Highlights of Sri Lanka Tour

A 7 night tour of Sri Lanka visiting Colombo, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Kandy & Beruwala 

This 7 night tour includes flights, private transfers, hotel stays (on half board) & excursions

Tour Itinerary

Day 1:  Airport – Colombo

On arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport you will be met by your Chauffeur guide & transferred to your hotel in Colombo.

Transfer Time (Airport to Colombo): Approximately 40 minutes.

Check in at the hotel and relax till evening before exploring Colombo city. 

Colombo City tour Colombo tour includes a drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens. Visit Lotus tower, Fort, the former British administrative centre and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area, a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. If time permits, you may also see the replica of Avukana Buddha & the Independence Square. You will be taken to visit the lotus tower to get mesmerizing views of the city line. 
Return back to the hotel and relax for the rest of the evening

Accommodation: Jetwing Colombo Seven
Room type: Deluxe Room
Basis: Half Board Basis 

Day 2:  Colombo – Dambulla – Minneriya - Dambulla

Pick up time 8.00am after breakfast you will proceed to Dambulla. 
Transfer Time (Colombo to Dambulla): Approx. 03 ½ hours.
Check in to the hotel and relax till afternoon before heading to Minneriya National park.
Transfer Time (Hotel to Minneriya): Approx. 40 minutes.
Pick up time 1.30pm, visit the Minneriya National park for a safari. The park extends to 8,889 hectares and is well known for its large population of elephants in herds of 100 to 150 roaming in the jungle and seen in the catchment area of the lake. 
Return back to your hotel in Dambulla and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Occidental Paradise Dambulla
Room type: Deluxe Room
Basis: Half Board Basis 

Day 3:  Dambulla – Sigiriya – Dambulla – Polonnaruwa - Dambulla

Pick up at 7.00am early morning after an early breakfast you will be taken to climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
Transfer Time (Hotel to Sigiriya): Approx. 20 minutes.

One of Sri Lanka’s major attractions, the Sigiriya Rock Fortress was built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD) for the purpose of protecting him from his rivals. An UNSECO World Heritage listed site, also known as the “Fortress in the Sky”. The climb up to the top of the fortress doesn’t only offer the reward of breathtaking views but there is so much to discover during your climb to the top. 
Highlights of the climb include water gardens, artistic frescoes, mirror wall, the lion gate and the magnificent views from the rock summit.
Thereafter you will visit Polonnaruwa, on your way you will have a lunch at Priyamali Gedara.
Transfer Time (Sigiriya Rock Fortress to Polonnaruwa): Approx. 01 ½ hour.

Polonnaruwa was founded in the 11th Century AD and was governed by many Kings. King Parakrambahu I’s reign was considered the most significant for this ancient kingdom. During his reign (12th Century AD) this second Kingdom of Sri Lanka (after Anuradhapura) was known as the Golden Age of Polonnaruwa, as Parakrambabu ruled during an era where trade and agriculture was at its peak.

Return back to the hotel and relax for the rest of your day enjoying hotel facilities.

Accommodation: Occidental Paradise Dambulla
Room type: Deluxe Room
Basis: Half Board Basis 

Day 4:  Dambulla - Kandy

Pick up at 9.00am after leisurely breakfast you will proceed to Kandy, on your way you will visit Dambulla Cave temple.
Transfer Time (Dambulla to Kandy): Approx. 2½ hours.

Dambulla cave temple is part of the Golden Triangle of Sri Lanka and is encrusted into a magnificently large rock. It sits more than 160m above the surrounding land and spans for more than 1.5 km around the base. Also known as the “Golden Temple” it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991. This ancient complex was initially established in 3rd Century BC and is truly a wonder as it is the largest and best preserved cave temples in Sri Lanka. The cave temples are home to numerous religious and cultural paintings and sculptures. 

Continue your journey to Kandy, check in to the hotel and relax till evening before heading to Kandy Temple of the Tooth Relic.

Transfer Time (Hotel to Kandy Temple of the Tooth Relic): Approx. 20 minutes.

Pick up time 5.00pm The Temple of Tooth Relic (“Dalada Maligawa” as known to the locals) is located in Kandy. This sacred temple is also home to the palm-leaf transcripts and its history dates back to 1687. This stunning piece of architecture is instantly recognised by its octagonal shape and golden roof. Although you are not able to view the actual tooth itself, the casket within which it is held is displayed twice a day. 

Thereafter you will witness a Cultural Dance show.
Return back to the hotel and relax for the rest of your day enjoying hotel facilities.

Accommodation: Cinnamon Citadel
Room type: Superior Room
Basis: Half Board Basis 

Day 5:  Kandy - Beruwala

Pick up time 9.00am after leisurly breakfast you will proceed to Beruwala.
Transfer Time (Kandy to Beruwala): Approx. 05 hours.

Check into the hotel and relax for the rest of your day enjoying hotel facilities.

Accommodation: Occidental Eden Beruwala
Room type: Superior Room
Basis: Half Board Basis 

Day 6:  Beruwala – Balapitiya – Kosgoda – Beruwala

Pick up time 8.30am this day after breakfast you will be taken for Madu River Boat Safari.
Transfer Time (Hotel to Madu River): Approx. 40 minutes.

Madu River is a complex coastal ecosystem of mangroves and islands. A boat tour is an ideal way to experience hundreds of species of plants and animals in their natural habitat. There are around 64 islands in the river and lagoon, from a tiny speck housing, a deserted shrine to one housing 250 families, connected to the mainland via a long footbridge. You can visit an island with a Buddhist monastery, where the friendly young monks will show you a 150-year-old book made of palm leaves and how they cook on cinnamon wood on an open fire.

Thereafter you will visit a Turtle Hatchery in Kosgoda.

Transfer Time (Madu River to Kosgoda): Approx. 30 minutes.

Visiting the Turtle hatchery in Sri Lanka is one of the most recommended things to do by Lonely Planet. The small town of Kosgoda on the southern strip is famous for its turtle hatchery which is operated by the Wild Life Protection Society of Sri Lanka.At the hatchery, fishermen are paid for rescuing the vulnerable eggs which they collect at night, along the sandy beach. Visitors can witness the exceptional sight of them hatching or even see tanks filled with new born hatchlings. After being fed, the baby turtles are returned back to the sea where they are released when they are 2-4 days old. Once placed on the beach, most baby sea turtles start moving towards the water, flapping their tiny flippers. Children in particular love to visit the hatchery and watch the turtles being released back into their natural habitat.

Return back to the hotel and relax for the rest of your day enjoying hotel facilities.

Accommodation: Occidental Eden Beruwala
Room type: Superior Room
Basis: Half Board Basis 

Day 7:  Beruwala 

Full day at leisure.

Accommodation: Occidental Eden Beruwala
Room type: Superior Room
Basis: Half Board Basis 

Day 8:  Beruwala – Airport 

Having reached at the end of your program, you will be transferred to the airport for your homeward flight

Transfer Time (Beruwala to Airport): Approximately 1½ hours.

Flight Information ( Qatar Airways )

Depart London Heathrow at 14.55 hrs arrive Doha at 00.35 hrs, depart Doha at 02.25 hrs arrive Colombo at 09.45 hrs ( next day ) OR
Depart London Heathrow at 21.30 hrs arrive Doha at 07.10hrs, depart Doha at 09.10 hrs arrive Colombo at 16.30 hrs ( next day )

Depart Colombo at 11.15 hrs arrive Doha 14.00 hrs, depart Doha at 15.15 hrs London Heathrow at 19.50 hrs