7 days tour

Highlights Of Sri Lanka

$ 1,130 .00 USD

Total price per person

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Highlights Of Sri Lanka

This tour includes:

Meals

A key facet of our responsible approach to tourism is that we encourage our groups to eat in local restaurants that prepare locally grown food. We give customers choice as to their meals and do not use rather bland and impersonal hotel restaurants or all- inclusive options 6 Breakfasts 1 Lunches

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Itinerary of your trip Highlights Of Sri Lanka

  • Day 1 Day 1: Join Trip In Negombo
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Join Trip In Negombo

      Arrive in Negombo, a coastal town known for its fishing industry and golden sands. This relaxing beach resort is a short distance from Sri Lanka's capital city, and is the perfect place to spot locals bringing in the day's catch and watch the sunset. For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Negombo at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), which is 40 minutes' drive from our hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If your flight arrives earlier in the day there is the option to head to the beach or make use of the hotel facilities.

  • Day 2 Day 2: In Search Of Leopards In Wilpattu National Park
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: In Search Of Leopards In Wilpattu National Park

      Leaving Negombo this morning we travel north following the coastal road via the small towns of Chilaw and Putalam before reaching the entrance to Wilpattu National Park, a drive of around 4 hours including stops. Here we will leave our bus and change to jeeps for an afternoon safari through the park hoping to spot Sri Lanka's most elusive resident, the leopard. Despite the park's location in Sri Lanka's dry zone, it boasts nearly 60 lakes and is renowned for leopard, elephant and sambar deer spottings. We will go on a jeep safari in the hope of spotting the elusive leopard. We choose to visit this park, rather than the more touristy Yala National Park further south because we believe it offers our customers a better experience. The same animals can be seen here as in Yala, however it is less crowded, making our visit more enjoyable and responsible. Leaving the park, we drive to nearby Anuradapura, where we will spend the night.

  • Day 3 Day 3: Walk Up Mihintale Mount. Explore Dambulla Cave Temples On Drive To Sigiriya
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Walk Up Mihintale Mount. Explore Dambulla Cave Temples On Drive To Sigiriya

      We start this morning with a visit to the mountain peak of Mihintale. It is believed that this was the site of a momentous meeting between the monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa, introducing Buddhism to the country. Exploring Mihintale involves climbing a flight of 1,840 shallow stone steps leading to the summit of the Missaka Mountain. There are excellent views from the top looking back to Anuradhapura. Afterwards we drive north to Dambulla, stopping en route for a local lunch. In local style we reach the village by tractor drawn cart and dugout canoe style boats - adapted with seats for a more comfortable ride! - to cross the short distance across the lake to Hiriwaduna Village where we are treated to a traditional Sri Lankan lunch with various curries and rice. Our next stop is Dambulla, where a great series of caves have been turned into temples dating from the 1st century BC. This World Heritage Site still attracts scores of worshippers. We will visit five separate caves, which contain a large number of Buddha images and a few sculptures of Hindu Gods. Finally we drive the short distance to Sigiriya where we spend the night.

  • Day 4 Day 4: Climb Lion'S Rock At Sunrise. Drive To Kandy
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Climb Lion'S Rock At Sunrise. Drive To Kandy

      An early start this morning as we plan to climb Sigiriya Rock ahead of the crowds and whilst it is cool. The ruins of this 5th century sky fortress are one of Sri Lanka's major attractions, a stupendous sight to behold and a feat of consummate engineering skill. Built in just seven years as a fortified palace to protect the reign of merciless King Kassapa, who had assassinated his father and deposed his brother, it is seen as one of the world's best preserved examples of ancient urban planning. Unfortunately for the king, despite its impregnable reputation, he was defeated here by his brother after a reign of just 18 years. A series of switchback steps and steel stairways ascend to the top. Halfway up, tucked beneath a sheltering overhang of rock, are the famous frescoes - the Sigiriya Damsels - their colours still glowing. Before our final ascent to the summit, we pass between a set of enormous lion paws carved out of the rock - all that remain of an ancient gateway that gave Sigiriya, the Lion Rock, its name. Once at the 200 meter summit, magnificent views can be enjoyed of the surrounding jungle and countryside. Later this morning we drive around 2.5hrs to Kandy. Sitting on a plateau 500 metres above sea level and 112km northeast of Colombo, Kandy is, in climatic and cultural terms, a world apart from Colombo. Serving as the capital of the last Sinhalese kingdom until falling to the British in 1815, it is a place of cultural and spiritual importance. Buddhists from all over the world come here specifically to visit the Temple of the Tooth, the Dalada Maligawa. The costly jewelled shrine of the Holy Tooth, said to be Buddha's left canine, is kept in the upper floor of the original building. This relic was brought from India 1,500 years ago and every year, at the time of the August full moon, it is paraded round the town. On arrival the time is free to explore this historic town. Perhaps visit the Temple of the Tooth, or take a short tuk tuk ride out to Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.

  • Day 5 Day 5: Visit Highlands Tea Producer. Drive To Koggala Beach Via Galle Fort
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Visit Highlands Tea Producer. Drive To Koggala Beach Via Galle Fort

      Leaving Kandy behind we stop at a tea factory to learn about the processes involved in Sri Lanka's largest export. Originally a tea bush was brought from China in 1842 to be planted at Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and it was 25 years later that James Taylor established Sri Lanka's first tea plantation - the Loolecondera Estate in Kandy. These days more than one million people in Sri Lanka are employed by the tea industry. The tea factory we visit is a small and intimate one and therefore does not include seeing the process of picking the tea leaves but we do see the process of drying and grinding the leaves and we sample some of the blends before leaving tea country. We drive on for around 4 hours to the south west coast and pay a visit to Galle Fort. An important trading centre since ancient times, the fortifications that can be seen today were built by the Portuguese and then the Dutch from the 16th to the 17th centuries. The fort ramparts of this World Heritage Site protect the harbour and a myriad of fascinating old houses, churches and warehouses. Finally we follow the coast east to our base for the final two nights in Koggala. The shallow waters and long, pristine beaches make it perfect for a spot of relaxing.

  • Day 6 Day 6: Free Time To Explore Galle, Whale Watching (Seasonal) And Or Relax At Koggala Beach
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Free Time To Explore Galle, Whale Watching (Seasonal) And Or Relax At Koggala Beach

      Today is left free to do as little or as much as you wish. A short tuk tuk ride can take you back to the pretty coastal town of Galle. Today, the town has a strong arts vibe, with foreign and local artists, writers, photographers, designers and poets drawing inspiration from their surrounds. Boutique shops and cafes around the town showcase their work. There is plenty to explore in the town and enjoyment can be gained simply by wandering around its streets, soaking up its unique atmosphere. For those seeking pure relaxation, local Ayurvedic massages with natural, aromatic herbal oils are highly recommended. Alternatively, between the months of December and April, you might prefer to go on a whale watching trip in the hope of spotting humpback and blue whales.

  • Day 7 Day 7: Drive To Colombo'S Bandaranaike International Airport Where Our Trip Ends
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Drive To Colombo'S Bandaranaike International Airport Where Our Trip Ends

      Departing the hotel this morning we drive (3hrs) along the coastal road back to Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) where we will arrive at about 10am and this is where our trip ends. The earliest your flight can depart is 12:45pm.

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but you’re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

You’ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Average

There are several physical activities that last from 2 to 6 hours in easy terrains, low altitude flats, or water experiences. Please ask if you’re not sure this applies to you.

Age range

Age range

Min: 16 / Max: 85

Age range allowed for this experience.

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