Accommodation

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

Guide

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

Insurance

Transport by fully insured a/c vehicle by Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Ltd as shown in the tour itinerary.

Meals

Half-board (breakfast & dinner)

Transport

Transportation is by air-conditioned limousine or minivan with driver / guide from Day 1 - Day 15

Not included:

Others

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

Flights

Start planning your experience

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

Airport – Negombo

After your arrival at Sri Lanka’s Bandaranaike International Airport, you will be met by your personal

Chauffeur Guide. Negombo, a well-developed west coast beach town, is a 30-minute drive from The

Wallawwa. A vibrant center of Sri Lanka’s fishing trade, Negombo has more than its fair share of

Gothic churches and its predominantly Catholic residents are a testament to the town’s nickname, Little

Rome. The town’s beach is a long, wide stretch of sand flanked by restaurants & hotels, while the lagoon and

Muthurajawela Wetlands form an important wildlife reserve.

Overnight at Suriya Resort - Negombo, Deluxe Room
Day 2 Negombo - Private City Tour – Canal And Lagoon Boat Trip
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Negombo - Private City Tour – Canal And Lagoon Boat Trip

NEGOMBO SIGHTSEEING TOUR. In the middle of NEGOMBO stands the stately pink landmark of

St Mary’s Church is one of the many large Roman Catholic churches that dot Negombo and the coast

north of Colombo. Portuguese missionaries were particularly active in the area, converting many of

the local Karava fishermen. Their devotion to Roman Catholicism can still be seen, not only in the

churches but also in the dozens of beautiful little wayside shrines along the main roads around town.

A detour towards the sea runs past the harbor and the main fish market. Negombo Lagoon is the

source of some of the island’s most highly prized seafood, especially its large and juicy prawns. Daily

fish auctions are held early in the morning (around 7 am) where crowds of locals can be seen

haggling animatedly over huge piles of tuna, seer, mullet, crabs, and other forms of marine bounty.

Negombo Beach itself is a working beach, the preserve of fishermen mending their nets, making reed

baskets, or working on their vessels in preparation for the night’s fishing.

MUTHURAJAWELA WETLANDS – Canal and Lagoon Boat Trip The saltwater wetlands and lagoons

are home to abundant birdlife as well as to toque macaque monkeys, water monitors, and the

occasional crocodile. The boat putters down the Hamilton Canal before reaching the southern end of

the Negombo Lagoon, a breezy expanse of water running around patches of tangled mangrove

swamp with egrets, herons, and kingfishers perched in the branches. About 7000 years old;

Muthurajawela was declared a sanctuary in 1996 in recognition of its immense bio-diversity. This trip

is pure romance around sunset time.

Overnight at Suriya Resort - Negombo, Deluxe Room
Day 3 Negombo – Anuradhapura – Sacred Bo Tree - Sigiriya
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Negombo – Anuradhapura – Sacred Bo Tree - Sigiriya

ANURADHAPURA SIGHTSEEING Sri Lanka’s first capital, ANURADHAPURA was founded by King

Pandukhabaya in 380 BC and remained far and away the biggest and most important city on the

island for nearly 1,400 years until the capital moved finally eastwards to Polonnaruwa.

Anuradhapura’s 113 kings (and four queens) oversaw a great flowering of the arts, producing

magnificent palaces, intricate sculptures, ornate pleasure gardens, and a sequence of vast stupas

built to protect the most sacred relics of Buddhism. Perhaps the most impressive achievement was in

irrigation, with reservoirs constructed to preserve the monsoon rains and a system of sluices put in

place to keep the rice paddies productive. The Sanctuary at Tissawewa, set in what was formerly part

of the Royal Pleasure Gardens, is a good place to start the exploration of the ruins on foot or rentals

bicycles. A short drive to the north, you can see the Sri Maha Bodhi, the Sacred Bo Tree the oldest

historically documented tree in the world. The tree grew from a sapling of the original bo tree of

Bodhgaya in India, under which the Buddha gained enlightenment. It was brought to Sri Lanka by

Sangamitta, the daughter of Emperor Ashoka, in the 3rd century BC. Encircled by a gold-plated

railing, it stands amid younger trees. Most of the island’s bo trees have been nurtured from the Sri

Maha Bodhi’s seeds. Buddhists consider watering the bo tree an act of devotion, so you might see

pilgrims, pots of water in hand, helping to nourish the plant. Within walking distance of the bo tree is

the Brazen Palace (Loha Pasada), which once had a bronze roof, nine floors, and housed 1,000

monks. Only about 1,600 stone pillars now remain of its former splendors.

Overnight at Kumbukgaha Villa - Sigiriya, Private Villa
Day 4 Sigiriya – Lion Rock Fortress – Ancient Polonnaruwa – Optional Hot Air Ballooning
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Sigiriya – Lion Rock Fortress – Ancient Polonnaruwa – Optional Hot Air Ballooning

SIGIRIYA ROCK Rise early to beat the crowds at the breathtaking Sigiriya Rock – a UNESCO

Heritage Site. Although the colossal rock, with its frescoes, Mirror Wall and Lion Platform, are the main

attractions, there are also lovely grounds in which to wander. Inscriptions found in the caves that

honeycomb the base of the rock indicate that SIGRIRIYA served as a place of religious retreat as far

back as the third century BC when Buddhist monks established refuges here. It wasn’t until the fifth

century AD, however, that Sigiriya rose briefly to pre-eminence in Sri Lankan affairs, following the

power struggle which succeeded the reign of Dhatusena (455–473) of Anuradhapura. Save plenty of

time for the Sigiriya Museum, which has archaeological finds and other artifacts on display.

POLONNARUWA In the afternoon, head to Polonnaruwa. The great ruined capital of

POLONNARUWA is one of the undisputed highlights of the Cultural Triangle – and indeed the whole

island. The heyday of the city, in the twelfth century, represented one of the high watermarks of early

Sri Lankan civilization. The Chola invaders from South India had been repulsed by Vijayabahu, and

the Sinhalese kingdom he established at Polonnaruwa enjoyed a brief century of magnificence under

his successors Parakramabahu and Nissankamalla, who planned the city as a grand statement of

imperial pomp, transforming it briefly into one of the great urban centers of South Asia before their

own hubris and excess virtually bankrupted the state. Within a century, their enfeebled successors

had been driven south by new waves of invaders from southern India, and Polonnaruwa had been

abandoned to the jungle, where it remained, unreclaimed and virtually unknown, for seven centuries.

Polonnaruwa’s extensive and well-preserved remains offer a fascinating snapshot of medieval Sri

Lanka, including some of the island’s finest monuments, and is compact enough to be explored in an

afternoon.

Overnight at Kumbukgaha Villa - Sigiriya, Private Villa
Day 5 Sigiriya – Dambulla Rock And Cave Temples – Udawattakele Nature Sanctuary – Kandy
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Sigiriya – Dambulla Rock And Cave Temples – Udawattakele Nature Sanctuary – Kandy

DAMBULLA CAVE TEMPLES En-Route to Kandy, visit DAMBULLA. From the entrance to Dambulla

Rock and Cave Temples, steps are leading to the cave temples themselves, passing an enormous

gilded Buddha on the way. The temples were created by King Valagambahu, who hid here in the 1st

century BC after Indian invaders had seized his capital, Anuradhapura. After regaining Anuradhapura,

Valagambahu later built the temples to give thanks for the shelter the caves had afforded him. The

most impressive of Sri Lanka’s many cave temples, the five shrines sit side-by-side beneath a huge

rocky overhang, filled with a treasure trove of Buddhist art, including innumerable statues of the

Buddha and other deities, plus the finest selection of murals on the island.

UDAWATTAKELE NATURE SANCTUARY An enchanting forest reserve, Udawattakele Sanctuary is steeped in rich history with tales of long ago whispered through the rustling leaves. Nestled near the Temple of the

Sacred Tooth Relic, it is a rich storehouse of endemic flora and numerous bird species. Once a

forbidden forest strictly reserved for royalty, this sanctuary is one of the main Kandy tourist attractions

for nature lovers offering much to discover; explore ancient pathways lit by sunlight, visit sheltered

Buddhist monasteries & in the stillness, enjoy the soft calling of birds.

Overnight at Topaz Hotel - Kandy, Deluxe Room
Day 6 Kandy
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Kandy

KANDY CITY TOUR - The last Sinhalese kingdom, Kandy is central to the history of Sri Lanka and is

home to many of the island’s cultural gems. Meaning ‘hill’, Kandy once stood as an impenetrable

fortress against invading colonial powers, withstanding all attempts of invasion until the British finally

deposed the king in 1815. Kandy houses the world-famous Temple of the Tooth, one of the most

famous Buddhist temples in the world, which was built to protect the sacred tooth relic thought to

belong to Lord Buddha, which has been enshrined in Sri Lanka for hundreds of years. As well as a

host of other temples and visit the Kadungannawa Tea Factory. Kandy is one of the best places to

explore the art history of Sri Lanka and travelers should take the time to see a Kandyan cultural show.

Kandy Market is the central retail and wholesale market for the city and surrounding areas. One of the

most interesting aspects is the contrast of people, religions, and ethnicities you encounter in Kandy,

all living in perfect chaotic harmony. A church sits in the vicinity of the Temple of the Tooth, side by

side with a Kovil and the great Red Mosque. The market itself is full of weird and wonderful

vegetables, fruits and spices, and is – as you would expect – noisy and smelly!

TEMPLE OF THE SACRED TOOTH RELIC - If an elephant carries a tooth in a gold casket through

the streets, it must be a very special tooth. The tooth is said to be from the Lord Buddha and is now

worshiped in the Temple of the Sacred Tooth, the Sri Dalada Maligawa. The tooth is revered for the

spiritual power of Buddha stored in it and that it also acts as a rainmaker. The latter characteristic, in

particular, led to many conflicts between kings, because possession of the tooth underpinned the

respective king’s claim to power since his country was safe from drought. In this temple district, there

are Buddhist and Hindu shrines, in the immediate vicinity a church and a mosque, so that 4 world

religions are represented in a small area.

KANDY ESALA PERAHERA - The Sri Dalada Maligawa Esala Perahera Festival takes place in early

August. Up to a hundred lavishly decorated elephants, ceremonial dancers, and acrobats honor the

Sacred Tooth Relic and the guardian gods Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama, and Pattini by colorful

processions.

ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS - Just outside the Kandy city limits lies this little paradise with

thousands of tropical and subtropical plants. Created by the British in the 19th century, the

Peradeniya Botanical Garden is still considered one of the most beautiful in Asia. You can find over

4000 flowers, shrubs, medicinal plants, and trees from all tropical regions of the world. The 60

hectares of gardens, forests, and houses can be explored in countless ways on foot or in oxen-drawn

carriages. In the orchid house, a sea of flowers of over 200 different species will delight every nature

lover. In addition, many birds, butterflies, and numerous other animals, such as flying foxes, can be

observed.

Overnight at Topaz Hotel - Kandy, Deluxe Room
Day 7 Kandy – Ella Train Ride (Observation Carriage)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Kandy – Ella Train Ride (Observation Carriage)

The train journey from Kandy to Ella is the most beautiful train ride in Sri Lanka, if not in the world!

Board the train and experience breathtaking views of lush green tea plantations, mountains, viaducts,

valleys, and dense jungle. What’s more, it’s the perfect way to experience Sri Lankan life. Meet

smiling locals on the train, wave to the running children along the tracks, and eat the spicy snacks

sold by vendors who board at each stop. The route takes you through tea plantations, jungles, and

mountains. As the journey goes on, you move into the lush green highlands, dotted with tea

plantations, beautiful hilltop villages, and waterfalls. The train was brought to life in the mid-1800s

when Sri Lanka was under British colonial rule. During this time, it was used as a train to transport tea

from the plantations to Colombo, where it would then be exported internationally. These days, it’s

used mainly by locals who use it to travel between home and work. The train from Kandy to Ella

should take around 6 hours. However, it’s Sri Lanka, and there can be stops and delays on the

journey. Yes, it might be a long ride, but it’s 100% worth the journey.

Ella is a small village located among the peaks of Sri Lanka’s central highlands. This sleepy village is

nestled in a valley peering straight through the Ella Gap to the plain nearly 1000m below and across

to the coastline. Apart from the mesmerizing natural views, ELLA is surrounded by hilly countryside

perfect for walks; through tea plantations, waterfalls, ancient temples and artifacts. This hidden

sanctuary with the perfect climate is probably one of the best-kept secrets of the country and is easily

accessible from the comfort of your Ella resort.

Overnight at 98 Acres Resort - Ella, Premium Deluxe Room
Day 8 Ella
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Ella

THE TEA STORY* - The Amazing Journey Into The Art Of Tea Making

Tea was introduced to Sri Lanka in the colonial era by the British and the daily practice of drinking tea is now a firmly established institution in Sri Lankan culture. The serving of tea among Sri Lankan friends and family is

a true mark of hospitality. Our unique 98 Acre tea story tour will help you get a complete understanding of how we produce tea – from start to finish. Featuring among the best places to visit in Ella, now you can take a walk in the plantation with our expert during the plucking time and admire the deft plucking of the standard ‘two leaves and a bud’. Take a moment to chat with a tea plucker, snap a picture to reminisce later, and then continue onto the factory floor to see the withering process and subsequent steps involved in making fresh tea. Continue onto a great tea tasting session at the factory and then return to the Bar 98 or Restaurant 98 to appreciate a tea cocktail, mocktail, or a delicately tea-infused dish. Immerse yourself in a never-to-be-forgotten wonderful tea experience!

Breathe in the aroma of factory fresh tea and learn how to brew a good cup of tea! By the end of the

day, you will have a good understanding of the steps involved in making quality Pure Ceylon Tea.

BIKING - Get ready for a great biking adventure at 98 Acres Resort and Spa! Ella is recognized for

being one of the best places to go biking in Sri Lanka due to its scenic location. After having a hearty

breakfast, ride through the tea plantations towards Namunukula (a distance of 13 km). – Pedal hard to

the Namunukula mountain range. – and proceed back to the resort. On the way, take a break to view

the Southerland Estate, the Nine Arch Bridge, and then ride to the Demodara Railway Station to view

the majestic Demodara railway loop. – Then head back to the resort in the evening for a well-earned

rest!

HIKING & TREKKING - The vicinity of 98 Acres Resort and Spa affords ample opportunity for hiking,

trekking, and biking. Ella is a great location for viewing some of the best natural scenery in Sri Lanka.

Must-visit locations:

LITTLE ADAM’S PEAK - Little Adam’s peak is Ella’s best-known attraction resembles Adam’s Peak

located five minutes away from the resort. A short half-hour climb to the top of the 1141 meter peak,

breath-taking views of an endless valley, tea plantations, and waterfalls

ELLA ROCK - Ella Rock is a must climb for those into hiking and trekking 7km for the starting point

(15 minutes’ drive ) then 3km hike (1.5 hrs) See spectacular views of the valley

RAVANA ELLA FALLS & CAVES - The Ravana Ella Falls is a wonderful sightseeing attraction ranks

as one of the widest falls in Sri Lanka. The waterfall measures approximately 25 meters (82 ft) in

height and cascades from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. The falls form part of the Ravana

Ella Wildlife Sanctuary (8.6 km) 20 min Drive | Walking one and half hours. Visit the nearby Ravana

cave, which according to the Indian Ramayana Epos, is famed to have held Seetha captive who was

kidnapped from India by King Ravana

SIGHTSEEING BY HELICOPTER* - Service hours are from 0630 hrs to 1800 hrs daily (subject to

weather conditions). Advance booking is recommended!

Overnight at 98 Acres Resort - Ella, Premium Deluxe Room
Day 9 Ella - Yala National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Ella - Yala National Park

Yala National Park

Sri Lanka is one of the best places in Asia for seeing wildlife. The island’s isolation from the mainland,

the heavy rainfall of the two diagonally blowing monsoons, and the country’s 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 kilometer. 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.

Overnight at Kithala Resort - Yala, Deluxe Room
Day 10 Yala - South Coast - Mirissa
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Yala - South Coast - Mirissa

Located on Sri Lanka’s picturesque South Coast, Mirissa still offers the charm of an idyllic fishing village. Enjoy walks along uncrowded beaches, still untouched by mass tourism, and be fascinated by the famous stilt fishing men. Mirissa is more than beach life. Much more. Surrounded by rubber and coconut plantations, ancient temples and spice gardens, natural sanctuaries, and exotic wildlife, Mirissa offers something for everybody.

Surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving or just sunbathing in front of one of the beach pubs.

REKAWA TURTLE WATCH

The southern golden beaches of Rekawa are known to attract several endangered species of sea

turtles; which include loggerhead, hawksbill, olive ridley, green and leatherback turtles. These five

species make their way to the stretch of untouched beach in Rekawa to lay their eggs before heading

back to the ocean.

The Rekawa Turtle Watch is a conservation project which aims at protecting the nesting sites, thereby

ensuring the eggs hatch safely and the baby turtles can return home. Travellers can embark on a

turtle watching excursion in the evenings to catch a glimpse of turtles laying their eggs.

WHALE WATCHING IN MIRISSA

Mirissa is an ideal destination for those who wish to catch a rare glimpse of those beautiful and gentle

giants of the Ocean. Situated at the southern coast of Sri Lanka from beyond MIRISSA coast lies the

Indian Ocean its vast majesty right up to the Antarctic landmass. It comes as no surprise that these

amazing marine mammals migrate through the vast and fertile stretch from December to April during

the annual breeding season. Mirissa itself is a quiet and peaceful coastal town boasting unspoiled

beaches.

Setting off from Mirissa there is up to 90% opportunity to come across Sperm whales and a pretty

good chance of sighting the Blue whale as well. There are believed to be around 26 different species

of whales traversing this region and this includes the well-loved dolphins.

SINHARAJA RAIN FOREST

The Sinharaja Forest is the last remaining primary tropical rainforest in the wet zone of Sri Lanka.

Spanning over an area of 11,250 hectares of forest land, Sinharaja Forest is bounded on the north by

the Napola Creek and Koskulana River, on the south and south-west by the Maha Creek and Gin

River, on the west by the Kalukandawa Creek and Kudawa River and on the east by an ancient

footpath near Beverley Tea Estate and by the Denuwa Mountain. The elevation of the forest varies

from 90 to 1170 meters, presenting a large diversity in plant and animal species living in the forest.

This ecological importance of Sinharaja Forest has led UNESCO to declare the forest as a World

Heritage Wilderness Area, prompting the world community to preserve this wonderful gift from nature.

Overnight at Paradise Beach Club - Mirissa, Suite
Day 11 Mirissa - Galle - Airport
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Mirissa - Galle - Airport

Depending on your schedule, you can visit historic Galle on your way back to the airport or your next

destination in Sri Lanka.

GALLE

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 losing 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.

You can spend hours exploring the famous Dutch fort, go shopping at one of the oldest markets of Sri

Lanka and the modern shopping complexes or you can enjoy the feeling of “the good old times” at

one of the colonial-style hotels and restaurants.

Drop at the airport or your next destination in Sri Lanka.

15 days tour

Ultra Deluxe Sri Lanka Tour 2024

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Ultra Deluxe Sri Lanka Tour 2024

Airport – Negombo

Negombo - Private City Tour – Canal And Lagoon Boat Trip

Negombo – Anuradhapura – Sacred Bo Tree - Sigiriya

Sigiriya – Lion Rock Fortress – Ancient Polonnaruwa – Optional Hot Air Ballooning

Sigiriya – Dambulla Rock And Cave Temples – Udawattakele Nature Sanctuary – Kandy

Kandy

Kandy – Ella Train Ride (Observation Carriage)

Ella

Ella - Yala National Park

Yala - South Coast - Mirissa

Mirissa - Galle - Airport

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