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8-Day All Encompassing Tour Of Sri Lanka From Colombo
  • Tour Category

    Group Tour

  • Tour Types

    Nature, Culture, History

  • Duration

    8 Days

  • Activity Level

    Easy

  • Language

    English

Description

Explore the Cave Temples of Dambulla and go on a safari at Minneriya National Park before visiting the Lion Rock and Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (UNESCO Sites). Experience the beauty of Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, see the 'Ceylon Tea' at a tea factory, take a train ride to Ella and then hike to Damodra Railway Station. Explore Mirissa and Gale before bidding farewell to Sri Lanka. 

Highlights
  • View the murals and figurines of Buddha inside the Dambulla Temple
  • Go on a safari at Minneriya National Park and Yala National Park
  • Marvel at the rock fortress of Sigiriya
  • Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic a UNESCO World Heritage Site 
  • Enjoy the cultural dance shows at Kandy
  • Stroll around the Peradeniya Botanical Garden containing over 4000 plants
  • Take a scenic trainride from Nanu Oya to Ella
  • Visit the Hambantota Salterns and Stilt Fisherman at Weligama
  • See Hump Back Whales, Killer Whales, Sharks & Dolphins
  • Explore the Galle Dutch Fort
  • Day 1: Airport - Dambulla - Sigiriya expand_more
    • Meet & greet your tour representative at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) arrival terminal or your hotel in Colombo and head towards Sigiriya en-route via Dambulla,

    • Enter the historic caves of the Golden Temple of Dambulla, dating back to the 1st century BC. View the ancient murals depicting the life story of Lord Gautama Buddha. Look at hundreds of Buddha and other deities figurines scattered throughout the five main caves. Visit the Cave of the Divine King, Cave of the Great King and the Great New Monastery. See the giant golden Buddha Statue just a little distance outside the cave complex.

    • Go on a Jungle Safari once you reach Sigiriya. This safari takes you on a ride through the Minneriya National Park.

    • Enjoy the sight of over 150 elephants congregating in one place during the famous Great Elephant Gathering, which happens in the dry season between May to October. In addition to elephants, get a chance also to see many mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians in the scrublands, forests and other areas.

    Overnight stay at Sigiriya.

  • Day 2: Sigiriya - Matale - Kandy expand_more
    • Climb the 5th century AD rock fortress, Sigiriya, where King Kasyapa ruled.

    • Walk through the entrance framed by the paws of a lion that is quite appropriate for its name, 'the Lion Rock'. View the beautiful unfading murals that brought Sigiriya its fame.

    • Climb the steep staircase to see the terraced gardens and still-working cisterns. Walk through the tunnels leading to the palace as you get a feel of the past.

    • Enriched with herbs, spice groves and plants with fragrant greenery shading from the tropical trees that enlightens the unique aroma of each spice and herb.

    • Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was built in the 16th century as the place of veneration and protection for Lord Buddha’s sacred tooth.

    • Walk through the beautifully embellished passageways and elaborately painted halls, done in red, cream and black. Lounge against delicately carved pillars and get amazed by the beautiful golden statues. Get an unforgettable experience of history and art.

    • Experience the Cultural Dance Show. The Kandy Cultural Show gives an opportunity to experience some of the traditions of Sri Lanka. Enjoy this hour-long extravaganza as some of the most popular art forms of the island take to the stage. Get wowed by fire dancers and sword dancers. Watch the colourful Kandyan dancers take to the air to the thrumming primal beat of the drums.

    Overnight stay at Kandy.

  • Day 4: Kandy - Nuwara Eliya expand_more
    • Visit the famous Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, formed in the early 19th century.

    • Walk through the vast area containing over 4000 species of plants. Enjoy learning more about the orchids, spices and medicinal plants.

    • Wander down avenues shaded by large and rare trees or bordered by flowering plants.

    • Enjoy seeing the cannonball tree, walking over the wobbly suspension bridge and through the short hedge mazes or even climbing the twisty trees that make excellent jungle gyms.

    • Visit a Tea Factory and a plantation to see how the world’s famous “Ceylon Tea” is manufactured. 

    • Head towards Nuwara Eliya. 

    Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya. 

  • Day 4: Nuwara Eliya - Ella expand_more
    • Proceed to Nanu Oya Railway Station and take the World's Scenic Train Ride from Nanu Oya to Ella.

    • Sit back, enjoy the scenic views through misty mountains, and pass through the Lush Green Tea Estates.

    • Meet your guide at Ella Railway Station to pick you up with your bags.

    • Explore Ella’s most interesting places.

    • Pass through bright green tea fields and tough stretches of rock and get to see the magical views of Little Adam’s Peak.

    • Walk over the history seeped Nine Arches Bridge and listen to the story of its construction.

    • End your hike at the Demodara Railway station with its unique loop-over track design. This tour gives you the chance to see the best sights of Sri Lanka.

    Overnight stay at Ella. 

  • Day 5: Ella - Yala expand_more
    • Head to Yala en-route via a stop at Rawana Waterfall. 

    Overnight stay at Yala.

  • Day 6: Yala - Mirissa expand_more
    • Early Morning Jungle Safari at Yala National Park and then head to Mirissa.

    • On the way, visit the Hambantota Salterns and Stilt Fisherman at Weligama, followed by the Galle Fort.

    • Once reaching Mirissa, check-in to a hotel and spend the night.

    Overnight stay at Mirissa



  • Day 7: Mirissa - Galle expand_more
    • Do early morning whale watching on a luxury cruise to see Hump Back Whales, Killer Whales, Sharks & Dolphins.

    • Sit back and enjoy the whales playing while you have your breakfast at the Cruise.

    • Travel to Bentota and visit a Sea Turtle Hatchery & Rescue Center.

    • Later visit Galle Dutch Fort.

    • Relax at the beach for some relaxation. 

    Overnight stay at Galle.

  • Day 8: Time to say Good Bye! expand_more
    • Wake up to a freshly-prepared breakfast at the hotel and then get ready to check out as it’s time to say goodbye to Sri Lanka.

    • Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo or Negombo for your onward journey back home.

What's Included
  • Private air-conditioned vehicle
  • Professional English speaking Sri Lankan chauffeur/guide
  • All local taxes & charges
  • Highway charges
  • Driver's accommodations
What's Excluded
  • Entrance fees
  • Gratuities
  • Personal expense
Know before you go
  • Confirmation will be received at the time of booking

  • Stroller accessible

  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible.

  • Most travellers can participate.

  • In 1824 a tea plant was brought to Ceylon by the British from China and was planted in the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya for non-commercial purposes. James Taylor was a British citizen who introduced commercial tea plantation in Sri Lanka (Ceylon). 

  • Nuwara Eliya is set in the heart of tea-country is a beautiful town where the British succeeded in creating a replica of the English countryside, with homes in styles from Georgian to Queen Anne. Well-kept lawns with hedges, an Anglican church, a famous golf course and beautiful parks give the place an air of nostalgia. Situated 6,200 feet above sea level, the air is cool and fresh – a serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. 

  • Rawana waterfall measures approximately 25 m (82 ft) in height and cascades from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. During the local wet season, the waterfall turns into what is said to resemble an areca flower with withering petals. But this is not the case in the dry season, where the flow of water reduces dramatically. The falls form part of the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary and are located 6 km (3.7 mi) away from the local railway station at Ella.

  • Galle Fort, in the Bay of Galle on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, was built first in 1588 by the Portuguese, then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards.

Cancellation Policy

For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -

Refund of 80% of the tour price.
Price Details
Adult
1 To 4 USD 640 Per Person
Child
1 To 4 USD 400 Per Person

This is a group tour

Starting From

Fromss

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USD 640 / person