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Island Explore Tour - 10 Days / 9 Nights
A full and detailed sightseeing tour of Sri Lanka in a relaxed fashion will require an itinerary lasting about 9/10 days. Our Island Explore Tour is includes visits to all of the major attractions and places of interest.
NOTE: This is an independent tour and can tailor to your specific needs.
| Period | Accomodation Type | single person traveling | Two persons traveling | Three persons traveling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01.05.08 - 30.04.09 | Moderate Style Hotels | USD 1,480.00 | USD 1,739.00 | USD 2,096.00 |
| 01.05.08 - 30.04.09 | First Class Hotels | USD 1,802.00 | USD 2,157.00 | USD 2,626.00 |
Cost includes:
Day 1: Colombo
Upon arrival at the Colombo airport, you will be met by our Driver/Guide and transfer to the Ceylon Continental Hotel in Colombo.
Your itinerary begins in the afternoon with a city tour, taking in the delights of this vibrant and fascinating city, which contrasts its blend of east and west and its colonial past and thriving present.
Dinner & Overnight at the Ceylon Continental Hotel
Day 2: Colombo - Sigiriya
Following breakfast we depart for Sri Lanka’s famous cultural triangle visiting en route the elephant orphanage at Pinnawela, where young and abandoned elephants are cared for before their release back in to the wild. The herd usually numbers no less than 50 elephants ranging from babies to the hefty adults and you are invited to watch feeding and then to follow the herd as it is led down to the river as they bathe and play.
The rest of your day is at leisure.
Accomodation at the Heritance Kandalama / Hotel Sigiriya
Day 3: Sigiriya Rock - Polonnaruwa
After breakfast we visit the world heritage site rock fortress of Sigiriya, the 5th century ‘Lion Rock’ which climbs 200 metres from the jungle floor. At its base the surrounding moat and ramparts protects this ancient fortress with its extensive gardens, stone mirror wall and ancient paintings.
In the afternoon we travel the short distance to Polonnaruwa the medieval capital of Sri Lanka. Polonnaruwa rose to prominence after the decline of Anuradhapura. It remained the capital from the 10th to the 12th centuries AD and boasts many ancient ruins and sites. During your stay here you should not miss the Gal Vihare complex with its three fine sculptures of a seated, standing and recumbent Buddha.
Accomodation at the Heritance Kandalama / Hotel Sigiriya.
Day 4: Sigiriya - Kandy
After breakfast we head south to Kandy, the last independent kingdom of the Singhalese kings. En route we visit the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples at Dambulla. Built in the 1st century BC this world heritage site is made up of five caves with in excess of 2,000 square metres of painted walls and ceilings. This is the largest area of cave painting to be found anywhere in the world. Arrive in Kandy with an afternoon tour encompassing the most beautiful of all Sri Lankan cities, with its colonial buildings situated around the man-made lake. On the banks of the lake, you will see one of the most important sites for Buddhists, the Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic. Later, enjoy an evening performance of Sri Lankan cultural dance.
Accomodation at the Earl’s Regency Hotel / Hotel Suisse
Day 5: Kandy - Nuwara Eliya
Following breakfast, we travel the short journey south to Peredeniya on the banks of the Mahaweli Ganga to the Royal Botanical Gardens. The gardens were first planted and laid out for King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha (1747-1780) and cover some 150 acres with lawns, flowering shrubs and in excess of 10,000 trees and 4,000 plant species. During British rule in 1821, the Royal Gardens became a botanical garden. Here, exotic crops such as coffee, tea, rubber and cinchona (quinine) were all tested and now form a large part of Sri Lanka’s economy.
We continue our journey south into ‘up country’ and the hill resort of Nuwara Eliya, where, at 5,199 ft above sea level, we experience a perennial spring-like climate. This area is famed for its tea plantations, cascading waterfalls and its colonial buildings many resembling old English cottages. We visit a typical Sri Lankan tea plantation and a working tea factory.
Accomodation at the Grand Hotel
Day 6: Horton Plains
After breakfast an excursion to the Horton Plains; the most beautiful plateau in Sri Lanka. The variety of its manifold tropical and sub-tropical flowers, plants, bushes, trees, birds, and butterflies are remarkable. A walk over the plateau to World’s End, considered the finest view in all of Sri Lanka, is a must, here the terrific escarpment drops vertically for about 1500 m. On a clear day one can see the Indian Ocean about 80 km to the south. Today you will also visit a tea factory where you will learn in details, how the green tea leaves are treated to become high quality Ceylon Tea and some beautiful water falls en route.
Accomodation at the Grand Hotel
Day 7: Nuwara Eliya - Yala
After breakfast we continue to drive south towards Yala. The Yala National Park covers approximately 1,259 sq km and stretches across the South East of Sri Lanka. The park varies in terrain from dense jungle, open parkland, rocky outcrops, waterholes and lakeland. There are various animal species including leopards and large numbers of elephants. On arrival in Yala we take a jeep safari into the National Park.
Accomodation at the Yala Village
Day 8 & 9: Bentota
After breakfast leave for Bentota (245km – transfer time approx. 5 hours) for two nights beach stay en route visiting the Old Dutch city of Galle.
Galle The port of Galle, throughout by some to be the Biblical city of Tarshish, splendidly illustrates the solidity of the Dutch presence in Sri Lanka. The 36-hectare (89 acre) Dutch Fort, built in 1663, has withstood the ravages of time. Its massive ramparts surround the promontory that forms the older part of Galle, and shelters within its walls sturdy Dutch houses, museums and churches. This area has a quiet, relaxed atmosphere that seems almost detached from the flow of history. The New Oriental Hotel, built for Dutch governors in 1684, is a colonial gem with a wonderfully atmospheric bar. Nearby is a tiny sliver of a beach suitable for a dip, though most travellers prefer to head along the coast to the fine beaches at Unuwatuna, Weligama and Tangalla.
Accomodation at the Bentota Beach Hotel/ Hotel Serendib
Day 10: Bentota - Airport
After breakfast transfer to the Airport for the connecting Flight. (Departure)
