Spirit of Sri Lanka

Itinerary Summary

Day	Place	Highlights	Hotel Options
1 - 1	Negombo	Beach, Relaxation, Buzzing Bars, Al Fresco Dining
1 - 2	Galle Fort	Portuguese and Dutch Heritage, Beach, Watersports, Diving, Local Dances	Fort Printers
2 - 3	Rainforest	UNESCO World Heritage Site, Spectacular Biodiversity, Endemic Birds, Nature Reserves	Boulder Garden Hotel
3 - 5	Nuwara Eliya	Colonial Hill Station, Tea Plantations, Asia’s Oldest Golf Course	Grand Hotel, Heritance Tea Factory
5 - 7	Kandy	Tooth Temple, Magnificent Hills, Tea Plantations, Kandy Lake, Traditional Dance Performances	Clove Villa, Theva Residency
7 - 9	Sigiriya	UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rock Fortress, Rock Paintings and Frescoes	Aliya Resort & Spa, Arika Villa, Dambulla
9 - 12	Trincomalee	Natural Harbors, Breathtaking Beaches, Windsurfing, Diving	Trinco Blu by Cinnamon, Jungle Beach Resort
12 - 14	Jaffna	Religious Excursions, Archaeological Sites, Island	Jetwing Jaffna
14 - 15	Anuradhapura	Huge Bell-Shaped Stupas, World’s Oldest Tree Sri Maha Bodi, Art and Architecture	Palm Garden Village, Forest Rock Garden
15 - 16	Negombo	Beach, Relaxation, Buzzing Bars, Al Fresco Dining	Heritance Negombo

Itinerary Details

Day 1 - 1

International Arrival

Transfer from Airport to Hotel

Negombo

0 Days

Negombo is a bustling beach town with plenty of opportunities for rest and relaxation! Nestled on the rim of Negombo Lagoon, the town boasts a long stretch of buzzing yet beautiful beach, and is located close to Colombo.

Day 1 - 2

Drive from Negombo to Galle Fort (169 km, 4 hrs)

Galle Fort

1 Day

Galle offers a unique historical and cultural perspective into the development of Sri Lanka during its colonial era.

Included Activities

Highlights Of Galle Fort
Unearth history and glance into what life in a 16th century port city would have been like as you experience the legends and myths of Galle Fort as you amble around. There are many archaeological artefacts on display at the Maritime Museum, including 800 year old items salvaged from shipwrecks. Witness how today’s locals live within this colossal Dutch fortress and UNESCO World Heritage site. There is an abundance of chic and boutique shops, where you can purchase gems, handmade lace and antiques. Unwind in pretty garden and terrace cafés, and admire the coastal beds of pure blue ocean and coral reefs.

Hotel Options

Fort Printers – Opt 1

Room	Fort Printers Arts
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Heritage

Day 2 - 3

Drive from Galle Fort to Rainforest (129 km, 3 hrs)

Rainforest

1 Day

The Sinharaja (Lion King) Rain Forest is a world heritage site and is arguably the most important site in Sri-Lanka and is internationally important for its biodiversity.

Included Activities

Sinharaja Rain Forest Trek
Enjoy trekking into the UNESCO World Heritage Sinharaja Rain Forest Reserve in Sri Lanka.

Hotel Options

Boulder Garden Hotel – Opt 1

Room	Boulder Gard Suite
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Boutique

Day 3 - 5

Drive from Rainforest to Nuwara Eliya (186 km, 6 hrs)

Nuwara Eliya

2 Days

Sri Lanka’s very own “Little England”, this is decidedly a trip to a surrealistic hill station with swirling mists and tumbling waterfalls!

Included Activities

Half Day Nuwara Eliya Tea Plantation Tour
Tickle your tastebuds with a cup of world-renowned brew! A cup of delicious Ceylon tea is so much more when you discover the history and process of making the blend. Embark on an hour-long tour of learning at one of Nuwara Eliya’s famous tea factories, accompanied by an expert. Observe the process of harvesting, manufacturing and quality control – including an insightful look into the tea leaf grading techniques. End your visit with your own well-deserved fresh brew – right at the source!

Bird Watching At Tea Factory (If You Stay At Tea Factory)
Heritance Tea Factory follows a strict green philosophy and does much to conserve nature. The lovely tea gardens are home to several rare species of birds and flora. Feast your eyes on the myriad colors of this avian paradise and marvel at the 50 varieties of migratory birds that come from as far away as Europe and Siberia. You can also observe the yellow-eared bulbul and the Sri Lanka white eye that are endemic to this region.

Hotel Options

Grand Hotel – Opt 1

Room	Grand Hotel - Deluxe Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Heritage

Heritance Tea Factory – Opt 2

Room	Superior
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Heritage

Day 5 - 7

Train from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy. Departure from Nuwara Eliya (Nanouya) at 1200 hrs. Arrival in Kandy (Peredeniya) at 1550 hrs

Kandy

2 Days

Kandy was established in the 14th century and was the last independent city and capital of the Singhalese kingdom.

Included Activities

Highlights Of Kandy
Delve into regality as you explore the last royal capital. Venture to Dalda Maligawa, the gold-roofed Temple of the Tooth, which houses the most sacred Buddhist relic, a tooth of Lord Buddha. Observe the many pilgrims conducting pujas (prayers) throughout the temple complex. Surrounded by aromatic tea plantations, magnificent hills and set by a lake, you can also enjoy some wonderful scenic views. Take a leisurely stroll around Lake Kandy, a protected lake where fishing is banned. Sip up the history of tea drinking pioneers like Lipton and Taylor at the Ceylon Tea Museum, a 1920s vintage tea factory. Enjoy traditional dance performances that capture the imagination and connect audiences to the tribal roots of the performers.

Half Day Kandy Temples Tour
Explore a Sri Lankan jewel! Located at an altitude of almost 500 m above sea level, the ancient capital city of Kandy offers a rich amalgam of ancient wonders. Visit centuries-old famous temples and architectural marvels on a pleasant Kandy loop, past three 14th century Hindu-Buddhist temples and back through Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. Embekka Devalaya, Lankatilaka Vihara and Gadaladeniya Temples are among the other famous sites in the city. Discover fascinating traditional and contemporary motifs and colors during your visit to a local batik printing factory, before you return to your hotel.

Hotel Options

Clove Villa – Opt 1

Room	Clove Superior Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Boutique

Theva Residency – Opt 2

Room	Deluxe Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Boutique

Day 7 - 9

Drive from Kandy to Sigiriya (98 km, 3 hrs)

Sigiriya

2 Days

Sigiriya is the ideal location if you wish to venture back in time! Unearth this UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back 5,000 years to the Mesolithic period.

Included Activities

Dambulla Rock Cave Temple Visit
Encounter the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka during this one hour visit! Dating back to the 1st century, the Dambulla rock caves became a Buddhist temples when they were converted into residential quarters for monks. You will be amazed by the five caves that sit under a vast overhanging rock. Each one now acts as a shrine room and contains numerous images of Lord Buddha and bodhisattvas, as well as various gods and goddesses. Mural paintings line the walls, depicting Buddha’s journey to enlightenment and his teachings. Throughout the centuries, this has been a sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhists.

Highlights Of Sigiriya
Sigiriya, which translates to Lion’s Rock, is aptly named as it juts out of a granite peak, standing tall at 180 meters and dominating the surrounding dense jungle. Witness Sigiriya Rock Fortress, which is uniquely shaped and can be seen from great distances. You can also discover the fascinating rock paintings and frescoes of Sigiri apsaras (mythical dancing damsels), painted inside the cavity of the western rock face. Discover the style of 7th to 10th century graffiti by visiting the Mirror Wall! Kindly note that this activity requires a good level of physical fitness due to the steep steps to reach the fortress.

Day Trip To Polonnaruwa (From Sigiriya)
Polonnaruwa..the medieval capital of Sri Lanka, was the second capital city of the country after the destruction of the ancient city of Anuradhapura in 993 (from 10th-12th century AD). Note ancient Sri Lankan architecture from the 12th Century..see Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas and the monumental ruins of the garden city created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century. Visit the ruins of the King’s Council Chamber, the Royal Citadel, the Kumara Pokuna, the Royal Pavilion, the Vatadage Relic House, Kiri Vehera and Gal Vihare; see Art, Architecture and Sculpture at Gal Viharaya, Thuparamaya Image House and Lankatilaka Image House.

Hotel Options

Aliya Resort & Spa – Opt 1

Room	Deluxe Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Resort

Arika Villa, Dambulla – Opt 2

Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Resort

Day 9 - 12

Drive from Sigiriya to Trincomalee (101 km, 2 hrs)

Trincomalee

3 Days

Tricomalee is home to one of the world’s largest natural harbors and great opportunities for snorkeling, windsurfing, surfing and diving.

Hotel Options

Trinco Blu by Cinnamon – Opt 1

Room	Chaaya Blue Superior Rooms
Meals	Half Board (Breakfast & Dinner)
Style	Beach Resort

Jungle Beach Resort – Opt 2

Room	Jungle Beach Resort - Lagoon Cabin
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Beach Resort

Day 12 - 14

Drive from Trincomalee to Jaffna (235 km, 5 hrs)

Jaffna

2 Days

Jaffna is the capital city of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, and has always been a major hub for its deep, creative culture of Hindu tradition.

Included Activities

Jaffna City Highlights
Discover Jaffna and its local environs highlights! Venture to Nagadeepa Temple, located on small island (which is also known as Nainativu). The island is just 56 kms from India and holds historical records of Buddha’s second visit to Sri Lanka almost 3,000 years ago! Allegedly, the Buddha came to this location after a vision inspired him to settle a regal family feud over a gem studded throne. Head to the Keerimalai fresh water springs, located in Jaffna’s suburbs, which is known locally as a bottomless well. The local Hindu people believe that this well has miraculous powers. You will then visit Jaffna Library, which is reputedly one of South Asia’s best, with its collection of 100,000 priceless books and centuries old manuscripts. In the early evening, wander around the local market, before visiting Point Pedro, which is 35 kms away from Jaffna, and an ideal location to watch the sun set. (Full Day Private Activity & Transfer; Fitness Level: Moderate as it includes some walking.)

Hotel Options

Jetwing Jaffna – Opt 1

Room	Deluxe Room (Double)
Meals	Breakfast
Style	International

Day 14 - 15

Train from Jaffna to Anuradhapura. Departure from Jaffna at 0935 hrs. Arrival in Anuradhapura at 1340 hours.

Anuradhapura

1 Day

Declared a world heritage city by UNESCO, the sacred city of Anuradapura is considered Sri Lanka’s first known kingdom and the Island’s capital for many centuries.

Included Activities

Highlights Of Anuradhapura
Uncover an ancient world with your tour of what was once a sacred capital city over one thousand years ago. Observe some of the largest bell-shaped dagobas (Buddhist stupas) in the country, made of small sundried bricks. There are also ancient drinking water reservoirs, various sculptures, palaces and temples to explore. Witness the sacred Bo (Bodhi) tree, that was grown from a sapling of the very tree that Lord Buddha sat under when he attained enlightenment 2,5000 years ago. Today it’s recorded as the oldest tree in history! Visit Isurumuniya Vihara, a temple and monastery, where you can admire fascinating stone carvings of lovers, elephants and a royal family. There’s also a reclining Buddha that has been cut from the rock. This culturally-rich is generously surrounded by lakes, paddy fields and undulating rocks.

Hotel Options

Palm Garden Village – Opt 1

Room	Anuradhapura, Palm Grdn Village - Standard
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Resort

Forest Rock Garden – Opt 2

Room	Forest Rock Deluxe HB
Meals	Half Board (Breakfast & Dinner)
Style	Resort

Day 15 - 16

Drive from Anuradhapura to Negombo (168 km, 4.5 hrs)

Transfer from Negombo Hotel to Airport

Negombo

1 Day

Hotel Options

Heritance Negombo – Opt 1

Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Beach Resort

International Departure

Price & Inclusions

Option 1 From $ 3,960 /person
Option 2 From $ 4,275 /person

Prices are in USD and exclude international flights. This trip price is based on low season rates for accommodation and other applicable services, and may change depending on availability, currency fluctuations and number of people traveling together. For high season prices, please contact us with your exact travel dates and preferences.

Price Includes

Accommodation (on a twin-sharing basis) on the indicated meal plan for 15 nights.
The following train journeys in the highest class available : Nuwara Eliya – Kandy, Jaffna – Anuradhapura (Train)
All activities as listed :
- Galle Fort: Highlights of Galle Fort
- Rainforest: Sinharaja Rain Forest Trek
- Nuwara Eliya: Half Day Nuwara Eliya Tea Plantation Tour
- Nuwara Eliya: Bird Watching at Tea Factory (if you stay at Tea Factory)
- Kandy: Highlights of Kandy
- Kandy: Half Day Kandy Temples Tour
- Sigiriya: Dambulla Rock Cave Temple Visit
- Sigiriya: Highlights of Sigiriya
- Sigiriya: Day Trip to Polonnaruwa (from Sigiriya)
- Jaffna: Jaffna City Highlights (Full Day)
- Anuradhapura: Highlights of Anuradhapura
All airport and hotel transfers
A high-quality air conditioned, safety-tested vehicle with an English-speaking Chauffeur Guide except during your stay at the beach
All activities specified in the itinerary, including entrance fees, when accompanied by our tour guide
Your Trip Coordinator: a 24/7 point of contact, supporting you during your trip
Welcome kit including all important documents and information regarding your itinerary
Insolvency insurance
Fees and taxes

Itinerary Summary

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Itinerary Details

Price & Inclusions

Price Includes