10-Day Sri Lanka History and Nature Tour with Safaris and Heritage Sites

1

Day 01

Arrival in Colombo and Transfer to Negombo

• Upon arrival at Colombo Airport, transfer to your hotel near Negombo.

2

Day 02

Negombo Fish Market and Drive to the Cultural Triangle

• Rise early for a chance to visit the local fish market and see traders selling the catch of the day.
• Return to your hotel for breakfast.
• Later, set off on a 4-hour drive northeast to the Cultural Triangle, your base for the next three nights.

3

Day 03

Explore Ancient Polonnaruwa

• Explore the former capital of Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa, built during the 11th and 12th centuries and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Discover the ruins of its ancient Royal Palace and Temple before enjoying an afternoon at leisure.
• Experience the reservoir as the fishermen would by taking a catamaran ride and gliding through the still water and abundant lotus plants. At the end of the catamaran ride, experience another side of the ancient village with a bullock cart ride to a mud house for a traditional rice and curry lunch. (All is optional)

4

Day 04

Sigiriya Rock and Minneriya Safari

• Start the day at Sigiriya, or "Lion Rock," a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hike to the top is quite strenuous but worthwhile for the rock frescoes, the ruins of the 5th-century palace, and the spectacular views over the surrounding countryside.
• Later, drive to Minneriya National Park for a game drive.

5

Day 05

Dambulla, Matale, and Kandy

• Head to the Dambulla Cave Temples, five caves filled with Buddha images and statues, reached by a hike to the top of a sloping rock.
• Continue to the hill-country capital of Kandy, with an optional stop at a Matale spice garden en route.
• Proceed to the British Garrison Cemetery in Kandy.
• In the evening, enjoy a show of Sri Lankan music and dance before visiting the famous Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

6

Day 06

Kandy City, Museum, and Royal Botanic Gardens

• Spend the morning exploring Kandy, visiting the museum, including the famous blue and star sapphires that are mined, cut, and polished using traditional methods, as well as a bustling market.
• Later, enjoy a stroll around the beautiful Peradeniya Royal Botanic Gardens.

7

Day 07

Tea Country Journey to Nuwara Eliya

• Climb the scenic, winding roads up to Nuwara Eliya in the heart of the tea-producing region, stopping to visit a tea factory and see the manufacturing process in action.
• Continue past the waterfalls and take a walk around the town centre. Pass buildings dating from its time as a British hill station before checking in to the hotel.

8

Day 08

Train to Ella and Safari in Yala National Park

• Take a scenic train ride from Nanu Oya to Ella, a beautiful small town perched on a mountain ridge.
• Continue the drive, passing by Rawana Waterfalls.
• Go on an evening game drive at Yala National Park, home to a variety of wildlife, including the elusive leopard, sambar deer, crocodiles, buffalo, macaques and langur monkeys, as well as many kinds of birds.

9

Day 09

Turtle Conservation and Galle Fort Walk

• Transfer to Galle, a UNESCO site.
• Visit a conservation project on a protected stretch of coast known as a nesting site for five species of turtles.
• On arrival in Galle, take a walking tour of the old fort.
• Wander along the ramparts, past the lighthouse and old Portuguese harbour, to see some of the many colonial-era buildings.

10

Day 10

Colombo Walking Tour and Departure

• Enjoy a relaxing morning before transferring to the airport.
• Take a walking tour and explore this cosmopolitan city, the historic Pettah market, the eclectic Buddhist Gangaramaya Temple, and Galle Face Green. Pass many colonial-era buildings, reminders of the city's past under the Dutch and British, before your tour ends. (All is optional)