Southern Beaches of Serendib
10 Day tour of Sri Lanka
Explore the central hill country and walk against the breeze. Experience the chilled breeze of the hills and the warmth of the sun in the southern coast. Have a complete experience where you can witness both nature’s creations as well as man-made world famous creations. Explore the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya and the Temple od the Tooth Relic which is the Last Kingdom of Sri Lanka. Take a walk in the picturesque city of Nuwara Eliya and taste the real taste of Spices in the Spice Gardens of Matale. Have a true Sri Lankan experience by enjoying a cup of tea and some King Coconuts.
Highlights
- World Class – UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Into the Wild – Minneriya National Park.
- Spice Trails – Spice & Herbal Gardens in Matale.
- Last Kingdom – Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic & Kandyan Culture.
- Misty Mountains – See the nature’s creations at Ella.
- On the Shores – Explore the Southern Coast of Sri Lanka.
Itinerary
Dambulla - 2 Nights
Day 01
Arrive at Colombo International Airport. Here, you will be met by a designated chauffer guide from Lakpura. After the formalities at the airport you will be escorted to your air-conditioned vehicle and proceed to Dambulla, en route make a visit to Munneswaram Kovil in Chilaw. (Travel Time: 50 to 60 mins)
Munneswaram temple is an important regional Hindu temple complex in Sri Lanka. It has been in existence at least since 1000 CE, although myths surrounding the temple associate it with the popular Indian epic Ramayana, and its legendary hero-king Rama. The temple is one of five ancient temples dedicated to Shiva in the region
On completion continue to Dambulla and check in to the hotel and relax. (Travel Time: 50 to 60 mins) Later in the evening visit Dambulla Cave Temple
Enter the historic caves of the Golden Temple of Dambulla, dating back to the 1st century BC. View the ancient murals depicting the life story of Lord Gautama Buddha. Look at the hundreds of figurines of Buddha and other deities scattered throughout the five main caves. Visit the Cave of the Divine King, Cave of the Great King and the Great New Monastery. See the giant golden Buddha Statue just a little distance outside the cave complex.
On completion of the visit check into the hotel
Day 02
After breakfast visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)
Climb the 5th century AD rock fortress, Sigiriya, where the King Kasyapa ruled. Walk through the entrance framed by the paws of a lion that is quite appropriate for its name, ‘ the Lion Rock’. View the beautiful unfading murals that brought Sigiriya its fame. Climb the steep staircase to see the terraced gardens and still-working cisterns. Walk through the tunnels leading to the palace as you get a feel for times long past.
Thereafter proceed to a local village in Sigiriya and get an authentic experience in Sri Lankan Village Life.
Hiriwaduna Village (Sigiriya Village Tour)
Hiriwaduna is a little village that retains its authentic traditions and culture. Get a chance to go on an oxen cart ride, and experience the world from the view of a village farmer. Have a relaxing catamaran safari through a calm lake. Walk through the golden fields ripe with their harvest of paddy. Watch an enjoyable traditional cooking demonstration that teaches you the basics of Sri Lankan cuisine. Delight your tastebuds with a home cooked lunch; made over a wood-fire and served on fragrant lotus leaves placed over woven trays. Enjoy the life of a Sri Lankan villager, just this day.
Thereafter proceed to Minneriya and go on a lovely jeep safari in Minneriya National Park (Travel Time: 30 to 40 mins)
This three-hour safari takes you on a ride through the Minneriya National Park. Enjoy the sight of over 150 elephants congregating in one place during the famous Great Elephant Gathering, which happens in the dry season between May to October. In addition to elephants, get a chance to also see many mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians in the scrublands, forests and other areas.
On completion of the safari return to the hotel.
Overnight Stay
Economy Option (3 Star) – Fresco Water Villa
Standard Option (4 Star) – Cinnamon Lodge
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Heritance Kandalama
Nuwara Eliya - 1 Night
Day 03
After the breakfast at the hotel check out and proceed to Nuwara Eliya. En-route make a stop at Matale and visit Matale Spice Gardens and do a guided tour of a spice and herbal garden, where you learn about spices, such as coriander, chili, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg; and their uses. (Travel Time: 1 to 1 ½ hrs)
Do a guided tour of a spice and herbal garden, where you learn about spices, such as coriander, chili, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg; and their uses. Take part in a traditional cooking class that shows you how to make Sri Lankan cuisine while making full use of spices. Learn to make roti or create curry powder from scratch in one of the workshops.
Thereafter proceed to Kandy and visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic. (Travel Time: 50 to 60 mins)
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was built in the 16th century as the place of veneration and protection for Lord Buddha’s sacred tooth. Walk through the beautifully embellished passageways and elaborately painted halls, done in red, cream and black. Lounge against delicately carved pillars and get amazed by the beautiful golden statues. Get an unforgettable experience of history and art.
Thereafter continue to Nuwara Eliya and go on a sightseeing tour in Nuwara Eliya City. (Travel Time: 2 to 2 ½ hrs)
The highland city that was the premium holiday resort town of the British in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Enjoy walking through the streets with their pretty little cottages, quaint villas, and beautiful mansions. Make a memory in the old red-bricked post office as you purchase an inexpensive and colorful postcard to take home or send to your friends. Relax at Queen Victoria Park or on the shores of Lake Gregory.
on completion return to the hotel and relax
Overnight Stay
Economy Option (3 Star) – Summer Hill Breeze
Standard Option (4 Star) – Jetwing St.Andrews
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Heritance Tea Factory
Ella - 1 Night
Day 04
After a breakfast at the hotel check out and visit a Tea Factory and a guided tour through a Tea Estate and learn more about the varieties, processing methods and qualities of tea.
Learn how tea is manufactured in Sri Lanka. You can observe the tea pickers, locally known as ‘tea pluckers’ as they move between the lush green rows along the mountains with their large baskets.Thereafter you will be given a guided tour explaining fermentation, rolling, drying, cutting, sieving and the grading of tea. Finish with a tea tasting process and learn of the history, and why Ceylon Tea is considered among the best in the world.
Thereafter proceed to Nanu Oya railway station to catch the train to Ella. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)
The Nanu Oya to Ella train journey takes you on scenic ride through some of the most beautiful highland countryside areas in Sri Lanka. Watch the brilliant greens carpets of the tea plantations. See the picturesque villages with misty mountain backdrops pass by. Peer through drizzle and mist to look at the magical landscapes of Haputale. Enjoy the amazing sights of intimidating mountains, deep and dark woodlands, and magnificent waterfalls as they go by your windows.
You will be picked up by your chauffeur at the Ella Rail way station and proceed to the hotel and relax.
Overnight Stay
Economy Option (3 Star) – Ella Gap Hotel
Standard Option (4 Star) – Ella Jungle Resort
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – 98 Acres Resort
Mirissa - 1 Night
Day 05
Early in the morning after breakfast visit to explore Ella.
Explore Ella’s most interesting places. Pass through bright green tea fields, and tough stretches of rock, and get to see the magical views of Little Adam’s Peak. Walk over the history seeped Nine Arches Bridge and listen to the story of its construction. End your hike at the Demodara Railway station with its unique loop-over track design. This tour gives you the chance to see the best sights of Sri Lanka.
Thereafter return to the hotel check out and proceed to Mirissa and check in to the hotel. (Travel Time: 4 to 4 ½ hrs)
Overnight Stay
Economy Option (3 Star) – Paradise Beach Club
Standard Option (4 Star) – Mandara Resort
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Casa Mirissa
Bentota - 3 Nights
Day 06
Early in the morning proceed to Mirissa Fishery harbor at 06:30 am to go on a whale watching tour.
The Whale Watching Tour in Mirissa, this five-hour tour gives you an opportunity to see the biggest mammals on earth, the whales, in their natural habitat. Get a chance to see blue whales, sperm whales, and fin whales as they swim in the waters to the south of Sri Lanka. Gain more knowledge about the whales as a species from a qualified naturalist and learn to identify them. This tour gives you a responsible whale watching experience with a minimal imprint on nature.
On completion return to the hotel, relax, check out and proceed to Bentota, en route visit Old Colonial City of Galle. (Travel Time: 50 to 60 mins)
Discover the city of Galle, where the Portuguese and Dutch made their headquarters, and its secrets. Visit the Galle Fort which is one of the best preserved fortifications in Asia. View the Maritime Museum, Galle National Museum and the lighthouse. Walk through the cobblestoned streets with their Dutch names as you learn more about their histories.
On completion proceed to Bentota and check in to the hotel and relax. (Travel Time: 50 to 60 mins)
Day 07 & 08
Spend the days leisurely enjoying the beach and the hotel facilities. One of these days go on a lovely Boat safari in the Madu River and visit the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery.
Go on a wonderful boat ride down the Madu River with its flourishing ecosystem. Pass through the secretive passages created by the mangroves. See the basking crocodiles and water monitors. Visit one of the small islands with its cinnamon harvesting natives. Enjoy the restorative qualities of the famous fish massage. Observe the water birds in their natural habitats.
Visit the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery on the Southwestern coast of Sri Lanka. Learn more about the five endangered sea turtle species that come to the shores of Sri Lanka to nest. Learn how the Kosgoda Turtle Care Program helps protect the nests until they hatch and increases the chances of survival for the babies. Get a chance to see, touch and feed baby turtles; or even injured adult turtles that the Turtle Hatchery cares for.
Overnight Stay
Economy Option (3 Star) – Earl’s Reef
Standard Option (4 Star) – The Surf
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Cinnamon Bey
Colombo - 1 Night
Day 09
After breakfast at the hotel check out and visit Lunuganga Estate.
Lunuganga Estate, The country house of Geoffrey Bawa
Lunuganga Estate was the country home of the renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. Started in 1947, the garden led Bawa, a lawyer called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in 1940, to decide to become an architect. As he went on to become Sri Lanka’s and one of Asia’s most prolific and influential architects, the garden at the Lunuganga estate remained his first muse and experimental laboratory for new ideas. He continued to change and experiment with its spaces and structures throughout his life until his final illness in 1998. Left to the Lunuganga Trust on his demise in 2003, the gardens are now open to the public and the buildings on the estate are run as a country house hotel.
Thereafter proceed to Colombo and check into the hotel. (Travel Time: 1 ½ to 2 hrs) Later in the evening go out and enjoy the night life in Capital City of Sri Lanka
Experience the colorful lights and bright life of Colombo, the capital City of Sri Lanka. Visit historic monuments such as the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green, Gangarama Temple, the National Museum and more. Enjoy the malls of Independence Square or the Race Course. Visit boutique shops and designer stores.
On completion return to the hotel and relax.
Overnight Stay
Economy Option (3 Star) – Zmax Fairway
Standard Option (4 Star) – Mount Lavinia Hotel
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Cinnamon Grand
Departure
Day 10
After breakfast at the hotel on your final day, proceed to the Colombo International Airport (CMB) and get ready for your departure after spending a memorable time on the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.
Price Starting From:
USD 830 Per Person
When to go on this trip?
The best time of the year you can enjoy this trip is from December to May. Calm south coast beaches, cool and sunny climate and green sceneries that blend perfectly with the locations you are traveling to.
When to book
We recommend that you book this tour at least 6 months ahead.
What add-ons are available for this trip?
We can arrange for just about any add-on’s on this trip. Have a chat with one of our Tour Consultants to help you decide.
Our Experts are ready to help
For more information or to book this wonderful tour please email our travel experts.
Hotel Timing
Standard Check in time : 1400 hrs.
Standard Check out time : 1200 hrs.
The above may differ from hotel to hotel. Speak to your travel expert for more details.
We are able to arrange early check-in and late check-outs depending on the hotels you choose. However, you may be subject to additional charges.
Booking Process
After deciding on which trip you want to go, send us an inquiry with the requested details. If you want to further customize this trip, our travel experts would be glad to help perfect the tour itinerary for you. Once all planning is final, the next step is starting the booking process. We request for a 20% deposit to confirm the booking. On receipt of the deposit, our team will start booking your hotels and the vehicles that were agreed upon. The balance 80% payment can be made 30 to 45 days prior to the date of arrival. For cancellation and refund policies please take a look at the terms & conditions.
Price
The price quoted is valid till April 2018. Will be subject to seasonal supplements. Speak to your travel expert to learn more details.
Packing Essentials
When packing for Sri Lanka, you only need to remember that this is a tropical country. Sunny weather & warm water. Hence, packing thin cotton clothing is essential. However, if your stay includes places like Kandy, Nuwara Eliya & Ella, we recommend that you pack a few sweaters just in case. You must not forget the following:
- Effective mosquito repellent.
- A good sunscreen.
- (Ladies) Tampons – Nearly impossible to find outside Colombo.
- Universal power adapter.
Travel Insurance
We recommend that you purchase travel insurance before you travel.
VISA
Visa can be obtained online via www.eta.gov.lk. You can obtain Visa on arrival as well, however, this option is not available for some countries. Do read more on this topic here.
Travel Information
Sri Lanka is a developing nation. Yet, there are many things you must look out for during your travel. For example; when visiting religious sites, it is important that you dress to cover. All key information you need to know before traveling is right here.