12 Days Classic Tour in Sri Lanka: Discover an All-Inclusive Pearl in the Indian Ocean

Embark on a 12-day classic tour in Sri Lanka and discover the all-inclusive pearl in the Indian Ocean. Explore golden beaches, misty mountains, wildlife parks, ancient monuments, and rainforests while immersing in the rich culture and heritage of this tropical paradise.

Duration: 12 days
Cancellation: 72 hours
Highlights

Airport-Anuradapura.

Yapahuwa Rock Fortress - Yapahuwa served as a temporary capital in 13th century medieval Sri Lanka. Constructed around a massive granite rock that rises nearly a hundred meters above the surrounding lowlands, it functioned as both a palace and a military stronghold against foreign invaders.

Anuradhapura-Sigiriya.

Anuradhapura Stupas Scenic Point - Explore the ancient capital of Anuradhapura, dating back to the 3rd century BC. Key attractions include the massive Dagabas, Ruwanwaliseya, Adaygiri, Jethawanarama Monasteries, and the Isurumuniya Rock Temple. The sacred Bo-tree is claimed to be the oldest documented tree in the world. Other highlights include bronze palaces, monk chapter houses, ponds, and well-preserved rock-cut Buddha statues and sculptures.

Sigiriya -Habarana-Sigiriya

Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress - Start early around 6:00 AM to visit Sigiriya Lion Rock, built by King Kashapa in the 5th century. This site features parts of the Royal Palace, a fortified town, and captivating fresco paintings.

Sigiriya-Polonnaruwa-Sigiriya

Polonnaruwa Vatadage - Visit Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital of Sri Lanka, known for its well-preserved rock-cut Buddha statues, beautiful paintings, and ancient monasteries.

Minneriya National Park - Embark on a jeep safari around 2:30 PM in Minneriya or Kadulla National Park, the best places in Sri Lanka to see large numbers of wild elephants. The park features a mix of evergreen forest and scrub areas, with the central attraction being the Minneriya tank. During the dry season, you can observe many elephants bathing and grazing on nearby grass.

Sigiriya Kandy

Dambulla Royal Cave Temple - Visit the Dambulla Golden Rock Temple, dating back to the 1st century. The cave houses over 150 Buddha statues, as well as statues of three Sri Lankan kings and two deities. The rock ceiling is adorned with extensive color paintings.

Sri Muthumariamman Temple - The prefix “Muthu” means “pearl,” “Mari” means rain, and “Amman” means mother in Tamil. The temple is dedicated to Mariamman, the goddess of rain and fertility. Originally part of a paddy field, the land was gifted by the owner in 1852, and the current temple was built in 1874, funded by the Nattukkottai Chettiar. The temple is used by both Hindus and Buddhists.

Kandy - Explore the city of Kandy.

Kandy Lake Club - Cultural Dance Show - Enjoy the famous Kandy cultural dance show, which starts in the evening and lasts for over an hour. The show features traditional musicians, drums, and dances, including the Cobra Dance and Low Country Mask Dance. The fire show, with fire eating, body rubbing, and fire walking, is particularly surprising. Traditional folk dance is an integral part of Sri Lankan culture and has a long history.

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - Visit the stunning 17th-century Temple of the Tooth, a long-standing center of the Buddhist faith.

Kandy-Nuwara Eliya.

Ramboda Waterfall - Ramboda Falls is the 11th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka, standing at 109 meters high and ranking as the 729th highest waterfall in the world. It has two tiers, with another waterfall located above the main road. Many tourists miss the main waterfall, so be sure to visit both.

Blue Field Tea Factory - Tour tea plantations and factories, which showcase the “Colonial British style.”

Nuwara Eliya - Explore the city of Nuwara Eliya and the area around Gregory Lake.

Nuwara Eliya-Ella

Horton Plains National Park - Start early at 6:00 AM with breakfast packets to trek in Horton Plains National Park. This montane grassland and cloud forest in the Central Highlands is rich in biodiversity, with many endemic species. The full circuit is about 9 km (5.6 miles).

Nanu Oya railway station - Catch the 12:35 PM train from Nanu Oya to Ella. The Kandy to Ella train ride is considered one of the most beautiful in Sri Lanka, offering breathtaking views of lush green tea plantations, mountains, viaducts, valleys, and dense jungle. It’s a great way to experience Sri Lankan life, meet locals, and enjoy spicy snacks sold by vendors. This is a must-do experience in Sri Lanka.

Nine Arches Bridge - Commissioned by the British in 1921, the Nine Arch Bridge is a testament to early 20th-century engineering and architecture. Located between Ella and Demodara railway stations, the bridge offers stunning views of rolling hills and dense jungle. Also known as the ‘Bridge in the Sky,’ it was constructed by connecting two bog mountains during the construction of the Badulla – Colombo railway. The bridge is 300 feet long, 25 feet wide, and 80-100 feet high, making it one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country.

Ella-Tissamaharama.

Rawana Falls - Rawana Waterfall is a popular attraction in Sri Lanka, standing 25 meters high. According to the Indian epic Ramayana, the waterfall is named after the demon king Ravana, who is said to have hidden Sita in the caves behind the waterfall. The cave is known as Ravana Ella Cave, and it is believed that Sita wandered around this area while she was confined and bathed in a pool formed by the waterfall.

Buduruwagala Temple - Buduruwagala, meaning ‘stone images of the Buddha,’ is a remarkable spiritual site located in a rocky clearing of a magical dry zone forest inhabited by colorful birds and butterflies.

Yala National Park - Around 2:30 PM, embark on a wild safari trip in Yala National Park, the most popular wildlife park in Sri Lanka, where you can see a wide variety of animals.

Thissamaharama-Mirissa.

Thangalla - Spend time on the breathtaking sandy beach of Thangalla.

Mirissa Beach - Mirissa Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Sri Lanka, stretching for a kilometer with plenty of space to relax. It has a laid-back atmosphere and is known for its surfing spots. The beach is lined with small restaurants and cafes serving fresh seafood. After sunset, the restaurants set up tables and chairs on the beach, light lanterns and candles, and serve seafood barbecues, creating a wonderful vibe to end your day.

Mirissa-Weligama-Mirissa

Weligama Beach - Weligama, meaning ‘Sandy Village,’ is a small fishing town that has recently gained popularity among travelers. Known as an ideal place for beginner surfers, Weligama Beach offers ample space to soak up the sun or swim in the gentle waters of its half-moon-shaped bay. The best time to visit is between October and April when the sea is calm and the weather is perfect.

Mirissa-Galle

Stilt Fisherman - Stilt fishing is a traditional fishing method practiced by local fishermen in Sri Lanka, especially along the southern coast. Fishermen balance on cross-shaped beams and wait patiently for their catch.

Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project - Kosgoda is known for its sea turtle conservation project, operated by the Wildlife Protection Society of Sri Lanka. Established in 1988, the project aims to protect Sri Lanka’s turtles from extinction and has released about 3.5 million baby turtles into the sea. The hatchery pays fishermen for eggs collected at night along the beach, buries the eggs in the sand, and releases the baby turtles into the sea when they hatch. The hatchery also has tanks for injured or disabled turtles, including albino turtles.

Galle Fort - Galle Fort is a well-preserved fortified city originally built by the Dutch. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the fort was initially constructed by the Portuguese in the 16th century, later fortified by the Dutch in the 17th century, and eventually taken over by the British. Once a trading port for spices and other goods, the fort is now a place of history, romance, and beauty, welcoming travelers to explore its exotic stories and heritage.

Galle-Colombo-Airport

Bentota - Bentota is a popular destination known for its sandy beaches, winding rivers, ancient history, and exciting water sports. The best time to visit is from November to April, when the calm seas are ideal for snorkeling, diving, sailing, windsurfing, and swimming.

Colombo Fort - Pettah is Sri Lanka’s busiest commercial area, known for its open-air bazaars and markets. It is a hub for trading a wide variety of goods, from textiles to vegetables, fruits, grains, spices, condiments, stationery, electronics, chemicals, toys, and more. Colombo’s notable buildings include the Secretariat, Town Hall, Clock Tower, St. Lucia’s Cathedral, and the Galle Face Hotel. Other distinctive buildings include the Wolvendaal Church, built by the Dutch in 1749, a complex of hospitals, the University of Colombo (established in 1921), several Buddhist and Hindu temples, and the residences of the head of state and the prime minister.

What's Included
  • Lunch included
  • Dinner provided
  • Train tickets covered
  • Breakfast included
Additional Information

Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is a gem set in the Indian Ocean. This small tropical haven boasts sun-kissed beaches, misty mountains, wildlife reserves, spectacular ancient structures, and lush rainforests. It’s a place where the pure essence of Buddhism thrives. Spanning 65,610 square kilometers, it houses 8 UNIESCO World Heritage sites and is fringed with a coastline stretch of 1330 km. Every corner of the island nation is easily reachable within hours, making it an extraordinary journey through culture and heritage dating back several millennia.

Our staff is thrilled to provide top-notch personalized services to ensure a bespoke holiday experience in this marvelous land. Our goal is to offer a stupendously memorable holiday experience during your visit to our emerald enclave. As accredited chauffeur guides registered with the Sri Lankan tourist board, we’re capable of taking you to any location of your preference or giving you a comprehensive tour of Sri Lanka.

Location
Bandaranaike International Airport
Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

Select Date and Tickets
up to 2 guests
1 Adult
October 2024
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