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Best of Sri Lanka
Best of Sri Lanka
Best of Sri Lanka
Best of Sri Lanka
Best of Sri Lanka
Best of Sri Lanka
Best of Sri Lanka
Best of Sri Lanka
Best of Sri Lanka
Best of Sri Lanka
Best of Sri Lanka
Best of Sri Lanka
Best of Sri Lanka

Best of Sri Lanka

Trip Type: Explorer
Sri Lanka | 15 Days | 1 - 12 People
Starts From:

NZD 3,451.00 /Person

* Sale Price Available

This 15-day trip immerses you in the must-sees, must-tastes and must-meets of beautiful Sri Lanka. You’ll summit UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lion ...

Best of Sri Lanka

This 15-day trip immerses you in the must-sees, must-tastes and must-meets of beautiful Sri Lanka. You’ll summit UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lion Rock in Sigiriya, cycle through sprawling ancient city ruins in Anuradhapura and wander the massive granite Buddha carvings in Polonnaruwa. Have lunch with a Tamil tea worker in their home, relax with a cold beer and your feet in the sand in Mirissa and hike between plantations and villages in Haputale. This is the best of Sri Lanka!

Ayubowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka. Your adventure begins in the town of Negombo, close to the international airport, with a welcome meeting at 5.30 pm. If you arrive early, you can get into the spirit of seaside Sri Lanka by observing the local fishing craft and feasting on fresh seafood. The beautiful surrounding countryside is best explored on a bicycle, which you can rent with help from the hotel reception.

Visit the Negombo Fish Markets this morning to see the hustle and bustle of daily trade, then hop in your private vehicle to ancient Anuradhapura – the centre of Theravada Buddhism for many centuries and a major Buddhist pilgrimage site, with ruins of ancient Buddhist temples, including Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya and the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, which is the oldest living planted tree in the world! Along the way, stop in the small town of Chilaw and maybe grab some local lunch. When you arrive, settle in and enjoy a free afternoon and evening. Those keen on history and archaeology might like to visit Mihintale – the sacred birthplace of Sri Lankan Buddhism.

Take a guided bicycle tour of the city today. Among the ruins, you'll see the sacred old Bo Tree – a spiritual reminder of the beginnings of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, and the inspiration for Anuradhapura's great buildings. The ruins themselves are spread over quite an area, some in the woodlands and others with columns and ponds. After your cycle tour, you have a free afternoon. Maybe grab some delicious local cuisine – your leader will know the best spots.

Travel on to 100-year-old Polonnaruwa by public bus and private vehicle today. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this was the capital of the Indian Chola Dynasty after Anuradhapura was conquered in the late 10th century. These ruins are close together and generally in much better repair than those you’ve seen so far. When the heat of the day has eased, you'll visit more palaces, temples and stupas, including the massive stone Buddhas. You'll also visit the museum, which has scale models of many of the buildings, to show how they would have existed in their time.

Depart Polonnaruwa this morning and travel to Dambulla. When you arrive, you’ll head out to explore the amazing Dambulla Cave Temples, which sit on high on a stone cliff face with lots of steps. Some 150 Buddha images adorn the five caves, with fascinating frescoes and paintings on the walls and roofs. In the afternoon, you may like to relax by the hotel pool or take an optional wildlife 4WD safari to Minneriya, Kaudulla or Eco National Park where you might see some wild elephants!

Early this morning, before the heat is too intense, you’ll head to Sigiriya. This ruined fortress is one of Sri Lanka's premier sights and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Those who make it to the top are rewarded with astounding views. Make sure you’re wearing sturdy footwear, as this is a very steep climb with some uneven slopes. Those unable to climb to the top can explore the gardens at the base of the rock and still get some fantastic shots of the fortress from below. Return to the hotel to freshen up before heading to Kandy. On the way, there's the option of stopping at one of the region's wonderful spice gardens for lunch and to learn about the medicinal properties of ingredients used in cooking and treatments. Carry on to Kandy, where you’ll visit the Dalada Maligawa (aka Temple of the Tooth) – Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist site. Time permitting, you'll also have the option of visiting the National Museum or the world-class Botanical Gardens.

Today, you’ll visit a nearby tea factory for a guided tour to learn about the production of Sri Lanka's best-known beverage. Of course, you’ll also sample some of the delicious varieties of locally produced tea while you're here. Later, head back to your hotel in Kandy, located far from the noise of the city. This spot is a great place to unwind, with lovely views over the town.

Start your day with a scenic train journey to Bandarawela, passing through tea plantations and winding along mountains into the highlands. When you arrive, you’ll visit a local home for a cooking demonstration to learn some secrets of traditional Sri Lankan cuisine. After, sit down to enjoy the delicious meal for lunch with your hosts and get to know each other. Tonight, you’re free to relax or explore at your own pace.

Today, you’ll drive to Haputale – at 1431 m above sea level, this area has a rich biodiversity, dense with various flora and fauna. Surrounded by hills and covered with cloud forests and tea plantations, it’s the perfect starting point for your hike today. This hike takes you through the plantations and small Tamil villages. For lunch, head to a local Tamil tea worker’s house and enjoy a home-cooked meal with your host. Carry on and soak up the gorgeous scenery! Tonight, you’ll head back to Bandarawela.

Embrace an early start this morning and take the train to Idalgashinna. When you arrive, head out on a hike to explore the beautiful surroundings of Sri Lanka's Hill Country. Enjoy this chance to meet the tea pickers along the way and stop for lunch in Haldummulla. After, make the drive to tonight’s jungle camp accommodation at Udawalawe, stopping at Diyaluma Falls along the way. Your accommodation this evening is a lake-facing camp that backs onto a forest reserve where many herbs used in ayurvedic medicine are grown. When you arrive, you can choose to go on a short tour of the local village or relax at your camp.

This morning, you can take an optional excursion to Udawalawe National Park to look for elephants – just keep in mind this activity will require a wake-up call of around 4.30 am. Alternatively, you could sleep in, then maybe head to the ayurvedic medicine manufacturing centre. Later, set off to Mirissa by private bus – this is your paradise accommodation for two days of relaxation.

Today is all about laying beachside in Mirissa. The beach itself is a long curve of sand with clear waters perfect for swimming – it’s also a great spot to watch the sunset! Consider taking a bike ride or tuk-tuk to nearby Weligama, where colourful fishing boats bring fresh fish to sell along the shore or maybe explore the UNESCO World Heritage coastal city of Galle by bike. From September to April, there is an optional whale-watching excursion, too. Please ask your leader about this as you'll need to book at least one day in advance.

Head further down the coast to Galle – home to an impressive UNESCO World Heritage-listed Dutch fort with extensive walls and many old buildings. When you arrive, head to a local female artisan’s workshop for a demonstration on Beeralu lace weaving. Learn about this practise and how the local artisan hails from a family of traditional Beeralu lace makers. Beeralu is a form of pillow lace that’s hand woven in intricate patterns, often in delicate shades of white. Believed to have been introduced by the Portuguese in the 16th century, you’ll learn more about the history of this art. In the evening, take a stroll around the historic fort and watch the sunset from the ramparts.

Leaving Galle, you’ll travel on to Colombo – the nation's capital. Stop by some of the city's main sights on a bus tour including Independence Square, Parliament and the National Museum, finishing with a shopping opportunity for a good cause at the Barefoot Fairtrade Store. Here, you can find a collection of handicrafts from around the country and support small cottage industries. If you’re lucky enough to be in Colombo on a Saturday, you’ll visit Good Market – a local market full of stalls showcasing social enterprises and responsible businesses. Tonight, there's an optional group dinner to celebrate your journey together.

Your trip comes to an end today, with no activities planned. If you'd like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent.

Meals
12 Breakfast(s), 2 Lunch(s), 3 Dinner(s)

Transport
Private vehicle , Public Bus , Train , Bicycle

Accommodation
Hotels (11 nights), Lodge (1 night), Guesthouse (1 night), Permanent Tented Camp (with basic facilities) (1 nt)

Included Activities
  • Anuradhapura - Bodhi Tree Temple
  • Anuradhapura - Bike tour
  • Polonnaruwa - Bike Tour
  • Dambulla - Cave Temples
  • Kandy - Temple of the Tooth
  • Sigiriya - Lion Rock Fortress Visit
  • Kandy - Tea factory visit
  • Bandarawela - Cooking demonstration & local meal
  • Kandy to Bandarawela – Scenic train ride
  • Hill Country trek
  • Galle - Walking tour
  • Galle - Beeralu lace weaving experience
  • Colombo - City tour by bus
  • Ride around the ancient ruins of Anuradhapura on a bike tour, cycling through the jungle to see the dagobas, palaces and pools of a city abandoned over 1000 years ago.
  • Climb the rock fortress of UNESCO-listed Sigiriya to the ancient ruins that lie atop the 200-m-high summit and get panoramic views over the surrounding wilderness.
  • Explore the divine city of Kandy, mingling with pilgrims at the Temple of the Tooth, touring a tea factory, and taking in the views of this lush lakefront town.
  • Fall in love with Sri Lankan food and get to know locals during experiences like lunching with a Tamil tea worker and a home-cooking demonstration.
  • Unwind on the sandy beaches of Mirissa, where the waters are clear and warm, and monkeys play in the swaying palms that line the shores.
  • The summer months in Sri Lanka are very hot with short, sharp monsoons in the southwest of the country. Please consider your suitability to the time of year you wish to travel and be sure to use adequate sun protection and drink plenty of water. This trip includes hiking on Days 9 and 10, an awesome way to see the picturesque hill country and interact with the local Tamil people. The hike is over relatively flat ground and covers approximately 10-12 km each day. We recommend a basic level of fitness as some have found the experience physically demanding. Parts of the trails are on rough ground which can be muddy and slippery if it’s been raining. If you feel you are not able to complete these walks, we can arrange vehicle transport for you. The views from the top of Lion Rock in Sigiriya are spectacular, but getting there involves walking up uneven, narrow steps and navigating tight walkways. If you’re afraid of heights or have conditions that affect mobility, you may wish to skip this activity. The drive to Mirissa on Day 11 is downhill, windy and slow. Motion sickness has been an issue for some travellers in the past. If you believe you might be affected, speak with your GP before travelling about medication that can help.

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Provided by
Intrepid Travel
Reference Code:
HPSH
Trip Location
Trip Starts:
Negombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Finishes:
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Countries Visited:
Sri Lanka
map

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Destination Details
Sri Lanka | 15 Days | 1 - 12 People

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