day | Location/Route | duration | Overnight |
---|---|---|---|
01 | Arrival and Transfer to Negombo (40 minutes) | Negombo | |
02 | An early start to Sigiriya (3.5 hours) visiting the Dambulla Cave Temple en route. | Sigiriya | |
03 | Morning: Climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Afternoon (option): relax with an Ayurveda massage | Sigiriya | |
04 | Morning: continue on to Kandy (3.5 hours) visiting the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage en route. Evening: attend a cultural dance performance and/or visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic. | Kandy | |
05 | Morning drive to Nuwara Eliya (3.5 hours). Evening: at leisure | Nuwara Eliya | |
06 | Morning: visit a tea plantation and tea factory. Evening: at leisure | Nuwara Eliya | |
07 | Morning: drive down to Colombo (5 hours). Evening: tour of the city’s highlights. | Nuwara Eliya | |
08 | Departure |
The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. Established in 1975, with the noble intention of providing care for orphaned elephants, today it serves as a nursery and a captive breeding ground for Asian elephants. Countless visitors from all over the island and the world visit this charming attraction throughout the year.
Built by King Kasyapa (477 to 495 CE), the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress stands as a testament to the grandeur of Sri Lanka’s glorious past. Designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it features stunning boulder and water gardens and world-famous frescoes. At the summit, you’ll find the ruins of the king’s palace and a breath-taking view of the surroundings.
The Dambulla Cave Temple is known to be the best-preserved and largest cave temple complex that is found in Sri Lanka. With over 80 documented caves spread across the vicinity, the Dambulla Cave Temple has rightfully earned its name as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 153 statues of Lord Buddha can be found in this temple which is also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla.
Spend half a day exploring four of Kandy’s famed medieval temples. Join your personal archaeologist on an informative, 3.5 hour coach tour of the Degaldoruwa, Embekka, Lankatilaka and Gadaladeniya Buddhist temples. Feast your eyes on the magnificent Kandyan murals on the ceiling of Degaldoruwa Temple. Witness the wonderful fusion of Buddhist and Hindu culture at Gadaladeniya Temple.
Take in the exquisite craftsmanship of the woodwork at Embekka Temple. Observe the traditional Sinhalese design of the Lankatilaka Temple, and discover the inscriptions carved into the rocks. Setting off in the morning is ideal, as the tour involves approximately 1.5 hours of travel to / from your hotel.
Colombo's amazing Fort district still has the energy like in the late nineteenth century when the streets were teeming with ox carts and alive with the sounds and whiffs of the sea, as rubber, tea, cinnamon, kittul treacle, rope and peacocks were loaded aboard ships.
Taking a walking tour is one of the best things to do in Colombo city and Mark and his colleagues, natives from Colombo, have hosted walks in Colombo for several years under the Colombo City Walks banner.Starting at the Dutch Hospital Shopping Complex in Fort and walk along the old colonial streets, away from your usual tourist spots, and seek out the colonial Dutch mansions and be a part of the history that is now commercial hub of Colombo. Explore the old Cargills building, visit the New Chinese shop, snap a picture outside the Pagoda Tea Rooms where Duran Duran filmed their iconic music video, Hungry Like The Wolf, and enjoy a cup of Ceylon Tea on the balcony of the Grand Oriental Hotel while taking in the sunset views of the Colombo Harbour.End your walk back at the Dutch Hospital, formerly a hospital during the 17th century, the complex is now host to high-end restaurants, bars and shops. Relax, take a breather, admire the architecture, and have a drink… or two.
Location : Colombo.
Duration : 2 Hrs.
Best time to visit : Morning or Evening
Ayubowan!!!
A warm welcome to Sri Lanka! Your guide from Holidays by Design will be present at the arrivals hall to greet you and assist you to your vehicle.
For convenience sake you may want to change your currency before departing the airport. Banks are open 24/7
A short drive from the airport will take you to Negombo (30 minutes)
Settle in, rest and relax from your journey.
This Morning you will proceed to Sigiriya (3.5 hours). En route you will visit the Dambulla Cave Temple.
Settle in rest an relax upon arrival.
An early start with an exhilarating climb up Sigiriya - an ancient palace fortress, which sits atop a granite outcrop. It is arguably the most extraordinary of all Sri Lanka’s medieval Capitals dating back to the 5th Century.
Spend the afternoon at leisure and indulge in a rejuvenating spa experience at the hotel.
Ideally an early start no later than 07:00 is recommended so you may arrive at the Elephant Orphanage in time for the elephant feeding. The approximate travel time to the orphanage is around 2.5 hours.
The entire experience including the herds amble down to the river for their daily bath will take around 2 – 2.5 hours.
You will then proceed to the Matale Spice Gardens (2.5 hours). Speak to your guide for recommendations for lunch en route.
Proceed to Kandy, rest and relax from your journey.
Late afternoon stroll through the busy market and end your evening with a visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic followed by a colorful cultural performance.
This morning you will drive through a scenic landscape of tea plantations to Nuwara Eliya, visiting the Seetha Amman Temple & Seetha Eliya (3.5 hours).
Spend the morning at leisure
This evening you will visit a tea estate and factory with your chauffeur guide, for an understanding of the process that goes into producing that cup of ‘Pure Ceylon Tea’. Your experience will include an introduction of tea to Sri Lanka and its journey since.
This morning after breakfast you will head to Colombo (5.5 hours)
Spend the afternoon at leisure!
This evening explore the busy streets of Colombo with your chauffeur.
You will leave for the airport in time for your departure flight.
A list of a few activities you may want to add on to your experience…
Location | Accommodation | Meal Plan |
---|---|---|
Negombo | Jetwing Beach | Bed & Breakfast Basis |
Sigiriya | Heritance Kandalama | |
Kandy | Kings Pavilion | |
Nuwara Eliya | Heritance Tea Factory | |
Colombo | Galle Face Hotel |
What to Pack!
Notes: