Discover Sri Lanka
Discover Sri Lanka in 18 days with Barefoot Traveller. Our suggested itinerary for your holiday is below, and like all of our tours, it can be tailored for a touring experience that is unique to you.
The highlights of the tour
- Climb the 5th century Sigiriya Rock fortress and witness the beauty of heavenly maidens of the caves
- Be awed by the 48 Buddha Statues at Dambulla Cave Temple
- Discover the elegance of Kandy city, looped by the Mahaweli River and encircled by the lush hills
- Breathe in the scent of cardamom and take in the carpets of greenery of the Tea Estates
- Wildlife safari at Yala National Park spotting leopards
- Enjoy the lull of the waves of Galle
- Take in the capital of Colombo with its colonial structures, bargain shopping and exotic cafes
The Tour (18 Days)
Day 1: Depart from London Heathrow
Day 2 Negombo – Anuradhapura (Transfer time approx 4hrs): After breakfast be picked up from Negombo and driven to Anuradhapura where you will be staying at Alakamanda (4*) resort in a double room on half-board basis.
Day 3 Anuradhapura: After breakfast take a half day city tour of Anuradhpura, the grandest city of ancient Ceylon. Home to two world heritage sites including the Sri Maha Bodhi (Sacred Bo-Tree), it is full of historical & cultural interest. Relax upon your return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 4 Anuradhapura – Habarana (Transfer time approx 1 hr 30mins): After breakfast head to Habarana. Staying at Chaaya Village 4* hotel in a double superior room on half board basis, this hotel is perfectly located to explore Minneriya National Park, home to elephants, water buffalo, sambur & mongooses.
Day 5 Habarana: After breakfast visit the Dambulla Caves (approx 45 mins away) which dates back to the 1st century BC. Afterwards go on a tour of the ancient capital of Polonnaruwa, visiting key sites including Shiva Devale, Watadage, the rock inscriptions of Nissankamalla and the Gal Vihare. Return to Chaaya Village hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 6 Habarana – Kandy (Transfer time approx 3hrs): After breakfast head south to Kandy, visiting a spice garden en route before arriving at the Royal Botanical Gardens home to nearly 4000 species of plants and the longest river in Sri Lanka, the Mahaweli. Staying at the Mahaweli Reach – 4* hotel in a double standard room on half board basis, the hotel has lovely views of the valley below. In the evening take a tour of the Temple of the Tooth Relic which is the most revered temple in Sri Lanka. Afterwards return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 7 Kandy: After breakfast visit the elephant orphanage in Pinnawala (transfer time approx 1½hr away) Established in 1975 with seven orphaned elephants, the successful captive breeding program saw the first baby elephant born in 1984. Witness the feeding-time & bath-time of the elephants whilst here. In the afternoon visit Kandy which was the seat of the Kandyan kings from the 14th Century and sample Sinhala culture by including visits to the bazaar, the art & crafts centre and the lake. Afterwards return to Mahaweli Reach for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 8 Kandy – Nuwara Eliya: After breakfast travel by train in the observation deck from Kandy through the beautiful hill country of the tea plantations to Nanu Oya. From here proceed by road to Nuwara Eliya. Staying at the region’s grand and imposing Heritance Tea Factory (4*) in a superior room on half board basis, you can relax amidst the stunning scenery.
Day 9 Nuwara Eliya: After breakfast spend the day at leisure and even explore the town of Nuwara Eliya, including the Golf course, the former racecourse and the Nuwara Eliya lake. Afterwards return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 10 Nuwara Eliya: With a picnic breakfast head out early to Horton Plains which is located about 2000m above sea level. Thick forests, rocky outcrops, waterfalls & misty lakes all come to an end at “World’s End” considered the finest view in all of Sri Lanka. The breathtaking escarpment drops vertically for about 880m. An optional half day excursion walking through the National Park to beautiful Bakers Falls is available before returning to relax at the hotel. Afterwards return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 11 Nuwara Eliya-Yala (Transfer time approx 5 hours away): After breakfast head to Yala, visiting the Kataragama Temple en route. Staying at Jetwing Yala hotel in a double room on half board basis, you are at the edge of the beautiful Yala National Park for two nights.
Day 12 Yala: An early start to take a 4×4 safari at Yala National Wildlife Sanctuary famous for its leopards, 
large herds of wild elephants, deer, crocodiles, wild buffaloes, peacocks, and a wide variety of bird life. Return to the hotel to spend the rest of the day at leisure (Optional evening safari). Dinner and overnight stay.
large herds of wild elephants, deer, crocodiles, wild buffaloes, peacocks, and a wide variety of bird life. Return to the hotel to spend the rest of the day at leisure (Optional evening safari). Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 13 Yala – Tangalle (Transfer time approx 2hrs): After breakfast leave for Tangalle, staying at Buckingham Place, an elegant boutique hotel in a standard room on bed and breakfast basis.
Day 14 Tangalle: After breakfast spend the rest of the day at leisure with an overnight stay.
Day 15 Tangalle – Koggala: After breakfast drive south to the Fortress hotel in Koggala. Spend the rest of the day at leisure at the Fortress, a luxurious hotel overlooking the ocean. You will be staying in a double ocean room on bed and breakfast basis.
Day 16 Koggala: After breakfast, visit Galle, once the chief port of Ceylon and a town rich in history. Centre of the Dutch colonial regime in the 17th century, the majestic Galle Fort spans 90 acres and the city is an UNESCO ‘World Heritage Site’. The Dutch museum & the Dutch church are two famous tourist attractions in Galle definitely worth seeing. Afterwards return to the Fortress hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 17 Koggala – Colombo: After breakfast head to Colombo where you will be staying at Cinnamon Grand, staying in a double courtyard room on bed and breakfast basis. Enjoy a city / shopping tour of Colombo.
Day 18: After breakfast leave for the airport for your departure flight home.
End of tour
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