Delhi to Colombo - 15 days

FROM USD $2,778

Combine the incredible sites of India's Golden Triangle with Sri Lanka's ancient ruins, verdant jungles, cool mountains and amazing wildlife. Explore the ethereal Taj Mahal and pink city of Jaipur, Dambulla's rock temple and Kandy's Elephant Orphanage, sip pure Ceylon tea and discover the bustling city of Colombo.

Day 1: Delhi
Saturday. Upon arrival into Delhi, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to relax or independently explore this bustling capital. Overnight - Delhi
Day 2: Old Delhi
This morning, our Welcome Meeting takes place. We’ll then enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Delhi, taking in the impressive Red Fort, Jama Masjid - India’s oldest and largest mosque, Raj Ghat - the site of Gandhi’s cremation and more. Tonight, we enjoy a group Namaste Dinner at a restaurant specialising in classic Indian cuisine. Overnight - Delhi (B, D)
Delhi to Colombo - 15 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
The iconic Taj Mahal in Agra
Day 3: Taj Mahal
Delhi - Agra. Departing Delhi, we journey to Agra, once India’s Mughal capital. Here, we visit the impressive Agra Fort, which boasts some of India's finest Mughal buildings behind it's fortified walls. Later on we take a motorised buggy to the legendary Taj Mahal and witness a magical sunset. Built by Shah Jahan in the 16th century as an enduring memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz. Built entirely of white marble, the Taj Mahal has no peers. Overnight - Agra (B)
A group of travellers at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the winds) in Jaipur
Day 4: Agra
Agra - Jaipur. En route to Jaipur, we visit the ghostly former Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, abandoned due to lack of water. As we get closer to Jaipur we stop for a tasty lunch and visit Chandra Haveli, a charming haveli (mansion house) with small courtyard, lawned gardens and rustic appeal carefully being restored to the splendour of better farming years (if open, currently under renovation till Dec 2012). Once in Jaipur, we visit a cotton trading/tailor shop where you can get clothing tailored for delivery to your hotel before we leave! Overnight - Jaipur (B, L)
An early morning balloon flight over the pink city of Jaipur
Day 5: Jaipur
Maybe opt for an early morning balloon flight over the pink city of Jaipur. Look out for the snake charmers that dot our route, as we travel to the 16th century Amber Fort. An exotic elephant ride transports us to the lofty fort, where we’ll enjoy a tour of this Rajput extravaganza. Later in the afternoon we tour the City Palace, which boasts an interesting museum of regal attire and Jantar Mantar, an ancient astronomical observatory. Overnight - Jaipur (B)
Day 6: Village life, rural India
Jaipur - Surajgarh/ Shekhawati region. Today, we drive to the semi-desert Shekhawati region. The small towns in this region became important trading posts, a lasting legacy of which are the beautiful painted havelis (mansions) constructed by wealthy merchants in the 18th and 19th centuries. Afternoon village walk and time to relax. Overnight - Surajgarh (B, D)
Aromatic colourful spices can be found everywhere in India
Day 7: Surajgarh to Delhi
Shekhawati region - Delhi. Returning to Delhi, the latter part of the afternoon is free for you to relax or independently explore more of Delhi. Overnight - Delhi (B)
Day 8: Delhi to Colombo
Delhi - Colombo. Our tour of India concludes today. Transfer to Delhi airport for your flight to Colombo in Sri Lanka.

Please note: The flight from Delhi - Colombo is not included in the cost of this tour. Sri Lankan Airlines and Jet Airways fly direct. If you provide us with your flight details, we will be there to meet you at Colombo airport and transfer you to our beachfront hotel in Wattala, a small town just north of Colombo. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight - Wattala (B)
Day 9: Dambulla & Polonnaruwa
Wattala - Polonnaruwa Today we head inland to Polonnaruwa, stopping en route to visit one of Sri Lanka’s most impressive cave temples, the Dambulla Rock Temple. This stunning complex of 5 caves contains over 150 images of Buddha including an impressive 14 metre statue carved out of the cave rock. After exploring this ancient site we continue on to Polonnaruwa. This fascinating 11th century city is home to many interesting ruins and famous monuments including the Royal Palace and the Gal Vihara. Polonnaruwa was once the capital and is also the second most ancient city in Sri Lanka. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight - Giritale (B)
Climb to the top of Sigiriya's Lion Rock Fortress on a Sri Lanka Tour
Day 10: Sigiriya & Spice Market
Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya – Kandy. Our first stop today is Sigiriya and the famous ‘Lion Rock’ fortress. Built over 1500 years ago, this beautiful citadel stands 200 meters high in the middle of verdant jungle and was an important stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. It can be viewed from miles around and is definitely one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic and famous sites. You’ll be able to view the world famous paintings of the Heavenly Maidens which stand in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. Once we’ve fully explored the rock we continue on to a spice garden. Here we learn about some of Sri Lanka’s famous spices, how they are grown and what they are used in. You’ll also have the opportunity to buy some. Later on we drive further south to Kandy for the evening. Overnight - Kandy (B)
Day 11: Kandy
Kandy - Pinnawala - Kandy. This morning we visit an elephant orphanage where we have the wonderful opportunity to meet some of the 89 abandoned elephants, many of which are babies.

On the way back to Kandy we stop by the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens home to an amazing variety of plants, flowers and trees. Once back in Kandy itself we take a city tour, drive around the lake and visit local bazaars and a gem museum. Later on this evening we visit the world famous Temple of the Tooth Relic, apparently home to one of Buddha’s teeth. Overnight - Kandy (B)
Tea pickers in Nuwara Eliya - a great place ot visit on our Sri Lanka tours.
Day 12: Nuwera Eliya & Tea Plantation
Kandy - Nuwera Eliya. After breakfast we visit a tea plantation. Tea is one of Sri Lanka’s biggest exports and they are very proud of their tea. Learn about the manufacturing process and how they grade it before enjoying a delicious cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory.

Next we drive to Nuwara Eliya, the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country and home to the country’s highest mountain, Pidurutalagala. Later on we embark on a sightseeing tour of the area including a drive through ‘Little England’. Overnight - Nuwara Eliya (B)
Elephants at Udawalawe National Park
Day 13: Udawalawe National Park
Nuwara Eliya - Embilipitiya. Today we head south to Embilipitiya, our base for exploring Udawalawe National Park. This national park is probably one of the best places to spot the famous Sri Lankan Elephant, the biggest of all the Asian Elephants. It is thought that there are around 400 elephants here. The park is also home to the elusive leopard, the Sri Lankan Sloth Bear and lots of types of deer. We take an afternoon game drive here before returning to the hotel for the night. Overnight - Udawalawe N.P. and Embilipitiya (B)
Day 14: Gem Mine and Colombo City Tour
Embilipitiya - Wattala. We begin our final journey back to Colombo this morning with a visit to the Gem Mine and Museum at Ratnapura. Sri Lanka is famous for its gem industry and is home to 40 out of the 85 types of gem in the world.

After we check in to the hotel we head into the bustling city of Colombo for an informative city tour. Explore the Fort area in the north of the city, famous for its government buildings and interesting shops. Take a stroll along Galle Face Green and watch locals play cricket plus head over to stunning Gangarama Temple. Overnight - Wattala (B)
Day 15: Colombo
Saturday. Our tour comes to an end after breakfast and hotel check out today. Included transfer to Colombo airport for your flight home. (B)

Extend Your Stay!
Extend your stay with a relaxing 4 day beach break. Located on the south west of the island, palm fringed Kalutara offers sandy white beaches, azure waters, colourful markets and opportunities for surfing and water sports. For more information on our 4 day beach break, contact us.

The Kandy Festival - 17th August 2013 Departure

Join in the festivities of the Kandy Festival on a Sri Lanka TourPlease note that the 17th August 2013 departure of this tour will be in Kandy for its most famous festival - Esala Perahera, also known as The Festival of the Sacred Tooth or the Kandy Festival. We will attend the colourful Kandy Festival pageant on the evening of day 3 and are likely to see more festivities as we enjoy our Kandy city tour the following day. The entrance fee for this pageant is included in the cost of this tour.

 

For ten consecutive days every year this laid back Sri Lankan hill city erupts into a whirlwind of colour and activity. Dancers in colourful silk costumes and over one hundred ornately decorated elephants parade through the streets backed by the rhythm of beating drums. There is also fire twirling, cracking of whips, cane dancing, fire walking and other cultural dances. The pageant commences at the golden Temple of the Tooth, which once housed a tooth of Buddha, and in a public display that dates back to 310 AD a replica of the revered relic is paraded through the city in a golden casket by the chief elephant. Spend the evening of day 3 joining in the revelry of this exhilarating Buddhist festival!



Tour Details
  • Starts in: Delhi / Ends in: Colombo
  • Departs: Saturday
  • No local payment required
  • Breakfast:14, Lunch: 1, Dinner: 2
  • Hotel Rating: 3 - 4 star & heritage hotels
  • Tour Guide: Yes (for groups of 6 or more)
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