Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Negombo
You'll land at Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport where your tour leader meets you and arranges the transfer to Negombo. From there, it's time to settle in and relax. Spend your afternoon at the hotel by the pool or beach, then later take a walk along the shore to catch the sunset and soak in the beachside atmosphere.
- Day 2
Negombo to Anuradhapura
After breakfast with Sri Lankan tea or coffee, you'll travel through the countryside to Anuradhapura, an ancient capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once there, you'll see the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi Tree, the white Ruwanwelisaya Stupa, rock carvings at Isurumuniya Rock Temple, and the Samadhi Buddha Statue. Plan on spending several hours walking through the historical grounds here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Sri Maha Bodhi Tree
- Visit Ruwanwelisaya Stupa
- Visit Isurumuniya Rock Temple
- Visit Samadhi Buddha Statue
Landmarks/POIs Sri Maha Bodhi Tree Ruwanwelisaya Stupa Isurumuniya Rock Temple Samadhi Buddha Statue - Day 3
Anuradhapura to Sigiriya
Start your morning climbing Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress, a UNESCO site built by King Kasyapa that features old frescoes and engineering that still impresses today. After you finish there, you'll head into a cultural village tour with a tuk-tuk ride, a catamaran boat trip, a stop at a local farmer's home, and a live curry cooking class where you'll make and eat a homemade meal. Back at your resort by evening, you can relax or book an optional Ayurvedic massage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Homemade countryside meal in local farmer's home), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress
- Authentic cultural village tour
- Tuk-tuk ride to cultural village
- Catamaran boat ride across scenic lake
- Visit local farmer's home
- Live Sri Lankan curry cooking demonstration
- Homemade countryside meal
Optional Activities
- Ayurvedic herbal massage
Landmarks/POIs Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress - Day 4
Sigiriya
This is an early morning start. After breakfast, you'll travel to Polonnaruwa, the second ancient capital, and bike through the UNESCO site past old temples, statues, and reservoirs. In the afternoon, you'll switch to a 4x4 jeep safari at either Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park to look for wild elephants and other wildlife. Once back at your resort, an optional Ayurvedic massage is available if you want one.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bicycle tour of Polonnaruwa ancient capital
- 4x4 jeep safari at Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park
Optional Activities
- Ayurvedic herbal massage
Landmarks/POIs Polonnaruwa Ancient Capital Minneriya National Park Kaudulla National Park - Day 5
Sigiriya to Kandy
After breakfast, you're heading to Kandy, the cultural capital. On the way, you'll stop at Dambulla Cave Temple, a large complex sitting 160 meters above the plains with five caves full of Buddha statues and colorful frescoes. When you reach Kandy, you'll visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of Buddhism's most important pilgrimage spots. In the evening, walk through the city center, check out Kandy Lake, take in the views, and watch a traditional Kandyan cultural dance performance with drummers and vibrant clothing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Dambulla Cave Temple and Golden Buddha Statue
- Visit Temple of the Tooth Relic
- Kandy city tour and viewpoint
- Traditional Kandyan cultural dance performance
Landmarks/POIs Dambulla Cave Temple Temple of the Tooth Relic Kandy Lake - Day 6
Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
You'll travel through lush tea plantations and see waterfalls as you head into Nuwara Eliya's cool, misty hills. The town has colonial charm with Tudor-style buildings and is sometimes called 'Little England.' Stop at a working tea plantation and factory to see how Ceylon tea gets made, learn about picking and sorting, and drink a fresh cup. Later in the day, explore the town on foot and see the red-brick Post Office, the historic Grand Hotel, and Victoria Park while taking in the colonial architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit working tea plantation and factory
- Tea factory tour with Ceylon tea tasting
- Nuwara Eliya city tour and local markets
Landmarks/POIs Victoria Park Nuwara Eliya Post Office Grand Hotel - Days 7 - 8
Nuwara Eliya to Bentota Beach
You'll travel along the south coast past coconut palms, mountains, and waterfalls to reach Bentota Beach. You're spending two days here at a beachfront resort with views of the Indian Ocean. Relax on the sand, sunbathe, and enjoy the peaceful setting. If you want more activities, you can book a Madu River Safari, visit a turtle hatchery, go snorkeling, try surfing, or arrange fishing trips.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Beachfront resort stay with Indian Ocean views
Optional Activities
- Madu River Safari
- Turtle hatchery visit
- Snorkeling
- Surfing
- Fishing
- Deep sea fishing
Landmarks/POIs Bentota Beach - Day 9
Bentota to Colombo (Departure)
After breakfast, you'll travel to Colombo, the capital with a history going back to the fifth century. Once there, visit the Red Mosque, Gangarama Temple, and Independence Square. Afterward, you'll have a meal at a well-known international restaurant in the city. Then it's time to head to the airport for your flight home, or arrange to go back to your hotel in Colombo or Negombo.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Colombo city and shopping tour
- Visit Red Mosque
- Visit Gangarama Temple
- Visit Independence Square
Optional Activities
- Meal at internationally renowned restaurant in Colombo
Landmarks/POIs Red Mosque Gangarama Temple Independence Square
