Sri Lanka Adventure Holiday

Check-in at hotel in Colombo.

Overnight Comfortable Hotel in Jetwing Blue or Jetwing Beach

Leaving the capital, our journey takes us northwards along the coast to the fishing port of Negombo. We will pause to visit a nearby fishing village where the catch is made in traditional style large outrigger canoes, known locally as ‘oruvas’. We may also see the toddy tappers climbing tall coconut trees and collecting sap from the flowers to make Arrack, a local whisky type spirit. Leaving Negombo we drive to Dambulla, where a great series of caves have been turned into temples (dating from the 1st century BC). We will visit five separate caves, which contain a large number of Buddha images and a few sculptures of Hindu Gods. The Reclining Buddha is no less than 14m long! This World Heritage Site is visited by crowds of worshippers. Finally we reach our resort in Dambulla

Overnight Comfortable Hotel in Amaya Lake Included meals: Breakfast

In the morning we drive to Sigiriya. A morning climb brings us up to the redoubtable Sky Fortress. The ruins of this 5th century fortress are one of Sri Lanka’s major attractions, a stupendous sight to behold and a feat of consummate engineering skill. A switchback series of steps and steel stairways (sometimes steep and challenging) ascend to the top. Halfway up, tucked beneath a sheltering overhang of rock, are the famous frescoes – the Sigiriya Damsels, their colours still glowing. Magnificent views can be enjoyed from the summit of the rock palace. Heading to Habarana, we make an elephant back safari through the shrub jungles & across the Habarana ponds. Here we should encounter a variety of small wild animals and birds amidst fascinating plants and flowers. (200m high).

Overnight Comfortable Hotel in Amaya Lake Included meals: Breakfast

Today we explore the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, which reached its height of glory in the 12th century. The city still has many interesting and spectacular buildings and monuments. There is the Royal Palace Group with its Audience Hall, Bathing Pool and Quadrangle – a very compact collection of ruins. Close by is the Circular Relic House, a curious round structure with a beautifully preserved ‘moonstone’ carved at the foot of a flight of steps. Another famous feature of the deserted city is the group of carved images of the Buddha known as Galvihara. Here there are four colossal figures, all of which are hewn out of solid granite. Later in the afternoon we return to Dambulla.

Overnight Comfortable Hotel in Amaya Lake Included meals: Breakfast

Lying in the mountains 112km northeast of Colombo, Kandy is, in climatic terms, a world apart due to its altitude of 500m above sea level. The town was captured by the British as late as 1815, and is known more for its cultural and spiritual importance rather than its history. Buddhists from all over the world come to this delightful old highland town, specifically to visit the Temple of the Tooth, the Dalada Maligawa. The costly jewelled shrine of the Holy Tooth (said to be 3.5cm long by 1cm thick and Buddha’s left canine) is kept in the upper floor of the original building. This relic was brought from India 1,500 years ago and every year, at the time of the August full moon, it is paraded round the town with great pomp and circumstance. During this ten-night festival of Perahera, the Tooth (or a simulacrum) is borne along on a richly caparisoned elephant, surrounded by saffron-robed monks and Kandyan dancers. Kandyan dancers can also be seen performing every night at one or two locales around town. This afternoon’s sight-seeing includes attending the Temple of the Tooth Ceremony and a visit to the Peradeniya Botanical Garden.

Overnight Comfortable Hotel in Amaya Hills Included meals: Breakfast

A full free day to continue your exploration of this charming mountain town or simply relax and enjoy the amenities at our hotel.

Overnight Comfortable Hotel in Amaya Hills Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we head off across the highlands, through green rolling hills covered in tea plantations, visiting a working tea factory en route to the hill station of Nuwara Eliya. After checking into our hotel we’ll take a tour around this little town, known as ‘Little England”, famous for its lake, golf and race course and well manicured gardens.

Overnight Comfortable Hotel in The Hill Club Included meals: Breakfast

We head out this morning for the Horton Plains, situated on Sri Lanka’s highest plateau between altitudes of 2000m and 2300m. Traditionally named “Mahaeliya” the park’s main attraction is the thrilling escarpment known as World’s End which offers stunning views across the tea plantations. We aim to trek to World’s End in the morning when the air is clear and the views are best. Although the area is now devoid of elephants, we may be lucky enough to see other flora and fauna such as the Sambar deer. Returning to the hotel in the early afternoon, there is time to refresh and relax; maybe even a round of golf on the adjacent golf course!

Overnight Comfortable Hotel in The Hill Club Included meals: Breakfast

A long but scenic journey today as we descend from the central highlands to the coast. At Ella we visit Rawana Ella Falls, then continue south through the hill country until we eventually meet the plains at the small town of Wellawaya, which stands at a major national crossroads. Continuing southwards, we reach Yala National Park where we’ll take a late afternoon game drive. This huge nature reserve covers a wide range of habitats, from dense jungle to open parkland with huge rocky outcrops which gives way to huge sand dunes before meeting the sea. The park is notable for its leopard population and though sightings of these are rare, we hope to spot many of the other species native to this area such as elephant, crocodile, wild boar and langur monkey. Yala is also home to over 130 species of bird, including orioles, hornbills and a wide variety or migrating birds who stop to rest and water here.

Overnight Comfortable Hotel in The Safari Included meals: Breakfast

This morning there is a chance to take an optional game drive in to Yala National Park. Game drives are taken in jeeps with local naturalists who will help you spot the native wildlife. For those not wishing to take a game drive there is free time to relax at the hotel. In the late morning we head out of the park and on along the coast to Galle. Although there is still evidence of damage from the 2004 tsunami all along this coastline, the international relief effort has put the area on a fast path to recovery; and the brand new infrastructure is allowing local communities to benefit from tourism once again.

Overnight Comfortable Hotel in Tamarind Hill Included meals: Breakfast

Galle has a variety of activities and attractions to occupy your free time. You may choose to hire snorkelling equipment and explore the corals or take a sea trip around the coast. Alternatively travel up river past small largely uninhabited islands. There is the option in the evening to visit the old, walled town of Galle itself. Important as a trading port for the Portuguese since the 16th century when the fortress was constructed, it has undoubtedly been a trading centre since ancient times. There is plenty to see particularly in the old fort area, which was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1988. Overlooking the sea, the fort ramparts protect the harbour, old houses, churches, warehouses and the Arab quarter. For those seeking pure relaxation, local Ayurvedic massages with natural, aromatic herbal oils are highly recommended. Between December and April there may be the opportunity to go on a whale watching trip from nearby Mirissa. Alternatively you may wish to visit our Trees for Life project and sponsor a tree which will eventually be donated to villages affected by the tsunami. Tonight we drive to Bentota.

Overnight Comfortable Hotel in The Surf Bentota Included meals: Breakfast

Our final daya are spent relaxing on the Indian Ocean coast. If you feel like exploring further however, we recommend a trip into Colombo by train for more sightseeing and shopping.

Overnight Comfortable Hotel in The Surf Bentota Included meals: Breakfast

 Our tour ends this morning after breakfast.

Included meals: Breakfast