Highlights of Sri Lanka - perfect prior to beach holidays
4-days/3-nights round trip: Sigiriya - Kandy - Nuwara Eliya - Kitulgala
When arriving in Sri Lanka for a relaxing holiday in a beach resort at the tropical southwestern coastline, many guests like to start their holidays with a short tour, to find out more about the beauty of the island. For all those holiday makers who like to enjoy a perfect mix of impressions of the most famous attractions, we offer a 4-days/3-nights round tour visiting 3 major World Heritage Sites, namely the imposing lion rock of Sigiriya, the Dambulla cave temples and the Sacred City of Kandy with its world-famous Tooth Temple, plus sightseeing in the tea-growing areas around Nuwara Eliya and excitement on the the river valley of Kitulgala, which is the island's number 1 destination for white-water rafting.
Please note: This round tour itinerary is managable within 4 days (3 overnight stays on the route and 1 more night in Bentota)...
...ONLY in case of arrival at Colombo Airport in the morning (before 12.00 noon).
But if your arrival time is even much earlier (before 6.30 am), we can include the option of a visit of the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage additionally!
Most guests booking this 3-days trip wish to start the round tour upon arrival at the airport.
However, the same tour can also start at your hotel in or around Colombo and Negombo or at any meeting point of your choice within this area, for just the same price.
Please note: This round tour itinerary is managable within 4 days (3 overnight stays on the route and 1 more night in Bentota)...
...ONLY in case of arrival at Colombo Airport in the morning (before 12.00 noon).
But if your arrival time is even much earlier (before 6.30 am), we can include the option of a visit of the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage additionally!
Most guests booking this 3-days trip wish to start the round tour upon arrival at the airport.
However, the same tour can also start at your hotel in or around Colombo and Negombo or at any meeting point of your choice within this area, for just the same price.
Day 1: World Heritage Sites Dambulla and Sigiriya
After a warm welcome at Colombo's Bandarayanake International Airport we start our transfer to Sigiriya.
The road will cross the lush green Kurunegala District, which is crowded with coconut plantations.
Before arrival at your hotel in Sigiriya, you will visit the largest of Sri Lanka's cave temples, the Golden Temple of Dambulla, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Apart from the large numbers of Buddha statues from various periods the monastic caves are overwhelmingly rich in decorations, with the very best specimens of paintings in the typical Kandyan style.
Overnight stay in Sigiriya - Nature Park Villa or similar
The road will cross the lush green Kurunegala District, which is crowded with coconut plantations.
Before arrival at your hotel in Sigiriya, you will visit the largest of Sri Lanka's cave temples, the Golden Temple of Dambulla, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Apart from the large numbers of Buddha statues from various periods the monastic caves are overwhelmingly rich in decorations, with the very best specimens of paintings in the typical Kandyan style.
Overnight stay in Sigiriya - Nature Park Villa or similar
Day 2: Charming hill-capital Kandy
After breakfast you will have enough time to see all the attractions of Sigiriya, fortifications, water gardens, rock gardens, cloud maidens, mirror wall, giant lion paw, lion rock castle.
In the early afternoon we will be proceeding to Kandy, with a break at a Spice and Herbal Garden near Matale for about 30 minutes, giving you some impressions Ayurveda plants and the local medicine systems.
After arrival in Kandy you can first relax a little bit during tea time. Then you will visit (dressed respectfully) the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, which is the island nation's most significant holy shrine, attracting Buddhist pilgrims from all parts of Asia. The Tooth Temple is the very core of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Sacred city of Kandy".
Afterwards, we will proceed to the near-by Cultural Centre, where you can enjoy a Kandyan Dance Show, which is a traditional mix of royal-court dances with acrobatics and also some folk and ritual dances.
Overnight stay in Kandy - Gangula Villa or similar
In the early afternoon we will be proceeding to Kandy, with a break at a Spice and Herbal Garden near Matale for about 30 minutes, giving you some impressions Ayurveda plants and the local medicine systems.
After arrival in Kandy you can first relax a little bit during tea time. Then you will visit (dressed respectfully) the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, which is the island nation's most significant holy shrine, attracting Buddhist pilgrims from all parts of Asia. The Tooth Temple is the very core of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Sacred city of Kandy".
Afterwards, we will proceed to the near-by Cultural Centre, where you can enjoy a Kandyan Dance Show, which is a traditional mix of royal-court dances with acrobatics and also some folk and ritual dances.
Overnight stay in Kandy - Gangula Villa or similar
Day 3: Tea Highlands around Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast we start our Kandy city tour, including a break at the Senani vantage point, from where you have the perfect viwe to Kandy city, Kandy Lake, and Tooth Temple.
The Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya are one of the most renowned of this kind in tropical Asia. Due to the mild climate in the lower parts of the highlands, many species from the temperate zones of various continents are also grown here.
Afterwards, there will be time enough for the Gem Museum and the Arts and Crafts Centre and a visit of a Batik factory, the Batik tradition of Sri Lanka being as ancient as that of the Indonesian Island of Java but quite distinct in style.
In the early afternoon we will start our transfer to Nuwara Eliya, enjoying the most scenic route in the tea highlands.
You will have a break at the picturesque waterfalls of Ramboda situated close to a well-kept restaurant garden.
Afterwards, you visit a tea factory and relax in tea gardens, testing the taste of original Ceylon tea within its picturesque region of provenance.
In the evening, we arrive in Nuwara Eliya, which is the island's highest situated city, just at the foot of the highest peak. Being a former British hill station for recovery in a cool climate, Nuwara Eliya enjoys the reputation of being Sri Lanka's "Little England".
Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya - Unique Cottage or similar
The Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya are one of the most renowned of this kind in tropical Asia. Due to the mild climate in the lower parts of the highlands, many species from the temperate zones of various continents are also grown here.
Afterwards, there will be time enough for the Gem Museum and the Arts and Crafts Centre and a visit of a Batik factory, the Batik tradition of Sri Lanka being as ancient as that of the Indonesian Island of Java but quite distinct in style.
In the early afternoon we will start our transfer to Nuwara Eliya, enjoying the most scenic route in the tea highlands.
You will have a break at the picturesque waterfalls of Ramboda situated close to a well-kept restaurant garden.
Afterwards, you visit a tea factory and relax in tea gardens, testing the taste of original Ceylon tea within its picturesque region of provenance.
In the evening, we arrive in Nuwara Eliya, which is the island's highest situated city, just at the foot of the highest peak. Being a former British hill station for recovery in a cool climate, Nuwara Eliya enjoys the reputation of being Sri Lanka's "Little England".
Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya - Unique Cottage or similar
Day 4: River Rafting opportunity in Kitulgala
After breakfast we will cross Sri Lanka's largest tea-growing area which is known as Dimbula tea region. Just amidst the highland tea plantations are St. Clair's and Devon waterfalls, which can be seen from panorama terraces on the way.
After arrival in Kitulgala, you will have an opportunity to experience the adventure of white water rafting, which will take about an hour. For those too scared or with physical disabilities, there are many alternatives: you can enjoy a short hike to small waterfalls, visit a prehistorical cave, or just relax in the former colonial Kitulgala rest house.
On the way to the coast, we will first have a short break at the ruins of the 16th century Barandiya Kovil near Avissawela, which then was the capital known as Seethawaka. Then we proceed to visit the lakeside Seethawaka Wet Zone Botanic Gardens.
Finally, we move to Bentota, well-known for its golden beaches, where you will be able to relax in the warmth of the soft sand.
End of Tour
After arrival in Kitulgala, you will have an opportunity to experience the adventure of white water rafting, which will take about an hour. For those too scared or with physical disabilities, there are many alternatives: you can enjoy a short hike to small waterfalls, visit a prehistorical cave, or just relax in the former colonial Kitulgala rest house.
On the way to the coast, we will first have a short break at the ruins of the 16th century Barandiya Kovil near Avissawela, which then was the capital known as Seethawaka. Then we proceed to visit the lakeside Seethawaka Wet Zone Botanic Gardens.
Finally, we move to Bentota, well-known for its golden beaches, where you will be able to relax in the warmth of the soft sand.
End of Tour
Price for two person is only 870 US $.
Price includes:
* total transport from the airport via Kandy and Nuwara Eliya to Bentota
* entry fees of visiting sites
* 3 overnight stays in abovementioned mentioned hotels or similar on availability
* bed & breakfast basis for 3 nights
* A/C car or van with English speaking driver guide
* Driver room for 3 nights
* Passenger's Insurance cover of 500,000 LKR
* Replacement vehicle in case of bad or unlucky events
Price does not include:
* white water rafting (it's only an option, to be decided by yourself at the place)
* any extra person in the car
* any extra excursions
* lunch, dinner
* driver tip or personal expenses
Payment method:
* Total amount is required within 2 weeks after confirmation of your booking of this trip, this means: prior to arrival.
Cancellation Policy:
# in case of cancellation within less than 14 days prior to arrival: 100% will be charged - then non-refundable
# in case of cancellation of a tour with 3* or 4*star hotels within 21 days prior to arrival: 100% will be charged - then non-refundable
Special notes:
Above-mentioned hotels are mid range.
In case if you like to get 3*star or higher, price has to be adjusted accordingly.
Price includes:
* total transport from the airport via Kandy and Nuwara Eliya to Bentota
* entry fees of visiting sites
* 3 overnight stays in abovementioned mentioned hotels or similar on availability
* bed & breakfast basis for 3 nights
* A/C car or van with English speaking driver guide
* Driver room for 3 nights
* Passenger's Insurance cover of 500,000 LKR
* Replacement vehicle in case of bad or unlucky events
Price does not include:
* white water rafting (it's only an option, to be decided by yourself at the place)
* any extra person in the car
* any extra excursions
* lunch, dinner
* driver tip or personal expenses
Payment method:
* Total amount is required within 2 weeks after confirmation of your booking of this trip, this means: prior to arrival.
Cancellation Policy:
# in case of cancellation within less than 14 days prior to arrival: 100% will be charged - then non-refundable
# in case of cancellation of a tour with 3* or 4*star hotels within 21 days prior to arrival: 100% will be charged - then non-refundable
Special notes:
Above-mentioned hotels are mid range.
In case if you like to get 3*star or higher, price has to be adjusted accordingly.
