Pearl of the Indian Ocean
15 Days / 14 Nights
15 Days / 14 Nights
Sri Lanka, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, is full of treasures waiting to be discovered. Enjoy golden beaches, spot marine life in the turquoise waters, and explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Galle Fort, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Cave Temple, and the Temple of the Tooth. Experience the scenic hill country and encounter leopards and elephants in the country’s famous national parks.
You will arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport, where a representative of
WonderScapes
Travels will give you a warm welcome. You will then be transferred to the coastal city of
Negombo. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and unwind by the beautiful seaside as you
prepare for an exciting Sri Lankan adventure.
Negombo is a vibrant city enriched by diverse cultural influences. It is home to many
beautiful
churches and is often referred to as “Little Rome.” The golden sandy beaches here are also
well
known for their charm and tranquility.
A delicious seafood dinner by the ocean will be served at your hotel.
Overnight stay in Negombo.
Dambulla Cave Temple.
Enjoy a city tour of Negombo and the surrounding lagoon before you head for the city of
Dambulla located in the Cultural Triangle. In the evening you will visit the mysterious cave
temple in Dambulla, with five shrines and over hundred sculptures of the Buddha.
Included activities
Overnight stay in Dambulla.
Breakfast in Dambulla. Transfer to Anuradhapura.
After a scrumptious breakfast, you‘ll head to Anuradhapura, the northern point of Sri
Lanka’s
‘cultural triangle’, which also contains Polonnaruwa to the east and Kandy to the
south-west.
This area is bursting with stunning temples and sites of cultural and religious importance.
Many
sites such as the Sacred Maha Bodi Tree which is over 2200 years old and the Ruwanweliseya,
a
famous dagoba in the Buddhist culture, offers an insightful glimpse to the religion and
various
schools of art which came into being. Other important attractions which one will get the
chance
to visit include the Isurumuniya Rock Temple which dates back to the third century BC. and
the
Samadhi Buddha statue.
Transfer to Mihintale.
Mihintale is where Buddhism was first introduced to the country and is regarded as the
cradle
of Buddhist culture in Sri Lanka. An ancient stairway hewn out of granite slabs leads to the
summit from where one could get a splendid view of the surrounding countryside.
On completion, transfer to Dambulla.
Included activities
Overnight stay in Dambulla.
A scenic journey leading you to Sri Lanka's beautiful culture and scenery, providing an unforgettable experience together.
Wear modest, light-colored clothing with shoulders and knees covered when visiting temples and religious sites.
No hats or footwear allowed inside temples. Bring flip-flops (easy to remove) and socks for hot ground surfaces.
Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and insect repellent. The tropical sun can be intense, especially during outdoor excursions.
Photography restrictions apply at certain religious sites. Always ask permission before taking photos of people or sacred areas.
Dambulla - Cave temple
Anuradhapura - Sacred Maha Bodi Tree & Ruwanweliseya dagoba
Polonnaruwa - Gal viharaya & Medirigiriya Vatadage Temple
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage & Cultural Dance Performance
Nuwara eliya - Tea plantation visit
Yala National Park Wildlife Safari
Mirissa - blue whales watching
Visit famous Galle fort
Minneriya National Park - Jeep Safari Min 4 pax
Kandy - Cultural Dance Performance
Kandy - Botanical Gardens
Udawalawe National Park - Jeep Safari Min 4 pax
After a scrumptious breakfast, head to Polonnaruwa to continue your explorations of the cultural
triangle. Following Anuradhapura as the Sinhalese and Chola capital in the 10th century, the area
is strewn with ancient riches. Discover well-preserved temples, tombs and stupas in
Polonnaruwa’s Quadrangle complex – it’s not hard to imagine what this place looked like in all
its former glory. Visit the remains of the seven-story palace built by King Parakramabahu, the
rock temple of Gal Vihara, the giant stupa of Rankot Vihara and the ancient Buddha image house
of Lankatilaka, covered in intricate carvings and housing a towering statue of Buddha. Stop by
the incredible statue of Parakrama I, at 10 m tall this is a truly impressive sight.
On your way back you will visit the Medirigiriya Vatadage Temple.
Included activities
Overnight stay in Dambulla.
After breakfast, proceed to Kandy, En route visit Sigiriya, the fifth-century rock citadel built
during the reign of King Kasyapa. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this magnificent fortress
showcases the ingenuity of ancient Sri Lankan engineering and planning, and is one of the
island’s most remarkable monuments, rich in art and culture.
Climb to the summit and pass through the remains of the colossal Lion’s Paws, enjoying
sweeping views of the surrounding landscape and serene lake vistas. Admire the iconic frescoes
of the “Cloud Maidens”, stroll along the famed Mirror Wall, and explore the ancient inscriptions
and poems left by past visitors. Finish your visit at the museum near the entrance, which offers a
deeper understanding of the citadel’s historical significance and the advanced irrigation system
incorporated into its design.
Included activities
Overnight stay in Kandy.
Visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Set up by the wildlife department to rescue
foundland elephant calves, this place cares for adult elephants as well as babies. You
can watch the majestic animals being fed and also see them enthusiastically having their daily
bath in the river nearby.
After breakfast proceed to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya.
The Royal Botanical Gardens were originally created during the reign of a Sinhala king as a
pleasure garden for royalty. When the British took over the Kandyan Kingdom, they expanded
and enhanced this picturesque site. Covering 147 acres, the gardens feature a diverse collection
of trees, plants, and flowers, making it a perfect place to explore and enjoy the beauty of
nature.
After visiting the gardens, begin a city tour of Kandy, the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and
a UNESCO World Heritage Site with much to explore. The city is rich in legends, traditions, and
folklore, many of which are still preserved and celebrated today.
Drive around Kandy Lake, built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, in 1798.
Explore the bustling Kandy town and bazaar, as well as the arts and crafts centre, gem museum,
and lapidary. Finally, visit the Temple of the Tooth, which houses the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord
Buddha, which houses a Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha and is the focal point of an annual
festival known as the Kandy Esala Perahera.
Thereafter witness a cultural show which offers more insight into the city’s rich culture and
traditions.
Included activities
Overnight stay in Kandy.
After breakfast transfer to Nuwara eliya.
Nuwara Eliya meaning “the city of dawn” is the town at the highest elevation (about 2000 m
above sea level) in Sri Lanka and its tallest peak, Piduruthalagala (2555 m) could be seen from
here. The city, established by the British in the nineteenth century, and known as “Little
England” and is a popular holiday resort for Sri Lankans and tourists due to its cool climate and
quaint colonial feel with its little bungalows surrounded by hedgerows. Nuwara Eliya is also the
heart of the tea country and you can visit a plantation and a factory en route here and catch a
glimpse of tea pluckers in action.
Enjoy a city tour in Nuwara eliya.
Included activities
Overnight stay in Nuwara eliya.
Take a packed breakfast and leave for Horton Plains early.
Horton Plains National Park, is the highest plateau in the island consisting of grassland
interspersed with patches of forest, with some unusual high-altitude vegetation. The plains are
an excellent place to observe many species of highland birds and sambar deer. After trekking
for about 3 km out of the 4 km nature trail, you would come to the World’s End, where the
plateau plunges a thousand feet in a straight drop. You will also see the Baker’s Falls.
Return to the hotel for leisure.
Overnight stay in Nuwara eliya.
After breakfast transfer to Yala. En route view ravana waterfalls.
Overnight stay in Yala.
After breakfast visit the remarkable wildlife sanctuary of Yala National Park for a thrilling game
safari. Yala is renowned for its diverse landscapes, encompassing dry plains, scrublands, and
scenic coastal views.
During the safari, keep your eyes peeled for elephants, sloth bears,
wild boar, water buffalo, and various species of monkeys. Yala also boasts the highest leopard
concentration in the world, making it an excellent spot for leopard sightings. Enjoy the diverse
flora and fauna that thrive in this incredible park.
Included activities
Overnight stay in Yala.
Breakfast in Yala. transfer to Mirissa.
check in to the hotel and leisure.
Overnight stay in Mirissa.
Early morning Take a pack breakfast and enjoy blue whales watching.
Sri Lanka’s coastal waters are teeming with dolphins and whales, making it a prime destination for
marine enthusiasts. You may have the incredible opportunity to spot the majestic blue whale — the
largest animal to have ever lived on earth. Watching these magnificent creatures breach or flip their
tails in the wild is an amazing and unforgettable experience.
transfer to Bentota.
En route visit famous Galle fort.
Enjoy a city tour in Galle, a coastal city known for its Dutch influences. Galle, historically a
significant port, was visited by Zheng He and later the Portuguese, under whom it came to be known
as the “Point de Galle.” Visit the Galle Fort — a UNESCO World Heritage Site originally built by the
Portuguese and later heavily fortified by the Dutch. Its ancient ramparts are well preserved and the
area within the fort is still populated, with many old colonial style buildings remaining to this day.
Included activities
Overnight stay in Bentota.
After breakfast, enjoy time at the beach. This beach is a hotspot for snorkeling, fishing, scuba
diving, sailing, windsurfing, and many other exciting water sports. Keep an eye out for sea
turtles that often come to the shore.
Today you can relax on the beach or enjoy some water sports. You may also indulge yourself in
one of the many spa treatments available.
Overnight stay in Bentota.
Breakfast at the hotel, full day leisure at Bentota beach.
Overnight stay in Bentota.
After breakfast, transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport for your departure flight. Ayubowan, and we wish you a pleasant journey home.
Your accommodation, meal plan and transfers are tailored to your preferences & budget
Bring cool & comfortable clothing!
Sunscreen, flip flops, shoes and insect repellent will always come in handy
At all religious sites in Sri Lanka everyone is expected to dress respectfully in modest light coloured clothing with shoulders & knees covered
NO hats or footwear are allowed inside temples, so flip flops (which you would have to leave at the entrance) and an extra pair of socks are a good idea so you do not have to walk barefoot on the hot ground.
