Eleven days through Sri Lanka's ancient capitals, the hill country, gem country and the rainforest, ending with a river cruise on the south-west coast.
This 11-day journey takes you from Negombo to the ancient kingdoms of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, up the Sigiriya rock fortress and into the hill capital of Kandy. You then travel through the tea country of Nuwara Eliya, the gem-mining region of Ratnapura, the Sinharaja rainforest or Udawalawe National Park, and finish with a peaceful boat cruise on the Bentara river before your flight home.
Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport, where a representative of Nimrodh Travels & Tours will welcome you and transfer you to a star-class hotel in Negombo. Relax at the hotel or enjoy a city tour of Negombo.
After breakfast, travel to the ancient city of Anuradhapura, established as the capital of Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC, via Pinnawela and Kurunegala. En route visit the elephant orphanage at Pinnawela, home to a large herd where orphaned baby elephants are bottle-fed. Continue to Yapahuwa, the 13th-century fortress and capital built on a 300 ft rock surrounded by moats and ramparts, famous for its ornamental stairway. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Miridiya, Anuradhapura.
Visit the ancient monuments of Anuradhapura, then Mihintale, where Buddhism was first introduced to Sri Lanka by Arahat Mahinda in 247 BC; a stairway of 1,840 steps leads to the summit. In the afternoon leave for Polonnaruwa, stopping at the 12 m high Aukana Buddha, a granite sculpture famous for its size and artistic detail. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Giritale.
Visit the monuments of Polonnaruwa, the capital of Sri Lanka in the 11th-12th centuries AD. In the afternoon climb Sigiriya, the 5th-century rock fortress, before leaving for the hill capital of Kandy. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Topaz or Hotel Suisse, Kandy.
Head out for trekking and mountaineering through spice gardens and tea plantations in the Hunnas mountain range (Knuckles Range). Dinner and overnight stay in Kandy.
After breakfast visit the Royal Botanical Gardens, 147 acres of landscaped gardens surrounded by the Mahaweli River with more than 5,000 plant species, including rare orchids, spices and medicinal herbs. In the afternoon take a Kandy city tour and visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic overlooking Kandy Lake. Late evening, enjoy a performance by traditional Kandyan dancers and drummers.
Leave for Nuwara Eliya along a scenic route of mountains, tea plantations and waterfalls. Visit the Botanical Garden and Gregory Lake.
Leave for Ratnapura / Embilipitiya through tea plantations. En route visit places of interest such as a gem museum and gem pits. Dinner and overnight stay at Rathnaloka Tour Inn.
Take a jeep excursion to the Sinharaja Tropical Rain Forest (UNESCO World Heritage Site) for bird watching and possible encounters with wildlife, or visit Udawalawe National Park to see wild elephants and other wildlife. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Centuria.
Enjoy a morning boat cruise on the scenic Bentara Ganga (river). Experience village life and view the mangrove swamps and the fauna of these ecosystems. Dinner and overnight stay at Riverina Hotel, Beruwala.
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
| Place | Hotel(s) |
|---|---|
| Negombo | Jetwing Lagoon, Amagi Area (5*), Camlet Beach Hotel, Rani Beach Resort |
| Anuradhapura | Hotel Miridiya |
| Polonnaruwa (Giritale) | Hotel Giritale |
| Kandy | Hotel Topaz, Hotel Suisse |
| Nuwara Eliya | Windsor Hotel, Heritage Hotel |
| Embilipitiya | Rathnaloka Tour Inn |
| Udawalawe | Hotel Centuria |
| Beruwala | Riverina Hotel |
| Route | Distance |
|---|---|
| Airport to Negombo hotel | 10 Km |
| Negombo to Pinnawala | 75 Km |
| Pinnawala to Yapahuwa | 78 Km |
| Yapahuwa to Anuradhapura | 70 Km |
| Polonnaruwa to Kandy | 104 Km |
| Kandy to Hunnas Falls, tea plantation & Kandy city tour | 22 Km |
| Kandy to Nuwara Eliya & city tour | 72 Km |
| Nuwara Eliya to Hatton, Avissawella & Ratnapura | 140 Km |
| Ratnapura (gem pits) to Udawalawe | 65 Km |
| Udawalawe to Embilipitiya | 16 Km |
| Embilipitiya to Bentota | 140 Km |
| Bentota to Airport | 97 Km |
| Total | 889 Km |
Negombo, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Yala Safari, Whale Watching in Mirissa.
Standard BB accommodation, air-conditioned vehicle transport, entrance fees.
Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth, two days in Nuwara Eliya, Yala Safari, Mirissa Whale Watching and the Madu River.
Standard BB accommodation, air-conditioned vehicle transport, entrance fees.
Pidurangala Rock hike, cultural dance show in Kandy, Ramboda waterfalls, Yala safari, Madu River boat ride in Bentota.
Private English-speaking driver, air-conditioned vehicle, airport assistance and cultural dance show.
