AEI-67 Sri Lanka 9N-10D (Special October to March)
Expert Rating: Asia Escapes
“This 10-day itinerary is the ultimate Sri Lanka experience , designed for those who want to leave no corner unexplored. It achieves a masterful balance between the historical depth of the three ancient capitals, the majesty of nature in Yala and Pinnawala , and the picturesque charm of Ella and Galle . Including the Highlands and a well-deserved final break on the beach, this product offers a 360° immersion that combines adventure, culture, and relaxation with impeccable and comprehensive logistics.”
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 time is free to relax. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel .
– 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 ancient, 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 to visit Polonnaruwa. This city 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. After the 11th century, Indian invaders conquered the city. Next, visit the impressive ruins of Polonnaruwa, the medieval jewel and second capital of Sri Lanka, dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries. Located southeast of Anuradhapura, in an area of ponds built centuries ago by the kings of Sri Lanka, it is famous for its artistic beauty. Among other sights, we will see the four giant statues carved into the rock of Gal Vihara, depicting one of Polonnaruwa’s greatest kings, Parakramabahu. Safari in Minneriya National Park, return to the hotel, dinner at the hotel, and overnight stay.
Day 4. Habarana-Matale-Kandy - Half Board
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Kandy. En route, we will visit spice plantations in Matale. This area is famous for its spices. During the early days of Sri Lanka, it was known as a “spicy island.” Most spices are used to enhance the flavor of curries. They are sometimes also used in herbal medicine. Many spices have a pleasant fragrance that can pique the appetite for food. KANDY – The holiest city in Sri Lanka, where the precious relic, the Tooth Relic of the Buddha, is permanently enshrined. It was first established in Anuradhapura, then in Polonnaruwa, and finally in the beautiful, unforgettable, and endearing Kandy. The Perahera festival, held in its full splendor, takes place here in July and August. In 1590, the rulers of Kotte made Kandy their capital. For over 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 and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 5. Kandy-Pinnawala-Kandy - Half Board
Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.
Established in 1975, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage began with several orphaned elephants. Today, many of these orphans are fortunate enough to see their grandchildren born there. Initially, the orphanage’s purpose was primarily tourism, but it soon became a conservation and education center. It is a popular tourist destination, where visitors can observe the elephants being fed with large bottles of milk and being bathed in the river waters. After the visit, return to Kandy. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 6. 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 7. Nuwara Eliya-Ella-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 8. 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. 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 these three nationalities remain, and this is one of the city’s charms. The fortress built by the Dutch in 1663 covers 63 hectares. Arrival in Galle and free time on the beach to relax. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 09. Galle - Half Board
Breakfast and free time on the beach. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 10. Galle-Colombo Airport
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Colombo airport, passing through the city.
Price Includes
- 9 Night Accommodation.
- 9 breakfasts.
- 9 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 World Heritage Site with 5 sacred caves and an impressive 14-meter Buddha statue carved from rock. |
Anuradhapura | The First Capital: Visit to the sacred Bo tree (Sri Maha Bodhi) and the gigantic dagobas of the cradle of Sinhalese civilization. |
Polonnaruwa | Medieval Splendor: Explore the ruins of the second capital and the majestic 4 statues of Gal Vihara carved from a single rock. |
Minneriya | Elephant Safari: Close encounter with large herds of wild elephants in their natural environment. |
Kill him | Spice Garden: Discovering the aromas of the “Spicy Island” and the use of herbs in traditional medicine. |
Kandy | Temple of the Tooth Relic: The spiritual heart of Sri Lanka, home to the most sacred relic in world Buddhism. |
Pinnawala | Elephant Orphanage: An unforgettable experience watching orphaned and rescued elephants bathing in the river and being fed. |
Nuwara Eliya | Tea Country: Mountain landscapes at 1,900m altitude, visit to a Ceylon Tea factory and British colonial atmosphere. |
Yala | Safari: The search for leopards, elephants , and exotic birds in Yala National Park. |
Galle | Fort Dutch and Fishermen: The famous stilt fishermen and the historic walled city by the sea. |
Galle (Beach) | Relax in the Indian Ocean: Free day to enjoy the golden sand and rest by the sea before returning. |
CITIES / NIGHTS | CAT. A HOTELS | CAT. B HOTELS |
Sigiriya / Habarana | Sigiriya Village | Cinnamon Lodge |
Kandy | Radisson Hotel | Golden Crown |
Nuwara Eliya | Araliya Green Hills | Araliya Green City |
Yala 01 | Chaarya Resorts & Spa | Chaarya Lake (4*) |
Hikkaduwa / Galle | Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon | Radisson Blu Galle |
