Sri Lanka Encompassed - 15 days Tour by On The Go Tours

15 daysDuration

Private TourPrivate experience, no group joining

2 peopleMinimum to book

18 - 80 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Ends

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Highlights

Dambadeniya - Visit this exquisite 13th century city

Anuradhapura - See the archaeological wonders of Sri Lanka's first capital and birthplace of Buddhism

Polonnaruwa - Explore the remarkable ruins of the ancient capital city of Ceylon

Kandy - Take in the highlights of Kandy including the famous Temple of the Tooth, enjoy a tuk tuk ride and watch a cultural performance

Sigiriya - Climb to the top of the iconic 5th century Lion Rock fortress and see the Heavenly Maidens

Matale - Learn all about Sri Lanka's herbs and spices at the spice gardens in Matale

Dambulla Rock Temples - Visit the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka

Horton Plains National Park – Trek to the scenic viewpoint at World’s End

Dehiwela - Stroll around the beautiful Zoological gardens

Kelaniya - Explore the famous Buddhist temple of Raja Maha Vihara

Colombo - Enjoy a guided tour of the city including the Old Fort area and impressive Gangaramaya Temple

Buduruwagala - Ancient Mahayana Buddhist rock sculptures

Yala and Bundala National Park - Game drive in Yala and Spot colourful birds and Asian elephants in Bundala

Nuwara Eliya - Spend time in this highland community, referred to as 'Little England', surrounded by Central Sri Lanka's picturesque tea country hills

Galle - Explore the impressive Galle Dutch Fortress

Kalutara - Relax on the laid back, beautiful palm fringed beaches of this resort

Matale - Learn all about Sri Lanka's herbs and spices at the spice gardens in Matale

Dambulla Rock Temples - Visit the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka

Horton Plains National Park – Trek to the scenic viewpoint at World’s End

Dehiwela - Stroll around the beautiful Zoological gardens

Kelaniya - Explore the famous Buddhist temple of Raja Maha Vihara

Colombo - Enjoy a guided tour of the city including the Old Fort area and impressive Gangaramaya Temple

Buduruwagala - Ancient Mahayana Buddhist rock sculptures

Yala and Bundala National Park - Game drive in Yala and Spot colourful birds and Asian elephants in Bundala

Nuwara Eliya - Spend time in this highland community, referred to as 'Little England', surrounded by Central Sri Lanka's picturesque tea country hills

Galle - Explore the impressive Galle Dutch Fortress

Kalutara - Relax on the laid back, beautiful palm fringed beaches of this resort

Itinerary

Experience the wonders of Sri Lanka from top to toe on the "Sri Lanka Encompassed - 15 Days" private tour. Ideal for experienced travelers and seniors, this easy-paced trip covers bustling Colombo, ancient cities, Buddhist temples, colonial relics, lush tea plantations, and abundant wildlife in national parks. Round off your journey with blissful days on Kalutara’s golden sands. The unique selling point: a comprehensive sweep of Sri Lanka’s cultural, historical, and natural riches, all delivered in a single, expertly curated tour package.

day 1 - Welcome to Sri Lanka

Welcome to Sri Lanka and the start of your holiday! On arrival in Colombo there's an included transfer to the hotel. Tonight, we enjoy a Sri Lankan dinner.

Meals:1 Dinner

OverNight:Colombo

day 2 - Sightseeing in Colombo

Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Colombo including the Fort which was once a colonial stronghold, and Galle Face Green, a seaside expanse popular for informal cricket games. We will also visit the noisy oriental Pettah bazaar, Gangaramaya Temple, the Cinnamon Gardens and Independence Square. End the day with a tour of the National Museum (closed Friday).

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Colombo

day 3 - Buddhist Temple & Zoological Gardens

At Kelaniya, we explore the Raja Maha Vihara, a temple graced by Buddha on one of his three visits to Sri Lanka. The day continues with a visit to the beautiful zoological gardens at Dehiwela.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Colombo

day 4 - Temple ruins and rock fortress

Colombo - Dambadeniya - Anuradhapura. En route to Anuradhapura, we pay a visit 13th century Dambadeniya, once a royal capital. Its principal surviving ruins are the Dalada Maligawa Temple and the Dagoba, locally revered thanks to some corporeal relics of Buddha it is said to contain. Explore Panduvas Nuwara which features a well-preserved walled citadel, Padeniya, Arankele and the rock fortress of Yapahuwa.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Anuradhapura

day 5 - Anuradhapura

Today we take in the site of Anuradhapura, the fascinating ancient city and one of Sri Lanka’s most important archaeological sites. It contains vast artificial lakes, temples and statues including the Samadhi Buddha, dagobas (solid hemispheres topped with spires), royal baths and museums. Gaze at the holy Sri Maha Bodhi tree under which Prince Siddharta attained enlightenment, and it is also the oldest historically documented tree on earth. Later, we take a trip to Mihintale.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Anuradhapura

day 6 - Dambulla & Polonnaruwa

Anuradhapura - Polonnaruwa - Dambulla. Today we make a stop to see the stunning Aukana Buddha statue and the impressive Dambulla cave temple, which contains beautiful images and statues of Buddha. We then explore ancient Polonnaruwa, an 11th century city of compact size. Here we discover the ruins of the Royal Palace and Gal Vihara, which boasts four enormous Buddha figures.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Dambulla

day 7 - Sigiriya & spice gardens

Dambulla - Sigiriya - Kandy. Today sees you exploring the mighty Sigiriya, an elevated and mysterious 5th century fortress. The ‘Lion Rock’ is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 metres from the scrub jungle, it can be seen for miles. Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the ‘Heavenly Maidens’ of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. At Matale, we visit an exotic spice garden before arriving in Kandy for the evening.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Kandy

day 8 - Kandy & Temples of Embekke

Today we see the ruined temples of Embekke, Gadaladeniya, Lankatilleke and the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. Back in Kandy, a scenic lakeside city, we visit the lake, bazaar, gem museum and lapidary. There'll also be a stop made at the Ceylon Tea Museum, housed in a beautifully refurbished old building with lots of vintage tea-processing machinery. Tonight, we enjoy a tour to the Temple of the Tooth and later take in a traditional cultural dance show

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Kandy

days 9-10 - Nuwara Eliya & tea plantations

Kandy - Nuwara Eliya. Departing Kandy, we head further into Sri Lanka’s hill country, surrounded by tea plantations. Situated at 1,990m, Nuwara Eliya is one of the highest towns in the region, here we take a sightseeing tour and wander through Hakgala Gardens. On day 10, we take a jeep ride to scenic Horton Plains National Park. Located on a high windswept saddle, Horton Plains offers hikers stunning panoramic views. We hike to Bakers Fall passing the Gem Pit Pool, the Chimney Pool, and the Leg of Mutton Pool before returning to Nuwara Eliya.

Meals:2 Breakfast

OverNight:Nuwara Eliya

day 11 - Buddhist rock sculptures & Yala NP

Nuwara Eliya - Yala National Park. Continuing to famous Yala National Park, stopping en route at Mahayana Buddhist rock sculptures, Buduruwagala. This evening, we enjoy a jeep safari in Yala National Park, the largest national park in Sri Lanka. The reserve is home to many rare species including elephants, wild boar, buffalo, leopard, crocodile and diverse bird life.

Note: Yala NP is usually closed sometime between Sept - early Oct due to drought. The length of this closure varies from year to year.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Yala National Park

day 12 - Bundala NP & Galle

Yala National Park - Kalutara. This morning, we sightsee Bundala National Park - a bird sanctuary. Explore 17th century Galle Fort and stroll down its narrow streets filled with churches and colonial buildings. Continue to Kalutara, an ideal tropical beach location with its sparkling blue seas and lush fringe of palm trees, all bathed in warm golden sunshine.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Kalutara

days 13-14 - Beach time in Kalutara

With two days at leisure on Sri Lanka’s tropical palm-fringed coast – soak up the sun, splash in the ocean or join an optional excursion to Ratnapura, home of Sri Lanka’s famous gem trade. There are around 200 gem pits in Ratnapura and many lapidaries where the mined stones are dressed, cut and polished (you’ll tour some pits, a lapidary and the museum).

Meals:2 Breakfast

OverNight:Kalutara

day 15 - Colombo

Kalutara - Colombo. Today you'll travel via the coast road to Colombo and there's an included onward transfer to the airport to meet your onward flight.

Consider spending some more time exploring Sri Lanka's beautiful tropical coastline or simply relax and soak up the sun with a good book. Extend your stay by a day, a week or even two! We offer a variety of properties for you to choose from. Browse our best places to visit, Sri Lanka's best beaches or wildlife in Sri Lanka pages for suggestions on what to see and do. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please let us know so we can accommodate your request.

For information about visas, top travel tips, best time to travel and much more, take a look through our travel guide.

Meals:1 Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

14 nights 3-5 star hotels

Meals

Breakfast daily and 1 dinner

Transport

An airport arrival transfer day 1 and a departure transfer day 15All transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned tourism vehicles

Guide

Escorted by a licensed English speaking chauffeur guide

Others

Tea Plantation and tasting - Nuwara Eliya region4x4 Jeep safari to Horton Plains. Game drives in Yala NP and Bundala NPTouring - Dambulla, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Matale, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Udawalawe NP, Yala NP, Bundala NP Galle and ColomboSpecialist local guides at some sites

Entrance

Entrance and park fees to all included sites

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

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