Classic Introduction to
Sri lanka
14 Nights/15days
AsktheTraveller local Partner
Over 30 years of Travel organising Experience
Owned and managed by Sri lankans over the last 30 years. We pride ourselves in the fact we do not sell anything we have not experienced.
Our mission is to make your holiday in Sri lanka a magical one. We have an excellent team of people who go that extra mile to make sure your holiday is all that you dreamed of and more.
Hi, I'm Amir
Trip highlights
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Yala National Park
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Ella Falls
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Galle Fort (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
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Kandy (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
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Temple of the tooth
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Dambulla Caves
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Sigiriya & Rock fortress
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Local village Experience
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Ruins of Polonnaruwa
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Tea Plantation visit "Little England"
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Golden sands of Passikudah
Day 1
Arrive (Sri Lanka)- transfer to Galle
Welcome to Sri Lanka!
Transfer from airport to Galle
Overnight in Galle : Amari Galle B&B
Details
Arrive (Sri Lanka)- transfer to Galle
Welcome to Sri Lanka!
You will be met by our airport representative who will be holding a board with your name and waiting for you in the arrivals hall after you pass the baggage claims and customs. You may want to change some currency or purchase a local mobile Sim both of which can be done prior to starting your tour and the airport representative will help you with this. He will then introduce you to your chauffeur guide.
Morning in Galle - Galle is a must visit destination in Sri Lanka for any tourist. Galle stands on a peninsula and has a fine natural harbour with excellent defences, and gorgeous views of the ocean. The highlight of this area is the Galle Fort, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a remarkable fortification that was built by Portuguese colonists in the 17th century, and was inhabited by the Dutch and English during their colonial eras. Although several villas and buildings have been renovated into shops, cafes and hotels today, the Fort maintains an aura of old world times.
Overnight in Galle : Amari Galle B&B
Day 2
Morning Galle - transfer Yala National Park
Transfer to Yala National park -
Overnight in Yala National Park - Jetwing Yala B&B
Details
Morning Galle - transfer Yala National Park
A walk around Galle Fort encompasses architectural structures interlaced with local traditions. The original Fort was built by the Portuguese in 1505 and subsequently rebuilt by the Dutch in 1663. The British took over in 1796 and used it as an administrative centre. The straight and narrow lanes invite you to a delightful walk into the 17th century. The highlights include the Bastions, the Dutch reformed church and Government house, the Maritime museum, the ‘Meera’ mosque, the All Saints Church and the old Clock Tower dating back to 1707. The entire Fort is surrounded by thick walled ramparts which withstood the 2004 boxing day tsunami. The Fort today encompasses restaurants and cafes, modern and vintage shops and art galleries which have taken over from the 17th century vendors who traded in Cinnamon, lace and ornaments.
Transfer to Yala National park -
Yala National Park, situated in Southern Province, is the most popular park in Sri Lanka. The park is the second largest in the island and covers almost 1000 square kilometres. It is divided into 5 blocks, of which only some are accessible to visitors with the main access to the area being via Tissamaharama. It is located in a region known for its prominent and long dry season, especially during the months of September and October when the park sometimes is closed to visitors. It has a diverse variety of ecosystems and terrain including moist monsoon forests, grasslands, flat plains, rocky outcrops, lakes, sandy beaches and marine wetlands.
Overnight in Yala National Park - Jetwing Yala B&B
Day 3
Yala National Park
Morning Safari drive
Afternoon Safari drive
Overnight in Yala National Park - Jetwing Yala B&B
Details
Yala National Park
Commence a safari drive through the Yala National Park. Yala has the highest leopard density in the world - for this reason people flock from all over the world here, making it one of the busiest parks during the season. Various other mammals can be spotted during your safari here, including sloth bears, jungle cats, mongoose, wild boar, sambar deer, spotted deer, buffalo and Asian elephants. You can also spot a number of crocodiles near rivers and pools, as well as turtle species near the coastal areas. The birdlife here is also impressive with over 130 species being spotted. The best time to go on safari is early morning or late afternoon.
Later that day take another safari drive through the Yala National Park. There are 7 bird species that are endemic to Sri Lanka including the Sri Lankan junglefowl which is the national bird. Watch for the Peacocks here, the flashy birds that are known for their large tail plumage, and brightly coloured heads. Yala has also been a centre of past civilisations. King Ravana, the mythical Hindu anti-hero is believed to have established his kingdom here with Ravana Kotte, now submerged in the sea, as its boundary. A large number of ancient tanks are the evidence of a rich hydraulic and agricultural civilisation dating back to 5th century BC.
Overnight in Yala National Park - Jetwing Yala B&B
Day 4
Ella & Eliya
Transfer to Ella
Transfer to Nuwara Eliya
Tour of Nuwara Eliya
Overnight in Nuwara Eliya - Araliya Green Hills B&B
Details
Ella & Eliya
Transfer to Ella - Start your tour of Ella by viewing the famous Demodara nine arch railway bridge constructed with stones, brick and cement, but without any steel. Later proceed to climb Little Adams peak named after the more famous and arduous Adam’s peak due to its close resemblance. A short 20 mins climb will take you to the top of the 1140 meter peak. Breath taking views of tea plantations and waterfalls make the climb a rewarding effort. A short drive from the base of Little Adam’s peak will take you past the Ella Gap to the famous Ravana Ella Falls which ranks as one of the widest falls in Sri Lanka. It measures approximately 25 meters in height and cascades from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. The falls form part of the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary.
Transfer to Nuwara Eliya
Situated over 1800m above sea level, Nuwara Eliya lies at the heart of the tea industry in central Sri Lanka. It is blessed with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate. It was the prime sanctuary of British civil servants and tea planters in the early 19th century and colonial landmarks from this era such as the Old Post Office and the Grand Hotel have stood the test of time. Referred to as ‘Little England’, the town still retains its British touch and takes visitors on a journey back in time. The town’s attractions include golfing on a stunning course, fishing in trout streams, boating on Lake Gregory and bird watching in Victoria Park.
Later on - Drive around the hill capital and see some interesting buildings of mock Tudor and Georgian architecture including the St Andrews hotel, Hill Club, Grand Hotel and the Race course where horse racing continues to be a sought after social attraction. Continue your drive around the Lake Gregory situated in the heart of the town. Walk through the busy town centre where you can visit the fruit and vegetable market where fresh produce from the region is brought for sale. Continue your tour visiting a Tea Factory and be enlightened on the tea manufacturing process; from the fermentation of the leaf to the rolling, drying, cutting, sieving and grading of tea. There are machines for almost every part of the process except of course the all- important tea tasting at the end to determine the quality of the tea.
Overnight in Nuwara Eliya - Araliya Green Hills B&B
Day 5
Nuwara Eliya
Time for a much needed rest after the previous days activities. Relax, rejuvenate and enjoy the best that Nuwara Eliya has to offer at your leisure.
Overnight in Nuwara Eliya - Araliya Green Hills B&B
Day 6
Kandy
Morning transfer to Kandy
Kandy guided day tour
Evening Cultural show
Overnight in Kandy - Cinnamon Citadel - B&B
Details
Kandy
Morning transfer to Kandy-
Experience one of the most exciting and scenic train journeys on the island. Grey stone cliffs and rivers will flash past your window with occasional views of enormous waterfalls cascading down the mountainside while the train keeps winding its way around tea covered mountains. Upon arrival you will be met by your guide.
Kandy is the second largest city in Sri Lanka and the gateway to the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka. Lying in the midst of hills, a lake, river, tea plantations and spice gardens, Kandy is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka. It also has significant religious, cultural and historical value and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was the last capital of the ancient Sinhala kingdom and the final stronghold against colonial rule. It is also one of the most venerable places for Buddhists worldwide, who pay homage to the impressive Temple of the Tooth (Sri DaladaMaligawa) that enshrines a relic of Lord Buddha’s tooth.
Evening Cultural show - Sri Lanka, a country rich with culture and tradition offers a vibrant and unique show of Sri Lankan traditional dances in the form of the Kandy Cultural show. Traditional dances from the different regions of the country are performed to the rhythm of drums rising and falling to a lively tempo. The highlight of the show is definitely the fire walking show where artists walk through a specially prepared fire pit covered with red hot charcoal completely barefoot. The devotees who perform the fire walking seek divine blessings of the Gods.
Overnight in Kandy - Cinnamon Citadel - B&B
Day 7
Kandy
Morning excursion
Afternoon at leisure
Overnight in Kandy - Cinnamon Citadel B&B
Details
Kandy
Morning excursion -
Commence a city tour in Kandy visiting the colourful and busy market place, the upper lake drive and a gem museum to see how precious gems are cut, polished and set into intricate pieces of jewellery. Later proceed to visit the arts and crafts centre where you can learn the rich ancient craft making techniques including drum making and Dumbara mat waving. Proceed on a visit to the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens originally pleasure gardens for Sinhalese Royalty and later turned into a Botanical garden by the British in 1843. It has an amazing collection of over 300 varieties of orchids, probably the largest collection in Asia. A visit the British Garrison Cemetery and the Commonwealth War Cemetery is also interesting.
The rest of the day is free to explore at leisure
Overnight in Kandy - Cinnamon Citadel B&B
Day 8
Dambulla Caves / Sigiriya
Early transfer & excursion to Dambulla Caves
Afternoon visit to Sigiriya
Overnight in Kandy - Cinnamon Citadel B&B
Details
Dambulla & Sigiriya
Early transfer and excursion to Dambulla Caves & Economic centre. The rock cave temples of Dambulla consists of 5 caves which have been converted to shrines. During an invasion from South India in the 1st century BC, the Sinhalese king Walagambahu took refuge in the caves at Dambulla and through meditation gained the strength to drive the invaders away. As a token of gratitude he declared the caves as a sacred area and built the first cave shrine. Since then 4 more caves were converted into shrines and are today an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists from around the world. Later visit the Dambulla Economic Centre, a wholesale market specializing in Vegetables and Fruit. Produce from the region is brought here for distribution to retail outlets across the country. It is interesting to see the produce and witness the wholesale operations taking place.
In the afternoon visit Sigiriya, which is famous for its palace ruins on top of a massive 200 meter high rock surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs and other structures. This remarkable attraction is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered by some to be the eighth wonder of the world. The environment around the Sigiriya may have been inhabited since prehistoric times. The many rock shelters and caves in the vicinity were occupied by Buddhist monks and ascetics from as early as the 3rd century BC. The population of Sigiriya is quite sparse but the town is significant due to the number of tourist hotels that host visitors who come to view and climb the famous rock.
Overnight in Sigiriya - Sigiriya Jungles B&B
Day 9
Sigiriya / Minneriya National Park safari
Morning excursion - The Rock Fortress of Sigiriya.
Evening excursion- Minneriya National Park safari.
Overnight in Sigiriya - Sigiriya Jungles B&B
Details
Sigiriya / Minneriya National Park safari
Morning excursion - The Rock Fortress of Sigiriya.
The Rock fortress of Sigiriya rises almost 370 metres above sea level with the ruins of a palace dating back to the 5th century AD found on the summit of the rock. 1200 steps take you to the top of Sigiriya but the climb is broken up by terraces at regular intervals. Half way up another flight of stairs takes you to the paintings of the Sigiriya maidens. You will also see the mirror wall with its ancient and barely decipherable graffiti. The climb from the Lions Paw to the top of the rock is along a narrow metal stairway with railings but is worth it because of the spectacular views from the summit. For those unable to do the climb a visit to the Sigiriya Museum is highly recommended.
Evening excursion- Minneriya National Park safari.
The central feature of the Minneriya National park is the large Minneriya Tank, and despite its relatively small size, the park also boasts an unusually wide range of habitat types, from dry tropical forest to wetlands, grasslands and terrain previously used for slash-and-burn (chena) agriculture. This national park is one of the best places to see wild elephants which are often found in huge numbers. Apart from the elephants, 24 species of mammal are to be found in the park including the sambhur, spotted deer, leopard (rather elusive), sloth bear, toque monkey and purple-faced leaf monkey. Some 160 species of bird have been recorded in the park, including endemics such as the Sri Lanka jungle fowl, hanging parrot, brown-capped babbler, crimson-fronted barbet and black-crested bulbul.
Overnight in Sigiriya - Sigiriya Jungles B&B
Day 10
Sigiriya
Morning Excursion - Hiriwaduna Lake
Lunch in local village
Rest of the day at leisure
Overnight in Sigiriya - Sigiriya Jungles B&B
Details
Sigiriya
Morning excursion -
Take a short tuk tuk ride to the Hiriwaduna lake from where you will embark onto a local boat to continue your journey to the village. During the leisurely ride you will be able to see a large variety of dry zone bird life and vegetable plots of local farmers. Proceed to see the slash and burn (Chena) cultivation travelling by the traditional hand tractor. Learn how the farmers take care of their crops from atop a tree house and other aspects of their daily life. Ride on a Bullock cart (ox cart) along a dirt track and arrive at the village hut where you can see how the locals cook their rice and curry using earthenware pots and firewood for fuel. Enjoy the lunch prepared and served on a lotus leaf.
Rest of the day at leisure
Overnight in Sigiriya - Sigiriya Jungles B&B
Day 11
Polonnaruwa & Passikudah
Morning Excursion - The ruins of Polonnaruwa
Afternoon - transfer to Passikudah
Overnight in Passikudah - Anantaya Passikudah B&B
Details
Polonnaruwa & Passikudah
This morning we visit the Ruins of Polonnaruwa the second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated Chola invaders in 1070 to reunite the country once more. Today the ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains one of the best planned archaeological relic sites in the country and has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Sightseeing in Polonnaruwa will include the statue of the great Sinhalese King Parakramabahu who was responsible for building the Parakrama Samudra, a large reservoir that is still in use, the ancient ruins including the area known as the Quadrangle, the Thuparama Image House, the Gal Vihara with fine detailed granite sculptures of the Lord Buddha, the Lankathilaka and the 12th century Lotus bath to name a few.
In the afternoon, we transfer to Passikudah. Passikudah is an idyllic coastal village situated on the East coast of Sri Lanka, about 40 km from Batticaloa. Famous for its undisturbed pristine coastline, clear blue waters and golden sands, Passikudah beach is ideal as a honeymoon destination. It is also good for families or for the active traveller wanting to take part in the many water sports available. The crescent shaped bay consists of shallow water and is protected by a reef that runs across it. This makes it one of the safest stretches of coastline in the East, which is perfect for swimming - you can wade out 50 m out to sea! The reef has exquisite coral formations and schools of colourful tropical reef fish, which can be enjoyed while snorkelling.
Overnight in Passikudah - Anantaya Passikudah B&B
Day 12
Passikudah
Full day at leisure resting by the beach
Overnight in Passikudah - Anantaya Passikudah B&B
Day 13
Passikudah
Full day at leisure resting by the beach
Overnight in Passikudah - Anantaya Passikudah B&B
Day 14
Negombo
Morning transfer to Negombo-
Negombo is the closest city to the Bandaranaike International Airport, and a popular destination for people who are either starting or ending their Sri Lankan adventure. Negombo is a bustling city with a gorgeous beach lined with coconut palms and mangroves. Located at the mouth of the Negombo Lagoon, the city is one of the largest in Sri Lanka, and has one of the busiest fishing centres in the island. This delightful city also has a rich cultural history, with legacies of its colonial past dotted throughout the area.
last evening at leisure
Overnight in Negombo - Jetwing Beach B&B
Day 15
Last day and transfer to airport
Departure - We recommend that you arrive at the airport 3 hours prior to your departure flight (or 2 hours if travelling business class). Your departure time will be given to you by your chauffeur guide. It is recommended that you check in online for your departure flight so that you can avoid long queues at the airport check in counters. On line check in is available for most airlines 24 hours before your flight. Your hotel will be able to help you with this if necessary. We wish you a pleasant journey back home or to your next destination.
International flights home
Trip details
Price from £ 1795 Per person based on twin share basis
Price includes
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Services of chauffer guide & Car
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Private transfers as shown
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Scenic train journey
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Entrance fees as shown
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ATOL protection (When taking international flights)
Additional Extra's
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International Flights
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Additional unscheduled excursions
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Immunisations
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Visa's
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Personal travel insurance
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local gratuaties