12 Days 11 Nights

Day 01

Airport – Galle

Galle (1st night)
Galle (formerly French: Point de Galle) is a major city in Sri Lanka, situated on the southwestern tip, 119 km (74 mi) from Colombo. Galle is the provincial capital and largest city of Southern Province, Sri Lanka and is the capital of Galle District.

Galle was known as Gimhathiththa before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century, when it was the main port on the island. Ibn Batuta, a Moroccan Berber Muslim traveller in the 14th century, referred to it as Qali. Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, during the Dutch colonial period. Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by the Portuguese in South and Southeast Asia, showing the interaction between Portuguese architectural styles and native traditions. The city was extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. The Galle fort is a World Heritage Site and is the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers.

Hotels:

3 Stars – Heritage Hotel
4 Stars – Jetwing Lighthouse
5 Stars – Araliya Hotel

Things To Do:

Galle Dutch Fort
Stilth Fishing village

Day 02

Galle – Tissa

Tissa (2nd night)
Yala National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka, bordering the Indian Ocean. The park consists of five blocks, three of which are now open to the public. There are also two adjoining parks, Kumana National Park or ‘Yala East’ and Lunugamvehera National Park. The blocks have individual names, such as Palatupana (Block 1). It is situated in the southeastern region of the country, in the Southern Province and Uva Province. The park covers 979 square kilometres (378 sq mi) and is located about 300 kilometres (190 mi) from Colombo. Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, along with Wilpattu, designated in 1938, as the first two designated national parks in Sri Lanka. The park is best known for its variety of wildlife and is important conservation of Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan leopards and aquatic birds.

Hotels:

3 Stars – EKO Safari Tissa
4 Stars – Elephant Reach Hotel
5 Stars – Jetwing Yala / Cinnamon Wild / Wild Coast

Things To Do:

Yala National Park

Day 03

Yala – Ella

Ella (3rd night)
Ella is a small town in the Badulla District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka governed by an Urban Council. It is approximately 200 kilometres (120 mi) east of Colombo and is situated at an elevation of 1,041 metres (3,415 ft) above sea level. The area has a rich bio-diversity, dense with numerous varieties of flora and fauna. Hotels:

3 Stars – Flower Garden Hotel
4 Stars – Ella Gap Hotel
5 Stars – 98 Acres Hotel

Things To Do:

9 Arche Bridge
Little Adams Peak Mountain
Mahameuna Meditation Temple
Dowa Temple
Bogoda Wooden Bridge

Day 04

Yala – Ella

Ella (4th night)
Ella is surrounded by hills covered with cloud forests and tea plantations. The town has a cooler climate than surrounding lowlands, due to its elevation. The Ella Gap allows views across the southern plains of Sri Lanka.

Hotels:

3 Stars – Flower Garden Hotel
4 Stars – Ella Gap Hotel
5 Stars – 98 Acres Hotel

Things To Do:

Ella Rock (Optional – Hard Trek)
Ravana Waterfall
Ravana Cave

Day 05

Ella – Kandy

Kandy (5th night)
Nuwara Eliya is a city in the hill country of the Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its name means “city on the plain (table land)” or “city of light”. The city is the administrative capital of Nuwara Eliya District, with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate. It is at an altitude of 1,893 m (6,128 ft) and is considered to be the most important location for tea production in Sri Lanka. The city is overlooked by Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya is known for its temperate, cool climate – the coolest area in Sri Lanka.

History

The city was founded by Samuel Baker, the explorer of Lake Albert and the upper Nile in 1846. Nuwara Eliya’s climate lent itself to becoming the prime sanctuary of the British civil servants and planters in Ceylon. Nuwara Eliya, called Little England, was a hill country retreat where the British colonialists could immerse themselves in their pastimes such as fox hunting, deer hunting, elephant hunting, polo, golf and cricket.

Hotels:

3 Stars – Queens Hotel
4 Stars – The Trees
5 Stars – Cinnamon Citadale / Grand Kandyan Hotel

Things To Do:

Kandy Tooth Relic Temple
Udawaththa Kele Sanctuary
Peradeniya Botanical Garden
Gem Museum & Factory
Batik Factory
Wood Carving Factory
Silk Factory

Day 06

Kandy – City tour

Kandy (6th night)
Kandy is a major city located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It was the last capital of the Sinhalese monarchy from 1469 to 1818, under the Kingdom of Kandy. The city is situated in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is both an administrative and religious city and the capital of the Central Province. Kandy is the home of the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988. Historically the local Buddhist rulers resisted Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial expansion and occupation.

Hotels:

3 Stars – Queens Hotel
4 Stars – The Trees
5 Stars – Cinnamon Citadale / Grand Kandyan

Things To Do:

Kandy Tooth Relic Temple
Udawaththa Kele Sanctuary
Peradeniya Botanical Garden
Gem Museum & Factory
Batik Factory
Wood Carving Factory
Silk Factory

Day 07

Kandy – Habarana – Sigiriya

Sigiriya (7th night)
Sigiriya or Sinhagiri (Lion Rock) is an ancient rock fortress located in the northern Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. It is a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of granite approximately 180 m (590 ft) high.

According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle the Cūḷavaṃsa, this area was a large forest, then after storms and landslides it became a hill and was selected by King Kashyapa (AD 477–495) for his new capital. He built his palace on top of this rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. The name of this place is derived from this structure; Siṃhagiri, the Lion Rock.

The capital and the royal palace were abandoned after the king’s death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century. Sigiriya today is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. It is one of the best preserved examples of ancient urban planning.

Hotels:

3 Stars – La-Rio Resort
4 Stars – Hotel Sigiriya
5 Stars – Heritance Kandalama / Cinnamon Lodge

Things To Do:

Sigiriya Kashyapa Lions Rock
Polonnaruwa Ancient Kingdome
Dambulla Cave Temple
Pidurangala Mountain
Minneriya National Park
Kaudulla National Park
Village Tour with Lunch & Lake Boat Ride
Ayurvedic Massage Treatment

Day 08

Sigiriya – Anuradhapura – Sigiriya

First Kingdom of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura Sri Maha Bodhiya or Bodhi Tree

Sigiriya (8th night)
Anuradhapura is one of the most sacred and historically significant cities in Sri Lanka. It served as the first capital of the ancient Sinhalese Kingdom, flourishing for more than 1,300 years. The city is renowned for its well-preserved ruins, Buddhist monuments, and spiritual heritage.

Anuradhapura is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major pilgrimage destination, symbolizing Sri Lanka’s deep Buddhist roots and proud history.

Hotels:

3 Stars – La-Rio Resort
4 Stars – Hotel Sigiriya
5 Stars – Heritance Kandalama / Cinnamon Lodge

Things To Do:

Sigiriya Kashyapa Lions Rock
Polonnaruwa Ancient Kingdome
Dambulla Cave Temple
Pidurangala Mountain
Minneriya National Park
Kaudulla National Park
Village Tour with Lunch & Lake Boat Ride
Ayurvedic Massage Treatment

Day 09

Habarana – Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa (9th night)
Poḷonnaruwa also referred as Pulathisipura and Vijayarajapura in ancient times, is the main town of Polonnaruwa District in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The modern town of Polonnaruwa is also known as New Town, and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains as the royal ancient city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa.

Hotels:

3 Stars – Giritale Hotel
4 Stars – Sudu Araliya Hotel
5 Stars –

Things To Do:

Polonnaruwa Ancient Kingdome
Minneriya National Park
Kaudulla National Park
Dimbulagala Temple
Somawathiya Temple

Day 10

Polonnaruwa – Negambo

Negambo (10th night)
Negombo is a major city in Sri Lanka, situated on the west coast and at the mouth of the Negombo Lagoon, in the Western Province, 38 km (24 mi) from Colombo via the Colombo–Katunayake Expressway and the nearest major city from the Bandaranaike International Airport (about 9 km distance).

Hotels:

3 Stars – Rani Beach Hotel
4 Stars – Jetwing Blue / Beach / Lagoon
5 Stars – Heritance Negambo

Things To Do:

Fish Market
Boat Ride in Muthurajawela Wet Land
Boat Ride in Negambo Lagoon
Boat Ride in Hamilton Canal

Day 11

Negambo – Colombo

Colombo (11th night)
Colombo is the executive and judicial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka by population. According to the Brookings Institution, the Colombo metropolitan area has a population of 5.6 million and 752,993 in the Municipality. It is the financial centre of the island and a tourist destination. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to the Greater Colombo area which includes Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, the legislative capital of Sri Lanka, and Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia. Colombo is often referred to as the capital since Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is itself within the urban/suburban area of Colombo. It is also the administrative capital of the Western Province and the district capital of Colombo District. Colombo is a busy and vibrant city with a mixture of modern life, colonial buildings and monuments.

Hotels:

3 Stars – Fairway Hotel
4 Stars – Ramada Hotel / Taj Hotel
5 Stars – Cinnamon Grand / Kingsbury Hotel

Things To Do:

City Tour
Walk on the Main Street
Visit the Tallest Tower in South Asia – Nelum Kuluna Tower

Day 12

Colombo – Airport

Located in Katunayake, approximately 35 km north of Colombo, Bandaranaike International Airport (IATA: CMB) is the main international gateway to Sri Lanka