Sri Lanka Grand
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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Tour 12 days / 11 nights
Day 1: NEGOMBO
Welcome and pick-up from the airport in Negombo (approximately 25 miles 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. In the evening, enjoy a drink at sunset by the sea in one of the numerous beach restaurants. Overnight in Negombo. (No meals included)
Day 2: NEGOMBO – ANURADHAPURA
(approx. 105 miles, 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 found enlightenment about 2300 years ago. Later or the next morning, visit one of Sri Lanka's oldest Buddhist sites: Mihintale, located about four miles outside the city on Mount Mahinda, the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Witness a Dagoba from the 2nd century BC. Overnight in Anuradhapura. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 3: ANURADHAPURA – SIGIRIYA
(approx. 47 miles, about 1.5 hours)
Travel to Sigiriya. In the afternoon, walk to the village of Hiriwaduna, home to 2500 souls, and hike 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 three hours, drive to the hotel. Overnight in Sigiriya. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4: SIGIRIYA
Early morning departure to Minneriya National Park. There, switch to an antique jeep for a safari through the park on narrow paths to spot not only birds and deer but also the free-roaming herds of up to 50 elephants. Later, climb the world-famous "Sigiriya Rock". Ascend alongside the rock wall past the "Cloud Maidens"—vibrant frescoes of female beauties—to the 656-foot-high plateau, where the remains of King Kassapia's 5th-century fortress await exploration. Enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding hills and forests. Then, 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, palaces, parks, and partially well-preserved stupas, temples, and the four Buddha statues carved into rock at Gal Vihara, including the "sleeping Buddha". Overnight in Sigiriya. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 5: SIGIRIYA – KANDY
(approx. 56 miles, 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 525 feet high, featuring countless Buddhist murals, sculptures, and statues. On the way, 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 in Kandy. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 6: TREKKING IN THE KNUCKLES
(approx. 5 – 6 hours from/to Kandy)
Early in the morning, head to the Knuckles Range, east of Kandy. This area, also known as the "Misty Mountains", is easy to hike. Often, dense fog sweeps through the mountains, making the animals in the forest appear ghostly, their sounds mystically muted as if from nowhere. The path leads you through partially narrow tree growth in a tunnel-like manner up to a viewpoint with a magnificent panoramic view of the lowlands. Some fitness is indeed required. After reaching the car again, return to Kandy. 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 by "Kandy Lake". Overnight in Kandy. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 7: KANDY – NUWARA ELIYA
(approx. 93 miles, 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 others, flying foxes and probably the second largest tree in the world, a Javanese fig covering about 17222 square feet. Then, drive to the tea plantations near Nuwara Eliya and visit a tea factory. Overnight 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 up to 8202 feet, 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 secluded 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 Bandarawela. Overnight in Bandarawela. (Meals: Breakfast)
Day 9: BANDARAWELA – UDAWALAWE
(approx. 53 miles, about 3 hours without hiking)
This morning, embark on an easy trekking tour to "Little Adam's Peak" (1 – 1.5 hours). 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 3740 feet. You will walk through tea plantations, past waterfalls, and perhaps improve your Sinhalese with the farmers in the fields. Then, drive to Udawalawe National Park. There, experience a three to four-hour safari through this magnificent nature reserve. With some luck, you might see crocodiles, elephants, deer, water buffalo, and many birds. Overnight near Udawalawe National Park. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 10: UDAWALAWE – SINHARAJA
approx. 31 miles, about 2.5 hours
After breakfast, drive to the Sinharaja Rainforest. A roughly four-hour hike takes you into a hilly rainforest area. The local guide will show you primarily the diversity of the plant world and countless small forest dwellers such as chameleons, insects, snails, snakes, birds, etc. A very educational day that also offers time for your own excursions, as you will stay overnight near the national park. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 11: SINHARAJA – GALLE
(approx. 43 miles, 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 in Galle. (Meals: Breakfast)
Day 12: GALLE – NEGOMBO
(approx. 99 miles, about 3 hours)
After breakfast, depart for Colombo Airport or to your hotel on the west coast or start your extension program. (Meals: Breakfast)
Programme subject to change.
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