Itinerary
Day 1: Airport - Wilpattu National Park - Anuradhapura
Stop At: Wilpattu National Park, Putlam - Anuradhapura Road, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
After meeting you at the airport, we'll drive to Anuradhapura with visiting the Wilpattu National Park on the way.
The Wilpattu wildlife sanctuary is located close to the historical city of Anuradhapura and was declared a National Park in 1938. Home to a population of roughly 50 wild leopards, it is also important for resident and migratory water-birds due to the natural lakes.
The history of the park is also of interest with ancient ruins pointing to a queen named Kuweni (considered to be the mother of the Sinhala race) who is said to have lived in a place known as Kalli Villu. Historical evidence also shows the fact that Prince Saliya, son of King Dutugemunu lived in Wilpattu over 2,000 years ago.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at the Gamodh Citadel Resort or Miridiya Lake Resort, Anuradhapura
Day 2: Anuradhapura - Trincomalee - Kanniya Hot Wells
Stop At: Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
Anuradhapura is the most celebrated of Sri Lanka's ancient ruined cities. This city is the repository of several priceless treasures of Buddhism and as a World Heritage site definetly a MUST to every visitor to Sri Lanka.
One is the dagoba of Thuparama, an immense spire-topped dome that is believed to enshrine the collarbone of the Buddha, himself. The base of the temple is surrounded by a frieze of elephants in bas relief. Another remarkable treasure in Anuradhapura is the sacred Bo Tree said to have been grown from a branch of the tree under which Siddhartha Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. As the story goes, a sapling of the ficus religioso that sheltered the Buddha was brought from the Magadha Kingdom of ancient India to Sri Lanka in a golden bowl 2,250 years ago and planted on this spot in Sri Lanka, bowl and all. It is said to be the oldest authenticated tree in the world.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Trincomalee Beach, Trincomalee Sri Lanka
Trincomalee is an important port city since ancient times. Set on a peninsula, Fort Frederick was built initially by the Portuguese and captured in 1639 by the Dutch. Within its grounds, the grand Koneswaram Temple stands on Swami Rock cliff, a popular vantage point for blue-whale watching. The holy complex contains ornate shrines and a massive statue of Shiva. Nearby Gokanna Temple has panoramic views over the city and the coastline.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Kanniya Hot Springs, Kanniya, Trincomalee 31000 Sri Lanka
In the afternoon you will visit Kanniya Hot Wells. The seven hot water wells in Kenniya revolve around myth and legend of Ramayana. It is believed the springs appeared after King Ravana struck the ground seven times with his sword. The water in each well varies in heat and sometimes bubbles up like a pot of boiling water. The water is believed to contain healing properties which cure skin ailments and arthritis.
Duration: 30 minutes
Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at the Anantamaa Hotel or JKAB Beach Resort, Trincomalee
Day 3: Whale Watching (seasonal!) - Snorkeling - Beach
Stop At: Trincomalee Beach, Trincomalee Sri Lanka
Just off the coast of Sri Lanka swims the majestic blue whale, the largest creature on earth. Nowhere in the wold is it possible to see these ocean giants so close to shore.
Depending on the conditions, this gives you the opportunity to watch blue whales along with sperm whales, orcas, playful spinner and bottlenose dolphins, turtles and whale sharks in their natural environment. Whale Watching can be done from the shore or on-board an excursion boat.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Nilaveli Beach, Nilaveli Sri Lanka
Time to enjoy the truly tropical beach. Nilaveli is facing the Pigeon Island Marine National Park and is perfect for snorkeling or scuba diving. Bright corals and colorful fish swarms can be seen directly through the crystal clear waters.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at the Anantamaa Hotel or JKAB Beach Resort, Trincomalee
Day 4: Sightseeing - Snorkeling - Beach
Stop At: Trincomalee Beach, Trincomalee Sri Lanka
Free Day to relax on the beach and/or enjoy some Trincomalee Sightseeing
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at the Anantamaa Hotel or JKAB Beach Resort, Trincomalee
Day 5: Trincomalee - Sigiriya Rock Fortress - Jeep Safari
Stop At: Sigiriya Rock, Rock Front, Sigiriya 21120, Sri Lanka
Climb the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sigiriya Rock in Sri Lankas Cultural Triangle, where you will have a chance to gaze over the stunning views of Central Sri Lanka. Sigiriya (sometimes called Lions Rock) is the ruins of an ancient palace in a 200m high rock fortress, overlooking the beautiful plains of North-Central Sri Lanka. Built for an exiled Indian prince, the breathtaking ruins are one of Sri Lankas main tourist attractions and date back to AD 477. Despite its age, Sigiriya still retains much of its former beauty and features some of the finest examples of ancient art in the form of wall paintings, as well as a network of attractive gardens and reservoirs, and Sigiriyas namesake a gigantic pair of lions paws cut into the rock. With its fascinating history and unerring beauty, Sigiriya is often referred to as the 8th wonder of the world and the UNESCO-sponsored Central Cultural Fund has even restored Sigiriyas 5th century Water Gardens, so that you can get a glimpse of what Sigiriya might have been like thousands of years ago.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Minneriya National Park, Maradankadawala-Habarana-Thirukkondaiadimadu Highway, 50150 Sri Lanka
Optional Jeep Safari At the Minneriya National Park. Large numbers of Sri Lankan elephants are attracted to grass fields on the edges of the reservoir during the dry season. The Minneriya tank contributes to sustain a large herd. Elephants gathered here is numbering around 150-200. Some reports account number of elephants to as high as 700. They migrate here from Wasgamuwa National Park and benefit from food and shelter of the park's forest.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Kassapa Lions Rock Hotel or Wewa Addara Hotel, Sigiriya
Day 6: Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Dambulla - Kandy
Stop At: Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
Polonnaruwa is the ancient capital of Sri Lanka from the eleventh to thirteenth centuries and the repository of outstanding ruins, frescoes and enormous statues of reclining Buddhas. The ruins of the old city are on the shores of Lake Topawewa, man-made during the reign of a twelfth century kinga huge task, when one considers it was accomplished with nothing but manual labor. What remains of the ancient city itself is a cluster of palaces and temples contained within a rectangular city wall. The foundations of the royal palace and the king's audience hall are particularly well preserved.
An outstanding site in Polonnaruwa is the Galyhare, also known as the Cave of the Spirits of Knowledge. It is an outdoor rock wall where giant standing and reclining sculptures of the Buddha were carved out of the living rock.
These four pieces of sculpture were commissioned by Parakramabahu. The first is of a seated Buddha in deep meditiation, seated on a throne decorated with lions and thunderbolts. The second is inside of a cave and records in detail Parakramabahu's initiatives to unite the Buddhist order.
The next sculpture stands twenty three feet high and expresses the serenity of the Buddha. The final, and most imposing, statue is of a reclining Buddha, which measures 46 feet in length. He is in the last moment of his life on earth, on the verge of entering nirvana.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Thilanka Hotel or Casamara Hotel, Kandy
Day 7: Kandy
Stop At: Kandy City Center, Kand, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
Kandy, Sri Lanka's second largest city and cultural capital is the gateway to the higher hills and tea plantations.
The clarity of the air and its verdant, hilly outlook around the sacred lake make it a pleasant escape from the heat of the coasts.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Royal Botanic Gardens, , Kandy, Sri Lanka
Established in 1816, these gardens are located about 6.5km before Kandy on the side of the Colombo-Kandy highway. Initially planted with Coffee and Cinnamon, now includes beautiful Sri Lankan and overseas species. No vehicle is allowed entry to this 147-acre garden. It is bounded on three sides by a loop of the Mahaweli River.
The Avenue of Royal Palms, Bamboo-fringed riverside drive, Bat drive, Spice garden, Orchard house, Cactus house and a Glasshouse of anthuriums, begonias, African Violets and other species and the giant Javan fig tree found on the great lawn attract locals as well as visitors from overseas. It covers an area of 1600 sqm. Keep your eyes open for an oxen driven lawn mover.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Thilanka Hotel or Casamara Hotel, Kandy
Day 8: Kandy - Hill Country - Tea Plantations - Nuwara Eliya
Stop At: Victoria Park of Nuwara Eliya, A5, Nuwara Eliya 22200 Sri Lanka
Nuwara Eliya or City of Light is the tea capital of Sri Lanka at an altitude of 1889 m and is the most visited hill station of the island.
Nuwara Eliya was found by a group of British officers during the earlier part of the 19th century, who as the story goes, had gotten lost while elephant hunting. The British governor at the time, Sir Edward Barnes, was told about this little town and subsequently decided to take residence there, soon creating a health resort, which soon became internationally renown.
Nuwara Eliya is surrounded by a seemingly endless array of tea plantations populated by tea pickers who are almost exclusively Indian Tamils, who are distinct from the Ceylonese Tamils who live in the Northeast of the country.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Glenn Falls Hotel or Heaven Seven Hotel, Nuwara Eliya
Day 9: Nuwara Eliya - Ella (optional scenic train journey)
Stop At: Ella Rock, Ella Main Street NECS-Nature Exploration and Conservation Society Sri Lanka, Ella 90090 Sri Lanka
If you decide to go by train, your driver will pick you up again at the Ella train station. Ella is a beautiful small village in Sri Lanka's hill country with little more than a handful of shops, hotels and guesthouses, but it has an almost perfect climate and occupies a very scenic vantage point, with views on a fine day stretching right across the South Coast of Sri Lanka.
A traveller writes:
"The view through the Ella gap was probably the best in the entire island. It was quite early and the isolated hills on the plain popped up like little islands in the mist."
As if view's weren't enough, Ella is surrounded by hills perfect for walks through tea plantations to temples and waterfalls.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Flower Garden Hotel or Red Rock Hotel, Ella
Day 10: Ella - Yala National Park
Stop At: Yala National Park Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is one of the best places in Asia for seeing wildlife. The islands isolation from the mainland, the heavy rainfall of the two diagonally blowing monsoons, and the countrys wide range of altitudes have given Sri Lanka a variation in climate and biodiversity normally found only across an entire continent.
The top draw is the Sri Lankan leopard, a sub-species endemic to the country; in certain areas of the park, the average leopard density is as high as one cat to every square kilometre. During the fruiting of the palu trees in June and July, sloth bears are often observed.
Other animals you might spot include sambar (a large deer), spotted deer, buffalo, wild pig, stripe-necked and ruddy mongooses, langur monkey, toque monkey, golden jackal and Indian palm civet.
The combination of freshwater, marine, scrub and woodland areas ensures a high diversity of birds. Indeed, the park hosts 220 different types, and serious twitchers have recorded 100 species in a single day.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hibiscus Garden Hotel or Okrin Hotel, Yala
Day 11: Yala - Mirissa - Unawatuna - Galle - Turtle Hatchery - Bentota Beach
Stop At: Mirissa Beach, Mirissa 81740 Sri Lanka
A destination for independent travelers and surfers on Sri Lanka's South Coast is Mirissa. A small fishing village with a beautiful beach and excellent surf points.
Mirissa has a lot of small charming restaurants, most of them directly on the beach. Fresh seafood, traditional Sri Lankan meals and international specialties are available at reasonable prices.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Unawatuna Beach, Unawatuna Sri Lanka
Unawatuna is a beautiful and quiet beach resort just 5 km south of Galle.
While Unawatuna offers many hotels and guesthouses for all travelers, it is still an uncrowded, authentic Sri Lankan beach resort.
The name Unawatuna derives its name from the Singhalese words, Onna-wetuna, which translates into "there it fell". Over a period of time, Onna-wetuna became Unawatuna.
A golden beach which is protected by coral reefs, safe swimming, wreck & reef diving and some surf points making Unawatuna a more and more popular travel destination.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Galle Fort, Church Street, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka
The port city of Galle is not only of historical interest but the business center of the South of Sri Lanka.
This is the right place if you want to experience the Singhalese culture, away from the touristic hot-spots without loosing out on your holiday itinerary.
Galle was known as Gimhathiththa (although Ibn Batuta in the 14th century refers to it as Qali) before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century, when it was the main port on the island. Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, before the arrival of the British, who developed the harbor at Colombo.
Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in south and southeast Asia, showing the interaction between European architectural styles and south Asian traditions. The Galle Fort is a world heritage site and the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European invaders. Other prominent landmarks in Galle include the St. Mary's Cathedral founded by Jesuit priests.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Bentota Beach, Bentota 80500 Sri Lanka
Facing the Indian Ocean, a tropical lagoon and a major river, Bentota Beach offers water sports possibilities nowhere else to be found in Sri Lanka.
Apart from swimming, body-surfing or diving in the sea, you can jet-ski, windsurf, parasail or enjoy a romantic river safari on the river and lagoon. Being one of the most established beach resorts in Sri Lanka, Bentota is known for its professional touristic infrastructure.
The many star-class hotels are often build in fantastic locations and even if you don't stay there drop in for a tea and enjoy the scenery.
Especially for families Bentota is a well sought after destination. Safe swimming conditions combined with fun water sport and exciting excursions to nearby attractions are providing for the ideal background for a relaxed holiday time in Sri Lanka.

Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Coco Royal Beach or Joes Bentota, Bentota
Day 12: Bentota
Stop At: Bentota Beach, Bentota 80500 Sri Lanka
Day free to spend on the beach, to embark on a river safari or visit the nearby moonstone mine
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Coco Royal Beach or Joes Bentota, Bentota
Day 13: Bentota - Colombo
Stop At: Colombo Fort, Galle Buck, Colombo Sri Lanka
Colombo, Sri Lanka's capital city, cosmopolitan and filled with many-starred international hotels, shopping centers and surprisingly westernized, yet with its own unmistakable Sri Lankan character.
Colombo, the commercial and political heart of Sri Lanka is a fascinating mix of old and new, with a central cluster of high-rise office blocks and hotels overshadowing red-tiled colonial-era buildings and sprawling street markets which overflow with high piled fruit and vegetables, colourful silks and cottons, and deliciously fragrant spices.
The colourful street markets, colonial-era buildings, museums and galleries, churches, mosques and temples of Colombo can easily be explored with your driver/guide.
The suburb Mount Lavinia is well known for its beach since the colonial time. The sea is a safe and popular bathing spot. Its clean sandy beaches are jutting into the waters of the Indian Ocean with softest sand and the calm and clear water.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Grand Oriental Hotel or Pegasus Reef Hotel, Colombo
Day 14: Colombo - Airport
Pass By: Bandaranaike International Airport, Canada Friendship Rd, 11450, Sri Lanka
Transfer back to the airport
Meals included:
Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.