Embarking on an 11-day tour of Sri Lanka and the Maldives offers an enchanting blend of rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty, beginning with the ancient wonders of Dambulla, where the majestic cave temple complex houses a remarkable collection of Buddhist frescoes and colossal statues that date back to the first century BC. From there, journey to Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital, where you can stroll among the well-preserved ruins of palaces and temples, marveling at the impressive Gal Vihara statues. Next, venture to Minneriya National Park for a thrilling safari, where the sight of elephants gathering around the seasonal reservoir is nothing short of magical, especially during the famous "Gathering." Afterward, Kandy beckons with its vibrant atmosphere and the revered Temple of the Tooth, a UNESCO World Heritage site that houses a relic of the Buddha. The tour continues to Nuwara Eliya, often referred to as "Little England" for its colonial architecture and sprawling tea estates set against verdant hills. Here, the cool climate provides a refreshing contrast to the tropical warmth elsewhere in the country, making it the perfect escape for a scenic hike or a stroll through meticulously manicured gardens. Finally, conclude your adventure in the Maldives, where pristine beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and luxurious resorts await, offering a well-deserved chance to relax and unwind amid paradise after an exhilarating cultural journey through Sri Lanka.
Hand Picked Hotels
Visit the Royal Palace and audience hall at Polonnaruwa
Game drive at Minneriya National Park in season for greatest elephants gathering
Dambulla cave temple
Temple of Tooth in Kandy
Ride the scenic train at Nuwera Eliya, considered one of the top 5 scenic train rides of the world
Visiting the world's finest tea plantations
Marvel at the serene beaches of the Maldives
6 nights accommodation in deluxe hotels in Sri Lanka
4 nights accommodation in a deluxe Resort in Maldives
Meals as mentioned in itinerary
Sightseeing program mentioned in itinerary as included
Airport transfers and hotel to hotel transfer by A/C coach
Services of experienced local tour guide during sightseeing
All land transportation mentioned in itinerary by modern A/C coaches
General entrance fees to all sites mentioned in itinerary.
All applicable taxes
International flight tickets Home city-Colombo airport + Colombo airport-Male airport + Male airport-home city or onward destination.
Travel insurance
Visa to Sri Lanka to be obtained electronically here.
Visa for Maldives, which could be obtained upon arrival for USD30
Optional tours.
Drinks with meals.
Personal expenses like phone calls, laundry, drinks with meals, shopping,... etc.
Gratuities.
Welcome to Sri Lanka, the jewel of the Indian Ocean! In accordance with Sri Lankan customs, we warmly say “Ayubowan!” to you, a traditional greeting that expresses wishes for a long life.
Upon your arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, your chauffeur guide will be there to greet you and take you to your hotel in Dambulla.
Travel Duration (from Airport to Dambulla): About 3 ½ hours.
After checking into the hotel, feel free to unwind for the remainder of the day and make use of the hotel amenities.
Lodging: Jetwing Lake or similar
Dining: Dinner
Departure is scheduled for 08:00 AM today, as you embark on a journey to discover the Medieval Capital of Polonnaruwa.
Journey Duration (Dambulla to Polonnaruwa): Roughly 1.5 hours.
Polonnaruwa, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, emerged as the capital between the 10th and 12th centuries AD following the decline of Anuradhapura. The region is characterized by grand artificial reservoirs, with the most notable being Parakrama Samudra, which surpasses Colombo harbor in size. The well-preserved monuments reveal the splendor of Sri Lanka’s history. Key attractions include the Royal Palace complex featuring the King's Palace and Audience Hall, the Quadrangle which boasts significant ancient heritage, and the remarkable Gal Vihare complex showcasing four enormous Buddha statues carved from a single granite slab—an exemplary piece of ancient Sri Lankan rock art.
After your visit, you will be taken to a charming local restaurant for lunch.
Following this, proceed to enjoy a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park.
Travel Duration (Hotel to Minneriya National Park): About 45 minutes.
Minneriya National Park spans approximately 8,889 hectares, primarily featuring species native to the dry zone. Elephants are the park's highlight, and visitors can expect to see around 160 bird species, 9 amphibian types, 25 reptile varieties, 26 fish species, and over 78 types of butterflies. This park is also home to rare bamboo trees, a unique feature of Minneriya National Park. From August to October, the park is known for the renowned Elephant Gathering, where large herds, sometimes numbering around 300 elephants, can be observed simultaneously.
After your day of exploration, return to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure.
Accommodation: Jetwing Lake or similar
Meals: Breakfast, and dinner
Your day will begin with a pickup at 9:00 AM, after which you will enjoy breakfast. Following this, your journey to Kandy will commence, with a visit to the Dambulla Cave Temple along the way.
Estimated travel time from Dambulla to Kandy is approximately 2.5 hours.
The Dambulla Cave Temple, a component of Sri Lanka's Golden Triangle, is impressively carved into a massive rock formation, rising over 160 meters above the surrounding terrain and extending more than 1.5 kilometers around its base. Known as the "Golden Temple," it gained recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. This ancient site dates back to the 3rd Century BC and is renowned as the largest and most well-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, featuring numerous cultural and religious murals and sculptures.
Upon arrival, you will check in to your hotel and have some time to unwind until the evening, when you will proceed to the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy.
The transfer from the hotel to the Temple will take about 20 minutes.
At 5:00 PM, you will visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, known locally as "Dalada Maligawa," situated in Kandy. This revered temple houses significant palm-leaf manuscripts and has a rich history that goes back to 1687. The temple is easily identifiable by its distinct octagonal shape and golden roof. While viewing the actual tooth is not possible, the casket that contains it is displayed to the public twice daily.
After your temple visit, you will enjoy a Cultural Dance Show.
Later, you will return to the hotel, where you can relax and take pleasure in the hotel’s amenities for the remainder of the day.
Accommodation: Earl's Regency or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, and dinner
The scheduled pick-up time is 08:00 am today. After enjoying an early breakfast, you will board a local train, reminiscent of the way the British traveled during the late 1800s colonial era. You will have reserved seating, allowing you to experience the scenic journey through lush forests, quaint villages, enchanting waterfalls, and tea plantations.
The train journey will commence at Kandy station, departing at 08:47 am and arriving at Nanu Oya station at 12:40 pm, taking approximately 4.5 hours.
Upon your arrival at Nanu Oya station, you will meet your chauffeur guide, who will then drive you to your hotel in Nuwara Eliya. Once you check into the hotel, you can unwind and enjoy the available amenities for the rest of the day.
Accommodation: Jetwing St. Andrews or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner.
You will be picked up at 08:30 am today, following breakfast, to embark on a visit to the Tea Plantation and Tea Factory, and to explore the stunning area of Nuwara Eliya.
Nuwara Eliya, often referred to as the ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, boasts picturesque views of mountains, valleys, waterfalls, and tea plantations. Known also as the ‘City of Lights,’ it was the British preferred hill station, who endeavored to transform it into a quintessential English town.
During your exploration of Nuwara Eliya, you will have the opportunity to visit several notable sites including the Race Course, Hill Club Hotel, Gregory Lake, Sita Amman Kovil, as well as Devon Waterfalls and St. Clair’s Waterfalls.
After your activities, you will return to the hotel to relish a delightful high tea.
Accommodation: Jetwing St. Andrews or similar
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Your pick-up is scheduled for 09:30 am. Following a relaxed breakfast, you will make your way to Negombo.
The travel duration from Nuwara Eliya to Negombo is approximately 5.5 hours.
Upon arrival, check into your hotel and unwind for the remainder of the day, taking advantage of the hotel's amenities.
Accommodation: Jetwing Beach or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner.
Upon concluding your program in Sri Lanka, you will be taken to Bandaranaike International Airport, where you will proceed to Male Airport in the Maldives.
Travel Duration (from Negombo to the airport): About 35 minutes.
Once you arrive at Male Airport, you will be transported to the luxury resort.
Lodging: Beach Bungallow at Cinnamon Velifushi or similar
Meals: Breakfast, a snack, and dinner.
Enjoy the beach and resort facilities, many entertaining options some of which are free like game room, gym, and beach sports, while some at extra charge like massage or fishing cruise.
Lodging: Beach Bungalow at Cinnamon Velifushi or similar
Meals: Breakfast, and dinner.
Enjoy the beach and resort facilities, many entertaining options some of which are free like game room, gym, and beach sports, while some at extra charge like massage or fishing cruise.
Lodging: Beach Bungalow at Cinnamon Velifushi or similar
Meals: Breakfast, and dinner.
Enjoy the beach and resort facilities, many entertaining options some of which are free like game room, gym, and beach sports, while some at extra charge like massage or fishing cruise.
Lodging: Beach Bungalow at Cinnamon Velifushi or similar
Meals: Breakfast, and dinner.
Today, at the right time for your flight, you will be transferred to Male airport for return flight.
Meals: Breakfast
