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12-Day Tales of Sri Lanka Tour

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Overview

Spend 12 days in Sri Lanka filled with fun and adventure on this beautiful paradise island!

You'll start your tour in the historical and culturally rich land of Jaffna before travelling to the enchanting ancient city of Anuradhapura and archaeological wonders of ancient Sri Lanka in Sigiriya.

You'll learn about the typical village-style living and witness the majestic gathering of elephants in Minneriya National Park before travelling to the enigmatic city of Kandy where you'll experience the typical Kandyan culture and visit local industries including gems, batik and wood carving.

Travel to the Nuwara Eliya highlands where you'll visit a tea factory and a strawberry farm whilst enjoying the most breathtaking scenery of waterfalls and tea plantations. Later on in the trip, you'll take one of the world's best scenic train trips to Ella, visiting the Nine-Arched Bridge and trek to Little Adam's Peak before returning to a Colombo for a wonderful city tour.

Finally, you'll travel to Negombo's golden beaches and ride a boat through the mangrove forests, rich of endemic species of reptiles and birds.
Outdoors & Nature
Sightseeing
Culture & Arts
Food & Drink

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Colombo & Transfer to Jaffna

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Arrival in Colombo & Transfer to Jaffna

Upon arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport, you'll meet and greet with your chauffeur guide and begin the journey to Jaffna which is the northernmost region of Sri Lanka, rich with tradition and history mostly populated with Tamil speaking Sri Lankans. You'll stay at the Jaffna Heritage Hotel. Adorned with a rich local heritage, embellished with a subtle hint of Colonial splendour, this boutique hotel is in the heart of the historic city.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Jaffna Heritage Hotel

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Jaffna Heritage Hotel

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Bandaranaike International Airport to Jaffna

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Jaffna

Day 2

Jaffna Sightseeing

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Jaffna Sightseeing

Today, you'll visit the ancient Nallur Kovil which bears an architectural design similar to the ancient temple cities in Madura and Padaliputra in India. Then, you'll proceed to the Dutch Jaffna Fort and enjoy the beautiful panoramic views of the deep blue sea surrounding the Jaffna peninsula followed by a visit to the Jaffna Museum which holds ancient artefacts of the wonders in Jaffna.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Jaffna Heritage Hotel

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Nallur Kandaswamy Temple

    Fort Jaffna

    Jaffna Archaeological MuseumOptional Activity: AU$ 21 per person

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Jaffna to Jaffna

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Jaffna

Day 3

Jaffna to Anuradhapura

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Jaffna to Anuradhapura

Today, you will start your journey to the ancient city of Anuradhapura. Anuradhapura, a Ceylonese political and religious capital that flourished for 1,300 years, was abandoned after an invasion in 993. After you have checked into your hotel, you'll visit the sights of this interesting city. On this tour, you visit the palaces, monasteries, monuments and stupas of this ancient capital. You'll stay the night at Nuwarawewa Lakeside Hotel, ideally located in this charming and historic town.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Nuwarawewa Lakeside Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    IsurumuniyaOptional Activity

    LankaramayaOptional Activity

    Abhayagiri DagabaOptional Activity

    JetavanaramayaOptional Activity

    RuwanweliseyaOptional Activity

    Sri Maha BodhiOptional Activity

    LovamahapayaOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Jaffna to Anuradhapura

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Jaffna

    Anuradhapura

Day 4

Mihintale Mountain Peak & Minneriya Safari

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Mihintale Mountain Peak & Minneriya Safari

After breakfast, you'll visit the Mihintale Mountain Peak which is believed to be the site of the meeting between the Buddhist monk, Mahinda from India, and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Later on, you'll witness the majestic gathering of elephants on a jeep safari at the Minneriya National Park and see many other species of mammals including leopards as well as birds and reptiles.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Oak Ray Elephant Lake3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    MihintaleOptional Activity: AU$ 61 per person

    Minneriya National Park SafariOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Anuradhapura

    Mihintale

    Avudangawa

    North Central Province

Day 5

Trek to Hiriwaduna village & Minneriya Jeep Safari

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Trek to Hiriwaduna village & Minneriya Jeep Safari

After breakfast today, you'll trek to the rural village of Hiriwaduna and experience a boat ride, bullock cart ride, the beautiful paddy fields and an authentic Sri Lankan lunch. Upon your return, later in the afternoon, you'll go on another jeep safari in the Minneriya National Park, once again aiming to spot Asia's largest elephant gathering.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Oak Ray Elephant Lake3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hiriwadunna Village TrekOptional Activity: AU$ 41 per person

    Minneriya National Park Safari

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Sigiriya to Sigiriya

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Avudangawa

    Habarana

    North Central Province

Day 6

Sigriya Lions Rock & Kandy Sightseeing

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Sigriya Lions Rock & Kandy Sightseeing

After an early breakfast, you'll climb Sigiriya Lions Rock Fortress, a palace built in the 5th century, for a magnificent view over the region. Later on, you'll proceed to Kandy. En-route, you'll visit the Highland Spice Garden for an introduction to Sri Lankan indigenous Ayurveda plants. Upon reaching Kandy and after lunch, you'll visit the Gem Museum, Batik Factory and Wood Carving Factory followed by an entertaining Kandyan Cultural Dance Show performance.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Senani Hotel3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Sigiriya Lion Rock

    Highland Spice Garden

    Gem Factory Museum

    Wood Carving Factory

    Kandy Lake

    Kandyan Cultural Dance Show

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Oak Ray Elephant Lake to Kandy

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Avudangawa

    Sigiriya

    Central Province

    Kandy

Day 7

Kandy to Nuwaraeliya

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Kandy to Nuwaraeliya

Early in the morning today, you'll visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy and take part in the daily morning veneration ceremony. After breakfast, you'll drive onwards to Nuwara Eliya. En-route, you'll stop to see the breathtaking waterfalls such as Ramboda Falls and Lover's Leap Falls. Later on, you'll get to know the full process of tea production at a tea factory, walk through a lush strawberry farm and take a scenic afternoon walk at the famous Gregory Lake.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Oak Ray Summer Hill Breeze Hotel3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Sri Dalada Maligawa Morning Devotion

    Ramboda Falls

    Lover's Leap Waterfall

    Pedro Tea Factory

    Strawberry Farm

    Gregory Lake

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kandy

    Central Province

    Nuwara Eliya

    Badulla

Day 8

Train Journey to Ella

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Train Journey to Ella

This morning, you'll board the train at Nanu Oya for a breathtaking journey through the clouds. This is one of the world's most scenic train routes. The journey will take you through tea plantations in the hill country and then weaves in and out of the many mountain tunnels with amazing views. In addition, you will also visit the glorious Nine Arch bridge for a fulfilling scenic experience.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Ella Gap Hotel3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Train Ride from Kandy to Ella

    Nine Arch Bridge

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Nuwara Eliya

    Nanuoya

    Ella

    Demodara

Day 9

Colombo Sightseeing

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Colombo Sightseeing

Today you will be travelling to Colombo, which is the capital and the main business hub of Sri Lanka. After checking into your hotel, you'll go on a Colombo city tour to see the main sights and to see the shopping area as well as experience the hustle and the bustle in the capital. During the tour, you'll visit Galle Face Green and Laksala as well as many other interesting sites.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    The Ocean Colombo3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Little Adam's Peak

    Laksala

    Galle Face Green

    Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Ella to Colombo

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Ella

    Uva Province

    Colombo

Day 10

Negombo Sightseeing

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Negombo Sightseeing

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be travelling to the coastal town of Negombo which is also known as the fishing town of Sri Lanka. After checking in, you'll visit Independence Square, the Old Parliament Building and the House of Fashion, a vibrant clothing store. This city does not sleep at night and Negombo is one of the best locations for good restaurants, pubs and street food so make the most of it!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Paradise Beach Hotel3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Independence Square

    Old Parliament Building

    House of Fashions

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Colombo to Negombo

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Colombo

    Negombo

Day 11

Negombo Sightseeing & Muthurajawela Wetlands

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Negombo Sightseeing & Muthurajawela Wetlands

Today, you'll visit the busy Negombo fish market called ‘Lellama’ and watch the boats returning with their catch of fresh fish, crab, lobster, prawns and squid. Later in the morning, you will set off on a boat ride to the Muthurajawela wetlands where you will journey through the mangroves and spot many flora and fauna species that are also indigenous to the region.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Paradise Beach Hotel3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Negombo Fishing Village

    Muthurajawela Wetlands

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Negombo to Negombo

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Negombo

    Bopitiya

Day 12

End of Your 12 Days in Sri Lanka

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End of Your 12 Days in Sri Lanka

Today, you will pack your bags full of fond memories of the paradise island of Sri Lanka and prepare for your departure after 12 days in Sri Lanka.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Negombo to Bandaranaike International Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Negombo

Included in Price

  • 11 nights accommodation
  • 26 activities
  • 11 breakfasts and 11 dinners
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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