Sri Lanka for explorers! This round trip takes you to various national parks, the highlight being a train ride through the fascinating landscape of the highlands.
Day 1: Colombo (D)
Arrival in Colombo, welcome by the tour guide and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of the city. Dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Colombo - Galle - Mirissa (B, D)
After breakfast, depart for the south. On the way, you will take a boat trip on the Bentota River. You will also visit a turtle farm in Kosgoda and the Mask Museum in Ambalangoda. In the afternoon, you will visit the old harbor town of Galles, capital of the Southern Province and home to the famous fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region is characterized by the Dutch colonial period, but gemstones and hand-woven silk work are also among the region's specialities. Afterwards, you will drive on to Mirissa. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Mirissa - Yala National Park -Tissamaharama/Yala (B, D)
The morning is at your leisure. In the afternoon, set off towards Yala for a jeep safari through the national park. Yala National Park is the oldest nature reserve in Sri Lanka. Over 130 species of birds such as flamingos, pelicans, peacocks, cormorants and 30 species of mammals such as elephants and wild water buffalo have settled here. Large parts of the park are reminiscent of the African Savannah, the outer parts of the park are dominated by monsoon forests. Dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Yala National Park - Nuwara Eliya (B, D)
After breakfast, drive to Nuwara Eliya. On the way, visit a tea plantation and a tea factory. Tea was first cultivated around 1824 in the botanical garden in Peradeiya with a few plants from China. Today, Sri Lanka produces around 300 million tonnes of tea per year, most of it for export. Upon arrival in Nuwara Eliya, explore the town with a city tour. Nuwara Eliya is rightly called "Little England", because many things here are still reminiscent of the time of the lost empire. The racecourse, golf course and Victoria Park are just a few relics of times gone by. Dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Nuwara Eliya - Horton Plains - Nuwara Eliya (B, D)
After breakfast, you will set off for the Horton Plains. The national park is 2000 meters above sea level, covers an area of about 30 square kilometers and is covered by both grassland and dense cloud forest. After a hike of about 4 km you reach "World's End", here the plateau drops steeply almost 500 meters and offers a breathtaking view - in clear weather all the way to the south coast of Sri Lanka. Return to Nuwara Eliya. The rest of the day at your leisure. Dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Nuwara Eliya - Kandy (B, D)
After breakfast, set off on a train journey towards Kandy. Nuwara Eliya itself does not have a connection to the railway network, the nearest station is in Nanu Oya. The route to Peradeniya is one of the most beautiful train routes in the country. You leisurely pass countless tea plantations, waterfalls and colorful Hindu temples. In the afternoon you reach the old royal city of Kandy. Visit the tooth temple Sri Dalada Maligawa, the gemstone museum and a traditional dance performance. Dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Kandy - Hingula - Negombo (B, D)
After breakfast, you will explore the old royal city with a city tour. Afterwards you visit the botanical garden in Peradeniya, which is the second largest in Asia with its 62 ha. Afterwards, a bullock cart ride. You will be shown how to harvest coconuts and prepare roti and sol sambol (coconut ambo) from them. Finally, you will visit a natural stone pool. Dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Negombo - Colombo (B)
After breakfast, depart for Colombo International Airport or your beach hotel.
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 we recommend bringing sturdy shoes. Please note: the infrastructure in Sri Lanka is 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: between mid-August and the end of October, it is possible that blocks 1&2 of Yala National Park will be closed for a few weeks due to the dry season - information and exact dates will usually be 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). Services are subject to change without notice.
