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Discover the Best of Sri Lanka tours are the best of the diverse regions of the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean". Like discovering the ancient cities in the cultural triangle, summiting Lion Rock in Sigiriya, majestic views from Little Adam's Peak and the Nine Arch Bridge, and exploring Galle Fort. The historical Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

The best is also a hands-on cooking class in a local Sri Lankan home, a traditional cultural show, elegant high tea, sunrise yoga, and your feet in the sand on the beautiful beaches and hiking through the tea plantations and villages in Nuwara Eliya. Majestic train ride via the tea plantations and misty mountains.  In fact, we think the best is doing all that and more in our Discover the Best of Sri Lanka tour. 

Explore the highlights of Sri Lanka - from ancient cities and scenic landscapes to cultural experiences and relaxing beaches. 

Why Sri Lanka Escapes?

We Include Accommodation:

Hotel options 

• Comfortable 3-star hotels, double share with private ensuite bathroom

• Elegant 4-star hotels are available on request for a touch of extra luxury

• Optional 3 - 4 star hotel mix

• Single supplement available on request

 We Include Transport & Guide:

• Smooth, hassle-free return airport transfers

• Friendly, professional English-speaking chauffeur/guide to make your journey effortless

• Spacious, air-conditioned vehicle for relaxing travel

• Refreshing bottled water daily

 We Include Meals:

• Delicious daily breakfast and dinner (breakfast  -  beach hotels)

• 4-star upgrade: gourmet daily breakfast included

 We Include Experiences:

• Exciting wildlife elephant safari with park entry, 4x4 jeep adventure, and expert tracker

• Scenic, memorable train ride through lush tea country (subject to class availability)

• Relaxing Ayurvedic massage and vibrant cultural dance performance

• Authentic traditional cooking class in a local home

• Charming visits to local farm villages, rice paddies, with a hands-on lunch experience

• Invigorating spice garden walk with wellness talk

We Include Trip Highlights:

• Explore UNESCO sites Sigiriya Lion Rock, Dambulla Cave Temple

• Temple of the Tooth Relic

• Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam’s Peak, Tea plantations & factory to

• Visit Ancient Cities, Negombo Fishing Village

• Royal Botanical Garden, Cultural Show

• Waterfalls viewpoints, Treks & hidden gems

• Gem Museum visit, walk the Local markets & local villages

• Turtle Hatchery, Historical Galle Fort

• Traditional curd/treacle and exotic fruit tasting on tour

• Tea shops & refreshing King coconut stops

We are an Australian Boutique agency, happy to customise a Dream itinerary for your family and friends.  With our wealth of experience, our local team in Sri Lanka, is here to offer a personal and unique unforgettable experience in Sri Lanka. 

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​*Itineraries may vary slightly and are subject to availability. Flights are not included.

Optional extras:   

All UNESCO Monument & optional entrance fees will be paid directly by the client on the day, we will visit these during your tour as these are all optional,  you can decide on the day if you wish to enter.

UNESCO Sites/Visits and UNESCO-qualified guides

All temples and sights are optional and on the day you decide if you wish to enter.

 ·      Dambulla Cave Temple

·       Sigiriya Lion Rock

·       Polonnaruwa

·       Anuradhaphura

·       Mihintale

·       Royal Botanical Garden

·       Temple of the Tooth Relic

·       High Tea in Nuwara Eliya

Arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport Colombo where a representative of Sri Lanka Escapes will welcome you.  Let your adventure and journey begin.

Acclimatize yourself with Sri Lanka, transfer to your hotel after a late flight arrival.

Mid morning after a leisurely breakfast, you will meet by your experienced Chauffeur/Guide who will be with you for the duration of the trip. He is a local with exceptional years of experience and knowledge and is very excited to show his beautiful country.

Enjoy a city tour of Colombo with optional visits to Gangaramaya Temple, Revered Buddhist Temple, Independence Memorial Hall, National Museum of Colombo, Red Mosque Pettah, Sri Ponnambalavaneswarar Temple it is Oldest Hindu Temple. Optional visit to Lotus Tower which is the highest tower in South of Sri lanka.

Includes: Breakfast/Dinner

Colombo CIty Tour

After a leisurely breakfast, we drive to Belihuloya and the beauty of Sri Lanka. This is a four and half hour drive and along the way, we stop on the way to see beautiful temples and spectacular viewpoints on the way.Belihuloya is a village in the Ratnapura District, of Sri Lanka south-east of Colombo.

This hillside location is a climatically transitional area, linking both the dry and wet zones and the hill and low country. We reach the hotel in the evening and relax.

Include Breakfast/Dinner

Belihuloya

View points

Waterfalls

Belihuloya is one of Sri Lanka’s hidden gems and is adorned with several unique and unforgettable nearby attractions, making it a hotspot for those who take a keen interest in nature and adventure.

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​Today we will visit Baker’s Bend is situated in upper side of the Non Pareil Estate bordering famous wildlife reserve Horton plains. Wonderful view of low lands towards the Indian Ocean, including the Samanala Wewa Reservoir is possible on a clear day from this view point, which is more than 1700m( 5000 feet) above sea level. This picturesque bend is surrounded by some beautiful mountains of the World's End Mountain Range.

We will also visit the scenic waterfall Pahanthudawa Waterfall and then proceed to see village life around Belihuloya. Walk through rice fields and beautiful nature and meet the locals. End the day with a nice swim in a natural pool.

Includes Breakfast/Dinner

Belihuloya

Bakers Bend

Pahanthudawa waterfall

Rice fields

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This morning after a leisurely breakfast, we will visit the Bambarakanda Waterfall, the tallest one in Sri Lanka with a height of 263m. 

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We continue to Haputale, a small town on the southern edge of the Sri Lankan hill country. On a clear day you can see the coastline from the mountain ridge, but on other days thick mist clings onto the deep green mountains, tea fields, we stop at local Markets and feel the real life of Sri Lankans going about their day giving you a surreal experience of being surrounded by clouds. Explore the stunning surroundings of Haputale during your travels 

Optional visit to Lipton Seat via tuk tuk.  Lipton's Seat is a high observation point in the hills of Poonagala. Located on the top of the town's namesake, Poonagala Hill, it is also near the Dambatenne.

We continue to Ella and arrive at your hotel late afternoon and relax. 

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Includes Breakfast/Dinner

Bambarakanda Waterfall

Haputale

Lipton Seat

After a leisurely breakfast, we walk through a beautiful path to see the Nine Arch Bridge, a connection of two mountains and also known as the ‘Bridge in the Sky’.  This bridge is 300 feet in length, 25 feet in width and 80-100 feet in height.  It is an amazing example of colonial era railway in Sri Lanka and this is located in Demodara and happens to be one of the best places to visit in Ella. 

Little Adam's Peak is an easy walk to reach the viewpoint. Climbing up the Little Adams Peak in Ella is one of the favourite activities of the tourists on their Sri Lankan holiday with majestic views and photo opportunities – it is only a leisurely 2 hour walk. Enjoy the view over the valley.

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The whole journey is very pleasing while passing through the local villages and tea plantations. End the day and back to the hotel via a scenic road.

Includes Breakfast/Dinner

Nine Arch Bridge

Little Adams Peak

After a leisurely breakfast, we depart on the famous scenic train to Nuwara Eliya.  The train ride to Nuwara Eliya powers down through Sri Lanka's southern hill country, crossing the tea plantations before it winds up and disappears into the clouds, weaving in and out of the many mountain tunnels as it finally descends to Nuwara Eliya giving you the opportunity to soak in the mystic vibes and cherish the beauty of slow travel.

Arrive at Nuwara Eliya and take a city tour and experience a few viewpoints before we go to the majestic Grand Hotel and enjoy the grand style and class of hotel and visit the Hill Club known as the Gentleman club dating back in time with an Optional traditional English High Tea. Transfer to your hotel followed to relax.   

Includes Breakfast/Dinner

Majestic Train ride

Nuwara Eliya city tour

The Horton Plains National Park is a beautiful highland plateau situated at an elevation of 2100 -2300m (6,900-7,500ft) above sea level.It was declared as a World Heritage site in 2006.

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An optional hike in Horton Plains National Park, entrance to be paid on the day by the client. Walks and hikes are 3 - 4 hours with an 8km circuit track. Horton Plains is a beautiful, stark world with excellent hikes in the shadows of Sri Lanka’s second and third-highest mountains.

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An optional hike to Lovers Leap waterfall and Single Tree Hill, with breathtaking views

Includes Breakfast/Dinner

Horton Plains

Lovers Leap waterfall

After a leisurely breakfast, we will visit Ramboda known for its marvellous landscapes, consisting of highlands, ridges, plains, streams and hilly mountains and see the scenic Ramboda waterfall.  

Sri Lanka formerly known as Ceylon is famous for its quality tea. Nuwara Eliya is Sri Lanka’s lush tea growing region, founded by the British explorer Samuel Baker in 1846 continues to give us the experience of the British colonial past with fully operational tea plantations.  

En-route we will see local families of generation to generation working in the fields of rolling hills,  picking the tea leaves manually by hand.  We will visit a real time Tea processing factory to see how the tea is produced as there are many still in full operation today giving you an opportunity to taste the delights of fresh tea and opportunity to buy to take home for family and friends.    Arrive at your hotel and relax.

Includes Breakfast/Dinner

Ramboda Waterfall

Tea Plantations

After a leisurely breakfast,  we will visit one of the most stunning gardens, The Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya . In 1821 the park was under British rule and it then became known as the Botanical Garden. Here, exotic crops such as nutmeg, tea, rubber, coffee, and cinchona are all unique and important to the country of Sri Lanka. The gardens also include a beautiful orchid house and a wide variety of plant species from all over the world.

Visit the Town of Kandy and walk among the local streets to experience local shopping.  Visit the Gem Museum to see how the gems are cultivated from beginning to end. Sri Lanka is known as one of the largest gem producers in the world and wonder the streets of Kandy.

Includes Breakfast/Dinner

The Royal Botanical Garden

Kandy city tour

After breakfast, enjoy the morning we visit the Gem Museum to see how the gems are cultivated from beginning to end. Sri Lanka is known as one of the largest gem producers in the world and wonder the streets of Kandy.

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Early evening we will attend the Sri Lankan traditional cultural show and watch the beautiful locals dancing in a rainbow of colorful Cultural costumes as they perform their dances in grace and style.

We will then take a visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. This was founded back in the 16th century, it housed one of the most sacred relics of Buddhism – a tooth of Buddha collected from his funeral pyre, which is now protected within the gold-roofed Temple of the Tooth.

Includes Breakfast/Dinner.

Gem Museum

Sri Lankan Cultural Show

Temple of the Tooth

After our leisurely breakfast, we drive to Sigiriya we will stop at Matale and visit the unique Spice garden growing a large variety of spices  Enjoy an informative talk about all the spices by a local qualified educational guide who explains all the natural remedies an opportunity to try and take spices and remedies home to enhance your health and wellness regime. 

We will visit Nalanda Gedige is an ancient complete stone temple near Matale and its original site is considered the geographical centre Sri Lanka. The building was constructed between the 8th and 10th centuries. 

An optional visit to Muttuariamman Temple in Matale was built in 1874.  This temple is used by both Hindus and Buddhists. The temple was originally a small statue under a tree prayed to by the Hindu people but has been developed by the people in Matale.

Dambulla was named a UNESCO World Heritage site for its Buddhist caves perched at the top of a hill. A bonus is the beautiful panoramic view that you get of the surrounding area.

Visit the stunning Cave Temples of Dambulla, built by King Valagamba back in the 1st century BC. Dambulla is named a UNESCO World Heritage site for its Golden Buddhist caves perched at the top of a hill. It is worth the climb to see the 5 caves and stunning temples filled with over 150 colorful religious statues and paintings while experiencing the beautiful panoramic views. The monastic ensemble of Dambulla is an outstanding example of the religious art and expression of Sri Lanka and South and Southeast Asia.

Then we can take a stroll through the Dambulla local produce Market and discover new fruits and vegetables.  Afternoon,  arrive at your hotel and time to relax. 

Includes Breakfast/Dinner

Matale Spice Garden

Muttuariamman Temple

Cave Temples of Dambulla

Produce Market

We enjoy a leisurely breakfast and the adventures begin as we visit a local traditional village and enjoy boat ride via  the rice plantation making our way by boat as we enjoy the live lily pads.  We exit the boat and walk a little way to see a local farm and rice fields. Learn the secrets from the locals on how to cook delicious Sri Lankan rice and curry and coconut roti.

We also have the opportunity to experience how you can hull the rice as it has been done for generations and enjoy a local traditional lunch of rice and curry, roti and fruits.

After lunch, we will join an adventurous  Wildlife Elephant Safari to see the wild elephants in a 4 x 4 Jeep.  This is one of the most exciting safari experiences in Sri Lanka and an opportunity to take photos up close and personal to send home and share with family and friends.

Includes Breakfast/Dinner

Traditional Village Tour

Wildlife Elephant Safari

This morning, after a leisurely breakfast,  option to climb Pidurangala Rock, at the top you will enjoy the amazing view of Sigiriya Lion Rock with your group, and at the top, you have candid photo opportunities.

For those keen on history, Sigiriya is nominated among travel enthusiasts as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an ancient rock fortress with awe-inspiring architecture, with an amazing view of Fortress Sigiriya Lion Rock’ built by King Kayapa in the 5th century for all those who are fit. It is a spectacular 200 meters high natural formation of granite some 750 steps up and at the top, preserves the ruins of an ancient fortified palace. This archaeological site loved by tourists was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 and is considered by locals as the "eighth wonder of the world". This palace in the sky was envisioned to be a recreation of the mythological city. 

Experience the true Cooking Class with Sri Lanka hospitality,  learn, experience and enjoy the taste and delights with the secrets of traditional Sri Lanka with a hands-on cooking class in a local Sri Lankan home.     Return to your hotel and relax

Includes Breakfast/Dinner

Pidurangala Rock

Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress

Cooking Class/Lunch

This morning after a leisurely breakfast,  we drive to Sri Lanka’s second most ancient kingdom, Polonnaruwa became the capital of Sri Lanka following the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993 AD.   Built by King Parakramabahu I, this urban green city has seen numerous civilisations journeying through this kingdom, including the Cholas, South Indian Hindu and Buddhist Sinhalese, between the 12th and 13th centuries.  Brimming with archaeological treasures, the city is dotted with temples, shrines, palaces and ruins. Explore the royal palace from the period of King Parakramabahu I (1153 – 1186). 

After a great day,  time to relax and enjoy a traditional Ayurvedic massage, commonly known as "Abhyanga", a full-body massage performed using warm, medicinal oils, aims to harmonize the body, mind, and spirit. The idea is to stimulate specific energy points (marmas) on the body, thereby promoting physical healing, improving circulation, and enhancing mental clarity.  Return to your hotel and relax. 

Includes Breakfast/Dinner

Polonnaruwa Ancient Temple

Ayurvedic traditional Massage

After a leisurely breakfast, we travel from West to East across the country to make our way to Trincomalee, we will visit the town to see the temples culture and traditions of east Sri Lanka.

The art and cultural activities in Trincomalee will give you an insight into the city's history, traditions, and artwork. Visit The Koneswaram Temple - a popular place of worship in Sri Lanka and, is one of the Pancha Ishwarams (five abodes) of Lord Shiva. The earliest mention of the temple goes way back to the 6th century BC. Arrive in your hotel and relax by the beach.

Includes Breakfast

Trincolmalee Town

The Koneswaram Temple

Beach

After a relaxing leisurely breakfast , a free day of relaxation.   Optional visit via boat to Pigeon Island. The Pigeon Island National Park comprises two islands. The islands are a breeding and feeding ground for over 300 species of coral reef fish keeping the colorful underwater symphony alive.

Enjoy and experience some optional snorkeling in the morning and afternoon and you can witness a variety of underwater life ranging from Trumpet fish, angel fish, parrot fish, eels, coral gardens, and other colorful fish, etc. There is also a high chance of seeing huge sea turtles and even blacktip sharks. 

Includes Breakfast

Snorkelling

Leisurely breakfast and free day to relax, take a swim in the crystal blue water and the beautiful quiet beaches or time out. Optional Diving and Snorkeling. 

Includes Breakfast

Free day

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, free day to relax, take a swim in the crystal blue water and the beautiful quiet beaches or time out.

Optional Diving and Snorkeling. 

Includes Breakfast

Free Day

This morning after a leisurely breakfast take an optional visit to Mihintale Ancient Temple. Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. It is believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is now a pilgrimage site, and the site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures.

We continue for an optional visit to Velgam Vehera (also known as Vilgam Rajamaha Viharaya) is a historical Buddhist temple situated in Kanniya, Trincomalee District, Sri Lanka. It also known to Hindus as Natanar Kovil. Historically, Velgam Vehera was one of important Buddhist temples in the country, worshiped by both Sinhala and Tamil Buddhists. Arrive at your hotel and relax.

Includes Breakfast /Dinner

Mihintale Ancient Temple

Velgam Vehera

This morning after leisurely breakfast, we will visit Anuradhapura, the first ancient capital of Sri Lanka has earned fame for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilization. 

Founded in the fourth century B.C.E., Anuradhapura served as of the capital of the Anuradhapura Kingdom until the beginning of the eleventh century C.E. During that period, the city enjoyed stability, constituting one of the most durable centres of political power and urban life in South Asia. Considered sacred to the Buddhist world, monasteries covering an area of over sixteen square miles (40 km2) surround the ancient city. Anuradhapura has significance in Hindu legend as the fabled capital of the Asura King Ravana in the Ramayana.  

We continue our travel to the coastal town of Negombo is set alongside a picturesque lagoon and impressive infrastructure of canals built by the Dutch colonial times. Negombo was an important outpost for the trade of cinnamon in colonial times we will reach our destination of Negombo and visit the Fishing Village also known as little Rome. 

Arrive at your complimentary transit hotel, relax before transferring to the airport for your flight homeward bound.  

Includes Breakfast/Dinner

Anuradhapura Ancient City

Negombo