Discover the treasures of Sri Lanka with our 12-day guided tour. Immerse  yourself in the rich history and culture as you visit Katunayake,  Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Yala, Galle,  and Colombo. Enjoy scenic train rides and explore national parks, all  while experiencing the best of Sri Lanka. 

Warmly welcome to Sri Lanka! Our tour guide will pick you up from the Bandaranayke International Airport, Colombo at the scheduled hour and will be there with you throughout the stay being your guide, driver and your friend. 

Arrive at Bandaranayke International Airport and meet our representative & transfer to the hotel at Katunayake (Approximately 15 min / 6 km) from airport. 

Check in to the hotel 

Overnight stay at Katunayake.

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Morning time proceed to Negombo to visit the fish market. It is the second largest fish market in Sri Lanka. The market starts at 3:30am and is busy with vendors selling and locals bargaining on their purchases. Approximately 4,000 boats depart to sea from here daily bringing many varieties of fish. This vibrant market gives tourists the opportunity to purchase fish and meet the local fisherman. 

Then proceed to Sigiriya (Approximately 03 hours / 140 kms) from Negombo.  

Later afternoon climbs up the Sigiriya Rock Fortress also known as the “Lion Rock”.  

In 477 CE, Kashyapa, the king’s son by a non-royal consort, seized the throne from King Dathusena, following a coup assisted by Migara, the King’s nephew and army commander. The rightful heir, Moggallana, fearing for his life, fled to South India. Afraid of an attack by Moggallana, Kashyapa moved the capital and his residence from the traditional capital of Anuradhapura to the more secure Sigiriya. During King Kashyapa’s reign (477 to 495 CE), Sigiriya was developed into a complex city and fortress. Most of the elaborate constructions on the rock summit and around it, including defensive structures, palaces, and gardens, date from this period. 

Overnight stay at Sigiriya.

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Proceed to Anuradhapura for a day tour (Approximately 01 ½ hours / 70kms). Upon arrival Anuradhapura, proceed for your city tour which includes sites of the city of archaeological and historical interest including Isurumuniya - the first temple to be built in the island, Sri Maha Bodhi Tree- with an authenticated history of more than 2300  years which has been planted from a sapling from the original tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment , Ruwanveliseya - the largest stupa in the island , Jethawanaramaya and Abhayagiriya - which in their original form have been matching in size to the Great Pyramids in Giza being the tallest brick buildings in the world and have thus been declared as World Heritage Sites  , Twin Ponds, Thuparamaya- the first Stupa to be built in Sri Lanka enshrining the left collar bone of the Buddha, the Samadhi Statue - meditating posture etc. 

Overnight stay at Sigiriya. 

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Proceed to Polonnaruwa for a day tour (Approximately 01 ½ hours / 70kms). 

Polonnaruwa is another “World Heritage Site” was the Capital of Sri Lanka from 11th - 13th Centuries, contains some splendid and spectacular statues. Lankatilaka, Tivanka and Thuparama are the most beautiful and largest Image Houses and Tivanka has the best examples of frescoes of the Polonnaruwa period. RankothVehera and Kirivehera are well preserved large stupas, and Gal Vihare - a rock shrine, has four Buddha statues, two seated, one standing and one reclining and Parakrama Bahu statue are examples of Sinhalese stone carver. The Vata-da-ge is a unique creation of the Sri Lankan artists. The medieval capital, Polonnaruwa was fortified with inner & outer moats and inner & outer walls. The Parakrama Samudra is on the western side of the city. The Royal Palace, Audience Hall and other buildings in the inner city were enclosed by another tall wall. 

Overnight stay at Sigiriya.

Breakfast at the hotel. 

In the morning, proceed to visit the Dambulla Cave Temple. The Dambulla Temple is located about 30 minutes (24 km) from Sigiriya. It is the largest and best-preserved cave temple in Sri Lanka. It has been a fully functioning temple since its inception over two thousand years ago.  

The recorded history of the Dambulla Caves goes back over two thousand years to the time of   King Valagama(ruled 103 BC and again 89 BC – 77 BC). The king sort refuge amongst the monks living in these caves when he was ousted from power in 103 BC by South Indian marauders who invaded the country. After a grueling 14 year campaign Valagama finally regained control and in thanksgiving built the original vihara on this site. Since then the site has evolved organically into its present state. 

After you’re your proceed for Kandy via Matale (Approximately 02 hours / 70kms). 

On the way visit to Matale Spice Garden. 

During ancient times the Greeks, Romans and the Arabic maintained their links with Sri Lanka through the spice trade. In the 16th century Ceylon, as it was then known, was discovered by Portuguese who soon began trading in cinnamon and other spices. The Dutch and British followed bringing with them their own history and influences, forming a strong Western presence which created a history of food expressed with spices which can be tasted in the dishes today. Spices are an essential element of the cuisine of Sri Lanka and the Ayurvedic tradition and a visit to a garden specializes in the cultivation of these substances and an excellent way for purposes of new uses of certain ingredients that perhaps though they knew well. Find cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, cardamom, and black pepper, to name a few. 

Overnight stay at Kandy.

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Morning visit Temple of the Tooth Relic. The main attraction of the city and also the most sacred Buddhist establishment in Sri Lanka is where one of Buddha’s Tooth is being kept. Built in the 16th century but improvements and additions have been done to this structure until the fall of the Kandy kingdom. A golden canopy was added recently. Daily rituals are being carried out at various offering times to the shrine. A dress code applies for entering the temple. The magnificence has been enhanced by the octagonal pavilion. 

Dress code 

Wearing a white color dress is a good idea, it shows respect, but it is not mandatory. You will need to cover your knees and shoulders – and access the inner chambers barefoot or with socks. 

Continue your city tour with a visit to Peradeniya Botanical Garden. Peradeniya is one of the best botanical gardens in Sri Lanka, and one of the most beautiful in Asia. It is located just 6 km from Kandy, and has more than 300 varieties of Orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palms trees attach it is the National Herbarium. Total land mass of the botanical garden is 147 acres. In the center of the gardens is an artificial lake in the shape of the island of Sri Lanka, beside which a white-domed rotunda commemorates George Gardner, superintendent of the gardens in the mid 19th century. 

Later this afternoon, proceed to witness a cultural show is one of the most famous event / sightseeing available for the foreigners in their visit to Sri Lanka at Kandy which performing all Sri Lankan dances types in one platform. This spontaneous event upheld the Sri Lankan Folk-lore dance which prevailed from the history. It shows the uniqueness of the Sri Lankan dance performances and the drummers who are very unique to Sri Lanka. As the final event in the Cultural show, walking on fire is done with the everlasting faith towards the god. 

Overnight stay at Kandy. 

Breakfast at the hotel 

Enjoy the train ride from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya (Approximately 03 hours / 100kms). The journey from Kandy to Ella (nearest rail station to Nuwara Eliya) is considered one of the most stunning train rides in the world. On this scenic train ride from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya you will witness the city’s key attractions, colonial heritage and the beauty of Sri Lanka’s tea country. 

Evening at leisure. 

Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya.

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Morning, check out and proceed for a visit to a tea garden where in you will have a guided tour of the tea factory. 

Tea tourism has been long-established in Sri Lanka and almost every tea factory offers a tea tour of some sort. Visit a working Tea Factory and be enlightened on the tea manufacturing process. Watch the tea pickers as they nimbly climb up the mountainside with their large baskets and pick the tea leaves, then visit the factory and you will be taken around by a friendly staff member who will explain the process of fermentation, rolling, drying, cutting, sieving and grading of tea. There are machines for almost every part of the process except of course the all-important tea tasting at the end of the process to determine the quality of the tea. 

Afternoon proceed to Yala (Approximately 04 ½ hours / 170kms). 

Overnight stay at Yala.

Early morning proceed for a jeep safari at Yala National Park.  

Yala national park is being the most famous and second largest wildlife sanctuary in Sri Lanka. An area of 979 square kilometers (378 sq mi) belongs to the park  Actually, this wildlife sanctuary holds five blocks out of which two are now open to the public.​ Yala national park is best known for its variety of wild animals while the population of leopards could be considered as the most interesting feature of the park. The Ruhuna/West Park consists of 125 species of birds, some migratory and 32 species of mammals with a large density of Leopards, as high as 35, though they are sometimes difficult to spot due to their nocturnal lifestyle 

Return to your hotel for breakfast.  

After breakfast, day will be at leisure for independent activities at the resort or you may like to go for another jeep ride into the national park. 

Overnight stay at Yala. 

Breakfast at the hotel.

After a leisurely breakfast at hotel, proceed to Galle (Approximately 02 ½ hours / 150kms). 

Afternoon, proceed for city tour of the Galle city. 

Galle Fort explores this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is a spellbinding mixture of Dutch, Portuguese and British history. The tour is part driven and part walking and covers the important highlights within the fort.  This tour generally covers the whole Galle Fort area. This includes amazing views, knowledge on colonial history, interesting back stories, and detailed insights. You also get to know about the modern Sri Lankan culture and its connection with the colonial era. The main sites that you will cover in Galle are The Fort of Galle- A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Galle Museum, Galle International Cricket Stadium & Galle Lighthouse. 

Overnight stay at Galle. 

Breakfast at the hotel. 

After breakfast proceed to Colombo (Approximately 02 ½ hours / 150kms) 

This afternoon proceed for a city tour of Colombo. 

Colombo the commercial capital of Sri Lanka and the largest city in Sri Lanka. Heavily influenced by its diverse populace and its rich history, Colombo’s culture, architecture, cuisine and historical attractions make for a multi-cultural melting-pot. Colombo was probably known to Roman, Arab, and Chinese traders more than 2,000 years ago. Muslims settled there in the 8th century and controlled much of the trade between Sinhalese kingdoms and the outside world. The Portuguese arrived in the 16th century and built a fort to protect their spice trade. The Dutch captured the city in the 17th century. The British made the city the capital of their crown colony of Ceylon in 1802. 

In the evening, in time transfer to the international airport for your flight to onward destination.

Departure flight to onward destination.