Treasures of Sri Lanka: 13 Days of Discovery

Upon arrival at Colombo Airport, you will be transferred to Negombo, a charming fishing town with a rich colonial history. Once a key source of cinnamon, the Portuguese, Dutch, and British vied for control of its port during the height of the spice trade. The town is also renowned for its Catholic churches. Today, Negombo showcases colonial-style architecture alongside traditional local culture. Explore this captivating town, unwind at your luxurious hotel, and in the evening, relax on the beach.

After you finish breakfast at the hotel, drive to Dambulla. On the way, visit Pinnawala, which was opened by the Sri Lankan Government in 1975 as a conservation and captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants, situated in Pinnawala village. Pinnawala has the biggest herd of captive elephants in the world. Dambulla will welcome you with the stunning Golden Caves, and you can hike up to witness the beautiful views of these caves. Then visit Pidurangala Rock Temple. Pidurangala is a huge rock situated a few kilometers north of Sigiriya. An ancient cave temple still houses objects from several vintages that imitate Hindu, Buddhist, and Western beliefs, and the stupa to the left of the entrance is believed to mark the area where King Kasyapa was cremated. Upon completion, you will return to your hotel in Sigiriya.

Meals: Breakfast

On Day 3 of your Sri Lanka travel package, visit Polonnaruwa, one of the island’s ancient capitals and a key site in the renowned Cultural Triangle. Explore the impressive Gal Vihara Temple Complex, featuring three massive granite Buddha statues with intricate designs. Afterwards, marvel at Parakrama Samudra, a 2,500-hectare reservoir constructed during King Parakramabahu’s 12th-century reign. The city is divided into new and old towns, both easily explored on foot for a complete cultural experience.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, explore the ancient city of Dambulla, renowned for its magnificent cave temples and the iconic Buddha statues. Wander through the complex spanning five caves, housing over 150 Buddha images, some dating back to the 1st century BC when King Valagambahu sought refuge here. Admire the enormous reclining Buddha and the figures of King Nissankamalla and King Valagambahu. After visiting the caves, step outside to enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel, explore Kandy’s major attractions. Kandy is famous for the renowned Temple of the Tooth Relic, a UNESCO World Heritage Site strategically nestled among three mountain ranges, serving as the gateway to Sri Lanka’s hill country. Originally built as a natural fortress against foreign invasions, Kandy remains largely intact and is a top destination for both local and international travelers.

Visit Sigiriya Lion’s Rock, a World Heritage Site celebrated for ancient Sri Lankan engineering, city planning, and cultural artistry. Walk through the massive 'Lion Paws' overlooking the royal gardens to appreciate the grandeur of this historic stronghold, with moats, ramparts, and Gupta-style murals.

Next, drive to the spice gardens of Matale, known for its contributions to the island’s key crops including rubber, tea, spices, and vegetables. Observe the therapeutic properties of spices while savoring a cup of herbal tea, or wander the vibrant streets full of life and color. Return to Kandy, check into your hotel, and in the evening, enjoy a Kandy Cultural Show with traditional music, drumming, and dance, celebrating the rich heritage and culture of Sri Lanka.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel, take a leisurely stroll through the charming lakeside town of Kandy, exploring the Kandy City Centre with its world-class brands, bustling bazaar, gem museum, arts & crafts centre, and lapidary. Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a site that beautifully embodies Sri Lanka’s rich history, culture, and heritage. Discover the ancient Kandyan legacy preserved around this revered crown jewel, the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha, leaving a lasting impression on every visitor.

Meals: Breakfast

On day 7, experience British and Sri Lankan history in delightful Nuwara Eliya, complete with a quaint train ride via the rainforest. Due to its high elevation, Nuwara Eliya possesses a cooler and more stimulating climate than lower regions. The Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, situated only 4 miles off Kandy, is a prosperous national asset. Walk into this 147-acre ecstasy of an experience, passing beautiful lawns, pavilions, and an octagon conservatory to be welcomed by the vast expanse of a superbly landscaped verdant green turf, which will motivate you for an exciting break.

To the north of the entrance lies a canteen that one may find before stepping into some of the best parts, the orchid house and massive Javan fig tree, of this place, which overflow in grace. On completing the city tour, visit a tea plantation in Nuwara Eliya. Take a tour to the chilly and foggy hills that take pride in an eventual tea tour, covering thriving green layers of tea plantations. You can visit a tea factory processing the esteemed brand of Ceylon Tea. As you see the swishing and hissing of machines, inhaling the wonderful odour coming from these facilities, ensure to end your day in style over a perfectly blended cup of unadulterated Ceylon Tea.

Meals: Breakfast

After finishing your breakfast at the hotel, head out for a trek to Ella Rock. Travel by tuk-tuk from the hotel to Ella Rock, enjoying local sightseeing along the way. Upon arrival, begin the hike with your designated guide, lasting a couple of hours. Refreshments will be provided after the trek. Afterwards, visit the Nine Arch Bridge near Ella Rock, a famous cliff reached after an approximately two-hour hike, offering breathtaking views over the hill country and surrounding plains.

Meals: Breakfast

After finishing breakfast at the hotel, embark on a city orientation tour of Ella. Start by visiting the Demodara Nine Arch Bridge, a century-old viaduct connecting Ella and Demodara train stations, situated nearly 3,100 feet above sea level. Check the train schedule to see the bridge in action. Next, trek to Little Adam's Peak via clearly marked paths that wind through lush green tea plantations bustling with tea-picking ladies; the hike takes about 2–3 hours. Continue to Rawana Falls, a spectacular waterfall cascading over multiple ledges into the valley. The underlying rock is khondalite, creating caves near the falls, one of which is linked to King Ravana from the epic Ramayana. Conclude the tour at Buduruwagala, home to a 9th–10th century Buddha statue adorned with a long orange streak, evidencing its original painted carvings of Avalokitheshwara and other legendary Buddhist figures.

Meals: Breakfast

Visit Yala National Park, which is the prime wildlife destination in Sri Lanka, where you can spot sloth bears, elephants, jackals, spotted deer, abundant birdlife, and elusive leopards. Afterward, visit Kalamatiya Bird Sanctuary, featuring a mature mangrove swamp that hosts a variety of water birds such as Intermediate Egret, Cattle Egret, Asian Openbill, Great Egret, Purple Swamphen, Eurasian Spoonbill, Common Snipe, Glossy Ibis, and Black-winged Stilt. Migratory species include Golden Plover, Pintail, Kentish Plover, Greater and Lesser Sand Plovers, Curlew, Greenshank, Little Stint, Marsh Sandpiper, Yellow Wagtail, and Curlew Sandpiper.

Meals: Breakfast

After enjoying breakfast, depart for Mirissa. Located near the southernmost tip of Sri Lanka, Mirissa Beach features stunning shores ideal for a relaxing getaway. It’s a top spot for dolphin and whale watching, and visitors can also enjoy activities such as snorkeling, deep-sea diving, and river excursions.

Meals: Breakfast

Spend a relaxing morning on the beach before your final day on this beautiful island. After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive a short distance to Weligama, where you can observe the traditional Sri Lankan stilt fishing, a slowly disappearing practice that began during World War II when fishermen perched on stilts to catch small fish. Afterwards, proceed directly to the airport for your onward flight. An optional activity includes a Galle city orientation tour, featuring visits to Galle Fort and Galle Lighthouse.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to Colombo International Airport to board your flight, concluding your Sri Lanka travel package.

Meals: Breakfast