AEI-65 Sri Lanka 8N-9D
Expert Rating: Asia Escapes
“This itinerary represents the ultimate ‘Grand Tour’ of Sri Lanka, notably including the three historic capitals (Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Kandy), offering unparalleled cultural depth. By incorporating the landscapes of Ella , leopard watching in Yala , and the colonial charm of Galle , it guarantees a 360° experience in just 9 days. It is the top recommendation for travelers looking to maximize their stay without sacrificing the island’s diverse landscapes and rich heritage.”
Day 1. Colombo-Dambulla-Habarana Airport - Half Board
Arrival at Colombo airport, assistance, and departure for Habarana. En route, visit a cave temple. After the visit, transfer to the hotel in Habarana and check-in. The rest of the day is free to relax. Dinner and overnight stay .
– The cave temple is carved into a rocky outcrop and contains an extraordinary number of images, statues, carvings, and paintings. The reclining Buddha statue is truly magnificent, measuring 14 meters in length and carved directly into the rock. These cave temples date back to the 1st century BC, and some of the paintings are very old, while others date from the 19th century. In addition to the numerous Buddha statues, there are also images of Vishnu and Saman. Many of the Buddha statues are depicted in meditative poses. There are a total of five caves, and some of them feature striking murals on the walls and ceiling.
Day 2. Habarana-Anuradhapura-Habarana - Half Board
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for a visit to the city of Anuradhapura. This historic city was the first capital of Sri Lanka and was originally founded by the king’s minister, named Anuradha, around the 4th century BC. The leading historical site in Anuradhapura is the sacred Bodhi tree – Sri Maha Bodhi. The city also contains magnificent dagobas such as Abhayagiri Ruwanweli, Thuparama, Jetavana, Lankarama, and Mirisaweti. Isurumuniya is a temple in Anuradhapura, famous for its beautiful stone carvings, and the Samadhi Buddha statue is an outstanding example of sculptural work. After the visit, return to Habarana. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 3. Habarana-Polonnaruwa-Safari in Minneriya National Park-Habarana - Half Board
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for a visit to Anuradhapura. This historic city was the first capital of Sri Lanka and was originally founded by the king’s minister, named Anuradha, around the 4th century BC. The leading historical site in Anuradhapura is the sacred Bo tree – Sri Maha Bodhi. The city also contains magnificent dagobas such as Abhayagiri Ruwanweli, Thuparama, Jetavana, Lankarama, and Mirisaweti. Isurumuniya is a temple in Anuradhapura, famous for its beautiful stone carvings, and the Samadhi Buddha statue is an example of outstanding sculptural work. After the visit, return to Habarana. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel. Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for a visit to Polonnaruwa. This town is located southeast of Anuradhapura, in an area of ponds built centuries ago by the kings of Sri Lanka. Incredibly, these ponds continue to function today. The impressive fortified complex of Parakrama Samudra, covering approximately 2,400 hectares, is a highlight. Following this, we visit the stunning ruins of Polonnaruwa, the medieval jewel and second capital of Sri Lanka, dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries. Located southeast of Anurdhapura, it sits amidst a network of ponds constructed centuries ago by Sri Lankan kings. Famous for its artistic beauty, we will see, among other treasures, the four colossal rock-carved statues of Parakramabahu, one of Polonnaruwa’s greatest kings. Afterwards, we will enjoy a safari in Minneriya National Park, return to the hotel, dinner, and overnight stay.
Day 4. Habarana-Matale-Kandy - Half Board
KANDY – The holiest city in Sri Lanka, where the precious relic, the Tooth Relic of the Buddha, is permanently enshrined.
First established in Anuradhapura, then in Polonnaruwa, and finally in the beautiful, unforgettable, and endearing Kandy. The Perahera festival, held in its full splendor, also takes place here in July and August. In 1590, the rulers of Kotte made Kandy their capital. For more than two centuries, Kandy was an independent kingdom, resisting the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the English. Only in 1815 did the British finally subdue this beautiful city in the land of mountains. Temple of the Tooth – Built between 1678 and 1782, during the reigns of several monarchs. It features a beautiful octagonal building, constructed during the time of Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, which houses an impressive library. Every evening, people throng the temple halls, eagerly awaiting their turn to view the precious relic. All this unfolds to the lively rhythm of instant trumpets and Kandyana drums, heralding the long-awaited moment of religious contemplation. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 5. Kandy-Nuwara Eliya - Half Board
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Nuwara Eliya. We will enjoy an unforgettable tour through the tea plantations and the surrounding mountains. The town is located at approximately 1,900 meters above sea level. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Free afternoon to explore the town center and the traditional market or visit a tea factory. The Ceylon Tea designation of origin is certainly indisputable for its quality. Its cultivation in tropical or subtropical areas enhances the result, although the ideal touch of quality comes from the added factor of altitude, as is the case with what is considered the best tea in the world, originating from the plantations of this region of Sri Lanka. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 6. Nuwara Eliya-Yala - Half Board
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Yala National Park, with a visit to Ella en route. The Demodara Bridge, also known as 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. Little Adam’s Peak.
Arrive in Yala and enjoy a safari in Yala National Park. Birds, a wide variety of animals, beautiful scenery, bungalows nestled in the forest, and beautiful herds of deer await. The park covers an area of 100,000 hectares. You can see around 100 species of birds. The vegetation in western Yala consists of rainforest, brackish lagoons, and rocky areas. The best times to see leopards in Yala are generally early morning and dusk.
( Important to know : Yala National Park is normally closed from September 15th to October 5th, and in this case we will take you to another park adjacent to Yala National Park, Lunugamvehera National Park. In this park we can also see the same flora and fauna as in Yala National Park. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.)
Day 7. Yala-Galle - Half Board
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Galle, passing en route to see the fishermen (subject to luck, whether they catch anything or not) who are suspended in mid-air. They climb onto stilts and sit on small platforms almost two meters above the water, making them picturesque “aerial fishermen.” Some of these stilts enjoy a more strategic position than others, so their ownership is passed down from father to son.
The city of Galle. Galle is one of those charming and endearing places that leaves an indelible mark on the visitor. The Portuguese arrived in Galle in 1505 and fortified the port, which, until the construction of Colombo’s port, was the most important on the island. The Dutch took the city in the 17th century, and in the 19th century it passed into British hands; remnants of the passage of people from these three nationalities remain, and this is one of the city’s charms. The fortress built by the Dutch in 1663 occupies 63 hectares.
Arrival in Galle and free time on the beach to relax. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 8. Galle - Half Board
Breakfast and free time on the beach and dinner at the hotel .
Day 9. Galle-Colombo Airport
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Colombo airport, passing through the city.
Price Includes
- 8 Nights Accommodation.
- 8 Breakfasts.
- 8 Dinners at the hotels where we stayed.
- Local guide service in the client’s language: English, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Italian, French and Turkish.
- Air-conditioned transport throughout the trip.
- Visits according to schedule.
- Assistance at airports and train stations by an English-speaking representative.
- Entrance fees to monuments/temples according to the itinerary.
- 1 safari in Minneriya Park.
- 2 Safaris to Yala Park
- The rates applicable at this time.
Price does not include
- Tips for porters, waiters, drivers, guides, etc.
- Camera fees at monuments.
- Extra expenses at the hotel such as phone calls, laundry, etc.
Cities | The Most Important (Highlights) |
Dambulla | Golden Cave Temple: A 1st century BC cave complex with an impressive 14-meter Buddha statue and ancient murals. |
Anuradhapura | First Historical Capital: Visit to the sacred Bo tree (Sri Maha Bodhi) and the colossal dagobas (stupas) that mark the origin of Buddhism on the island. |
Polonnaruwa | Medieval Jewel: The 4 giant Buddha statues carved from a single rock in Gal Vihara , a prime example of Sinhalese art. |
Minneriya | Elephant Safari: Observing large herds in freedom within their natural habitat. |
Kill him | Spice Garden: A tour of the cinnamon, pepper and medicinal spice plantations typical of the “Spicy Island”. |
Kandy | Temple of the Tooth Relic: The most sacred site in the country, home to the Tooth Relic, surrounded by a unique spiritual atmosphere. |
Nuwara Eliya | The Tea Route: Mountain landscapes at 1,900m and a visit to a Ceylon Tea factory (the best in the world) to learn about its process. |
Yala | Safari: The search for Leopards, Elephants in Yala National Park. |
Galle | Galle Fort: The historic Dutch walled city , a World Heritage Site. |
Galle (Costa) | Relief on the Beach: Free time to enjoy the beaches of the Indian Ocean before returning. |
CITIES / NIGHTS | CAT. A HOTELS | CAT. B HOTELS | CAT. C HOTELS |
Sigiriya / Habarana | Sigiriya Village | Habarana Village by Cinnamon | Cinnamon Lodge |
Kandy | Radisson Hotel | Cinnamon Citadel | Golden Crown |
Nuwara Eliya | Araliya Green Hills | Araliya Green Hills | Araliya Green City |
Yala | Chaarya Resorts & Spa | Chaarya Resorts & Spa | Chaarya Lake (4*) |
Hikkaduwa / Galle | Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon | Radisson Blu | Radisson Blu |
