Explore the ancient royal city of Anuradhapura, climb Sigiriya Rock, roam the evergreen tea plantations in the highlands and spot wildlife in Yala National Park.
Day 1: Airport - Colombo (D)
Arrival at the airport, welcome by the tour guide and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, city tour of the capital. The cityscape is characterized by modern architecture, British colonial past and religious sites. Dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Colombo - Anuradhapura - Sigiriya/Dambulla (B, D)
After an early breakfast, drive to Anuradhapura, from where the Sinhalese kings ruled for 1500 years from the 5th century BC. Religious monuments, numerous dagobas, palaces, parks and intricate irrigation systems are just some of their legacies. Even today, Anuradhapura is considered a sacred site and is visited by many pilgrims. In the afternoon, drive south to Sigiriya. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Sigiriya -Polonnaruwa -Sigiriya (B, D)
In the morning, excursion to Polonnaruwa and visit the well-preserved remains of the former capital (11th-13th centuries), which have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. Then return to Sigiriya, stopping en route for an elephant ride. In the afternoon, climb Sigiriya Rock, a 200 m high gneiss monolith located in a jungle plain with the legendary "Cloud Girls" and a breathtaking panoramic view from the summit. Dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Sigiriya - Dambulla - Kandy (B, D)
In the morning, drive to the impressive rock cave temple of Dambulla with its 150 Buddha statues and many wall paintings worth seeing. On the onward journey, stop at the spice gardens of Matale. Arrival in Kandy in the afternoon, city tour and visit of the famous "Temple of the Sacred Tooth" followed by a traditional dance performance. Dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Kandy - Hingula - Nuwara Eliya (B, D)
In the morning, drive through the hilly country on a serpentine route to the mountainous region of Nuwara Eliya. On the way, you will visit the village of Hingula. You will drive by tuk tuk through rubber plantations and rice fields, experience a short ox cart ride and learn interesting facts about the history of the local temple. You can also observe how coconuts are harvested and learn how roti and pol sambol are prepared. Afterwards, visit a tea plantation with a typical tea factory, which gives an insight into the elaborate processing of the tea plants. After arrival in Nuwara Eliya, also called "Little England", short city tour through the colonial town. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Nuwara Eliya - Yala - Tissamaharama/Yala (B, D)
After breakfast, drive to Yala National Park in the south-east of Sri Lanka, famous for its abundance of wild elephants and other wildlife (130 bird species and 30 mammal species). Followed by a jeep safari through the park. Dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Yala - Galle - Waskaduwa (B, D)
Early morning departure towards the West Coast. On the way, city tour of the old harbor town of Galle, visit to the mask museum in Ambalagoda and the turtle farm in Kosgoda, followed by a boat trip on the Bentota River. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: Waskaduwa - Colombo (B)
After breakfast, return to the airport. Return and onward flights are only possible in the afternoon.
B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner
Note: Travel in local air-conditioned cars, minivans or buses. Subject to changes that do not affect the overall tour. On public holidays / major events e.g. cricket tournaments / Perahera additional surcharges may apply. Due to the cool climate in the mountains (Nuwara Eliya), warm clothing is advisable, for the visits to the national parks and the climb of the Sigiriya rock we recommend bringing sturdy shoes. The infrastructure in Sri Lanka is partly poorly developed, travelling takes a lot of time even on short distances (the total distance given refers to the pure travelling time from place to place - without visits). Services are subject to change without notice. Please note: Every year between mid-August and the end of October, Block I of Yala National Park is closed for a few weeks due to the dry season - the exact dates are usually communicated at the beginning of August. Alternatively, another national park in the region will be visited (Galge (Block 4&5), Bundala or Lunugamvehera National Park).
