SRI LANKA CLASSIC TOUR
SRI LANKA CLASSIC TOUR
Spend ten nights discovering stunning Sri Lanka, starting with a step into the local community and culminating with an unforgettable jeep safari, and incorporating some of Sri Lanka's finest highlights and hotels.
Journey to times past as you wander the ancient remains and World Heritage Sites of Anuradhapura and Sigiriya and discover the simplicity of modern-day life during a visit to a charming local village.
Safaris in both Minneriya and Udawalawe National Parks offer the spellbinding opportunity to spot Asian elephants in their natural habitat, while the hill country will offer calm and quietude.
With a beachside retreat as an easy addition, this ten night itinerary truly offers it all.
Safaris in both Minneriya and Udawalawe National Parks offer the spellbinding opportunity to spot Asian elephants in their natural habitat, while the hill country will offer calm and quietude.
With a beachside retreat as an easy addition, this ten night itinerary truly offers it all.
Day 1 Negombo
Upon arrival at Colombo International Airport, you'll be met and assisted by your driver - this is where the adventure begins. A swift transfer will see you at your hotel in Negombo, a sleek and modern retreat directly adjacent to the beach.
Take some time to wander the shore at your leisure or make the most of the comfortable beds and balcony or terrace in your room before meeting with your local tour guide in the evening to finalise the details of your time in Sri Lanka.
Take some time to wander the shore at your leisure or make the most of the comfortable beds and balcony or terrace in your room before meeting with your local tour guide in the evening to finalise the details of your time in Sri Lanka.
Day 2 Anuradhapura
After a peaceful night's sleep, begin your first full day in Sri Lanka with a morning tour of the fish market - this is a fantastic way to get an authentic feel for local life.
From here, continue on to the ancient capital of Anuradhapura, home to some of the world's oldest Buddhist relics. Take a step back in time as you explore this sprawling archaeological site and allow the undeniable spirituality of the city wash over and quiet your mind. If you're lucky, you might catch one of the city's frequent ceremonies.
Spend the night in a stunning boutique hotel, an architectural masterpiece that emulates the opulence of the Anuradhapura Kingdom.
From here, continue on to the ancient capital of Anuradhapura, home to some of the world's oldest Buddhist relics. Take a step back in time as you explore this sprawling archaeological site and allow the undeniable spirituality of the city wash over and quiet your mind. If you're lucky, you might catch one of the city's frequent ceremonies.
Spend the night in a stunning boutique hotel, an architectural masterpiece that emulates the opulence of the Anuradhapura Kingdom.
Day 3 Sigiriya
Enjoy an authentic breakfast at your hotel before departing for Sigiriya, stopping to admire the Aukana and Reswehera Buddha statues en route.
On arrival, embark on a tour of Sigiriya Rock Fortress, site of the royal palace of yesteryear and one of Sri Lanka's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Keep an eye out for the ingenious ancient irrigation systems and the vast lion carved into the side of the rock!
Settle into your hotel, your base for the next two nights, and familiarise yourself with some of the generous amenities on offer - including a spa and yoga sessions.
On arrival, embark on a tour of Sigiriya Rock Fortress, site of the royal palace of yesteryear and one of Sri Lanka's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Keep an eye out for the ingenious ancient irrigation systems and the vast lion carved into the side of the rock!
Settle into your hotel, your base for the next two nights, and familiarise yourself with some of the generous amenities on offer - including a spa and yoga sessions.
Day 4 Sigiriya
Today's excursion starts at mid-morning; discover the simplicity of local life during a tour of the village, during which you'll take a boat across the lake and meet the locals for an interactive Sri Lankan cooking experience.
The afternoon is reserved for a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park, home to an impressive gathering of Asian elephants.
Return to Sigiriya for the evening and enjoy the various extras your hotel has to offer from meditation classes and yoga to holistic Ayurvedic treatments.
The afternoon is reserved for a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park, home to an impressive gathering of Asian elephants.
Return to Sigiriya for the evening and enjoy the various extras your hotel has to offer from meditation classes and yoga to holistic Ayurvedic treatments.
Day 5 Kandy
Leave for Kandy after breakfast, visiting the mystifying Dambulla Cave Temple on your way. This centuries-old monastery contains an incredible 157 statues and murals that soar at over 21,000 square feet.
Once arriving in Kandy, spend the afternoon exploring the bazaar, arts and crafts market, and the Gem Museum.
Situated in Sri Lanka's central highlands, Kandy itself is one of the island's most quaint locations. The city fringes the rippling lake at its centre and is surrounded by lush forestry - a scene so lovely that it is of little wonder Sinhalese kings chose it as their capital city.
Settle into your hotel for the next two nights and discover the many amenities at your disposal. This evening, you will be treated to a cultural dance performance.
Once arriving in Kandy, spend the afternoon exploring the bazaar, arts and crafts market, and the Gem Museum.
Situated in Sri Lanka's central highlands, Kandy itself is one of the island's most quaint locations. The city fringes the rippling lake at its centre and is surrounded by lush forestry - a scene so lovely that it is of little wonder Sinhalese kings chose it as their capital city.
Settle into your hotel for the next two nights and discover the many amenities at your disposal. This evening, you will be treated to a cultural dance performance.
Day 6 Kandy
A slower second day in Kandy invites you to fully immerse in the quiet of this unusual city.
We recommend that you visit the renowned Temple of the Tooth first thing - legend tells that it houses the tooth of Lord Buddha himself.
Enjoy a leisurely stroll of the Royal Botanical Gardens. This is the finest garden in Sri Lanka and is especially regarded for its collection of orchids - just one of 4,000 species that thrive there.
Spend the afternoon at your leisure, making the most of the facilities at your hotel or perhaps heading back to the town for souvenirs.
We recommend that you visit the renowned Temple of the Tooth first thing - legend tells that it houses the tooth of Lord Buddha himself.
Enjoy a leisurely stroll of the Royal Botanical Gardens. This is the finest garden in Sri Lanka and is especially regarded for its collection of orchids - just one of 4,000 species that thrive there.
Spend the afternoon at your leisure, making the most of the facilities at your hotel or perhaps heading back to the town for souvenirs.
Day 7 Nuwara Eliya
Today you head to Sri Lanka's hill country. The trip itself is a beautiful wake-up call. Drink in the most scenic part of the island en route to Nuwara Eliya, with mountainsides coated in thick, green carpets of tea and charming waterfalls tumbling from the rocks.
Make yourself at home at your hotel, the perfect base for two nights of exploring this picturesque region of Sri Lanka, renowned for its production of tea.
Try some of the country's famous tea for yourself during your stop at a tea factory, where you'll also be introduced to the process of making the commodity.
Make yourself at home at your hotel, the perfect base for two nights of exploring this picturesque region of Sri Lanka, renowned for its production of tea.
Try some of the country's famous tea for yourself during your stop at a tea factory, where you'll also be introduced to the process of making the commodity.
Day 8 Nuwara Eliya
The day has been set aside for you to enjoy the region surrounding your hotel at your leisure.
We suggest asking the hotel for a packed, picnic breakfast to enjoy after the optional popular addition of a hike of Horton Plains. Otherwise, use your hotel as a base for visits to Lover's Leap, Aberdeen Falls, and more of the area's waterfalls.
For a truly invigorating experience, enjoy a dip in your hotel's unique Una Diya Pokuna, an outdoor pool filled with hot water.
We suggest asking the hotel for a packed, picnic breakfast to enjoy after the optional popular addition of a hike of Horton Plains. Otherwise, use your hotel as a base for visits to Lover's Leap, Aberdeen Falls, and more of the area's waterfalls.
For a truly invigorating experience, enjoy a dip in your hotel's unique Una Diya Pokuna, an outdoor pool filled with hot water.
Day 9 Udawalawe National Park
Depart for Udawalawe after breakfast, travelling through stunning Ella en route and alighting your vehicle to visit the photogenic Nine Arch Bridge and Ravana Falls.
Commissioned by the British in 1921, the Nine Arch Bridge at Demodara remains part of the functioning colonial-era railroad. Its arches soaring above the ground at around 80 feet (24.5 metres). The jungles of the hill country provide a wonderful backdrop for photographs, with occasional locomotives adding an extra splash of colour.
Ravana Falls, meanwhile, hides within the local wildlife sanctuary. It is named after the Sri Lankan king in the Indian epic Ramayana. Legend tells of a princess concealed behind its cascading waters. Today, visitors can enjoy refreshing swims in the pool at the foot of the fools; locals say that it resembles the withering petals of the Areca flower during wet season, when water flow is generous.
Later, arrive at your Udawalawe hotel for the next two nights and settle into a room styled to resemble an authentic safari hut.
Commissioned by the British in 1921, the Nine Arch Bridge at Demodara remains part of the functioning colonial-era railroad. Its arches soaring above the ground at around 80 feet (24.5 metres). The jungles of the hill country provide a wonderful backdrop for photographs, with occasional locomotives adding an extra splash of colour.
Ravana Falls, meanwhile, hides within the local wildlife sanctuary. It is named after the Sri Lankan king in the Indian epic Ramayana. Legend tells of a princess concealed behind its cascading waters. Today, visitors can enjoy refreshing swims in the pool at the foot of the fools; locals say that it resembles the withering petals of the Areca flower during wet season, when water flow is generous.
Later, arrive at your Udawalawe hotel for the next two nights and settle into a room styled to resemble an authentic safari hut.
Day 10 Udawalawe National Park
Wake up bright and early for a morning safari in Udawalawe National Park, energised by a hearty breakfast. While elephants will be the star of the show, a range of other animals such as leopards, deer and crocodiles also call this park home.
Later in the afternoon, visit the Elephant Transit Home, a wildlife protection facility within the park established in 1995 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation, to witness the adorable sight of the babies being fed.
*An optional additional safari in Udawalawe is available upon request.
Later in the afternoon, visit the Elephant Transit Home, a wildlife protection facility within the park established in 1995 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation, to witness the adorable sight of the babies being fed.
*An optional additional safari in Udawalawe is available upon request.
Day 11 Beach Or Depart
After breakfast your driver will arrive to accompany you either back to the international airport to your choice of beach hotel to continue your trip.
What's Included:
> Local Fish Market
> Anuradhapura city tour
> Aukana and Reswehera Buddha Statues
> Sigiriya Rock Fortress
> Village tour with Sri Lankan Cooking experience
> Dambulla Cave Temple
> Kandy city tour
> Cultural Dance performance
> Temple of the Tooth
> Royal Botanical Garden
> Tea plantation and factory visit
> Nine Arch Bridge & Ravana Falls in Ella
> 1 Half day safari in Udawalawe National Park
> Elephant Transit Home
> Local Fish Market
> Anuradhapura city tour
> Aukana and Reswehera Buddha Statues
> Sigiriya Rock Fortress
> Village tour with Sri Lankan Cooking experience
> Dambulla Cave Temple
> Kandy city tour
> Cultural Dance performance
> Temple of the Tooth
> Royal Botanical Garden
> Tea plantation and factory visit
> Nine Arch Bridge & Ravana Falls in Ella
> 1 Half day safari in Udawalawe National Park
> Elephant Transit Home
Add to your experience in Sri Lanka and extend your holiday with a few days by the coast in Galle, Hambantota or Trincomalee, or venture over to India or the Maldives for further adventure.
