Cultural Sri Lanka with Beach Holiday

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival, Negombo

  Welcome to Sri Lanka, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean! On arrival at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, you're met by your private chauffeur guide and driven to your hotel in Negombo, a seaside town that is only 20 minutes away from the airport. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

  • Negombo

• Day 2: Negombo - Anuradhapura

  In the morning, you can enjoy leisure time at your hotel, or you can stroll around the town on your own. We would like to recommend several optional activities for you, such as a visit to Fish Market in the early morning, or a boat tour of the aquatic life on Muthurajawela Marsh. After that, drive north to Anuradhapura (approx. 5 hrs by road). It is one of the three ancient cities of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Sinhala civilization.

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  • Anuradhapura

• Day 3: Anuradhapura

  After breakfast, you will visit the towns of Anuradhapura and Mihintale dotted with the ancient ruins. From the 4th century BC, Anuradhapura was the capital of Sri Lanka until the beginning of the 11th century AD. During this period it remained one of the most stable and durable centers of political power and urban life in South Asia. The ancient city, considered sacred to the Buddhist world, is today surrounded by monasteries covering an area of over sixteen square miles.

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  • Anuradhapura

• Day 4: Anuradhapura - Trincomalee

  Travel southeast today to reach the harbor city of Trincomalee. Upon arrival, explore the history or relax on the beautiful beaches.

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  • Trincomalee

• Day 5: Trincomalee Fun

  Today, you will enjoy a whale-watching tour out to the Indian Ocean - encountering the blue whales, dolphins, turtles and sometimes even sperm whales can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The rest of the day at leisure to explore or just relax on the beach.

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  • Trincomalee

• Day 6: Trincomalee - Sigiriya

  The day is free for you. You could either rest at your lovely hotel or take an optional boat safari at Pegion Island before checking out. In the afternoon, leave for Sigiriya (approx. 2 hours by road). Check in to your hotel upon your arrival.

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  • Sigiriya

• Day 7: Fun in Sigiriya

  In the morning, start with a visit to the landmark of this country, the 5th-century legendary sky citadel of "Lion Rock" - arguably the most impressive site in Sri Lanka; although a steep climb is requested, the story behind the monument and the panoramic view of Dambulla seen on the top are definitely worth the effort.

  Continue your exploration in the rural village of Hiriwadunna. Travel into the lush Sri Lanka countryside by a jeep or a tuk-tuk, alongside paddy fields and rural vegetable plantations. At dusk, get on a catamaran and sail to the other side of a lake to enjoy the fantastic sunset view, and look out for birds, butterflies, as well as the locals fishing or washing clothes by the lake.

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  • Sigiriya

• Day 8: Sigiriya - Kandy

  Today, start from the famous Dambulla Cave Temple. there are many magnificent Buddha statues and rock paintings dating back to the 2nd century BC; then, head to Kandy, the old city of Ceylon, stop for a fun visit on the way and learn a variety of spices in one spice garden. In addition, it is recommended that you enjoy a 15-minute free Ayurvedic massage in this garden.

  After arriving in Kandy (approx. 3.5 hours by car), enjoy the lively and traditional Kandy cultural dance, and then walk to the nearby Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Lanka's most sacred Buddhist shrine). Exaggerated singing, drumming, trumpet and colorful monks will show you how special and spiritually important the temple means to Sri Lanka.

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  • Kandy

• Day 9: Kandy - Colombo

  In the morning, take an interesting visit to the Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya, which boasts 300+ varieties of orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees.

  This afternoon, head to Colombo by private car (approx. 4.5 hours). Upon arrival, be escorted to your hotel for check-in and the rest of the day is at your leisure.

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  • Colombo

• Day 10: Colombo, Departure

  Follow your guide to start a city tour of Colombo, the capital of this country, including Independence Square, Gangarama Temple of Colombo, Galle Face Green Urban Park, Colombo's National Museum, and the former British Administrative Center, etc.

  In the late afternoon, you will be escorted to CMB airport (1-hour drive from Colombo city) for your onward flight.

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