Colombo Trip Overview
Travelers can explore all the top attractions in Sri Lanka during this 8 days. They are also free to visit attractions not list ted in the itinerary.
Additional Info
Duration: 8 days
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Colombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Travelers can explore all the top attractions in Sri Lanka during this 8 days. They are also free to visit attractions not list ted in the itinerary.
Itinerary
Day 1: Travel from Colombo to Habarana.
Stop At: Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka
The Sigiriya Rock Fortress built back in 5th Century by King Kasyapa. It has been named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Apart from its gigantic size, Sigiriya’s wonder is in its advanced irrigation systems said to be well ahead of its time. engineers from around the globe are still bewildered by the existence of such advanced technology in such ancient times. The fortress is further enhanced by its beautiful water gardens, frescos of Sigiriya Damsels, the graffiti Mirror Wall and the giant paws of a lion carved into the rock at the entrance to the final ascent to the top.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: Explore around Habarana.
Stop At: Polonnaruwa Vatadage, Sacred City, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
Polonnaruwa. The terms “beauty” and “beast” usually go together well, except at Polonnaruwa where beauty goes better with “ruins.” The second oldest kingdom in Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa is known for the ruins of this ancient garden city. The 12th century ruins are some of the best preserved in the country. Polonnaruwa was a place where traders of exotic goods mingled with worshippers in the many temples. Start your tour of Polonnaruwa at the Archaeological Museum, then proceed to the massive (50 buildings) Royal Palace with its well-preserved audience hall. The stunningly decorated Sacred Quadrangle is another must-see here.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Minneriya National Park, Maradankadawala-Habarana-Thirukkondaiadimadu Highway, 50150 Sri Lanka
Minneriya: It is the largest known meeting place of Asian Elephants in the world. Huge herd of elephants, sometimes numbering up to 300, can be seen together within a few square kilometers of the Minneriya lake lake.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Hiriwadunna, Hiriwadunna, North Central Province
Hiriwadunna dry zone village visit.We organize a village visit for our guests during their cultural triangle visit. The name of the selected village is Hiriwadunna which is situated at few KMs away from Habaran town. Almost all these villagers are farmers. They grow rise in the rainy season and different vegetables are grown in the dry season. Not having enough water for the cultivation and wild elephant threat are the main issues they have. The village visit will be conducted by a local guide.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 3: Travel from Habarana to Kandy.
Stop At: Dambulla Cave Temple, Jaffna Hwy, Habarana 50150 Sri Lanka
The Dambulla Cave Temple is a sacred Buddhist site. There is no entry fee to get into the temple on full-moon days; however, these days are especially busy because of the religious significance of this lunar phase. Devotees from all over the world make pilgrimage to this place. There are over 80 caves documented in the area, but the most famous five are outfitted with impressive statues and paintings. Some of the caves date back to 1000 BC, when prehistoric Sri Lankans would have lived within them, so it is unsurprising that they would have created temples inside at that time. If you do plan to visit, please be aware that visitors must cover their shoulders and legs and remove shoes before entering the temple.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
The Temple of the Tooth: The Temple of the Tooth is a highly sacred place. The temple contains one of Buddha’s teeth. Legend has it that the tooth was taken from the Buddha on his deathbed, then smuggled to Sri Lanka from India. It was smuggled in the hair of a princess, after her father’s kingdom had been besieged. It immediately became an object of great importance and has been celebrated and paraded throughout history. However, many attempts have also been made to steal or destroy the tooth. Twice daily, pujas are held to celebrate the relic and offer visitors and devotees the chance to get a glimpse of the tooth within its casing.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Ranweli Spice Garden, No. 99 Kaudupellella, Matale 21000 Sri Lanka
Spice Gardens The A9 Hwy between Matale and Dambulla Dambulla road is famous for its spice gardens, with over 30 dotted along the road. All offer free tours of their gardens with an English-speaking guide who can explain the merits and health properties of herbs, spices and plants including cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, coffee, nutmeg, pepper, cardamom, aloe vera, iriweriya (tulsi) and the henna plant. Most visitors enjoy the tours and find them educational, but at some point you will be guided towards the gift shop, where some of the prices asked for products can be eye-watering; be prepared for a medium to hard sell and accept it as the price of your free tour.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 4: Travel from Kandy to Ella & scenic train ride.
Stop At: Ramboda Waterfall, Pussellawa Sri Lanka
Ramboda Falls is 109 m (358 ft) high and 11th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and 729th highest waterfall in the world.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Nuwara Eliya, Nuwara Eliya, Central Province
Nuwara Eliya. Sri Lanka is famous for its tea. What better place to learn more about tea than the source itself: Nuwara Eliya. With a temperate climate and elevation of 1,900 meters (6,100 feet), Nuwara Eliya is the country’s tea production capital. You can tour a tea plantation and see how tea is made. Founded in the 19th century, this hill country town soon became a retreat for British colonists, earning the nickname Little England. April is a good time to visit, when visitors flock here to see the blossoms and celebrate Sri Lanka New Year. Other sights include Lake Gregory and Laxapana, Sri Lanka’s most famous waterfalls.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Ella, Ella, Uva Province
The train trip from Nauoya to Ella, or the other way around, is considered to be one of the most beautiful train trips in the world. This train ride is 3 hours long and takes you through stunning landscapes of green and lush tea plantations and mountain views. This trip is very popular, both among tourists and the locals. I highly recommend that you buy tickets well in advance. You can also buy tickets at any train station in Sri Lanka for the date you want.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 5: Travel from Ella to Yala.
Stop At: Little Adam’s Peak, Passara Road, Ella 90090 Sri Lanka
Little Adam’s Peak. Although this climb is relatively easy, the views from the top of Little Adam’s Peak are sensational. Begin the climb with a gentle stroll through a sloping tea field, passing endless neat rows of terraced tea plants, before ascending a short stretch of winding steps up to the top of the peak. From the top, there is a spectacular panorama featuring Ella Rock, rolling tea fields and the Ella gap, a deep gorge that leads all the way down to the southern valleys. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the south coast with the ocean glimmering on the horizon.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Nine Arches Bridge, Ella Sri Lanka
Nine Arch Bridge. One of Sri Lanka’s most iconic sights is the Nine Arch Bridge in the small mountain town of Ella. This viewpoint offers spectacular panoramas of the surrounding area, which is made up of verdant greenery and tea fields. Visitors can watch trains roll over the bridge as they make their way along the Demodara Loop. Constructed in the early days of the railway expansion in Sri Lanka, the bridge is particularly impressive because it is made of cement, stone and brick, without the use of any steel.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Yala National Park, Yala National Park
Yala National Park Yala National Park is made up of spellbinding vistas and a true abundance of Sri Lankan wildlife. It has the highest density of leopards in the world, so chances of seeing them are very high. Although leopards are the main attraction here, they are followed closely by elephants, sloth bears and crocodiles. The park is divided into five blocks; some of which were zoned to hunters until Yala became a national park in 1938. Ensure you make time to visit the very informative visitor canter at the entrance of the park for insightful displays about the area.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Ravana Ella Falls, Ella-Wellawaya Road, Ella 90090 Sri Lanka
Ravana Falls. The beautiful Ravana Falls are used for bathing in the hot summer months. In the rainy season, the water flow is exceptionally strong and is an impressive sight. The falls are part of the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary, and the nearby cave complex is rich in local legend. Conveniently located on the main road on the way to Ella town, the caves are a common stop off point for visitors during their journey. Many cheeky monkeys live in the surrounding trees and they are often seen on the roadside dining on fruit. However, don’t let them get too close, as sometimes they can get over-friendly with visitors.
Duration: 20 minutes
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 6: Travel from Yala to Galle.
Pass By: Stilt Fishermen Sri Lanka, Koggala Sri Lanka
Stilt fishing, a unique Sri Lankan tradition, requires a great deal of patience. From a high position, the fisherman casts his line, and waits until a fish comes along to be caught. This method of fishing generally targets small fish. It involves waiting for several hours in complete silence to catch the fish. The majority of fishermen who practice this method of fishing are those who do not own modern fishing equipment. In this simple method all what they need is the stilt which is made by tying a small cross bar on to a pole, and the fishing rod. Fishermen themselves create this equipment, using the skills passed from one generation to another.
Stop At: Galle Fort, Church Street, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka
Galle Fort It is easy to get lost in the cobblestoned alleyways and streets within Galle Fort. Today the area is full of modern restaurants, hotels, clothing, and souvenir shops. Meanwhile, snake charmers and buskers line the seawall. However, the fort was not always such a cosmopolitan spot. A basic fort was constructed by the Portuguese when they made their first landing to the island in 1505. When the Dutch eventually seized control of Galle, they made a number of improvements; including the enormous sea wall that still lines the fort. Galle Fort is an excellent example of what the synthesis between European and Asian architecture looks like.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Unawatuna Beach, Unawatuna Sri Lanka
Unawatuna. This white sand beach in the small seaside town of Unawatuna is a great place to relax. There are a number of snorkeling and diving operators in town who take advantage of the abundance of coral reefs just off the beach. Colorful fish and plentiful turtles are the norm in these waters. There are a number of great dining options along the beach, which welcome visitors to use their sun loungers and relax the day away with a drink in hand.
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 7: Beach day.
Stop At: Mirissa Whales, Mirissa Sri Lanka
Whale and dolphin watching in Mirissa is one of the most exciting water activities you can do in Sri Lanka during your beach holiday. Mirissa is the best place to start your whale and dolphin watching tour in Sri Lanka.
In warm Indian Ocean you can see Blue whales, Bryde´s whales, Sperm whales, Fin whales, sometimes Killer whales, and Common dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Spinner dolphins, Risso’s dolphins and Striped dolphins. Sometimes you can see turtles and various fish species, for example Bluefin tuna and flying fish.
Our boat leaves from Mirissa harbor at 6:00 o´clock in the morning and the tours last 3-5 hours (depends on spotting of whales and wish of our passengers). Afternoons is the ocean usually rough and not suitable for whale watching. Swimming with the whales and dolphins is not permitted. Your breakfast will be provided in the boat foc.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Mirissa Beach, Mirissa, Sri Lanka
Mirissa is the ultimate Sri Lankan beach getaway. The beautiful long beach is flanked by tall overhanging palm trees and lined with modern restaurants and hotels. The restaurants have western style food at Sri Lankan prices. Just off the beach is Parrot Rock. It has a small staircase leading to the top that offers great views of the ocean and coastline. Day trips from Mirissa include whale watching, snorkeling and surfing. Weligama, just a few kilometers from Mirissa, is one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka to learn surfing. Come happy hour and into the evening, many the restaurants turn their venues into beach clubs and pump out drinks and tunes.
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 8: Departure
Stop At: Madu River, Nilwala River Safari, Bridge View, Custom Road, Balapitiya , Sri Lanka 941906362 Call And Contact, Balapitiya 80550 Sri Lanka
The Madu Ganga River is a complex coastal ecosystem of mangroves and islands. It may be one of the last remaining tracts of pristine mangrove forests in Sri Lanka.A boat trip is a wonderful way of seeing some of the hundreds of species of plants and animals – monkeys eat fruit in the trees, a water monitor lizard glides slowly through the water, and cormorants, egrets and kingfishers wait patiently on the banks, eyeing the water for prey.There are around 64 islands in the river and lagoon, from a tiny speck housing a deserted shrine to one housing 250 families connected to the mainland with a very long footbridge.You can visit an island with a Buddhist monastery, where the friendly young monks will show you a 150-year-old book made of palm leaves and how they cook on cinnamon wood on an open fire.The main occupations of the local inhabitants are producing cinnamon and prawn fishing – if you take the trip in the evening you will see the fishermen in their canoes lighting lanterns to attract the shellfish into their traps.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Colombo, Colombo, Western Province
Colombo city tour. Visit the highlights of the city including Galle Face Green, Barefoot, Viharamahadevi Park, Dutch Period Museum, Dutch Hospital, Old City Hall, Arcade Independence Square, Seema Malakaya Meditation Centre, Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque, Wolvendaal Church, St Anthony’s Church, Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Memorial Hall, St Lucia’s Cathedral, and more.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Galle Face Green, Galle Road, Colombo Sri Lanka
Galle Face Green is a 5 ha (12 acres) ocean-side urban park, which stretches for 500 m (1,600 ft) along the coast, in the heart of Colombo, the financial and business capital of Sri Lanka. The promenade was initially laid out in 1859 by Governor Sir Henry George Ward, although the original Galle Face Green extended over a much larger area than is seen today. The Galle Face Green was initially used for horse racing and as a golf course, but was also used for cricket, polo, football, tennis and rugby.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
