Trail Around Ceylon
Starting off from the Negombo coast, we travel around our little island, covering some of the most visited and most loved locations. From visiting an elephant orphanage to encountering them in herds at the Minneriya and Udawalawe National Parks to spending three days in Koggala which is renowned for its beautiful beaches, and exploring ancient cities that speak volumes of an era that was so prosperous and when kings ruled our land, travellers will hear many tales of the country. We will visit the central highlands of Sri Lanka and explore the misty cities of Nuwara Eliya and Ella where the landscapes are out of a picture postcard. A cultural show in Kandy will amaze you with our beautiful ethnicity.
SKU:LK10DB3011
Trail Around Ceylon (13 Dage)
Trail Around Ceylon (13 Dage)
Sri Lanka is a land of discovery. The possibilities are endless, especially if you’re spending almost a fortDay within the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. Your journey will take you to the kingdoms and ruins of ancient Sri Lanka, where heritage and culture go hand in hand. It will also take you to the highest peaks kissed by clouds, mist, cool air and endless seas of green as far as the eye can see. End your journey on the golden beaches of the southern coastal belt, relaxing, getting your tan on while the kids build their castles in the sand, laughing as the waves wash over their feet. A tour of immense charm.
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1 Day in Negombo
We direct you to Negombo on your first day due to its close proximity to the airport and while here you can enjoy a city tour around the town as well. There are many exciting things to do including relaxing on the sandy beaches or enjoying high adrenalin water sports. Negombo is also known for its fishing industry.
Negombo City Tour
Enjoy the sun on the sandy beaches of Negombo on the Western Coast of Sri Lanka. Watch the flourishing fish industry, which is a centuries-old tradition. Ride an adrenaline high with some fun water sports. Enjoy the corals and underwater life while diving. See the 50-year-old ship-wreck just off the coast, where many varieties of fish make their home.
2 Days in Sigiriya
An ancient city with an exciting history, Sigiriya is your next stop in the tour. Here en-route, you will visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Then you can visit the Dambulla Cave Temple and the Ancient Kingdom of Polonnaruwa which has many ruins of flourishing eras. Enjoy a safari at the Minneriya National Park known for its Elephants.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is the home for young Elephants who have been displaced or lost from their natural habitat, located at Pinnawala village in Sabaragamuwa province of Sri Lanka. Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is the best place for an up close and personal experience with the world’s largest land mammals! Today with 70 elephants herein, Pinnawela has become the home to the largest captive group of elephants in the world.
Dambulla Cave Temple
Enter the historic caves of the Golden Temple of Dambulla, dating back to the 1st century BC. View the ancient murals depicting the life story of Lord Gautama Buddha. Look at the hundreds of figurines of Buddha and other deities scattered throughout the five main caves. Visit the Cave of the Divine King, Cave of the Great King and the Great New Monastery. See the giant golden Buddha Statue just a little distance outside the cave complex.
The Ancient Kingdom of Polonnaruwa
Which was the second major capital of Sri Lanka. Walk through the ruins of the city that flourished between the 10th to the 13th century AD. View important monuments such as Gal Vihara, Vatadage, the lotus bath, Lankathilaka Temple and the statue of King Parakramabahu whose reign was considered the golden age of Polonnaruwa. Get to know more about Sri Lanka’s ancient history.
Minneriya National Park
This safari takes you on a ride through the Minneriya National Park. Enjoy the sight of over 150 elephants congregating in one place during the famous Great Elephant Gathering, which happens in the dry season between May to October. In addition to elephants, get a chance to also see many mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians in the scrublands, forests and other areas.
2 Days in Kandy
We will first visit and explore the Sigiriya Rock Fortress with its ruins on top of the rock, and then engage in a guided spice tour in Matale. In Kandy, you can enjoy a walk in the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya and then venerate the Temple of the Tooth. You will experience a cultural show with traditional dance forms.
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Climb the 5th century AD rock fortress, Sigiriya, where the King Kasyapa ruled. Walk through the entrance framed by the paws of a lion that is quite appropriate for its name, ‘ the Lion Rock’. View the beautiful unfading murals that brought Sigiriya its fame. Climb the steep staircase to see the terraced gardens and still-working cisterns. Walk through the tunnels leading to the palace as you get a feel for times long past.
Matale Spice Tour
The Matale Spice Tour gives you a hands-on experience of a Spice & Herbal Garden within the Spice capital of Sri Lanka, Matale. Here you will learn about Sri Lanka’s famous spices such as coriander, chili, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and their uses. The garden is enriched with herbs, spice groves, and plants with fragrant greenery shading from the tropical trees that heighten the unique aroma of each spice and herb. Apart from gaining knowledge on Sri Lankan spices, this unique tour also lets you learn about Ayurvedic medicine. The tropical climate in which the plants and herbs are grown helps them preserve its ancient originality.
Royal Botanical Garden
Visit the famous Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, which were formed in the early 19th century. Walk through the vast area containing over 4000 species of plants. Enjoy the learning more about the orchids, spices and medicinal plants. Wander down avenues shaded by large and rare trees or bordered by flowering plants. Enjoy seeing the cannonball tree, walking over the wobbly suspension bridge and through the short hedge mazes or even climbing the twisty trees that make wonderful jungle gyms.
Temple of the Tooth Relic
Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was built in the 16th century as the place of veneration and protection for Lord Buddha’s sacred tooth. Walk through the beautifully embellished passageways and elaborately painted halls, done in red, cream and black. Lounge against delicately carved pillars and get amazed by the beautiful golden statues. Get an unforgettable experience of history and art.
Kandyan Cultural Show
The Kandy Cultural Show gives an opportunity to experience some of the traditions of Sri Lanka. Enjoy this hour-long extravaganza as some of the most popular art forms of the island take to the stage. Get wowed by fire dancers and sword dancers. Watch the colorful Kandyan dancers take to the air to the thrumming primal beat of the drums.
1 Day in Nuwara Eliya
Travelling towards the cool climes of Nuwara Eliya, you will first visit a tea factory to learn the process of manufacturing Ceylon tea from the tea picker to the tea tasting. Nuwara Eliya is the most popular tourist destination in the Central Highlands and exploring the city is a memorable experience with many beautiful landscapes and views.
Tea Factory Visit
Tea Factory to learn how tea is manufactured in Sri Lanka. You can observe the tea pickers, locally known as ‘tea pluckers’ as they move between the lush green rows along the mountains with their large baskets.Thereafter you will be given a guided tour explaining fermentation, rolling, drying, cutting, sieving and the grading of tea. Finish with a tea tasting process and learn of the history, and why Ceylon Tea is considered among the best in the world.
Explore the Beautiful City
The highland city that was the premium holiday resort town of the British in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Enjoy walking through the streets with their pretty little cottages, quaint villas, and beautiful mansions. Make a memory in the old red-bricked post office as you purchase an inexpensive and colourful postcard to take home or send to your friends. Relax at Queen Victoria Park or on the shores of Lake Gregory.
2 Days in Ella
Leaving Nuwara Eliya, we will explore the Horton Plains National Park filled with cloud forests, grasslands, flora and fauna. A city with diverse geographical locations, Ella is a paradise when it comes to exploring and trekking. When in Ella you will also explor many locations here including the Nine Arches Bridge, Little Adam’s Peak and a uniquely looped railway station.
Horton National Park
Visit the beautiful Horton Plains National Park in Ohiya, with its montane grasslands and cloud forests. Enjoy the majestic views from the precipice of World’s End and the cooling sprays from Baker’s Falls. Catch glimpses of the many endemic fauna that make their home in the plains. Get to know more about the archeological finds that were discovered in the area.
Misty City of Ella
Explore Ella’s most interesting places. Pass through bright green tea fields, and tough stretches of rock, and get to see the magical views of Little Adam’s Peak. Walk over the history seeped Nine Arches Bridge and listen to the story of its construction. End your hike at the Demodara Railway station with its unique loop-over track design. This tour gives you the chance to see the best sights of Sri Lanka
1 Day in Udawalawe
The Udawalawe National Park is a wonderment for all nature and wildlife enthusiasts with a lot of wildlife roaming around. Filled with many grasslands, marshes and forest areas, the park is a sanctuary to many wild animals, mainly Sri Lankan elephants and water birds, local as well as migratory ones. Many endemic species are found here as well.
Udawalawe National Park
This safari which would give you a chance to explore the amazing Udawalawe National Park. Travel through the marshes, forests and grasslands of the park that was created as a sanctuary for wildlife in the 1970s. See the water birds and Sri Lankan elephants for which the park is famed. Catch glimpses of the other mammals and birds, as well as the reptiles, amphibians and butterflies.
3 Day in Koggala
Heading towards the deep south of Sri Lanka, home to beautiful beaches, you will be mesmerized by gorgeous views. While in Koggala, you can enjoy the sun, sand and surf, enjoy good food and simply relax. You can explore the old city of Galle and then walk through the Fort while also enjoy the captivating sight of stilt fishermen.
Old Colonial City of Galle
Explore the secrets of Galle where the Portuguese and Dutch made their headquarters. Visit the Galle Fort which is one of the best-preserved fortifications in Asia. View the museums of Galle and the lighthouse. Walk through the cobblestoned streets with their Dutch names and listen to your guide tell their stories. Relax with a king coconut or a cup of tea caressed by a breeze of the tropics.
Optional Excursion – Stilt Fisherman
Watch the captivating sight of fishermen perched on stilts in the waters along the coast of Koggala. Hear the stories of how stilt fishing came to Sri Lanka, from the mouths of the fishermen who have practiced the craft for generations. Learn how the stilt fishing is done in detail and marvel at the level of skill that goes into it. Get some amazing photographs of the fishermen silhouetted against the shoreline at sunset
Departure
After the breakfast at the hotel check out and proceed to airport En-route Commence a City Tour of Colombo.
Experience the colorful lights and bright life of Colombo, the capital City of Sri Lanka. Visit historic monuments such as the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green, Gangarama Temple, the National Museum and more. Enjoy the malls of Independence Square or the Race Course. Visit boutique shops and designer stores. Enjoy the Daylife as you party till the morning.
Continue to Airport after spending a memorable time in this island.
Includes:
- Transport in a Private Vehicle, Fuel, Parking & Highway tolls.
- Service of English-Speaking Chauffeur Guide.
- All prevailing taxes and service charges.
- 2 x 500ml Water Bottles per Person per Day.
Excludes:
- Hotel Accommodation and Meals.
- Entrance fees to the respective sites.
- Chauffeur Guide's Accommodation.
- Expenses of personal nature.
- Visa and Related Expenses.
- Tips & Portages.
Complimentary:
- 1 x 1 Liter water bottle per person per day.
- 1 x Local SIM card per room.