AEI-66 Sri Lanka 9N-10D with Beach (Special April to September)
Expert Rating: Asia Escapes
“This 10-day itinerary offers a comprehensive and balanced journey , distinguished by its strategic route culminating in the exclusive beaches of Passikudah . It masterfully combines the colonial history of Galle, the wildlife of Yala and Minneriya, and the majesty of the Cultural Triangle. It is the ideal choice for clients seeking a fully immersive experience , alternating days of intensive archaeological exploration with a final, top-tier relaxation on the east coast. An exceptional product thanks to its diverse landscapes and perfect pacing.”
Day 1. Colombo-Bentota Airport / Beruwala - Half Board
Arrival at Colombo airport, assistance and transfer to Bentota. Rest of time to relax. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 2. Bentota / Beruwala-Galle-Yala National Park - Half Board
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Yala. En route, visit the city of Galle. Galle is one of those charming and endearing places that leaves an indelible mark on visitors. 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.
In the afternoon, a safari in Yala National Park. Birds, a wide variety of animals, beautiful landscapes, bungalows in the thick of the forest, and beautiful herds of deer. 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 time to see the leopard in Yala is generally early in the morning and at dusk.
Important Information : During September and October, the Lankan government closes Yala National Park. In this case, we will take you to another park adjacent to Yala National Park, Lunugamvehera National Park. Here you can see the same flora and fauna as in Yala National Park. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 3. Yala-Nuwara Eliya-Kandy - Half Board
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Kandy. En route, we will enjoy an unforgettable drive through the tea plantations and the surrounding mountains. The town is situated at approximately 1,900 meters above sea level. The Ceylon Tea designation of origin is certainly indisputable for its quality. Cultivation in tropical or subtropical areas enhances the result, but the ideal touch of quality comes from combining this factor with 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. Arrival and dinner at the hotel, overnight stay.
Day 4. Kandy-Pinnawala-Kandy
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for a visit to the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, home to young elephants displaced from their natural habitats. You will be able to observe these endearing animals bathing and being fed. Return to Kandy. Visit 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, in July and August, also takes place here in its greatest splendor. 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 subdue this beautiful city in the land of mountains. Temple of the Tooth – Built between 1678 and 1782, under the reigns of several monarchs. There is a beautiful octagonal building, built 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 intrepid 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-Matale-Dambulla-Habarana - Half Board
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Habarana. En route, we will visit the spice garden of Matale. This garden is famous for its spices; Sri Lanka was once known as a “spicy island.” Most of the spices are used to enhance the flavor of curries. They are also sometimes used in herbal medicine. Many of the spices have a pleasant fragrance that can pique the appetite. After the visit, we will depart for Habarana, visiting a cave temple carved into a mola rock face. This temple 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, we will visit the cave temples. Arrival in Habarana, dinner at the hotel, and overnight stay.
Day 6. Habarana-Sigiriya-Paruqe Minneriya-Habarana - Half Board
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we visit Sigiriya, climbing Lion Rock, famous for its frescoes of the Golden Maidens. We will visit the Royal Leisure Gardens, believed to be among the earliest landscaped gardens in Asia. The Mirror Wall, another of Sigiriya’s distinctive features, is located right next to the paintings; its surface is polished and covered with the writing known as “Sigiri graffiti,” which is written in the form of poems. We will also see the Lion Staircase, which leads to the summit and is distinguished by the enormous lion’s paw carved at the base of the ascent. In the afternoon, we will enjoy a game drive in Minneriya National Park . Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 7. Habarana-Polonnaruwa-Passikudah - Half Board
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for a visit to the city of 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. It was conquered in the 11th century by Indian invaders. Next, visit the impressive ruins of Polonnaruwa, the medieval jewel and second capital of Sri Lanka, dating from the 11th and 12th centuries. Departure for Passikudah, arrival, and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 8. Passikudah - Half Board
Breakfast/Dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 9. Passikudah - Half Board
Breakfast/Dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 10. Passikudah-Colombo Airport
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your return flight.
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.
- 1 safari in 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) |
Galle | Walled City: Explore the 17th-century Dutch fortress, a charming port with Portuguese and British traces. |
Yala | Leopard Safari: Adventure in the national park most famous for its density of leopards, elephants and exotic birds. |
Nuwara Eliya | Highlands: A tour through the mountains at 1,900m altitude, home of the famous Ceylon Tea and its landscapes of endless green. |
Pinnawala | Elephant Orphanage: Close observation of rescued elephants feeding and bathing in a natural environment. |
Kandy | Temple of the Tooth Relic: Visit the spiritual heart of the island, the most sacred city where the relic of the Buddha is kept. |
Dambulla | Temple of the Caves: A mystical complex carved into the rock with ancient murals and a 14-meter Buddha statue . |
Sigiriya | Lion Rock: Ascent to the iconic fortress to admire the frescoes of the “Golden Maidens” and the monumental lion paws. |
Minneriya | Elephant Encounter: Sunset Safari to see large herds of wild elephants. |
Polonnaruwa | Ancient Medieval Capital: Historical ruins and ancient ponds showcasing the splendor of Sri Lanka’s kings. |
Passikudah | Beach Paradise: Days of total relaxation in one of the most beautiful and tranquil bays on the east coast, famous for its crystal clear waters. |
CITIES | CAT. A HOTELS | CAT. B HOTELS |
Beruwala | The Palms | Cinnamon Bey |
Yala | Chaarya Resort | Chaarya Lake (4*) |
Kandy | Cinnamon Citadel | Golden Crown |
Habarana | Habarana Village by Cinnamon | Cinnamon Lodge |
Passikudah | The Calm Resorts & Spa | The Calm Resorts & Spa |
