visit a turtle hatchery, a heaven for baby turtles until they are ready to be released to the open oceans. Witness the unique art of Stilt fishing. Then drive to explore the quintessential Dutch Fort of Galle, built by the Portuguese and later occupied by the Dutch. Now the Fort is a quaint time-capsule city, with cobblestone streets, restaurants, cafes, and boutiques ideally explored by foot.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon, Avani Kalutara or similar
Entrance tickets included: Madu river mangrove safari and fish spa, Turtle hatchery, Stilt fishermen, Galle dutch fort
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle, guiding services
After breakfast, return back to Colombo and take a city tour covering the key highlights, the Colombo Fort, Old Parliament, Galle face Green, Viharamahadevi Park and Independence square culminating in some excellent retail therapy and free time in Colombo at the end. Tour ends when we drop you at the Airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
Entrance tickets and excursions included: Colombo City tour
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle, guiding services
INCLUSIONS
