13 Days 12 Nights

AM:

• After breakfast, depart for Anuradhapura.
• Enjoy a scenic drive through small towns, rural villages, and coconut groves.
• En-route stopover to taste king coconut drinks, freshly cut pineapples, mangoes, and other tropical fruits.
• Visit Anuradhapura, a World Heritage site and the most extensive of Sri Lanka's ancient cities.
  • Served as the national capital for over 1300 years until the 10th century AD.

PM:

• Visit the archeological museum.
• See the sacred Bo tree, Brazen Palace, Royal Palace, Samadhi Buddha, Kuttam Pokuna, and more.

Dinner and Overnight stay at a hotel in Sigiriya.

AM:

• After breakfast, proceed to Polonnaruwa.
• Enjoy a village tour and city tour on the way.
• Visit the city of Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital and crown jewel of King Parakramabahu I.
  • Explore the World Heritage Site, including stupas, Buddha statues, irrigation canals, and Hindu sculptures.
  • Walk across the Watadage relic house with beautiful stone carvings.
  • Notice the Hindu influence on the architecture and statues.
  • Visit Gal Viharaya to observe the magnificence of the huge Buddhist statues.

PM:

• Visit the Nissankamalla Council Chamber, featuring stunning swaying pillars.
• Admire the Parakrama Samudraya (Sea of Parakramabahu), a masterpiece of ancient irrigation.

Dinner and Overnight stay at a hotel in Sigiriya.

AM:

• After breakfast, visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, home to over 150 Buddha statues.
  • This site was originally a refuge for a king in the 1st Century B.C. and later converted into a monastery.
• Depart for Kandy, stopping en route at the Matale Spice Garden.
  • Learn about Sri Lanka's famous spices and see how they are grown and processed.

PM:

• In Kandy, visit the Temple of the Tooth, Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist temple.
  • Built in the 16th Century A.D. to house the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha.
  • Observe the magnificent architecture and experience the serene atmosphere.

Dinner and Overnight stay at a hotel in Kandy.

AM:

• After breakfast, visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.
  • Originally built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king.
  • Expanded by the British, covering 147 acres.
  • Features a vast variety of trees, plants, and flowers.

PM:

• City tour of Kandy:
  • World Heritage Site, last capital of Sri Lankan kings.
  • Drive around Kandy Lake, built by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798.
  • Visit Kandy town and Bazaar, arts & crafts centre, gem museum, and a lapidary.
  • In the evening, witness a spectacular Sri Lankan cultural show.

Dinner and Overnight stay at a hotel in Kandy.

AM:

• After breakfast, travel into the tea-growing hills.
  • Option to wind through the mountains with magnificent views.
• En-route to Nuwara Eliya, visit Ramboda Waterfall.
• Visit a Sri Lankan tea factory and learn about the production of the famous Ceylon tea.

PM:

• Arrive in Nuwara Eliya, known for its fresh, wintry atmosphere.
  • Located at 6,182 feet above sea level in the heart of the hill country.
  • Resembles an old English town with styled bungalows and buildings.
  • Known for its cool climate, rolling tea plantations, and stunning waterfalls.
  • Famous for producing the world’s best Ceylon tea.

Dinner and Overnight stay at a hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

Travel Option:

• Travel by train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella, enjoying scenic views of rich biodiversity, cloud forests, and tea plantations.
  • The Ella Gap offers views across the southern plains of Sri Lanka.

AM:

• After breakfast, visit the Nine Arches Bridge (The Bridge in the Sky):
  • A colonial-era railway bridge located in Demodara, famous for its architectural ingenuity and surrounding greenery.
• En route, hike to Ella Rock:
  • Offers dramatic views from the mountain's peak, a popular spot to watch the sunrise.

PM:

• Visit Ravana Ella Falls:
  • One of Sri Lanka's widest waterfalls and a popular tourist attraction.
  • Enjoy relaxing by the waterfalls.

Dinner and Overnight stay at a hotel in Ella.

Evening:

• Safari in Yala National Park:
  • Most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka.
  • Consists of five blocks, with two open to the public.
  • Includes Ruhuna National Park (Block 1) and Kumana National Park (Yala East).
  • Located in the southeast region of Sri Lanka.

Dinner and Overnight stay at a hotel in Tissamaharama.

AM:

• After breakfast, proceed to Mirissa:
  • A small town on the south coast of Sri Lanka in the Matara District.
  • Located 150 km south of Colombo and at an elevation of 4 meters above sea level.
• Visit Parrot Rock and enjoy sightseeing in the area.

PM:

• Relax at the hotel.

Dinner and Overnight stay at a hotel in Mirissa.

AM:

• After breakfast, proceed to visit the Galle Dutch Fort:
  • Originally built in 1588 by the Portuguese.
  • Extensively fortified by the Dutch in the 17th century.

PM:

• Visit the beach and relax.

Dinner and Overnight stay at a hotel.

AM:

• After breakfast:
  • Option to visit a turtle farm.
  • Option for whale watching.
  • Relax at the hotel.

Dinner and Overnight stay at a hotel in Kalutara.

AM:

• Colombo City Tour:
  • Explore key landmarks and attractions in Colombo.

PM:

• Proceed to the airport for departure.