Sri Lanka Highlights
Sri Lanka Highlights
The perfect tour for the first time travellerto Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has so much to offer visitors; diverse landscapes, compelling culture, historic monuments, national parks, wildlife, sandy beaches, and delicious cuisine, there really is something for everyone. Your journey starts in the capital Colombo, then on to Sigiriya, visiting the imposing rock fortress and the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. Continue to the lakeside town of Kandy and onwards to the hill country of Nuwara Eliya, famous for its fields of emerald green tea bushes. After enjoying time on safari at Yala National Park, your tour ends with some rest and relaxation beside the beach.
Locations you will be visiting
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Colombo, Sri Lanka
Discover the sights and traditions for Colombo with this handy destination guide.
1 Day
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Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Discover the sights and traditions for Sigiriya with this handy destination guide.
2 Days
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Kandy, Sri Lanka
Discover the sights and traditions for Kandy with this handy destination guide.
1 Day
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Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Discover the sights and traditions for Nuwara Eliya with this handy destination guide.
2 Days
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Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
Discover the sight and, traditions for Yala National Park with this handy destination guide.
1 Day
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Beruwala, Sri Lanka
Discover the sights and traditions for Beruwala with this handy destination guide.
3 Days
YOUR TOUR ITINERARY
Sri Lanka Highlights
12 day Tour Itinerary
An overview of your trip
DAY 1 Fly to Colombo
Catch your scheduled flight from the UK to Colombo.
- Transport: Airplane
DAY 2 Arrive Colombo
Arrive at Colombo International Airport, where you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Remainder of the day is free at leisure. Perhaps explore Colombo’s interesting clothing, food and tea boutiques. Enjoy dinner this evening and meet your fellow travellers.
- Meals included: Dinner
DAY 3 Colombo to Dambulla and to Sigiriya
After breakfast journey towards Dambulla and the famous Dambulla Cave Temples. These cave temples have been treasured by many kings since the 1st century B.C. The temple complex houses unique drawings and exquisite cave paintings as well as 150 statues of Buddha. The exterior of the cave is adorned with a gigantic Buddha statue glittering in gold. Continue to Sigiriya.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Transport: Drive
DAY 4 Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa, Minneriya and Sigiriya
After breakfast drive to Polonnaruwa. Rising with the decline of Anuradhapura, the city of Polonnaruwa was once the medieval capital and crown jewel of King Parakramabahu I. Walk across the scattered walls of the World Heritage Site – dotted with stupas, resting Buddha statues, irrigation canals and fantastically carved Hindu sculptures. You can notice a subtle Hindu influence on the architecture and statues found in Polonnaruwa. Continue to Minneriya. Explore the wilderness of Minneriya National Park by Jeep Safari. Spreading over 8,800 hectares, this is a sanctuary for elephants, herds of deer and a variety of birdlife. Here you may witness one of the largest elephant gatherings in the world – usually over 700 at a time – which makes the park a must-see for wildlife enthusiasts across the globe.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Transport: Drive
DAY 5 Sigiriya Rock to Kandy
After breakfast visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress. The 5th century rock citadel of King Kasyapa is a World Heritage Site. It showcases ancient Sri Lankan engineering and superior urban planning skills and is also one of the finest monuments of art and culture. Step through the gigantic ‘Lion Paws’, overlooking the symmetrical royal gardens below, to appreciate the splendor that once dominated this rock fortress. Explore the museum to learn more about this incredible sight. Drive onwards to Kandy and check in at your hotel. Enjoy an afternoon stroll across this small lakeside town, with a visit to the Kandy Bazzar, an arts and crafts centre, as well as a gem museum. In the evening visit Kandy Temple and witness a fascinating cultural show. Kandy Temple, also known as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is dedicated to Buddha.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Transport: Drive
DAY 6 Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast drive to Nuwara Eliya. Today you will tour a tea plantation to see the lush green carpeted fields where Sri Lanka’s tea grows. Visit the tea factory, witness the tea making process and be sure to end your day in style over a perfectly blended cup of pure Ceylon Tea! Continue to Nuwara Eliya, travelling along misty steep roads, twisting through fields of verdant tea bushes to the renowned British colonial retreat, Nuwara Eliya. The climate here is cooler with an English countryside atmosphere. The city of light, once governed by English and Scottish planters, is still studded with colonial bungalows and hedgerows.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Transport: Drive
DAY 7 Nuwara Eliya
Day at leisure to relax and enjoy the beautiful landscapes surrounding your hotel.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8 Nuwara Eliya to Yala
After breakfast transfer from Nuwara Eliya to Yala. Yala National Park, which covers an area of 1,259 km2, consisting of grasslands, dunes and vegetation, and is home to a large variety of wildlife. Species that live here include elephant, sloth bear, spotted dear, jackal, and the park has one of the highest density of leopards in the world. It is also home to a wide-ranging and extensive population of birdlife. This afternoon enjoy a jeep safari in Yala National Park.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Transport: Drive
Note: Yala Park is closed from September to Mid October – all guests who have Yala National Park on their tour itinerary during this time will either be taken to Udawalawe National Park, Bundala National Park or Block 5 of Yala National Park.
DAY 9 Yala to Galle, Kosgoda and to Beruwala
After breakfast, transfer from Yala to Galle. Located in the south of the country, Galle is a Dutch-Portuguese colonial destination, known for its fortified old city founded by Portuguese colonists in the 16th century. The architecture reflects influences from the Portuguese, Dutch and British, and this unique heritage has been preserved for more than three and a half centuries. Explore Galle, before stopping at the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery, where eight species of turtle are known to exist, and continue towards Beruwala, a coastal town on the West Coast of the Island.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Transport: Drive
DAY 10 Beruwala
At leisure in Beruwala to unwind and relax on the beach.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 11 Beruwala
At leisure in Beruwala to relax on the beach and explore the local area.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 12 Fly to the UK
Transfer to Colombo International Airport for your flight to the UK.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Drive, Airplane
Optional Extras
Why not add a beach extension to your tour and spend a few days relaxing by the sea. If you’d like us to book you onto this, or any other excursions, please let us know when booking your tour.
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Sri Lanka: Scenic Train Journeys
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Sri Lanka: Whale Watching
Whale watching off the south coast of Sri Lanka
Sample Accommodation
Your holiday details
Departures and Prices 2024 and 2025
Single supplement from £575
Land only from £1,699
Prices and products are subject to availability at the time of booking.
This tour itinerary is also available as a Private Tour. Please ask for more details.
Sri Lanka & The Maldives: Sri Lanka Highlights
from£2,699
What's included:
- International flights in economy class
- 4★ & 5★ accommodation on twin share basis
- Transfers
- English speaking guide
- Meals as specified
- Tours as stated
- Airport taxes
- Local tips
- Personal spending
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
When making an enquiry or reservation we will request your contact details, however no payment will be required at this stage. We will contact you for payment details and to confirm your booking, your details and the details of those travelling with you along with any extras you’d like to add.
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