Best of Sri Lanka 10 Days
Tour overview:
Discover the best of Sri Lanka in 10-days: UNESCO World Heritage sites, Buddhist temples, Tea country, the wildlife at Yala National Park and the beautiful beaches.
Day 1 - Arrive Colombo
Upon arrival in Sri Lanka you will be met and assisted by our Airport Representative, who will direct you to your very own Chauffeur. Then transfer to your hotel in Colombo. Colombo the commercial and city center known as the “Fort”, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century where grand colonial era buildings stand alongside modern office structures. Once you check in at your hotel relax and recover from any jet lag.
Overnight Stay: Hotel in Colombo
Day 2 - Anuradhapura
After breakfast check out and set off to Anuradhapura, the sacred ancient city of Anuradhapura founded in the 04th century B.C a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1982. It has the largest number of ancient monuments of the great Sinhala civilization which flourished in this region.
You will see some of the most famous as well as the tallest Stupas of Sri Lanka and the Ruins of ancient royal palaces. Another amazing site would be the ‘Sri Maha Bodhi’ or the sacred Bo tree which is over 2200 years old grown from a branch of the very tree under which “The Buddha” attained enlightenment – the oldest historically documented tree in the world.
(Please dress appropriately when visiting Anuradhapura ruins, with shoulders and knees covered. Have an extra pair of socks to wear to prevent from the ground heat since you have to walk barefoot.)
On completion check in to the hotel, rest of the day at leisure. Overnight Stay: Hotel in Anuradhapura.
Day 3 - Anuradhapura / Dambulla
After breakfast check out and leave for Mihintale. Visit the ancient remains of Mihintale, a sacred place which is regarded as the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. The rock is dotted with shrines and rock dwellings. A grand stairway of 1840 steps made of granite slabs, 5 meters wide leads to the summit with its splendid views of the surrounding countryside.
Afterwards leave for Dambulla. En route visit the statue of the Aukana Buddha. This is undoubtedly the most magnificent undamaged ancient image in the island. The 5th century statue ascribed to King Dhatusena is 13 meters high standing beneath a recently constructed brick shelter. It depicts a variation of the Abhaya mudra, and the closely worn robe is elaborately carved. Constructed during the reign of Dhatusena, it may have been made as a result of a competition between a master and a pupil. The Aukana statue is one of the best examples of a standing statue constructed in ancient Sri Lanka.
Continue to Dambulla, a small village and a central location in Cultural Triangle. The central plains area boasts ruined temples and ancient cities combined with national parks and glistening reservoirs. Check in at your hotel on arrival and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.
Overnight Stay: Hotel in Dambulla
Day 4 - Sigiriya / Minneriya National Park
Set off this morning for Sigiriya, also known as the ‘Lion Rock’, one of Sri Lanka’s major attractions. This 5th Century ""Fortress in the Sky"" is a UNESCO World Heritage built by King Kassapa which was a Royal Citadel for more than 18 years. The spectacular pillar of rock rise 200 meters from the scrub jungle and the base of the rock is ringed by a moat and rampart and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens. The majestic Lion’s Paw picturesquely guards the stairway of the palace on the summit.
You might like to start with a visit to the Sigiriya Museum to learn more about the site before wandering through the vast landscaped gardens to the base of the rock. The climb to the top is steep with many steps and there are some sections where the path or staircase is very narrow with steep drops protected by fences. You will pass the famous frescoes of the “Heavenly maidens” of Sigiriya in a sheltered pocket of the rock and the 10 foot high Mirror Wall before arriving at the massive stone lion’s paws. The old stairway to the top led through the mouth of a crouching lion but today only the huge paws remain giving an indication of the massive proportions of the head. The summit, covering an area of 1.6 hectares, was originally completely covered by buildings, but only remains of the royal citadel can be seen today.
(We do not recommend this for those without a head for heights or the less mobile. The hike up and down again will take 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on your fitness.)
In the afternoon leave for Minneriya for a Jeep Safari. Minneriya National Park is about 8889 hectares in extent and is an ideal eco-tourism location in Sri Lanka. It is home to Sri Lanka’s favorites such as spotted deer, Sambar and wild Asian elephants, particularly numerous in August and September when they migrate along a corridor from neighboring parks to feed on the fresh grass on the lake bed - an annual event known as ""The Gathering"".
(Please be prepared for some rough and dusty road. National park can be crowded especially over weekends and festivals.)
Overnight Stay: Hotel in Dambulla
Day 5 - Dambulla / Kandy
After breakfast check out from the hotel and explore the famous Golden Rock cave temple, date back to the 1st Century BC which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, a vast isolated rock mass with its five caverns is the largest best preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 sq. meters) are of particular importance as are the 157 statues including a 47 foot long statue of the recumbent Buddha. This amazing complex was first used as a refuge by an ancient king who upon regaining his throne, commissioned magnificent images to be carved from the rock. Later kings made further improvements and the caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha painted upon the walls of which the largest is a colossal figure spanning 15 metres. The hike up to the caves is short but steep. At the top you can explore the caves and enjoy spectacular far-reaching views over the surrounding countryside.
(Please dress appropriately when visiting Dambulla temple, with shoulders and knees covered. It is a steep uphill walk to the temple approx. 15-40 mins depending on route taken and on your fitness. Have an extra pair of socks to wear to prevent from the ground heat since you have to walk barefoot.)
Continue to Kandy, the bustling hill country capital is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for the pink painted Temple and the Kandy Lake built in 1807 which is an attractive centerpiece to the town.
In the Evening visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, locally known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, the most sacred temple in the whole of Sri Lanka. It is the prime monument, the supreme edifice not only of the Sinhalese Buddhist populace of Sri Lanka but also of the Buddhists all over the world. It is within this magnificent temple that the sacred Tooth relic of Buddha (Danta Dhatu), the palladium of the Sinhalese nation & Buddhist faith is enshrined. This important shrine boasts intricate carvings and beautiful Sri Lankan art. During the evening ‘puja’ throngs of pilgrims visit the temple to line up to glimpse the golden casket said to hold the sacred relic and to make offerings of flowers.
(Please dress appropriately when visiting The Temple of the Tooth Relic, with shoulders and knees covered. Have an extra pair of socks to wear to prevent from the ground heat since you have to walk barefoot.)
Afterwards enjoy the Kandyan Cultural show at the Kandyan Arts & Cultural Centre. The show features the graceful and rhythmic dancers and drummers culminating in an impressive fire walking display. Thereafter explore the Kandy nightlife.
Overnight Stay: Hotel in Kandy
Day 6 - Train to Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast check out and leave for Kandy railway station and board in to the train and continue to Nanu Oya - A journey said regarded as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world with sceneries of rolling mountains and green valley’s. Meet up with the driver at the Nanu Oya station and leave for the hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
(Train tickets are subject to availability and train times are subject to change due to regular delays Please note that train tickets can only be booked 14 days in advance, with preference given to government officials. When train tickets are not available, a scenic road transfer through the hill country will be substituted.)
The beautiful town of Nuwara Eliya is set in the heart of Tea country and situated 1890 meters above sea level, is where the British succeeded in creating an English countryside with homes in styles from Georgian to Queen Anne.
At your convenience commence a sightseeing tour of the city. Take a walk around the town centre, Market place, passing the Victorian post office, the old Hill Club and golf course before a stop at Holy Trinity Church, a quaint building constructed by the British in the mid-19th Century and drive around this hill station viewing Lake Gregory. Continue to your hotel, where the rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight Stay: Hotel in Nuwara Eliya
Day 7 - Yala National Park
After breakfast check out from the hotel and leave for Yala, the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka, bordering the Indian Ocean. Check in to the hotel.
Afternoon commence a jeep safari in the Yala National Park by private jeep accompanied by a tracker. Yala National park one of Sri Lanka’s premier eco tourist Destinations and is renowned for its variety of wildlife notably its many elephants. It is also home to the spotted deer, sambar, wild buffalo, sloth bear, jackal, mongoose and crocodiles. The peacock is easily the most famous of the birds in this park. Yala has a high concentration of Leopards although seeing these nocturnal carnivores still requires some luck.
(Please be prepared for some rough and dusty roads and be aware that this park can be extremely busy, especially over weekends and festivals. Also note you will proceed in your jeep to the park entrance to collect tickets prior to the park opening, in busy periods this process may take up to 45 minutes.)
Overnight Stay: Hotel in Yala
Day 8 - Bentota
Blissfully spend your time as you wish whether it be indulging in fine spa treatment or relaxing by the beautiful Indian Ocean.
Overnight Stay: Hotel in Bentota
Day 9 - Bentota
After breakfast check out and leave for Bentota. Being the prime beach resort town on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast, Bentota is famous for its sun, sand and especially for its diversity of water sports. Its long Beach stretches north, where it becomes a sandy strip known as Paradise Island, parallel to Bentota Lagoon. Check in to the hotel, spend the day at leisure.
Overnight Stay: Hotel in Bentota
Day 10 - Depart
Now that you are at the end of your journey with us, your chauffeur will comfortably take you to the international airport in time for your departure flight.