9 Day Sri Lanka Tour with Flights

Negombo Kurunegala Habarana

Wake up to the tropical sunrise and head out to Wella to observe the fishermen’s way of life. Then proceed to Sigiriya while experiencing how busy roads change gradually to a flat terrain spreading miles ahead as the climate gets warmer.  Surely, it will be fascinating to observe how the road starts to get carpeted between lush green paddy fields. As the journey begins, you will witness coconut cultivations and while you drive towards Sigiriya, you will see vast areas of paddy fields. It is really an amazing thing to see how the environment changes from the coastal line to paddy fields. As your journey deepens into the northern part of the island you will be able to witness exotic birds, Monitor Lizards, grey Buffalos and overly friendly Monkeys.

On your way you will also witness beautiful pineapple plantations. Stop near a pineapple plantation and enjoy the fresh and tasty pineapple. It will open your taste buds and you will feel refreshed after a long drive. (Tasting pineapple will be depending upon the season). Once you have reached Sigiriya, you will feel the warm tropical weather, but the constant breeze will make you feel tireless.

Accommodation: Sungreen Habarana Hotel or similar, Habarana

Meals included: breakfast

Optional activity at additional cost: Visit Sigiriya Lion Rock

Hop off your vehicle at the base of the fresco-covered rock fortress sitting calm in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. As you walk through its well-trodden pathways do not be surprised to witness its symmetrical landscape which is still kept alive. Then take the stairway towards the gigantic paws of a resting lion and walk through its perfectly preserved frescoes and wonderful mirror wall to observe the brilliance of the ancient Sri Lankan artist. At the top you will be presented with nothing less than a mesmerizing living specimen of King Kasyapa’s 5th century citadel which will surely tempt you to explore the summit even more. Do not be surprised…. After all you are at the Eighth Wonder of the World!

Giritale and Polonnaruwa

Sunrise in the morning will stay as an unforgettable picture. As you get up you may hear birds singing and it will be a different waking up experience. After breakfast sit in the comfort of your vehicle as your chauffeur takes you to the Giritale tank, one of the finest landmarks in the Kingdom of Lakes! The tank is an initiative taken few centuries ago with the primary objective of cooling the environment while providing much needed water for agricultural lands which today administers itself as one of the finest spoken attractions in Polonnaruwa. This is where you get to hop on a bicycle and take a slow ride through scattered local villages. School children who run through the paddy fields will make this beautiful morning more colourful. Being captivated by the subtle beauty of the feathered – Egrets, Brahminy Kites and Bulbuls – while observing a Kingfisher making a nose-dive into sparkling water can never be a bad idea after all!

Stop at a village market place and you can buy vegetables for your today’s lunch. Then transfer to a close by village house. You will have the opportunity to blend with the local family and prepare food jointly with the group. It will be an interactive cooking experience for the guests. Whilst sharing  the Sri Lankan cookery secrets, the tour guide will introduce the village family to the group. After the joint preparation of the food clients can enjoy the typical Sri Lankan rice and curry lunch with a local family. For sure this will be another unforgettable experience for all of the guests.

Accommodation: Sungreen Habarana Hotel or similar, Habarana

Meals included: breakfast and lunch

Optional activity at additional cost: Polonnaruwa Ancient city   

Stamping a remarkable era from the 11th century until 1310 CE. Polonnaruwa, represents one of the most important milestones in the history of Sri Lanka. Take a walk across this UNESCO World Heritage Site – a kingdom of the greatest kings that ruled the island – and witness how stone-carved Buddha statues as well as architectural and historic Monuments add value to Polonnaruwa. Observe the glamour of Gal Viharaya, Lankatilaka, Rankoth Vehera, Thivanka Image House as well as Thuparama before heading out from a remarkable royal capital of Sri Lanka!

Dambulla and Minneriya

Leave your hotel and make a stop in Dambulla in the morning to witness the religious and cultural landmark embedded in Dambulla Cave Temples. Tracing its footsteps back to the 2nd century BC, the cave temple in Dambulla form an important pick in anyone’s bucket-list merely due to its magnificently carved 153 Buddha statues nestled in five caves. Step through the gateways trodden by millions of devotees and take a slow climb right to its summit. This was a prime meditating grounds for Buddhist monks throughout phases of history. Then leave the premises with nothing less than ripe memories.

Accommodation: Sungreen Habarana Hotel or similar, Habarana

Meals included: breakfast

Optional activity at additional cost: Minneriya National Park safari

The extent of the Minneriya National Park is about 8,889 hectares. There are wet-lands in this National Park, which have international importance, animal and plant species, which are plenty in dry zone, are found in this park.  Wild elephants, various amphibians, local and immigrant bird species are plenty in this park. About 160 species of birds, 09 amphibians, 25 reptile species, 26 fish species and more than 78 butterfly species have been found in this area.  There are bamboo trees which are rare in other parks and wild elephants can be seen conveniently. The significant feature is that these elephants can be seen going closer to them.

Matale and Kandy

After breakfast, travel to Matale. Start your spice garden tour under the watchful eyes of an in-house specialist who will take you through a journey entwining with spices and their herbal values. Finally, enjoy a cup of herbal tea – something unique for a Sri Lankan at heart – before heading out to the all-important last royal capital of Sri Lanka, Kandy. Feel the coolness of the surrounding climate as you drive into the limits of a city which is 500 meters above the sea level and that last-witnessed Royalty. Welcome to the Colosseum of Heritage! On arrival proceed to visit Royal Botanical Gardens. Head towards Peradeniya and walk through the gateways of the Royal Botanical Garden which enshrines an abundance of flora. Walk through the giant palms and be enchanted by rare orchids, spices and herbs which are sometimes found nowhere else across the island. 

After visiting the Botanical Garden you may have your lunch under a shady tree, or enjoy a picnic lunch inside the Botanical Garden (at own expense). In the evening, take part in a city tour in Kandy before witnessing a cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dances. A drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798 will give you a nice feeling about the culture in Kandy. Then proceed to explore the town, Bazaar area and the market place where locals come and buy their day to day goods.

As you walk to the cultural center, stay prepared to be mesmerized by the beats of rattling drums and spinning dancers that spell out the Kandyan heritage to supremacy!  Sit back in the comfort of your seat and applaud to a series of performances unfolding before your eyes featuring traditional Sri Lankan dances. After the cultural show, come back to the Kandy city to taste the Sri Lankan street food. You may taste the nice Kottu Roti, hoppers, egg hoppers & roti. After the dinner do not forget to taste the Masala Tea.

Accommodation: Royal Kandyan or similar, Kandy

Meals included: breakfast

Ramboda

Leave your hotel and walk into the most sacred temple that enshrines the tooth relic of Lord Buddha where you will be able to witness Pooja – twice a day – showered by the blessings of devotees that account to few hundred on any given day. (When you visit the temple of tooth relic please make sure that you wear the dress code to avoid any inconvenience at the entrance. You are not allowed to wear shorts, short skirts, skinnies or sleeveless blouses.

Leave Peradeniya and take a winding road uphill into the heart of the tea country. Observe the surroundings and how the climate around you changes as busy roads studded with towns transform into pine-covered narrow roads that snake their way through lush green blankets of Ceylon Tea. Don’t be surprised if you pass a waterfall crashing down by the road as this is a common sight amidst the hills. Nuwara Eliya is situated 1868m above the sea level. Walk into a traditional factory processing fine Ceylon Tea, a world class brand which boasts of millions of servings each day across the globe. Be mesmerized by the process extending from plucking to processing and be guided by a team of experts who know it by heart! After the session enjoy the finest Ceylon tea at the tea lounge

Accommodation: Royal Kandyan or similar, Kandy

Meals included: breakfast

Marawila

After breakfast, proceed to Marawila to enjoy sun & beach.

Accommodation: Club Palm Bay Marawila or similar, Marawila

Meals included: breakfast

Marawila

After breakfast, transfer to the airport of your flight home.

Meals included: breakfast

Australia

Arrive home.

Meals included: inflight only