Description

Day 1
Starting from Negombo 8 am. The driver will take you to Sigiriya which takes about 4 hours depending on traffic. You will see wonderful scenery of coconut plantation and pineapple plantation. The driver guides you along the way and tells you all about the surroundings.

First visiting the Dambulla Cave Temple (Golden Temple) it is from the 1st century BC. There is a 14 meter long Buddha that was sculpted directly from the mountain. The walls are covered with paintings showing different reincarnations.

In the afternoon you will go on Elephant Safari in Minneriya or Eko National Park depending on where the Elephants are. Staying two nights in Sigiriya / Dambulla.

Day 2

Visits Polonnaruwa which takes about 1-1.5 hours to drive to. There you will visit a part of the cultural triangle that has a great history and a lot of ruins to behold. Many choose to cycle around to the different monuments or you will go with the driver.

In the afternoon you will visit Hiriwadunna Village Tour. Nice little trip starting on oxcart, then a little boat trip and a visit to locals who show how to cook some traditional food.

Day 3

After breakfast you will visit Sigiriya and possibly climb the Lion Rock. It belongs to the cultural triangle, once the capital of northern Sri Lanka. Walk 1202 steps up to the 380 m high cliff where the then King Kashyapa made a palace on the top. On the way up you will meet the Lion Gate, paintings, moats and gardens.

Further on to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s second largest city, 500 meters above sea level. Takes about 3 hours depending on how long you stay at each attraction! On the way you visit spice gardens and get a guided tour. Visit Matale hindu temple.

At 5 pm you go to Kandy Dance, which is Sri Lanka’s traditional dance. They adorn themselves in masks and nice costume and walk on glowing charcoal.

After the dance, visit the famous tooth temple (Sri Dalada Maligawa), which is a world heritage site, and it is said that Buddha’s tooth is there. Staying two nights in Kandy.

Day 4
Going to Kitulgala for water rafting that takes about 1-1.5 hours. It is an easy type of water rafting that both children and adults can do. Fantastic landscape surrounded by greenery and waterfalls.

In the afternoon you can visit the botanical gardens or you can explore Kandy town on your own.

Day 5
Further to Ella. You will drive up the mountains through beautiful scenery of tea plantation and stay at the tea factory and get a guided tour. You will drive through Nuwara Eliya which is an old English colony. Visit a bazaar where you can buy winter clothes for a good price. Visit Grand Hotel which is an old colonial hotel for a snack or lunch. Takes about 4 hours.

We usually recommend taking the train the last 2-2.5 hours up to Ella. It’s a nice trip with mountains and views. The driver will take you to the station in Nanu Oya. He will meet you at the station in Ella. If you do not want to go by train, you will continue to go with the driver all the way up to Ella. Coming to Ella which is 1041 meters above sea level. Stay two nights in Ella.

Day 6

Driving 25 km to Lipton seat located in Haputale. The road is great with beautiful views and scenery, the driver park down at the Lipton Tea Factory. You can choose to walk 7 km through beautiful tea plantation to see and experience how the locals work. If you do not want to walk up, you can take a tuk tuk (tricycle). You can decide when you get there! The top, if it’s clear and nice weather, offers a 360 degree panoramic view of Sri Lanka.

In the afternoon you can walk up to Mini Adams Peak, which has a great view, to watch the sunset. It takes about 30-40 minutes to walk up to Mini Adams Peak.

Day 7

After breakfast, visit the Nine Arch Bridge, also known as the Bridge in the Sky, which is an old colonial railroad construction.

Further to Yala National Park. On the way you will stay at Rawana waterfall, then you will stop at Buduruwagala where there are ancient rock carvings in the mountains. Stay one night in Tissamaharama about 45 min from Yala National Park. Travel time about 3 hours.

Day 8

At 5 am a Jeep will pick you up at the hotel to take you to the park that opens at 6 am. You get your own Jeep with comfortable seats, a roof and open on the sides. The hotel arrange breakfast packages. What can you see in Yala? Elephants, buffalo, monkeys, leopard, bear, birds, crocodiles, etc. Are out for a few hours depending on how much animals you see.

In the afternoon you can go to Kataragama and visit a holy temple. People are coming from all over the country to donate gifts and to pray for their illnesses and to heal themselves. Alternatively go for an afternoon safari in Bundala National Park, a smaller park and famous for its bird life. If you are a bird watcher, this is a good option.

Day 9

Then on to the south end destination / Hikkaduwa. You will take the beautiful coastal road and see different beaches and fishermen who sit on poles. Travel time about 4 hours. Alternatively, go for a morning safari in Udawalawe National Park.