Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.
Starts
Negombo, Sri Lanka
Ends
Colombo, Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka Northeast Explorer - 12 days
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Highlights
Anuradhapura - See the ancient wonders of Sri Lanka's first capital, including sacred Ruwanweliseya, Sri Lanka's most famous dagoba
Jaffna - Take in the sights of Sri Lanka's northern most city, including Nagadeepa Buddhist Temple, Nallur Hindu Temple and Jaffna Fort
Trincomalee - Relax on the beach and explore this historic harbour city, with its revered Konesar Temple, Hot Water Wells and beautiful natural harbour
Colombo – Enjoy a guided tour of the city including the Old Fort area and impressive Gangaramaya Temple
Polonnaruwa - Explore the remarkable ruins of the ancient capital city of Ceylon
Sigiriya - Climb to the top of the iconic 5th century Lion Rock fortress and see the Heavenly Maidens
Dambulla - Discover over 150 images of Buddha in the incredible complex of caves at Dambulla Rock Temple
Kayanwala Village - Canoe to the village and help cook a delicious traditional lunch with a Sri Lankan family
Matale - Learn all about Sri Lanka's herbs and spices at the spice gardens in Matale
Kandy - Take in the highlights of Kandy including the famous Temple of the Tooth, enjoy a tuk tuk ride and watch a cultural performance
Giragama Tea Factory - Take a tour of a working tea factory with a long history
Take a scenic train ride passing waterfalls and tea plantations en route from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and drive though Nuwara Eliya's 'Little England'
Udawalawe National Park - Go in search of wildlife on a game drive in Udawalawe, home to the nation's largest herd of Asian Elephants
Sigiriya - Climb to the top of the iconic 5th century Lion Rock fortress and see the Heavenly Maidens
Dambulla - Discover over 150 images of Buddha in the incredible complex of caves at Dambulla Rock Temple
Kayanwala Village - Canoe to the village and help cook a delicious traditional lunch with a Sri Lankan family
Matale - Learn all about Sri Lanka's herbs and spices at the spice gardens in Matale
Kandy - Take in the highlights of Kandy including the famous Temple of the Tooth, enjoy a tuk tuk ride and watch a cultural performance
Giragama Tea Factory - Take a tour of a working tea factory with a long history
Take a scenic train ride passing waterfalls and tea plantations en route from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and drive though Nuwara Eliya's 'Little England'
Udawalawe National Park - Go in search of wildlife on a game drive in Udawalawe, home to the nation's largest herd of Asian Elephants
What's Included
Accommodation
11 nights 3-5 star hotels and heritage properties
Meals
Breakfast daily and 1 lunch
Transport
Airport arrival and departure transfer on days 1 and 12All relevant transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned tourism vehicles
Guide
Escorted by an English speaking national guide for groups of 6 or more (professional chauffeur guide for groups of 5 or less)
Others
Guided sightseeing - Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Nuwara Eliya, Udawalawe, Gem Mine and ColomboJeep safari/game drive in Udawalawe National ParkScenic train journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, canoe and tuk tuk trips
What's Excluded
Itinerary
Take in the classic sights of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle, but not before exploring ancient Anuradhapura, the northern city of Jaffna. Village visits, Elephant game viewing, scenic tea plantations and a couple days by the stunning coast in Trincomalee are all included within this incredible 12 day tour.
day 1 - Welcome to Sri Lanka
Tuesday. Colombo - Negombo. Welcome to Sri Lanka! You will be met at Colombo Airport and transferred to your hotel by the beach in Negombo. Our start hotel is located on the seafront and a short walk from Galle Road and many of the city highlights. Choose to head out and explore, take a dip in the pool or enjoy a cocktail whilst you watch the perfect sunset over the Laccodive Sea.
OverNight:Negombo
day 2 - Anuradhapura - UNESCO sites
Negombo - Anuradhapura. This morning we make our way to Anuradhapura, the first capital and grandest city of ancient Sri Lanka and home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Upon arrival, we embark on an afternoon sightseeing tour of the city, visiting both historical and archaeological sites of interest. Highlights include the sacred bo-tree which is the oldest documented tree in the world, the 1600 columns of Brazen Palace and Ruwanweliseya, the most famous dagobas in Sri Lanka.
Meals:1 Breakfast
OverNight:Anuradhapura
day 3 - Jaffna Fort
Anuradhapura - Jaffna. Today we journey north to Jaffna, located on the northernmost peninsula of the island. Here, we enjoy a sightseeing tour taking in sights such as the Jaffna Fort, the second largest in Sri Lanka which was built by the Dutch in 1619. Another highlight is the Nallur Hindu Temple, the most important place of Hindu worship in Jaffna. We’ll also take a boat ride to Nagadeepa Buddhist Temple, which is said to be the site where Buddha visited during his second journey to Sri Lanka.
Meals:1 Breakfast
OverNight:Jaffna
days 4-5 - Trincomalee temples & beach time
Jaffna - Trincomalee. Departing Jaffna, we head back south to Trincomalee on the north-eastern coast. A sightseeing tour here takes us to Thirukonamalai Konesar Temple, the Temple of the Thousand Pillars and Dakshina-Then Kailasam - a classical medieval Hindu temple complex. Day 5 is free to spend relaxing in Trincomalee. Enjoy this stunning location on the coast, while away the day unwinding on the beach.
Meals:2 Breakfast
OverNight:Trincomalee
day 6 - Dambulla & Polonnaruwa
Trincomalee - Dambulla - Polonnaruwa - Dambulla. This morning we leave the coast and begin our journey inland to the impressive Dambulla Cave Temple. A spectacular complex of five caves dedicated to the Lord Buddha, within the caves of Dambulla you'll find over 150 images of Buddha, including an impressive 14-metre rock cut statue.
After exploring this ancient site we continue to Polonnaruwa, an intriguing 11th century city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we explore many interesting and famous monuments including the Royal Palace and the Gal Vihara. We then return to Dambulla for an evening at leisure.
Meals:1 Breakfast
OverNight:Dambulla
day 7 - Sigiriya & village visit
Dambulla - Sigiriya - Kandy. This morning we make our way to the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Built over 1500 years ago, this beautiful citadel stands 200 meters high in the middle of verdant jungle and is one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic sites. A steep staircase up the rock side reaches the summit and on the way up you can stop to see the world-famous paintings of the Heavenly Maidens, which are hidden in a sheltered pocket of rock.
Leaving Sigiriya behind, we take a local hand tractor ride and a short canoe trip to the village of Kayanwala. Here we are welcomed into the home of a local family where we try our hand at preparing a meal of curry, dahl, spiced rice and pickle. After enjoying our homemade lunch we continue onto Kandy, stopping along the way at a spice garden in Matale. Arriving to Kandy, the evening is at leisure.
Meals:1 Breakfast
OverNight:Kandy
day 8 - Kandy & tuk tuks
This morning we embark on a sightseeing tour of Kandy, making our first stop at the Temple of the Tooth. The temple’s name derives from the legend that it houses one of Buddha’s teeth that was taken from him as he lay on his funeral pyre and then smuggled into Sri Lanka. From here we take a drive around Kandy Lake, visiting a local bazaar and gem museum along the way, before hopping on a tuk tuk for a ride up into the surrounding hills. In the afternoon we stop in at a working tea factory at Giragama, which has been manufacturing ‘Low Grown’ and ‘Long Leaf’ tea since 1903. This evening, we attend a cultural performance of traditional Sri Lankan music and dance.
Meals:1 Breakfast
OverNight:Kandy
day 9 - Scenic train trip & tea plantations
Kandy - Nuwara Eliya. Enjoy some free time this morning before our transfer to the train station for a scenic railway journey. Our journey to Nuwara Eliya will take us past verdant tea plantations, through winding mountain passes, across suspension bridges and much more. Arriving in the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country in the afternoon, we’ll take a drive through an area known locally as ‘Little England’.
Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
OverNight:Nuwara Eliya
day 10 - Jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park
Nuwara Eliya - Udawalawe National Park. Today we make our way south to Embilipitiya, which will be our base for exploring Udawalawe National Park. Not only is this national park renowned as one of the best places to see the famous Sri Lankan elephant, it is also home to the elusive leopard, the Sri Lankan sloth bear and varies types of deer. This afternoon we enjoy a game drive through the park before returning to our hotel for the evening.
Meals:1 Breakfast
OverNight:Udawalawe National Park
day 11 - Colombo city tour
Udawalawe National Park - Colombo. Today we make our way back to Colombo, but not before paying a visit to the Gem Mine and Museum in Ratnapura. Sri Lanka is famous for its gem industry and is home to 40 out of the 85 types of gems in the world. Arriving to Colombo later today, we embark on a city tour taking in the Fort area in the north of the city, as well as the stunning Gangarama Temple. We’ll end the tour with a stroll along Galle Face Green, a popular spot for kite flying and games of cricket amongst the locals.
Meals:1 Breakfast
OverNight:Colombo
day 12 - Goodbye Sri Lanka
Saturday. Today offers free time for you to independently explore the city, before your included departure transfer to the airport.
