Sri Lanka Discovery Tour

WHAT'S INCLUDED

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Relax on a golden sandy beach
• Explore ancient Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa
• Hike through tea plantations and paddy fields
• Search for wild elephants in Kaudulla Reserve
• Cultural city of Kandy
• Visit the amazing rock fortress of Sigiriya
• Marvel at the exquisite temple frescoes at Dambulla
• Hike to spectacular World's End

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 2, NEGOMBO - ANURADHAPURA: Visit the ancient city of Panduwasnuwara and the fascinating ancient rock fortress of Yapahuwa. Continue to Anuradhapura where we spend the night. (B)

Day 3, ANURADHAPURA: Cycle tour of the sacred city of Anuradhapura, the cradle of Sinhala civilisation. The route is flat and easy with many shaded areas to rest and exquisite temples to visit. In the afternoon we visit Mihintale with its superb views across the plains. (B)

Day 4, ANURADHAPURA - POLONNARUWA - KAUDULLA: Continue to Polonnaruwa. We spend the afternoon searching for wild elephants in Kaudulla or Minneriya National Parks. (B)

Day 5, POLONNARUWA - SIGIRIYA: Explore the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, with its immense Buddhas carved from the rock. Later continue to Sigiriya, an extraordinary citadel built on top of an immense rock. We climb to the top to visit the fortress and view the superb frescoes painted on the walls. The views are stunning. Continue to Dambulla where we spend the night. (B)

Day 6, DAMBULLA - KANDY: Morning visit to the magnificent Buddhist caves of Dambulla. We then drive to the old capital of Kandy in the Central Highlands, stopping en route at a spice garden. In the late afternoon we watch a performance of traditional Kandyan dancing which may include dancers in a trance walking on hot coals, and visit the Temple of the Tooth to experience a pooja (worship) ceremony. (B)

Day 7, KANDY: Morning city tour of Kandy. Free afternoon with the chance to visit the botanical gardens. (B)

Day 8, KANDY - NUWARA ELIYA: Travel through the Ramboda Pass surrounded by green hills covered with tea. We reach Nuwara Eliya, an old British hill-station where the afternoon is free for you to explore; perhaps hike to Lover’s Leap on the edge of town or take afternoon tea in the colonial Hill Club. (B)

Day 9, NUWARA ELIYA - WORLD’S END - BELIHULOYA: We hike along the hilly slopes through montane forests and tea plantations to World’s End. Here the ground drops beneath your feet and there are stunning views out across the plains below you. We end our day in Belihuloya. (B)

Day 10, BELIHULOYA: Continue hiking through lovely scenery of tea plantations, paddy fields and villages to the Bambarakanda Falls - the highest in Sri Lanka. There is the chance to take a dip in the pool at the bottom before continuing to a small village where we enjoy lunch with a local family. (BL)

Day 11, BELIHULOYA - TANAMALWILA: We visit the Elephant Transit Home, a successful exercise to introduce orphaned baby elephants back into their natural habitats. We spend the night camping. (B) Note: The brochure mentions a visit to Diyaluma Waterfalls. However we do not stop here. This is to enable us to reach the elephant park in time for feeding.

Day 12, TANAMALWILA - BENTOTA: We visit the World Heritage site of the Galle Dutch Fortress before transferring to Bentota, a beach resort on Sri Lanka’s beautiful south-west coast. We spend two nights in a small hotel situated in a peaceful position on a quiet lagoon which stretches into the sea. (B) Note: The brochure mentions a visit to the Kataragama Shine. However we do not stop here, preferring more time in Galle and a shorter drive overall.

Day 13, BENTOTA: An exciting morning spent cycling through local villages and various vegetation including coconut, rubber and cinnamon. This afternoon there is the opportunity to enjoy river canoeing. (B)

Day 14, BENTOTA - NEGOMBO: Free morning to relax on the beach. In the afternoon we transfer back to Negombo. (B)

Day 15, NEGOMBO / COLOMBO: Tour ends after breakfast. (B)

DEPARTURE DATES

TRAVEL STYLE

You love to experience the culture and tradition of a destination but with a level of comfort and organisation that won't test your endurance. Explore without roughing it.

Maximum Group Size - 15: You love to experience the culture and tradition of a destination but with a level of inclusions, comfort and organisation that won't test your endurance. You enjoy the freedom of using privately charted vehicles but also understand that sometimes the best way to go is 'local'. Whether a seasoned or a first time traveller, you love to explore without roughing it.
Tour Extensions: Traveller-class Extension tours are non-group tours, available on request.
Included: All accommodation (usually in comfortable tourist class hotels on a twin share basis), transportation, many meals, and all entrance fees as included in the itinerary.
Single Supplement: (applicable to single travellers who wish to have their own room) Usually available and usually not compulsory (check your specific tour for details). Please note: Single supplements do not apply on all boats, overnight train journeys and whilst camping.[Read more about Imaginative Traveller travel styles]