Discover Sri Lanka
Enjoy a private guided tour of this magnificent island paradise. Sri Lanka has an enthralling recorded history of civilization which spans over 25 chronicled centuries. History, tea plantations, wildlife, breathtaking scenery and magnificent beaches await you!
On this journey you will visit an elephant orphanage, the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa, the Sigiriya Rock Fortress and a tea plantation and factory in Nuwara Eliya, among other highlights.
Pricing
Private tour starting at $1,999* CAD per person, based on double occupancy
13 Days – Colombo to Colombo
Your package includes
- 12 night accommodation in double occupancy
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Meals: 12 breakfasts
- Air conditioned vehicle
- English speaking driver guide
- Transfers to/from airport
Not included
- International airfare and airport taxes
- Visa for Sri Lanka
- Gratuities to hotel personnel, guides, drivers
- Optional excursions
- Beverages
- Video & still camera permits and/or charges
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Any other services not specified above
Day
Day 1
Location(s)
Colombo – Negombo
Meals
Description
Arrive in Colombo. Meet and assist on arrival and transfer to your hotel in Negombo (about 1hr). Rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy your surroundings.
Accommodation: Catamaran Beach (or similar)
All accommodation available for upgrade at a cost.
Day 2
Negombo – Pinnawala – Dambulla
Breakfast
Check out and transfer to Pinnawala where an orphanage was started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded elephants. The number of elephants has increased to more than 65 now; including Baby Elephants brought from various parts, as well as some of the more than 25 babies born, as a result of the captive breeding programme. Transfer to Dambulla Cave Temple, a vast isolated rock mass 500 feet high and a mile around the base and it houses the famous Rock Temple dating to the First Century B.C. The caves of Dambulla sheltered King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne, he built the most magnificent of Rock Temples to be found on the Island.
Accommodation: Tropical Life (or similar, 3 nights)
Day 3
Dambulla
Breakfast
Depart for Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and once the Capital of Sri Lanka from 11th – 13th Centuries. This medieval capital was fortified with inner & outer moats and inner & outer walls. Proceed to the Minneriya or Kaudulla National park for an afternoon jeep safari. This National Park with 8889 hectares is famous for its large population of elephants in herds of 100 to 150 roaming in the jungle and seen in the catchment area of the lake. Approximately 300 wild elephants, wild buffaloes, wild boar, spotted deer, sloth bear, Sambhur, leopards, crocodiles, jackals, 9 kinds of amphibians, 25 kinds of reptiles, 160 species of birds, 26 varieties of fishes, 78 varieties of butterflies are recorded from the Minneriya National Park.
Day 4
Dambulla
Breakfast
Proceed to Sigiriya Rock Fortress. After an ancient prince killed his father to claim the throne, he was forced to flee to his pleasure palace and convert it into a fortress to guard against his opposition. The spectacular citadel of Sigiriya built on a giant rock rises sheer and impregnable out of the plains below. Note: Please note that to reach the top of Sigiriya Rock, there are nearly 1,200 stone steps up and then down. Anybody in reasonably good condition will be able to venture to the top of Sigiriya Rock and it’s certainly worth the effort, however important to know these little details before embarking on this outing.
This afternoon set out on an exciting excursion to Senadiriyagama, a beautiful little village close to Sigiriya. Once you arrive at the temple, you will light oil lamps, incense sticks and offer flowers to the Sacred Bo Tree and stupa. After a “Pirith” chanting, you will be blessed by the temple monk for the onward journey by tying a white string commonly known by the locals as a “Pirith Noola”. Thereafter experience a catamaran ride on the Senadiriyagama Lake.
Day 5
Dambulla – Matale – Kandy
Breakfast
After early breakfast proceed to Matale Royal Spice Garden. An agricultural zone in the Central Province, Matale seldom drops off the maps due to its remarkable contribution through flagship crops of the island extending from tea, rubber & vegetables to spices. Spearheading the Rebellion back in 1848, Matale today takes immense pride in its story woven around spices. Stop by the side of a spice garden – into which you will be most welcome – and observe the therapeutic values of spices & processes over a refreshing cup of herbal tea!
Accommodation: Senani Hotel (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 6
Kandy
Breakfast
After breakfast, proceed to Peradeniya Botanical garden. Walk into this 147-acre bliss of an experience, passing well-tended lawns, pavilions & an octagon conservatory. Continue to Colombo for a city tour. The hill capital is another “World Heritage Site”. It was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings during the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule and finally ceded to the British in 1815 after an agreement. To the Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the World, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the “Dalada Maligawa” – Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha.
Day 7
Kandy – Nuwara Eliya
Breakfast
After breakfast proceed to the tea plantations at Nuwara Eliya. Visit a tea plantation and a tea factory, where the best tea in the world is produced. Taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory. Misty steep roads, twisting through lush green blankets of tea bushes in a cool climate, remind visitors that they are within the range of the renowned British colonial retreat, Nuwara Eliya. Augmented by an English countryside atmosphere, the city of light – once governed by English & Scottish planters – is still studded with colonial bungalows, hedgerows & one of the finest 18-hole golf courses in the world.
Accommodation: Oak Ray Summer Hill Breeze (or similar)
Day 8
Nuwara Eliya – Ella – Yala
Breakfast
The Ella rock is famous for the cave of Ravana a legendary king of Sri Lanka ruled during the pre-historic times. The 1080-foot-high waterfall few miles from the Ella Rest House is one of the most beautiful falls in the country. Visit the Kataragama Temple en route.
Accommodation: Rain Tree Hotel (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 9
Yala
Breakfast
Yala National park is Sri Lanka’s most visited wildlife reserve. Yala covers an area of 1260 square kilometres. The park’s dry-zone landscape is strikingly beautiful and the park’s wildlife has its own distinctive charm, with huddles of colourful painted storks perched on the incongruously conjoined sight of elephants marching sedately through the bush while rabbits scamper through the undergrowth. Leopards, sloth bears and elephants are the “big 3” here although crocodiles, jackals and the many variety of birds are also a huge draw to this park which is the largest national park in the country.
Day 10
Yala – Galle – Bentota
Breakfast
Check out and transfer to Galle, the South Coast’s major city, whose oldest landmark is the massive Portuguese and Dutch Fort which is a “World Heritage Site”. Today, the 90-acre Galle Fort shows no evidence of the Portuguese founders. The Dutch incorporated the Portuguese northern wall in a great rampart in 1663. A second, taller wall was built inside of it. Between the two walls, a covered passage connected the central bastion with the Fort’s two half bastions overlooking the sea. Proceed to Bentota, and En route visit a turtle hatchery. Upon arrival, check in to your overnight hotel.
Accommodation: Marina Bentota (or similar, 3 nights)
Days 11-12
Beach Stay
Breakfast
Days at leisure.
Day 13
Bentota – Colombo
Breakfast
After breakfast, proceed to Colombo Airport. End of services.
*Hotel rooms are subject to availability and are confirmed by the supplier at time of booking; they may be replaced by other hotel rooms of similar category at the sole discretion of the supplier.
Interested in the itinerary above? Click on the “START PLANNING” button below and reference “Discover Sri Lanka” in the form, or give us a call at 587.997.5969 to book.
An adventure designed specifically for you
Let us work with you to tailor a journey based on your travel style and interests. We can use the existing itinerary above as a foundation, or build one from scratch to create your ideal vacation. Connect with us to start the conversation.
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*Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to change and availability.