Blissful Sri Lanka

• Upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, please clear immigration & visa formalities, collect your baggage and proceed to the arrival lounge through the green channel if you do not have goods to be declared to customs.
• Explore Vacations Representative will page you by your name. Thereafter you will be assisted to the Coach Park to begin your journey as per the itinerary.
• Proceed to Negombo.

With a wide sandy beach, big hotels and handy proximity to Colombo, Negombo is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular resorts. Beyond its sands lies an interesting mix: a colonial-built canal and crumbled fort; a lively fish market, traditional fishing communities, and a wildlife-rich lagoon.

• Visit Fishing Village, Fishing Markets
• Dutch Canal- (The Hamilton Canal)

The Hamilton Canal (also commonly known as the Dutch Canal) is a 14.5 km (9.0 mi) canal connecting Puttalam to Colombo, passing through Negombo in Sri Lanka. The canal was constructed by the British in 1802 and completed in 1804. It was designed to drain salt water out of the Muthurajawela wetlands.

• Check in to a Hotel for an overnight stay.

• After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Chilaw.

Chilaw is a delightful seaside town located on the west coast of Sri Lanka, with a wide sandy beach, and big hotels, Chilaw is Sri Lanka’s most popular destination. Beyond its sands lies an interesting mix: a colonial-built canal and crumbled fort; a lively fish market, traditional fishing communities, and a wildlife-rich lagoon.

• Visit Munneshwaram and Mannavari temple

Munneswaram temple is an important regional Hindu temple complex in Sri Lanka. The temple complex is a collection of five temples, including a Buddhist temple. The temples are dedicated to Shiva, Ganesha, Aiyanar and Kali.


• Arrive in Anuradhapura and check in to a hotel for an overnight stay.

• After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to visit the Anuradhapura ancient city.

Anuradhapura sacred city was established around a cutting from the 'tree of enlightenment', the Buddha's fig tree, brought there in the 3rd century B.C. by Sanghamitta, the founder of an order of Buddhist nuns. Anuradhapura, a Ceylonese political and religious capital that flourished for 1,300 years, was abandoned after an invasion in 993. Hidden away in dense jungle for many years, the splendid site, with its palaces, monasteries and monuments, is now accessible once again.

• Check out from the hotel and proceed to Polonnaruwa.
• Arrive in Polonnaruwa and check in at a hotel.
• Evening free time for leisure around the Parakrama Samudraya.
• Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. It comprises, besides the Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas, the monumental ruins of the fabulous garden city created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century.

• Buddha Figures at Gal Vihara: The Gal Vihara, known originally as the Uttararama, is a rock temple of the Buddha situated in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.
• Lankatilaka Temple
• Kiri Vihara Rankoth Vihara
• Shiva Devale No. 2: This Siva Devalaya is the oldest Hindu shrine found in the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka.
• Nissanka Latha Mandapaya
• Royal Palace Of King Parakramabahu
• Proceed to Trincomalee.
• Arrive in Trincomalee and check in to a hotel for an overnight stay

Trincomalee - Trincomalee is located on Sri Lanka’s northeastern coast. Stretching on either side of a narrow peninsular, it is flanked by some of the most idyllic white-sand beaches in Sri Lanka.
• Breakfast at the hotel
• Rest and relax on the beach.
• Overnight stay at hotel
• Optional: Half a day visit to a Pigeon Island and Koneshwaram temple

At Leisure in hotel pool

At Leisure in hotel pool

At Leisure in hotel pool

• Breakfast at the hotel,
• Rest and relax till late morning.
• Check out from the hotel and proceed to Habarana.
• Arrive in Habarana and check in to a hotel.
• In the evening, visit Minneriya National Park

Minneriya National Park is home to the world's largest known gathering of Asian elephants. Minneriya safari tours is a jeep safari tour. Safari start at morning 6 am and the evening at 3 pm every day. You can see elephants, spotted deer, sambar deer, wild buffalo, wild pig, grey langers, purple-faced leaf monkeys, three types of mongoose, porcupine, and Indian pangolin among the park's 24 animal species. Over 170 bird species have been reported in Minneriya National Park.

• Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

• After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Sigiriya.

Sigiriya is one of the most popular tourist attractions. This ruined, the 5th-century city has some extraordinary features, including moat and wall fortifications, elaborately landscaped gardens, and a monastery. It is an ancient rock fortress and palace built by King Kashyapa. It is considered to be one of the most valuable historical monuments in Sri Lanka, has long been renowned as an architectural wonder of urban planning and engineering, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982.

• Climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Halfway up this rock are the world-famous frescoes of the ‘heavenly maidens of Sigiriya’ remnants of a gallery of frescoes.
• Proceed to Kandy via Matale.
• Visit a Spice Garden where you can get the experience of Sri Lankan lush spice and herbal garden features and many important herbs such as Sandalwood, Margosa, Cocoa, Citronella, Almond, Jasmine and Coconut.
• Arrive in Kandy.
• Witness the cultural dance show including fire walking.
• Check in to a hotel for an overnight stay.

The city is known for being the last capital of the ancient Sri Lankan era of Kings. It is the religious as well as administrative city of Sri Lanka. It's set on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and biodiverse rainforests. It is known as a pilgrimage destination for the Temple of the Tooth Relic (a sacred tooth of the Buddha), a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kandy is a sacred city, due to the importance and spiritual significance of this temple.

• After breakfast at the hotel, visit The Temple of the tooth relic of Lord Buddha.
Participate in the pooja ceremony at the Temple of Tooth Relic, which safely keeps the Lord Buddha’s Tooth Relic venerated by Buddhists all over the world.
• City tour of Kandy including a stopover at a Gem Museum & lapidary.
• OPTIONAL: Evening visit to a Botanical Garden, Peradeniya.
• Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

• After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Nuwara Eliya through mountains and lush green tea plantations.

Nuwara Eliya is a city in the hill country of the Central Province, of Sri Lanka. Its name means "city on the plain (table land)" or "city of light". Nuwara Eliya is well known as the “Little England” located at an altitude of 1868m with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate.

• En route, visit Sri Bhakta Hanuman Hindu Temple Ramboda
• Witness Ramboda Waterfall
• Visit a Tea Factory to see how tea is processed.
• Arrive in Nuwara Eliya.
• Check in to a hotel for an overnight stay.

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Proceed to Horton Plains National Park

The Central Highlands of Sri Lanka is a well-known World Heritage Site and it comprises three major sites which are Peak Wilderness Protected Area, Knuckles Conservation Forest, and the Horton Plains National Park. Yes, the mesmerizing Horton Plains National Park is one among the three. It is a nature reserve characterized by a beautiful landscape of rolling hills, forests, and grassland. The highest plateau in the island, spanning approximately 10,000 hectares, is home to 24 species of mammal - such as elk, deer, giant squirrel, wild boar, wild hare, porcupine, and leopard.

• Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

• After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Ella.

Laid-back Ella draws travellers to Sri Lanka's highlands with its mountain forests, tea plantations, and relatively cool climate. The wildlife-rich region is also home to caves, cascades, and secluded temples.

• Enjoy the most scenic train ride from Nuwara Eliya to Ella

The train ride from Nuwara Eliya to Ella powers down through Sri Lanka’s southern hill country, crossing the tea plantations before it winds up and disappears into the clouds, weaving in and out of the many mountain tunnels as it finally descends to Ella. It’s indeed spectacular and definitely the most beautiful train ride in Sri Lanka, if not in the world! The total train journey from Nuwara Eliya to Ella takes around 4 to 4.5 hours.

• Nine Arches Bridge - The Nine Arches Bridge also called the Bridge in the Sky, is a viaduct bridge in Sri Lanka. It is one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country.
• Witness Ravana Waterfalls
• Check in to a hotel for an overnight stay.

• After breakfast at the hotel, Check out from the hotel.
• Visit little Adam’s peak.

Little Adam`s Peak got its name after its big brother, the holy mountain Adam`s Peak, because of its similar shape. The Little Adam`s Peak, 1141 m high, is fairly easy to climb, with a good path all the way up. The climb will take roughly 2 - 3 hours. The beginning path goes through beautiful lush green tea plantations full of tea-picking ladies.

• Proceed to Tissamaharama.
• Arrive in Tissamaharama and check in to a hotel.
• In the evening, visit the God Skanda Temple – Kataragama

Many Sinhala Buddhists of Sri Lanka believe that Kataragama God is one of the four guardian deities of the island nation and Buddhism.

• Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

• After early breakfast at the hotel, proceed to visit Yala National Park -

Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s most popular wildlife park due to the presence of many leopards. Sri Lanka is one of the few countries in the world where the population lives side-by-side with free-roaming animals. It isn’t uncommon to see elephants crossing roads or sneaking into a hotel lobby – a unique and beautiful way of living.

• Check out from the hotel and proceed to Uda Walawa.
• Witness feeding at Uda Walawa Elephant Orphanage

Uda Walawe Elephant transits home (ETH), also called Uda Walawe elephant orphanage. It is situated in the south of Sri Lanka, Uda Walawe is the best tourist place for seeing wild elephants in a comfortable environment. The primary purpose is to rehabilitate and release isolated baby elephants to the wild. Elephant Transit Home (ETH) cares for orphaned elephant calves until they are independent and capable enough to be released back into the wild.

• Check in to a hotel for an overnight stay

• After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Galle.

Galle is famous for its Portuguese architectural buildings and the Galle Fort which is a world heritage site and the many amazing places to visit in Galle.

• Galle Fort Clock Tower - The Clock Tower is a popular landmark and overlooks the central Moon Bastion, on the site of the former guard room

• The National Museum of Galle.

The Galle National Museum is established in the oldest Dutch building of the Galle fort. Galle National Museum displays a wide range of archaeological and anthropological objects inherited in the Southern region. A collection of traditional masks used in various rituals, a collection of ornamental objects made up of turtle shells, ancient wooden carvings and a Beeralu collection are important visitor attractive exhibits in the museum.

• Galle Lighthouse

The Galle Lighthouse is Sri Lanka's oldest light station, dating back to the mid-19th century and situated within the walls of the Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Galle Dutch Fort
• Check in to a hotel and overnight stay at the hotel

• After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to visit Jungle Beach - the hidden Paradise in Unawatuna.

Located west of Unawatuna, Jungle Beach is a pretty bay nestled in a forested area. It is one of the secret gems of Sri Lanka which has everything to make your holiday experience one of a kind. The place retains its pristine natural charm as it is not ventured by a large number of tourists throughout the year due to its secluded location.

• Rest and relax on the beach.
• OPTIONAL – Enjoy a boat ride on Jungle Beach.
• Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

• After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Colombo.

Sri Lanka's capital city of Colombo seamlessly combines the incredible culture and history of the island with modern tourist attractions and amenities. The city's unique colonial history (Portuguese, Dutch, and British) adds additional layers to the mix. As the country's capital city, it's also filled with museums and places to visit that illustrate Sri Lanka's rich history.

• Visit, Gangaramaya Temple: Gangaramaya Temple is one of the most important temples in Colombo, Sri Lanka, being a mix of modern architecture and cultural essence
• Viharamahadevi Park: The Park is the oldest and the biggest park in the port city of Colombo in Sri Lanka
• Independence Square
• Galle Face Green & Old Parliament Building
• Fort Colombo: Colombo Fort is the cultural, financial and economic hub of the city and is home to many important buildings and offices. It is the supreme business district of Srilanka and is home to the Stock Exchange building and the World Trade Centre, which is the tallest building in the country.
• Dutch Museum
• Check in to a hotel for an overnight stay

• After breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed to Airport.
• It's a Goodbye from Explore Vacation until we meet again.