7 Days Highlights of Sri Lanka

DAY 01: ARRIVE COLOMBO AIRPORT – NEGOMBO
Meet & Greet by tour guide at the airport. Thereafter proceed to Negombo.

Negombo – sometimes known as “Little Rome” due to the profusion of Christian Churches, this archetypical fishing village has now grown to a major beach resort in the west coast, north of Colombo and 15 minutes from the International Airport. The wide sandy beaches and safe sea bathing are major attractions, as is the fish market where busy trading of a variety of fish, prawns and crabs takes place each morning (except Sunday) when the fishing craft return to shore. Traditional large sailed outrigger canoes are a splendid sight in this village which was once a trading port for the Portuguese and Dutch. Other attractions are the old Dutch fort gate built in 1672 now a part of the prison and the Dutch Canal which was then a supply route for the Dutch administration.

Overnight stay at Beacon Beach or similar

DAY 02: WILLPATTU (BD)
After breakfast, check out and proceed to Willpattu National Park – Land of the Villus (Lakes); for a specially modified 4×4 safari jeep. Drive along winding paths through different habitats that make the park unique.

The park contains numerous limestone depressions in the ground that holds fresh and brackish water, that form the characteristic habitat of the park. Driving along the sandy road of the park, keep an eye for some of the island’s iconic wildlife. Leopards roam the sandy roads; Sloth bears dig up the rain-soaked termite mounds, Elephants enjoy the plush water plants in the villus and buffalo graze on the green grass. Heading deeper into the park towards the western boarder you come across a unique stretch of shoreline where the sand is red in colour. Reminisce the amazement that Prince Vijaya – the founder of the Sinahala race had when he landed on these red sandy beaches. The Villus which are the only natural large water bodies in the island together with the wildlife, history and culture of Willpattu National park make it interesting for the avid nature lover and history buff alike.

Overnight Big Game camp or similar

DAY 03: TRINCOMALEE (BD)
Morning after breakfast, check out and proceed to Anuradhapura to explore the city. This UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the north central part of the Island was the first capital (5th century BC – 9th century AD), the center of the island’s Buddhist civilization and undoubtedly the grandest city of ancient Sri Lanka. In antiquity and the interest, it is the equal of any ancient ‘buried city’ in the world. The oldest historically documented tree on earth (over 2,200 years old) – The Sri Maha Bodhi, brought as a sapling of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, and the island’s oldest Buddhist shrines – some dating back to the 3rd century BC, impressive white ‘Dagabas’ (relic chambers) and monuments embellished with handsome stone carvings or sculpture, pleasure gardens, beautifully executed stone baths and ponds and a superb irrigation system of reservoirs and canals are the main attractions of Anuradhapura.

After the Anuradhpura ancient city experience continue drive to Trincomalee – a small tourist town on Sri Lanka’s Northern coast, popular for beaches and whale watching. Evening free time to explore the area.

Overnight Anantamaa Hotel or similar

DAY 04: WHALE WATCHING/ PIGEON ISLAND – PLONNARWA (BD)
Whale watching starts from – 6.00 am and take 5 hrs. (Only March – Apr). If Whale watching not possible we will proceed to Pigeon Island for snorkelling.

The waters around Tincomalee (due to Mahaweli river estuary) are particularly rich in plankton (a groop of mirco organisms whales feed on), which lead scientists to believe there is a resident population always present which will result in sightings whenever conditions are good.

After Whale watching/Pigeon Island, proceed to PLONNARWA – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rose to fame as the capital (10th – 12th century AD) after the decline of Anuradhapura. The entire landscape of the region is punctuated by huge man-made reservoirs, the most famous of which is the Parakrama Samudra or the Sea of Parakrama, larger in size than the Colombo harbour. The monuments are relatively well preserved and give clear evidence of the glory of Sri Lanka’s past. Highlights are the Royal Palace complex including the Kings Palace and Audience Hall, the Quadrangle with its concentration of ancient heritage and the spectacular Gal Vihare complex of four massive images of the Buddha, cut from a single slab of granite – a highlight of ancient Sri Lankan rock carving. Some of the best examples of the Hindu influence – the Temples of Shiva, intricate statues of Hindu Gods, fascinating Buddhist temples, the Lankatileka and Watadage, the Galpotha, the Lotus bath, the Kiri Vihare Dagoba and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth are other impressive sights.

Overnight Kassap Lions Rock or similar

DAY 05: SIGIRIYA – DAMBULLA (BD)
Morning after breakfast proceed to Sigiriya where you will explore the rock fortress.

Imagine walking through the mouth of a Lion lying atop a 200-meter-tall rock and enter a king’s fortress like no other. With a 360-degree view of the surrounding landscape it was the perfect location for a fortress of a king anticipating an invasion. The king surrounded his fortress with a boulder and water garden that to date sprouts water on a rainy day. The frescos painted on to the rock are ones not to miss as they show off the mastery of the artists of old. The rocky outcrop and the surrounding areas were in use by humans much before the time of King Kashyapa. Aligala (Elephant rock) situated close to the main fortress is one such location where early man occupied the area over 5000 years ago. Termed as the 8th wonder of the world this complex used as fortress and as a monastery is truly a marvel of architecture, design and art and is something that should not be missed by anyone traveling to the island.

Afternoon visit Dambulla cave Temple – a UNESCO World Heritage Site which dates back to the 01st century BC. This is an amazing complex of 05 caves, first used as a refuge by an ancient king who on regaining his throne, commissioned magnificent carved images within the living rock. Later kings made further improvements and the caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is a colossal figure spanning 15 meters. Cave inscriptions from the 2nd Century BC are found and on the walls are many paintings most of which belong to the Kandy period (early 19th century). This temple is a perfect location to view evolution of ancient Sri Lankan art and is an important historical site due to the amalgamation of the material from many eras.

Overnight Kassap Lions Rock or similar

DAY 06: COLOMBO (B)
After breakfast, check out and enjoy a scenic drive down to the largest city in the island, Colombo. Colombo like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing its face. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood, yet in some parts; the old-world charm is retained. A 100-year-old clock tower and several British built, colonial buildings are still seen in the city. The Pettah bazaar – where one can shop for bargains, a Hindu and a Buddhist temple, residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent, the Colombo museum, the Bandaranaike memorial international conference hall – an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the people’s republic of china, the new parliament in Sri Jayawardenapura and the Folk Art Center are some of the places of interest that one can visit to.

Today, Colombo is a fascinating city – a happy blend of east & west, past & present, with a charm of its own. A less known but amazingly true fact is that Colombo has a superb range of high-quality restaurants serving food from all over the world and some of the best shopping opportunities in Asia.

Overnight stay at Fairway Colombo or similar

DAY 7: DEPART COLOMBO (B)
After breakfast, check out and enjoy your free time in the city before departure to the airport for the flight home.

7 Days Sri Lanka Highlights

Tour Code: SL-H07
LAND Price per person in SGD

Season: Mar – June

Email us for price!

Price includes

• 4 Nights’ accommodation on half-board basis (Breakfast & Dinner); 2 Nights’ accommodation Bed & Breakfast in Negombo and Colombo Hotels
• All transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle
• Service of an English-Speaking driver guide for 5 Pax and less and a National guide for 6 Pax and above.
• One Half Day wildlife safari at Wilpattu
• Trinco Whale watching excursion – (March to August)
• City tour experience in Colombo Kandy and Trincomaleea
• Entrance fees to all sites mentioned above (Other than optional experiences)
• Excursions, Safaris and treks mentioned
• Hotel Service Charge and VAT
• Briefing prior departure
• 15% discount for gears at X-Boundaries before departure

Price excludes

• All airfare & taxes
• Personal gears
• All personal expenses such as bars, beverages, laundry, telephone and tips.
• Travel Insurance
• Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, landslides, road conditions and any other circumstances beyond our control.
• Optional tours and excursions

Important:
• Optional excursions can be booked directly and paid for locally
• Bars, Clubs or similar entertainment is prohibited during “Poya” Days. As such liquor will not be served in public areas of the hotels during this time
• The mentioned hotels will only be confirmed on availability at the time of booking. If not available, alternative will be suggested prior to confirmation.
• Kindly note that the standard check in time at all hotels will be at 1400 hrs and check out is at 1100 hrs.