12-Day Private Sri Lanka History Tour with Safari and Whale Watching

Pick up from the airport and drive to Negombo. Visit the fish market and relax on the beach. Overnight stay at Goldi Sands or a similar hotel in Negombo.

Drive straight to Kalpitiya Beach, which is world-famous for kite surfing. Overnight stay at Wind Blend Kite Resort or a similar hotel in Kalpitiya.

Drive straight to Anuradhapura, the former capital of Sri Lanka from 5 B.C. to 1017 A.D. The most sacred "Bo Tree," which sheltered Lord Buddha during his enlightenment and at which he later retreated by gazing for seven weeks, grows in Anuradhapura.

It is also home to Jetavanaramaya, known as the world's largest and oldest human-made brick building still standing. Other remarkable ancient creations include the archaeological museum, Ruwanwelisaya Dagoba, Abhayagiri Dagoba, Brazen Palace, Royal Palace, Samadhi Buddha Statue, Kuttam Pokuna, moonstone, and tanks, all of which exhibit the proud history of the Anuradhapura kingdom. Overnight stay at Rajarata Hotel or a similar hotel in Anuradhapura.

You can dedicate the whole evening to visiting the eighth wonder of the world, Sigiriya Royal Palace. Witness marvellous landscapes, irrigation technology, and the aesthetic abilities of ancient Sinhalese culture. Overnight stay at EKHO Sigiriya or a similar hotel in Sigiriya.

Drive to Kandy and visit the largest royal botanical garden, covered with colourful flowering plants, herbal plants, endemic and epidemic plant species, and palm family trees. Altogether, more than 4,000 varieties can be seen here.

Then head to the viewpoint of Kandy. Enjoy a Kandyan dancing event in the evening between 5.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. Finally, visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, where Lord Buddha's most sacred molar tooth is placed in seven golden caskets under a golden ceiling. Overnight stay at Hotel Suisse or a similar hotel in Kandy.

Travel to Kitulgala and enjoy water rafting. If you are above 10 years of age, you can experience water rafting on the Kelani River at Kitulgala in Sri Lanka. Well-trained and experienced coaches will guide you during the rafting with all safety equipment and safety guards provided.

The route includes about 5 km of still water and another 5 km covering major and minor rapids. This is an incredible experience you should never miss in Sri Lanka. In the evening, drive to Nuwara Eliya. Overnight stay at Daffodils or a similar hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

The journey begins at 5.00 a.m. as you drive to Horton Plains, the highest plain in Sri Lanka. The 9 km circular walking track takes more than 3-4 hours. World's End is the most iconic viewpoint, from where you can see as far as the south coast of Sri Lanka. Baker's Falls is another eye-catching sight.

Then drive to the hotel in Ella. After a walk of about 30 minutes towards the train track, you can see the Nine Arch Bridge. Little Adam's Peak is an attractive viewpoint for watching the sunset. Overnight stay at The Mountain Heavens or a similar hotel in Ella.

Drive to Tissamaharama. Soon after passing Ella, you can see the wonderful Rawana Ella waterfall. Rawana Ella is the widest waterfall in Sri Lanka and is especially attractive.

By 1.30 p.m., you can join a Yala safari, an interesting and very popular event among tourists, as Yala is the second-largest wildlife reservoir in Sri Lanka. It contains one of the highest leopard densities of any national park in the world. If you are lucky, you can spot leopards. Overnight stay at EKHO Safari or a similar hotel in Yala.

Drive to Mirissa. On the way, you can see the Hummanaya blowhole and a turtle hatchery. The Hummanaya blowhole pumps seawater up to 40 feet through a natural hole between two closely set rocks and splashes water into the sky. Overnight stay at Paradise Beach Club or a similar hotel in Mirissa.

The dolphin and whale watching tour begins at 6.00 a.m., and you will spend nearly 4 hours on the experience. Next, you can see stilt fishing and then drive to the World Heritage Site of Galle Fort, built by the Portuguese and reconstructed during the Dutch period. Overnight stay at Vibration Hotel or a similar hotel in Hikkaduwa.

First, see the coral reefs and enjoy scuba diving and snorkelling under the supervision of well-experienced professionals. The Hikkaduwa coastal area is most suitable for surfing from November to April.

In the evening, enjoy a Madhu riverboat safari and natural fish therapy for self-relaxation. Overnight stay at Hotel Wunder Bar or a similar hotel in Bentota.

There are no itinerary plans for today, and you will be dropped back at the airport according to your flight departure time.