Colombo / Negombo

Welcome to Negombo, Sri Lanka. You can arrive at a convenient time, and your driver will be at the airport to welcome you. However, your Negombo city tour will take place in the evening.

A city tour includes all the major tourist attractions and places in Negombo, mainly the Negombo Fish Market, Negombo Lagoon, Hamilton Dutch Canal and more. You will be doing the city tour with your guide early evening, and he will pick you up from the hotel. 

The tour kicked off with a visit to the Negombo ‘Lellama’ Fish Market, the second-largest fish market in Sri Lanka. See fresh daily catch of different types of fish and seafood. Later, drive along the Hamilton Dutch Canal that cruises through the town of Negombo. 

After the boat tour, visit Negombo Lagoon, which is the main landmark of Negombo. It is rich in biodiversity of plants and animals and an aquatic ecosystem. Later, visit St. Mary’s Church, one of the largest churches in Sri Lanka. Thereafter, reflect on a piece of colonial history by a visit to the Negombo Dutch Fort.  Later, head on to your beach hotel, relax on the beach with tea for a few hours till sunset, a breathtaking sight to be captured for memories.

Accommodation
Negombo

Those who arrive early can make a Negombo city tour on their own or with the help of their guide. First, check out the sights on foot, then soak up some epic views and learn all about the history and culture of Negombo. If you’d prefer to explore on your own, perhaps stroll the seaside, observe the local fishing craft, and perhaps feast on fresh seafood. The beautiful surrounding countryside is best explored on a bicycle, which you can rent with help from the hotel reception.

Sigiriya / Polonnaruwa / Sigiriya

After early breakfast, leaves for Sigiriya rock fortress and then to Polonnaruwa. In the afternoon safari at Minneriya National Park.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Morning: Climb the famous Sigiriya rock fortress and visit the rocky abode and water gardens, a UNESCO world heritage and one of the Wonders of the World. The name refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 meters (660 ft) high. The site was selected by King Kasyapa (477–495 CE) for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colorful frescoes. 

Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa is the second-most historical city in Sri Lanka. It was made the capital of Sri Lanka after Anuradhapura. Today the ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains one of the best-planned archaeological relic sites in the country, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom's first rulers.  The city tour includes palaces, dagobas, and temples and provides a good example of Sri Lankan historical craftsmanship. In this 3-hour guided tour of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, you will cover some of the following attractions:.

• Royal Palace (Palace of King Parakramabahu, the most prolific and gifted builder of the era)
• Nissankamulla Palace (royal audience hall with impressive stonework)
• Gal Viharaya (Contains some of the best rock sculptures in the country)
• Thuparama & Lankathilaka Image Houses (good examples of vaulted shrine rooms)
• Vatadage (gives an idea of what a complete vatadage may have looked like)
• Rankoth Vehera (largest stupa in Polonnaruwa)
• Parakramabahu Statue (Statue of one of the greatest kings of ancient Sri Lanka)

Minneriya safari
Minneriya National Park is one of the most visited national parks on the island and is considered to be one of the best places for a safari in Sri Lanka. Minneriya safari lasts around 3-4 hours, giving you all the opportunities to spot elephants, wild buffaloes, crocodiles, and many other creatures, plus avian fauna species.

Village tour
Experience a village tour, learning and connecting with the authentic rural life of Sri Lanka. An interesting excursion involving traditional rides on a bullock cart, through the lakes via a local catamaran, and interactions with the farmers and villagers ending with a typical home-cooked meal in one of their homes.

Accommodation
Sigiriya or Habarana
Included Activities
Sigiriya: Climbing Sigiriya rock fortress, Sigiriya village tour, cooking class, Polonnaruwa ancient city, archaeological museum, temples, Buddha statues, and ancient monuments, Minneriya safari.

Kandy / Galle

This morning, say goodbye to Kandy as you travel on your private car to the south coast beach resort of Galle/Bentota. The journey takes around 6 hours. On arrival at Galle/Bentota, check in to your accommodation, which is on the west coast beach, and check in and leisure.

Royal botanical garden
Before the elephant orphanage visits the Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya, which is the most popular garden on the island with an orchid house, palm alley, bamboo avenue, spice garden, flowering plant collection, and verandah collection.

Pinnawala elephant orphanage
The first orphanage dedicated to jumbos started in 1975. Spreads over 9 hectares near the river of Kumbukan Oya, which is the bathing spot for elephants. You will be guided to the bathing spot as the elephant bathes. Play and enjoy the water.

Accommodation
Galle/Bentota
Included Activities
Pinnawala elephant orphanage, tea factory tea garden, Royal botanical garden

Galle / Colombo

After the leisurely breakfast at your hotel in Galle/Bentota, head to Colombo, en route optional Colombo city tour.

Colombo
Colombo had been a well-known city in the region among the Arabian, Chinese, Indian, Persian, and Roman traders as early as the pre-Christian era. With the beginning of the British colonial period, Colombo city received a prominent place as the capital of Ceylon. Colombo was the capital of the island from 1815 to 1978 until the administrative capital was moved to Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte.

Galleface
This had been a well-known racecourse during the British colonial period in the country. This racecourse, which is located bordering the Indian Ocean, had to be abandoned later on due to the sea crabs, which are making holes in the track. Afterwards, it was developed as a promenade for the city dwellers and named Galle to face Green. Today Galle Face Green contains an open theater and spacious open space for picnics, sports, and walking.

Gangarama temple
It is considered to be one of the most sacred places in the country. Temple is one of the three places that Buddha visited in the 6th century B.C. The well-known Kelaniya Dagoba is located within the border of the temple. The Kalyani River, which flows next to the temple, adds more value to the scenic beauty of the temple. This temple holds a reputation for its attractive wall, which is considered to be the best painting of the Modern Era.

Viharamahadevi park
Viharamahadevi is located in Colombo 7, or Cinnamon Gardens. It is the largest and most popular park in the city. It is believed that there had been a twenty-square-kilometer cinnamon plantation in the area. Today most of the palaces of wealthy people can be seen in the area, and Colombo 7 is the most picturesque part of the city.

Wolvendaal church
The Wolvendaal Church is located in Fort and within walking distance from the center of the city. It has a large collection of tombstones of important Dutch personalities. Fort is made at the highest point of the city and dates back to 1813. The church is built in the doric style of the period. In the form of a Greek cross, with five-foot-thick walls and the gables raised over. The transepts are roofed with brick barrel arches and a central dome.

Aukana Buddha/Independence Hall/BMICH
Facing the Bandaranayke Memorial International Conference Hall stands a beautifully executed statue of the Buddha in a standing posture. The statue is 36 feet tall and is the largest Buddha statue in the city of Colombo. It is a replica of the Avukana statue on the banks of the Kalawewa Anuradhapura.

Accommodation
Colombo
Activities
Colombo city tour