Sri Lanka Grand Tour

Arrival · Negombo

• Arrival & airport formalities
• Check-in at Goldi Sands, Negombo
• Rest of day at leisure
• Optional: Boat cruise through Negombo Lagoon

You will be warmly welcomed by our representative who will guide you throughout the tour. After the formalities at the airport, proceed to your first hotel in Negombo. Check in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. The guests will also have an option of a boat cruise through the scenic Lagoon of Negombo.

Dinner & Overnight Stay at Goldi Sands, Negombo

Negombo · Pinnawala · Dambulla

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to Dambulla
• Enroute: Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
• Check-in at Amaya Lake, Dambulla

The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a world-famous sanctuary dedicated to the care and conservation of orphaned and abandoned elephants. Established in 1975, it is home to over 80 elephants of all ages, providing a safe environment where visitors can observe these gentle giants up close. The orphanage offers daily feeding sessions and a chance to watch elephants bathe in the nearby Maha Oya River, creating unforgettable photo opportunities. It also plays a crucial role in elephant conservation and rehabilitation, ensuring young elephants grow healthy before reintroduction to the wild. Educational programs at Pinnawala raise awareness about elephant behaviour, habitat preservation, and human-animal coexistence. The facility attracts tourists, wildlife enthusiasts, and researchers alike, offering guided tours and interactive experiences. Surrounded by lush greenery and tranquil landscapes, it provides a serene setting where visitors can connect with nature while supporting wildlife preservation efforts. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage remains a must-visit destination for anyone travelling to Sri Lanka.

Dinner & Overnight Stay at Amaya Lake, Dambulla

Sigiriya & Dambulla Cave Temple

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Sigiriya Lion Rock (UNESCO)
• Visit Dambulla Cave Temple (UNESCO)

Sigiriya Lion Rock is one of Sri Lanka's most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rising nearly 200 metres above the surrounding plains, this ancient rock fortress was built in the 5th century by King Kashyapa as a royal palace and stronghold. Visitors climb a series of stairways passing through landscaped gardens, water features, and the famous Mirror Wall, once polished to reflect the king's image. Midway up, the stunning Sigiriya frescoes — vivid paintings of celestial maidens — adorn the rock face. The entrance to the summit is marked by the massive lion's paws, remnants of a giant lion statue that once guarded the fortress. At the top, explorers discover ruins of the palace complex and breathtaking panoramic views of forests and villages below.

Thereafter proceed to visit Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla — one of Sri Lanka's most impressive and well-preserved Buddhist sites. Dating back over 2,000 years, this UNESCO World Heritage Site consists of five ancient caves carved into a massive rock, housing more than 150 statues of Buddha along with statues of kings and deities. The cave interiors are richly decorated with intricate murals and colourful paintings covering the walls and ceilings, depicting scenes from the life of the Buddha. Visitors reach the temple by climbing a gentle pathway to the summit, where panoramic views of the surrounding countryside can be enjoyed.

Dinner & Overnight Stay at Amaya Lake, Dambulla

Anuradhapura & Minneriya Safari

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to Anuradhapura
• Sightseeing tour of Anuradhapura (UNESCO)
• Jeep Safari at Minneriya National Park
• Return to Dambulla

Anuradhapura is one of Sri Lanka's most ancient and historically significant cities, renowned for its well-preserved ruins of the Anuradhapura Kingdom. Established over 2,000 years ago, it served as the capital of the island and was a major centre of Theravada Buddhism. The city is famous for its sacred Buddhist sites, including the Ruwanwelisaya Stupa, Sri Maha Bodhi (the sacred Bo tree grown from a cutting of the original tree in India under which Buddha attained enlightenment), and numerous monasteries and meditation centres. Visitors can explore colossal dagobas, ancient palaces, and stone inscriptions that reflect the advanced urban planning and hydraulic engineering of early Sri Lankan civilisation.

On completion, transfer to Minneriya National Park for a Jeep Safari — famous for the annual "Gathering" of elephants. A jeep safari through the park offers a chance to witness herds of wild elephants, sometimes numbering over a hundred, as they roam, feed, and bathe in the park's reservoirs. Beyond elephants, Minneriya is home to leopards, sambar deer, water buffalo, spotted deer, and a wide variety of bird species, making it a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.

Dinner & Overnight Stay at Amaya Lake, Dambulla

Polonnaruwa

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to Polonnaruwa
• Sightseeing tour of Polonnaruwa (UNESCO)
• Return to Dambulla

The ancient city of Polonnaruwa is one of Sri Lanka's most important historical and archaeological treasures, serving as the island's medieval capital after the fall of Anuradhapura. Flourishing between the 11th and 13th centuries, it showcases the remarkable achievements of ancient Sri Lankan civilisation in architecture, irrigation, and urban planning. Visitors can explore well-preserved ruins of royal palaces, audience halls, bathing pools, and monasteries spread across a vast sacred city. Among the highlights are the impressive Gal Vihara rock temple with its magnificent Buddha statues carved from granite, the circular Vatadage shrine, and the vast Parakrama Samudra reservoir built by King Parakramabahu I. The site reflects a harmonious blend of religious devotion and engineering brilliance. Surrounded by peaceful greenery and rich wildlife, Polonnaruwa offers a serene atmosphere for cycling and exploration.

Dinner & Overnight Stay at Amaya Lake, Dambulla

Kandy

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to Kandy
• Enroute: Matale Spice Garden
• Check-in at Amaya Hills, Kandy
• Kandy City Tour (UNESCO)
• Kandyan Dance Performance & Fire Walking

Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Kandy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The historic city, about 480m above sea level surrounded by mountains, was known to Sri Lankans as Kanda Uda Rata, meaning "the hill country." Kandy was home to Sri Lanka's last independent Kingdom, which survived two centuries of colonial incursion before finally falling to the British at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Visit the Temple of the Tooth, The Royal Botanical Gardens, the Peradeniya University campus and catch a panoramic view of the picturesque town from Upper Lake Drive. Early evening, you will visit a Kandyan Dance performance and be treated to a spectacular fire walking finale. Kandy is also famous for its shopping, gems and jewellery, handicrafts, batiks, silks, etc. and you will have the opportunity of browsing to your heart's content.

Dinner & Overnight Stay at Amaya Hills, Kandy

Nuwara Eliya · Scenic Train to Ella

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to Nuwara Eliya
• Visit tea plantation & factory
• Scenic train ride: Ambewela to Ella (subject to availability)
• Check-in at Pinnacle Ella, Ella

Nuwara Eliya, meaning "the city of dawn," is the town at the highest elevation (about 2,000m above sea level) in Sri Lanka and its tallest peak, Piduruthalagala (2,555m) can be seen from here. The city, established by the British in the nineteenth century and known as "Little England," is a popular holiday resort for Sri Lankans and tourists due to its cool climate and quaint colonial feel with its little bungalows surrounded by hedgerows. Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of the tea country and you can visit a plantation and a factory en route here and witness how the famous "Ceylon Tea" is brewed.

Thereafter explore the possibilities of a scenic train ride from Ambewela to Ella. Departing from the high-elevation plains of Ambewela — often called "Little New Zealand" for its wide grasslands and dairy farms — the train travels through rolling tea estates, mist-covered mountains, pine forests, and deep valleys. Along the way, passengers enjoy spectacular views of waterfalls, tunnels carved through rock, and dramatic bends that reveal the train itself curving along the mountainside. As the journey descends toward Ella, the scenery becomes even more dramatic, with lush jungles and panoramic viewpoints opening up across the southern highlands. The cool climate, fresh mountain air, and peaceful rhythm of the train create a relaxing and memorable travel experience.

Dinner & Overnight Stay at Pinnacle Ella, Ella

Ella Sightseeing

• Breakfast at hotel
• Hike to Little Adam's Peak
• Visit Nine Arch Bridge

After breakfast, proceed on a sightseeing tour of Ella, one of Sri Lanka's most scenic hill country destinations, renowned worldwide for its breathtaking landscapes and tranquil atmosphere. Visit the famous Little Adam's Peak, an easy and rewarding hiking spot named after the sacred Adam's Peak due to its similar shape. The well-marked trail winds through lush tea plantations, green hills, and peaceful countryside, offering a refreshing trekking experience close to nature. Though the walk takes some effort, it is suitable for most fitness levels. At the summit, enjoy stunning panoramic views of Ella Gap, rolling mountains, and the surrounding valleys, especially magical when clouds drift across the landscape.

Continue to the iconic Nine Arch Bridge, a masterpiece of colonial-era engineering set amidst dense jungle and tea estates. If timing permits, witnessing a train crossing the bridge is a memorable highlight. This excursion offers the perfect blend of light adventure, natural beauty, and unforgettable viewpoints.

Dinner & Overnight Stay at Pinnacle Ella, Ella

Yala National Park

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to Yala
• Check-in at Chaarya Resort & Spa, Yala
• Visit Yala National Park

Yala National Park is Sri Lanka's most famous wildlife sanctuary, renowned for its rich biodiversity and high density of leopards. Located in the island's southeast region, the park features a diverse landscape of dry forests, grasslands, lagoons, and coastal areas bordering the Indian Ocean. A jeep safari through Yala offers thrilling opportunities to spot Sri Lankan leopards, elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, wild boar, spotted deer, and numerous bird species. The park is divided into several zones, with Block 1 being the most visited due to its abundant wildlife sightings. Apart from mammals, Yala is also a paradise for birdwatchers, hosting both resident and migratory birds. Ancient ruins and rock formations scattered within the park add historical interest to the adventure. Early morning and late afternoon safaris provide the best chances for wildlife encounters. Yala National Park promises an unforgettable experience for nature lovers, photographers, and adventure seekers exploring Sri Lanka.

Dinner & Overnight Stay at Chaarya Resort & Spa, Yala

Galle City Tour & Bentota

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer towards Bentota
• Enroute: Galle City Tour (UNESCO Fort)
• Transfer to Bentota
• Check-in at The Palms, Bentota

En route to Bentota, visit Galle for a fascinating city tour blending colonial history, coastal charm, and vibrant local culture. The highlight is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Galle Fort, originally built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and later extensively fortified by the Dutch. Walking along its massive ramparts provides stunning views of the Indian Ocean and the old town's cobbled streets lined with colonial buildings. Inside the fort, visitors can explore historic landmarks such as the Dutch Reformed Church, the iconic lighthouse, museums, boutique shops, art galleries, and cosy cafés. Beyond the fort, the tour may include visits to local markets, traditional mask workshops, and nearby beaches where golden sands meet turquoise waters. The city's unique fusion of European architecture and South Asian traditions creates a charming atmosphere perfect for history enthusiasts and culture lovers alike.

Dinner & Overnight Stay at The Palms, Bentota

Bentota — At Leisure

• Breakfast at hotel
• Full day at leisure

No transportation or chauffeur will be available today. Enjoy a completely free day to relax on Bentota's golden beach, take a dip in the pool, or explore the resort at your own pace.

Dinner & Overnight Stay at The Palms, Bentota

Bentota — At Leisure

• Breakfast at hotel
• Full day at leisure

Another relaxing day by the beach. No transportation or chauffeur will be available. Make the most of the resort facilities and the tranquil Bentota coastline.

Dinner & Overnight Stay at The Palms, Bentota

Departure

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to airport for departure

After breakfast, transfer to the airport in time for your departure flight. We hope you carry wonderful memories of Sri Lanka and look forward to welcoming you back.

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