Sri Lanka Classic Tour

Ayubowan!

Upon arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport, you will meet your English-speaking guide and be transferred to Colombo.

Transfer Time: Approximately 1 hour. Check in to the hotel.

In the evening, you will enjoy a city tour of Colombo.

Colombo, as Sri Lanka's largest city, is well-known as the trade and commercial capital, and the gateway to the Orient. Located on the West coast, it represents the amalgamation of cultures, religions and influences of the various foreign lands who have had an influence here over the years. Those influences have resulted in a city that is a cornucopia of sounds, smells and vibrant colour, with a diverse range of cultural wonders to enjoy. The original traders and settlers – the British, Arabs, Portuguese and Dutch – have left their mark in both the Sri Lankan dialect and in the unique local charm.

The food, too, shows the diverse origins of the Sri Lankan populace. This city boasts a fantastic variety of high-quality restaurants and eateries, from street food to fine dining. Exceptional shopping opportunities await here as well, with the Pettah bazaar and trading area particularly interesting to explore. Other sites to discover include the Buddhist and Hindu temples, mosques, churches, the Colombo museum, and everything from art galleries to zoos. You'll certainly have plenty to choose from during your tour of the city.

Overnight Stay:
Standard Tour - Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo – Superior Room on Bed & Breakfast Basis
Superior Tour - Cinnamon Grand, Colombo – Superior Room on Bed & Breakfast Basis

After breakfast, you will travel to Sigiriya/Habarana.

Commonly referred to as the ‘Cultural Triangle’, the central plains area boasts of temple ruins and ancient cities combined with national parks and glistening reservoirs. UNESCO World Heritage Sites include the striking rock fortress of Sigiriya, Dambulla’s Royal Rock Temple and crumbling archaeological treasures of Polonnaruwa. Habarana is a popular tourist destination for safari lovers as it is the starting point for safaris in the nearby Minneriya sanctuary which is heavily populated by elephants. This makes it an enthralling visit for wildlife and cultural lovers alike. 

Transfer Time: Approximately 4 ½ hours.

Check in at hotel and spend the rest of your day at leisure.

Overnight Stay:
Standard Tour - Habarana Village by Cinnamon - Superior Room on Bed & Breakfast Basis
Superior Tour - Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana - Superior Room on Bed & Breakfast Basis

After an early breakfast, you will visit the Lion Rock, one of the seven World Heritage sites of the island.

Transfer Time: Approximately 30 minutes

* It is recommended to take a bottle of water.

Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress and ruins of a castle, which was once the home to King Kasyapa. The entrance to the original fortress was through the mouth of a lion, damaged by the ravages of time until only its paws remain today. A testament to ancient artistry and architectural ingenuity, Sigiriya has many attractions to wow its visitors: gardens, artistry, the mirror wall and the dramatic history linked to the construction of the Lion Rock. An original Lost City, Sigiriya is a must-see in any visit to the Cultural Triangle.

Late afternoon enjoys a game drive at Minneriya National Park.

Transfer Time: Approximately 15-30 minutes

Minneriya National Park - Located between Habarana and Polonnaruwa, the 8,890 hectares of Minneriya National Park consist of mixed evergreen forest and scrub, and is home to wildlife favourites such as sambar deer, leopards and elephants. There's more than just the wildlife to discover, though: within the park is the ancient Minneriya Tank, built in the 3rd. century AD by King Mahasena. During the dry season (June to September), this tank is an incredible place to observe the elephants who come to bathe and graze, as well as the huge flocks of birds like cormorants and painted storks that come to fish.

Overnight Stay:
Standard Tour - Habarana Village by Cinnamon - Superior Room on Bed & Breakfast Basis
Superior Tour - Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana - Superior Room on Bed & Breakfast Basis

This morning, you will head to “the last kingdom of Sri Lanka” – Kandy.

Transfer Time: Approximately 3 hours.

En-route you will stop to visit the Dambulla Cave Temple.

Dambulla Cave Temple - This is located in the North Central Province. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, dating back to the 1st century BC, is an amazing complex of 5 caves, first used as a refuge by an ancient king who commissioned magnificent carved images within the rock. Later kings made their own modifications, and the caves now contain over 150 images of the Buddha, of which the largest is a colossal figure spanning 15 meters. Cave inscriptions from the 2nd Century BC are in evidence, and many paintings from the Kandy period of the early 19th century line the walls.

Next you have the option to stop over at Matale Spice Gardens.

Matale Spice Garden (Optional) - You will have the opportunity to explore the exotic spices of this garden. The pungent aroma of the spice permeates the air as you explore the treasure trove of the Spice Gardens.

Continue your journey to Kandy.

Kandy - Sri Lanka's hill capital, stronghold of the Sinhala Kings, is a truly beautiful town. The greatest attraction is the golden-roofed Dalada Maligawa, a magnificent sight to behold. The highlight of the year is the Esala Perahera in June/July, when a replica of a relic casket is taken in a procession with fantastic accompaniment, dancers and drummers and elephants all presiding over the way. You can also visit Kalapuraya within the stunning Dumbara valley, where there are many shrines and temples to explore.

Check in to the hotel and spend the rest of your stay at leisure.

Overnight Stay:
Standard Tour - Amaya Hills, Kandy - Superior Room on Bed & Breakfast Basis
Superior Tour - Cinnamon Citadel, Kandy - Superior Room on Bed & Breakfast Basis

This morning enjoys a visit to the famed Temple of the Tooth.

* Light colour clothing with covered sleeves and trousers/skirts below the knee recommended.

* As it is a religious site, footwear must be taken off prior to entry; socks can be worn if you wish.

The Temple of the Tooth, 'Sri Dalada Maligawa', is situated in the city of hills, Kandy. It is a highly significant shrine for Buddhists, as it plays host to the tooth relic of Lord Buddha. Famous for its carvings and the beautiful Sri Lankan art, this is a must-see for any culture, history or art lovers. The Sri Dalada Maligawa is the most sacred temple in the whole of Sri Lanka, and thousands of people line up each day to get a glimpse of its majesty.

Next, return to the hotel.

In the afternoon, your guide will take you around Kandy for a City tour.

Next you will view the Cultural Kandyan Dance Show.

Overnight Stay:
Standard Tour - Amaya Hills, Kandy - Superior Room on Bed & Breakfast Basis
Superior Tour - Cinnamon Citadel, Kandy - Superior Room on Bed & Breakfast Basis

Depart Kandy then embark on a journey to Nuwara Eliya, which takes approximately two hours of driving time. On the way, visit one of Sri Lanka’s famous tea plantations and tea factory - home of the best tea in the world. Here, you will learn about the process of manufacturing tea, and perhaps be invited to experience a cup of pure Ceylon tea. Afterwards, proceed to your hotel and relax for the rest of the day.

Guests on the Standard tour will make their way to Blackpool Hotel*, Nuwara Eliya, where they'll stay overnight in a Superior Room on Bed & Breakfast Basis. Superior Tour guests can unwind for a night at Heritance Tea Factory*, Nuwara Eliya, in a Superior Room on Bed & Breakfast Basis.

This morning, you will proceed to Galle.

Transfer Time: Approximately 5 – 5 ½ hours via Southern Expressway. En-route make a stop at Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery.

Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery - Of the eight varieties of turtle known to exist, Sri Lanka has five, and all are endangered. They are the Leathery Turtle, the Clove-Backed Ridly Turtle, the Loggerhead Turtle, the Hawksbill Turtle, and the Green Turtle. Although it is illegal, turtles are still captured, and their flesh sold in the markets, as are their eggs and shells. To help save the turtle, hatcheries have sprung up along the West Coast, particularly between Bentota and Kosgoda. You can visit one such hatchery here, and see the important conservation work in action.

Proceed to Galle and check in at hotel.

In the evening, you will experience a City Tour of Galle.

Galle – This 'living' UNESCO World Heritage Site is said to be the famous Tarshish of the Bible, where King Solomon obtained gems and spices. Galle is where the Portuguese first landed in Sri Lanka in 1505, later to be captured by the Dutch, who fortified it considerably, ruling maritime Sri Lanka throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. This long history has left clear Dutch influences on the architecture. The old Dutch churches remain, as well as a well-known monogrammed gateway and a wide array of old preserved houses and alleys. One particularly good example is the New Oriental Hotel, which was once built for a Dutch governor, now converted into an internationally-renowned hotel.

Upon completion return to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight Stay:
Standard & Superior Tour - Fort Printers, Galle – Standard room on Bed & Breakfast Basis.

Today you will proceed to the Airport for your departure flight. Transfer Time: Approximately 3 hours via Southern Expressway.