Tour Program: 7 Nights / 8 Days
Embark on an 8-day journey through Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage and untamed wilderness. From ancient cities and sacred sites to lush tea plantations and vibrant wildlife, this tour promises a perfect blend of history, nature, and adventure. Experience the best of Sri Lanka with scenic drives, cultural landmarks, and unforgettable encounters with nature.
Highlights
- Visit ancient cities like Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Mihintale, exploring iconic sites such as the Ruwanweliseya Dagoba, sacred Bo Tree, and Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
- Experience the breathtaking train journey from Nanu Oya to Ella, considered one of the most scenic rides in Asia.
- Enjoy wildlife at Yala National Park with opportunities to spot leopards, elephants, and exotic birds.
- Participate in a village culinary session in Polonnaruwa, learning Sri Lankan cooking techniques and enjoying a traditional meal with a local family.
- Cycle through villages and heritage sites for an immersive experience.
- Enjoy amenities like air-conditioned transportation and guided tours by English-speaking chauffeur guides.
- All entrance fees to major attractions and activities are covered
- Additional experiences include the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, cultural shows, and a guided tour of Sri Lankan spice gardens.
On arrival at the bandaranaike international airport, you will get your first taste of Warm sri lankan hospitality; the representative will welcome you and transfer you To Anuradhapura.( Approx. 04 Hours Drive) Check in to the hotel and relax for the evening.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Anuradhapura.
Breakfast at the hotel and go for a city tour in Anuradhapura. Anuradhapura is the capital of Sri Lanka from the 05th Century B.C. to the end of the 10th Century A.D. was the most celebrated of Sri Lanka’s ancient, ruined cities.
The city’s greatest treasures are its Dagobas constructed of bricks and are hemispherical in shape. The most notable of these Dagobas are the Ruvanveliseya dating back to the 2nd Century B.C. and is 300 feet in diameter, the Jetavanarama is 370 feet and the Thuparama Dagoba is enshrined with the collarbone of the Buddha. The city’s most renowned relic is the sacred Bo Tree, which is said to have grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha gained Enlightenment. It was planted 2250 years ago and is the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world.
Thereafter Visit Mihintale.
Mihintale is where Buddhism was first introduced to Sri Lanka. Mihintale is regarded as the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. The rock is riddled with shrines and roide leads to the summit from where one could get a rounding countryside splendid view of the sur.
Thereafter Proceed to Habarana.
En-route Visit Aukana Buddha Statue. Aukana Buddha Statue is a masterpiece of a colossal Buddha Statue by an unknown sculptor: the serene expression of the statue, the gracefully carved robe with neat pleats brings in delicateness that could hardly be moulded into a rock. The impassive expression of the face reflects the supreme spirituality. Thereafter engage in Minneriya Safari
Check-in to the hotel and relax. Overnight stay at Hotel in Habarana.
- Activity Time
- Anuradhapura Site Tour: 02 ½ hour
- Mihintale: 02 ½ hours
- Meals - Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel and go for a city t our in Polonnaruwa.
Engage in Cycling Tour in Medieval City of Polonnaruwa Visit Polonnaruwa, which was the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, and which is a world heritage site. Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya where 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in 'Upright', 'Sedentary' and 'Recumbent' postures carved out of rock could be seen, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, the statue of king Parakramabahu, and the Parakrama Samudraya - a lake built by King Parakramabahu the great. There are also monuments of famous places of worship such as the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilake, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic.
Thereafter Engage in Village Culinary Activities and Lunch in Polonnaruwa
This experience provides an authentic local lunch and cooking demo done by an actual local farming family. Learn the ins and outs of Sri Lankan cooking as the farmer’s wife and daughters demonstrate their art. Chat with the farmer to learn more about how the fresh ingredients are obtained from the surroundings. Indulge in a healthy farm meal cooked over wood fires and served on lotus leaves over woven trays. Traditional rice, lentils, fresh local vegetables cooked into fragrant curries, fried fish, and poppadum will play a major role in the meals.
After the Village Lunch Engage in a Cycle tour through the Village.
In the evening you will be engaged in cycling tour in the village. You can enjoy the calmness of the village passing paddy fields and also experiencing the people in the village. During the cycling tour you will be experience the village culture.
Continue the Drive to Sigiriya
On your way, you could also witness a wood carving shop where you will be shown all the types of timber and hardwood available in Sri Lanka and all the creative furniture made by our master craftsmen.
In the evening climb the 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress which is a world heritage site, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The 'Lion Rock' is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 metres 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. The world-renowned frescoes of the 'Heavenly Maidens' of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster.
Return to the hotel and relax. Overnight stay at Hotel in Habarana.
- Activity Time
- Polonnaruwa Cycling Tour : 02 hours
- Village Cookery Session & Cycling : 02 - 03 hours
- Sigiriya : 03 hours
- Meals - Breakfast, Lunch
Early breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Kandy. En-route Visit to Dambulla Golden Cave Temple
Dambulla Golden Cave Temple
Dambulla rock temple has been built by king Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. and it is a world heritage site. Also, it is the most impressive of Sri Lanka's cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. metres of painted walls and ceilings is the largest area of paintings found in the world. It contains over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock and spanning 14 metres.
Optional: Thereafter continue your Journey to Matale Spice Gardens & Learn about the Sri Lankan Spices as it is a part of the culture. You will also get familiar with herbal medicine which has a very high intense in this country. Rejuvenate your selves with a free head massage using traditional Sri Lankan herbs. You have an opportunity to buy Sri Lankan spices, herbal teas & oils if you so wish to only.
Thereafter Visit Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden. This botanical garden was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers.
Do City Tour in Kandy including Temple of Tooth. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings which is a World Heritage Site. The name "Kandy" conjures visions of splendor and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Visit Bazaar area, Arts & crafts centre, a Gem museum and a lapidary etc.
Late Evening Witness the Cultural Show.
Check-in to the hotel and relax. Overnight stay at Kandy
- Activity Time
- Dambulla Temple : 01 ½ hours
- Royal Botanical Gardens: 01 ½ hours
- City Tour : 01 ½ hours
- Cultural Show: 01 hour
- Meals - Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Nuwara Eliya. ( Approx. 04 ½ hours drive) Thereafter proceed to Nuwara Eliya En route visit a Tea Plantation and Ramboda Falls.
Check into the Hotel and Relax.
In the evening take a walk through Nuwara Eliya City and Gregory Lake
Walk passing the many buildings that still have preserved features from the colonial period.
Overnight Stay at Nuwara Eliya
- Activity Time
- City Walk : 01 hour
- Meals - Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer towards Nanu Oya railway station to catch the morning train which departs towards Ella, known to be one of the picturesque train rides in Asia.
Arrive at Ella railway station and your driver will pick you up from there and will transfer you towards Yala
Arrive to Yala
Check into the hotel and relax for the evening.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Yala
- Meals - Breakfast
Breakfast at the Hotel
Early in the morning, engage in a game drive at Yala National Park.
Yala National Park (also known as Ruhuna National Park) is located in the southeastern region of Sri Lanka and extends over two provinces of Hambantota district of southern province and Monaragala district in Uva province. The entrance to the park is at Palatupana, 12 km from Kirinda. The distance from Colombo to the entry point of Palatupana is 305 km.Of all the National Parks in Sri Lanka, Yala National Park gives the best opportunity to witness Sri Lanka’s broad variety of wildlife: colorful painted stork in troops are seen perched at the shores of lagoon where the crocodiles too have chosen to doze off; lovely fantail peacocks in their resplendent blues and greens parade about amidst.
The woods where monkeys hang, leap and chatter; in the bush jungle are the Elephants; crossing the tracks and wandering off into the thorny scrub jungle is the star attraction of the park: the leopard. A total of 32 species of mammals have been recorded. The threatened species include sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya), elephant (Elephas maximus), water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), Wild boar (Sus scrofa), spotted deer (Axis Ceylonese’s), sambar (Cervus unicolor) and golden jackal (Canis aureus).
Overnight stay at Yala
- Meals - Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the Airport for the departure flight.
- Meals - Breakfast
END OF THE TOUR!!!!!!
Includes
- Accommodation on BB Basis – Accommodation on sharing double basis for 08 nights from breakfast on day 02 to breakfast on day 09 at hotels specified or at hotels of similar standard.
- Transportation by Air-Conditioned vehicle throughout the tour with an English-speaking chauffeur guide.
- Village Lunch on Day 03.
- Train Journey
- Entrance fees for Mihintale, Cycle Hire, Village Culinary Session, Anuradhapura, Isurumuniya, Sri Maha Bodiya, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya , Dambulla Rock Temple, Kandy Temple of Tooth Relic, Cultural Show, Royal Botanical Gardens, Train ride, Gregory Lake, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Yala Safari with Jeep
- All the assistance in the Airport
- Includes all the Government local taxes (Current prevailing)
Excludes
- Compulsory supplements at hotels
- Expenses of personal nature (Telephone calls, Laundry etc.)
- Tips and gratuities
- Any items specifically not mentioned in the itinerary
- Video and Camera permits
- Lunch, Dinner and Mineral Water or other beverages throughout the tour
- All extra mileages, entrance fees out of the program
Important Information
A: If the selected hotels are fully booked for any reason, similar hotels will be arranged in the same vicinity or the nearest location.
A: The standard check-in time is 2:00 PM (1400 Hrs), and the standard check-out time is 12:00 PM (1200 Hrs).
Tour Map
Important Notes
● The Sequence of the itinerary may Change with /without prior notice to ensure the smooth running of the tour and flight details.
● Please note any increase in the entrance fees by the Government has to be borne by the Guest.
● All Reservations/ Rooms/ Hotels subject to availability at any time of booking.
● These prices are subjected to any revisions of existing taxes, or any new taxes imposed by the Sri Lankan Government / or any Government Authorities.
● No refund for Unutilized Stay or Services
● All Drive times are Approximate and are Subject to Change.
● Sudden Changes in Train Schedules / Climate Conditions should be carried by clients as they are beyond our Control.
● Please note that Liquor will not be served in public on Full Moon Poya Days in Sri Lanka.
● Itinerary and hotel and tour package will change according to arrival and departure flight details.