sri lanka unplugged - 15 days

Tour Information
Starts/Ends in: Colombo
Prices from: USD $1919
Departs: Any day of the year
Breakfast: 14
Dinner: 1
Hotel rating: 3 - 4
Specialist Guide: Yes (at local sights)
Entrance fees: Included

Day 1: Colombo
Welcome to Sri Lanka and the start of your holiDay! Arrive Colombo, included transfer to hotel. Overnight - Colombo

Day 2: Colombo – breakfast
Highlights of our sightseeing tour of Sri Lanka’s capital include the Fort – once a colonial stronghold, Galle Face Green – a seaside expanse popular for informal cricket games, the Pettah – a noisy oriental bazaar, a visit to Gamgarama temple, Cinnamon Gardens and Independence Square. We also visit the national museum (closed Friday). Tonight, enjoy Sri Lankan cuisine at our Welcome Dinner. Overnight – Colombo

Day 3: Colombo – breakfast
At Kelaniya we visit the Raja Maha Vihara, a temple graced by Buddha. Continuing our sightseeing, we visit the zoological gardens at Dehiwela. Overnight - Colombo

Day 4: Colombo – Anuradhapura – breakfast
En route to Anuradhapura, we visit 13th century Dambadeniya, once a royal capital. Its principal surviving ruins are the Dalada Maligawa temple and the Dagoba, locally revered thanks to some corporeal relics of Buddha it is said to contain. We also visit Panduvas Nuwara which features a well-preserved walled citadel, Padeniya, Arankele and the rock fortress of Yapahuwa. Overnight – Anuradhapura

Day 5: Anuradhapura – breakfast
Today, we visit Anuradhapura, the fascinating ancient city and one of Sri Lanka’s most important archaeological sites. It contains vast artificial lakes, temples, statues including the Samadhi Buddha, dagobas (solid hemispheres topped with spires), royal baths and museums. We also visit the holy Sri Maha Bodhi tree under which Prince Siddharta attained enlightenment. It is also the oldest historically documented tree on earth. Later a visit to Mihintale. Overnight – Anuradhapura

Day 6: Anuradhapura – Giritale (via Dambulla) – breakfast
En route to Giritale, we visit the stunning Aukana Buddha statue and the impressive Dambulla Rock Temple which contain awesome frescoes of Buddha. Then we visit compact Polonnaruwa, an 11th century city of compact size. We explore the ruins of the Royal Palace, temples and Gal Vihara which boasts 3 enormous Buddha figures. Overnight – Giritale

Day 7: Giritale - Kandy (via Sigiriya) – breakfast
To Sigiriya – the elevated and mysterious 5th century fortress ruins of King Kasyapa. At Matale, we visit an exotic spice garden. Overnight - Kandy

Day 8: Kandy & region – breakfast
ToDay, we visit the elephant orphanage in Pinnawela, home to around 60 elephants. Continuing, we visit the ruined temples of Embekke, Gadaladeniya and Lankatilleke and the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. Back in Kandy, a scenic lakeside town, we visit the lake, bazaar, gem museum and lapidary. Tonight, we visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic. After, we enjoy a cultural dance show. Overnight – Kandy

Days 9 & 10: Kandy – Nuwara Eliya – breakfast
Departing Kandy, we head further into Sri Lanka’s hill country surrounded by tea plantations. Situated at 6,525 ft/1,990 m, Nuwara Eliya is one of the highest towns in the region. Today, we enjoy a sightseeing tour and visit Hakgala Gardens. By jeep on day 10, we depart early for Horton Plains. Located on a high windswept saddle, Horton Plains offers the walker stunning panoramic views. We’ll hike to Bakers Fall and then return to Nuwara Eliya. Overnight (2) – Nuwara Eliya

Day 11: Nuwara Eliya – Yala NP & region (via Buduruwagala) – breakfast
Continuing to Yala National Park, en route we visit the Mahayana Buddhist rock sculptures at Buduruwagala. This evening, we enjoy a jeep safari. The largest national park in Sri Lanka, Yala is home to elephants, wild boar, buffalo, leopard, crocodile and myriad birdlife. Overnight – Yala NP

Day 12: Yala NP – Bentota (via Galle) – breakfast
This morning, we visit Bundala National Park – a bird sanctuary. We visit the town of Galle and it’s 17th century fort. Within the fort, are narrow streets filled with churches and colonial buidings. We then continue to Bentota, an ideal tropical beach holiday with it's sparkling warm blue seas and a lush fringe of palm trees, all bathed in warm golden sunshine. Overnight – Bentota

Days 13 & 14: Bentota – breakfast
At leisure on Sri Lanka’s tropical palm-fringed coast. Optional excursion to Ratnapura, home of Sri Lanka’s famous gem trade. There are around 200 gem pits in Ratnapura and many lapidaries where the mined stones are dressed, cut and polished. You’ll tour some pits, a lapidary and the museum. Overnight (2) – Bentota

Day 15: Bentota – Colombo – breakfast
Today we travel via the coast road to Colombo and onward departure transfer to the airport. End of arrangements.

On the go is a specialist operator of cultural and adventure tours in tropical Sri Lanka. Fun and informative group tours of Sri Lanka offering regular departures at realistic prices from Colombo include highlights such as Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla, spice and flower gardens of Matale, Temple of the Tooth at Kandy, Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage, the tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya, Yala, Bundala and Udawalawe National Parks, Galle, the gem town of Ratnapura, Bentota Beach and Beruwala Beach. Tailored holidays in Sri Lanka are also a hallmark.