Negombo Trip Overview
> While gaining a Lonely Planet experience you get first-hand local knowledge, with on-the-ground expert’s guidance and the freedom and privacy to explore at your will.
> Enjoy 4×4 Jepp safaris through stunning National parks, home for Asian wild elephant families. Capture a hunting Leopard in flesh is unforgettable.
Explore the UNESCO World heritage splendours, Sigiriya Lion Rock fortress architectural wonder. Amaze through the golden-roofed Temple of the Sacred Tooth in Kandy.
> When driving through the cold and misty hills that host lush green blankets of tea plantations. Stop at a tea factory to observe the tea processing technique.
> Relaxing time at gorgeous south beach, where you can either get active with sea adventures or chill-out with a cocktail while laying under a palm tree
Additional Info
Duration: 12 days
Starts: Negombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Multi-day & Extended Tours >> Multi-day Tours
Explore Negombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Negombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
> While gaining a Lonely Planet experience you get first-hand local knowledge, with on-the-ground expert’s guidance and the freedom and privacy to explore at your will.
> Enjoy 4×4 Jepp safaris through stunning National parks, home for Asian wild elephant families. Capture a hunting Leopard in flesh is unforgettable.
Explore the UNESCO World heritage splendours, Sigiriya Lion Rock fortress architectural wonder. Amaze through the golden-roofed Temple of the Sacred Tooth in Kandy.
> When driving through the cold and misty hills that host lush green blankets of tea plantations. Stop at a tea factory to observe the tea processing technique.
> Relaxing time at gorgeous south beach, where you can either get active with sea adventures or chill-out with a cocktail while laying under a palm tree
Itinerary
Day 1: AIRPORT PICKUP / NEGOMBO COASTAL CITY
Stop At: Negombo, Negombo, Western Province
AYUBOWAN-! Welcome to Sri Lanka, the land like no other and 12 days of explorations giving you the opportunity to touch the Unesco World Heritage sites and unique Sri Lankan culture, the lush green tea estates & waterfalls in the hills, the wildlife and exciting adventures, the beautiful soft sandy and remote beaches. Upon arrival at Colombo CMB Airport, you will meet and greet by the tour leader and then will be transferred to your hotel. The first destination will be Negombo coastal town, which has long been known as the most popular beach in Sri Lanka, famous for its golden sandy beach, food and entertainments. For day one we haven’t planned any activity, so you will have a relaxing day at Negombo beach or by the pool of your cosy hotel. Evening, you may walk along the seashore while enjoying the beautiful sun setting and the pleasant evening atmosphere of Negombo beach. Overnight stay in a seafront hotel – Negombo
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
• Breakfast: vegetarian, vegan and halal food options on request.
Accommodation included: 4-Star Hotel in Negombo
Day 2: ELEPHANT ROCK TEMPLE / GOLDEN CAVE TEMPLE
Stop At: Kurunegala, Kurunegala, North Western Province
After enjoying a delicious breakfast with a hot cup of Sri Lankan tea or a coffee, you will take a wonderful journey across the stunning Sri Lankan countryside towards Dambulla city, which is the central point of the cultural triangle on the island. En-route you’ll visit Elephant Rock Temple and Kurunegala Lake.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Dambulla Cave Temple, Jaffna Hwy, Habarana 50150 Sri Lanka
Upon arrival to Dambulla visit the Golden Buddha Statue and the Royal Cave Temple (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE). Dambulla has the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. It has been treasured by many kings since the 1st century B.C. The rock towers 160 meters over the surrounding plains and houses 5 cave temples with some of the most unique and significant historical drawings. Overnight stay in Dambulla
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: vegetarian, vegan and halal food options on request.
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Nature-friendly 3-Star Resort in Dambulla
Day 3: SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS / CULTURAL VILLAGE TOUR
Stop At: Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka
After breakfast, you will visit the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE). King Kasyapa (477 – 495 BC) built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Habarana Lake, Habarana Sri Lanka
After visiting Srigiriya, you’ll enjoy a wonderful cultural village tour while exploring the beautiful countryside (INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE). It will start with a Bullock Cart ride, one of the most ancient and prime transportation systems in Sri Lanka, still used in some villages. While on the tour you will enjoy a canoeing boat ride across the lake and a pleasant TukTuk ride before reaching the farmer’s house where you will experience the typical Sri Lankan countryside hospitality.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Pidurangala Rock, Pidurangala,Sigiriya, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka
Evening, if you are up to it, join with the Pidurangala rock hike (optional activity), a perfect location for those who prefer a non-touristic experience; also, this might be a rare opportunity to explore the hidden beauty of Sri Lanka. If you had enough of overcrowded spots and noises, this is your ideal destination. . There is no clear path to the top: steep paths and uneven steps give way to an expanse of boulders and crevices that climbers must navigate in order to reach the summit. Make sure you have mosquito spray if bites trouble you. Overnight stay in a nature-friendly resort -Dambulla
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: vegetarian, vegan and halal food options on request.
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Nature-friendly 3-Star Resort in Dambulla
Day 4: SPICE GARDEN / HISTORICAL KANDY CITY
Stop At: Matale Herbal and Spice Garden, No 25 Koholangwela Madawala Ulpatha, Matale 21000 Sri Lanka
After breakfast, visit the Matale Spice Garden (INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE).
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
Proceed towards Kandy, the capital of the last Sinhalese kingdom. It’s set on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and biodiverse rainforests. Kandy is also famous for its sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth Relic (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE).
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Kandy Lake Club – Cultural Dance Show, 7 Sangamitta Mawatha, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
Evening, you’ll enjoy a walk around Kandy’s city centre before engaging with a cultural dance show which is inspired by Sri Lankan arts, traditional dance and cultural heritage (INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE). Overnight stay in a cosy mount view hotel – Kandy
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast: vegetarian, vegan and halal food options on request.
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Mount view 4-Star Hotel in Kandy
Day 5: ADVENTURE EXPERIENCE AT KITULGALA FOREST RESERVE
Stop At: Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya Road, Peradeniya 20400 Sri Lanka
After breakfast, visit Peradeniya Botanical Garden, one of the best botanical gardens in Asia. Stop At: Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya attracts 2 million visitors annually. It is renowned for its collection of orchids. The garden includes more than 4000 species of plants, including orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees. The total area of the botanical garden is 147 acres.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Kitulgala, Kitulgala, Sabaragamuwa Province
proceed to Kitulgala and enjoy an authentic local lunch at your resort before starting some adventure activities at the forest. Kitulgala is a major ecotourism venue in Sri Lanka. It is a real paradise for those who love adventure experiences. The activities that included in the package are river rafting, water sliding and confidence jump. At the end of all the existing adventure experiences, you will finish off the day with a delicious BBQ dinner. Here, you will stay in a nature-friendly small resort (River view air-conditioned room) but not with deluxe facilities.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: vegetarian, vegan and halal food options on request.
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Nature-friendly 2-Star Resort in Kitulgala
Day 6: NUWARA ELIYA TEA PLANTATIONS / WATERFALLS
Stop At: Pedro Tea Factory, Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka
After breakfast, After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a wonderful journey towards the Sri Lankan tea region of Nuwara Eliya. Visit a Tea Plantation, Tea and Tourism are words which cannot be separated. Take a tour to the cold & misty hills that take- pride of an ultimate tea tour, covering lush green blankets of tea plantations. Or just step into a tea factory processing the prestigious brand of Ceylon Tea, to observe a rich tradition kept alive up to date. As you observe the hissing and swishing of machines, inhaling the heavenly scent arising from these facilities, make sure to end your day in style over a perfectly blended cup of pure Ceylon Tea.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: St Clair’s Falls, Hatton-Talawakele Highway, Talawakele, Nuwara Eliya 22200 Sri Lanka
Stop At: St Clair’s Falls St. Clair’s Falls is one of the widest waterfalls in Sri Lanka and is commonly known as the “Little Niagara of Sri Lanka”. It is one of six waterfalls affected by the Upper Kotmale Hydropower Project.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Nuwara Eliya, Nuwara Eliya, Central Province
Nuwara Eliya is often referred to as “Little England” because many of the buildings in this city retain from the British colonial period, such as the Queen’s Cottage, the General’s House, the Grand Hotel, the Hill Club and the Town Post Office. Since this amazing town is located in the mountains, it’s characterized by a cool climate all year long. Afternoon, you will walk through Nuwara Eliya city centre and the fruit and vegetable market. Try some snacks around lanes filled with street-foods and bustling local eateries. Overnight stay in a modern cottage bungalow – Nuwara Eliya
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: vegetarian, vegan and halal food options on request.
Accommodation included: Overnight Stay in Unique Cottage – 3 Star or Similar
Day 7: TRAIN JOURNEY INTO THE MOUNTAIN / MINI ADAM’S PEAK
Stop At: Nanu Oya, Nanu Oya, Central Province
In the morning takes a spectacular Train Journey from Nanu-oya to Ella. It is known as one of the picturesque hill country train journey in the world ( Ticket class category is subject to availability).
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Mini Adams Peak, Ella Sri Lanka
Upon arrival to Ella gets off the Station and Pop into the Ella village. It is everyone’s favourite hill country village due to it’s a wonderful nature friendly location. Rawana waterfall is a one of the popular sightseeing attraction in Ella. It currently ranks as one of the widest falls in the country; in fact this waterfall measures approximately 25 m (82 ft). Another attraction is the Nine Arch Bridge. It is a massive bridge built entirely of- solid rocks, bricks and cement without using a single piece of steel. The bridge was finally commissioned in 1921. Ella is a great place for walking and climbing and it’s most famous hiking route is to “Little Adam’s Peak.
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: vegetarian, vegan and halal food options on request.
Accommodation included: Mount view 3-Star hotel in Ella
Day 8: RAVANA WATERFALL / TISSAMAHARAMA
Stop At: Ravana Ella Falls, Ella-Wellawaya Road, Ella 90090 Sri Lanka
After breakfast, you’ll depart from Ella to Yala. En-route you will visit Ravana waterfall, one of the most popular sightseeing attractions in Ella. Visit Ravana waterfalls and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Tissamaharama, Tissamaharama, Southern Province
Thereafter, drive towards Yala National Park, the largest and most stunning national park in Sri Lanka. Thanks to a river running through it, Yala National Park is divided into two sections. Because the river makes crossing to the other side difficult, Yala is really treated as two separate parks. But that doesn’t change the fantastic offerings! Encompassing a range of diverse ecosystems, the park has an impressive variety of wildlife, including sloth bears, leopards and lots of colourful birds. Enjoy a 4×4 jeep ride searching for leopards hanging on trees or whispering through the bushes, crocodiles patrolling the river or wild elephants drinking water and playing around under the evening sunset. Overnight stay in a safari lodge – Yala
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: vegetarian, vegan and halal food options on request.
• Dinner: vegetarian, vegan and halal food options on request.
Accommodation included: 3-Star Safari Resort in Tissamaharama
Day 9: IT’S TIME FOR THE BEACH
Stop At: Mirissa Beach, Mirissa 81740 Sri Lanka
After a fantastic journey through the mountains and waterfalls, you have finally arrived at the world-famous beachside of Sri Lanka. Mirissa/Dickwella is a delightful sandy beach that was a well-kept secret in the past, but now more restaurants and pubs are opening up to visitors. It is also characterized by white sands and coconut palms growing right from the edge of the sea as if in imitation of a postcard of the perfect tropical beach. Upon arrival at your hotel, you may grab a towel to relax on the beach while enjoying a cocktail or a chill beer under the shade of a beach umbrella. Overnight stay in a cosy seafront hotel – Mirissa/Dickwella
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
• Breakfast: vegetarian, vegan and halal food options on request.
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Seafront 3-Star Beach Hotel
Day 10: CURRY COOKING CLASS / LEISURE DAY
Stop At: Mirissa Beach, Mirissa 81740 Sri Lanka
In the morning, experience a local cookery demonstration. Traditional Sri Lanka foods are very delicious and world-famous, but cooking it yourself adds yet another dimension to the experience. You will discover the unique flavours of the local cuisine while learning about traditional Sri Lankan’s culture and cooking secrets. Overnight stay in a cosy seafront hotel – Mirissa/Dickwella
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Mirissa Beach, Mirissa 81740 Sri Lanka
Afternoon, experience a local cookery demonstration. Traditional Sri Lanka foods are very delicious and world-famous, but cooking it yourself adds yet another dimension to the experience. You will discover the unique flavours of the local cuisine while learning about traditional Sri Lankan’s culture and cooking secrets. Overnight stay in a cosy seafront hotel – Mirissa/Dickwella
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: vegan and halal food options on request.
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Seafront 3-Star Beach Hotel
Day 11: HISTORIC GALLE FORT / MADU RIVER
Stop At: Galle, Galle, Galle District, Southern Province
After breakfast, your tour leader will drive you along the southwest coast towards Galle, a city well known for its Fort (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE). It is the intersection where classic Dutch and British architecture meets a tropical setting, creating a vivid atmosphere in beauty. Walkthrough the streets listening to the creaks of wooden saloon doors and observe how European architecture mingles with South Asian traditions nowadays flooding cultural enthusiasts on a global scale. Historical Galle Lighthouse stands proudly on the southeast tip of the fort.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Madu River, Nilwala River Safari, Bridge View, Custom Road, Balapitiya , Sri Lanka 941906362 Call And Contact, Balapitiya 80550 Sri Lanka
Next: Madu River Safari is a relaxing trip with plenty of interesting things to see. You will pass dozens of tiny islands forested with mangroves, and you will view old temples and watch the locals cultivating cinnamon. Madu River is Srilanka’s second largest wetland and it consists of 64 islands including two main islands.
Enjoy your evening leisurely at your beachfront hotel in Hikkaduwa/Bentota, vibrant tourist destinations setting calm along the southern coast of Srilanka. Overnight stay in a beach resort – Bentota
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Bentota Beach, Bentota 80500 Sri Lanka
Enjoy your evening leisurely at your beachfront hotel at Bentota/Hikkaduwa, vibrant tourist destinations sitting calm along the southern coast of Sri Lanka.
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: vegetarian, vegan and halal food options on request.
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Seafront 4-Star Beach Resort
Day 12: COLOMBO CITY TOUR / AIRPORT DROP
Stop At: Colombo City Centre, 137 Sir James Pieris Mawatha, Colombo 00200 Sri Lanka
After breakfast, you’ll visit Sri Lanka’s capital city of Colombo, which has an interesting history running back to the fifth century. Even in ancient times, this was an important port city in the East-West sea trade. Nowadays it has become a bustling modern town with a unique atmosphere. The colourful streets, restaurants and modern shopping malls attract hordes of locals and tourists alike. At Colombo, you have the opportunity to visit the most highlighted places in the city and also do some last-minute shopping as well. Perhaps, you may intend to pop into a famous and internationally renowned restaurant in Colombo to end your trip over an unforgettable meal.
Duration: 4 hours
Pass By: Colombo, Colombo, Western Province
Thereafter, proceed to the airport in time for the flight or we’ll drop to your hotel in Colombo/ Negombo to end this wonderful tour across the Island.
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
