Discover Sri Lanka

Overview

The journey begins at Negombo which is but obvious as this is considered the perfect place to begin and end the journey while in Sri Lanka. Negombo is the beautiful beach town which can be also discovered through the canals that are so well connected to the lagoons. Once called the cinnamon port, it is also a fisherman’s abode. Several buildings of the colonial era adorn the city. The next destination is a UNESCO site and is famous for the preserved ruins of the ancient irrigation network. The reservoirs are a classic example of ancient engineering.

Polonnaruwa was no wonder called the Granary of the Orient!It also happens to be the proud preserver of the oldest Buddhist civilization. It is also has some wild life sanctuaries to boast of. The next destination is one of the favourites with almost all the travellers visiting this amazing country-Hambantota. It is the wild life paradise. Numerous wildlife, bird and animal reserve which are blessed with a huge variety of animals and birds can be seen at Hambantota. The Uda Walawe sanctuary has 250 herds of elephants!! At a short distance from here is Rekawa which is home to the five species of marine turtles.

From jungles to the caves, quite logical isn’t it! Dambulla is called the city of caves. There are 80 caves here out of which five caves are adorned with paintings and statues. The journey proceeds further to more such wonders in Kandy which is also one of the sacred cities here. The famous Tooth Relic is world renowned. Nuwara Eliya is called the city of lights. A pure specimen of British rule, complete with old brick post office, club house, 18 hole golf course and so on… It also has the highest set Botanical Garden in the world.

The magical experience touches the reality shores at Colombo, the beautiful capital city of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka cannot be fully known and befriended in just a single visit for sure!!        

Outlined Itinerary

Day 01 - Negombo

Meet on arrival at the Bandaranayake International Airport by a Mystic India representative and transfer to Negombo. The rest of the day is then at leisure to relax beachside.

Day 02 - Giritale

Breakfast at Hotel – Leave for Giritale. Thereafter proceed on a sightseeing tour of Polonnaruwa - which was the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka, built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, and which is a world heritage site - Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya – where 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in ‘Upright’, ‘Sedentary’ and ‘Recumbent’ postures carved out of rock, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, king Parakramabahu’s statue, and the Parakrama Samudraya lake built by King Parakramabahu the great. There are also monuments of famous places of worship such as the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilake, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic – On completion return back to the hotel for Overnight stay.

Day 03 - Giritale

Breakfast at hotel – Morning proceed on a sightseeing tour of Anuradhapura - It was the first capital and undoubtedly the grandest city of the ancient Sri Lanka, It is the home of two World Heritage sites. Many places of historical and archaeological interest could be visited. Sri Maha Bodhi (Sacred Bo-Tree) was brought as a sapling of the tree under which prince Siddhartha attained to enlightenment and it is over 2,200 years old and is the oldest historically documented tree in the world. . On completion return back to the hotel – Rest of the day at leisure – Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 04 - Habarana

Breakfast at Hotel – Morning proceed on Elephant back safari - Experience the thrill of an elephant back safari in Habarana for about one hour. Each elephant will be able to carry 05 adults in a Howdy or Basket. Once the guest mount on Elephants, they will be taken deep in to the jungle, accompanied by a Mahout. The afternoon is then at leisure.

Day 05 - Dambulla

Breakfast at Hotel – proceed to Dambulla - Climb up to the temple, which was donated by king Walagambahu in the 1st century BC to Buddhist monks. Dambulla is a World Heritage site and is the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. metres of painted walls and the ceiling is the largest area of paintings found in the world. These caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock spanning 14 metres.

Day 06 - Kandy

Breakfast at Hotel – proceed to Dambulla - Climb up to the temple, which was donated by king Walagambahu in the 1st century BC to Buddhist monks. Dambulla is a World Heritage site and is the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. metres of painted walls and the ceiling is the largest area of paintings found in the world. These caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock spanning 14 metres. Evening proceed to visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic and thereafter witness a cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dancing.

Day 07 - Kandy

Breakfast at Hotel - proceed to Elephant Orphange. This orphanage is the home for about 89 elephants, out of which some are baby elephants found abandoned or orphaned in the wild. They are being cared, fed and trained by the wild life authorities. The best time to visit is during the feeding times, when one will have the opportunity of seeing the baby elephants being bottle-fed. Also could accompany the elephants to a river close-by and see them having their daily bath. Also taken on a city tour of Kandy. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings, and is a World Heritage Site. The name Kandy conjures visions of splendor and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive.

Day 08 - Nuwara Eliya

Breakfast at hotel – Leave for Nuwara Eliya – En route visit a tea plantation and a tea factory, where the best tea in the world is produced. You will be told all about the process of manufacturing tea. You can also see how tea is graded. Taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory. On completion, proceed to Nuwara Eliya, because of its invigorating mountain climate and scenery, is Sri Lanka’s most popular hill resort. Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country producing a significant share of the world’s best tea. Sri Lanka’s highest mountain Pidurutalagala (8282 feet) is located here. Nuwara-Eliya also has one of the finest 18 hole golf courses in South Asia. Evening leave on a sightseeing tour of Nuwara Eliya including the Hakgala Gardens – Drive through "Little England " Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 09 - Nuwara Eliya

Breakfast at hotel – Morning proceed to visit Horton Plains - Horton Plains is located on a high windswept saddle at 2134 meters. These Plains are hard to reach but the scenery is well worth the effort. At Horton Plains, hike to the Bakers Fall, passing en route the Gem Pit Pool, the Chimney Pool, and the Leg of Mutton Pool. On completion – Return back to the hotel – Rest of the day at leisure

Day 10 - Galle

Breakfast at Hotel – Leave for Galle - Check in at Unawatuna Beach Hotel. The rest of the day is then at leisure

Day 11 - Galle

Breakfast at hotel – Rest of the day at leisure beachside

Day 12 - Galle

Breakfast at hotel – Rest of the day at leisure beachside

Day 13 - Negombo

Leisure day beach side

Day 14 - Negombo

Leisure day beach side

Day 15 - Negombo

Transfer to the airport for your home bound or on wards flight.

All our tours and holidays are tailor made so can be amended to suite your budget. Click on our from prices below to see what hotels you can expect based on the cheapest time to travel in High Season per person based on two people sharing a room. We can design this tour for you at a lower or higher price, basically to suite your budget, style and comfort. Contact a specialist to discuss your requirements. International flights are not included.