Sri Lanka: Nature and Culture

Welcome to Sri Lanka! Your Sri Lanka tour begins now! Your driver will greet you at Bandaranaike International Airport in Negombo and bring you to your hotel in Sigiriya. This 4-hour drive from the west coast of Sri Lanka to the center of the island takes you north through the beautiful cities of Kurunegala and Galewela where you can stop to enjoy the countryside views. If you arrive early, you will be able to explore the city and discover Sri Lanka's charms on your first day. Overnight at the hotel.

After a tasty breakfast at the hotel, your driver will pick you up and bring you to the Royal City of Polonnaruwa, one of Sri Lanka's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka and is made up of the monumental ruins of the garden-city which was created by Parakramabahu I in the 12 century. After spending a few hours walking or biking through the ruins of the city you will head into the countryside for a local lunch. Facing the paddy fields, you enjoy delicious traditional curries. In the afternoon you return to your hotel in Sigiriya where you can choose to relax by the pool or set out to explore the local surroundings, visit the traditional shops and meet the lovely locals.

Sigiriya is home to one of Sri Lanka's most valuable historical monuments, the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, often called the Eighth Wonder of the World. In the afternoon your chauffeur will take you to the site to explore the fortress and palace ruins. Climb the Rock Fortress and enjoy the breathtaking view.

Later in the day, you start your journey towards Kandy by road. You will pass through a number of villages and towns before reaching Kandy and checking in to your hotel. After settling down, join the locals at the iconic Temple of the Tooth, a Buddhist temple located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy. The Temple of the Tooth houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha which has played an important role in local politics for many years.

Start your day at a leisurely pace. Enjoy a nice breakfast and some free time at the hotel or go for a walk to the local market or around the lake. Then head to the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden and take the time to discover the dozens of flower and tree species there. Your journey continues towards the south of the island, passing through beautiful landscapes of lush greenery and misty mountains. Upon arrival in Nuwara Eliya you will be transferred to your colonial-style hotel where you can relax for the rest of the day. Enjoy exploring the hotel grounds and the nearby tea plantations before dinner.

Today you wake up early and head to Horton Plains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk around this magnificent national park, taking in the beautiful landscapes and spotting wild animals. After an hour you reach World's End, a cliff that plunges more than 800m. If the weather allows it, you can enjoy an amazing view of the surroundings. After this reenergizing walk you start driving towards Udawalawe. Stop for lunch on the way and discover Buduruwagala, an ancient Buddhist temple that features seven large statues carved into the rock. Once in Udawalawe, settle into your tent and get ready to experience an authentic forest campout.

Your day begins early today. Grab the breakfast packed by the hotel for you, jump on a jeep and set off to discover the amazing Udawalawe National Park. This park is home to over 25 species of mammals including the magnificent Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan sambar deer, water buffalos, jackals and foxes. If you're lucky you may catch a glimpse of the beautiful and elusive leopard, which is an endangered species. In the afternoon, drive onwards to Galle where you can spend the evening exploring the city and enjoying a traditional Sri Lankan dinner before heading to your hotel for the night.

After breakfast you can go on a city tour to visit the Galle Fort which was first built by the Portuguese in 1588 and then fortified by the Dutch in the 17th century. To this day the fort maintains a polished appearance and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For those that want to spend the day relaxing on white sand beaches and swimming or snorkeling in crystal clear waters, we recommend heading to Unawatuna Bay for a day of seaside fun and relaxation. For those looking for something a bit different, a cycling tour of the city and the surrounding villages can be organized!

Depending on your flight schedule, you may have the time to spend the morning relaxing by the pool at the hotel or exploring more of Galle. When it is time to leave, your driver will meet you and take you to the airport in Negombo for your departure flight. If you prefer, your driver can take you to Colombo earlier in the day to explore the capital city and buy some last-minute souvenirs before boarding your flight home. We bid you farewell and look forward to welcoming you to Asia again soon.