Sri Lanka Uncovered

DAY 1 Negombo
Welcome to Sri Lanka! Your tour commences with an arrival transfer to your hotel in the seaside village of Negombo.
Stay at: Goldi Sands Hotel (3 star), Jetwing Sea Hotel (4 star) or Jetwing Blue Hotel (5 star) or similar

DAY 2 Negombo – Sigiriya Rock Fortress - Dambulla
Depart Negombo and travel along the bustling Kandy Road past small villages, chaotic towns and roadside carts selling an array of local produce to reach Sigiriya Rock Fortress, or Lion Rock, one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic sights. Take the opportunity to climb to the top of this striking rock with its sheer vertical walls supporting the remnants of an ancient 5th century city. Continue to your hotel for check in.
Stay at: Tropical Life Resort & Spa (3 star), Aliya Resort & Spa (4 star) or Heritance Kandalama (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 3 Dambulla / Polonnaruwa
Explore the ancient royal capital of Polonnaruwa, one of the most beautiful centres in Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage. Discover on foot, or by bicycle, the wonderful treasures that remain in the archaeological park including the four beautiful rock-cut Buddha statues at Gal Vihara Temple. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to meet with the locals and experience village life. Taste authentic local cuisine while you experience first-hand the cooking methods of this local family.

Later this afternoon, you may wish to join an optional jeep safari in the Minneriya National Park, one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see wild elephants. At certain times of the year Kaudulla National Park or Hurulu Eco Park can be visited instead.

Stay at: Tropical Life Resort & Spa (3 star), Aliya Resort & Spa (4 star) or Heritance Kandalama (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 4 Dambulla– Kandy
Proceed to Kandy, stopping en-route to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, Dambulla Cave Temple, the best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. This Buddhist place of worship is thought to date back to the
1st century, and houses the country’s most sacred Buddha images. Travel through Matale, where you have an opportunity to explore the Spice Garden. On arrival in Kandy, you will explore the UNESCO listed city of Kandy and Sri Lanka's last royal capital with your guide before hotel check in and your evening at leisure.

Stay at: Randholee Resort (3 star), Fox Resort (4 star) or Earl's Regency Hotel (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 5 Kandy
Today explore the Royal Botanical Gardens where you can admire the beautiful terrace gardens and ornamental plants. This afternoon is reserved for a traditional Kandyan Dance performance, a colourful spectacle including fire-walkers. Following this, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a complex said to hold the tooth of the Lord Buddha himself. You will be in time to witness the evening Pooja Ceremony, the daily worship ritual that is deeply rooted in tradition and significance.

Stay at: Randholee Resort (3 star), Fox Resort (4 star) or Earl's Regency Hotel (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 6 Kandy – Ramboda – Nuwara Eliya
Your journey today leads you through the scenic high country to Nuwara Eliya, stopping en-route at Ramboda village to admire breathtaking views of the waterfall and enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. Further along the journey to Nuwara Eliya, discover the journey from tree to cup of the world-famous high-grown Ceylon Tea. With your expert guide, walk through a local tea plantation, meet with a Tea plucker and visit the factory to see the processing stage followed by a tea-tasting session. On arrival in Nuwara Eliya, begin your exploration of the city where the colourful chaos of Sri Lanka meets colonial bungalows, well-tended lawns and red telephone boxes.

Stay at Araliya Red Hotel (3 star), Araliya Green Hills (4 star) or Grand Hotel (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 7 Nuwara Eliya - Horton Plains - Nuwara Eliya
Enjoy the views as you depart early for Horton Plains National Park, travelling on scenic village roads past Ambewela and Pattipola. This stunning National Park lies in the shadows of some of Sri Lanka’s highest peaks and offers excellent hikes for all levels including World’s End and Baker’s Falls. You can choose to hike, or simply enjoy the stunning scenery and wait for wildlife to appear. Return to Nuwara Eliya to experience high tea at the iconic Grand Hotel where you can enjoy a selection of small sandwiches washed down with a cup of local tea.

Stay at Araliya Red Hotel (3 star), Araliya Green Hills (4 star) or Grand Hotel (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 8 Nuwara Eliya – Ella – Yala National Park
A short distance from Nuwara Eliya is the Nanu-Oya train station, here you board the local train travelling to Ella, a journey considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful. You will travel along the edge of mountains, passing tea estates in the spectacular high country whilst rolling in and out of pockets of mist filled mountain air. On arrival in Ella you will drive to Yala National Park.

Stay at Elephant Reach (3 star), Cinnamon Wild (4 star) or Jetwing Yala (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 9 Yala National Park
Depart early for your jeep safari in Yala, the second largest National Park in Sri Lanka and home to a great diversity of wildlife, most famous of which is the leopard. Look out for elephants, sloth bears, water buffaloes, peacocks, wild boars, crocodiles and of course leopards. Yala is known as one of the best places in the world to spot the elusive big cat.

Stay at Elephant Reach (3 star), Cinnamon Wild (4 star) or Jetwing Yala (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 10 Yala National Park – Galle – Bentota
Travel the scenic route from Sri Lanka’s southeast coast to Galle in the southwest. Once in Galle you will enjoy a tour of the Heritage listed fort area with its charming laneways, rich trading history and Dutch-colonial buildings. Stop at the Turtle Hatchery on your way to the stunning beach town of Bentota.

Stay at Earl's Reef Hotel (3 star), Centara Ceysands (4 star) or Taj Bentota Resort & Spa (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 11 Bentota
Sri Lankan beaches are world-class and Bentota is one of the best. Enjoy a full day at leisure to experience the country’s coast and all it has to offer.

Stay at Earl's Reef Hotel (3 star), Centara Ceysands (4 star) or Taj Bentota Resort & Spa (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 12 Bentota – Colombo
Today explore the country’s capital, a diverse mix of people, architecture and religion influenced by ancient kingdoms and European settlers. Your guided tour will drive along the crystal white Race Course, visit the Pettah Bazaar and the newer 'Arcade', revamped Independence Square where designer boutiques are located along with a 'walk over fish tank'. The evening is free for you to explore this vibrant city.

Stay at Fairway Hotel (3 star), Ramada Hotel (4 star) or Movenpick Hotel (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 13 Colombo
Your tour concludes with a departure transfer to the airport.

Meals included: Breakfast