Sri Lanka Discovery
Private Guided Tour
Colombo | Negombo | Anuradhapura | Sigiriya | Temple of the Tooth | Nuwara Eliya | Yala | Galle
Explore the beautiful teardrop island of Sri Lanka on this 15 day tour that includes ancient rock formations, historic temples and lush tea plantations, In contrast you will also explore the heart of Yala National Park in search of local wildlife and embark on a whale watching boat ride.
Your Itinerary
-
Day 1-2
-
Day 3
-
Day 4
-
Day 5
-
Day 6
-
Day 7-8
-
Day 9
-
Day 10-11
-
Day 12
-
Day 13
-
Day 14
-
Day 15
Day 1-2 : UK – Colombo
On arrival in Colombo, your driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for a 2 night stay. On day 2 explore the bustling capital of Colombo. This historic city has been an important trading post since the 5th century and a reflection of Sri Lanka’s colourful history and culture. There is time this afternoon to relax or explore further.
Day 3 : Negombo – Anuradhapura
From Colombo head for the fishing town of Negombo, see the famous fish market, where the traditional fishmen sell their catch, before moving on to Anuradhapura. Your base in the Cultural Triangle for 2 nights. There may also be opportunity to see the traditional process of toddy tapping enroute.
Day 4 : Mihinthale
Explore the ancient complex of Mihinthale, birthplace of Sri Lankan Buddhism and Sri Maha Bodhi, the world’s oldest tree. See the ruined columns of the Brazen Place and the Thuparama Dagoba, regarded as one of the oldest Buddhist structures in the world, before an evening visit to a revered Buddhist temple.
Day 5 : Habarana – Polonnaruwa – Sigiriya
Experience local life in Habarana and enjoy lunch prepared by a local village-style lunch. This afternoon, tour the ruins of Polonnaruwa before continuing on to Sigiriya.
Day 6 : Sigirya
Rise early this morning to visit the incredible rock fortress of Sigiriya. The views of the rock are spectacular, for those climbing the several thousand or steps to the top, the panoramas from the summit even more so. There are landscaped water gardens at the base of the rock, to enjoy if you choose not to climb the rock.
Day 7-8 : Dambulla - Kandy
See a celebrated collection of Buddhist art, in the 5 hilltop caves of Dambulla, before moving onto Kandy. Start the next day at the Temple of the Tooth, which houses Sri Lanka’s most revered relic, a tooth of Lord Buddha. Your visit is timed with one of the daily pujas (prayer ceremonies), and pilgrims from across the globe flock to this temple. Your tour then continues on to the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, a spectacular and colourful collection of exotic plants. There is a Sri Lankan cooking demonstration this evening.
Day 9 : Nuwara Eliya
Today will be one of the highlights of your time in Sri Lanka, with a train journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. See the lush landscapes of Sri Lankan hill country where the bright green tea terraces stretch into the distance, and meet the locals who use the train as their daily transport. On arrival your private driver will meet you for the drive to your hotel.
Day 10-11 : Yala National Park
From the highlands you now head back down to the lowland country on one of the most scenic drives of the tour. Enjoy an easy walk into the Ella Hills and Little Adam’s Peak. Pass Ravana Falls arriving this afternoon into Tissamaharama. Known locally as ‘Tissa’, this is a quiet, lakeside town and will be your base for the Yala National Park. The coastal scrub jungles of Yala form one of Sri Lanka’s greatest national parks, it is also one of the country's largest. Most famous for its flourishing number of leopards, the park also has a population of elephants, deer, hyaena, sloth bear, crocodiles, wild boar and prolific birdlife. Your day is bookended with early morning and late afternoon safaris. Relax around the lovely swimming pool at your hotel during the heat of the day.
Day 12 : Galle
Leave Tissa after breakfast for a leisurely drive along the south coast to Galle. Enroute visit the unusual boulder-top monastery at Mulkirigala. This historic temple dates back more than 2000 years and is home to a gallery of impressive Buddhist art, and also offers panoramic views along the coast.
Day 13 : Mirissa
A short early morning drive brings you to Mirissa, where you’ll board a whale watching boat for an adventure in search of the largest living mammal in the world, the blue whale. Research in recent years has earmarked this stretch of Sri Lankan coastline as an important migration route. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore.
Day 14 : Galle Fort
Spend today exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Galle Fort. First built by the Portuguese in 1588, it was extensively fortified by the Dutch and is an important historical and archaeological monument. It has a colourful history and is a place of bustling laneways, relics and melting pot of culture and religion.
Day 15 : Departure
You will be transferred to Colombo for your onward flight. Or extend your stay.
