Highlights of Sri Lanka
10 Day tour of Sri Lanka
10 Days in Sri Lanka is may not seem like enough time to discover the unique beauty of this island paradise but does give you enough time to venture through some of its most beautiful locations. From the suburban, westernized, commercial capital- the city of lights, Colombo, to the cold, misty, cloud-kissed peaks of Nuwara Eliya, to the golden shores and turquoise blue-green oceans and salty breezes of the south coast, this classic tour will kindle a flame that will romanticize and captivate any wanderer.
Highlights
- World Class – UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Into the Wild – Minneriya & Yala National Park.
- Spice Trails – Spice & Herbal Gardens in Matale.
- Last Kingdom – Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic & Kandyan Culture.
- Little England – Cold, Scenic Peaks and Cozy Little Towns of Ella & Nuwara Eliya.
- Misty Mountains – See the nature’s creations at Ella.
- On the Shores – Explore the Southern Coast of Sri Lanka.
Itinerary
Dambulla - 3 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 and visit Dambulla Cave Temple. (Travel Time: 2 ½ to 3 hrs)
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.
Day 02
After the breakfast at the hotel visit the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya. (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 Sigriya and get an authentic experience in Sri Lankan Village Life.
Experience the Local Village Life
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 taste buds 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 Safari in the Minneriya National Park. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)
This 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.
Day 03
After breakfast at the hotel and proceed to Polonnaruwa and visit Ancient Kingdom. (Travel Time: 1 ½ to 2 hrs)
The Ancient Kingdom of Polonnaruwa
The ancient city of Polonnaruwa, which was the second major capital of Sri Lanka. Walk through the ruins of the city that flourished between the 10th to the 13th century AD. View important monuments such as Gal Vihara, Vatadage, the lotus bath, Lankathilaka Temple and the statue of King Parakramabahu whose reign was considered the golden age of Polonnaruwa. Get to know more about Sri Lanka’s ancient history.
Overnight Stay
Economy Option (3 Star) – Fresco Water Villa
Standard Option (4 Star) – Cinnamon Lodge
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Heritance Kandalama
Kandy - 2 Nights
Day 04
After the breakfast at the hotel check out and proceed to Matale visit a Spice Garden and 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)
The Matale Spice Tour gives you a hands-on experience of a Spice & Herbal Garden within the Spice capital of Sri Lanka, Matale. Here you will learn about Sri Lanka’s famous spices such as coriander, chilli, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and their uses. The garden is enriched with herbs, spice groves and plants with fragrant greenery shading from the tropical trees that heighten the unique aroma of each spice and herb. Apart from gaining knowledge on Sri Lankan spices, this unique tour also lets you learn about Ayurvedic medicine. The tropical climate in which the plants and herbs are grown helps them preserve its ancient origins.
Thereafter proceed to Kandy and check in to the hotel. (Travel Time: 1 to 1 ½ hrs)
Later on proceed to proceed to Kandy and go on a tour around this bustling city including stops at the local markets and architectural marvels.
The Kandy Cultural Show gives an opportunity to experience some of the traditions of Sri Lanka. Enjoy this hour-long extravaganza as some of the most popular art forms of the island take to the stage. Get wowed by fire dancers and sword dancers. Watch the colorful Kandyan dancers take to the air to the thrumming primal beat of the drums.
Day 05
After a relaxed breakfast at the hotel, visit Trio Temple.
Get amazed by the wood crafting masterpiece that is the Embekke Temple. Wander through the historic and beautiful Gadaladeniya Temple and view its wonderful paintings and sculptures. Visit the Lankatilaka temple that was quite architecturally advanced for its time. See awe-striking sight of the Degaldoruwa Cave Temple, the inside walls of which are covered in painstakingly restored paintings. Visit the internationally famous Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic with its palatial cream and gold interiors.
Thereafter proceed to a Peradeniya and visit Royal Botanical Gardens. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 min)
Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya
which were formed in the early 19th century. Walk through the vast area containing over 4000 species of plants. Enjoy the learning more about the orchids, spices and medicinal plants. Wander down avenues shaded by large and rare trees, or bordered by flowering plants. Enjoy seeing the cannonball tree, walking over the wobbly suspension bridge and through the short hedge mazes or even climbing the twisty trees that make wonderful jungle gyms.
Overnight Stay
Economy Option (3 Star) – Kandy City Hotel
Standard Option (4 Star) – Cinnamon Citadel
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Earl’s Regency
Nuwara Eliya - 1 Night
Day 06
After breakfast at the hotel check out and proceed to Nuwara Eliya. En-route make a stop at Ramboda Falls and visit Ramboda Falls, which is the 11th tallest in the country, Sri Bhakth Hanuman Temple and a Tea factory and get a guided tour through a Tea Estate and learn more about the varieties, processing methods and qualities of tea. (Travel Time: 1 to 1 ½ hrs)
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 go and explore the scenic city of Nuwara Eliya.
Visit 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 colourful postcard to take home or send to your friends. Relax at Queen Victoria Park or on the shores of Lake Gregory.
Overnight Stay
Economy Option (3 Star) – Summer Hill Breeze
Standard Option (4 Star) – Jetwing St. Andrews
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Heritance Tea Factory
Yala - 1 Night
Day 07
After breakfast at the hotel check out and proceed to Yala and en route make a pause at Ella and explore the marevlous of Ella. (Travel Time: 1 to 1 ½ hrs)
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 proceed to Yala and check in to the hotel. (Travel Time: 1 ½ to 2 hrs)
Jeep Safari at Yala National Park
This amazing Safari offers the opportunity to visit Yala National Park, the second largest in the island based off the Southeastern coast of Sri Lanka. Get a chance to see the famous Sri Lankan leopards, indigenous wild water buffalo, Sri Lankan Sloth Bear and large herds of Sri Lankan Elephants. The park is also home to many other species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates.
Overnight Stay
Economy Option (3 Star) – Elephant Reach
Standard Option (4 Star) – Kithala Resort
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Jetwing Yala
Galle - 2 Nights
Day 08
After breakfast check out of the hotel and proceed to Galle, visit the Colonial City and the Galle Fort. (Travel Time: 3 ½ to 4 hrs)
Galle City & The Galle Dutch Fort
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.
Day 09
After breakfast at the hotel and proceed to Koggala and visit the Stilt Fisherman in Koggala. (Travel Time: 40 to 50 min)
Watch the captivating sight of fishermen perched on stilts in the waters along the coast of Koggala. Learn how stilt fishing is done in detail and marvel at the level of skill that goes into it. Get some amazing photographs of the fishermen silhouetted against the shoreline at sunset.
Thereafter proceed to Rekawa and visit Turtle Hatchery. (Travel Time: 1 ½ to 2 hrs)
Sea Turtle Hatchery and Conservation
Learn more about the five endangered sea turtle species that come to the shores of Sri Lanka to nest. Learn how the 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) – Amor Villa
Standard Option (4 Star) –Cantaloupe Levels
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Jetwing Lighthouse
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 855 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.
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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.