Spectacular pristine beaches, ageless ruins, enchanting wildlife, rolling emerald hills, mesmerizing panoramas, amazing waterfalls, diverse culture and plenty of tea!
Explore Sri Lanka at its finest – a country blessed with treasures all over the island. An all inclusive 13 day tour immersing yourself in rich history and culture, and experiencing true Sri Lankan hospitality. This tour will cover key historical attractions such as Sigiriya rock fortress, ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa, Kandy Temple of the Tooth and Galle Fort, scenic tea covered hills of chilly Nuwara Eliya and Ella, tropical beaches of the south with stilt fishermen and turtles including an exotic wildlife safari at Yala National Park – known for the highest density of leopards in the world.
Luxury hotels | daily breakfast and dinner| vehicle with chauffeur | all excursions mentioned in itinerary
Day 1 – 2 – Arrival and stay in Negombo followed by with a city tour of Negombo
Day 3 – Visit and climb the magnificent Sigiriya Rock fortress and experience a village tour of rural Sri Lanka
Day 4 – Explore ancient ruins in the medieval city of Polonnaruwa and architectural marvels of Gal Viharaya
Day 5 – 6 – Experience the rich heritage of Kandy on a city tour covering all key attractions including Royal Botanical gardens
Day 7 – Take in the beauty of scenic Nuwara Eliya on a city tour seeing places of colonial heritage
Day 8 – See Ravana’s falls and Nine Arches Bridge in Ella ending the day with a safari at Yala National Park
Day 9 -10 – After exploring Yala, witness stilt fishing in Weligama on the way to Galle
11-12 – Discover the world heritage of Galle Fort with an experience through its ramparts and streets
13 – Visit the Ambalangoda Mask Workshop to witness amazing mask making followed by a visit to the Turtle hatchery
14 – Explore the cosmopolitan city of Colombo followed by some retail therapy before your departure flight
We will meet you upon arrival at the airport and drive you to Negombo to check into your hotel and rest and relax.
Meals: None
Accommodation: Arie Lagoon or similar
Entrance tickets and excursions included: None
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle, guiding services
Explore Negombo on a city tour, visiting places that were influenced by the colonial period in the country, namely the Dutch. During the Dutch rule, they had encouraged the spice trade such as cinnamon and built canals for transport and distribution which is the Dutch Hamilton Canal. The mix of European and Asian influences can be seen in the architecture, especially the churches of Dutch origin. Upon completion, return to hotel in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, and dinner
Accommodation: Arie Lagoon or similar
Entrance tickets and excursions included: Negombo city tour
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle, guiding services
Early morning before breakfast visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress before the crowds to witness the ‘8th wonder of the world’ as the locals call it. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the rock is internationally famous for its frescoes, painted with use of natural resources. It was built during King Kashyapa’s reign in 477-495 AD. A trip to Sri Lanka would not be complete without climbing the rock. Once atop you will be rewarded with mesmerizing views of the surrounding landscapes unfolding beneath your feet. Afterwards you can take a village tour to experience the true rural life of Sri Lanka. Drive to Polonnaruwa and check into hotel. Overnight stay in Polonnaruwa.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Deer Park Hotel or similar
Entrance tickets and excursions included: Sigiriya rock fortress, Village tour
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle, guiding services
After breakfast drive to Polonnaruwa, a medieval city known for its historical ruins, rock statues, ruins of Royal palaces, man-made lake of Parakrama Samudra and architectural monument – Gal Viharaya. Experience the ancient history behind these ruins especially the Polonnaruwa Vatadage, the Lankathilaka that are historically significant and represent the cultural influences and reign of King Parakramabahu. Upon completion head back to hotel. Overnight stay in Polonnaruwa.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Deer Park Hotel or similar
Entrance tickets and excursions included: Polonnaruwa day tour, Gal Viharaya,
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle, guiding services
After breakfast drive to Kandy, the last royal kingdom in Sri Lanka. Visit the significant landmarks that reflect the rich culture and traditions of the Kandyan Era. The city tour will cover the renowned Temple of the Tooth Relic, the royal palace, Kandy Lake, Gem museum, Kandy market and witness Kandyan dancing with a cultural show in the evening. Upon completion check into hotel. Overnight stay in Kandy.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Amaya Hills or similar
Entrance tickets and excursions included: Kandy City Tour, Kandyan dancing and cultural show
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle, guiding services
Drive to the Royal Botanical Gardens located in Peradeniya on the outskirts of Kandy after breakfast and see the beautiful expansive lawns that are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. The highlights are the orchid house, massive fig tree and the conservatory. Spend some time here and capture photographs for memories. In the evening drive to Nuwara Eliya and check into your hotel. Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Galway Heights or similar
Entrance tickets and excursions included: Royal Botanical Gardens
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle, guiding services
Enthrall in the beauty of scenic Nuwara Eliya with a city tour after breakfast with our guide taking you to see key attractions that cover Lake Gregory, traditional colonial buildings such as the Post Office, Grand Hotel and the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, Victoria Park and more. In the evening you could relish an experience of a typical English high tea at the Grand Hotel surrounded by beautiful manicured lawns and waiters at your service. Afterwards, head back to your hotel. Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Galway Heights or similar
Entrance tickets and excursions included: Nuwara Eliya city tour
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle, guiding services
In the morning after breakfast leave for Yala. On the way stop at Ella, a scenic town surrounded by mountains – known for its iconic landmarks namely Ravana Falls and the Nine Arches Bridge, a colonial marvel of beautiful architecture. The Ravana falls has become a popular tourist attraction because of its majestic beauty and height. During the rainy season, the waterfall is believed to look like a flower.
Thereafter you will continue to Yala and check into the hotel. In the afternoon embark on a wildlife safari at Yala National Park – one of the highly acclaimed national parks in the country. Journey around on a jeep searching for mighty leopards since the park is known for having the highest density of leopards in the world. Look out for spotted deer, elephants, sloth bears and more as you cruise along sandy dunes and thick jungles which give an ultimate safari experience. In the evening go back to the hotel. Overnight stay in Yala.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: EKHO Safari or similar
Entrance tickets and excursions included: Ravana Falls, Nice Arches Bridge, Yala National Park Safari
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle, guiding services
Spend an extra free day in Yala at leisure. You have a choice to choose from optional excursions in Yala such as the Lunugamvehara National Park, Tissamaharama Raja Maha Viharaya, Situlpawwa Monastery or you could visit our page, Things to do in Yala.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: EKHO Safari or similar
Entrance tickets and excursions included: Optional Excursions
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle, guiding services
After breakfast you will leave Yala and travel to Weligama – an area known for its stilt fishermen. Stilt fishing has been a traditional fishing method inherited since the time of the Second World War. It requires a lot of patience and skill to fish from dawn to evening and the fishermen perched on the vertical poles against the backdrop of the ocean and sky gives a beautiful picture. These stilt fishermen are popular along the southern coastal towns including Ahangama, and Koggala. Afterwards travel to Galle and check into the hotel to rest and relax. Overnight stay in Galle.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: The Habitat by Kosgoda or similar
Entrance tickets and excursions included: Stilt Fishermen of the South
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle, guiding services
After breakfast you will meet your guide who will take you on the Galle Fort Experience tour. The Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a very popular tourist attraction since it is a true representation of the colonial influence from the Dutch rule in the country. The Galle Fort Experience will allow you to reflect to colonial times with witnessing colonial buildings, cobblestone streets and ramparts. Afterwards head back to hotel. Overnight stay in Kosgoda.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: The Habitat by Kosgoda or similar
Entrance tickets and excursions included: Galle Fort Experience
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle, guiding services
The next day you will spend the day in Galle at leisure, or you can explore the city with many optional excursions to choose from the page, Things to do in Galle. We would recommend visiting the Maritime Museum, the Meera Mosque, the Galle Lighthouse and the Dutch Reformed Church. Afterwards head back to hotel. Overnight stay in Kosgoda.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: The Habitat by Kosgoda or similar
Entrance tickets and excursions included: None
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle, guiding services
After breakfast you will proceed to Ahungalle and visit the Ambalangoda Mask Workshop and Museum, a major tourist attraction and a place steeped in Sri Lankan history and culture. A tradition that has been upheld for many centuries, the masks are carved in different techniques and intricately as well. There are demonstrations that you can watch, or participate if you wish.
Later you will move on to the Turtle Hatchery located in Kosgoda, one of the popular tourist attractions down south. The area is known for the Sea Turtle Conservation Project and has been recognized by the Wildlife Protection Society. One of the reasons this hatchery is so popular is due to the fact that it houses all five breeds of turtle species in the country. You can get to hold baby turtles and if you are lucky, you may be able to grab the opportunity to release them back into the ocean if they are mature and well. Afterwards, travel to Colombo and check into the hotel. Overnight stay in Colombo.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Fairway Colombo or similar
Entrance tickets and excursions included: Ambalangoda Mask Workshop and Museum, Turtle Hatchery.
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle, guiding services
After breakfast in the morning, check out of the hotel and meet your guide who will take you on a city tour of Colombo. The tour will cover the main highlights of the city that merges the old and new such as the National Museum, the Viharamahadevi Park, the Gangaramaya temple and more. You will be given some free time for shopping in Colombo before you leave for airport for your flight of departure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
Entrance tickets and excursions included: Colombo city tour.
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle, guiding services
