Itinerary
- Day 1
Colombo to Negombo
Your private chauffeur-guide meets you at Bandaranaike International Airport and drives you to Negombo, a coastal town about an hour away. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to settle in and get acclimated. You might grab lunch at a local restaurant or just relax at your hotel.
- Start point
- Sri Lanka (Colombo)
- Day 2
Negombo to Anuradhapura
This morning you can either stay at the hotel or head to Negombo's fish market to see the local fishing culture in action. In the afternoon, you'll drive about 5 hours inland to Anuradhapura, the ancient city. You'll arrive by evening and check into your hotel there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Negombo Fish Market - observe local fishermen selling shark, squid, barracuda, and other exotic seafood
Landmarks Negombo Fish Market - Day 3
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and today you explore its ruins and religious monuments. The Abhayagiri Monastery Complex has a restored stupa with carved moonstones, the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred tree that draws pilgrims, and Thuparamaya holds the distinction of being Sri Lanka's first stupa built after Buddhism arrived. You'll walk through centuries of history here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Abhayagiri Monastery Complex including restored stupa, intricately carved moonstones, and museum treasures
- Visit Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi - sacred bodhi tree believed to be a branch of the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment
- Visit Thuparamaya - Sri Lanka's first stupa constructed after embracing Buddhism
Landmarks Abhayagiri Monastery Complex Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Thuparamaya - Day 4
Anuradhapura to Trincomalee
A 2.5-hour drive takes you east to Trincomalee, a coastal town known for its natural harbor and white sand beaches. The area has quite a bit of history too. After checking in, the afternoon and evening are open for you to relax, walk around town, or just enjoy the ocean.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 5
Trincomalee
Early morning you head out on a whale-watching boat trip into the deep water. Dolphins and sea turtles often show up, which is a nice bonus. Back on shore by afternoon, you can try sea kayaking, water skiing, or diving if those interest you, or simply spend time on the beach.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Early morning whale-watching expedition
- Sea kayaking
- Water skiing
- Deep-sea diving
- Day 6
Trincomalee to Sigiriya
More beach time in Trincomalee today. You might relax by the pool or take a boat out to Pigeon Island for snorkeling. After lunch, a 2-hour drive takes you inland to Sigiriya for your overnight stay. You'll arrive with time to check in and rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to Pigeon Island for snorkeling
- Pool relaxation
Landmarks Pigeon Island - Day 7
Sigiriya
Sigiriya Fortress, known locally as Lion Rock, is your main stop this morning. Climbing to the top takes effort but the views of the Central Plains are worth it. The frescoes painted on the rock face are something to see. Later, you'll explore Hiriwadunna village by jeep or tuk-tuk through rice paddies. By evening, a catamaran ride on a quiet lake lets you watch local wildlife and village life, finishing with sunset.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Sigiriya Fortress (Lion Rock) with views of Central Plains
- View frescoes adorning the rock face during descent
Optional Activities
- Explore Hiriwadunna village by jeep or tuk-tuk through paddy fields and vegetable plantations
- Catamaran cruise on tranquil lake with local wildlife observation
Landmarks Sigiriya Fortress Hiriwadunna village - Day 8
Sigiriya to Kandy
The Dambulla Cave Temple, also called the Golden Temple, is your first stop. It's a sacred site with Buddha images and rock paintings showing events from Shakyamuni Buddha's life, and people have made pilgrimages here for over 2,000 years. From there, you drive to Kandy with a stop at a spice and herb garden. Evening includes a Kandyan Cultural Dance performance, then you walk to the Temple of the Tooth Relic to see the daily Puja Ritual when the golden casket holding the sacred tooth relic is unveiled.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Dambulla Cave Temple (Golden Temple of Dambulla) with Buddha images and rock paintings
- Stop at spice and herb garden to explore culinary and medicinal significance
- Kandyan Cultural Dance performance
- Visit Temple of the Tooth Relic and witness daily Puja Ritual
Landmarks Dambulla Cave Temple Temple of the Tooth Relic - Day 9
Kandy to Colombo
Morning in Kandy brings mountain views through the mist. You'll walk through the Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya, which covers about 150 acres and has over 4,000 plant species. You might see peacocks and monkeys roaming around. After lunch, you'll drive 4.5 hours back toward Colombo, arriving in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Leisurely stroll through Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya
Landmarks Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya - Day 10
Colombo
Your final day includes a guided tour of Colombo on the way to the airport. You'll see the old-world architecture at Independence Square, check out the spiritual side of things at Gangaramaya Temple, visit the Colombo National Museum to learn about the country's history, and take a stroll along Galle Face Green before heading to the airport for your flight.
- End point
- Sri Lanka (Colombo)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided city tour including Independence Square
- Visit Gangaramaya Temple
- Visit Colombo National Museum
- Leisurely stroll along Galle Face Green promenade
Landmarks Independence Square Gangaramaya Temple Colombo National Museum Galle Face Green
