Best of Sri Lanka

Today, we fly to Colombo.

Upon arrival in Colombo, you will be met and transferred to your hotel where you will stay for one night.

This afternoon enjoy a panoramic city tour of Colombo. This busy and vibrant city features a mixture of modern life and remnants of a bygone colonial era. Due to its large harbour and its strategic position along the East-Westsea trade routes, Colombo was known to ancient traders 2,000 years ago. The historical, religious and commercial sites of Colombo include the Fort and Pettah, the elite residential Cinnamon Gardens, the Galle Face Green, the newly opened Lotus Tower, Viharamahadevi Park and much more.

This evening, a welcome dinner will be included at your hotel.

Included Highlights

Colombo Panoramic City Tour Colombo

This morning we drive to Dambulla for a three-night stay. The town is famous for its magnificent rock cave temples, which are adorned with exquisite cave paintings and shelter numerous statues of Lord Buddha.

During the day you will have the opportunity to join a jeep safari within the Minneriya National Park. Famous for its large wild herds of elephants which congregate on the edge of rivers and reservoirs to bathe and socialise, it's one of the best parks in Sri Lanka to see wild elephants. The park covers 8,890 hectares and consists of a mixed forest of evergreen shrubs, a favourite habitat for animals, which include leopards, deer and wild elephants. Keep an eye out for monkeys as well, including the purple-faced langur and macaques.

Included Highlights

Dambulla Minneriya National Park

The spectacular citadel of Sigiriya built on a giant rock rises sheer and impregnable out of the plains below. This remarkable 5th-century archaeological site is made unforgettable by its dramatic setting. A moat, rampart and extensive gardens, including the renowned water gardens, ring the base of the rock and the frescoes of the 'Heavenly Maidens' of Sigiriya.

This morning we drive to Sigiriya. The 5th-century rock citadel of King Kasyapa and UNESCO World Heritage Site – Sigiriya – doesn't only boast of ancient Sri Lankan engineering and urban planning supremacy, but also claims to be one of the finest monuments of art and culture. Step through the gigantic 'Lion Paws' overlooking the symmetrical royal gardens below to appreciate the absolute splendour that once dominated this rock fortress.

This afternoon we continue to Polonnaruwa. Built in the 11th and 12th centuries A.D, Polonnaruwa is a World Heritage Site. Here you can see the Gal Viharaya, three splendid statues of the Buddha in upright, sedentary and recumbent postures carved out of rock. There is also the ruins of the Royal Palace, the audience hall, lotus bath, the 12th-century Polonnaruwa statue, and Parakrama Samudra tank (lake) built by King Parakramabahu the great. Furthermore, the ruins of famous places of worship, such as the Shiva temple, Lankatileka, Watadage, Galpotha, Kiri Vihare Dagoba and the remains of a former temple of the tooth, reside here.

Please note: To reach the top of Sigiriya Rock, there are nearly 1,200 stone steps up and then down.

Included Highlights

Sigiriya Polonnaruwa

Today we visit Hiriwadunna, a quaint rural village in the centre of Habarana, where there are more trees and birds than people. We include a tour of the village before enjoying a ride on a decorated tractor through beautiful rice fields before being welcomed by a local family for a delicious traditional Sri Lankan meal.
Following our visit on the farm, we will enjoy catamaran ride on the scenic lake.

This afternoon we continue to the ancient city of Anuradhapura, which is considered by many to be the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

Included Highlights

Anuradhapura Hiriwadunna Hiriwadunna Village Experience

This morning we visit the Dambulla Rock Cave Temples. The magnificently constructed cave Temples are adorned with exquisite paintings and numerous statues of Lord Buddha.

Following our visit to the caves we continue our journey to a spice garden in Matale, where we will see the spices growing, and learn how they are used in traditional medicine and local cuisine.

This afternoon we arrive in the lakeside town of Kandy, the World Heritage Site and last Royal capital of the Sri Lankan Kings. Cradled among the misty hills, we will visit the town’s crown jewel of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. We stay overnight in Kandy.

Included Highlights

Dambulla Caves Kandy Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

This morning we take a world-renowned train journey through the spectacular lush Sri Lankan countryside and lands of tea plantations to the celebrated British colonial retreat of Nuwara Eliya.

We continue to a local tea plantation where you will see the picking and processing of the prestigious brand of Ceylon Tea before returning to Nuwara Eliya for an overnight stay.

Included Highlights

Sri Lankan Train Journey Nuwara Eliya Tea Plantation

Spend the day at leisure exploring Nuwara Eliya. Alternatively, you can join our optional excursion to Horton Plains National Park. With stunning viewpoints and an abundance of wildlife, the park is hailed as one of the most beautiful World Heritage Sites in the world.

Optional Excursions

Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.

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The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.

Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in Euros (cash payments only).

This morning we head to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Galle. Once the centre of Dutch rule in the 17th century, Galle is a beautiful coastal town rich in history. Known for its majestic fort, it is one of the best-preserved colonial era cities in Southeast Asia.

On arrival in Galle, you will have time at leisure to explore this delightful city.

Included Highlights

Galle

After a leisurely morning in Galle, we travel to Beruwala for a two-night stay.

Spend the day at leisure in Beruwala. A popular beach resort with magnificent, sandy beaches and rich seafood cuisine, Beruwala is the perfect place to relax.

Included Highlights

Beruwala

Transfer to the airport for your return flight home.