8 Day Tour | Highlights of Sri Lanka

Negombo - Habarana

Breakfast is at the hotel. Later, enjoy city tour of Negombo visiting St. Mary's Church, Dutch Canal, Fish market, Dutch Clock Tower and Dutch Fort.

Negombo has been coined as ‘Little Rome’ for centuries, and you will see these beautiful (Gothic) churches towering alongside the road, over the lush trees. We stop over at the largest and Grandest church (It is called Grand Street Church after-all) from the 1800’s. From there on it’s a short drive and stroll through the streets that were in the Negombo Fort area where its housing structure is yet very Dutch in all form and manner. We also see the actual fort walls, the very British little church on the hill and the Bell Tower. Being known for its sea-food, the experience would not be complete until you have visited the fish market; where you know, just by being in their presence the love and dedication they have towards this trade that is just in their blood. The dry-fish market is on the beach adjoining, and the process is quite an interesting one.

Later travel to Habarana by road. En-route visit Dambulla Cave Temple.

Dambulla Cave Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site and dates back to 1st century BC. Originally it was the refuge of King Walagamba, and the caves were later converted into a rock temple. It has five caves under a vast overhanging rock, the ceilings of the caves are painted with complex patterns of religious images. The caves are considered to be the finest storehouse of Sinhala art and sculptures consists of an imposing 15-metre long reclining Buddha, 150 statues of the Buddhist order, statues of Kings and Hindu deities etc.

Later travel to Habarana by road. Upon arrival, you will be transfered to your hotel.

Habarana is a small city in the Anuradhapura District of Sri Lanka. The location has some mid-range and up hotels aimed at package tourists, and is a departure point for other nearby locations of greater interest.

Habarana is situated nearby to the ancient rock fortress and castle/palace ruin of Sigiriya and is situated on the main road from Colombo to Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa. The population of the city is expected to be in the area of 5000-10,000.

Later, enjoy 4x4 Jeep Safari in Minneriya National Park, 8889 hectares in extent and known for its large population of elephants in herds of 100 to 150 roaming in the jungle and seen in the catchment area of the lake. Wild elephants, wild buffaloes, wild boar, spotted deer, sloth bear, Sambhur, crocodiles, jackals, 9 kinds of amphibians, 25 kinds of reptiles, 160 species of birds, 26 varieties of fishes, 78 varieties of butterflies are recorded to be inhabitants.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Habarana Village by Cinnamon

 Habarana – Matale – Kandy

Breakfast is at the hotel. Later visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Climb the 5th century Sigiriya Rock Fortress, which is a UNESCO world heritage site, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The ''Lion Rock'' is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 meters from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70-hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the ''Heavenly Maidens'' of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway.

These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster.

• Excursion Duration: Time Depends on how fast you climb the visit takes anything from 1.5 hours to 2.5 hrs.

• Attire or carry along: Light cool clothing, a cap and sunscreen, and a camera. It is advised to carry a bottle of water in a backpack.

Later travel to Kandy by road. En-route visit Matale Spice Garden.

Matale Spice Gardens are among the best on the island. You will be introduced to different spices and shown how some of these spices are grown and processed. A processing and training unit has been set up in the area and farmers are grouped in a cooperative to ensure fair prices and you will also be able to purchase spices.

Upon arrival in Kandy, you will be transfered to your hotel.

Kandy is the last capital of Sri Lanka. It is amongst a hilly terrain and center of the city houses the most charming Kandy Lake. City lies at an elevation of 465 meters above the sea level. Kandy was last home for Kandyan Kings of yore in 19th century and fountain for all music, arts, crafts and culture in the country.

Later, visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic. This temple houses a tooth relic of the Lord Buddha and is consequently considered one of Sri Lanka's most holy shrines. Although you may not view the actual tooth itself, the casket within which it is said to be is displayed twice a day.

• Excursion Duration: approx. 1 hour

• Light Colored clothing with sleeves and trousers or skirts below the knee length are recommended

• Since this is a religious site – the foot ware should be removed before entering the temple premises. You can wear socks if you wish to

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Cinnamon Citadel

 Kandy – Nuwara Eliya 

Breakfast is at the hotel. Then this morning, enjoy the scenic train ride from Nuwara Eliya.

Board a local train for a journey through the hill country. A ride by local train to the little England is one of the most picturesque rail journeys in the world! You journey through dark tunnels on winding tracks, the famous Ceylon Tea. The rolling mountains are a carpet of velvety green tea plantations, interspersed with gushing streams and tumbling waterfalls.

Upon arrival in Nuwara Eliya, you will be transfered to your hotel.

Nuwara Eliya, the ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. It is one of the coolest places in the Island, but it is really just like an English spring day, although the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence, houses like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions.

Afternoon, visit to Tea Plantation and Tea Factory.

Visit to Tea plantation and Tea factory where one the best tea in the world is produced. You will be explained all about the process of processing tea and also gain first-hand experience. Taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea which begins its journey as raw green leaves in the hills and ends up as a final golden-brown graded product which we all but know too well. Also, Take part in Tea plucking season.

(Note: - Tea factories are closed on Sundays and public holidays)

Later, enjoy a visit to Gregory Lake and Victoria Park.

Lake Gregory is a reservoir in heart of the tea country hill city, Nuwara Eliya. Lake Gregory was constructed during the period of British Governor Sir William Gregory in 1873. It was supposedly created for the purpose of providing electricity. However, the lake was mainly used for leisure and recreation after it was built.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Galway Heights

 Nuwara Eliya – Bentota

Breakfast is at the hotel. Later travel to Bentota by road.

Bentota is a gorgeous beautiful resort town in the South West of Sri Lanka. Stretches of golden sands lined by palm trees swaying gently in the breeze, crystal clear waters, a relatively untainted, tranquil and family-friendly atmosphere, and plenty of water sports makes Bentota a topnotch seaside getaway.

Upon arrival in Bentota, you will be transfered to your hotel.

Rest of the day is at leisure on the beach.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Cinnamon Bey Hotel

Bentota

Full day is at leisure on the beach.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Cinnamon Bey Hotel

Bentota

Full day is at leisure on the beach.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

 Bentota – Colombo

Breakfast is at the hotel. Later, travel to Colombo by road. Enroute visit Kosgoda turtle hatchery.

Turtle hatchery operated by the wildlife protection society of Sri Lanka. Several species of turtle, especially the hawksbill, are endangered; most vulnerable of all are their eggs; which are left uncovered on beaches all around the coast. The goodwill of Kosgoda area fishermen, who bring these eggs gratis to the hatchery, has led to the hatching and release of 100,000 young turtles in only two years since the hatchery opened.

Upon arrival in Colombo, proceed for sightseeing tour of Colombo.

Enjoy a walk along the promenade of the Galle Face Green overlooking the Indian Ocean. Continue past the Dutch Hospital complex dating back to the Dutch colonial era, now a heritage building and a shopping and dining precinct. Experience hustle and bustle of the commercial area of the Fort. Drive past the noisy bazaar area of Pettah or Pitakotuwa as the locals calls it. Visit the Fort Railway station opened in 1917 and to-date functions as the central station for Colombo. Visit The Temple of Gangaramaya. It is one of the most important Buddhist temples in all of Sri Lanka. The temple is built on an island that is connected to the mainland by a wooden bridge. The temple's architecture demonstrates an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architecture.

Later visit the Colombo Lotus Tower. Standing at the height of 356 m, this tower is the tallest tower is South Asia, 11th tallest tower is Asia and 19th tallest tower in the world. The tower basically serves as a transmission center for television and radio. Besides the communication and transmission activities, the tower also houses banquet halls, museums, shopping complexes etc. A visit to the observatory deck is a must as it offers exception view of the city.

Later, transfer Colombo International Airport to board flight for onward destination. If you are wanting to extend your time in Sri Lanka, please ask our Customer Service team about accommodation options or extra touring options.

Meals: Breakfast