Sri Lanka sightseeing tours 11 Days with driver, vehicle and H/B accommodations

Day 1: Colombo to Anuradhapura

1. Colombo
   3h
   We will pick you up from the Banadaranaike International Airport and drive to Anuradhapura. You will spend two nights at a hotel in Anuradhapura. You have the option to select what quality hotel you want to stay (Budget Hotel, Standard Hotel or Luxury Hotel).

Day 2: Anuradhapura Cety tour

1. Anuradhapura
   5h
   Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of an ancient Sri Lankan civilization. The city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the centre of Theravada Buddhism for many centuries. This city is known as the home of an offspring of the Bo tree where the Buddha found enlightenment.
   The next day you will visit main sites in Anuradhapura such as Ruwanwelisaya, Thuparamaya, Lovamahapaya (between Ruwanvaliseya and Sri Maha Bodiya). In the evening you will visit Minitale, which 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.

Day 3: Polonaruwa

1. 6h
   After breakfast you will go to Polonnaruwa and sight see there.
   Polonnaruwa is the second most ancient of Sri Lanka’s kingdoms. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains one of the best planned archaeological relic cities in the country, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom’s first rulers and has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
   You will visit the Polonnaruwa Archaeological sight (including Vatadage, NIssanka Lata, Mandapaya etc.). In the evening you will enjoy a jeep safari. You will spend then travel to Sigirya where you will spend the night at a hotel there.

Day 4: Sigriya

1. 4h
   You will climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress in the morning. After you will go on a Bullock cart ride to see the Sri Lankan rural life and have a Ayurvedic massage.
   Sigiriya is the most exquisite example of ancient Sri Lankan art, architecture and landscaping. Built over 1,600 years ago, the now sinister-looking 600 ft high black rock once appeared like a massive dazzling white cloud floating above the surrounding forests. Its sides were painted with beautiful frescoes of semi-naked nymphs. A large gatehouse in the form of a lion guarded the entrance to the innermost sanctum of the city – the Sky Palace on top of the rock. Sigiriya burst briefly into pre-eminence and was then abandoned and lay hidden in the forests for nearly 1,500 years. The climb to the top is strenuous but it is worth it. Definitely a must visit site!
   You will spend the night in the same hotel in Sigiriya.

Day 5: DAMBULLA - MATALE - KANDY

1. 4h
   You will head to Kandy after breakfast. On the way you will visit the Dambulla cave temple, Hindu Temple (Muthmariamman Temple) and the Spice Garden. You will spend the night at a hotel in Kandy.
   Dambulla – one of UNESO World Heritage Site, is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains. There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. Major attractions are spread over five caves, which contain statues and paintings. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings and four statues of gods and goddesses.

Day 6: CITY TOUR OF KANDY

1. Kandy
   3h
   After breakfast, you will take off to the city of Kandy.
   Kandy is a major city located in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. It was the last capital of the ancient kings’ era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is both an administrative and religious city and is also the capital of the Central Province. Kandy is the home of The Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world. It was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1988. You will visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Also known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, this golden roofed Temple houses the relic of Lord Buddha’s tooth.
   You will visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (also known as Dalada Maligawa) which is one of the most important Temple to visit in Sri Lanka.
2. Royal Botanical Gardens
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   Afterwards, you will visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. Enveloped in the Mahaweli River, this 60 hectare botanical garden includes over 4000 types of flora such as orchids, spices, palm trees and medicinal plants. You will then visit the Gem Museum in Kandy. And visit Kandy View Point, walk around Kandy Lake and shopping excursion.
   You will spend the night in the same hotel in Kandy.

Day 7: ELLA THROUGH NUWARA ELIYA

1. Ella
   4h
   You will travel to Ella through Nuwara Eliya. From Nanu Oya you will travel by train to Ella which is one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. This memorable journey commences from Nanuoya; the last royal capital of the country to Ella a peaceful, scenic village in the central highlands of Sri Lanka.
   You will spend the night at a hotel in Ella.

Day 8: YALA NATIONAL PARK

1. Yala National Park
   5h
   The next day you will head towards the Tissamaharama (near Yala National Park) for a Safari. This is the second largest national park in Sri Lanka.
   Yala National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. Yala combines a strict nature reserve with a national park. Divided into 5 blocks, the park has a protected area of nearly 130,000 hectares of land consisting of light forests, scrubs, grasslands, tanks and lagoons. Two blocks are currently opened to the public. The park is best known for its variety of wild animals. It is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan leopards and aquatic birds.
   You will spend the night at a hotel in Tissamaharama.

Day 9: Mirissa

1. Mirissa
   3h
   You will proceed to Mirissa where you will relax in the beach, go on a whale and dolphin watching tour. You will spend two nights at a hotel in Mirissa.

Day 10: Mirissa

1. Mirissa Beach
   3h · Admission ticket not included
   The Whale and Dolphin watching in Mirissa are one of the most thrilling water activities in Sri Lanka. The warm waters around Sri Lanka are ideal to spot blue whales, Bryde´s whales, sperm whales, fin whales, common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and sometimes killer whales. Spinner dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, and striped dolphin can be seen too. The whale watching season starts in November and ends in April when the waters are warm and calm. Whale watching boats can ideally carry up to 40 passengers at a time with an observation deck. Whale watching tours usually start around 7.00 am as boats leave the harbour around that time and last about 3.5- 4 hours.

Day 11: GALLE - DEPARTURE

1. Galle
   Pass by
   You will visit the Galle old town and meethiyagoda moon minestone factory.
   Galle is the capital city of the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, during the Dutch colonial period. Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by the Portuguese in South and Southeast Asia, showing the interaction between Portuguese architectural styles and native traditions. The city was extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications is a UNESCO world heritage site and is the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers.
   After this you will be dropped off at the Bandaranaike International Airport / any location you want us to drop off you, concluding the end of the tour.

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels