Day 1: Negombo - Sigiriya
In the early morning, you will leave for Sigiriya, visiting a roof tile factory, pineapple plantation, as well as Pinawella Elephant Orphanage, one of the popular attractions established as a sanctuary.
There, you are invited to observe and assist the baby elephants as they are fed from giant feeding bottles before they plod down to the river for their daily bath. In the afternoon, you will visit the Sigiriya Rock Fotress, which was a royal palace of King Kassyappa (477 - 495 A.D.). Dinner and overnight stay will be in a hotel in Sigiriya.
Day 2: Sigiriya - Anuradhapura
After breakfast, you will leave for Anuradhapura following the scenic drive passing small green towns, rural villages, and coconut groves to discover the lush green vegetation in the land. You will also enjoy an en-route stopover along the road to taste a king coconut drink, freshly cut pineapple, mangoes, and a variety of other tropical fruits.
Anuradhapura is the most extensive Sri Lankan ancient cities and a World Heritage Site. It was the national capital for over 1,300 years up to the 10th century A.D. Today, the monuments of Anuradhapura’s heyday survive for you to visit, surrounded by the solemn umbrage of trees and an ancient parkland.
During the tour, you will visit an archeological museum, the sacred Bodhi Tree, Brazen Place, Royal Palace of King Vijayabahu, Samadhi Buddha Statue, Kuttam Pokuna, and more. Dinner and overnight stay will be in a hotel in Sigiriya.
Day 3: Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa
After breakfast, you will leave for Polonnaruwa ancient city, another World Heritage Site. Once the capital of Sri Lanka from 11th - 13th centuries, it still contains some splendid and spectacular statues, walkways, and palaces among the forestry watched by the wildlife. In the afternoon, you will visit Minneriya National Park and proceed back to your hotel in Sigiriya.
Day 4 and 5: Polonnaruwa - Kandy
After morning elephant ride through the jungle, you will proceed to Kandy, visiting Dambulla cave temple, batik factory, and spice garden in Matale on the way. You will also visit Temple of the Tooth and watch a traditional cultural dancing show in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay will be in a hotel in Kandy.
Day 6 and 7: Kandy - Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast, you will visit Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens and leave for Nuwara Eliya. Nuwara Eliya is supposed to be one of the coolest places on the island, but it is really just like an English spring day, although the temperature does drop at night. Around Nuwara Eliya, you will see the evidence of the British influence as the houses are like country cottages or Queen Anne style mansions.
You will have an en-route visit to Sri Lankan tea plantation and a working tea factory and also experience a self-tea plucking session. Dinner and overnight stay will be in a hotel in Nuwara Eliya. The next day, you will visit the Horton Plains National Park. In the afternoon, you will walk around Lake Gregory and enjoy a city tour around Nuwara Eliya. Dinner and overnight stay will be in a hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
In the next day, you have a morning city tour to Kandy, visit of Gadaladeniya Vihara, Ambakey Temple, and Lankatilaka Vihara just outside Kandy. Then, you will also visit Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue. in the afternoon, you will have some time to relax in your hotel before dinner.
Day 8: Nuwara Eliya - Ella
After breakfast, you will have some options to proceed to Ella by train. It is a picturesque driveway through tea plantations which offers the best view of Sri Lanka countryside. The driver will drop you at Nuwara Eliya train station and pick you up from the train station in Ella. Once you check in to your hotel in Ella, you will climb Little Adam's Peak, visit the Rama's Cave, or just chill by one of the waterfalls Ella has to offer. Dinner and overnight stay will be in a hotel in Ella.
Day 9: Ella - Tissamaharama
You will proceed to Tissamahama and visit the Buduruwagalla Buddha standing statue on the way, followed by afternoon or morning safari in Yala National Park. Dinner and overnight stay will in a hotel in Tissamaharama.
Day 10: Yala - Negombo
After breakfast, you will proceed back to Negombo via beautiful southern coastal road, visiting Dondra Head Lighthouse, Hummanaya Blow Hole in Dickwella, Weligama fishing village, and turtle hatchery in Unawatuna. This is the end of the tour.
