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Fascinating discoveries on a journey around Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Grand

Sri Lanka · West Coast Sri Lanka · Negombo

The grand tour of Sri Lanka takes you to some of the island’s most important historic sites, including Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya, as well as to remarkable natural landscapes such as Horton Plains and Sinharaja Rainforest. Discover the island’s cultural diversity, fascinating temple ruins and vibrant natural world on a varied journey.

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Sri Lanka Grand – Standard Hotels

11 nights, From 3 persons: double room, half board
from $1,203

Sri Lanka Grand – Superior Hotels

11 nights, From 3 persons: double room, half board
from $1,507

Sri Lanka Grand – Deluxe Hotels

11 nights, From 3 persons: double room, half board
from $1,564

Sri Lanka Grand in detail

Hotel

Day 1: NEGOMBO

Meet and transfer from Negombo Airport (around 40 kilometres north of the capital, Colombo) to your hotel. In the afternoon, visit this former Dutch garrison town, founded in 1672, and see the remains of its famous fort. In the evening, enjoy a drink at sunset by the sea at one of the many beach restaurants. Overnight in Negombo. (No meals)

Day 2: NEGOMBO – ANURADHAPURA

(Around 170 km, around 4 hours)

After breakfast, set off for Anuradhapura, Ceylon’s ancient royal capital, dating back to the 4th century BC. The city remained the country’s religious and political centre until around 1000 AD. Today, visit the remains and ruins of the palaces, monasteries and monuments of that era, as well as the dagobas of ancient Anuradhapura. Also not to be missed is the world-famous Bodhi Tree, a poplar-leaved fig said to have grown around 2,300 years ago from a branch of the tree in Bodhgaya, India, beneath which Buddha attained enlightenment. Overnight in Anuradhapura. (Meals: breakfast, dinner)

Day 3: ANURADHAPURA – SIGIRIYA

(Around 75 km, around 1.5 hours)

After breakfast, drive to Habarana. On the way, visit one of Sri Lanka’s oldest Buddhist sites: Mihintale, around seven kilometres outside the city on Mount Mahinda, where Buddhism began in Sri Lanka. A dagoba dating from the 2nd century BC bears witness to this period. In the afternoon, walk to Hiriwaduna, a village of around 2,500 people, and explore the surrounding fields and woodland. Experience local life, flora and fauna as you wade through small streams. Farmers may invite you to ride in an ox cart or travel in an outrigger boat. After around 2–2.5 hours, drive to the hotel. Overnight in Sigiriya. (Meals: breakfast, dinner)

Day 4: SIGIRIYA

Early in the morning, climb the world-famous Sigiriya Rock. Follow the rock face past the colourful murals of the “Cloud Maidens” to the 200-metre-high plateau, where you can explore the remains of King Kassapa’s fortress, built in the 5th century AD. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding hills and forests. Then drive to the hotel. In the afternoon, visit the ancient royal city of Polonnaruwa, dating from the 12th century AD. Explore the archaeological park, with its many remains of dwellings, palace and garden complexes, and some well-preserved stupas and temples. You will also see the four Buddha statues carved into the rock at Gal Vihara, including the “Sleeping Buddha”. A safari in Minneriya National Park is available as an optional extra today, payable locally. Overnight in Sigiriya. (Meals: breakfast, dinner)

Day 5: SIGIRIYA – KANDY

(Around 90 km, around 3 hours)

Leave the hotel in the morning for Kandy, capital of the last Sinhalese kingdom until 1815. Just before arriving, visit the Dambulla cave temples, reached via an easy climb to an altitude of around 160 metres. This former retreat of King Walagamba contains countless Buddhist murals, sculptures and statues. On the way, visit the enchanting spice garden in Matale, where you can also buy local products in a small shop. Arrive at your hotel in the afternoon, then visit the Temple of the Tooth, Sri Dalada Maligawa, which houses a tooth of Buddha in a golden shrine. This is still a place of pilgrimage and a monastery. If you are lucky, you may see the shrine during a ceremony, though the tooth itself is never displayed. In the evening, attend a performance by Kandy dancers. Overnight in Kandy. (Meals: breakfast, dinner)

Day 6: TREKKING IN THE KNUCKLES

(Around 5–6 hours, starting and ending in Kandy)

Set off early in the morning for the Knuckles Range, a mountainous region east of Kandy. Also known as the Misty Mountains, this area is easy to explore on foot. Dense banks of mist often drift through the mountains, making the forest animals seem to transform into spirits, their sounds muffled and mysterious, as if coming from nowhere. The path winds through dense trees, at times forming a tunnel, before climbing to a viewpoint with lovely panoramic views over the lowlands. A reasonable level of fitness is required. The walk usually takes 30–40 minutes. A longer trek (6–7 hours) with a professional trekking guide can be booked locally for an additional charge, subject to availability. After returning to the vehicle, drive back to Kandy. In the afternoon, browse the markets and indoor shopping arcades in the city centre, passing typical colonial-era buildings and winding lanes between the clock tower and the Temple of the Tooth, right beside Kandy Lake. Overnight in Kandy. (Meals: breakfast, dinner)

Day 7: KANDY – NUWARA ELIYA

(Around 150 km, around 4 hours; partly along winding mountain roads)

In the morning, visit the Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya, dating from 1371. Among other sights, you can see flying foxes and what is probably the world’s second-largest tree: a Java fig covering around 1,600 square metres. Then drive to the tea plantations near Nuwara Eliya and visit a tea factory. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya. (Meals: breakfast for Standard and Deluxe categories; breakfast and dinner for the Superior category)

Day 8: NUWARA ELIYA – HORTON PLAINS – BANDARAWELA (TRAIN)

Horton Plains National Park is a World Heritage Site, offering walkers an exceptional diversity of flora and fauna. At altitudes of up to 2,500 metres, the walk takes around 5–6 hours and leads into a remote area whose ecosystem has evolved in near isolation over millions of years. Most of the island’s rivers also rise in these highlands. This is an extraordinary nature experience, and you will need to set off early today. After lunch, drive to Nanu Oya and take the famous “Toy Train” to Ella in second class. On arrival, your driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Bandarawela. Overnight in Bandarawela. (Meals: breakfast)

Day 9: BANDARAWELA – UDAWALAWE

(Around 85 km, around 3 hours without the walk)

This morning, enjoy an easy trek to Little Adam’s Peak (1–1.5 hours). It is named after the sacred Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada, where the footprint of Lord Buddha is preserved), due to the resemblance between the two mountains. This beautiful walk through the rolling countryside culminates in magnificent views from the 1,141-metre summit. Walk through tea plantations and past waterfalls, and perhaps practise your Sinhala with farmers in the fields. Then drive to Udawalawe National Park, where you will enjoy a three- to four-hour game drive through this beautiful nature reserve. With a little luck, you may spot crocodiles, elephants, deer, water buffalo and many birds. Overnight near Udawalawe National Park. (Meals: breakfast, dinner)

Day 10: UDAWALAWE – SINHARAJA

Around 50 km, around 2.5 hours

After breakfast, drive to Sinharaja Rainforest. A walk of around four hours takes you into a hilly rainforest area. Your local guide will introduce you to the remarkable diversity of plant life and the many small creatures of the forest, such as chameleons, insects, snails, snakes and birds. It is an enlightening day, with time also to explore at your own pace, as you will be staying close to the national park. (Meals: breakfast, dinner)

Day 11: SINHARAJA – GALLE

(Around 70 km, around 3 hours)

Arrive in Galle around midday. This former Portuguese garrison town was the island’s most important port in the 16th century, until the British took over in the 18th century. Stroll through the old town, with its many small shops and restaurants, browse the market quarter and admire the impressive Galle Fort. The far-reaching views over the sea and city leave a lasting impression. Overnight in Galle. (Meals: breakfast)

Day 12: GALLE – NEGOMBO

(Around 160 km, around 3 hours)

After breakfast, depart for Colombo Airport or your hotel on the west coast, or continue with your onward programme. (Meals: breakfast)

Programme subject to change.

Arrival

Additional information

Hotel rooms at a glance

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    From 2 persons: double room

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    From 3 persons: double room

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    1 person: single room

  • Picture will follow shortly

    From 2 persons: single room

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    From 3 persons: single room

Location

Sri Lanka Grand
Sri Lanka, West Coast Sri Lanka, Negombo
Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport (CMB)
approx. 128 km / 154 min

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