Sri Lanka, Colombo

Sri Lanka from North to South 3/4-star

Arrival in Colombo, meet and greet at the airport by the local representative, then private transfer to Negombo. Check-in at the hotel. Depending on the flight schedule, lunch at the hotel, then free time to enjoy the beach.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, visit Negombo, Sri Lanka’s fifth-largest city, with its famous fish market. Then continue by road to Anuradhapura. Lunch featuring Sri Lankan specialities. Visit this magnificent site, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Anuradhapura is one of Sri Lanka’s ancient capitals and an important centre of Buddhism. Discover its impressive stupas, sacred temples, exquisite sculptures and paintings. Check-in at the hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to the northern peninsula towards Jaffna (approx. 4.5 hours), passing through unspoilt landscapes and the iconic Elephant Pass. Check-in at the hotel. Lunch at the hotel. Visit to Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, a jewel of Hindu architecture and a major spiritual site for the Tamil community.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, embark on a boat trip to the island of Nainativu. This unique stop brings together two major places of worship: Nagadeepa Purana Vihara, one of the country’s sixteen sacred sites, marking the location of a historic visit by the Buddha, and Nagapooshani Amman, a flamboyant Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Parvati, renowned for its vibrant rituals and its connection with Naga legends. Lunch is a culinary immersion featuring Jaffna’s typical spicy specialities. Explore the colonial fort, followed by the famous library. Continue with a sensory stroll through stalls filled with spices, tropical fruit and handicrafts. Return to the hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to Sigiriya (approx. 5 hrs 45 mins). On the way, enjoy a mystical stop at Ritigala: explore the monastery and follow its ancient stone paths through the jungle to discover the meditation platforms and the former monastic hospital. Lunch en route, then arrival in Sigiriya. At the end of the day, attend a traditional dance performance. Feel the power of the ancestral drums and marvel at the spectacular fire-walking. Check-in at the hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Early in the morning, climb the rock fortress of Sigiriya (around 1,000 steps), a UNESCO World Heritage site. This imposing citadel towers over the region from the top of its 200-metre-high rock, the “Lion Rock”. It is the work of King Kassapa. This ancient site is world-famous for its frescoes of the Sigiriya Maidens, national emblems painted on the rock face. At the summit, take in the breathtaking views over the surrounding jungle.

After lunch, visit the historic city of Polonnaruwa (UNESCO), the medieval kingdom from the 11th to the 13th century.

At an extra charge (payable locally), it is possible to do the visit by bicycle. Approximately 5 USD per person.

Polonnaruwa is full of monumental statues, remains and very well-preserved Hindu religious buildings, including three giant Buddhas known as Gal Viharriya. The second major site is the royal palace as well as the Quadrangle. Return to the hotel.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, visit Dambulla Temple, also known as the Golden Temple, whose five sanctuary caves are entirely decorated with Buddhist murals and a multitude of Buddha statues. Then visit the Hindu temple Nalanda Gedige. To awaken the senses before lunch, visit the Matale spice garden. Lunch at the spice garden, then visit the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. This is the city’s star attraction. Puja ceremonies are held every morning and evening to honour the relic. Watch these rituals accompanied by traditional drumming. Check-in at the hotel.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, visit the Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya and its impressive collection of flowers. Then, visit the three temples (Gadaladenniya, Embekke and Lankathilaka) and authentic villages for a true immersion in the heart of the local community. Local lunch and tasting of Sri Lankan snacks. The driver-guide, accompanied by a village guide, will explain the residents’ daily life. If you are lucky, you may even catch sight of domesticated elephants from the local temple. Return to the hotel.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Board a local train to Nanu Oya and enjoy the unique experience of travelling through Sri Lanka’s magnificent landscapes. After a local lunch, visit a tea plantation and factory. You will learn all about tea growing and production, which involves a precise scientific and technical process. Ceylon tea is recognised as the best tea in the world. Then continue with a tour of the town of Nuwara Eliya, located in the mountains. Take in and admire the beauty of the scenery, with tea plantations stretching as far as the eye can see. Check-in at the hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Udawalawe with a stop en route to visit Ella and the Ravana Falls waterfall. Local lunch before arriving at Udawalawe National Park. A safari of around two hours awaits. This renowned park offers the chance to observe numerous Asian elephants. It is also known for its abundant wildlife, and the vast plains provide an ideal habitat for water buffalo, crocodiles and various bird species. Check-in at the hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, visit a care centre for elephants in Udawalawe National Park, the “Elephant Transit Home”. At this centre, more than 50 elephants have been nursed back to health before being released into the wild.

Next, head to the coast to enjoy the idyllic beaches. Lunch on the beach with fish and prawn specialities in Weligama, an idyllic setting for a refreshing swim. You then continue along the road, stopping to see the stilt fishermen. Continue with a visit to the Japanese Peace Pagoda in Unawatuna.

You arrive in the afternoon for a guided tour of the city of Galle, the main town on the south coast. Recognised by UNESCO, the gradually restored colonial-style buildings give the city its very special charm. The oldest monument is the 17th-century Portuguese and Dutch fort. Free time to wander through the streets of the fortified city, where every house has a story to tell. Arrival and check-in at the hotel, time to relax.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Then private transfer to Colombo Airport for the return flight. Ayubowan!

During the tour, you will be accompanied by an English-speaking driver-guide.