Itinerary
- Day 1
Colombo
You'll arrive in Colombo and connect with your tour leader and group at the hotel by 3:30pm. After getting oriented to the city, head to the historic Galle Face Hotel for dinner and cocktails while watching the sun drop over the Indian Ocean.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner and cocktails at Galle Face Hotel with sunset views over the Indian Ocean)
Included Activities
- Group meeting and orientation tour of Colombo
- Dinner and cocktails at Galle Face Hotel
Optional Activities
- Pre-tour hotel nights in Colombo (secure through sales representative)
Landmarks/POIs Galle Face Hotel - Day 2
Colombo to Sigiriya
The drive to Sigiriya takes about 4 hours and 20 minutes. Once you drop your bags at the hotel, you'll head out in an open-sided 4x4 safari through Minneriya National Park looking for elephant herds, sambar deer, wild buffalo, and sloth bears. The exact park may shift to Hurulu Eco Park or Kaudulla National Park depending on where the elephants are.
Included Activities
- Safari in open-sided 4x4 in Minneriya National Park (or alternative park based on elephant sightings)
Landmarks/POIs Minneriya National Park Sigiriya Rock Fortress - Day 3
Sigiriya
Travel to Girithale, which is about 55 minutes away, then spend two leisurely hours cycling through small villages and past lakes. You'll spot egrets, brahminy kites, kingfishers, and bulbuls along the way. Lunch happens in a traditional village, and you'll have time to relax by the pool back at the hotel. If you prefer, hire a tuk tuk instead of cycling.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in a traditional village)
Included Activities
- Bicycle tour through villages and lakes near Girithale
- Lunch in a traditional village
Optional Activities
- Tuk tuk hire as alternative to cycling (approximately 6,000 rupees/US$20)
Landmarks/POIs Girithale - Day 4
Sigiriya to Kandy
Start early to climb Sigiriya (Lion Rock), a fifth-century palace sitting on top of a 655-foot granite peak. The steep steps and gangways lead past ancient maiden paintings, and you'll reach the flat summit with remains of the King's Summer Palace. After breakfast back at the hotel, visit the magnificent Cave Temple in Dambulla through the back entrance, filled with colorful Buddha statues and paintings from the first century BCE. Then transfer to Kandy, about 2 hours 40 minutes away, for a two-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Climb to the summit of Sigiriya (Lion Rock)
- Visit Dambulla Cave Temple
Optional Activities
- Upgrade to a room with a balcony (speak to sales representative)
Landmarks/POIs Sigiriya Dambulla Cave Temple - Day 5
Kandy
The Temple of the Tooth houses the most significant Buddhist relic in Sri Lanka, the tooth of Buddha taken from his funeral pyre in 543 BCE. Hundreds of worshippers visit every day, and the August ceremony is particularly spectacular. Later, take a peaceful walk around Kandy Lake and enjoy the views of the city and surrounding hills.
Included Activities
- Visit Temple of the Tooth
- Leisurely stroll around Kandy Lake
Optional Activities
- Upgrade to a room with a balcony (speak to sales representative)
Landmarks/POIs Temple of the Tooth Kandy Lake - Day 6
Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
Leave Kandy and transfer to Nuwara Eliya, about 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours away. This cool highland hill station is known as 'Little England' because of its British-style houses and parks. You'll visit a tea factory to see how tea goes from leaf-plucking through to packaging, then taste some Ceylon tea. The scenic drive through town passes tea plantations, gardens, and rolling hills.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit tea factory with tea production demonstration
- Ceylon tea tasting session
- Scenic drive through Nuwara Eliya and tea plantations
Landmarks/POIs Nuwara Eliya - Day 7
Nuwara Eliya to Negombo
Head to the coastal city of Negombo, about 4 hours 50 minutes north of Colombo. Spend time relaxing at the beachside hotel either in the pool or on the sands. You have the option to join a white-water rafting excursion to Kitulgala if interested. In the evening, your tour leader arranges a group dinner so everyone can share their favorite moments from the trip.
- Meals
- Dinner (Group dinner to share favourite moments from the trip)
Included Activities
- Group dinner arranged by tour leader
Optional Activities
- White-water rafting excursion to Kitulgala (see Optional Excursions in Trip Notes)
Landmarks/POIs Negombo Beach - Day 8
Negombo
Your tour ends in Negombo today as you start your journey home. If you'd prefer, you can extend your stay and spend more time relaxing by the beach.
Optional Activities
- Extend stay in Negombo for additional beach time (speak to sales representative)
