Accommodation

Accommodation in a double room, on a half-board basis

Meals

Half-board (breakfast & dinner)

Transport

Transportation is by air-conditioned limousine or minivan with driver / guide from Day 1 - Day 5

Insurance

Transport by fully insured a/c vehicle by Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Ltd

Others

Experienced, English-speaking chauffeur guide with required guiding permit and safe & secure certified Driver Accommodation & Meals

Not included:

Flights

Others

Entrance Fees Snorkeling / Diving Equipment Train Ticket(s) Medical Insurance Anything not specified in the package inclusions Meals other than those specified Items of personal nature Tipping and porterage

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Airport – Negombo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Airport – Negombo

Arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport and transfer to your first hotel in Negombo. Negombo is famous for its beach, the Dutch Heritage Sites, and, of course, fresh seafood.

Acclimatize & relax at the beach restaurant or swimming pool.

Overnight Negombo.
Day 2 Negombo – Dambulla – Sigiriya
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Negombo – Dambulla – Sigiriya

After breakfast leave Negombo for Sigiriya. On the way visit the Dambulla Rock Temple is a magnificent gallery of Buddha images and wall and ceiling paintings not seen anywhere else on the Island. It is a complex of five cave temples with its origin going back to the first century BC.

Dambulla and its five cave temples are filled with Buddhist murals and many Buddha statues. Visitors must remove their shoes and approach the shrines barefoot. The first cave is filled with the 47-foot-long recumbent image of the meditating Buddha.

In the second cave, there are 150 beautifully carved and preserved gilded statues of gods and Buddhas. The rock ceilings are painted in brilliantly preserved and intricately detailed patterns and images of the holy figures.

Overnight Sigiriya.
Day 3 Sigiriya – Polonnaruwa – Wildlife Safari – Sigiriya
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Sigiriya – Polonnaruwa – Wildlife Safari – Sigiriya

Free in the morning, but you can also take an optional excursion to Polonnaruwa. You can go by mountain bike to the ruins of Polonnaruwa, a fun and active excursion. An exciting bike ride of about 10 kilometers through the region. A nice introduction to local daily life. Admire the bright green rice fields, visit local villages, meet friendly people, and see how you get a coconut from the tree.

The route is flat and you have plenty of time, so you certainly don’t have to be in top condition to make this excursion, it is mainly about enjoying yourself. On arrival leave the bicycle(s) behind and explore Polonnaruwa on an extensive tour by car, past the remains of the palace and the famous reclining Buddha.

You can also choose to just cycle through the ancient city. The historic city of Polonnaruwa is full of ruins and landmarks from the 11th to 13th centuries. These were the heyday of Sri Lankan sculpture. In addition to the many ruins, the royal palace, the Gal Vihare complex, and the tomb of Alahana Pirivena are also of interest.

In the afternoon we make an adventurous jeep safari in the Minneriya National Park. The park is known for the many hundreds of elephants that live there. You make a safari through this beautiful park by 4WD, where the chance that you see elephants drinking in the lake is almost guaranteed. Then back to the hotel.

Overnight Sigiriya.
Day 4 Sigiriya Rock – Hiranduwa – Sigiriya
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Sigiriya Rock – Hiranduwa – Sigiriya

In the morning climb up to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sigiriya Rock, a part of Sri Lanka’s ‘Cultural Triangle, where you will have a chance to gaze over the stunning views of Central Sri Lanka. On top of the Sigiriya Rock are the ruins of an ancient palace/rock fortress, overlooking the beautiful plains of North-Central Sri Lanka. Built by an exiled Indian prince, the breathtaking ruins are one of Sri Lanka’s main 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 wall paintings, as well as a network of attractive gardens and reservoirs, and Sigiriya’s namesake – a gigantic pair of lion’s 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 Sigiriya’s 5th century Water Gardens, so that you can get a glimpse of what Sigiriya might have been.

After lunch, drive to Hiriwaduna for a 2-hour local village experience, which will give you a good impression of the daily life in rural Sri Lanka. The tour starts with a great walk along a dike of a Wewa (man-made reservoir). Around the Wewa you will see many birds, butterflies and beautiful green surroundings. So early in the morning you can see the villagers going about their daily chores like fishing and washing clothes at the edge of the lake.

During our trekking we also cross the tributary with a local ‘catamaran’ to discover the various small farms. The farmer who helps us cross is often willing to show what his livelihood is, and a glass of coconut water or a piece of fresh mango will crown the hospitality. The last part of our journey is by bullock cart, driving through denser forests and paddy fields. There is a chance that you will see monkeys, many tropical birds, and perhaps even an elephant. After this impressive excursion, you will be brought back to your hotel.

Overnight Sigiriya.
Day 5 Sigiriya – East Coast – Trincomalee – Nilaveli Beach
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Sigiriya – East Coast – Trincomalee – Nilaveli Beach

After breakfast, we will be heading for the East Coast – the first stop is an orientation tour of Trincomalee, the cultural and economical capital of Sri Lanka’s East Coast. The ancient town of Trincomalee is the third-largest city in Sri Lanka and is best known for its harbor, one of the world’s largest deep-water anchorages. The former Dutch Fort Frederick is on the way to Swami Rock – a breathtaking cliff that is topped by the Koneswaram Hindu Temple, one of the holiest Shiva shrines in Sri Lanka.

Following the coast for 8 km, we finally arrive at Nilaveli, your base for the next nights. Nilaveli is a laid-back beach resort with miles of white, unspoiled beach scenery.

Overnight Nilaveli.
Day 6 Trincomalee & Nilaveli Beach
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Trincomalee & Nilaveli Beach

The beaches along the east coast are known for their calmer, clearer waters compared to those in the south. High waves here are non-existent, and the flat waters provide better conditions for snorkeling than surfing.

Nilaveli Beach is arguably one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka. This long stretch of beach is lined with palm trees and there are few developments in the area. Nilaveli is quieter and more secluded than Uppuveli Beach (see below), and the clear water makes it the best beach in the Trincomalee area.

WHAT TO DO

SNORKELING / SCUBA DIVING

If you do not bring your snorkeling gear with you, you can rent it for little money locally. However, we recommend bringing your own mask for the best fitting and comfort.

You can get scuba equipment at one of the many diving schools – for free with a licensed diving course. PADI is the most common, but SSI, SDI, and NAUI certifications are also available. Choose from open water beginner up to dive master certifications, or for specialized dives like scuba refresher, night- or wreck diving.

For more advanced certifications we recommend our 21 days package.

PIGEON ISLAND

The two islands are called large pigeon island and small pigeon island. The large pigeon island is fringed by a coral reef and is about 200 m long and 100 m wide. Its highest point is 44.8 m above mean sea level. The small pigeon island is surrounded by rocky islets. The national park is situated within the dry zone of Sri Lanka.

The reef here is shallow, making snorkeling almost as satisfying as scuba diving, and it’s home to dozens of corals, hundreds of reef fish (including blacktip reef sharks), and turtles. This is an ideal place to spend your day underwater day with breaks in the shade of a tree or on the powder-like white sand.

WHALE WATCHING

Just off the coast of Sri Lanka swims the majestic blue whale, the largest creature on earth. Nowhere in the world is it possible to see these ocean giants so close to shore.

Trincomalee is rapidly emerging as an internationally important whale-watching destination. Blue whales in particular (plus smaller numbers of sperm whales) can regularly be seen around six to eight nautical miles east of Trincomalee (about 30min by boat), Dolphins (mainly Spinner) are also regularly seen. Most sightings occur between March and September, as the whales continue their migrations around the island from the south coast.

UPPUVELI BEACH

Similarly, to Nilaveli Beach, Uppuveli is a long, sandy beach with clear waters and no waves. It attracts a bigger crowd than Nilaveli Beach and is known as a ‘party beach‘. However, there is more pollution and debris along the shoreline and the beach itself is nothing to rave about. Ideal for a day trip and cool drinks.

TRINCOMALEE

Fort Frederick

If you can tear yourself away from Trincomalee’s beaches, we highly recommend a visit to Fort Frederick and the Konneswaram Temple. Fort Frederick dates back to the Portuguese period in Sri Lanka yet many buildings were rebuilt or redesigned by the Dutch, and later, the British. You can explore the old fort and admire many of its most historic buildings on foot. Look out for the Georgian-era Wellesley House.

Konneswaram Temple

Perched 400 feet above the sea, at the southern extremity of the peninsula that separates the inner from the outer Trincomalee harbor, lies a magnificent temple dedicated to Lord Shiva (one of only five such temples in Sri Lanka). Referred to by European writers of the 18th and 19th centuries as the ‘Temple of a Thousand Pillars’, it is a sacred ground for Hindu devotees. The temple sits prominently in Fort Frederick on Swarmi Rock – a promontory boasting spectacular views over Trincomalee Harbour. If you’re visiting the temple, we’d recommend wearing (or bringing) socks and covering your knees and shoulders.

Sri Pathirakali Amman Kovil

Do visit the Sri Pathirakali Amman Kovil to gain a colorful insight into Hindu religious culture – the aroma of incense will hit you from the street. The exterior structure is one of the most vivid in Sri Lanka, evocatively decorated with figures, pillars, and Hindu gods, whilst inside the complex of connected shrines, murals visualize stories from the scriptures.

Maritime and Naval History Museum

A tour of the museum will allow you to gain insights into Sri Lankan maritime history, marine biodiversity, and information on the history of the local naval affairs. The museum building is on two floors, each floor containing its own specialties. The ground floor contains displays covering Sri Lankan naval history dating back to the times of Marco Polo and includes a video documentary as well. The first floor contains artifacts that shed light on the marine ecosystem with particular emphasis on the flora and fauna of the east coast. The museum also houses exhibits of various corals, mangroves, sea grasses, and marine mammals. It is most definitely worth a visit!

Overnight Nilaveli.
Day 7 Nilaveli - Colombo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Nilaveli - Colombo

You got the option of taking the night (sleeper) train to Colombo on the evening of Day 13 or the normal train on Day 14. A Tuk-Tuk Transfer from Nilaveli to the Trincomalee Railway Station is included in the tour price! From Colombo Fort Railway Station you can easily connect to either the airport or your next destination in Sri Lanka. Just let us know and we will advise accordingly.

END OF TOUR

21 days tour

Top Beaches & Culture Experiences & Adventures Summer 2024

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Top Beaches & Culture Experiences & Adventures Summer 2024

Airport – Negombo

Negombo – Dambulla – Sigiriya

Sigiriya – Polonnaruwa – Wildlife Safari – Sigiriya

Sigiriya Rock – Hiranduwa – Sigiriya

Sigiriya – East Coast – Trincomalee – Nilaveli Beach

Trincomalee & Nilaveli Beach

Nilaveli - Colombo

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