Days
14
Price from
Savour tea and sacred cities on the ‘Teardop Isle’
Sri Lanka has just about everything a traveller could want – superb ancient sites, magnificent scenery, amazing wildlife, delicious cuisine, incredibly welcoming people and palm-fringed, white sandy beaches. Add to this a history touched by Portuguese, Dutch and British influences and a society with a strong and devout adherence to the Buddhist faith and we find an island-nation of incredibly rich diversity with much to offer. We discover all of this and more on a comprehensive journey of what has been affectionately called, due to its shape, the 'Teardrop Isle'.
- Start
- Seeduwa, Sri Lanka
- Finish
- Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Destination
- Sri Lanka
- Style
- Peregrine
- Code
- PISJ
- Physical rating
- Trip rating
- 16 reviews
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 12
Peregrine trips are now operated by Intrepid Travel
Why you'll love this trip
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Climb the narrow steps that wind around the cliff-carved rock fortress of Sigiriya, emerging triumphant at the world’s oldest landscaped gardens that sit 200 metres high.
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Sip on fresh Ceylon tea in Nuwara Eliya, tasting lovely brews with even lovelier views of rolling, evergreen hillside.
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Search for crocodiles, elephants, monkeys and buffaloes under cover of darkness during an evening safari tour of Yala National Park.
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With a history touched by Portuguese, Dutch and British influences and a society with a devout adherence to the Buddhist faith, this island-nation has incredible diversity.
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With included trips to key sites and plenty of free time to discover Sri Lanka yourself, this trip is the perfect balance between guidance and space.
Is this trip right for you?
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Though its equatorial position means fairly constant temperatures, the summer months in Sri Lanka are very hot with short, sharp monsoons in the southwest. Be sure to use adequate sun protection and drink plenty of water.
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The Rock Fortress – or Lion Rock – of Sigiriya is spectacular. However, those with a fear of (or even an aversion to) heights may wish to sit the excursion out. Scaling the rock involved walking up lots of rough, narrow steps and tight walkways.
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There are a couple of long travel days on this trip. Journeys may take up to five hours, but are a great opportunity to get to know locals, fellow travellers and the diverse scenery.
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Tourism in Sri Lanka is booming, resulting in a huge increase in visitors to Yala National Park. Overtourism and lack of sustainable management practices are of major concern to Peregrine, so in order to reduce our impact on wildlife and the environment we are trialling visits in a less-touristed section of the park known as Block 5 or Veheragala. If we determine that Block 5 is also too crowded to visit responsibly, we will change our itinerary to visit Udawalawe National Park and Bundala National Park. Udawalawe is home to wild elephants, wild buffalo, sambar deer and leopards. Bundala is home to crocodiles and birds.This is the same itinerary we follow from September to mid-October when Yala National Park is closed annually for infrastructure development and rejuvenation.
Gallery
Itinerary
Welcome to Sri Lanka. Upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (the country's main international airport), you'll be met and transferred to your hotel close to Negombo, which is situated north of Colombo. Meet your leader and fellow travellers during a welcome meeting at around 6 pm.
Accommodation
- Vivanta Colombo or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Special Information
The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through us. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel.
Rise early this morning for a visit to the Negombo fish market. Morning is the best time to visit the market, which is a picture of organised frenzy as vendors display delicacies like crab, lobsters, shark and squid. Bid farewell to Negombo and continue by private vehicle (approximately 4.5 hours) to the ancient city of Sigiriya. In the late afternoon, head out for one of the highlights of any visit to Sri Lanka, a visit to the magnificent palace of Sigiriya (Lion Rock). This dramatic rocky outcrop, rising from the surrounding plains is topped by a ruined palace. It's a good workout to climb to the top, but well worth the effort. Afterwards, it's a 30 minute drive to Dambulla, where you'll spend your next three nights.
Accommodation
- Jetwing Lake Dambulla (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Sigiriya - Lion Rock Fortress Visit
- Negombo - Fish market
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
The visit to Lion Rock takes around 3.5 hours in total. Depart from Negombo in the late afternoon and arrive at the Lion's Paw entrance gate after about 1.5 hours. From the Lion's Paw there is a steep, 30-minute climb over often narrow walkways and steps to reach all of the points of interest at the site. Those who do not want to climb can wait at the Lion's Paw until the rest of the group return. You must climb in order to access sites like the water garden, boulder garden, frescoes and the mirror wall.
Drive to Anuradhapura in a private vehicle after breakfast this morning (approximately 1.5 hours). The sacred city of Anuradhapura is one of the main shrines of Buddhism in the country. Take a walk through intricate monuments and amazing architecture. While here you witness the famous sacred fig tree, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. Also see Isurumuniya, a beautiful Buddhist temple nearby. After your visit to this ancient city, head back to Sigiriya. Your evening is then free to do as you wish in Dambulla.
Accommodation
- Jetwing Lake Dambulla (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Anuradhapura - Bodhi Tree Temple
- Anuradhapura - World Heritage Site of ancient kingdom ruins
- Anuradhapura - Isurumuniya Temple
Meals Included
- Breakfast
After breakfast, journey by private vehicle out to another of the area's ancient landmarks in Polonnaruwa (approximately 1.5 hours each way). There are plenty of temples, tombs and stupas to discover, as well as the spectacular Quadrangle. Later in the afternoon, head back to Dambulla for a final evening, where you may like to enjoy a refreshing drink by the peaceful lake.
Accommodation
- Jetwing Lake Dambulla (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Polonnaruwa - Site of ancient ruins
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Make the short drive to Dambulla Caves Temple this morning and explore this magnificent cave complex. The World Heritage-listed monastery has been a pilgrimage site for 22 centuries and for good reason. In the afternoon, venture out in your private vehicle to Kandy (approximately 2.5 hours). You'll also visit a spice garden in Matale on the way. On arrival, check in to your hotel and head out to explore.
Accommodation
- Ozo Kandy or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Matale - Spice Garden
- Dambulla - Cave Temples
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Though it’s the second-largest city in the country and capital of the central hill regions, Kandy is tranquil and beautiful. In the morning, take a guided tour of the Royal Botanical Garden with a botanist. As well as 300 species of orchids, there are a number of bird species in the park, including the Yellow Fronted Barbet, Layards Parakeet, Sri Lankan Hanging Parrot and Brown Capped Babbler. You will also pay a visit to the gem museum and lapidary, where you can learn about the history of gem mining in Sri Lanka. At some point today you will be welcomed into the home of a local dancer to watch a cultural performance in an intimate environment. Capping off a day full of treasures is an evening visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa). Located in the heart of town, this is the most important shrine in the country, housing a relic of a tooth of Buddha taken from his funeral pyre.
Accommodation
- Ozo Kandy or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Kandy - Botanical Gardens
- Kandy - Temple of the Tooth
- Kandy - Private cultural dance performance
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast in Kandy and then board a 3.5-hour morning train bound for Nuwara Eliya. Nestled even deeper into tea plantation country, Nuwara Eliya sits at an elevation of 1800 metres, making it one of the coolest regions in Sri Lanka. The cool clime made it a favourite with the English and the Scots during the colonial-era, and remnants of this past can be seen in the sculpted gardens and manor homes that still decorate the city. This afternoon, indulge in the classic British past time of high tea, tasting a cup or two of the local teas and enjoying some finger food.
Accommodation
- The Golden Ridge Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Nuwara Eliya - High Tea
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
TRAIN TICKETSTrain tickets from Kandy to Haputale are in very high demand, especially over high season (December - April, and August).While we always try our best to secure tickets, on the rare occasion that we cannot you will be provided with a private vehicle.
Make a visit to the Pedro Tea Estate. Built in 1885, the plantation still features some original pieces of machinery. Experience the work that goes into the humble cup and enjoy sampling some brews. After an included lunch, your day is free to spend at your leisure. Perhaps head to Victoria Park for a relaxing stroll around a mixture of wild and sculpted plant life.
Accommodation
- The Golden Ridge Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Nuwara Eliya - Pedro Tea Estate visit
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Transfer to Kataragama. On the way there, make a stop at a beautiful small town in the highlands, Ella. Here, visit Ella Gap which offers beautiful vistas out across the plains. In the evening, head to Yala National Park, Sri Lanka's premier wildlife reserve. Here you board a 4x4 and embark on a safari. There's a good chance of spotting crocodiles, elephants, monkeys and buffaloes. When it's all over, retire to your resort to relax and unwind.
Accommodation
- Grand Tamarind Lake or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Yala/Udawalawe National Park - Wildlife safari
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Special Information
From September to mid October the Wildlife Conservation Department of Sri Lanka close Yala National Park for the development of infrastructure as well as for plant and wildlife rejuvination. Today we instead go on a jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park. Udawalawe is home to wild elephants, wild buffalo, sambar deer and leopards.
Today you will enjoy another safari in Yala National Park. Perhaps take the chance to do some birdwatching; Yala is home to some 215 bird species, including the Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon, Painted Stork and Crimson-fronted Barbet. If Yala is closed today, the group will visit Bundala National Park instead.
Accommodation
- Grand Tamarind Lake or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Yala/Udawalawe National Park - Wildlife safari
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Special Information
From September to mid October the Wildlife Conservation Department of Sri Lanka close Yala National Park for the development of infrastructure as well as for plant and wildlife rejuvination. During this time our jeep safari will be in Bundala National Park. Bundala National Park is home to elephants, crocodiles, monkeys, and wild boar.
Take an optional visit Kataragama Temple in the morning to see the shrine that's dedicated to Kataragama Deviyo (resident god). Later we will transfer to Galle, a beautiful seaside town near Sri Lanka's southermost tip. Settle into your hotel, and perhaps stretch your legs with a stroll around a town considered the best preserved colonial town in Sri Lanka. At its core is a Dutch-built fort surrounded on three sides by the ocean but there's a trove of ancient mosques and churches, museums, boutiques and more. Between the months of November to April, whale watching is also a possibility in this area. If you have time in the day, pay a visit to the Handunugoda white tea plantation for a lesson in history and process.
Accommodation
- Pinnacle Boutique Villas or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Kataragama - Kataragama Temple - Free
Meals Included
- Breakfast
The morning and afternoon are yours to explore this charming town. There are a few options if you wish to add some structure to your day. Perhaps visit a cinnamon plantation 20 minutes outside of Galle to learn about the process of making the spice. Birders may wish to explore the Hiyare Rainforest Reservoir, also about 20 minutes from Galle. As always, speak to your knowledgeable leader for information on how to book or access these optional activities. In the evening, take a guided walk through this historic town.
Accommodation
- Pinnacle Boutique Villas or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Galle - Galle Fort Walking tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
An afternoon transfer from Galle will leave enough time for you to take a guided tour of Sri Lanka's capital city. Stop by some of the city's main sights on a bus tour including Independence Square, Parliament, and past the National Museum, finishing with a shopping opportunity for a good cause at the Barefoot Fairtrade Store. Here you can find a collection of handicrafts from around the country and support small cottage industries. If you are lucky enough to be in Colombo on a Saturday, visit Good Market, a local market full of stalls showcasing social enterprises and responsible businesses. After your tour, you will have the option to head out for a final dinner with your group.
Accommodation
- Jetwing Colombo Seven or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Colombo - City tour by bus
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to stay on in Colombo, we can help arrange additional accommodation for you on request. Why not soak up all that Colombo has to offer on an immersive one-day Urban Adventure tour? Visit www.urbanadventues.com for more details.
Optional Activities
- Colombo - Colombo by Tuk Tuk Urban Adventure - USD55
- Colombo - Eat, Eat, Repeat Urban Adventure - USD55
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
13 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinnersTransport
Private vehicle, Safari Vehicle, Taxi, TrainAccommodation
Comfortable Hotel (10 nights), Feature Stay in Dambulla (3 nights)Included Activities
- Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
- Sigiriya - Lion Rock Fortress Visit
- Negombo - Fish market
- Anuradhapura - Bodhi Tree Temple
- Anuradhapura - World Heritage Site of ancient kingdom ruins
- Anuradhapura - Isurumuniya Temple
- Polonnaruwa - Site of ancient ruins
- Matale - Spice Garden
- Dambulla - Cave Temples
- Kandy - Botanical Gardens
- Kandy - Temple of the Tooth
- Kandy - Private cultural dance performance
- Nuwara Eliya - High Tea
- Nuwara Eliya - Pedro Tea Estate visit
- Yala/Udawalawe National Park - Wildlife safari
- Galle - Galle Fort Walking tour
- Colombo - City tour by bus
Essential trip information
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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