Negombo Trip Overview
Because of Sri Lanka’s sheer diversity, planning the first trip and deciding what places to visit, what to do and how much time is available for each activity may be daunting. This 8-day Highlights of the Sri Lanka Tour Package is for those with no specific interest but are keen to experience what Sri Lanka is about. This itinerary will take you through the main historical places of the Cultural Triangle, the charming natural beauty of the hill country, along with the opportunity for a face to face encounter with the Sri Lankan elephant in the wilds, and experience the quintessential Galle Fort together with other key attractions of the south coast and the fast-evolving metro of Colombo.
Additional Info
Duration: 8 days
Starts: Negombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Negombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Negombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Because of Sri Lanka’s sheer diversity, planning the first trip and deciding what places to visit, what to do and how much time is available for each activity may be daunting. This 8-day Highlights of the Sri Lanka Tour Package is for those with no specific interest but are keen to experience what Sri Lanka is about. This itinerary will take you through the main historical places of the Cultural Triangle, the charming natural beauty of the hill country, along with the opportunity for a face to face encounter with the Sri Lankan elephant in the wilds, and experience the quintessential Galle Fort together with other key attractions of the south coast and the fast-evolving metro of Colombo.
Itinerary
Day 1: AIRPORT – COLOMBO – 35km / Approx. 45 Minutes By Road
Pass By: Colombo, Colombo, Western Province
We will meet you upon arrival at the International Airport and drive you to Negombo to check into your hotel and rest and relax. Alternatively we could pick you up from Colombo or Negombo to commence this tour.
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Suriya Resort, Amaluna or similar (4*)
Day 2: NEGOMBO – SIGIRIYA 150km / Approx. 3.5 Hours By Road
Stop At: Dambulla Royal Cave Temple, Kandy – Jaffna Highway, Dambulla 21100 Sri Lanka
After breakfast, drive to Dambulla to explore the Dambulla cave temple complex.
Famed for its Golden Cave Temple, one of the best places to visit in Dambulla, the little town of Dambulla is part of the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka. The Golden Cave Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sinhalese people refer to Dambulla as ‘Dambulu Gala’- Dambulla Rock and the temple is called as the ‘Rangiri Dambulu Viharaya’ – Golden Rock Dambulla Temple.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Minneriya National Park, Maradankadawala-Habarana-Thirukkondaiadimadu Highway, 50150 Sri Lanka
Thereafter travel to Minneriya National Park to encounter large herds of Elephant in the wild. The park is famed for the phenomenon known as “the gathering” that occurs during the dry season from August to October whereby hundreds of elephants may be seen at the evening drink. Drive to your base in Habarana, Dambulla or Sigiriya for the next two days.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Provided by the hotel
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Sigiriya Village, Oak Ray Elephant Lake or similar (4*)
Day 3: SIGIRIYA – POLONNARUWA – SIGIRIYA 110km / Approx. 3 Hours By Road
Stop At: Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka
Early morning before breakfast visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress to beat the crowds and see one of the ancient architectural wonders and the ruins of King Kassapa’s palace perched atop a 200 meter granite rock.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Hiriwadunna, Hiriwadunna, North Central Province
Take a Village Tour, by foot and trying other rustic forms of transportation, taking in the beautiful sights and sounds of village life. Enjoy some village cuisine served up in lotus leaves. (the cost is included)
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
In the afternoon visit the Polonnaruwa historical sites.
As a medieval capital second only to Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa is distinguished for its well-preserved ruins such as the Polonnaruwa Vatadage reflecting Sri Lanka’s ancient history, dating back to the Anuradhapuran era making it one of the best cultural places to visit. The city earned its recognition as an important local commercial centre replacing Anuradhapura which was ravaged and left for ruin.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Provided by the hotel
• Lunch: Provided at the village tour experience
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Sigiriya Village, Oak Ray Elephant Lake or similar (4)
Day 4: SIGIRIYA – KANDY – 90km / Approx. 2.5 Hours By Road
Stop At: Oak-Ray Isiwara Ayurvedic Village, Dalupotha Gama Road, Kawdupelella, Matale 21000 Sri Lanka
Visit a spice garden where you may learn about the variety of Sri Lankan spices, how they are grown and processed and their benefits.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Kandy City Tours and Taxi service Sri lanka, William Gopallawa Mawatha, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Drive to Kandy and start a city tour which includes Kandy Lake, marketplace and gem museum.
Discover Kandy while you experience the magnificent celebration of history, religion and culture by the places to visit in Kandy as the city pulsates to the sound of drum beats. Sheltered in a natural forest amidst rivers and steep mountains, sits the last stronghold of the last Sinhala kingdom of Sri Lanka, Kandy. It is the second largest city in Sri Lanka.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
In the evening visit the temple of the tooth relic and thereafter witness a cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dancing and drumming.
Kandy, steeped in tradition and history, holds in prestige in bearing the key to the centre and heritage of Buddhism for it is home to the Temple of the Tooth – Sri Dalada Maligawa, a golden shrine dedicated to the enshrinement of one of the most sacred relics of Buddha, the relic of his tooth hidden in a golden casket. 1988 saw its declaration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Provided by the hotel
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Suisse Hotel, Hotel Topaz or similar (4*)
Day 5: KANDY – NUWARA ELIYA 80km / Approx. 4 Hours By Train
Stop At: Nuwara Eliya, Nuwara Eliya, Central Province
Take the very scenic train ride from Kandy to Nanu Oya and drive to the city of Nuwara Eliya, also known as ‘Little England’, set against beautiful backdrops of mountains, lush green valleys, waterfalls and tea plantations. High up in the hills, the green and pleasant city offers colonial heritage and proximity to pristine natural areas (train tickets included)
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Pedro Tea Factory, Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka
Visit a tea plantation and factory where ‘Ceylon Tea’ is grown and produced to witness the process and taste a factory-brewed cup of Ceylon tea.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Nuwara Eliya, Nuwara Eliya, Central Province
Take a city tour to explore Nuwara Eliya and its lakeside, parks and markets at leisure.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Provided by the hotel
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Heaven Seven, Oak Ray Summer Hill Breeze or similar (4*)
Day 6: NUWARA ELIYA – SOUTH WEST BEACH 250km / Approx. 6.5 Hours By Road
Pass By: Hikkaduwa Beach, 7585995399 Sweetcash //Customer //Care// Number 7585995399 //sweetcash //customer //care// Number, Hikkaduwa 80240 Sri Lanka
After breakfast, drive down to your beach destination in the popular south or south western coasts of Sri Lanka to rest and relax. “Enquire Now” to add more days on the beach.
En route, break journey at the popular Kitulagala and choose to par take in any optional excursions of your choice including white water rafting and jungle treks.
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Provided by the hotel
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon, Avani Kalutara or similar (4*)
Day 7: SOUTH WEST BEACH
Stop At: Madu River, Nilwala River Safari, Bridge View, Custom Road, Balapitiya , Sri Lanka 941906362 Call And Contact, Balapitiya 80550 Sri Lanka
After breakfast drive to Madu River and embark on boat safari through the primitive depths of the mangrove marshes and you can see various species in their natural habitat. Dip your feet in the river for a brief fish pedicure experience.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Turtle Hatchery Hikkaduwa, Galle Road Colombo, Hikkaduwa 80240 Sri Lanka
Visit a turtle hatchery, a heaven for baby turtles until they are ready to be released to the open oceans.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Stilt Fishermen Sri Lanka, Koggala Sri Lanka
Witness the unique art of Stilt fishing.
Koggala, renowned for its splendid coastal conditions, has been the perfect place for stilt fishing. Silhouettes of fishermen perched on vertical poles with crossbars, waiting for its daily catch – a beautiful and picture perfect spectacle.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Galle Fort, Church Street, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka
Drive to explore the quintessential Dutch Fort of Galle, built by the Portuguese and later occupied by the Dutch. Now the Fort is a quaint time-capsule city, with cobblestone streets, restaurants, cafes, and boutiques ideally explored by foot.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Provided by the hotel
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon, Avani Kalutara or similar (4*)
Day 8: SOUTH WEST BEACH – COLOMBO – AIRPORT 147km / Approx. 3 Hours By Road
Stop At: Colombo, Colombo, Western Province
After breakfast, return back to Colombo and take a city tour covering the key highlights, the Colombo Fort, Old Parliament, Galle face Green, Viharamahadevi Park and Independence square culminating in some excellent retail therapy and free time in Colombo at the end. Tour ends when we drop you at the Airport. (all entrance included)
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Provided by the hotel
Accommodation included: There is no overnight hotel for this date as this is your day of departure.
