A jewel in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is jam-packed with ancient sites, beautiful wilderness, and idyllic beaches and fascinating culture which spans more than 2,000 years and is still remains vibrant and alive today. Walk through lush tea plantations, indulge in seafood feasts in quaint fishing villages and dip your toes in the calm waters at a beautiful beach on this all-encompassing adventure for those seeking a unique travel experience. Our journey takes us from Colombo city to colonial hill town of Nuwara Eliya, Sigiriya rock to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic at Kandy, Elephant watching at Pinnawala to white water rafting at Kitugala this culture – nature – adventure tour shows you the very best of this beautiful island sums up what Sri Lanka is all about.
Classic Sri Lanka – 7 Days
Colombo, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Habarana, Pinnawala, Sigiriya, Dumballa & Kitugala(6n / 7d)
Itinerary
Day 1 – Colombo : Arrive at Negombo airport and drive to Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Check in at the hotel and relax. Evening take in the sights and sounds of the capital city from the busy commercial hub to the tree-lined suburbs. Here, colonial architecture mingle with glass skyscrapers and the past comes alive in buildings that have withstood great winds of change. There are bargains to find, history to discover and much to explore. Overnight at Colombo.
Day 2 – Colombo to Habarana via Pinnawala : After breakfast drive you to Habarana in the North Central plains of Sri Lanka, paying a visit to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage en route . Providing a caring home for abandoned and wounded elephants, it is a much loved destination for tourists and locals alike. Here, adults and baby elephants from around Sri Lanka thrive, and a captive breeding program is also proving to be highly successful. The feeding and bathing times are generally the ideal times to visit when you can observe these gentle giants at their best. Later enjoy an exciting safari at Minneriya National Park where you can watch elephants in their rightful home – in the wilds. One of the most spectacular wildlife events in Sri Lanka is ‘The Gathering’, where hundreds of elephants arrive by the herd from the surrounding areas to the Minneriya reservoir. As the water level recedes at the height of the dry season, they gather to feast on the lush grass, and quench their thirst. Overnight at Habarana.
Day 3 – Habarana to Dambulla and Sigiriya : After breakfast leave for Dambulla and visit the UNESCO heritage site of Dambulla Cave temple. Afternoon set off to discover the 8th wonder of the world – the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Dating back to the 5th Century A.D, this astounding ‘city’ on the summit of a high outcrop was the royal citadel of King Kassapa for over 18 years. A miraculous feat of artistry and engineering, its unique features and exquisite frescoes continue to amaze all who visit it, even today. Overnight at Dambulla.
Day 4 – Dambulla to Kandy : After breakfast leave for the hill capital of Kandy, visiting a spice garden at Matale en route. Lankan spices have been sought after for centuries, and continue to be a major export, even today.Afternoon enjoy a city tour of Kandy – the last kingdom of the Sinhalese, taking in the sights of Upper Lake Drive and the Market Square on the way to pay homage to one of the most sacred religious sites in Sri Lanka. The Temple of the Tooth or Dalada Maligawa is believed to house the ‘tooth relic’ of the Lord Buddha. Later a walk around the town will let you indulge in some souvenir hunting with intricate treasures in wood, copper, silver, brass, ebony, bronze, ceramics, lacquer work, handlooms, batiks, jewelry and reed-ware to choose from. Round off your day with a cultural show, where the vibrant costumes and pulsating rhythms of traditional dance forms from centuries old rituals will enthrall you. Overnight at Kandy.
Day 5 – Kandy to Nuwara Eliya : After breakfast leave for the up country colonial town of Nuwara Eliya. This old colonial outpost still referred to as ‘Little England’ Nuwara Eliya certainly lives up to its name. Perched 6200 feet above sea level, the climate too, adds to the illusion of one stepping into an old English town, where neat hedges, quaint cottages and beautiful old buildings stand as serene as they did well over a century ago. Overnight at Nuwara Eliya.
Day 6 – Nuwara Eliya to Colombo via Kitugala : After breakfast leave for Colombo via Kitugala. If you are feeling adventurous, an incredible White Water Rafting expereince awaits you at Kitulgala. The 5km on the picturesque Kelani River run covers 5 major rapids and 4 minor ones.Evening explore Colombo. Overnight at Colombo.
Day 7 – Departure : After breakfast transfer to airport. End of tour.
THEMES – Culture, Nature, Leisure, Wildlife.
DESTINATIONS – Colombo, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Habarana, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Pinnawala, Katigula
HIGHLIGHTS
– Explore the ancient sites of Sigiriya & Dambulla
– Savor some of Sri Lanka’s deliciously fiery cuisine
– Watch a Kandyan dance and visit the tooth relic temple in Kandy
– Walk through the tea gardens of Nuwara Eliya
– Enjoy the beautiful drives through the hills
– Visit the elephant orphanage at Pinnawala
– Tackle the rapids while white water rafting in Kitugla
COST: Depending on group size
INCLUSIONS: 6 Nights stay at homestay / hotel with breakfast, All transfers, and excursions in private vehicle including all vehicle charges – driver cost, toll, parking etc. , service charges and taxes.
EXCLUSIONS: Other than mentioned, Lunch & Dinner, Entry tickets and camera charges at sightseeing places ( if applicable )
NOTE : This is a customized trip. The cost might vary depending on your group size and type of accommodation required. Please contact us for details