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Known as the “teardrop of India” not only because of its geographical position but also its turbulent history, Sri Lanka has seen countless kingdoms since the arrival of the Tamils. On this tour of “Royal Sri Lanka”, travellers encounter almost 2,000 years of diverse rule and changes of dynasty.

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Top offers matching your selection

Sri Lanka Highlights – standard hotels

8 nights, From 3 People: Double Room, half board
from $1,162

Sri Lanka Highlights – superior hotels

8 nights, From 3 People: Double Room, half board
from $1,253

Sri Lanka Highlights – deluxe hotels

8 nights, From 3 People: Double Room, half board
from $1,456

Sri Lanka Highlights in detail

Hotel

Day 1: NEGOMBO

Collection from the airport and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, explore the Dutch garrison town, founded in 1672, and the remains of its famous fort. In the evening, enjoy a drink at one of the many beachfront restaurants as the sun sets over the sea. Overnight in Negombo. (No meals)

Day 2: NEGOMBO – MINNERIYA – SIGIRIYA

(approx. 155 km, approx. 3.5 hours)

Travel to Habarana, followed by an afternoon safari in Minneriya National Park. Set off by jeep along narrow trails through the park in search of birds, deer and herds of wild elephants. Overnight in Sigiriya. (Breakfast, dinner)

Day 3: SIGIRIYA – ANURADHAPURA – SIGIRIYA

(approx. 75 km, approx. 1.5 hours)

After breakfast, travel to Anuradhapura. The oldest royal city in Ceylon, Anuradhapura was the country’s religious and political centre until 1000 AD. See the ruins of its palaces, monasteries and monuments, as well as the dagobas and the famous Bodhi Tree. Then visit Mihintale, on Mount Mahinda, one of the island’s oldest Buddhist sites. Its dagoba dates back to the 2nd century AD, when Buddhism was first introduced to Sri Lanka. Overnight in Sigiriya. (Meals: breakfast, dinner)

Day 4: SIGIRIYA – POLONNARUWA – SIGIRIYA

(approx. 75 km, approx. 1.5 hours)

Early in the morning, climb the famous Sigiriya Rock. Pass the “Cloud Maidens” – colourful murals depicting beautiful women – and make your way up to the 200 m-high plateau, where the remains of King Kassapa’s 5th-century AD fortress can be found. Return to your hotel for breakfast, then continue to Polonnaruwa, Ceylon’s second-oldest royal city. Explore the archaeological park, with its many remains of homes, palaces and gardens, as well as some well-preserved stupas and temples, and the four Buddha statues carved into the rock at Gal Vihara. Overnight in Sigiriya. (Meals: breakfast, dinner)

Day 5: SIGIRIYA – DAMBULLA – KANDY

(approx. 90 km, approx. 3 hours)

Visit the Dambulla cave temples, reached via an easy climb to a height of around 160 m. This former retreat of King Walagama is home to countless Buddhist murals and sculptures. On the way to Kandy, the capital of the last Sinhalese kingdom until 1815, explore the enchanting spice garden at Matale. A guide will introduce you to the secrets of the spice plants, and you can buy local products if you wish. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of the Tooth, Sri Dalada Maligawa, where a tooth of Buddha is enshrined in a golden casket. It remains a place of pilgrimage and a monastery to this day. In the evening, enjoy a performance by the Kandy dancers. Overnight in Kandy. (Meals: breakfast, dinner)

Day 6: KANDY – NUWARA ELIYA

(approx. 80 km, approx. 4 hours, mountainous route)

In the morning, browse the markets and trading halls in the city centre. Discover typical colonial-era buildings and winding lanes. Next, visit the botanical gardens at Peradeniya. Dating back to 1371, this magnificent park is home to what is believed to be the world’s second-largest tree, a fig spanning around 1,600 sq m. On the way to Nuwara Eliya, visit a tea factory and plantation. Discover how Ceylon tea makes its journey from plant to cup. Then explore this quintessentially English colonial town, with its old post office and the Country House Hill Club, where you can see countless hunting pictures and fishing trophies. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya. (Meals: breakfast for standard and deluxe categories; breakfast and dinner for the superior category)

Day 7: NUWARA ELIYA – BANDARAWELA/ELLA

(approx. 130 km, approx. 3 hours, excluding the train journey)

After breakfast, take a short drive to Nanoya, then travel on the famous Toy Train to Ella. On arrival, your driver will be waiting to take you to your overnight hotel in Bandarawela/Ella. (Meals: breakfast)

Day 8: BANDARAWELA – UDAWALAWE

(approx. 85 km, approx. 3 hours, excluding the walk)

This morning, enjoy an easy trek 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), as the two mountains look alike. Enjoy a beautiful walk through the area’s rolling countryside and take in the magnificent views from the summit (1,141 m). Walk through tea plantations, past waterfalls, and watch local farmers at work in the fields. Then travel to Yala National Park for a three- to four-hour game drive through this beautiful nature reserve. Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s most popular wildlife park and is known for having one of the world’s largest leopard populations. Elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles and numerous bird species also live here. Overnight near Yala Park. (Meals: breakfast for the standard category; breakfast and dinner for the superior and deluxe categories)

Day 9: UDAWALAWE – WEST COAST

After breakfast, your onward programme begins, or you will be transferred to your hotel on the west coast or to the airport. (Meals: breakfast)

Programme subject to change.

Arrival

Additional information

Hotel rooms at a glance

Depending on the booking, accommodation is in standard, superior or deluxe hotels.

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    From 2 People: Double Room

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    From 3 People: Double Room

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    1 Person: Single Room

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    From 2 People: Single Room

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    From 3 People: Single Room

Location

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

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