Best of Sri Lanka Tour

Day 1
Negombo
Upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport – in Colombo, the capital of the country – you will be picked up by a guide and driver and transferred to the starting hotel of the trip. Depending on the arrival time of the plane, you might get the chance to go out on an excursion.

In case you do go out on an excursion, you will travel to Negombo for a fun city tour and get the chance to visit a local fish market on the beach (the fish market is closed on Sundays and public holidays).

Day2
Anuradhapura
Travel to Anuradhapura, an ancient city and an important destination for pilgrims in Sri Lanka. Visit Sri Maha Bodhiya and Isurumuniya, among other places. Sri Maha Bodhiya, which is also known as Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, is a sacred tree that is regarded as the first human-planted tree in the world. The tree was planted in the year 288 BC. Isurumuniya is a Buddhist ‘rock’ temple built by King Devanampiya Tissa: a famous ruler of Anuradhapura. Today, you also have the option of booking an excursion to explore Anuradhapura’s main sights.

Day 3
Sigiriya
Leave Anuradhapura after breakfast and transfer to Sigiriya. Stop in Mihinthale on the way. This peak near Anuradhapura is where Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiya Tissa laid the foundation for Buddhism in Sri Lanka. See the various religious monuments located in Mihinthale. Give alms for the temple (we will provide you with the required amount), but pay attention that you take off your shoes before entering the premises, that your shoulders and thighs are covered and that you wear clothes of light colours.

You also have the option of carrying out the Hiriwadunna Village tour on this day. Take a catamaran to the village. Enjoy sailing over a beautiful lake and spot wild animals and all kinds of birds on the shores. Learn more about the life of the people in a rural Sri Lankan village during a visit to a local’s house.

Day 4
Sigiriya
Participate in a bicycle tour and explore the area. Admire the beauty of green paddy fields, visit local villages and meet friendly people. The trip is not that taxing on your body as the road is flat and you have all the time in the world. Up next on today’s itinerary is a cooking demonstration. Enjoy a delicious Sri Lankan lunch after that.

Optionally, you can also choose to visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress in the evening. The fortress is an ancient ruin in central Dambulla, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs and other structures. A popular tourist destination, the fortress is well known for its ancient wall paintings (frescos) that are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves of India. It is one of the seven UNESCO World Heritage sites in Sri Lanka.

Day 5
Kandy
Drive to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s cultural capital. Take a detour and visit the village of Ayurvedic, a place that is known for the quality of its herbs. The optional activity for today is a visit to the Temple of the Tooth (Rs1500/ USD 10 per person to be paid extra on the spot), where, according to legend, the tooth of the Buddha was brought. This makes the temple one of the most important Buddhist sites in the world.

Day 6
Kandy
Start your day with a walk in the Udawattekele forest. Visit a batik-making and wood-carving centre. Get an insight into the local arts and crafts scene. Whether you are interested in pottery, intricately carved spoons, woven fabric, lacquer, sinewy silverware or finely cut gems, you are like to find them here.

You also have the option of visiting the Royal Botanical Garden today. The garden is known for its variety of plants, including herb plants and palm trees. You can also opt to visit the National Herbarium.

Your optional activity in the evening includes a one-hour culture program starting at 4:30 pm that features local dancers.

Day 7
Ella/Haputale
Drive to a tea plantation and factory in Nuwara Eliya after breakfast. Learn more about the famous Sri Lankan tea. The tour lasts about 30 minutes. Get ready for a train ride from Nanu Oya to Ella /Haputale next. Please remember that the train ride depends upon the availability of seats.

Day 8
Ella/Haputale
Start your day by meeting Sri Lankan monks who will introduce you to the art of meditation. Please make sure that you wear clothes covering the shoulders and knees. Enjoy hiking to Ella Rock and Little Adams Peak. Please remember that this cannot be carried out on a rainy day.

Ella is a quiet, rather sleepy village that offers wonderful views of the plains below, through the so-called Ella Gap. The hiking route follows a railway line and offers a view of the top portion of Ravana Falls. Your trail also leads you through tea plantations and dense forests.

The Adam’s Peak hike takes you on a one-and-a-half-hour-long journey through tea plantations and offers spectacular views of Ella Rock and the valley below. On a clear, sunny day, you can see Sri Lanka’s South Coast during this hike.

Day 9
Udawalawa
Visit an elephant shelter in Udawalawe. Here, orphaned elephants are cared for to give them a new start in the wild. See how young elephants are fed from a viewing platform. Please remember that it is only possible to see the animals during their feeding time and the time of your visit to the shelter will be determined on that basis. The rest of the day you can spend freely at the hotel or participate in an excursion.

You also have the option of enjoying a jeep safari through Udawalawe National Park This park is famous for elephants and chances are that you will encounter a herd of these gentle giants during your visit to the park.

Day 10
Gall/Hikkaduwa
Enjoy a city tour, Galle. Visit this old city that was ruled over by the Portuguese and the Dutch. Head for your resort located on the southwest coast of the island. Spend the rest of your day watching the clear blue ocean and soaking in the sun on its pristine beach.

Day 11
Wadduwa/Kalutara
You have a free day today. Relax in your resort or book one of the optional excursions from our activity list (you can book one optional excursion per day). The first one is a whale-watching excursion that starts at four in the morning. Head for the sea to watch the largest animal species in the world: the blue whale. Please remember that this excursion can only be carried out from November to April.

Your next option is a village tour in Bentota (lunch included). This coastal town has beautiful beaches and is known for its toddy (a fermented alcoholic drink). Learn more about the lives of the locals and visit a Buddhist temple.

You can also choose to hike through the Sinharaja rainforest or participate in a city tour of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka and the largest city in the country. The city tour will take you to the major sights of the city, including the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple (it might be difficult to enter the temple during full-moon days), Independence Square and the monumental Wolvendaal Church.

The last optional excursion you can book is a boat trip on the Madu River along with a visit to a turtle hatchery, where you can see giant turtles and their young ones.

Day 12
Wadduwa/Kalutara
You have a free day today. Relax in your resort or book one of the optional excursions that we have already listed above.

Day 13
Wadduwa/Kalutara
You have a free day today. Relax in your resort or book one of the optional excursions that we have already listed above.

Day 14
Departure
We will pick you up and drive you to the airport after breakfast.

WHAT’S INCLUDED
All transfers and destinations mentioned on the itinerary
Alms for the temple in Mihinthale
Cooking demonstration on day 4
All activities and visits mentioned on the itinerary
All meals mentioned on the itinerary

OPTIONAL ADDONS
(Available during check-out)
Temple of Tooth-Kandy
Udawalwe Safari
Sigiriya Rock Fortress

WHAT’S EXCLUDED
Tip and other expenses of a personal nature
Visas and travel insurance
Any international flights to and from Colombo
Optional excursions are mentioned on the itinerary, you can book them on the spot