Tour route: Negombo - Anuradhapura - Jaffna - Trincomalee -Pasikudah -Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya - Dambulla - Colombo
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 which is only 20 minutes away from the airport. Rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight: Negombo
Morning at your own leisure. You may wish to sleep in to better cope with jet lag or wander around this small coastal town.
This afternoon, head for one of the best-preserved ruins of ancient Ceylon - the UNESCO World Heritage City of Anuradhapura (approx. 5 hrs), known as one of the 3 ancient cities in Sri Lanka's cultural triangle. Check in to your Anuradhapura hotel.
Overnight: Anuradhapura
Meal: Breakfast
Today you will visit the ancient sites which dot the towns of Anuradhapura and Mihintale, which is famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilization. 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.
Overnight: Anuradhapura
Meal: Breakfast
This morning after breakfast you will drive up to the very north of the island to Jaffna - a stunning place that has a turbulent history and strong Tamil influence - it's a really unique place to visit in Sri Lanka. Upon arrival, start your tour of the Jaffna area with your chauffeur guide. You will visit a fish market, a Hindu temple and witness the puja.
Overnight: Jaffna
Meal: Breakfast
It’s another day to continue your explorations of Jaffna. Today you will visit one of the neighboring islands or go up to the top of the peninsula to the coast. The islands are generally untouched and are surrounded by aqua blue waters and white sand beaches.
Overnight: Jaffna
Meal: Breakfast
Travel southeast today to reach the harbor city of Trincomalee. Explore the history or relax on the beautiful beaches.
Overnight: Trincomalee
Meal: Breakfast
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. Rest of the day is at leisure to explore or just relax on the beach.
Overnight: Trincomalee
Meal: Breakfast
A day at leisure to explore or just relax on the beach.
Overnight: Trincomalee
Meal: Breakfast
Head for Pasikuda (approx. 3 hrs by road). Upon arrival in Pasikudah in the afternoon, you are free to relax on the lovely beach or explore on your own.
Overnight: Pasikudah
Meal: Breakfast
Free day at leisure.
Overnight: Pasikudah
Meal: Breakfast
Start the day with a drive to Sigiriya, en route visit Polonaruwa (approx. 4 hrs by road), the second ancient capital of Cultural Triangle. It well preserves ruins of palaces, bathing pools, stupas and religious rock sculptures. Return to Sigiriya after your tour in Polonnaruwa. Continue to head for Sigiriya, check in the hotel upon your arrival.
Overnight: Sigiriya
Meal: Breakfast
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.
In the afternoon, continue your exploration in the rural village of Hiriwadunna. Travel into the lush Sri Lankan countryside by a jeep or a tuk tuk. Hop into a bullock cart alongside paddy fields and rural vegetable plantations. At dusk, take a boat ride and sail to the other side of a lake, enjoying the fantastic sunset view, and looking out for birds, butterflies, as well as the villagers fishing or washing clothes at the periphery of the lake.
Overnight: Sigiriya
Meal: Breakfast
In the morning, head westwards to Colombo city, the capital of Sri Lanka (approx. 5 hours drive). Upon arrival start your a guided 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.
Overnight: Colombo
Meal: Breakfast
This morning you will be picked up at hotel lobby by your chauffeur and taken to the CMB airport (1-hour drive from Colombo city) for your onward flight.
Meal: Breakfast
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: Sri Lanka Culture Tour & Beach Holiday
77 reviews sorted by date
May 29th, 2017
May 14th, 2017
April 11th, 2017
April 8th, 2017
March 29th, 2017 Any part of this itinerary can be altered to fit your need, e.g. accommodation, add/skip city, tour length.
Start Tailoring Now Free & EasyYour final trip plan will be 100% tailored to your needs, incl. itinerary, activities, hotel, meal plan etc.
Start Tailoring Now
