Tour route: Negombo - Pinnawala - Sigiriya - Kandy - Galle - Colombo
Upon your arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport, you will be welcomed by a chauffeur guide of India Odyssey Tours and then be escorted to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is yours to relax.
Note: Buddhism is extremely respected in Sri Lanka, any disrespectful words or acts may cause deportation or denial of entry, e.g. Buddha tattoos, kissing/climbing/riding Buddha statue, drinking inside a temple, etc.
Overnight: Negombo
After breakfast we head for to Pinnawela to visit the Elephant Orphanage where you can get up-close and personal with a pachyderm during their morning feeding and river bathing. Afternoon, continue to Sigiriya, en route stop for photo opportunities or coconut break at a Sri Lankan family.
Note: Driving time in the program is approximate, subject to the traffic, weather and road conditions.
Overnight: Sigirya
Meals: Breakfast
In the morning, it’s suggested to get up early for a sunrise visit to Sigiriya’s 5th-century legendary sky citadel of "Lion Rock" - arguably the most impressive site in Sri Lanka; although a steep climb is requested, the views and frescoes are definitely worth the effort.
In the afternoon, enjoy the Hiriwadunna village safari, in which you not only observe dry-zone bird life and a variety of other native wildlife, but also savor the unbeatable view of Lion Rock when cruise around the scenic Hiriwadunna Lake by a catamaran.
Overnight: Sigiriya
In the morning visit the famous Dambulla Cave Temple, home to some magnificent Buddha images and rock painting dating back to 2nd century BC. Proceed to Ceylon's old capital of Kandy, en route take aromatic visit to a wide range of spices at the Spice Garden and try a 15-minute-long complimentary Ayurveda Massage.
After arriving in Kandy, appreciate a vivid and traditional Rangahala Cultural Dance (Kandyan Dance) before walking to the nearby Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic - Sri Lanka's most sacred Buddhist shrine, the Puja Ritual held in the temple with all the fanfare, drums, trumpets and brightly colored Monks definitely shows you how special and spiritually important the temple means to Sri Lanka.
Overnight: Kandy
Meals: Breakfast
In the morning, take an interesting visit to Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya which boasts 300+ varieties of orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees at. Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight: Kandy
After breakfast, you will head for Galle. Upon arrival, visit Asia's best preserved colonial sea fortress of Galle Dutch Fort, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check in to hotel and relax the rest of the day.
Overnight: Galle
Today is free for you own exploration, a stroll around within the Fort district and discover the exotic vibe so distinguished from the rest of Sri Lanka could be a good choice.
Overnight: Galle
Upon arrival in Colombo, your tour guide will show you around the city including the Gangarama Temple of Colombo, mile-long promenade of Galle Face Green and Colombo's National Museum etc.
Overnight: Colombo
Today is free at your leisure until your chauffeur guide pick you up from the hotel and escort you to the airport for your departure flight.
No hotel in Colombo.
Recommended Accommodation for Your Journey
Good accommodation choice will in no doubt enhance your tour experience. Our well-established partnership network with key hotel chains in India, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri-Lanka will bring you the benefits of competitive hotel rate and guaranteed room availability.
We pick hotels for you based on:
Location: geographically convenience values for your precious holiday time. So properties we use are either in downtown area close to main city attractions and amenities, or convenient for sightseeing or transportation.Hotel Criteria for Each Tour Class
Note: Bhutan is less developed with fewer hotels criteria for choice, and most of the hotels there aren't as high standard as those in Western society.
Hotel Arrangement for Standard Tour Class
Usually conveniently located and meet the basic requirements of a comfortable stay: decorative lobbies and nice guest rooms with AC, TV, hot water, shower and private bathrooms. On-site restaurants may be average in size but offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. In most cases, staffs have basic command of English. Usually 3 star hotels are adopted.Hotel Arrangement for Comfortable Tour Class
Normally you'll stay at formal and large hotels conveniently located with shopping, dining and entertainment facilities nearby. Quality service, fully furnished rooms, restaurants, room service, fitness center and swimming pool (in some cases there is no pool) all together offer an above-average accommodation experience.
Usually good 4-star hotels are adopted or boutique hotels at request. Hotels best available will be arranged if no qualified choice, e.g. in remote area.
Hotel Arrangement for Superior Tour Class
Usually properties are conveniently located with shopping, dining and entertainment facilities nearby and offer a better service and hotel facility than that in hotels of Comfortable Tour Class. Usually 4-4.5 star hotels or boutique hotels are adopted.
Hotel Arrangement for First Tour Class
Deluxe hotels with high-end service and an extensive range of facilities for an excellent accommodation experience. Multiple restaurants on site with extensive menus for choice, room service available 24/7, fitness center and concierge service round out the experience. Usually 5 star hotels are adopted.
Hotel Arrangement for Deluxe Tour Class
The most luxury hotels are used and only available in some particular cities. These properties have top-notch service and unique location, such as a lake or a historic site, and usually incorporate some of the country’s most exquisite architecture traditions. Usually top 5 star or the best available hotels are adopted.
Meals
Normally, India Odyssey Tours put breakfast in your itinerary except for in Bhutan (all meals included). Lunch won’t be included for the sake of tour convenience, while dinner is also excluded as some travelers might want a little culinary adventure themselves. But surely your tour guide/driver is always glad to offer their advice.
It is normally served at the hotel where you stay. Depending on the hotel, the breakfast would be in western style, local style, or a combination.
Usually lunch won’t be included considering the fact that sometimes travelers may want to stay somewhere longer/shorter or need other minor changes during daily sightseeing, and it’s better to decide the lunch site then rather than pre-arranging it. For sure our tour guides/drivers will be happy to advice good places to you, and we strongly suggest qualified local restaurant or hotels around the scenic spots for the sake of your health.
Dinners will not be included in your meal plan unless you have that requirement. Enjoying the local food could be one of your best experiences in the incredible India & South Asia. This is why we offer you this flexibility of food choice, and you can always get advice from your tour guides/drivers.
If you have certain food allergies or special requirements such as vegetarian food, let us know. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Private Guide & Transfer
You will have a private tour guide, private driver, and an air-conditioned vehicle escorting you at every destination you travel across South Asia. This will provide you with maximized personal care, security, and flexibility.
All tour guides of India Odyssey Tours are qualified professionals and registered English Speaking Tourist Guides who are reassessed annually. All of our tour vehicles are clean and in excellent condition, manned with licensed & experienced drivers.
You will always be greeted punctually on arrival at each destination airport. At every departure, you’ll be escorted & assisted until you have checked in and passed through the security checkpoint.
All of our tour guides in every destination are locals. Knowing the area well, they are good at guiding you around and telling background stories of the tour sites, as well as showing you the secret spots for best photos.
If any change of itinerary is needed for unexpected reasons, your private tour guides will be more than accommodating in suggesting alternatives to ensure that you always have a wonderful experience.
With our comfortable and safe private transportation, your tour will be more relaxing and less tiresome, keeping you in the best spirits to make the most out of your journey across South Asia.
Your vehicle in each destination is air conditioned, insured, clean, and regularly maintained. Your private driver is licensed and always put your safety first.
Reviews on: Essential Sri Lanka
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March 29th, 2017 Any part of this itinerary can be altered to fit your need, e.g.accommodation, add/skip city, tour length..
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