Sri Lanka Highlights (Fixed Departure)

The start of your adventurous holiday in Sri Lanka, just ease into it. Depending on what time you arrive, it really is up to you to decide what you would like to do on your brief stop here. You may fancy lingering on the beach or if you choose to venture out, Hotel Road teems with bars and seafood restaurants to check out.

Today will be your day to climb the Sigiriya Rock by early evening – a highlight of Sri Lanka tourism. The remains of gigantic sculptured lion paws will greet you at the start of the climb. You will ascend 600 metres to reach the zenith of the Lion Rock where you will be struck by the panoramic view and vantage point for a king. The foundations of what once housed a gathering hall, sleeping quarters – remain to be admired. There is the Mirror Wall which features the Sigiriya frescoes that are unfortunately fading. On descending, you will enjoy walking by once landscaped gardens with their own irrigation systems.

Veiled in the early morning chill and mist, you will head out to climb the Pidurangala Rock. At its zenith, you will be drawn by the unique view of Sigiriya’s ‘Lion Rock’ and the surrounding pristine splendour of the forest. Another treat for you to explore here: the remains of a monastery dating back to 2 BC.
The UNESCO World Heritage City of Polonnaruwa, with its ruins in a resplendent state of preservation, was the Capital of Sri Lanka from 11th to 13th century. The ancient city defended by enclosing walls, is dotted with palaces, shrines, monasteries, pavilions, parks, ponds and irrigation lakes. The Gal Vihara temple complex, cut from a single granite wall, consists of statues of the recumbent, standing and seated Buddha and ranks among the masterpieces of Sri Lankan Art.

Leaving the Cultural Triangle, the Cave Temple of Dambulla is an epic site, housing impressive mural paintings and 157 statues including a 47 foot long statue of the recumbent Buddha. The UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts of the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka.

Then to Kandy, a gem to see on a tour to Sri Lanka: home to Sri Dalada Maligawa which dates back to the 16th century, The complex is made up of numerous buildings, decorated with paintings and carvings depicting Buddha. We will go to the temple right in time to see the most important evening ritual done as an offering to the sacred tooth relic.

Sightseeing this quaint town will be peaked by your visit to a tea factory. With incredible dexterity and speed, versatile women pluck tea leaves filling up their tea sacks every day. At the tea factory, you will see the entire process of how tea is made from scratch, from tea bush to teapot.

In the factory, with an expert tea maker, you will go through the entire tea-making process: from withering to grading. Similar to wine tasting, tea tasting is an art and at the end of the process, you will be guided to attempt tasting some of the tea varieties.

You will have about 3 hours of non-stop wanderlust when taking the Nanuoya to Demodara train journey. Regardless of the ticket you opt for, do walk through the carriages and meet the locals and other fellow travellers – you will be pleasantly surprised by the interaction you have. Like a film reel, you will seemingly transition through wondrous hills where tea pickers will be at work on the tea plantations, wave back to the school kids at railway crossings waiting for the train to pass. After passing Ella Station, the train will traverse the famous nine arch bridge built entirely with stones, before you get down at the Demodara Railway Station.

It’s Safari Time! Brace yourself for a full day guided safari in Yala National Park with a picnic breakfast. Your lunch will be brought in by our support vehicle. Yala National Park, situated in the southeast region of the country, covers almost 1000 sq km – a landscape blessed with Leopards & the Sloth Bears – the stars here. Also the Park is also home to the large herds of majestic elephants as well as to the spotted deer, sambar, wild boar, wild buffalo,jackal and mongoose. Watch out for the fantastic birdlife too. Over 215 species of birds have been recorded in Yala, with six being endemic to Sri Lanka. A night walk after dinner in the vicinity of the campsite will give you a chance to see and hear the nocturnal life, in the wilderness of Yala.

Galle is a picture book UNESCO heritage city that will mesmerise you with its many charms. Depending on what time you reach your hotel, you can relax here with the sea breeze, or venture on a walk into the city. Galle Fort itself spans 90 acres overlooking the ocean. Your guide will be happy to accompany you and show you the Meeran Mosque, the Fort Lighthouse, the Dutch Reformed Church, restaurants, live music bars and quaint houses on cobblestone streets. Galle boasts of a museum you may like to visit, that offers an interesting historical insight of its past. There is also the Dutch Market and numerous spice shops to see.

Depending on when you tour in Sri Lanka, you will leave early by 6-6:30am to go whale watching from the Mirissa harbour. This is an exciting adventure when you may sight Blue whales and Bottle-nosed dolphins. Or, you will go on the
Galle Cinnamon Experience; an interactive tour which gives you a sense of a cinnamon farmer’s life – visiting a beautiful, working cinnamon estate. Another option: you will take a walk in historical Galle Fort during your stay in Sri Lanka. Your guide will take you to local restaurants and craft shops where you’ll find batiks, brassware and jewellery.

We’ve reached the end of your 9-night holiday to Sri Lanka and it is time to depart. You will be taken to Colombo Airport in time to catch your departure flight.