Sri Lanka Explorer

Sri Lanka
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Drive along the road in Sri Lanka and you can pass Hindu temples, Buddhist shrines, churches and mosques all on the same stretch. This fusion – found in the history, the culture, the Arabian, Indian and European-inspired food – makes Sri Lanka a delicious melting pot to explore. From laid-back Negombo venture through ancient Anuradhapura to the lesser explored north, the secrets and hidden places of Jaffna, and on to the beautiful coastline of Trincomalee. Discover the spiritual heart of the country in the temples of Kandy, and enjoy the natural world too, in a country that overflows with plants and wildlife. Spend time with locals keen to share their homes, food, and stories on an adventure that will leave you with many of your own to tell.

Availability

From 31/03/2024 to 08/01/2026

Departure dates & prices

Dates Availability Price
  • Mar Sun 31 2024 to Apr Thu 11 2024
    Sold Out
    From
    $3,285*
  • Apr Sun 14 2024 to Apr Thu 25 2024
    Limited Availability
    From
    $3,015*
  • Apr Sun 28 2024 to May Thu 09 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,664*
  • Jun Sun 16 2024 to Jun Thu 27 2024
    Sold Out
    From
    $3,095*
  • Jun Sun 30 2024 to Jul Thu 11 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,815*
  • Jul Sun 07 2024 to Jul Thu 18 2024
    Limited Availability
    From
    $3,095*
  • Jul Sun 14 2024 to Jul Thu 25 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,930*
  • Jul Sun 21 2024 to Aug Thu 01 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,960*
  • Jul Sun 28 2024 to Aug Thu 08 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,930*
  • Aug Sun 11 2024 to Aug Thu 22 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,815*
  • Aug Sun 18 2024 to Aug Thu 29 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,805*
  • Aug Sun 25 2024 to Sep Thu 05 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,955*
  • Sep Sun 01 2024 to Sep Thu 12 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,805*
  • Sep Sun 08 2024 to Sep Thu 19 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,870*
  • Sep Sun 22 2024 to Oct Thu 03 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,815*
  • Sep Sun 29 2024 to Oct Thu 10 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,805*
  • Oct Sun 13 2024 to Oct Thu 24 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,815*
  • Oct Sun 27 2024 to Nov Thu 07 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,930*
  • Nov Sun 03 2024 to Nov Thu 14 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,930*
  • Nov Sun 17 2024 to Nov Thu 28 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,930*
  • Nov Sun 24 2024 to Dec Thu 05 2024
    Available
    From
    $3,040*
  • Dec Sun 08 2024 to Dec Thu 19 2024
    Available
    From
    $3,040*
  • Dec Sun 15 2024 to Dec Thu 26 2024
    Available
    From
    $3,040*
  • Dec Sun 22 2024 to Jan Thu 02 2025
    Available
    From
    $3,040*
  • Dec Fri 27 2024 to Jan Tue 07 2025
    Available
    From
    $3,040*
  • Dec Sun 29 2024 to Jan Thu 09 2025
    Available
    From
    $3,040*
  • Jan Sun 05 2025 to Jan Thu 16 2025
    Available
    From
    $3,210*
  • Jan Sun 12 2025 to Jan Thu 23 2025
    Available
    From
    $3,210*
  • Jan Sun 26 2025 to Feb Thu 06 2025
    Available
    From
    $3,210*
  • Feb Sun 09 2025 to Feb Thu 20 2025
    Available
    From
    $3,210*
  • Feb Sun 23 2025 to Mar Thu 06 2025
    Available
    From
    $3,210*
  • Mar Sun 09 2025 to Mar Thu 20 2025
    Available
    From
    $3,180*
  • Mar Sun 16 2025 to Mar Thu 27 2025
    Available
    From
    $3,180*

What's included

Considered to be off-limits for years due to the civil war, the gates to culture filled Jaffna are open to adventurers once more.
Discover Tamil culture in this colourful city.
Open skies, swaying palm trees and glittering waters – Trincomalee beach is a postcard-perfect landscape for relaxation.
Kick back in the sun on this bright and sandy shoreline.
Stop by a local village to join the community in making a traditional Tamil meal.
Witness ritual and devotion in the spiritual heart of the country during a visit to Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth .
Observe wild elephants from basic 'tree houses' and hopefully catch an outstanding sunset in Wasgamuwa National Park, one of the most biodiverse protected areas in Sri Lanka.
Breakfasts Included: 10.
Dinners Included: 1.
Hotel (11 nights).
Private vehicle,Train.
Age: min 15.
Group Size: 1 - 12.
Anuradhapura - Bodhi Tree Temple.
Anuradhapura - World Heritage Site of ancient kingdom ruins.
Anuradhapura - Bike tour.
Jaffna - Jaffna Peninsula tour.
Jaffna - Nagadeepa Temple.
Jaffna - Cooking class & family visit.
Jaffna - Jaffna Library.
Trincomalee - Palmyrah Toddy and Food experience.
Dambulla - Cave Temples.
Sigiriya - Lion Rock Fortress Visit.
Minneriya National Park - Entrance Fee.
Kandy - Spice garden visit.
Kandy - Cultural Dance Performance.
Kandy - Temple of the Tooth.
Kandy - Tea factory visit.
Colombo - City Tour.
.

Itinerary

  • 1 - Negombo Ayu-bowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka. Your adventure begins in the town of Negombo, located close to the international airport. You can arrive at any time on Day 1 as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting at 5.30 pm. Those arriving early can get into the spirit of seaside Sri Lanka by observing the local fishing craft and perhaps feasting on fresh seafood. The beautiful surrounding countryside is best explored on a bicycle, which you can rent with help from the hotel reception.
  • 2 - Anuradhapura Travel north by private vehicle (approximately 4 hours) to Anuradhapura along the way visit the Negombo Fish Markets. The grand ruins of Anuradhapura point to its status as Sri Lanka's ruling city for almost one and a half millennia. Take a guided cycling tour of the large number of archaeological sites - the stupas, citadel and monasteries - and stop by the Bodhi Tree Temple, the second-most sacred site in Sri Lanka.
  • 3 - Jaffna Travel north by train (approximately 4 hours) to the coastal Tamil town of Jaffna, inaccessible for years due to the civil war. Journey around the Jaffna Peninsula, taking in Point Pedro (Sri Lanka's northernmost point), the healing waters of Keerimalai Spring, the ruined dagobas of Kantarodai, and Nilawari, a bottomless well where it's said that the Hindu God, Rama, shot an arrow to get water.
  • 4 - Jaffna Today we have plenty of time to explore more of Jaffna. Visit Nagadipa Temple on Nainativu Island, the only major Buddhist site in the north of the country (where Buddha himself is said to have visited to settle a dispute between two local kings) and accessible by local ferry. Just by the jetty is also the Naga Pooshani Amman Kovil, a colourful Hindu Temple dedicated to Meenakshi. Back in Jaffna, tour the city including the beautiful library that has been lovingly restored after being detroyed in the war, and the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, an important local Hindu site. In the evening, visit a local home and learn to cook traditional Jaffna cuisine with a delicious dinner with cuisine delights from the area.
  • 5 - Trincomalee Leave Jaffna today and travel to Trincomalee (approximately 4 hours). Discover the beach vibes of "Trinco", relax in the shade of a palm tree and try 'toddy' straight from its flowers. Trincomalee was one of the world's finest deep-water harbours, attracting famous sailors like Marco Polo to its shores. There are no activities planned today, so there's plenty of time to relax around the pool or beach.
  • 6 - Trincomalee Today, visit a local village and witness how local tappers extract toddy from Palmyrah and learn on how palmyrah leaves are weaved to make different items. Then join the local women and see how 'Odiyal Kool' are prepared and have a taste of this authentic tamil seafood soup. In the afternoon, enjoy a range of optional activities like visiting the colorful and intricate Pathirakali Amman Hindu temple, or climb aboard a boat for some whale and dolphin watching in the bay. Or just simply sit back, relax and enjoy the peaceful beach lifestyle.
  • 7 - Dambulla Drive from Trincomalee towards Dambulla (approximately 2 hours), your base to explore the colourful Anuradhapura district of Sri Lanka. Visit the Dambulla Cave Temple. This wondrous UNESCO Heritage-listed site is the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, many of which are full of colourful, large statues and paintings related to Gautama Buddha and his life. After returning to Dambulla, there's the option of going elephant, sambar deer and leopard watching on a safari in the evergreen scrublands of Minneriya National Park.
  • 8 - Dambulla Today visit Sigiriya's Lion Rock, an ancient carved-rock fortress that rises dramatically above the surrounding plains. Then enjoy a wildlife safari at Minneriya National Park, home to Sri Lankan elephants and Sri Lankan sloth bears, and also claimed to be the best National Park in the world to witness elephants in large herds in their natural habitat, especially in the dry season from July to October. Return to Dambulla for the night and enjoy some free time in the evening.
  • 9 - Kandy Leave Dambulla and head onwards to Kandy (approximately 3.5 hours), the last capital of Sri Lanka's ancient kings era. As you continue on, a stop in at a spice garden might yield scents of cinnamon, pepper, cardamom, clove, nutmeg, vanilla and more as you learn the secrets of cultivating these palate pleasers. After arriving in Kandy, visit a Kandayan dance show to experience the colourful traditional costumes and evocative performances live in action.
  • 10 - Kandy Start the day off in Kandy with a visit to the Giragama Tea Factory for an insight into local production techniques, then head to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. This golden roofed temple is home to Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist relic - a tooth of the Buddha. Afterwards, enjoy the rest of the day with free exploration of the city. Perhaps take a walk around the beautiful lake in the centre of town, explore the local Buddhist temple or while away the afternoon amongst the trees and flowers of the Royal Palace Park.
  • 11 - Colombo Drive on towards Colombo today, the nation's capital. Stop by some of the city's main sights on a bus tour including Independence Square, Parliament, and past the National Museum, finishing with a shopping opportunity for a good cause at the Barefoot Fair trade Store. Here you can find a collection of handicrafts from around the country and support small cottage industries. If you are lucky enough to be in Colombo on a Saturday, visit Good Market, a local market full of stalls showcasing social enterprises and responsible businesses. Tonight there's an optional final group dinner to celebrate your journey together.
  • 12 - Colombo There are no activities planned for day 12 and you are able to depart the hotel at any time. Check out time from the hotel is 12 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel. Additional accommodation is available through your booking agent at the time of booking your trip.
  • The following product terms and conditions apply in addition to our Booking Terms and Conditions (available on our website) and terms and conditions of the relevant travel service provider.
  • Prices quoted valid for sale until 03 April 2024 for travel during the period specified (if applicable) unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
  • All prices are per person (unless otherwise stated), subject to availability and may be withdrawn or varied without notice. Accommodation (if included) is based on twin share unless otherwise stated.
  • Advertised price includes bonus nights and/or stated saving (if applicable).
  • Additional supplier conditions and travel restrictions may apply. Please enquire for further details.
  • Airfare (including internal flights) is not included unless otherwise stated and, if included, is economy class unless otherwise stated.
  • Components of the total price including local payments, "resort fees", "national park fees", "trip kitties" and food funds (if applicable) may be payable direct to the supplier on arrival or to your travel consultant prior to your departure. Where applicable, these payments are included in the total price quoted.
  • Gratuities are not included unless otherwise stated.
  • Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes, levies and government charges current at the time of publication.
  • Additional levies, government charges & other applicable fees, including additional taxes, surcharges and visa fees specific to your departure date or flight routing, may apply and are beyond our control.
  • Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply depending on date of travel.
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