Ancient royal city of Anuradhapura
Sigiriya Rock & Minneriya National Park
Temple of the Tooth & Kandy Dancers
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Grand Sri Lanka Tour

This grand tour of Sri Lanka offers a comprehensive overview of the island's key destinations. The fascinating comparison between the preserved remains of the ancient royal city of Anuradhapura and medieval Polonnaruwa captivates visitors. The still-standing stupas, palace, and temple ruins, soaring up to 230 feet, are truly mesmerizing. The contrasts between architectural and natural spectacles, the immersion into diverse religions, and the breathtaking array of colours from temples to tuk-tuks and majestic elephants define this tour.

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Sri Lanka Grand - Standard Hotels

11 nights, double room, half-board
from $1,455

Sri Lanka Grand - Superior Hotels

11 nights, double room, half-board
from $1,750

Sri Lanka Grand - Deluxe Hotels

11 nights, double room, half-board
from $2,141

Sri Lanka Grand in Detail

Tour 12 days / 11 nights

Day 1: NEGOMBO

Welcome and pick-up from the airport in Negombo (approximately 40 kilometres north of the capital Colombo) and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, explore the former Dutch garrison town founded in 1672, featuring remnants of the famous fort complex. In the evening, enjoy a drink at sunset by the sea at one of the numerous beach restaurants. Overnight stay in Negombo. (No meals provided)

Day 2: NEGOMBO – ANURADHAPURA

(approx. 170 km, about 4 hours)

In the morning, depart for Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Ceylon from the 4th century BC. This city was the religious and political heart of the country until around the year 1000 AD. Today, you will visit the remains and ruins of palaces, monasteries, and monuments, including the Dagobas of ancient Anuradhapura. Not to forget the world-famous "Bodhi Tree", a sacred fig tree, said to have grown from a branch of the tree in Bodhgaya, India, under which Buddha attained enlightenment about 2300 years ago. Overnight stay in Anuradhapura. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 3: ANURADHAPURA – SIGIRIYA

(approx. 75 km, about 1.5 hours)

After breakfast, drive to Habarana. En route, visit one of Sri Lanka's oldest Buddhist sites, Mihintale, located about seven kilometres outside the city on Mount Mahinda, the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Witness a Dagoba from the 2nd century BC. In the afternoon, walk to the village of Hiriwaduna, home to 2500 souls, and trek through the surrounding fields and forests. Experience the local life, flora, and fauna, wade through small streams, and perhaps join farmers on ox carts or an outrigger boat. After about 2-2.5 hours, drive to the hotel. Overnight stay in Sigiriya. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4: SIGIRIYA

Early in the morning, climb the world-famous "Sigiriya Rock". Ascend past the "Cloud Maidens"—vibrant frescoes of female beauties—up to the 200-metre-high plateau, where the remains of a fortress built in the 5th century AD by King Kassapia are located. Enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding hills and forests. Afterwards, drive to the hotel. In the afternoon, reach the ancient royal city of Polonnaruwa from the 12th century AD. Visit the archaeological park with countless remains of residential buildings, palace and park complexes, and partially well-preserved stupas, temples, and the four Buddha statues carved into rock at Gal Vihara, including the "sleeping Buddha". Optionally, a safari in Minneriya National Park is available for a fee (payable locally). Overnight stay in Sigiriya. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 5: SIGIRIYA – KANDY

(approx. 90 km, about 3 hours)

In the morning, depart from the hotel to Kandy, the capital of the last Sinhalese kingdom until 1815. Just before arrival, visit the rock caves of Dambulla, accessible by a gentle climb at about 160 metres altitude, which served as a retreat for King Walagama, featuring countless Buddhist wall paintings, sculptures, and statues. En route, visit the enchanting spice garden in Matale, where there is also an opportunity to purchase local products in a small shop. In the afternoon, reach your hotel, followed by a visit to the "Temple of the Tooth" Sri Dalada Maligawa, which houses a tooth of Buddha in a golden shrine. This site is still a pilgrimage site and monastery. With some luck, you may see the shrine during a ceremony, but the tooth itself is never visible. In the evening, attend a performance by the Kandy Dancers. Overnight stay in Kandy. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6: TREKKING IN THE KNUCKLES

(approx. 5 – 6 hours from/to Kandy)

Early in the morning, start for the Knuckles Range, located east of Kandy. This area, also known as the "Misty Mountains", is easy to hike. Dense fog often sweeps through the mountains, making the animals in the forest appear ghostly, with their sounds eerily muffled as if from nowhere. The path leads you through partially dense tree growth in a tunnel-like manner up to a viewpoint with a magnificent panoramic view of the lowlands. Some fitness is required. The hike usually lasts 30-40 minutes. A longer tour (6-7 hours) with a professional trekking guide can be booked on-site for an additional fee (subject to availability). After reaching the car again, return to Kandy, and in the afternoon, stroll through the markets and merchant halls of the city centre along the typical colonial buildings and the winding alleys between the clock tower and the Temple of the Tooth, which is located directly on "Kandy Lake". Overnight stay in Kandy. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7: KANDY – NUWARA ELIYA

(approx. 150 km, about 4 hours; partly winding mountain roads)

In the morning, visit the Botanical Garden of Peradeniya, dating back to 1371, where you can see, among other things, flying foxes and probably the second largest tree in the world, a Javanese fig that spans about 1600 square metres of ground. Afterwards, drive to the tea plantations near Nuwara Eliya and visit a tea factory. Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 8: NUWARA ELIYA – HORTON PLAINS – BANDARAWELA (TRAIN)

The Horton Plains National Park is a World Heritage Site and offers hikers an extraordinary diversity of flora and fauna. At altitudes of up to 2500 metres, the tour lasts about 5 – 6 hours and takes you to a region that has developed almost endemically for millions of years due to its remote location. Most of the island's rivers also originate here in the highlands. An extraordinary natural experience, for which you have risen quite early today. After lunch, drive to Nanoya and take the famous "Toy Train" in second class to Ella. Upon arrival, the driver will be waiting to take you to the hotel in Badarawela. Overnight stay in Badarawela. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 9: BANDARAWELA – UDAWALAWE

(approx. 85 km, about 3 hours without hiking)

This morning, undertake a light trekking tour to "Little Adam's Peak" (1 – 1.5 hours). It is named after the sacred Adam's Peak (Sri Pada – where Lord Buddha's footprint is kept) due to the similarity between the two mountains. This is a beautiful hike through the hilly nature of this area with a magnificent view from the summit at 1141 metres altitude. You will walk through tea plantations, past waterfalls, and perhaps improve your Sinhalese with the farmers in the fields. Afterwards, drive to Udawalawe National Park. There, experience a three to four-hour game drive through this magnificent nature reserve. With some luck, you may see crocodiles, elephants, deer, water buffalo, and many birds. Overnight stay at Udawalawe National Park. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 10: UDAWALAWE – SINHARAJA

approx. 50 km, about 2.5 hours

After breakfast, drive to the Sinharaja Rainforest. A hike lasting about four hours takes you into a hilly rainforest area. The local guide will show you primarily the diversity of the plant world and countless small forest inhabitants such as chameleons, insects, snails, snakes, birds, etc. A very educational day that also offers time for your own excursions, as you will be staying near the national park. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 11: SINHARAJA – GALLE

(approx. 70 km, about 3 hours)

Around noon, you will reach Galle, the old Portuguese garrison town. In the 16th century, Galle was the most important port city on the island until the British took over in the 18th century. Stroll through the old town with its many small shops and restaurants, wander through the market district, and be impressed by the imposing Galle Fort. Wide views over the sea and the city leave an unforgettable impression. Overnight stay in Galle. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 12: GALLE – NEGOMBO

(approx. 160 km, about 3 hours)

After breakfast, depart for Colombo Airport or to your hotel on the west coast or start your extension programme. (Meals: Breakfast)

Programme subject to change.

Getting There

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Location

Sri Lanka Grand
Sri Lanka, West Coast Sri Lanka, Negombo
Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport (CMB)
approx. 128 km / 154 min

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