Discover Sri Lanka
12 days
from Colombo to Negombo
From
$ 2299
Duration12 days
Soak in the enchantment of Sri Lanka on this unforgettable journey. Refresh your spirit at the unusual Golden Temple of Dambulla, stroll spice gardens and tea plantations, and ride through Wilpattu National Park in search of elephants and leopards. Come away with an understanding of why Arab traders called the island “Serendib”—a name that gave English speakers the word “serendipity.”
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 12 daysService level: Upgraded
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Starts in: ColomboPhysical Grading: Average
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Ends in: NegomboAges: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Colombo
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included.
Arrive at any time and enjoy your day. Please meet your CEO in the hotel lobby at 6:15PM for the welcome meeting.
Day 2: Colombo/Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu is the oldest National Park in the Country and home to Sri Lankan leopards and we will do our best to search some out with our local ranger. As well, enjoy the stunning flora and fauna, keeping an eye out for elephants, wild boar, sloth bear, spotted deer and water buffalo. Our safari camp is located 10 minutes to the Southern boundary of the park entrance, on the boundary of a lake, surrounded by bush forest. While a bit more simple than our other accommodations in Sri Lanka, a stay in a tented camp offers a unique and fun experience. Tents are heavy canvas with 2 raised beds, electricity, fan and ensuite toilette. The camp offers open air dining with exceptional food and service in a natural surrounding. On occasion, due to the remote location electricity and hot water can be sporadic. A flashlight is provided and should be used when walking at night.
Depart early and visit a coconut plantation, learning about farming and popular coconut-based products. Continue north to Wilpattu National Park, known for its leopard population. Explore the park on a 4x4 and meet with a local expert to hear about conservation efforts and the issues of human encroachment on wildlife reserves. Overnight at a safari camp, located just outside the National Park.
End place: Wilpattu National Park
Meals: B, D
Day 3: Wilpattu National Park/Anuradhapura
Start place: Wilpattu National Park
Travel to the sacred city of Anuradhapura — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk through the ruins and discover ancient Buddhist monasteries and temples. Enjoy some free time this afternoon and opt to rent a bike.
Meals: B
Day 4: Anuradhapura/Dambulla
Enjoy a walk through Habarana, a rural farming village, and learn about daily life. Relax with a canoe trip on the lake, ride on a bull cart, taste a local lunch, and venture out into the rice and vegetable fields. Later, continue on to Dambulla for the evening.
Meals: B, L
Day 5: Dambulla
Start place: Dambulla
Head to Sigiriya (Lion) rock fortress and climb the steps to the top of this captivating site to discover UNESCO-listed ruins and take in stellar views. After, enjoy some free time to explore Dambulla.
End place: Dambulla
Meals: B
Day 6: Dambulla/Kandy
Start place: Dambulla
Tour the impressive Dambulla Cave Temple and admire ancient Buddhist murals and statues then visit a spice garden in Matale to learn about the theraputic uses of local spices. Continue on to Kandy and enjoy a tour of the Temple of the Tooth, which houses an important relic — a tooth of Lord Buddha kept in a well-preserved golden casket. This evening, listen to some traditional music at a cultural show.
End place: Kandy
Meals: B
Day 7: Kandy
Start place: Kandy
Today, visit the impressive Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, considered a national asset. Enjoy the lush surroundings, pavilions, conservancy, orchid house, and stunning Javan fig tree. After, visit Sthree Craft Shop and Café, a G for Good-supported social enterprise that helps local women and youth. Here, we view a handicraft demonstration, listen to a lecture lecture, and enjoy afternoon high tea. Taste local teas, scones, clotted cream, jam, and an assortment of sweet cakes and pastries. Later, enjoy some free time to walk through the city and around Kandy Lake.
End place: Kandy
Meals: B, L
Day 8: Kandy/Nuwara Eliya
Start place: Kandy
Travel through scenic mountains to the tea-producing town of Nuwara Eliya, stopping at a traditional tea plantation in the central highlands to gain insight into the process of growing tea and its effect on the Ceylon region. Enjoy a cup of perfectly blended pure Ceylon tea then continue exploring the English countryside atmosphere which was once governed by English and Scottish planters. Walk through the green grass and lanes, enjoying stunning views of this countryside hamlet. Opt to enjoy high tea at the Grand Hotel.
End place: Nuwara Eliya
Meals: B
Day 9: Nuwara Eliya/Udawalawe
Start place: Nuwara Eliya
Enjoy a picnic breakfast and hike through the highlands in Horton Plains National Park. Continue on to our tented camp on the border of Udawalawe National Park. This evening, enjoy a cooking demonstration by the camp chef to learn about local specialties.
Meals: B, D
Day 10: Udawalawe
Udawalawe is a sanctuary for large herds of elephants, and the national park proves to be one of the best places to observe them in their natural habitat. Hop into a safari jeep and head into the park, but keep an eye out for other wildlife such as spotted deer, sambur, barking deer, water buffalo and jackal - all found within the park.
Enjoy a wildlife safari drive into the park to observe elephants who are in abundance here. After, visit and enjoy a lecture at the Elephant Transit Home, a haven for orphaned elephants who are rehabilitated then released back into the wild, many directly into Udawalawe National Park.
Meals: B, D
Day 11: Udawalawe/Negombo
Drive to Negombo and enjoy free time to explore the city and check out the beautiful Portuguese and Dutch architecture.
End place: Negombo
Meals: B
Day 12: Negombo
Start place: Negombo
Hotel check out is at 12:00pm. Your CEO can assist you with arranging an easy transfer to Colombo or the International airport.
Depart at any time.
End place: Negombo
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Wilpattu Safari and Conservation Talk, Wilpattu National Park Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Agricultural Village Experience, Habarana Your Journeys Highlight Moment: High Tea and Handicrafts, Kandy Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Elephant Rehabilitation Centre, Udawalawe Your G for Good Moment: Sthree Craft Shop and Café, Kandy Your Hands-On Moment: Visit a Coconut Plantation, Colombo Your Foodie Moment: Sri Lankan Cooking Demonstration, Udawalawe
- Arrival transfer
- Tour of Anuradhapura ruins
- Tour the Sigiriya rock fortress
- Dambulla cave temple visit
- Visit a Matale spice garden
- Tour the Temple of the Tooth
- Cultural show
- Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens
- Tour Nuwara Eliya area and a Ceylon tea plantation
- Hike in Horton Plains National Park
- Safari drive in Udawalawe National Park
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Private vehicle, Boat, 4x4, Walking -
Accommodation
Hotel/lodges (9 nts), Tented camp (2 nts)