Stay in Colonial style accommodation as far as possible Colonial Tour, taking in Sri Lankas rich history, fascinating culture and beautiful scenery. Sri Lanka with its nearly 3000 years of history holds some of world’s ancient cities including Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Digamadulla. Remnants of these once glorious cities, their palaces, temples, mon...
Ideal For
Beaches
Culture
Heritage
Pilgrimage
Wildlife
Route map
Places Covered
Journey Route
8Stops11Days
Day 1 - 2Colombo
Day 2 - 3Anuradapura
Day 3 - 5Sigiriya
Day 5 - 7Kandy
Day 7 - 8Nuwara Eliya
Day 8 - 9Yala
Day 9 - 11Galle
Day 11Colombo
Private route, pacing and hotels can be customised around your travel style.
At a glance
Itinerary Summary
Day
Place
Hotel Options
1 - 2
Colombo
Highlights: Fascinating city of Colombo, Fort area, Commercial center- "Pettah", Buddhist temple in Kelaniya
Highlights: Dambulla. Digamadulla, Dambulla caves, Artificial lake, Spice garden & Batik factory, Temple of the Tooth, Elephant Orphanage, Sightseeing, Kandy Museum
On arrival, meet, assist & transfer to the hotel. PM visit the fascinating city of Colombo which links the past with the present. You will visit the fort area, the commercial center, "Pettah" Colombo's bustling bazaar area, a cinnamon garden which is full of large residences. Visit the Buddhist temple in Kelaniya.
Overnight at the hotel.
Highlights
Fascinating city of Colombo, Fort area, Commercial center- "Pettah", Buddhist temple in Kelaniya
After breakfast leave for Anuradhapura. En-route visit Negombo.It is largely Roman Catholic by faith, with huge imposing churches down almost every street. The sea & the catamarans are the backdrop to the Negombo scenery. PM visit Anuradhapura the ruins of the first capital founded in the 05th century BC here is found the largest number of ancient monuments of a great civilization. World Heritage city Anuradhapura,in picturesque ruins, was once a major center of Sri Lanka civilization. On arrival check in
Overnight at the hotel at hotel.
Highlights
Negombo, The sea & the catamarans
Day 03
AnuradapuraRoadAukanaRoadSigiriya
After breakfast, drive to the village of Aukana located close to the large ancient Kala Wewa rainwater reservoir, home to the most perfectly preserved ancient statue in Sri Lanka. Later drive to Sigiriya, located in the north-central part of Sri Lanka which preserves the architectural tradition of the country.The town is famous for its Rock Fortress, Pleasure Garden,adorned with murals of beautiful damsels. Sigiriya has spectacular importance with an ancient palace complex, erected during the reign of King Kasyapa, has been declared by UNESCO a world heritage site. On arrival, check in.
After breakfast excursion to Polonnaruwa, the second ancient capital city for three centuries. Within the ruins of city walls stand palace buildings and clusters of dozens of dagobas, temples and various other religious buildings on the east shore of a large artificial lake, the Topa Wewa Lake, or Parakrama Samudra (the Sea of Parakrama), created by King Parakramabahu I (1153-86), whose reign was Polonnaruwa's golden age. Later this afternoon, visit Medirigiriya. It is not known who first established it but earilest reference is in the Mahavamsa where it says Kanittha Tissa (166-184) built an uposatha house there. The dwarfs and lions on the capitals are particularly finely carved. There are four sitting images with their backs to the stupa. Little of the stupa itself remains it having been destroyed by treasure hunters.
Overnight at the hotel
Highlights
Polonnaruwa, Parakrama Samudra, Medirigiriya,
Day 05
SigriyaRoadDambullaRoadNalanda GedigeRoadKandy
After breakfast leave for Kandy. En-route visit Dambulla. Digamadulla, the Eastern kingdom of Sri Lanka was the agricultural and spiritual capital of the country during the Anuradhapura kingdom. Ruled by a viceroy of the Anuradhapura king Digamadulla was a prosperous province with grand palace, monasteries and temples at every juncture. Dambulla caves have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The venerable Nalanda Gedige is built in the style of a South Indian Hindu temple and enjoys a wonderfully peaceful location next to a tank (artificial lake) with prolific local birdlife. Later visit a spice garden & batik factory in Matale. En-route to Continue drive to Kandy check in and
Overnight at the hotel.
Highlights
Dambulla. Digamadulla, Dambulla caves, Artificial lake, Spice garden & Batik factory
After breakfast excursion to Pinnawela & visit the elephant Orphanage. This orphanage was established to nurse & house young elephants found abandoned by their mothers. Often the young ones fall into pits and ravines in their quest for water during the drought. PM visit the city of Kandy. The most famous landmark of Kandy is its lake in the center of the city. Visit the Kandy Museum. Spend the evening within the mesmerizing interiors of Temple of the Tooth Relic followed by a concert showcasing traditional Sri Lankan music and dance.
Overnight at the hotel.
Highlights
Temple of the Tooth, Elephant Orphanage, Sightseeing, Kandy Museum
Day 07
KandyFlightPeradeniyaFlightNuwara Eliya
After breakfast Spend a morning strolling amidst the exotic flora of Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. This garden is best known for it's collection of orchids and is the largest in Asia. PM leave for Nuwara Eliya often referred to by the Sri Lankan tourist industry as 'Little England'. In earlier times, Nuwara Eliya (meaning 'City of Light') was the favoured cool-climate escape for the hard-working and hard-drinking English and Scottish pioneers of Sri Lanka's tea industry. En-route visit a tea plantation and witness the manufacture of the world famous -Ceylon tea . Enjoy the paved walkways or paddling a swan-shaped paddle boat at the Gregory Lake, at the southern end of the town.
After breakfast leave for Tissamaharama Region. Stop at Ella to admire the views through Ella Gap which are stunning. Then visit Buduruwagala, means "the rock with the statue of Buddha". This beautiful 1000-year-old, rock-cut Buddha figures of Buduruwagala. Surrounded by smaller carved figures, the gigantic standing Buddha (at 15m, it is the tallest on the island) in the centre still bears traces of its original stuccoed robe. The statues date back to 10 century AD. Then visit the sacred city of Kataragama. PM embark on a jeep safari through the Yala National Park. The second largest national park in Sri Lanka, Yala is situated in the Southeast part of the island in the dry, semi-arid climate region, bordering the Indian Ocean. The number of mammals recorded at Yala is as high as 44 while it also boasts of one of the highest leopard densities in the world. On arrival,
Check in & overnight at the hotel.
Highlights
Buduruwagala, Kataragama, Yala National Park
Day 09
YalaRoadWeligamaRoadGalle
After breakfast leave for Galle. The coastline from Weligama to Tangalle bay is known for its rugged rocks, sandy beaches and lush coconut groves and is rated as one of Asia's Best Beaches by Forbes magazine. As you approach Weligama along the southward coastline towards Galle, you will encounter Sri Lanka's famous stilt fishermen -a unique method of fishing adopted by the local fishermen. Later visit the Old Portuguese fort, later rebuilt and extended by the Dutch is still finely preserved. When it comes to fortified towns, nothing can compete with the Dutch Fort in Galle. This World Heritage Site on the south coast was the main port of call for ships sailing between the East and Europe. Continue drive towards the beach hotel.
On arrival, check in & Overnight at the hotel.
Highlights
Rugged rocks, Sandy beaches, Old Portuguese fort
Day 10
Galle
After breakfast, day at leisure at the beach.
Overnight at the hotel.
Highlights
Day at leisure at the beach
Day 11
GalleRoadColomboFlightDepart
After breakfast, morning at leisure. Later assisted departure transfer to International airport at Colombo for your onwards flight to home destination.
Season guide
Best Time To Visit
Recommended Month
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Plan around the season that best matches comfort, value and the pace of this journey.
Best months 5Value months 4Off season 3
Best TimeMost recommended
Jan
Max 28°CMin 18°C
Feb
Max 30°CMin 19°C
Mar
Max 30°CMin 20°C
Apr
Max 30°CMin 22°C
May
Max 31°CMin 23°C
Value For MoneySmart travel season
Jun
Max 34°CMin 24°C
Jul
Max 35°CMin 25°C
Aug
Max 32°CMin 24°C
Sep
Max 34°CMin 25°C
Off SeasonQuieter months
Oct
Max 33°CMin 23°C
Nov
Max 33°CMin 22°C
Dec
Max 28°CMin 22°C
Best Time To VisitValue for MoneyOff Season
Journey details
Details
Stay in Colonial style accommodation as far as possible Colonial Tour, taking in Sri Lankas rich history, fascinating culture and beautiful scenery. Sri Lanka with its nearly 3000 years of history holds some of world’s ancient cities including Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Digamadulla. Remnants of these once glorious cities, their palaces, temples, monasteries, hospitals and theaters intricately carved and modeled out of stone lay abandoned amidst the soaring mountains.
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