Sri Lanka
Experience it ALL in 10 Days
Highlights
►Jeep Safaris: Elephants, Leopards, Aquatic Birds & More
►Reaching Adam’s Peak at Dawn, a Hiker’s Fantasy
►Hiking the Ancient Mountain of Sigiriya
►Exploring Abandoned Cities/Archeological Sites by Bike
►Cave Temples & Other Exotic-Looking Spiritual Sites
►Train Ride Through Postcard-Perfect Tea Plantations
►Whale & Dolphin Watching Near Mirissa or Snorkeling Near Hikkaduwa Resort
►Fine Beaches Surrounding Hikkaduwa Resort
►A Wetland Boat Cruise
►Waterfalls
►Colonial-Era Architecture in the Town of Galle
►Rich Culture
►And Much, Much More…
Fully Guided? All tours are almost fully guided.
Although virtually all actives on this multi-day tour are shared with other travelers, we can make the trip almost completely private, per your request.
Are Solo Travelers Welcomed?
Yes & There are No Supplemental Fees for the Tours!
Dates & Availability for the Next 12 Months. Any Date w/ 7-Day Notice (some exceptions are made)
Prices are subject to changed until booked.
This tour can be extended if you would like some time to just relax.
Itinerary
Day 1: Getting to the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa
From the airport in Colombo, we have a private driver and tour guide take us to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. En route, specifically in the town of Kurunegala, we can have lunch (or dinner depending on your arrival time into Colombo's international airport). As this is the first day of our trip and jet-lag is common, we simply go for an evening stroll in Polonnaruwa after checking into the hotel.
Day 2: A Guided Bike Tour of an Ancient City Followed by a Jeep Safari at Minneriya National Park
Today starts with a guided bike tour of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. Afterwards, we have lunch. Next, we are taken to Minneriya National Park. There we go on a jeep safari. In the evening, we are taken to Sri Lanka’s landmark hill, Sigiriya. This is where our hotel is located.
Best known for pagodas and ruins, the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Another draw is the town’s population of toque macaques. These monkeys have been living in the ruins since human occupation. They continued to thrive long after the humans left. The Minneriya National Park is best known as a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in forests.
Day 3: Hiking the Ancient Rock of Sigiriya, Hiking Pidurangala Rock & Visiting a Cave Temple
Today starts with a guided hiking tour of the ancient sites of Sigiriya. On the top of the rock, we will have a great view of the surroundings. We should be returning to the bottom of the base around 9:30am. We are then taken to Pidurangala Rock. There we are also provided with a guided hiking tour. We have lunch after hiking down Pidurangala Rock. After lunch in Sigiriya, we are taken to Dambulla Cave Temple. There we are given a guided tour. Afterwards, we are taken to Sri Muthumariamman Temple, in Matale. There we are given a guided tour. Finally, we are taken to the city of Kandy. This is where our hotel is located.
From all of today’s attractions, Sigiriya and Dambulla Cave Temple are the most popular. Dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 meters (660 feet) high, Sigiriya is a site of historical and archaeological significance. Sigiriya contains (A) ruins of an upper palace located on the flat top of the rock, (B) a mid-level terrace that includes the Lion Gate and a mirror wall with frescoes, (C) lower palaces located behind lavish gardens, and (D) moats and ramparts. The Dambulla Cave Temple is composed of five caves, which have been converted into shrine rooms. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings and four statues of gods and goddesses. This cave temple and World Heritage Site is one of most tourists’ favorite attractions in the country.
Day 4: A Tooth Temple, Royal Botanical Gardens, a Tea Factory Viewing & a Very Scenic Drive
Today starts with a guided tour of Kandy’s key attraction, the Temple of the Tooth. Since ancient times, this temple has played an important role in local politics. After exploring it, we are given a guided tour at Kandy’s second most popular attraction, the Royal Botanical Gardens. Best known for its collection of orchids, these gardens attract around two million visitors annually. The Royal Botanical Gardens are home to more than 4,000 species of plants, including spices and palm trees. After walking around these gardens, we can purchase lunch. After our meal, we are provided with a guided walking tour around town.
After discovering Kandy, we are taken to a tea factory. En route, we pass through arguably the greatest landscape in the country. The tea plantations in the countryside are absolutely gorgeous to look at. After our tea factory tour, we are taken to a mountain called Adam’s Peak. Our hotel is located in this area.
Day 5: Adam's Peak’s Sunrise Hike, a Train Ride Like No Other & Breathtaking Tea Plantations
Today we take a hike up Adam’s Peak. It is a 2,243-meter (7,359-feet) tall conical mountain located in the center of the country. Seeing from atop the sunrise and the surroundings, this is a hiker’s fantasy. Note that views from above the mountain may be obstructed due to fog. There really isn’t much that can be done about it. Hopefully it will be a clear morning. Hiking back to the base takes about 2.5 hours.
After our hike, we are taken to our nearby hotel so we can have breakfast, shower and check out. Next, we are taken to the town of Nuwara Eliya. There we can purchase lunch. After our meal, we are taken by a quite popular and scenic train ride to the town of Ella. This is where our hotel is located.
Day 6: Waterfalls, Temples & Hiking Little Adam’s Peak for Sunrise
The early morning starts with a hike to Little Adam’s Peak. We watch the sunrise once reaching the top of the mountain. The guided tour from the bottom to the top and back down takes a little under 2 hours. Afterwards, we are taken to Dhowa Rock Temple. There we are provided with a guided tour. Next, we are taken to the Nine Arch Bridge. This is where an antiquated train passes by. It serves as a popular tourist attraction.
After lunch, we take a short drive to Ravana Falls. These falls measure approximately 25 meters (82 feet) in height, featuring water falling from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. Its cave lies 1,370 meters (4,490 feet) above sea level on the foundation of a cliff. Excavations undertaken in the cave uncovered evidence of human habitation dating back 25,000 years. There we are provided with a guided tour. Afterwards, we are taken to Ravana Cave Temple. There we are provided with another guided tour. The day ends in Tissamaharama, a town near to Yala National Park. Our hotel for the evening is located in Tissamaharama.
Day 7: Wildlife Jeep Safari, Stilt Fishing, Colonial Galle & the Beach Resort of Hikkaduwa
Today starts with an early-morning, Jeep safari at Yala National Park. Yala is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. It is best known for its variety of wild animals, such as elephants, leopards and aquatic birds. After the tour, we are taken to Tangalle. There we can have lunch. Next, we are taken to the town of Weligama, which is home to the tradition of stilt fishing. Afterwards, we are taken to the somewhat colonial city of Galle. Galle has a handful of worth-seeing monuments built during European colonization, such as its fort. Our guided tour in Galle takes about 1 hour. Lastly for today is a drive to Hikkaduwa. This is where our hotel is located. Hikkaduwa was once a hotspot for hippies but is now better known for its relatively nice resorts. Hikkaduwa is especially popular with Russians. Note that Hikkaduwa’s high season is November through March.
Day 8: Whale Watching Near Mirissa or Snorkeling Near Hikkaduwa
Today we go snorkeling near Hikkaduwa or whale watching near Mirissa. It depends on what month you are traveling. November through April is whale watching season. If you are joining our tour between November and April, then we are taken to a village called Mirissa. Early morning, we go whale-watching on a relatively large boat. Dolphins are also often seen in the area. The boat should return to Mirissa around 12:00pm. We are then taken for lunch nearby. Afterwards, we are taken back to our hotel.
If you are joining our tour between May and October, then we have the morning and early afternoon to recover after all of these adventurous activities. Midday, we are picked up at the hotel and taken to a dock where we get onto a boat leaving for Coral Garden. Near this area, specifically at the coral sanctuary, we can go snorkeling. It features approximately seventy varieties of multi-colored corals. In the late afternoon, we are picked up at the dock and taken back to our hotel.
Day 9: A Wetland Boat Cruise, a Striking Religious Temple & Colombo's National Museum
Today starts with a drive to Madu Ganga. For whatever odd reason, not a lot of natives know about this place. Nevertheless, this wetland boat cruise is definitely a highlight when visiting the country. Madu Ganga might be one of the last remaining tracts of untouched mangrove forests in Sri Lanka. What’s more, the inhabitants of its islets produce peeled cinnamon and cinnamon oil. There we are provided with a guided boat tour.
Next, we are taken to a turtle hatchery in Kosgoda. There we are provided with a guided tour. Afterwards, we have lunch in the coastal town of Bentota. After our meal, we are taken to the Raja Maha Vihara Temple, in Kelaniya. This is arguably Sri Lanka’s most beautiful religious monument. There we are provided with a guided tour. We are then taken to Colombo, specifically to see its national museum. It features the throne and crown of the Kandyan monarchs as well as many other exhibits telling the story of ancient Sri Lanka. There we are provided with a guided tour. Still in Colombo, we are then taken to our hotel.
Day 10: Our Tour Ends This Morning
Today is the end of our tour of Sri Lanka. Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Colombo.
This tour can be extended if you would like some time to just relax.
What's Included
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lodging included for all nights on this tour
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Transportation, except flights
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Tour guides
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Breakfasts
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All Activities in Itinerary Below
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Entry fees
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Your Own On-Call Concierge
This price is based on 2 per room
and is offered to those booking at least 6 weeks in advance
What’s Excluded
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Any airfare
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Alcohol
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Travel insurance
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Any government-imposed visa fees
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Anything not mentioned in the itinerary
Please Note
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Travel Insurance is required for this tour. You will be asked to provide your Travel insurance information after your booking is confirmed. It must cover cancellations, medical expenses, evacuations, flight loss or delays and 24/7 assistance.
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As much as we want for this trip to go exactly as planned, we can't predicted complications that may arise; due to inclement weather and/or closures due to uncontrollable circumstances like Covid-19. We will do our very best to make onsite scheduling adjustments as needed, but please note that all listed and intended activities are weather permitting. No refunds will be given if an activity has to be pulled. Additionally, the tour is listed as a package, and no price adjustments will be given if someone wants to "opt-out" of an included activity
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Not liable to any losses, damages, accidents, injuries, death, or sickness during your trip. The same applies to any changes in trip schedule due to weather, strikes, or any other force majeure. Service providers reserve the right to change routes, schedules, and itineraries if needed because of weather, road conditions or should the necessity arise because of unforeseen reasons or circumstances.
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Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that you protect your investment with travel insurance. Cancellation and interruption insurance covers in case of cancellation due to an insurable reason. We require adequate out of country medical insurance for unforeseen medical emergencies while traveling. The All Inclusive Plan includes emergency and health coverage and cancellation/interruption insurance. The rate for travel insurance is determined by the cost of the tour (can be increased to cover flights and other extras), the length of travel and your age.
Terms & Conditions
It is the responsibility of the passengers to verify documentation requirements directly with the embassy or consulate of the country of travel. Customs and/or immigration officials can deny a person entry into their country at their own discretion. We strongly recommend traveling with a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date. Please be aware that different living standards and practices exist outside of North America including but not limited to provisions of utilities, accommodations and services of all kinds.
One Who Loves Travel cannot be held responsible for any errors, omissions or mistakes in this form. Your reservation is subject to the rules and conditions of the tour operator