Splendours of Ceylon,
8 Days
Starting and ending in Colombo, the “Splendours Of Ceylon” tour is a guided cultural, religious and historic sites tour that takes 8 days. You will travel through Wilpattu National Park, Nuwara Eliya, Polonnaruwa and 7 other destinations in Sri Lanka. “Splendours Of Ceylon” is a group tour which includes accommodation in hotels, transport and others.
Day 1, Colombo
Welcome to Sri Lanka! Look out for the Travel Talk sign at Colombo International Airport for the private arrival shuttle to your hotel Meet in the hotel lobby around 7 pm for an informal welcome meeting with your group and guide. Feel free to explore Colombo at your own pace until then. After the meeting, head out to a local restaurant for an optional tour group dinner and get to know your new travel mates!
Day 2, Wilpaattu National Park
Grab yourself a window seat and get ready to head off the beaten track as we head north towards one of Sri Lanka’s biggest reserves, the Wilpattu National Park! Wilpattu has earned its name ‘Land of Lakes’ thanks to the serene natural bodies of water that cover the vast park. Jump in the Jeep and keep your eyes peeled for a healthy population of Sri Lankan Leopards, elephants, sloth bears, spotted deer, mongoose, and water buffalo throughout an included safari! You might even get the chance to watch on while predators and prey make the ultimate fight for survival and mother nature takes its course! After an action-packed day of safari, put your feet up at your hotel in Anuradhapura.
Day 3, Anuradhapura-Sigiriya
After breakfast, follow your guide to the ancient city of Anuradhapura to learn about one of the greatest and oldest civilizations in the world! Once home to 113 kings over 1,300 years, the ancient capital city showcases some of Sri Lanka’s richest and most fascinating history. Hear stories of the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree and visit the Uwanwelisaya stupa, Samadhi Buddha statue and Isurumuniya Rock Temple with your guide. In the afternoon, put on your hiking shoes for a trek up to the Ancient Ritigala Monastery. Nestled within the dense and lush forest of northern Sri Lanka’s highest mountain, Mt Ritigala lays the ruins of the forest monastery dating back thousands of years. Get your camera ready because the views from the summit are some of Sri Lanka’s best! Finish up a big day in the north at your 5-star Forest Hotel in Sigiriya.
Day 4, Sigiriya-Polonnaruwa
Fill up on breakfast for the big day ahead! First up, a visit to the Ancient Kingdom of Polonnaruwa for an included bicycle tour with your local guide. The sheer size of Polonnaruwa is enormous, making a bicycle the best way to explore. Visit its UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites, including Gal Viharaya or “Rock Temple” where you will see four colossal statues of the Buddha cut into the stone and plenty of ancient palaces and royal baths. In the evening, visit the Minneriya National Park to witness the incredible migration of over 300 elephants! Park your Jeep on the bank of the reservoir, switch off the engine and watch carefully as herds of elephants – one by one – roll onto the grass-covered banks to feed. The park is famed for hosting some of the largest elephant gatherings in the world regularly and is truly a magnet for wildlife enthusiasts across the globe.
Day 5, Dambulla-Kandy-Nuwara Eliya
This morning we’ll make our way to Dambulla, a city treasured by many kings since the 1st century to visit the iconic Royal Cave Temple and Golden Temple of Dambulla. These unique cave structures host magnificent drawings and cave paintings with fascinating stories that shape Sri Lankan history. Listen carefully as your guide explains. Next up, we’ll transfer to the city of Kandy to visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth. Last ruled by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe – before it was brought under British rule in 1815, Kandy crafts an array of culture, history and heritage in the minds of visitors worldwide. Take a stroll through the small lakeside town – cradled among the misty hills – and shop the bazaars, an arts & crafts centre, and fresh fruit and vegetable markets. Tonight we’ll sleep in 5-star comfort at our hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
Day 6, Nuwara Eliya-Horton Plains
Prepare for plenty of ‘oh wow’ moments in the central highlands of Sri Lanka! Today, we’ll head towards the Horton Plains National Park to trek the endless stretches of green pastures at this eco-tourism hideout! Sitting at an altitude of 7,000ft, the plateau is covered in flora and fauna varieties that may be found nowhere else on Earth. Along the trek, watch out for the thundering Bakers Falls, and catch a glimpse of the ‘World’s End’ lookout. Then make the most of an included Jeep Safari across the plains – watch out for Sambar Deer, Wild Boar, Otters and the beloved Sri Lankan Leopard. In the late afternoon, enjoy free time back in Nuwara Eliya to wander through the countryside.
Day 7, Nuwara Eliya-Colombo
A trip to Sri Lanka wouldn’t be complete without a visit to its famed Tea Plantations! Take a tour of the cold and misty hills blanketed with lush green tea plants and tour the factories as they process the prestigious brand of Ceylon Tea. Inhale the heavenly scent arising from these facilities, and then try the perfect blend of pure Ceylon tea! Then, make your way back to the commercial capital of Sri Lanka – Colombo. This afternoon you’ll enjoy a Panoramic City Tour through the clean streets edging the crystal white Racecourse, then visit the neighbourhood of Pettah – famous for its open-air floating markets and bazaars. Check out the city’s Independence Square and then finish up in Sri Lanka’s trendiest part of town with time for a quick shop for last-minute souvenirs and designer goods. The rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to explore the bustling metropolitan city!
Day 8, Colombo
All great things must come to an end! Today, we say our farewells to new travel mates over one last breakfast at the hotel. Check out of the hotel and feel free to explore the city at your own pace until the airport departure shuttle.