We Love —
- Discover Sri Lanka on a private tour with immersive excursions and an English-speaking guide.
- Explore the beauty of Sri Lanka's off the beaten track by visiting the gems of Northern Sri lanka: Jaffna area.
- Tease your taste buds with colourful and tasty cuisine, for a truly exotic holiday!
"You'll love exploring Sri Lanka in-depth and learning more about the sublime Sri Lankan culture thanks to the included guide. You will be amazed by the unspoilt nature and beautiful beaches of the island, a complete change of scenery guaranteed!"
Your Itinerary in Brief —
Whether you opt for 14, 16 or 18 nights, you're in for a magical experience on this tour. From the magnificent Peradeniya Botanical Gardens to a train ride on one of the world's most beautiful railways, via the unmissable Lion Rock, a whole series of sumptuous landscapes await you
Your itineraries:
14-night tour:
Day 1: Colombo
Day 2: Udawalawe
Day 3: Ella
Days 4-5: Kandy
Day 6: Sigiriya
Days 7-9: Trincomalee
Days 10-11: Jaffna
Day 12: Anuradhapura
Days 13-14: Waikkal
16-night tour:
Day 1: Colombo
Day 2: Udawalawe
Day 3: Ella
Days 4-5: Kandy
Day 6: Sigiriya
Days 7-9: Trincomalee
Days 10-11: Jaffna
Day 12: Anuradhapura
Days 13-16: Waikkal
18 night-tour:
Day 1: Colombo
Day 2: Udawalawe
Day 3: Ella
Days 4-5: Kandy
Day 6: Sigiriya
Days 7-8-9: Trincomalee
Days 10-11: Jaffna
Day 12: Anuradhapura
Days 13-18: Waikkal
Ready to fly away with us?
Your Itinerary in Detail —
Days 1 - 5
Ayubowan, welcome to Sri Lanka!
Day 1: Colombo (35 km)
Colombo is the capital and largest city of Sri Lanka, an island nation located in the Indian Ocean off the southern coast of India. It is a bustling and vibrant metropolis with a rich history, diverse culture, and a mix of modern and colonial architecture.
The city has a mix of modern and colonial architecture, reflecting its history under various colonial powers. Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences can be seen in buildings like the Colombo Dutch Hospital, the Old Parliament Building, and the Galle Face Green promenade.
Colombo offers a range of attractions for both locals and tourists. Some notable landmarks include the Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square, the National Museum of Colombo, and the Viharamahadevi Park.
- Airport transfer
- Dinner
- Overnight hotel stay
Day 2: Udawalawe
Udawalawe is a popular national park located in the southern part of Sri Lanka. It is renowned for its abundant wildlife, particularly elephants, and offers visitors the opportunity to experience Sri Lanka's natural beauty and diverse ecosystems.
The park is best known for its elephant population. Udawalawe is home to a large number of Asian elephants, and it is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. Other wildlife species found in the park include sambar deer, spotted deer, water buffalo, wild boar, crocodiles, various species of monkeys, and a diverse range of bird species.
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Overnight hotel stay
Optional: Visit Udawalwe National Park
Day 3: Ella
Eth Athuru Sevana is located in Udawalawa and is an elephant transit home set up in 1995 as a pilot project by the Department of Wildlife Conservation to care for abandoned babies until they are able to reproduce. The orphans at the Elephant Transit Home can only be seen at mealtimes, i.e. 9am, 12pm, 3pm and 6pm. At these times, they can be observed from the observation platform for around twenty minutes, while they are fed milk.
- Breakfast
- Visit Elephant transit house
- Dinner
- Overnight hotel stay
Days 4-5: Kandy
Kandy is a historic and culturally significant city located in the central part of Sri Lanka. It is known for its rich heritage, beautiful landscapes, and religious importance. Kandy is nestled amidst lush hills and is situated about 115 kilometers (71 miles) northeast of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. The city is surrounded by picturesque tea plantations, serene lakes, and verdant mountains.
Kandy holds a special place in Sri Lankan history and culture. It was the last capital of the ancient Sinhalese kingdom and served as a stronghold against colonial powers. The city's cultural significance is reflected in its UNESCO World Heritage Site status, awarded to the Sacred City of Kandy in 1988.
- Breakfast
- Nanu Noya train journey
- Visit to a tea plantation and factory in Nuwara Eliya
- Visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth
- Kandy's Tuk-Tuk tour
- Dinner
- Overnight hotel stay
Days 6 - 11
Day 6: Sigiriya
Sigiriya, also known as the "Lion Rock," is an ancient rock fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka. It is one of the island's most iconic and impressive historical sites, known for its architectural marvels, stunning frescoes, and breathtaking panoramic views.
- Breakfast
- Visit Matale Ayurvedic Village
- Visit the Golden Temple of Dambulla
- Dinner
- Overnight hotel stay
Days 7-9: Trincomalee
Trincomalee, often referred to as "Trinco," is a coastal city located on the northeastern coast of Sri Lanka. It is known for its beautiful beaches, natural harbors, historical sites, and cultural diversity. Trincomalee is situated on a peninsula between the Trincomalee Bay and the Indian Ocean. It is strategically located along major sea routes and is home to one of the world's largest natural harbors.
The city boasts pristine white-sand beaches and clear blue waters. Some of the well-known beaches in Trincomalee include Nilaveli Beach and Uppuveli Beach, both popular for swimming, snorkeling, diving, and other water sports.
- Breakfasts
- Visit the fortress of Sigiriya
- Dinners
- Overnight hotel stays
Optional: Jeep safari in Minneriya National Park. These national parks in Habarana are the best places in the country to see wild elephants, which are often present in large numbers.Optional: Boat trip to Pigeon Island. This 3-hour adventure gives you the opportunity to get a clear view of the marine life that inhabits the shallow waters off Nilaveli. Admire the colourful corals and lively schools of silver fish. Renowned as Sri Lanka's snorkelling paradise, Pigeon Island is one of the country's two marine national parks. It is home to magnificent coral reefs, many exotic species of fish and other marine life.
Days 10-11: Jaffna
Jaffna is a historic city located in the northern part of Sri Lanka. It is the capital of the Northern Province and has a unique cultural and historical significance. Jaffna has a rich heritage, influenced by various cultures, and is known for its vibrant community, distinct cuisine, and iconic landmarks. Jaffna is known for its Hindu temples, which hold religious and cultural importance for the local Tamil community. The Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, with its elaborate architecture and colorful festivals, is one of the most revered Hindu temples in the region.
- Breakfast
- Visit Nagadeepa Island
- Crab cooking class in the evening and tasting of dishes during dinner
- Overnight hotel stay
Days 12 - 13 or more
Day 12: Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura is an ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is one of the island's most important historical and cultural centers, known for its ancient ruins, sacred sites, and rich archaeological heritage.
Anuradhapura is home to several remarkable landmarks, including Jetavanaramaya, Ruwanwelisaya, Thuparamaya, Abhayagiri Monastery, Isurumuniya and Samadhi Buddha Statue.
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Overnight hotel stay
Optional: Visit to the main site of Anuradhapura. Sri Lanka's first capital, founded in 5 BC according to the first ancient Sinhalese chronicle, Mahavansa. Anuradhapura was a prime example of a hydraulic civilisation. The distinctive feature of Buddhist Sri Lanka is the stupas, which housed relics of the Buddha and were objects of worship. Anuradhapura is dotted with these stupas and picturesque lakes, which exert an irresistible charm on visitors. The programme lasts 1 to 2 hours.
Day 13: Waikkal
Waikkal is a coastal town located in the Gampaha District of the Western Province in Sri Lanka. It is situated along the western coastline of the island, near the larger town of Negombo. Waikkal is known for its serene beaches, scenic landscapes, and proximity to natural and cultural attractions. Waikkal is famous for its picturesque beaches with golden sands and clear blue waters. The tranquil and relatively less crowded beaches make it a peaceful destination for relaxation and seaside activities.
While Waikkal itself is primarily known for its natural beauty, it is located within reasonable driving distance of cultural and historical attractions in the surrounding region, including Negombo and Colombo.
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Overnight hotel stay
Optional: Safari in Wilpattu National Park.
Wilpattu is one of Sri Lanka's oldest national parks. It is located in the dry lowland area of Sri Lanka's north-west coast. The unique feature of this park is the existence of "Willus" (natural lakes). As the park lies in a dry zone, rainfall is highly seasonal.
The park is characterised by the fact that the majority of its surface area is covered by dense forest. Large mammals include elephants, leopards, sloth bears, water buffalo and spotted deer. The coastal belt and willus are home to an abundance of birdlife, including painted storks, white ibises, open-billed, whistling and green-winged teals. There are also snake eagles, snowshoe drongo, Malabar hornbills, cormorants and kingfishers.
Days 14-18: Waikkal
Please note: If you are arriving overnight at the airport and wish to take advantage of early check-in and breakfast at the hotel on the day of your arrival, you will need to take the early check-in option on page 2, otherwise the room will be available at 2pm.
Your Hotels —
Hand-Picked Just For You
Maximum room capacity
During the tour, you will stay in Standard or Superior Rooms in hotels selected especially for you.
Your hotels:
- Colombo: Radisson Colombo (or similar)
- Udawalawe: Centauria Wild (or similar)
- Ella: Heavens Edge (or similar)
- Kandy: Radisson Kandy (or similar)
- Sigiriya: Hotel Sigiriya (or similar)
- Trincomalee: Trinco Blu by Cinnamon (or similar)
- Jaffna: Fox Resort (or similar)
- Anuradhapura: Rajarata Hotel (or similar)
- Waikkal: Club Hotel Dolphin (or similar)
Your dining choices
This is a half board stay (breakfast and your evening meal served in the main buffet restaurant - excludes drinks). Please see the details section for further information about your board basis conditions.
Your Optional Excursions —
Udawalawe Safari
Udawalawe lies to the south of the island's central hills, and surrounds the man-made Udawalawe Reservoir, which forms part of the park. It is a mixture of abandoned teak plantations, scrubby jungle and grassland. The dry season is the best time to see the many herds of elephants that roam the park between May and September. Almost the entire park is covered in tall Pohon grass, which grows all year round. Udawalawe is a superb place to watch elephants and it is estimated that 450 elephants live here.
Safari in Minneriya National Park
Discover one of the most beautiful national parks to admire wild elephants! You can also see a large number of birds, as well as macaques, crocodiles, buffalo and the much sought-after leopard, which is rarely seen. Scrub, forest, wetlands... The immersion is total and truly magical. One thing's for sure, you're going to love it! Between August and September, you can also attend the annual elephant gathering at Minneriya.
Pigeon Island
Pigeon Island National Park is one of Sri Lanka's two marine national parks. The national park is located 1 km off the coast of Nilaveli, a coastal town in the Eastern Province. The name of the island comes from the rock pigeon that colonised it. The national park contains some of the best remaining coral reefs in Sri Lanka.
Anuradhapura Site Visit
Anuradhapura is an ancient city in the north of Sri Lanka, now known as Anuradhapura. It was the first capital and the political, religious and cultural centre of the island for over a thousand years, from the 4th century BC to the 10th century AD. Anuradhapura was an important centre of civilisation and Buddhism in the region, and is home to some of the oldest and best-preserved Buddhist monuments in Sri Lanka.
Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu National Park is one of Sri Lanka's largest national parks, located in the north-western province of the island. It is renowned for its diverse wildlife, spectacular scenery and the many lakes (or 'willus') that dot the region. Wilpattu is also one of the country's oldest national parks, with a history dating back to the time of King Vijaya in the 3rd century BC.
Your Journey to Sri Lanka —
Flights:
You will be able to choose your airline and flight times when you make your booking. This flight may include one or more stopovers. The stopover may be technical (without a change of aircraft) or transit (with a change of aircraft).
Luggage information
Baggage, meals and other services on board certain flights may be subject to a charge. You will find out whether your airfare includes baggage when you choose your airline and timetable. If your fare does not include baggage, please go to the airline's website before your departure with your travel file reference to find out the exact fare and purchase your extra baggage. If you choose a low-cost airline, you will be able to add your baggage during the booking process. For domestic flights, airlines do not always offer the option of reserving baggage, so you will have to pay for it at the airport counter. You will receive all the information you need to check in for your flights after you have made your reservation.
Your Destinations —
Sri Lanka
With 8 Unesco World Heritage Sites to be found on such a small area of land and a 2,000 year old culture, Sri Lanka is as fascinating as it is beautiful. A destination that is often skipped by many a traveller on their trips to India or Asia, Sri Lanka remains one of the Indo-Asian best kept secrets. Visit its ancient sites and marvel over its legendary temples, or see the sacred home of the world’s oldest living tree, Anuradhapura.
Take a tour in one of Sri Lanka’s national parks to encounter elephants, leopards, water buffaloes, and exotic birds, or spend the day relaxing on the dazzlingly white, often untrodden, beaches. Try your hand at a little surfing or retreat up into the Sri Lankan hills to experience a more temperate climate and the lavish greenery of the tea plantations. In addition, you can even trek through the rainforests with an experienced guide or just take in the breathtaking vistas on a spectacular train ride. With fabulously flavoursome food and a vast array of culturally rich experiences to delve into, Sri Lanka promises to be one of your best-loved travel destinations, where the charm of the people will simply enchant you.