Uncovered Highlights of Sri Lanka: 09 Days Tour
Negombo to Colombo
Duration
9 Days
Tour Type
Ecotourism
Group Size
20 persons
Overview
This itinerary takes you on a tour of some of the most popular destinations in Sri Lanka. It starts in Negombo, a coastal town near the airport, where you can enjoy sightseeing and spend the night. From Negombo, you will travel to Habarana, visiting the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress along the way. In Habarana, you will have the opportunity to explore the ancient city of Polonnaruwa and spend another night there.
Next, you will head to Dambulla, stopping at Anuradhapura for a tour of its ancient city and spending the night there.
The journey continues to Kandy, where you can visit the Temple of the Tooth and the Royal Botanical Gardens, enjoy panoramic views of the city, and witness a captivating cultural dance show before retiring for the night.
You will travel to Nuwara Eliya, known for its scenic beauty and tea plantations. You can visit a tea factory and estate, admire the Ramboda Waterfall, and enjoy the serenity of Gregory Lake. Moving on, you will head to Ella, where you can explore Little Adam's Peak and the stunning Nine Arch Bridge before continuing to Udawalawe for an exciting wildlife experience.
After Udawalawe, you will make your way to Colombo, the bustling capital city of Sri Lanka. Here, you can enjoy a city tour, exploring its vibrant markets, historical sites, and modern attractions. Finally, you will return to the airport for your departure.
This itinerary provides a mix of cultural, historical, natural, and wildlife experiences, showcasing the diverse beauty of Sri Lanka. Each destination offers unique attractions and opportunities to immerse yourself in the rich heritage and scenic landscapes of the country.
Included/Excluded
3 & 4 star accommodation hotel All rooms are air-conditioned. Hotel breakfast and dinner are included. We will send you full hotel information after your booking is complete.
English chauffeur guide We Do Offer German, French, Spanish, Arabic on Special Request
Breakfast & Dinner This tour offers Jain, Vegetarian, Vegan, Halal and Kosher food options on request. Simply let Apple Vacations Pvt Ltd know the food option that you prefer.
Water bottles Seasonal fruits Local Beer (Beer will not be served by any hotel and restaurant on Poya days (full moon) King Coconut (Subjet avalibility)
Fully Air conditioned vehicle Car or Van
International flights are not included
Insurance is not included
Travel insurance ETA Visa Recommendation
Personal Expenses Entrance Ticket Meal Other than specified Lunch Dec 24th night & Dec 31st night Supplements (peak season additional charge) need to pay directly to hotel as per hotel.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Negombo
Day 1
Arrival in Negombo
You'll arrive at the airport and get transferred to your hotel in Negombo. After you check in, you're heading out on a boat through the mangrove forests to look for local wildlife like water birds and fishermen working the water. Then it's dinner and your first night to settle in.
Day 2
Kandy to Habarana
Day 2
Kandy to Habarana
Following breakfast, you'll go to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage where you can watch rescued elephants being bathed and fed. From there, you'll head to the Golden Temple of Dambulla to see its five cave temples with over 150 Buddha statues inside. Next on the list is climbing Sigiriya Rock Fortress to check out ancient frescoes, paintings, and water gardens. Wrap up with dinner and overnight in Habarana.
Day 3
Polonnaruwa
Day 3
Polonnaruwa
This morning you'll head to Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO site that served as an ancient capital from the 11th to 13th centuries. Walking through the ruins, you'll come across the Royal Palace, Gal Vihara with its four large Buddha statues, and the Rankoth Vihara stupa. You can go on foot or by bicycle, taking your time to see the architecture and artistic work. After exploring, you're heading back to Habarana for dinner and the night.
Day 4
Anuradhapura and Mihintale
Day 4
Anuradhapura and Mihintale
You'll transfer to Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's first ancient capital and another UNESCO site. There you'll tour the ruins and monuments from the third century BC, learning about temples and stupas while getting into the history. Next stop is Mihintale, a historic pilgrimage site where Buddhism came to Sri Lanka. Climbing to the summit, you'll see ancient stupas and temples with nice views from up there. Finish the day with dinner in Dambulla.
Day 5
Kandy
Day 5
Kandy
After breakfast, you're visiting the Temple of the Tooth Relic, a UNESCO site and one of the world's most famous Buddhist temples. You'll stay for the evening puja ceremony to have a spiritual experience. Take a casual walk around Kandy Lake in the city center for the views. The Royal Botanical Gardens come next with their plant and flower collections. Head to Kandy View Point to see the whole city, then catch a cultural dance show with traditional music and performances. Dinner and overnight in Kandy.
Day 6
Kandy to Ella via Nuwara Eliya
Day 6
Kandy to Ella via Nuwara Eliya
Leaving Kandy, you're heading to Nuwara Eliya, a hill town in tea country. You'll visit a tea factory and estate to learn how tea gets made from growing to processing, and you'll taste black, green, and white teas. Along the way, there's a stop at Ramboda Waterfalls to see the 109-meter drop and the green hills around it. Later, you'll spend time at Gregory Lake in Nuwara Eliya for a quiet walk with hills all around. End with dinner and overnight in Ella.
Day 7
Ella to Udawalawe
Day 7
Ella to Udawalawe
Starting after breakfast, you're going to see a waterfall tucked in the forest, then exploring Ravana's Cave where legend says the demon king Ravana hid Princess Sita. Hiking to Little Adam's Peak gives you scenic views of the hills and valleys nearby. The Nine Arch Bridge is an engineering feat in the central highlands connecting Ella and Demodara stations, and you can walk across it or catch it from a passing train. Later, you'll take a safari in Udawalawe National Park to spot elephants, crocodiles, and other wildlife. Transfer to Udawalawe for dinner and overnight.
Day 8
Colombo
Day 8
Colombo
After breakfast, you're transferring to Colombo, Sri Lanka's main capital city. On a guided tour, you'll see the city's attractions including historical buildings, cultural sites, and busy markets. Check out the historic city center with its unique architecture, the Gangaramaya Temple, the bustling Pettah market, and Independence Square. Dinner and overnight in Colombo wrap up the day.
Travel Styles
Cultural
Nature & Adventure
Marine
Independent
Activities
Festival & Events
Facilities
Wifi
FAQs
Meals?
8x Breakfast
8x Dinner
Included Activities?
Day 1:
Mangrove boat tour to observe local wildlife and fishermen;
Day 2:
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage tour - watch elephants bathing and being fed;
Golden Temple of Dambulla (Dambulla Cave Temple) visit - UNESCO World Heritage site with five cave temples;
Sigiriya Rock Fortress exploration - frescoes, paintings, water gardens, and historic remains;
Day 3:
Polonnaruwa UNESCO World Heritage Site tour - Royal Palace, Gal Vihara, and Rankoth Vihara stupa exploration;
Day 4:
Anuradhapura UNESCO World Heritage Site tour - ancient temples, stupas, and structures;
Mihintale pilgrimage site visit - ancient stupas, temples, and monasteries with summit views;
Day 5:
Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) visit - UNESCO heritage site with evening puja ceremony;
Kandy Lake leisurely stroll;
Royal Botanical Gardens visit - 147 acres with trees, plants, and flowers from around the world;
Kandy View Point visit - panoramic city and surroundings views;
Traditional Sri Lankan cultural dance and music performance;
Day 6:
Tea Factory and Tea Estate tour - tea production process and tea tasting;
Ramboda Waterfalls visit - viewpoints and surrounding tea farms;
Gregory Lake visit - lake walk and surrounding hills;
Day 7:
Waterfall visit in Ella;
Ravana's Cave exploration;
Little Adam's Peak scenic hike;
Nine Arch Bridge visit - historic engineering landmark;
Udawalawe National Park safari tour - wildlife viewing;
Day 8:
Colombo guided city tour - historical buildings, cultural attractions, and marketplaces;
Historic city center tour - distinctive architecture;
Gangaramaya Temple visit;
Pettah market visit;
Independence Square visit;
Optional Activities?
Day 3: Bicycle tour of Polonnaruwa ruins;
Day 6: Tea purchase from estate shop; Boat trip on Gregory Lake
Day 7: Train ride passing over Nine Arch Bridge;
Landmarks?
Day 1:
Mangrove Forests;
Day 2:
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage;
Golden Temple of Dambulla;
Sigiriya Rock Fortress;
Day 3:
Polonnaruwa;
Gal Vihara;
Rankoth Vihara;
Day 4:
Anuradhapura;
Mihintale;
Day 5:
Temple of the Tooth Relic;
Kandy Lake;
Royal Botanical Gardens;
Kandy View Point;
Day 6:
Tea Factory and Tea Estate;
Ramboda Waterfalls;
Gregory Lake;
Day 7:
Ravana's Cave;
Little Adam's Peak;
Nine Arch Bridge;
Udawalawe National Park;
Day 8:
Gangaramaya Temple;
Pettah Market;
Independence Square;
from
$890
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