This small island offers travellers a plethora of delights – historical, cultural and natural, all without travelling too far. Immerse yourself in Colombo’s street market or Negombo’s fish market, marvel at the World Heritage-listed ruins of Anuradhapura, climb to the top of the Sigiriya Rock fortress and spot elephants or perhaps leopards on an exhilarating game drive in Yala National Park. The cuisine is delicious and unique, a must for lovers of fresh seafood.
Travel Route
Colombo–Sigiriya–Kandy–Nuwara Eliya–Yala–Colombo
- Climb the World Heritage-listed Sigiriya Rock
- Visit the ancient capital of Polonnaruwa
- Caves at Dambulla
- The Temple of the Sacred Tooth in Kandy
- Discover Nuwara Eliya’s tea plantations
- Stay inside Yala National Park, the safari capital of Sri Lanka
- Visit historic Galle
Day 01 Arrive Colombo
Meet & assist on arrival and transfer to Hotel
Enjoy a guided walk through the colonial Fort area and experience the colour and atmosphere of Pettah, Colombo’s vibrant market area. Afterwards, enjoy some free time for further exploration.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 02 Colombo – Pinnawela – Polonnaruwa – Sigiriya by surface (210 Kms / 4 Hrs Approx)
Drive to Sigiriya, en-route visit Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage – started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded Elephants.
Continue to Polonnaruwa & visit another “World Heritage Site”, the Capital of Sri Lanka from 11th – 13th Centuries. Lankatilake, Tivanka and Thuparama are the most beautiful and largest Image Houses and Tivanka has the best example of frescoes of the Polonnaruwa period.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 03 Sigiriya –Dambulla –Matale –Kandy by surface (90 Kms./2 Hrs Approx)
Climb the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress – a “World Heritage Site” and the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island.
Drive to Kandy, en-route visit Dambulla Cave Temple – a vast isolated rock mass 500 feet high and a mile around the base, the famous Rock Temple dating to the First Century B.C. and Spice Garden in Matale, where Cinnamon, Cardamom, Pepper Creepers etc are planted for visitors to see them.
Afternoon: Visit Kandy including Market Square, Arts & Crafts Centre, Gem Museum and Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Evening witness a Cultural Show featuring various dance types of Sri Lanka.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 04 Kandy – Nuwara Eliya by surface (78 Kms./ 2 Hrs Approx)
Drive to Nuwara Eliya en-route enjoy beautiful views along Upper Lake and stop at the Royal Botanical Gardens. There are more than 5,000 species of trees, plants and creepers including some rare and endemic flora from the tropical world
Afternoon: visit Nuwara Eliya – The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 05 Nuwara Eliya – Yala by surface (164 Kms/ 4 Hrs Approx)
Drive to Yala.
Afternoon jeep Safari at Yala National Park. The National Park covers 126,786 hectares including the Strict Natural Reserve. It is famous for its big herds of Elephants, Leopards, Spotted Deer, Sambhur, Crocodiles, Mongoose, Wild Boar, Wild Buffalo, and many other animals. More than 130 bird species are recorded which includes the resident and winter visitors.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 06 Yala – Galle-Colombo by surface (280 Kms / 6 Hrs Approx.)
Drive to Colombo en-route visit Galle – which was a major port until about 100 years, but today still handles shipping and sailing boats in the natural harbor. Visit the Dutch Fort, a “World Heritage Site” in which the central city is contained.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 07 Leave Colombo
Transfer to airport to board onward flight.