20 Day Tour Best of Sri Lanka

Dambulla Cave Temple.

Enjoy a city tour of Negombo and the surrounding lagoon before you head for the city of Dambulla located in the Cultural Triangle. In the evening you will visit the mysterious cave temple in Dambulla, with five shrines and over hundred sculptures of the Buddha.

Today visit Anuradhapura, the oldest of the three cities in the Cultural Triangle. It is famous for housing the 2000 year old sapling of the holy Bo tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.  The gigantic dagabas that stand in honour are second in size to Egyptian pyramids. Climb the pious Mihintale the rock, and witness the remains of Ambatthala Dagaba. This is the spot where Buddhist history was made as Mahinda Thera introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Return to Dambulla for your overnight stay.

In the morning you will visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 5th century B.C this 8th wonder of the world displays landscaped gardens, beautiful water gardens, moats and ramparts, twisted steps and stairways and remnants of the Kings palace on top of the rock. Afterwards leave for Kandy; on the way you will visit a traditional spice garden in Matale . In the evening enjoy a visit to the Sacred Temple of the Tooth followed by a viewing of a traditional cultural dance performance.

Enjoy the day at leisure and relax on the beach or by the pool.

Enjoy the day at leisure and relax on the beach or by the pool.

Today you will visit the city of Polonnaruwa.  Once a flourished Kingdom well equipped with knowledge, skill and creativity, this ancient city is a proud display of our ancestral heritage. The vast reservoir Parakrama Samdhraya bordering the city is considered to be one of the largest manmade lakes in Sri Lanka. In the evening on your way to Habarana you will visit the Minneriya National Park, which is famous for its large herds of Elephants, who gather around the lakes in the afternoons.

Today you will visit Ritigala, an enigmatic mountain which revolves around legend and mysterious folklore that dates back to thousands of years. Regularly bathed in mist, covered with dense forest it is linked to the pre Christian, Hindu legend of Ramayana. The legend goes that Hanuman who was sent to the Himalayas to find a medicinal herb for Lakshman, brought back a piece of the Himalayas and dropped it at Ritigala. Lankan kings sought refuge here and built Buddhist shrines, hospitals and monasteries. Buddhist monks still reside in the forest monastery tucked away in the remote jungle.

In the morning you will visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 5th century B.C this 8th wonder of the world displays landscaped gardens, beautiful water gardens, moats and ramparts, twisted steps and stairways and remnants of the Kings palace on top of the rock. Afterwards leave for Kandy; you will visit a traditional spice garden in Matale on the way.

Visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage which looks after a large number of Elephants. The main attractions are the feeding and bathing of the elephants. Return to Kandy and enjoy a city tour of the hill country capital.  In the evening enjoy a visit to the Sacred Temple of the Tooth followed by a viewing of a traditional cultural dance performance.

After breakfast you can visit the Peradeniya botanical gardens before you leave for Nuwara Eliya. On the way to Nuwara Eliya you will visit a tea factory. Standing 2000m above the sea level, Nuwara Eliya, often referred to as the “Little England” of Sri Lanka is the heart of the tea industry which began its journey to produce the green gold of the country after the British influence in the colonial era. You will see many bungalows, houses and hotels with a touch of British taste. A light jumper would be recommended as it can get cold in the nights.

Enjoy a trek through the Horton Plains National Park a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This high altitude plateau is stretched out in grassland with intervals of forests. It is home to sambar, deer the occasional leopard and birds. It is an excellent excursion for nature lovers, hikers and bird watchers.  The most thrilling attraction is the “World’s End” where the earth drops south plummeting into a misty descent of nearly 1000m. The misty view creates and infinite drop, but on a clear day it is a magnificent sight.

Check out and transfer to Yala National Park. The second largest and most visited national park in Sri Lanka is spread out over the Southern & Uva Province. Yala is reputed to have the highest density of leopards within a single area. Consisting of 215 bird species it is one of the 76 Important Bird Areas in Sri Lanka.  Home to a wide variety of wild animals and flora and fauna, it is also an important conservation of Sri Lankan Elephants and aquatic birds.

Enjoy an early morning and evening Jeep safari in the Yala National park.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Galle, the southern capital of Sri Lanka and enjoy a tour of the famous Galle fort. Once a famous bustling harbor attracting foreign merchants from around the world, this fortified city celebrates the Portuguese, Dutch and British influences. Now a town emanating old world charm, the beauty of Galle Fort is haunted by its colonial influences.  Dutch colonial villas and buildings, churches, museums, antique shops, lighthouse, boutique hotels and restaurants are some attractions within the fort.

Leave early morning to Mirissa (30 mins from Galle) to see the giant mammals of the sea; quietly dwell under the blue waves (Season- Dec/April). Go out into sea for about 3-4 hours and try your luck and spot the blue whales and sperm whale at one of the best spots in the world to see whales. Afterwards make your way to Bentota, enjoying a boat ride along the Madhu River on the way.

Bentota beach is a hot spot for snorkeling, fishing, scuba diving, sailing, wind surfing and many more exciting water sports. Keep an eye out for sea turtles that pad about the shore. Well known for luxurious accommodation and Bentota Beach Hotel which was built on the site of an Old Portuguese Fort.

You can relax on the beach or indulge yourself in one of the many spa treatments available. In the evening visit a turtle hatchery.

Enjoy the day at leisure and relax on the beach or by the pool and maybe enjoy some water sports

Leave for Colombo the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. You are free to relax and do some shopping in the evening.

In the morning enjoy a city tour of Colombo and in the evening feel free to relax and explore.

Check out from your hotel and transfer to the airport for your return flight.