Day 01 – Colombo

Bandaranaike International Airport - Day 01 – Colombo

Arrive at Colombo International Airport and be warmly greeted by Kalum Niriella or an associate, followed by a transfer to a hotel in Negombo. Enjoy an overnight stay in Negombo.

Sunset on Sri Lanka

Day 02 – Negombo / Anuradhapura

Negombo - Explore the ancient city of Anuradhapura, with an overnight stay in Anuradhapura.

Anuradhapura Stupa

This city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was a hub of Theravada Buddhism for many centuries. Located 205 km north of Colombo in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province, it sits on the banks of the historic Malvathu Oya. Anuradhapura is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities globally and one of Sri Lanka’s eight World Heritage Sites. Established in the 4th century BC, it served as the capital of the Anuradhapura Kingdom until the early 11th century AD. During this time, it was a stable and enduring center of political power and urban life in South Asia, known for its wealth, unique culture, and great civilization. Today, this sacred city to Buddhists, with its surrounding monasteries covering over sixteen square miles (40 km²), is one of the world’s major archaeological sites.

Day 03 – Anuradhapura / Mihintale / Ritigala

Mihintale Buddha Statue - මිහින්තලය බුද්ධ ප්‍රතිමාව - Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. It is believed to be the site where Buddhist monk Mahinda met King Devanampiyatissa, marking the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Now a pilgrimage site, it features several religious monuments and abandoned structures. Located eight miles east of Anuradhapura, near the Anuradhapura – Trincomalee Road, “Missaka Pabbata” stands 1,000 feet (300 m) high and is part of a mountain range. Thera Mahinda arrived from India on the full moon day of Poson (June) and met the king and people, preaching the doctrine. The traditional meeting spot is revered by Sri Lankan Buddhists, who make pilgrimages to Anuradhapura and Mihintale during Poson. “Mahinda” was the son of Emperor Ashoka of India.

Ritigala Forest Monastery - The Ritigala mountain range comprises four peaks, with the main and highest peak to the south named Ritigala Kanda. This 3776-acre (1582 ha) Strict Nature Reserve in Sri Lanka’s Dry Zone features a climate at the summit that contrasts sharply with the hot, dry climate below. It records the highest rainfall in the dry zone during the northeast monsoon. Mist and cloud cover during the southwest monsoon result in high vapor condensation, keeping the earth moist even when the surrounding plains are in drought.

Day 04 – Habarana / Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa - As Sri Lanka’s second most ancient kingdom, Polonnaruwa was declared the capital by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 CE, reuniting the country under local leadership. While Vijayabahu’s victory and the strategic shift to Polonnaruwa are significant, the true hero of Polonnaruwa’s history is his grandson, Parakramabahu I. During the brief Chola reign, the city was known as Jananathamangalam. Today, Polonnaruwa is one of the best-planned archaeological relic sites in the country, showcasing the discipline and greatness of the kingdom’s early rulers.

Day 05 – Habarana / Sigiriya / Dambulla / Aluviharaya / Matale Hindu Temple

Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress - Sigiriya, often considered the eighth wonder of the world, features an ancient castle used by King Kasyapa in the 5th century AD. The site includes the remains of an upper Sky Palace on the rock’s flat top, a mid-level terrace with the Lion Gate and Mirror Wall, the famous Sigiriya Frescoes, a lower palace on the rock’s slopes, and moats, walls, and gardens extending hundreds of meters from the rock’s base. The site serves as both a palace and fortress, offering visitors a stunning insight into the builders’ ingenuity and creativity. The upper palace includes rock-cut cisterns that still hold water, while the moats and walls surrounding the lower palace remain exquisitely beautiful.

Dambulla Cave Temple - Also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, this world heritage site (1991) in Sri Lanka is located in the central part of the country, 148 km (92 mi) east of Colombo and 72 km (45 mi) north of Kandy. It is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, with the rock towering 160 m (525 ft) over the plains. Over 80 documented caves surround the site, with major attractions spread across five caves containing statues and paintings related to Lord Buddha and his life. There are 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings, and four statues of gods and goddesses, including two Hindu gods, Vishnu and Ganesh. The murals cover an area of 2,100 square meters, depicting scenes like Buddha’s temptation by Mara (demon) and his first sermon.

Aluvihara Rock Cave Temple - The Aluvihare Rock Temple, also known as Matale Alu Viharaya, is a sacred Buddhist temple in Aluvihare, Matale District, Sri Lanka. Surrounded by hills, it is located 30 km north of Kandy on the Matale-Dambulla road. The temple’s history dates back to the 3rd Century B.C. during King Devanampiyatissa’s reign. It is believed the king built the dagoba, planted the Bo sapling, and founded the temple after Buddhism was introduced to the country. Aluvihare Rock Temple is historically significant as the location where the Pāli Canon was first completely written down on ola (palm) leaves. Several monastery caves, some with frescoes, are near the temple.

Matale - The main Hindu temple in Matale is dedicated to Muthumariamman. The goddess Mariamman is popular among Tamils in India and Sri Lanka. “Amman” means “mother,” and “Muthu,” meaning “pearl,” is an honorific title similar to “Sri.” “Mari” means “rain,” reflecting the deity’s origins as an ancient Tamil fertility goddess. Today, Mariamman is revered as a protector against febrile diseases, particularly smallpox, in southern India.

Day 06 – Kandy City Tour / Temple of Tooth / Botanical Garden / Culture Dancing Show

Kandy City Center - Kandy, a major city in Sri Lanka’s Central Province, is the country’s second-largest city after Colombo. It was the last capital of Sri Lanka’s ancient kings. Nestled amidst hills in the Kandy plateau, the city is surrounded by tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy serves as both an administrative and religious city and is the capital of the Central Province. It is home to The Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), one of the most sacred Buddhist worship sites, declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1988.

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - The “Sri Dalada Maligawa” or The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is located in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Built within the royal palace complex, it houses the Buddha’s tooth relic, venerated by Buddhists. The relic has historically played a crucial role in local politics, as it is believed that whoever holds the relic governs the country, prompting ancient kings to protect it diligently. Kandy was the Sinhalese Kings’ capital from 1592 to 1815, fortified by the mountainous terrain and challenging approach. The city is a UNESCO world heritage site, partly due to the temple.

Peradeniya - The Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya, located about 5.5 km west of Kandy in Sri Lanka’s Central Province, attracts 2 million visitors annually. It is renowned for its diverse orchid collection and includes over 4000 plant species, including orchids, spices, medicinal plants, and palm trees. The National Herbarium of Sri Lanka is attached to the garden, which spans 147 acres (0.59 km2) at 460 meters above sea level, with an annual rainfall of 200 days.

Kandyan Cultural Centre - Kandyan Dancers

The Kandy Dance cultural show is a renowned evening event in this heritage city and a highlight of any visit. Starting in the evening, the show captivates with spectacular displays of local culture and art, featuring drummers, fire dancers, and more in a cultural spectacle not to be missed.

Day 07 – Kandy / Nuwara-Eliya

Nuwara Eliya - Nuwara-Eliya, a city in Sri Lanka’s Central Province hill country, means “city on the plain (table land)” or “city of light.” It is the administrative capital of Nuwara Eliya District, known for its picturesque landscape and temperate climate. At an altitude of 1,868 m (6,128 ft), it is a key location for tea production in Sri Lanka. The city is overlooked by Pidurutalagala, Sri Lanka’s tallest mountain, and is known for its cool, temperate climate, the coolest in Sri Lanka.

Day 08 – Nuwara-Eliya / Worlds End – Horton Plains / Train Journey

Horton Plains National Park - Horton Plains National Park, a protected area in Sri Lanka’s central highlands, features montane grassland and cloud forest. This plateau, at an altitude of 2,100–2,300 meters (6,900–7,500 ft), is rich in biodiversity, with many endemic species. The vertebrate fauna includes 24 mammal species, 87 bird species, nine reptile species, and eight amphibian species. The Sambar Deer is the largest and most commonly seen mammal, with an estimated population of 1500 to 2000, possibly exceeding the plains’ carrying capacity.

Nuwara Eliya - The Colombo Fort to Badulla or Kandy to Ella railway track is popular among tourists for its scenic journey through Sri Lanka’s Hill Country tea plantations and landscapes. Many travelers take the Kandy to Ella leg, where the train travels from Peradeniya on the Colombo Fort – Kandy line, switching tracks towards Badulla. The journey passes through Hatton, Thalawakale, Great Western, Nanu Oya (Nuwara Eliya), Ambewela, Pattipola, Ohiya, Haputale, Diyatalawa, Bandarawela, Ella, and Demodara stations, offering views of tea estates, misty mountains, and valleys. This is one of the world’s most scenic train journeys.

Day 09 – Ella / Yala

Yala National Park - Yala National Park, Sri Lanka’s most visited and second-largest national park, consists of five blocks, two of which are open to the public, along with adjoining parks. The blocks have individual names, such as Ruhuna National Park (block 1) and Kumana National Park or ‘Yala East’ for the adjoining area. Located in the southeast region, it spans Southern and Uva Provinces, covering 979 square kilometers (378 sq mi) about 300 kilometers (190 mi) from Colombo. Designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, Yala, along with Wilpattu, was one of Sri Lanka’s first two national parks, established in 1938. The park is renowned for its diverse wildlife, crucial for conserving Sri Lankan Elephants, leopards, and aquatic birds.

Day 10 – Tissa / Tangalle

Tangalle - Tangalle serves as the gateway to the expansive beaches of southeast Sri Lanka. It is the last sizable town before Hambantota and retains some old-world charm. Visitors come here to find and enjoy their perfect beach.

Day 11 – Relaxed on the beach

Tangalle Beach - Tangalle, though poised for tourism growth, remains a relaxed beach town with few tourists, local fishermen, excellent seafood, and a long sandy beach.

Day 12 – Tangalle / Galle

Galle - Before the Portuguese arrived in the 16th century, Galle was known as Gimhathiththa (though Ibn Batuta in the 14th century referred to it as Qali) and was the island’s main port. Galle flourished in the 18th century during the Dutch colonial period. It is the best example of a fortified city built by the Portuguese in South and Southeast Asia, showcasing the blend of Portuguese architectural styles and native traditions. The Dutch extensively fortified the city from 1649 onwards. The Galle fort is a world heritage site and the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers.

Day 13 – Galle / Colombo / Negombo

Colombo City Centre - Galle Face Green is a green space along the Indian Ocean coast in the city’s heart, popular with tourists and residents. The Galle Face Hotel, a historic landmark, is on the promenade’s southern edge. Gangaramaya Temple, one of Colombo’s most important temples, features an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architecture. Viharamahadevi Park (formerly Victoria Park), next to the National Museum of Colombo and the Town Hall, is the city’s oldest and largest park, featuring a large Buddha statue.

• In-vehicle air conditioning

• Lunch

• All ca travel

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.