National parks, nature reserves, bird sanctuaries, rolling hills and pristine beaches: Sri Lanka is a nature-lovers wonderland!
Two weeks in Sri Lanka takes you to the ancient cities, deep into national parks and up the tallest mountain range in the country. Your trip will bring you up close with the countries wildlife where elephants roam, and birds are in abundance.
Your trip finished on the coast, with the chance to relax on the beach and learn a little about Sri Lanka's maritime heritage, not forgetting the turtle conservation project! National parks, nature reserves, bird sanctuaries, rolling hills and pristine beaches: Sri Lanka is a nature-lovers wonderland!
Two weeks in Sri Lanka takes you to the ancient cities, deep into national parks and up the tallest mountain range in the country. Your trip will bring you up close with the countries wildlife where elephants roam, and birds are in abundance.
Your trip finished on the coast, with the chance to relax on the beach and learn a little about Sri Lanka's maritime heritage, not forgetting the turtle conservation project!
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Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Negombo and Sigiriya
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Ayubowan, welcome to Sri Lanka! Your driver will pick you up at the airport and drive you to your first destination, Negombo. Enjoy a free day in Negombo. Why not go for a boat trip in the mangrove of Muthurajawela or on the Dutch canal? As you slide along the water in the channels lined with lush vegetation, you are accompanied by birds, monkeys and monitor lizards. Sometimes even a crocodile might surprise you! Late afternoon, you'll travel to Sigiriya where you'll stay for the night.
Accommodation
Back of Beyond Jungle Hideaway Pidurangala★2 star
Activities
Free Time in NegomboOptional Activity
Transportations
Private Driver from Bandaranaike International Airport to Sigiriya
Destinations
Negombo
Sigiriya
Day 2
Minneriya National Park Half-Day Safari
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From Sigiriya, you'll head out on a wild experience with half-day entry to Minneriya National Park. Exploring on the back of a 4WD in Minneriya National Park, you'll soon discover that it is home to many elephants that feed and bathe at the Minneriya Reservoir. Set off for a half-day safari to admire the reservoirs and myriads of birds - try to spot some elephants and the eminent Sri Lankan sloth bear!
Accommodation
Back of Beyond Jungle Hideaway Pidurangala★2 star
Activities
Minneriya National Park Safari
Destinations
Sigiriya
North Central Province
Day 3
Knuckles Mountain Range
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Walk through the Pidurangala Rock Temple and climb the Pidurangala Rock from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. This is a great way to see another side of the famous Lion's Rock, away from the crowds. In the afternoon, you'll head up high into the mountains, arriving in Knuckles.
Accommodation
Simpson's Forest Hotel ★4 star
Activities
Pidurangala Rock
Transportations
Private Driver from Sigiriya to Knuckles
Destinations
Sigiriya
Kandy
Day 4
A Day in Knuckles
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Enjoy a free day in Knuckles. If you're feeling adventurous, why not visit the imposing Knuckle Massif, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which peaks at 1500m - the perfect place to go hiking. Some of the trails here are the most difficult in Sri Lanka, however, with 34 trails to choose from, you're guaranteed to find one to suit you.
Accommodation
Simpson's Forest Hotel ★4 star
Activities
Knuckles
Destinations
Kandy
Central Province
Day 5
Knuckles to Kandy
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In the morning, you'll hit the road to Kandy, the gateway to Sri Lanka's Hill Country. Explore Kandy, the last capital of the Sinhalese kingdom. Why not stroll around the scenic Kandy Lake or visit the market and explore the streets of the city? The Temple of the Tooth Relic is an essential site that you cannot leave the city without visiting. In the afternoon, take to the road to Gal Oya National Park.
Accommodation
Gal Oya Lodge★4 star
Activities
Free Time in Kandy
Transportations
Private Driver from Knuckles to Kandy
Private Driver from Kandy to Gal Oya
Destinations
Kandy
Monaragala
Day 6
Gal Oya Boat Safari
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A day in Gal Oya and its surroundings. Visit the Gal Oya National Park on a boat safari for a unique experience on the largest reservoir in Sri Lanka. If you are lucky, you will see elephants swimming among the islands in search of food!
Accommodation
Gal Oya Lodge★4 star
Activities
Gal Oya Valley National Park Boat Safari
Destinations
Monaragala
Uva Province
Day 7
Gal Oya to Tissa
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In the morning, you'll travel from Gal Oya to Tissamaharama. Nicknamed ‘Tissa’ by the locals, this is a small town located between the well-known Yala National Park and Bundala National Park. This is the perfect stop for wildlife lovers and safari fans. With a history dating back 2,300 years, there is little left of ancient Tissa as tourism in the national park increased, Tissa became the gateway to a wildlife adventure of a lifetime.
Accommodation
Thaulle Resort★3 star
Activities
TissamaharamaOptional Activity
Transportations
Private Driver from Gal Oya to Tissamaharama
Destinations
Monaragala
Tissamaharama
Day 8
Bundala National Park
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A day in Yala and its surroundings will take you on a half-day safari trip in Bundala National Park. This national park is best known for its large number of birds and lagoons. Bundala is known across the world for its winter migration of nearly 200 species of water birds. With brackish waters, this wetlands site is an animal lovers paradise.
Accommodation
Thaulle Resort★3 star
Activities
Bundala National Park
Destinations
Tissamaharama
Southern Province
Day 9
Free Day in Tissa
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You can start your day at Kataragama Temple - the architecture isn’t the most impressive but it is the best place to truly experience Sri Lankan religious fervour. Bird-lovers should not miss the chance to explore the Wirawila Sanctuary. More than 400 species live in this park, and you can observe flamingos, herons, pelicans and more. In the afternoon why not visit Yatala Dagoba? You can enjoy the sunset from the promenade or a speedboat. Later travel to Udawalawe.
Accommodation
Big Game Camp★3 star
Activities
KataragamaOptional Activity
Wirawila Tissa SanctuaryOptional Activity
Yatala DagobaOptional Activity
Transportations
Private Driver from Yala to Udawalawa
Destinations
Tissamaharama
Moneragala
Southern Province
Agunukolapelessa
Day 10
Galle and Bentota
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Travel to Galle in the morning for a free day. Take this opportunity to visit the Dutch Fort and take time to stroll through the alleys of the old town, reminiscent of a medieval European city. Cafes, restaurants, craft shops, and artists' studios contribute to the liveliness and charm of the old city. You can also go cycling around Galle and explore its villages amidst the rice fields. A great opportunity to witness rural Sri Lanka! Go from Galle to Bentota at the end of the day.
Accommodation
Avani Bentota Resort★4 star
Activities
GalleOptional Activity
Transportations
Private Driver from Udawalawa to Galle
Private Driver from Galle to Bentota
Destinations
Agunukolapelessa
Galle
Bentota
Day 11
Free Day in Bentota
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A free day in Bentota and its surroundings. Bentota, one of the oldest seaside resorts in Sri Lanka, sits on an estuary where the river meets the ocean and is the ideal place for watersports. You can also visit the Turtle Research Project and learn about conservation efforts here. You'll have the day to relax on the beach, at the hotel or head out on an adventure on your own arrangement.
Accommodation
Avani Bentota Resort★4 star
Activities
Bentota BeachOptional Activity
Lunuganga Geoffrey Bawa’s Country EstateOptional Activity
Destinations
Bentota
Southern Province
Day 12
Free Day in Bentota
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Enjoy a day of ultimate relaxation at the beach. Lounge under the palm trees and read a book, sip on a tropical fruit shake and swim in the clear waters. In the evening, take the opportunity to watch the sunset with your toes in the sand. If you're feeling more adventurous, you can set off and visit the inspiring Brief Garden and the Lunuganga Estate about 10 kilometres from Bentota or the majestic Kande Viharaya Temple.
Accommodation
Avani Bentota Resort★4 star
Activities
Watersports at BentotaOptional Activity
Destinations
Bentota
Beruwala
Day 13
Bentota to Colombo Airport
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This concludes your beautiful two weeks in Sri Lanka. You'll have a private transfer from Bentota to Colombo International Airport. Your driver will drop you at the airport 3 hours prior to your flight.
Transportations
Private Driver from Bentota to Bandaranaike International Airport
Destinations
Bentota
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What’s included?
12 nights accommodation
5 activities
Airport transfer
Entrance fees
Ground transportation
Licensed English speaking guides
What’s not included?
Alcohol beverages
Domestic flights
Entry visas / airport departure tax
Gratuities
International flights
Laundry
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Trekking permits
Starting From
AU$ 5,952/ per traveller sharing
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Benefits of this trip
Sri Lanka in 13 days
4-star, 3-star, 2-star accommodation
24/7 in-destination support from your local designer