Sri Lanka Grand Journey

Your Sri Lankan journey begins on arrival at Colombo airport, where a representative will meet you and assist with your transfer to Negombo. Settle in for your first night in Sri Lanka at your hotel in Negombo.

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, spend the day exploring Negombo at your leisure. This coastal town is known for its vibrant fishing industry and colonial heritage, offering a relaxed atmosphere to unwind and discover local life. In the evening, we will enjoy dinner together at the hotel. Overnight stay is in Negombo.

After breakfast, we depart for Sigiriya, stopping en route at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. This pioneering sanctuary cares for around 60 elephants, including orphaned calves, providing expert protection and a social environment. You will have the opportunity to accompany the herd to the nearby river and watch them bathea memorable experience for many visitors. Please note that visits to Pinnawala are permitted between 8.00 am and 5.00 pm, and all guests are required to wear masks, use hand sanitiser, and maintain a 1.5-metre distance. We continue to Sigiriya for dinner and overnight accommodation.

After breakfast, we set off for a full-day tour of Polonnaruwa, the islands medieval capital from the 11th and 12th centuries AD and a designated World Heritage Site. The city rose to prominence following the decline of Anuradhapura and boasts remarkably well-preserved ruins. We explore the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya with its four impressive Buddha statues carved from rock in upright, seated and reclining poses, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath and the statue of King Parakramabahu. The tour also includes visits to significant religious sites such as the Shiva Temple, Lankathilake, Watadage, Galpotha, Kiri Vehera and the remains of the former Temple of the Tooth Relic. After the tour, we return to the hotel for dinner. Please note, visitors are required to wear masks, use hand sanitiser and maintain social distancing while at the site. Overnight in Sigiriya.

After breakfast, we transfer to Dambulla to visit the renowned Dambulla Rock Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to the 1st century BC. This temple complex features impressive mural paintings and 157 Buddha statues, reflecting over two millennia of continuous religious significance. Following this, we continue to Kandy, the last royal capital of Sri Lanka and also a World Heritage Site. Here, we drive around the scenic Kandy Lake, created in 1798 by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, before visiting the Temple of the Tooth Relic, an important pilgrimage site. Please note that visits to the Dambulla cave temple are subject to Tourist Board approval, and the Kandy temple is open for visits on weekdays between 11.30 am and 1.30 pm. Throughout the day, we observe health and safety protocols including mask-wearing, hand sanitising, and social distancing. Overnight in Kandy.

After breakfast at the hotel, we visit Peradeniya Botanical Garden, located just four miles from Kandy. Originally created as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and later expanded by the British, the garden spans approximately 147 acres. It offers well-maintained lawns, charming pavilions, an octagonal conservatory, a fernery, a giant Javan fig tree and numerous flower beds. The highlight is the orchid house, showcasing a stunning variety of orchids. After exploring the gardens, we return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Kandy. Visitors should note that the garden is open from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm, and health protocols including mask-wearing, hand sanitising and social distancing are observed.

Enjoy a hearty breakfast before travelling to Nuwara Eliya. From the vehicle, take in the sights of this popular hill resort, known for its cool mountain climate and scenic beauty. Nuwara Eliya lies at the heart of Sri Lankas tea country, producing a significant portion of the worlds finest tea. The area is also home to Pidurutalagala, the islands highest peak at 8,282 feet, and boasts one of South Asias finest 18-hole golf courses. Please note that during the city tour, you remain on the vehicle and do not disembark. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.

After breakfast, we transfer to Yala National Park for an afternoon safari. Covering 1,259 square kilometres, Yala is Sri Lankas premier wildlife reserve, featuring diverse habitats including grasslands, shrubs, tanks and dunes. As we enter the park, you step into an area rich in both natural beauty and historical significance, once home to ancient Sri Lankan kingdoms. The park is renowned for its abundant wildlife, including herds of elephants, sloth bears, spotted deer, jackals, a wide variety of bird species, and the worlds highest density of leopards. Experience the thrill as our jeep navigates rugged tracks and narrow bends, surrounded by the sounds of the wilderness under the tropical sun. After the safari, we check in to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Yala. Please note, visits to Yala National Park are permitted between 6.00 am and 6.00 pm. We advise wearing masks, using hand sanitiser, and maintaining social distancing throughout.

After breakfast, we set off for a city tour of Galle. This southern coastal town is where Dutch colonial architecture meets a tropical backdrop, creating a unique atmosphere. We explore the forts original ramparts and bastions, preserved for over three and a half centuries, including the old gate adorned with the British coat of arms, the Zwart Bastionthe oldest in the fortand the lighthouse beside Point Utrecht Bastion. Walking clockwise within the fort, youll notice the distinctive Dutch colonial verandas and the orderly grid of streets. We also visit the Dutch Hospital Shopping Complex, where you can browse a variety of souvenirs. The fort remains a vibrant community, home to administrative offices, courts, churches and local residents, offering a living glimpse into its rich heritage. Afterwards, we continue to Colombo for a city tour. Colombo is a city in transition, where modern skyscrapers rise alongside colonial-era landmarks such as a 100-year-old clock tower and British-built buildings. Highlights include the bustling Pettah bazaar, a Hindu temple, a Buddhist temple, residential areas with stately homes, and the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, a gift from China. Please note, during the visits to Galle and Colombo, you remain on the vehicle for the city tours. We finish the day with check-in and dinner at the hotel in Colombo.

After breakfast, your chauffeur will transfer you to the international airport in good time for your departure flight, marking the conclusion of your journey.