Embark on an enchanting Sri Lankan odyssey, commencing in Colombo, where colonial grandeur meets modern vitality. Ascend Sigiriya's ancient rock fortress, relishing panoramic vistas before exploring the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa. Discover the sacred caves of Dambulla, adorned with intricate Buddhist art, then journey to Kandy, steeped in cultural allure, where the Temple of the Tooth Relic beckons. Traverse the picturesque train route to Nuwara Eliya, enveloped in misty tea plantations. Encounter exotic wildlife in Yala National Park, then unwind upon the golden sands of Bentota Beach, concluding a remarkable voyage through Sri Lanka's rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural splendor.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: London Heathrow
Check in for your flight to Colombo, Sri Lanka
Day 2: Airport – Colombo
On arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport you will be met by your Chauffeur guide & transferred to your hotel in Colombo.
Transfer Time (Airport to Colombo): Approximately 40 minutes.
Check in at the hotel and relax till evening before explore Colombo city.
Colombo City tour
Colombo tour includes a drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens. Visit Lotus tower, Fort, the former British administrative centre and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area, a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. If time permits, you may also see the replica of Avukana Buddha & the Independence Square. You will be taken to visit the lotus tower to get mesmerizing views of the city line.
Return back to the hotel and relax for the rest of your day enjoying hotel facilities.
Accommodation: Jetwing Colombo Seven
Room type: Deluxe Room
Basis: Half Board Basis
Day 3: Colombo – Dambulla
Pick up time 11:30 am this day after breakfast you will proceed to Dambulla
Transfer Time (Colombo to Dambulla): Approx. 03 ½ hours.
Check in to the hotel and relax for the rest of your day enjoying hotel facilities.
Accommodation: Amaya Lake, Dambulla
Room type: Standard Room
Basis: Half Board Basis
Day 4: Dambulla – Sigiriya – Dambulla – Polonnaruwa - Dambulla
Pick up at 05:00am early morning after cup of tea you will be taken to climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
Transfer Time (Hotel to Sigiriya): Approx. 30 minutes.
One of Sri Lanka’s major attractions, the Sigiriya Rock Fortress was built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD) for the purpose of protecting him from his rivals. An UNSECO World Heritage listed site, also known as the “Fortress in the Sky”. The climb up to the top of the fortress doesn’t only offer the reward of breathtaking views but there is so much to discover during your climb to the top.
Highlights of the climb include water gardens, artistic frescoes, mirror wall, the lion gate and the magnificent views from the rock summit.
Return back to your hotel in for breakfast and relax till afternoon before heading to Polonnaruwa.
Transfer Time (Hotel to Polonnaruwa): Approx. 01 hour.
Pick up at 2:00 pm Polonnaruwa was founded in the 11th Century AD and was governed by many Kings. King Parakrambahu I’s reign was considered the most significant for this ancient kingdom. During his reign (12th Century AD) this second Kingdom of Sri Lanka (after Anuradhapura) was known as the Golden Age of Polonnaruwa, as Parakrambabu ruled during an era where trade and agriculture was at its peak.
Return back to the hotel and relax for the rest of your day enjoying hotel facilities.
Accommodation: Amay Lake
Room type: Standard Room
Basis: Half Board Basis
Day 5: Dambulla - Kandy
Pick up at 9:00 am after leisurely breakfast you will be taken to visit Dambulla Cave temple.
Transfer Time ( Dambulla to Kandy): Approx. 02 ½ hours.
Dambulla cave temple is part of the Golden Triangle of Sri Lanka and is encrusted into a magnificently large rock. It sits more than 160m above the surrounding land and spans for more than 1.5 km around the base. Also known as the “Golden Temple” it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991. This ancient complex was initially established in 3rd Century BC and is truly a wonder as it is the largest and best preserved cave temples in Sri Lanka. The cave temples are home to numerous religious and cultural paintings and sculptures.
Continue your journey to Kandy, check in to the hotel and relax till evening before heading to Kandy Temple of the Tooth Relic.
Transfer Time (Hotel to Kandy Temple of the Tooth Relic): Approx. 20 minutes.
The Temple of Tooth Relic (“Dalada Maligawa” as known to the locals) is located in Kandy. This sacred temple is also home to the palm-leaf transcripts and its history dates back to 1687. This stunning piece of architecture is instantly recognised by its octagonal shape and golden roof. Although you are not able to view the actual tooth itself, the casket within which it is held is displayed twice a day.
Return back to the hotel and relax for the rest of your day enjoying hotel facilities.
Accommodation: Cinnamon Citadel
Room type: Superior Room
Basis: Half Board Basis
Day 6: Kandy – Nuwara Eliya
Pick up time 8:00 am Today after early breakfast you will get on board to the local train (01st class tickets or 02nd tickets) which is how the British used to travel during the colonial times in the late 1800’s. You will have reserved seats for you and witness the beautiful ride along forests, villages, Waterfalls and tea estates.
Train journey from Kandy station to Nanu Oya station
Train leaves Kandy by 08:45 am and reach Nanu Oya by 12:45 pm.
Approx. 04 hours’ journey
On arrival you will visit a Tea Plantation then afterwards your chauffer guide will then take you to the hotel in Nuwara Eliya. Check in to the hotel and relax enjoying the hotel facilities.
Accommodation: Galway Heights ( or similar )
Room type: Deluxe Room
Basis: Half Board Basis
Day 7: Nuwara Eliya – Ella – Tissamaharama
Pick up time 8:30 am after breakfast you will proceed to Tissamaharama, on your way you will stop for lunch in Ella, thereafter you will visit and experience Curd Processing in Tissamaharama.
Transfer Time (Nuwara Eliya to Tissamaharama via Ella): Approx. 04 hours.
Though buffalo curd is a quintessential favorite in the Sri Lankan pantry, its arduous journey, from teat to table, is often unheeded. This excursion provides you the opportunity to witness the ins and outs of a dairy farm and take part in learning how to make the curd. Step into a dairy farm in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, where buffalo curd production is done as the chief livelihood of most locals. Assist the farmers in leading the buffalos to graze or observe the milkmaids at work. Help yourself to a fresh sip of milk after trying your hand milking a buffalo. Lend a helping hand to the farmers to carry the pots of milk back to their houses and study how the curd is made the traditional way. Dust off this Sri Lankan traditional experience by finally relishing on a fresh pot of curd sweetened with treacle.
Continue your journey to Tissamaharama, check into the hotel and relax for the rest of your day enjoying hotel facilities.
Accommodation: Ekho Safari
Room type: Standard Room
Basis: Half Board Basis
Day 8: Tissamaharama – Yala - Bentota
Pick up time 5:30 am early morning you will be taken on a Yala jeep safari.
*You will get packed breakfast from the hotel*
Transfer Time (Hotel to Yala National park): Approx. 30 minutes.
Embark on an adventure of a lifetime with a Wildlife Jeep Safari at the Yala National Park! Yala National Park is the largest National Park in Sri Lanka. It is located approximately 24km Northeast of Tissamaharama. Yala is the best location to sight and photograph the rare and remarkable leopards. Other highlights of Yala include the herd of wild elephants, bears, wild boars, buffalos, deer, crocodiles and many species of birds. The vegetation ranges from open parkland to dense jungle. There is also an abundance of water supply for animals and birds ranging from waterholes, streams, small lakes to lagoons
Return back to the hotel and relax for some time, before heading to Bentota.
Transfer Time (Yala to Bentota): Approx. 03 ½ hours.
Check into the hotel and relax for the rest of your day enjoying hotel facilities.
Accommodation: Ekho Surf
Room type: Superior Sea View Room
Basis: Half Board Basis
Day 9: Bentota– Balapitiya – Kosgoda – Bentota
Pick up time 08:30 am this day after breakfast you will be taken for Madu River Boat Safari.
Transfer Time (Hotel to Madu River): Approx. 30 minutes.
Madu River is a complex coastal ecosystem of mangroves and islands. A boat tour is an ideal way to experience hundreds of species of plants and animals in their natural habitat. There are around 64 islands in the river and lagoon, from a tiny speck housing, a deserted shrine to one housing 250 families, connected to the mainland via a long footbridge. You can visit an island with a Buddhist monastery, where the friendly young monks will show you a 150-year-old book made of palm leaves and how they cook on cinnamon wood on an open fire.
Thereafter you will visit a Turtle Hatchery in Kosgoda.
Transfer Time (Madu River to Kosgoda): Approx. 30 minutes.
Visiting the Turtle hatchery in Sri Lanka is one of the most recommended things to do by Lonely Planet. The small town of Kosgoda on the southern strip is famous for its turtle hatchery which is operated by the Wild Life Protection Society of Sri Lanka.At the hatchery, fishermen are paid for rescuing the vulnerable eggs which they collect at night, along the sandy beach. Visitors can witness the exceptional sight of them hatching or even see tanks filled with new born hatchlings. After being fed, the baby turtles are returned back to the sea where they are released when they are 2-4 days old. Once placed on the beach, most baby sea turtles start moving towards the water, flapping their tiny flippers. Children in particular love to visit the hatchery and watch the turtles being released back into their natural habitat.
Return back to the hotel and relax for the rest of your day enjoying hotel facilities.
Accommodation: Ekho Surf
Room type: Superior Sea View Room
Basis: Half Board Basis
Day 10: Bentota
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at leisure.
Accommodation: Ekho Surf
Room type: Superior Sea View Room
Basis: Half Board Basis
Day 11: Bentota
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at leisure.
Accommodation: Ekho Surf
Room type: Superior Sea View Room
Basis: Half Board Basis
Day 12: Bentota - Airport
Having reached at the end of your program, you will be transferred to the Bandaranaike International Airport for your flight back to London. Transfer Time (Bentota to Airport): Approximately 01 ½ hours.
Included in the Tour
- Orchid garlands on arrival
- Accommodation:
1 night - Jetwing Colombo Seven, Colombo
2 nights - Amaya Lake, Dambulla
1 night - Cinnamon Citadel. Kandy
1 night - Galway Heights ( or similar )Nuwara Eliya
1 night - Ekho Safari, Tissamaharama
4 nights - Ekho Surf. Bentota
- Private air-conditioned car with an English speaking chauffeur guide throughout the tour
- WIFI (In the vehicle on availability)
- 2 water bottles per day
- Local government taxes & service charges.
- Half Board throughout
- Oil and Fuel charge
- A Dedicated tour consultant to attend to all your requirements/needs from the time you land in Sri Lanka till Departure 24 hours 7 days a week
- Entrances fees to the sites as mentioned above.
Flight Details:
Etihad Airways
Depart Heathrow 14.50 hrs arrive Abu Dhabi 00.40 hrs, depart Abu Dhabi 02.20 hrs arrive Colombo 08.25 hrs (next day)
Depart Colombo 09.30 hrs arrive Abu Dhabi 12.45 hrs, depart Abu Dhabi 14.05hrs arrive Heathrow 18.45 hrs or
Depart Colombo 21.40 hrs arrive Abu Dhabi 01.00 hrs, depart Abu Dhabi 02.40hrs arrive Heathrow 06.45 hrs (next day)
Qatar Airways
Depart Heathrow 16.00 hrs arrive Doha 00.45 hrs, depart Doha 02.05 hrs arrive Colombo 09.40 hrs (next day)
Depart Colombo 11.15 hrs arrive Doha 14.00 hrs, depart Doha 17.25 hrs arrive Heathrow 22.00 hrs or
Depart Colombo 20.20 hrs arrive Doha 22.50 hrs, depart Doha 01.10 hrs arrive Heathrow 06.25 hrs (next day)
Emirates
Depart Heathrow 13.40 hrs arrive Dubai 00.40 hrs, depart Dubai 02.40 hrs arrive Colombo 08.25 hrs (next day)
Depart Colombo 09.55 hrs arrive Dubai 12.50 hrs, depart Dubai 14.30 hrs arrive Heathrow 18.40 hrs
