Sri Lanka Uncovered
Itinerary
Days 1 & 2 – Amble along Negombo’s canals
You’ll be met on arrival at the airport and transferred to Negombo, a modest beach town on the palm-fringed west coast, not far from Colombo. The rest of the day is free for you to do as you please; why not relax by the pool with a good book or take a stroll along the beach. The following day, you’ll get to know Negombo and the local fishing community on a boat trip on the lagoon. It’s a relaxed start to your Sri Lanka holiday.
Day 3 – Peaceful Kalpitiya Peninsula
Today, you will leave Negombo and journey up the west coast towards the Kalpitiya peninsula. The journey will take about 3 hours. Known for its peaceful beaches and wildlife-rich lagoon, Kalpitiya is a nature lover’s paradise. It’s also a popular spot for kite surfers.
Check into your beach hotel, then head out on an afternoon boat trip on the lagoon. It’s the second largest lagoon in Sri Lanka, covered in lush greenery and mangrove forests. If you’re into bird-watching keep your eyes peeled as there are a few unique species to be spotted here.
Day 4 – Dolphin spotting boat tour
Between November and April, Kalpitiya is the best place to see dolphins in Sri Lanka. So, early this morning you’ll head out on a dolphin spotting boat tour. Spinner dolphins are the most commonly sighted species, so called because of their acrobatic leaps out of the water. If you’re really lucky you may even spot a whale! Afterwards, you can spend the day relaxing by the beach, or if you’re feeling active try your hand at kite surfing at one of the kite-surfing schools.
Day 5 – Anuradhapura’s ancient ruins
Today you’ll leave the coast behind and head inland to Anuradhapura. The city was founded 2500 years ago and was the capital of the country for over 1000 years under the ancient kings of Sri Lanka. The afternoon is yours to explore Anuradhapura’s ancient ruins. Walk through the sprawling complex and take in the archaeological and architectural wonders, crumbling temples and the old Royal Palace.
Day 6 – Head north to Jaffna
Next, you’ll journey north with your driver to the city of Jaffna. The northern city of Jaffna only opened up to tourists in recent years. The city is actually closer to south India than Colombo and subsequently has a large Tamil population. It’s a melting pot of cultures, religions and cuisines; a fusion of Hindu India and Buddhist Sri Lanka.
There will be time to check in to your hotel and freshen up before meeting you local guide for a bike tour of Jaffna’s significant sites. Your final stop is Nallur Kandasamy Kovil, the most important Hindu temple in the region, and you will get here just in time for the evening ceremonies.
Day 7 – Farm visit & lunch with a local family
After breakfast, you’ll venture into the countryside with your guide to visit a farm. Farming is an important source of income in Jaffna and you’ll see field upon field of rice, vegetables and fruits. Traditional farming methods are still in use and you’ll learn more from the farmer during your visit. You can try your hand at ploughing if you wish!
Next, your guide will take you to his home in Jaffna, where you’ll meet his family and help them prep a traditional lunch. You’ll all sit together on the floor and sample local dishes, typical for the area. The only challenge you might face is lack of cutlery – now is your chance to master curry eating with your bare hands! After lunch the time is yours to do as you please.
Day 8 – Climb Sigiriya Rock, then onto Polonnaruwa
Today is a long day of travel as you head back south with your driver to Polonnaruwa. There will be opportunities to stop on the way. And you’ll get to stretch your legs with a climb to the top of Sigiriya Rock. This is where the palace of King Kasyapa once stood. It’s a steep climb to the top of the rock but you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views. Then continue onto your hotel near Polonnaruwa.
Day 9 – Polonnaruwa by bike & jeep safari in Minneriya National Park
This morning you’ll explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Polonnaruwa by bike. The town was once the capital of Sri Lanka’s ancient capital and there are many interesting relics leftover from this period. After you’ve pedalled your way through the ancient ruins, it’s time for lunch in a small authentic restaurant.
In the afternoon, head into nearby Minneriya National Park on a jeep safari. The park is home to large herds of wild elephants, which are easy to spot and observe, due to the wide, open landscape. Between the drier months of June and September in particular, hundreds of elephants can be seen gathering around the park’s lakes in search of water.
Day 10 – Wild elephants of Gal Oya National Park
Today you will leave the ancient sites behind and travel off the beaten track to one of the lesser known national parks of Sri Lanka, Gal Oya. Set on the shores of the largest lake in Sri Lanka, this undiscovered paradise teeming with wildlife will give you a proper feel of the untouched jungle. The park is home to Asian elephants and you can sometimes see them bathing on the edge of the lake. Your home for the next couple of days is a charming eco-lodge with a swimming pool and impressive views.
In Gal Oya we have an alternative glamping option available. Stay overnight in a comfortable, spacious tent, made from locally sourced, eco-friendly materials, designed to blend in with the natural surroundings. If this is more your style ask your Travel Specialist for more information.
Day 11 – Wildlife spotting boat trip
This morning you will have some free time to explore or just relax beside the pool. After lunch, a jeep will transfer you through the jungle to the lake shore where a boat will be waiting. You will spend the next few hours gliding across the lake, spotting wildlife from the water. Keep your eyes peeled for the park’s elephant inhabitants. If you are extremely lucky you may spot them swimming from island to island in search of food so keep your camera at the ready!
Day 12 – Unwind in the Knuckles mountains
Next, your driver will take you into the heart of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country, to the Knuckles Range. You’ll be staying in a beautiful eco-lodge perched on the edge of the hill, with emerald-green tea plantations stretching as far as you can see. The lodge’s on-site restaurant offers an ever-changing seasonal menu, based on the fresh ingredients grown in the garden, and there’s an infinity pool with jaw-dropping mountain views. Time to unwind.
If you’re feeling adventurous we have an alternative glamping and trekking option available in the Knuckles region. If this sounds like more your style ask your Travel Specialist for information.
Day 13 – Meet the local community
Wake up to the magnificent views of the mountains and after breakfast it’s time to explore the village not far from your lodge. The village is inhabited mainly by Tamils, who were originally brought to Sri Lanka from India by the British tea planters to help them with the tea production. With the interpretation skills of a local guide, you will spend some time within the community, enjoying traditional snacks and freshly brewed tea at a local home. It’s a great insight into local life in the Sri Lankan hills.
There is nothing else planned for you today but there are plenty of other activities, from bird watching to hiking, that can be arranged through the lodge.
Day 14 – Colombo: Sri Lanka’s vibrant capital
It’s time to swap the hills for city life as you travel to Colombo. With its strategic location on the east-west trade route, Colombo has grown into a vibrant capital city with a mix of modern life and colonial buildings from the English, Portuguese and Dutch periods. This afternoon (or tomorrow morning depending on your flight time and preference), you’ll enjoy a city tour, Sri Lanka style, in one of the city’s colourful tuk-tuks. It’s an exhilarating way to explore the city and get the true feel for what the capital’s all about.
Day 15 – Time to depart
Enjoy one final Sri Lankan breakfast before your transfer to the airport in time for your homebound flight.
Accommodation
