Sri Lanka - Der Norden

Name: Sri Lanka - Der Norden
Price range: from 1276.00

Sri Lanka · West Coast Sri Lanka · Negombo

The ancient royal city of Anuradhapura

Elephant's Pass & Jaffna Island

Sigiriya Rock

To the offers

A Journey Through the North of Sri Lanka

Welcomed with a warm “Ayubowan”, you will be greeted with open arms. Reconstruction has made significant progress, and peace has been prevailing since 2009. Open your hearts to this lovable and hospitable people, marvel at vast green rice fields, water buffaloes, deep blue bays, and colourful temples. While the Tamils in the north are Hindus, Central and South Sri Lanka are predominantly Buddhist. Experience a country with an impressive history, peaceful religions, and an incredible diversity of flora and fauna.

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Top offers to match your selection

Sri Lanka - The North - Standard Hotels

8 nights, double room, half-board

from $1,276

from$1,276

Stay in standard hotels
Half board (8x breakfast, 7x dinner)
All journeys in air-conditioned vehicles
English-speaking driver-guide
Entrance fees as per itinerary

Itinerary subject to change and dependent on arrival and departure from Colombo:

Day 1: Negombo
Welcome at the airport and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, tour the famous fort complex. Evening opportunity for a sunset drink. Overnight in Negombo. (no meals)

Day 2: Negombo - Anuradhapura (approx. 106 miles, approx. 4.5 hours)
Ruins of former palaces, monasteries, monuments, and more in Anuradhapura. Visit one of the island's oldest Buddhist sites: Mihintale. Overnight in Anuradhapura. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 3: Anuradhapura - Jaffna (approx. 124 miles, approx. 4 hours)
After breakfast, visit Mihintale and climb the rock. Then continue to Jaffna. The evening is at your leisure. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4: Jaffna
After breakfast, drive to Kurikadduwan Pier to visit the Nagadeepa Temple. Nainativu or Nagadeepa is a small but significant island off the coast of the Jaffna Peninsula in Sri Lanka's Northern Province. After the visit, return to Jaffna. In the late afternoon, visit the Dutch Fort of Jaffna, followed by a stroll through Jaffna's central market. Overnight in Jaffna. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 5: Jaffna
After breakfast, embark on a city tour of Jaffna (approx. 5–6 hours). The city of Jaffna is the capital of Sri Lanka's Northern Province. Overnight in Jaffna. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6: Jaffna - Trincomalee (approx. 155 miles, approx. 6 hours)
Drive to the east coast, visiting the open-air war museum at Puthukkudiyriuppu en route. Early evening arrival in Thiriyai. Overnight north of Trincomalee. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7: Trincomalee - Sigiriya (approx. 59 miles, approx. 3 hours)
Explore the ancient port of Trincomalee and the hilltop Koneshwaram Temple. Drive to Sigiriya and climb the world-famous "Lion Rock." Hike to the 200m high plateau, where the remains of King Kassapa's fortress built in the 5th century AD are located. Overnight north of Sigiriya. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 8: Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Minneriya - Sigiriya
Visit the ancient royal city of Polonnaruwa from the 12th century AD. Late afternoon arrival at Minneriya National Park. Game drive on narrow paths through the park to spot birds, deer, and the free-roaming elephant herds. Overnight in Sigiriya. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 9: Sigiriya - Dambulla (approx. 9 miles, approx. 30 minutes)
Visit the rock caves of Dambulla, accessible by a gentle ascent at about 525 feet. The onward journey is according to your booked connecting services. (Meals: Breakfast)

Sri Lanka - The North - Superior Hotels

8 nights, double room, half-board

from $1,746

from$1,746

Stay in standard hotels
Half board (8x breakfast, 7x dinner)
All journeys in air-conditioned vehicles
English-speaking driver-guide
Admission fees as per itinerary

Itinerary subject to change and dependent on arrival and departure from Colombo:

Day 1: Negombo
Welcome at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon tour of the famous fort complex. Evening opportunity for a sunset drink. Overnight in Negombo. (no meals)

Day 2: Negombo - Anuradhapura (approx. 170 km, approx. 4.5 hours)
Ruins of former palaces, monasteries, monuments, and more in Anuradhapura. Visit one of the oldest Buddhist sites on the island: Mihintale. Overnight in Anuradhapura. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 3: Anuradhapura - Jaffna (approx. 200 km, approx. 4 hours)
After breakfast, visit Mihintale and climb the rock. Then continue to Jaffna. The evening is at your leisure. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4: Jaffna
After breakfast, drive to Kurikadduwan Pier to visit the Nagadeepa Temple. Nainativu or Nagadeepa is a small but significant island off the coast of the Jaffna Peninsula in Sri Lanka's Northern Province. After the visit, return to Jaffna. Late afternoon visit to the Dutch Fort of Jaffna, followed by a stroll through Jaffna's central market. Overnight in Jaffna. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 5: Jaffna
After breakfast, take a city tour of Jaffna (approx. 5–6 hours). The city of Jaffna is the capital of Sri Lanka's Northern Province. Overnight in Jaffna. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6: Jaffna - Trincomalee (approx. 250 km, approx. 6 hours)
Drive to the east coast, visiting the open-air war museum at Puthukkudiyriuppu en route. Early evening arrival in Thiriyai. Overnight north of Trincomalee. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7: Trincomalee - Sigiriya (approx. 95 km, approx. 3 hours)
Explore the ancient port of Trincomalee and the hilltop Koneshwaram Temple. Drive to Sigiriya and climb the world-famous "Lion Rock." Hike to the 200m high plateau, where the remains of King Kassapa's fortress built in the 5th century AD are located. Overnight north of Sigiriya. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 8: Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Minneriya - Sigiriya Visit the ancient royal city of Polonnaruwa from the 12th century AD. Late afternoon arrival at Minneriya National Park. Game drive on narrow paths through the park to spot birds, deer, and the free-roaming elephant herds. Overnight in Sigiriya. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 9: Sigiriya - Dambulla (approx. 15 km, approx. 30 minutes)
Visit the rock caves of Dambulla, accessible by a gentle climb at about 160m elevation. The onward journey is as per your booked connecting services. (Meals: Breakfast)

Sri Lanka - Der Norden in Detail

Tour 9 Days / 8 Nights

Day 1: NEGOMBO

Welcome at the airport and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, explore the Dutch garrison town founded in 1672, featuring remnants of the famous fort. In the evening, enjoy a drink by the sea at sunset. Overnight in Negombo. (no meals provided)

Day 2: NEGOMBO – ANURADHAPURA

(approx. 170 km, about 4.5 hours)

Anuradhapura, the oldest royal city of Ceylon, served as the religious and political centre of the country until the year 1000 AD. Witness the ruins of ancient palaces, monasteries, monuments, the Dagobas, and the famous "Bodhi Tree". Afterwards, visit one of the island's oldest Buddhist sites on Mount Mahinda: Mihintale with the Dagoba from the 2nd century AD, marking the origin of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Overnight in Anuradhapura. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 3: ANURADHAPURA – JAFFNA

(approx. 200 km, about 4 hours)

After breakfast, visit Mihintale and climb the rock. Mihintale is a historic mountain monastery regarded as the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Key attractions include the Mihintale Stupa, Aradhana Gala, and ancient monastery ruins, offering both cultural insights and stunning views. Continue to Jaffna. Evening at leisure. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4: JAFFNA

After breakfast, travel to Kurikadduwan Pier to visit the Nagadeepa Temple. Nainativu or Nagadeepa is a small but significant island off the coast of the Jaffna Peninsula in Sri Lanka's Northern Province. The island's name refers to its original inhabitants, the Nayanair or Nāga people. Many locals visit the island for religious purposes as it hosts ancient Hindu and Buddhist temples. The island is accessible only by a local boat. After the visit, return to Jaffna. In the late afternoon, visit the Dutch Fort of Jaffna, followed by a stroll through Jaffna's central market. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 5: JAFFNA

After breakfast, embark on a city tour of Jaffna. (approx. 5–6 hours). Jaffna is the capital of Sri Lanka's Northern Province and serves as the administrative centre of the Jaffna District, located on a peninsula of the same name. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6: JAFFNA – TRINCOMALEE

(approx. 250 km, about 6 hours)

Travel to the east coast. En route, pass by the open-air war museum at Puthukkudiyriuppu, displaying war equipment ranging from small devices to adventurous tank and submarine constructions used by Tamil freedom fighters. Arrive in Thiriyai in the early evening. Here, explore an approximately 2000-year-old Buddhist Dagoba located on a small hill. Enjoy the expansive view across the countryside down to the ocean. Overnight north of Trincomalee. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7: TRINCOMALEE – SIGIRIYA

(approx. 95 km, about 3 hours)

Explore the ancient port of Trincomalee and the Koneshwaram Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, situated on a hill. Attracting hundreds of pilgrims daily, this 2500-year-old temple offers a panoramic view over the sea and Trincomalee Bay. Afterwards, travel to Sigiriya and ascend the world-famous "Lion Rock". Passing the "Cloud Maidens"—vibrant frescoes of female beauties—you'll climb to the 200 m high plateau, where the remains of King Kassapa's fortress, built in the 5th century AD, are located. Overnight north of Sigiriya. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 8: SIGIRIYA – POLONNARUWA – MINNERIYA – SIGIRIYA

After breakfast, visit the ancient royal city of Polonnaruwa from the 12th century AD. Explore the archaeological park with countless remains of residential buildings, palace and park complexes, as well as partially well-preserved stupas, temples, and the four Buddha statues carved into rock at Gal Vihara. In the late afternoon, arrive at Minneriya National Park. A jeep safari through the park on narrow paths will allow you to spot birds, deer, and the free-roaming elephant herds. Overnight in Sigiriya. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 9: SIGIRIYA – DAMBULLA

(approx. 15 km, about 30 minutes)

Today, visit the rock caves of Dambulla, accessible by a gentle climb at about 160 m elevation. This former retreat of King Walagama houses countless Buddhist murals and sculptures. Your journey continues according to your booked onward services. (Meals: Breakfast)

Programme subject to change.