Classic Sri Lanka - 9 Days

Sri Lanka
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Polonnaruwa - Explore the remarkable ruins of the ancient capital city of Ceylon, Sigiriya - Climb to the top of the iconic 5th century Lion Rock fortress and see the Heavenly Maidens, Dambulla - Marvel at the magnificent rock cave temple, Kandy - Take in the highlights of Kandy including the famous Temple of the Tooth, enjoy a tuk tuk ride and watch a cultural performance, Matale - Learn all about Sri Lanka's herbs and spices at the spice gardens in Matale, Udawalawe National Park - Go in search of wildlife on a game drive in Udawalawe, home to the nation's largest herd of Asian Elephants, Nuwara Eliya - Spend time in this highland community, referred to as 'Little England', surrounded by Central Sri Lanka's picturesque tea country hills, Ratnapura - Visit the heart of the nation's gem mining industry, Colombo - Enjoy a guided tour of the city including the Old Fort area and impressive Gangaramaya Temple

Departure dates

From 2024-03-29 to 2024-12-19

What's included

Breakfast daily and 1 dinner .
8 nights 4 star hotels.
Touring - Colombo, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Sigariya, Matale, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Udawalawe NP.
Jeep safari/game drive in Udawalawe National park.
Escorted by a licensed English speaking chauffeur guide.
An airport arrival transfer day 1 and a departure transfer day 9.
All transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned tourism vehicles.
Specialist local guides at some sites.
Entrance fees to all included sites.

Itinerary / more information

  • Day 1, Colombo
    Welcome to Sri Lanka and the start of your holiday! You'll be met at Colombo Airport and transferred to hotel. Tonight, enjoy a tasty welcome dinner at your hotel.
    no breakfast, no lunch, 1 dinner included.
    Day 2, Colombo
    Today, your guide will take you on a driving tour around colourful Colombo, Sri Lanka's frenetic capital. Just off the north end of Galle Road, the main north-south artery of the city is the area known as the Fort, once a colonial stronghold but now the site of many government buildings and interesting shops. Just south of the Fort is Galle Face Green, a seaside expanse where informal cricket games are played out amongst city folk enjoying a pleasant stroll. At the south end of the green is the Galle Face Hotel, a beautiful colonial-era hotel. Just east of the Fort is the Pettah, the traditional bazaar district - a colourful retail experience. Just beyond the centre is the affluent Cinnamon Gardens district of the city. You will drive through these districts on your tour of the city and visit Gangarama Temple and Independence Square.
    1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
    Day 3, Polonnaruwa
    Colombo - Giritale (via Dambulla). We drive to Giritale today, stopping en route to visit the impressive Dambulla Rock Temple. Dambulla is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the most impressive of Sri Lanka's cave temples. The complex of five caves with 2000 sq. metres of painted walls and ceiling is the largest area of paintings found in the world. These caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock spanning 14 meters.

    This afternoon, after checking into our hotel in Giritale, we visit UNESCO Listed Polonnaruwa - an incredible 11th century city. Here, we explore the ruins of the Royal Palace, temples and Gal Vihara which boasts three enormous and revered Buddha figures.
    1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
    Day 4, Sigiriya
    Giritale - Sigiriya - Kandy. This morning, we drive to Sigiriya and explore the UNESCO World Heritage Listed, 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The 'Lion Rock' is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 meters from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Discover the world-renowned frescoes of the 'Heavenly Maidens' of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. After exploring the sights of Sigiriya, stop is made at the Spice Garden in Matale, en route to Kandy.
    1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
    Day 5, Kandy
    Today we take a leisurely walk through Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Sri Lanka's largest botanical garden once reserved for the sole use of the Kandyan elite. Back in the scenic lakeside town of Kandy, we embark upon a sightseeing tour, visiting the bazaar, the arts and crafts centre and a gem workshop. There will also be a visit to the Ceylon Tea Museum, dedicated to all things tea-related and housed in an attractive old building. Later, we enjoy a guided tour of the Temple of the Tooth Relic and then a cultural show, featuring traditional Sri Lankan dancing in the evening.
    1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
    Day 6, Nuwara Eliya
    Kandy - Nuwara Eliya. En route to Nuwara Eliya, a scenic hillside town with a distinctly English flavour. Here we visit a tea plantation and enjoy a tasty cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory. In Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka's most popular hill resort, we take an evening sightseeing tour, including the Hakgala Gardens.
    1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
    Day 7, Udawalawe National Park
    Nuwara Eliya - Embilipitiya. This morning, we drive to and check into our hotel in Embilipitiya, before going wild on a jeep safari in Sri Lanka's most popular national park! Udawalawe National Park is home to large herds of elephants and deer species such as spotted deer, sambhur, barking deer and langur, wild boar, water buffalo and jackal.
    1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
    Day 8, Ratnapura
    Embilipitiya - Ratnapura - Colombo. En route back to Colombo today, we stop off in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka's gem capital. Here, we learn about the islands precious stones, visit gem mines, a museum and a lapidary.
    1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
    Day 9, Colombo
    Out tour ends after breakfast today. Included onward transfer to airport.
    1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
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