Sri Lanka Grand Tour

DAY 1

AIRPORT > COLOMBO

Meet & Greet your Professional Guide at Bandaranayake International Airport and transfer to Colombo. During the 60 minute journey from the airport you can catch a glimpse of Sri Lankan life. Throngs of street vendors, tuk-tuks weaving crazily about in traffic, 60 seats buses that always seem come right at you are all part of the sights and sounds that would greet you on your way.

Overnight stay at Colombo

DAY 2

COLOMBO > ANURADHAPURA

Leave Colombo after a leisurely breakfast and travel north to Anuradhapura. En route visit the Yapahuwa Rock fortress which was built by King Bhuvanaikabahu. Arrive in Anuradhapura towards late afternoon Relax and enjoy the facilities of the hotel.

Overnight stay at Anuradapura

DAY 3

ANURADHAPURA > POLONNARUWA

After an early breakfast depart to explore the vast ancient city of Anuradhapura. Anuradhapura was the first capital of Sri Lanka and held this position for approx 1300 years (3BC – 10 AD). The city is also a UNESCO world heritage site. Among its most famous sights is the Sri MahaBodhiya, which a Bo tree sapling is brought from the tree under which the Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. The AbayagiriStupa is the largest brick monument in the world is also part of this ancient city. 

Other attractions at this ancient city include the Ruwanweliseya, KutamPokuna (Bathing Pool), and the Isurumuniya. The Isurumuniya in particular houses the sculpture of the Isurumuniya Lovers which is supposed to be Dutugemunu's son and a low caste maiden Asokamala who is known to have given up his throne for her. After exploring the ancient city depart to Giritale. Spend the night overlooking the Giritale tank or transfer back to Anuradhapura. 

Overnight at Giritale / Anuradhapura

DAY 4

POLONNARUWA > SIGIRIYA

Explore the ancient city of Polonnaruwa after breakfast. Polonnaruwa was the second capital of the Kingdom of Ceylon from the 11th to the 13th Century AD. The most famous site of Polonnaruwa is the Gal Viharaya which consists of Granite statues of Lord Buddha in the meditation, standing and passing away postures.

After visiting the sites of Polonnaruwa, travel south to Sigiriya. This 200m high flat top rock is a World Heritage site and was home to the flamboyant king Kasyapa. Witness a beautiful sunset from its summit before descending to spend the night in Sigiriya.

Overnight stay at Sigiriya

DAY 5

SIGIRIYA

Prepare to "GET WILD",

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.

Experience the true essence of Sri Lankan Culture by going on a Village Tour where you will be riding a Tuk Tuk, Taste the Local Sri Lankan Cuisine, Sail in a Ferry Boat and much more which a Local Sri Lankan Village experience will give you

 

 

Overnight stay at Sigiriya

DAY 6

SIGIRIYA > DAMBULLA > KANDY

Head towards Kandy enroute via Dambulla,

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.

 

 

Once you are at Kandy,

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.

Overnight stay at Kandy

DAY 7

KANDY

Sri Lankan Gem has a big history where the name "RATNA DEEPA" (Gem Island) was called to Sri Lanka. Explore a Gemmological Museum and see the History of Gems with Cutting and Polishing

 

 

See the Cultural Dance Show in the evening,
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.

 

 

Overnight stay at Kandy

DAY 8

KANDY > NUWARA ELIYA

After an early breakfast leave Kandy and proceed towards Nuwara Eliya. The drive to Nuwara Eliya is spectacular with mist covered mountains, lush tea estates and tea plucker. 

En route we visit a tea factory and are guided through the process of making tea. Stop at a Tea Estate and experience the Tea plucking then proceed to a functioning Tea Factory to learn how Pure Ceylon Tea are processed and ends up in your cup at home, whilst actually learning how 7 different types of tea are made all from the same plant !

Travel onwards to Nuwara Eliya towards afternoon. You may spend the rest of the day at leisure or walk around and explore the town on your own. Situated at an altitude of 2040m this town with its characteristic British architecture and climate is very popular with locals who want to escape the heat of Colombo, so surprise this town is known as “little England”

Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya

DAY 9

NUWARA ELIYA > UDAWALAWE

Leave the hill country and travel towards the dry zone. This part of our journey will take us through some of Sri Lanka’s most scenic locations. Its mostly steep decent right throughout the trip but the views compensate for this. We are now entering prime elephant territory and you may see the occasional elephant munching away by the roadside separated only by an electric fence. Rest and relax for the rest of the day.

Overnight stay at Udawalawe

DAY 10

UDAWALAWE > YALA

The Udawalawe National Park is famed for its elephant population.Herds as large as 200 have been seen in this park. After an early breakfast we proceed to the Udawalawe National Park. Here we board 4WD jeeps and enter the Park. After an exciting safari we visit the Elephant Transit Camp. Unlike the elephants at the Pinnawela Orphanage the baby elephants here are released back to the wild when they are 6 years old. We then proceed to Yala where and spend the rest of the day at leisure. 

Overnight at Yala

DAY 11

YALA

Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s second largest wildlife park and has the largest population of Leopard in Sri Lanka. Yala is famed for its leopard population of 35 and considered to be one of the best places in the world to observe and photograph Leopard. We proceed to the park after a very early breakfast to enter early. Morning inside the park is the ideal time to see a variety of animals including the elusive leopard. We return to the hotel where we spend the rest of the day at leisure. You may optionally visit the park again in the afternoon. 

Overnight at Yala.

DAY 12

YALA > DOWNSOUTH

We depart to our final destination after breakfast. Traveling along the coastal road you may notice some of the devastation caused by the tsunami. You will also see how towns and villages are rebuilding and moving on with lives. Near Weligama you will see the stilt fisherman (season based). These fishermen stand patiently on stilts and fish for their daily catch. The stilts themselves are passed from father to son. Traveling on wards we arrive in Galle. Here we visit the Fort complex. This world heritage site 16th century Portuguese fort reached the height of its development in the 18th century. After visiting the fort we travel onwards to arrive at the beach resort for the next three nights.

Overnight stay at Galle / Mirissa / Unawatuna

DAY 13

DOWN SOUTH

Relax by the pool or sample of the invigorating therapies this luxurious 5 star resort and spa offers. You can also visit the Marina a heaven for water sports just a few minutes away.

DAY 14

DOWN SOUTH > COLOMBO > AIRPORT

Head towards Colombo (Iconic City) and go on a City Tour Exploring the Local Bazaar, Dutch Hospital, Jamiul Alfar Mosque and more

Then proceed towards Airport to end your beautiful Vacation in Sri Lanka with Kingfisher Hospitality