Sri Lanka Tour Encompassed – SLTE12
Learn about Sri Lanka’s best kept secrets in this Sri Lanka Tour Encompassed. Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Visit Anuradhapura, the first capital. Discover Dambulla Rock Cave Temple and Temple of the Sacred Tooth. Explore the fortified city of Galle. Venture on game drives in search of native wildlife through Yala National Park.
Ultimately, this tour is jam-packed with historical, archaeological and religious sites to explore. Discovering the wildlife of a National Park is the topper. Search for leopards, elephants, bears, crocodiles and more. 12 days Colombo to Galle.
Day 1 Colombo
Upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, Sri Lanka airport authority staff will page you at the gate. You will then be escorted through the fast track arrival service and immigration to a private exclusive lounge. Next you will be met by our airport staff and your assigned driver guide who will escort you throughout your stay. Your baggage will be picked up by our staff while you enjoy refreshments in the lounge after the long journey. Subsequently, you will be escorted to your vehicle and transferred to your overnight hotel in Colombo. (approximate duration – 45 minutes – distance 35 kilometers)
Check in at your hotel and relax until evening. Then, you r guide will take you to indulge in an authentic Sri Lankan culinary experience, with some of the island’s most popular dishes. They are served as part of a unique seven-course ‘tasting’ dinner menu. Enjoy a combination of entertainment and the aromatic traditional cuisine of Sri Lanka.
Meals included: Dinner
Accommodations: Uga Residence Park Suite
Day 2 Colombo – Sigiriya – Thirappane
Following breakfast, check-out and drive to Sigiriya, located in the cultural triangle, 4.5 hrs drive. Stop at Sigiriya and proceed to climb the Rock Fortress. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Sigiriya is an enormous rock boulder rising up 200 meters above the surrounding jungle. Incredibly, the rock fortress was built in the fifth century. Wander through the ruins and admire the views of the surrounding jungle and hills. Note: Climbing up to the summit requires a good level of fitness and is by no means mandatory.
Proceed to Thirappane and check-in at your overnight hotel. (Approximate duration 2 hours’ drive).
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Ugalla Pool Villa Park Suite
Day 3 Thirappane – Anuradhapura – Thirappane
Set out to visit the ancient capital city of Anuradhapura (20 to 30 minutes’ drive). A UNESCO World Heritage Site predominantly influenced by Buddhism, this is Sri Lanka’s first Capital Kingdom. According to the ancient Sinhalese Chronicle ‘Mahavansa’, the kingdom was founded in the fifth Century BC. You are greeted by the brilliant white dome-shaped Ruwanweliseya and Jethawanarama stupas or dagobas (religious monuments).
This evening is yours to spend at leisure. Optional: Enjoy a spa treatment, pampering body and soul with traditional therapies and techniques.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Ugalla Pool Villa Park Suite
Day 4 Thirappane – Dambulla – Matale – Kandy
This morning enjoy an early packed breakfast. Check out and proceed to view the Dambulla rock cave temple (2 hrs drive). Dating back to the first Century BC, Dambulla is a vast cave complex, converted into a rock temple. It is regarded as one of the most important Buddhist monasteries. The site is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Continue your drive to the Matale Spice Garden (1 hour and 20 minutes’ drive). The gardens are a delightful place to stroll in fragrant greenery and learn about nutmeg, pepper vines, clove trees, curry, cinnamon and precious cardamom.
Continue your drive to Kandy (1-hour drive) and your hotel. Later this evening, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic for an evening ‘pooja’ session. The ‘Thevava’ or auspicious offering takes place three times a day. To witness the ritual is quite an experience. The resident monks demonstrate this age-old tradition as you become surrounded by the sound of drums and the smells of lotus and jasmine flowers.
Special notes: It is recommended to wear light colored clothing when visiting the temple: jeans, skirts, or dresses past knee length with long sleeved tops or a shawl to cover the shoulders if you are wearing short sleeved tops.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Kings Pavilion Deluxe Room
Day 5 Kandy – Peradeniya – Kandy
Head to the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens (30 minutes’ drive). Join an experienced botanist, on a fascinating walk through the scenic Royal Botanical Gardens. The park is host to over 4,000 species of plants and trees. Next is a panoramic tour of Kandy city by ‘Tuk Tuk’, the local three-wheeler taxi. The city has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include the historic Kandy Lake and Kandyan craftsmen creating silverware, brassware and gem-studded jewelry.
In the afternoon, participate in a traditional Kandyan dancing school amidst the scenic hills of Kandy. As you approach the school you will hear the distinct sound of the drums. A traditional Kandyan dancing guru will teach you the basic steps.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Kings Pavilion Deluxe Room
Day 6 Kandy – Haputhale
Check out this morning and transfer to Peradeniya Railway Station (30 minutes’ drive). Your journey to Haputhale is considered one of the most scenic railway journeys through the highlands of Sri Lanka. As you pass through the lush green tea estates enjoy the unmistakable aroma of pure Ceylon tea.
Departures: Peradeniya : 08:45 / 11:10, Arrivals: Haputhale: 14:00 / 16:30
(Note: The train is operated by the government with no advance booking system in place. They also give preference to government VIP’s and staff. Tickets are then released for tourists and the public. Consequently, tickets can only be confirmed at the last minute. Hence, the train timings are also subject to availability)
Your driver guide will await to pick you up from the Haputhale station and take you to your bungalow in Haputhale (30 minutes’ drive). Check in, relax and enjoy your dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations: Thotalagala Junior Suite
Day 7 Haputhale
After a relaxing breakfast, a hotel staff member will assist you on a “Tea Experience” at Dambetanne Factory. Here, you will get up close and personal with handpicked Ceylon tea. (During public holidays, the tea factory will be closed, and the tour will be conducted in a non-working tea factory). Return to the hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Optional (no extra cost) – Enjoy a guided tour to Lipton Seat where high tea will be served in the gardens of the bungalow. It was Sir Thomas Lipton’s residence from 1890 to 1910. (All outdoor activities are weather dependent, including the high tea)
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations: Thotalagala Junior Suite
Day 8 Haputhale – Udawalawe – Yala
Proceed to Udawalawe on route to Yala, with a stop at the Elephant Transit Home, near the famous Udawalawe National Park (4 hours and 30 minutes). The Elephant Transit Home was established in 1995 to care for orphaned elephants. The calves are nurtured and rehabilitated with the ultimate hope of re-introducing them back into the wild. Thereafter, continue to Yala (2 hours and 30 minutes).
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations: Chena Huts Cabin with Pool
Day 9 Yala
Arise at the break of dawn and head off for your jeep safari at Yala National Park. Search for leopards, elephants, bears, crocodiles and more. (Game drives will be on shared basis with a specialized ranger).
Return to the hotel and take some leisure time until your next game drive in the afternoon. Seek out the elusive leopard, herds of spotted deer, mugger crocodiles, wild boar, wild buffaloes, langurs, and peacocks. Bird-lovers will particularly enjoy the display of over 200 different bird species, including large flocks of migratory birds.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations: Chena Huts Cabin with Pool
Day 10 Yala – Galle
Set out for Galle (4 hours). Sit back and witness the iconic stilt fishermen engaging in their daily catch. Stilt fishing is an age-old fishing method in Sri Lanka and today it has become a scenic icon in the southern coastal belt.
Later, engage in a cinnamon tapping experience. Continue to your hotel in Galle where lunch awaits.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodations: Fort Bazaar – Bazaar Bedroom
Day 11 Galle
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and spend the morning at leisure. This evening explore the Galle Dutch Fort and enjoy a panoramic walk.
Yet another UNESCO World Heritage site, the city of Galle mixes the exotic with the colonial. The impressive fortress offers panoramic views of the Old Dutch Reformed Church, chic boutique hotels, and the lighthouse. End your walk at the Moon Bastion to watch the scenic sunset over the Indian ocean. Spend your last evening at leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Fort Bazaar – Bazaar Bedroom
Day 12 Depart Galle
Finally, check out and transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport (3 hours’ drive) in time to for your onward journey.
Meals included: Breakfast
