Airport to Negombo

Negombo - Upon your arrival at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, your guide will meet you for a private transfer to your hotel in Negombo (15km/approx. 30m). Negombo has evolved into a bustling modern town with remnants of its colonial past, once serving as a trading port for the Dutch and British.

Negombo - Places to Visit:
Negombo Fish Market, Dutch Canal, and a boat ride in Negombo Muthurajawela (ticket price excluded).

Negombo to Habarana

Habarana - After breakfast, you will leave your hotel and drive to the ‘Cultural Triangle.’ This area, known for its ruined temples and ancient cities, is combined with national parks and glistening reservoirs. UNESCO World Heritage Sites include the striking rock fortress of Sigiriya, Dambulla’s Royal Rock Temple, and the archaeological treasures of Polonnaruwa. The stunning setting and historical significance make this region a highlight of any trip to Sri Lanka.

Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress - Today, you will visit Lion Rock - Sigiriya, one of the seven World Heritage Sites on the island.

Transfer time: Approximately 30 minutes
Ticket: 30 - 35 USD (Per Person Adult)

This ancient rock fortress and castle ruins were once home to King Kasyapa. The original entrance was through a lion’s mouth, but only the massive paws remain today. Sigiriya is a testament to ancient artistry and architectural ingenuity, featuring gardens (boulder, water, and terraced), world-renowned frescoes, the mirror wall, and dramatic history. An original Lost City, Sigiriya is a must-see in the Cultural Triangle.

Habarana to Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa Vatadage - This medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rose to fame as the capital (10th - 12th Century AD) after the decline of Anuradhapura. The region is dotted with huge man-made reservoirs, the most famous being the Parakrama Samudra or the Sea of Parakrama, larger than the Colombo harbor. Highlights include the Royal Palace complex, the quadrangle with its concentration of ancient heritage, and the spectacular Gal Vihare complex with four massive Buddha images cut from a single granite slab. Other impressive sights include the temples of Shiva, intricate statues of Hindu gods, fascinating Buddhist temples, the Lankatileka and Watadage, the Galpotha, the Lotus Bath, the Kiri Vihare Dagoba, and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth.

Minneriya National Park - Minneriya National Park consists of mixed evergreen forest and scrub areas and is home to favorites such as sambar deer and elephants. The central feature of the park is the ancient Minneriya Tank (built in the 3rd century AD by King Mahasena). During the dry season (June to September), this tank is an incredible place to observe elephants bathing and grazing, as well as huge flocks of birds (cormorants and painted storks) fishing in the shallow waters. Vehicle included.

• Depending on elephant movement, you may visit the nearby Kaudulla National Park or Eco Park instead.

Hiriwadunna - Eco Village Tour
Start with a bull cart ride around the village, surrounded by paddy fields and bird watching with a canoe ride in the Hiriwadunna Lake. Enjoy a traditional organic village lunch and a Tuk Tuk ride around the village.

Habarana to Kandy

Kandy - After breakfast, you will depart your hotel and visit the Dambulla Cave Temples before continuing to Kandy (10km / approx. 3 - 3.5 hours).

The Dambulla Cave Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, date back to the 1st century BC. This complex of five caves was first used as a refuge by an ancient king who, upon regaining his throne, commissioned magnificent carved images within the living rock. Later kings made further improvements, and the caves now contain over 150 images of the Buddha, with the largest being a colossal figure spanning 15 meters. This temple complex is a perfect location to view the evolution of ancient Sri Lankan art and is an important historical site due to the amalgamation of materials used from many eras. The cave temples are reached by a one-hour climb to the top of a sloping rock.

Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and Golden Temple - Dating back to the 6th century BC, this complex of five caves was first used as a refuge by an ancient king who, upon regaining his throne, commissioned magnificent images to be carved from the rock. Later kings made further improvements, and the caves now contain over 150 images of the Buddha painted on the walls, with the largest being a colossal figure spanning 15 meters.

Dambulla’s Royal Rock Temple is among the crumbling archaeological treasures of Polonnaruwa.

Matale Herbal and Spice Garden - Enjoy a one-hour spice garden tour where you can see and feel turmeric, cardamom, ginger, vanilla, and nutmeg trees, and enjoy herbal tea. This tour provides good knowledge of Sri Lankan Ayurvedic products. (Visiting time includes a meal).

Kandy to Ella

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - Kandy, Sri Lanka’s second-largest city, was the capital of the last Sinhalese Kingdom. It boasts a scenic setting around a large lake, surrounded by green hills. Kandy is most famous for the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, believed to house Buddha’s tooth. Pilgrims from all over Sri Lanka flock to catch a glimpse of the gold casket containing this sacred relic.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew - Located 460 meters above sea level near Kandy and surrounded on three sides by the Mahaweli River, Peradeniya Botanical Garden was founded in 1824. It houses one of the best and most valuable collections of plants and trees in the world (more than 4000 species, both indoor and outdoor). Giant trees of the “Ficus” family, various bamboo and palm trees, rare Ayurvedic plants, an orchid house, a spice garden, and timber trees such as ebony, teak, satinwood, mahogany, tamarind, and jak can be seen here. Notable guests, including Queen Elizabeth, Marshal Tito, Chancellor Henry Kissinger, and Yuri Gagarin, have planted memorable trees in this park.

Nanu Oya Railway Station - Train ride from Nanu Oya station to Ella station.

Optional - 1st Class / 2nd Class / 3rd Class tickets.

Ella - Places to Visit:

1. Nine Arch Bridge
2. Mini Adam’s Peak
3. Ravana Cave and Waterfall

Ella to Mirissa

Udawalawe National Park - 4x4 jeep tour of the national park. Main attractions include the elephant bathing area, crocodiles, spotted deer, water buffalo, gray langur, and bird watching.

Udawalawe Elephant Orphanage - The primary objective is to rehabilitate orphaned elephant calves to release them back into the wild. There are usually between 40 to 60 orphaned elephants, and visitors can watch them being fed from a viewing platform about 8 meters away during one of the four daily feeding sessions, held every three hours from 9 am to 6 pm.

Mirissa to Bentota

Whale Watching CHAMINDA - Whale and dolphin watching in Mirissa is one of the most exciting water activities you can do during your holiday in Sri Lanka. Blue whales, the largest animals in the world, are often spotted, and Mirissa is the best place for whale and dolphin watching tours in Sri Lanka. The whale watching season in Mirissa is from November to April.

Galle Dutch Fort - Places to Visit:

1. Dutch Heritage City Tour
2. Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery
3. Bentota River Safari

Bentota to Departure

Colombo City Centre - Places to Visit:

1. Dutch Church
2. Independence Square
3. Gangaramaya Temple

• Breakfast
• Dinner

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.