Sri Lanka Revealed: An 18-Day Discovery
Tour Overview
Embark on an 18-day expansive journey, offering a deep immersion into Sri Lanka's captivating culture, ancient history, and diverse natural beauty. This meticulously crafted experience features quality accommodations and a comprehensive array of included experiences for a truly unforgettable adventure.
Route
Day 01 | Negombo - Coastal Welcome
Begin your grand Sri Lankan adventure with a warm welcome to the vibrant coastal town of Negombo, offering the perfect relaxed start to your journey.
Day 01 | Accommodation
Day 01 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Earl's Regent Negombo
- Optional Hotels: Jetwing Sea Hotel / Jetwing Beach
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Airport meet & greet and private transfer to your hotel. Hotel check-in and leisure time.
- Optional Experience (at additional cost): A peaceful boat tour on Negombo Lagoon, exploration of the historic Dutch Fort, or a visit to the bustling local fish market.
Day 02 | Anuradhapura (Day Trip) to Sigiriya - Ancient Capitals
Journey back in time today as you explore the magnificent ancient city of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site teeming with history, before transferring to the Sigiriya region.
Day 02 | Accommodation
Day 02 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Elephas Resort & Spa
- Optional Hotels: Aliya Resort & Spa / Cinnamon Lodge Habarana
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Early departure for a guided day trip to the ancient city of Anuradhapura (UNESCO World Heritage Site), exploring sacred sites such as the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree, Ruwanwelisaya Dagoba, and the Abhayagiri Stupa. Return to your hotel near Sigiriya.
Day 03 - 04 | Sigiriya / Polonnaruwa (Day Trip) - Cultural Triangle Wonders
Immerse yourself in the heart of Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle, uncovering ancient wonders and enjoying authentic village experiences, complemented by thrilling wildlife encounters.
Day 03 - 04 | Accommodation
Day 03 - 04 | Highlights
- Inital Recommended Hotel: Aliya Resort & Spa / Habarana Village by Cinnamon / Jetwing Lake
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Day 03 Included Experience: Enjoy a sunrise climb of Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Experience a traditional village tour with a bullock cart ride and a serene canoe ride, including a local lunch (lunch included).
- Day 04 Included Experience: Embark on a day trip to the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the intricate Dambulla Cave Temple.
- Optional Experience (at additional cost - Day 03 - 04): Sunrise hike to Pidurangala Rock for alternative views of Sigiriya, night safari for nocturnal wildlife viewing, thrilling jeep safari in Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park.
Day 05 - 06 | Sigiriya to Kandy - Hill Capital & Culture
Travel to Kandy, the island's enchanting hill capital, renowned for its sacred tooth relic and lush botanical gardens, offering a deep dive into Sri Lanka's spiritual and cultural heart.
Day 05 - 06 | Accommodation
Day 05 - 06 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Radisson Hotel Kandy
- Optional Hotels: Cinnamon Citadel Kandy / Earl's Regency Hotel
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Day 05 Included Experience: Enjoy a scenic drive to Kandy, with a stop en route at a Matale spice garden for a guided tour and product sampling. In Kandy, visit the revered Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
- Day 06 Included Experience: Explore the expansive Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya. Attend a captivating Kandy Cultural Show. Visit a Kandy viewpoint and explore the local markets.
- Optional Experience (at additional cost - Day 05 - 06): Visit a local gem museum and lapidary, explore the city's bustling markets.
Day 07 - 08 | Kandy to Nuwara Eliya - "Little England" & Tea Country
Ascend into the breathtaking emerald landscapes of Nuwara Eliya, where colonial charm meets endless tea plantations and misty mountains, offering a refreshing escape.
Day 07 - 08 | Accommodation
Day 07 - 08 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Araliya Red
- Optional Hotels: Jetwing St Andrew's / Oliphant Boutique Villa by Amaya
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Day 07 Included Experience: Enjoy a scenic drive from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya through tea country. Visit a tea factory and plantation to learn about Ceylon tea production and enjoy a tasting. Check into your hotel.
- Day 08 Included Experience: Embark on an early morning trek to Horton Plains National Park & World's End (a challenging but rewarding hike). Enjoy a leisurely walk around Gregory Lake with the option of a boat ride in the evening.
- Optional Experience (at additional cost - Day 07 - 08): Visit the beautiful Hakgala Botanical Gardens, visit the tranquil Seetha Amman Temple, enjoy a high tea experience at a colonial-era hotel.
Day 09 - 10 | Nuwara Eliya to Ella - Highland Vistas
Discover the picturesque beauty of Ella, a charming hill station offering stunning vistas, iconic bridges, and refreshing waterfalls, perfect for scenic exploration and light trekking.
Day 09 - 10 | Accommodation
Ravana Range Ella (Initial Recommended Hotel)
Day 09 - 10 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Ravana Range Ella
- Optional Hotels: Hide-Ella Hotel & Resort / EKHO Ella
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Day 09 Included Experience: Private drive to Ella with a stop at the cascading Ravana Falls. In the evening, visit the famous Nine Arches Bridge to witness a stunning sunset (train schedule permitting).
- Day 10 Included Experience: Enjoy a morning hike to Little Adam’s Peak for panoramic views of the Ella Gap. The rest of the day is at leisure.
- Optional Experience (at additional cost - Day 09 - 10): Visit Lipton’s Seat for breathtaking panoramic views of the tea country, experience the thrill of the Flying Ravana Zipline, take a local cooking class.
Day 11 - 12 | Ella to Yala - Premier Wildlife Safari
Experience the thrill of a lifetime as you journey to Yala National Park, Sri Lanka's premier leopard spotting destination, offering incredible encounters with its diverse array of wildlife.
Day 11 - 12 | Accommodation
Day 11 - 12 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Saffron Lake Yala
- Optional Hotels: Jetwing Yala / EKHO Safari
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Day 11 Included Experience: Private transfer to Yala. Check into your hotel. Enjoy a free evening for leisure or optional experiences.
- Day 12 Included Experience: Embark on an exciting full-day jeep safari in Yala National Park, seeking out leopards, elephants, sloth bears, and diverse birdlife.
- Optional Experience (at additional cost - Day 11 - 12): An evening nature walk around your accommodation, local village Tuk-Tuk rides for cultural immersion, visit the ancient Kirinda Temple, or explore the sacred Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya.
Day 13 - 15 | Yala to Hiriketiya - Coastal Bliss
Relax and rejuvenate on the stunning, tranquil shores of Hiriketiya, a true gem of the southern coast, perfect for unwinding, swimming, and embracing the laid-back surf culture.
Day 13 - 15 | Accommodation
Belika Beach Club (Initial Recommended Hotel)
Day 13 - 15 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Belika Beach Club
- Optional Hotels: La Playa Beach Club / Dots Bay House
- Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast (Dinner not included)
- Day 13 Included Experience: Private drive to Hiriketiya. Settle in and enjoy leisure time at the beautiful beach.
- Day 14 - 15 Included Experience: Enjoy relaxed beach days, with visits to scenic spots like Coconut Tree Hill and Parrot Rock. Enjoy surfing lessons.
- Optional Experience (at additional cost): Exciting whale watching excursion (seasonal, typically November–April from Mirissa), participate in a yoga session, explore the nearby town of Dikwella, or visit the impressive Hummanaya Blow Hole.
Day 16 - 17 | Hiriketiya to Mirissa and Galle (Day Trip) - River & Sea Adventures
Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Mirissa's beaches before venturing to the historic walled city of Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, for a blend of coastal relaxation and cultural exploration.
Day 16 - 17 | Accommodation
Day 16 - 17 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Paradise Beach Club
- Optional Hotels: Triple O Six / Vis Ta Vie -Thema Collection
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Day 16 Included Experience: Private transfer to Mirissa. Enjoy beach time with options for surfing classes or a relaxing yoga session by the bay.
- Day 17 Included Experience: Embark on a day trip to Galle, exploring the historic Galle Fort, visiting the lighthouse, the Dutch Reformed Church, and Browse local art galleries and boutiques within the fort.
- Optional Experience (at additional cost): Indulge in a traditional Ayurvedic massage for relaxation, Embark on a morning whale and dolphin watching excursion (seasonal, typically November to April, included in a shared boat).
Day 18 | Mirissa to Colombo and Departure
Conclude your extensive Sri Lankan journey with a scenic coastal drive back to the bustling capital, Colombo, for your onward departure, reflecting on an unforgettable adventure.
Day 18 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: No overnight stay; departure on same day.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast Only
- Included Experience: Scenic coastal drive to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for your departure.
- Optional Experience (at additional cost): A comprehensive Colombo city tour (including Independence Square, Gangaramaya Temple, Galle Face Green) if time permits and depends on your flight schedule.
Inclusions
Exclusions
Special Notes
Inclusions
- Airport pick-up and drop-off (Bandaranaike International Airport).
- 17 nights’ accommodation in our initial recommended hotels (twin/double sharing basis).
- Daily Half Board meal plan (Breakfast & Dinner, starting with Dinner on Day 1 and ending with Breakfast on Day 18).
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking Driver (Chauffeur Guide or National Guides can be arranged upon request at an additional cost).
- Entrance tickets & charges for all included experiences mentioned in the itinerary:
- Anuradhapura ancient city (guided tour)
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Traditional village tour (including bullock cart, canoe ride, and local lunch)
- Polonnaruwa ancient city
- Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park jeep safari (seasonal)
- Dambulla Cave Temple
- Matale spice garden visit
- Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Kandy)
- Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya
- Kandy Cultural Show
- Tea factory tour and tasting (Nuwara Eliya)
- Gregory Lake boating (Nuwara Eliya)
- Ravana Falls
- Nine Arches Bridge (Ella)
- Little Adam’s Peak hike (Ella)
- Ella cooking class or village tour (choice of one)
- Two jeep safaris in Yala National Park
- Coconut Tree Hill and Parrot Rock (Hiriketiya)
- Surfing lessons (Hiriketiya)
- Galle Fort walking tour
- All government taxes and service charges.
