Itinerary
Day 01: Airport – Negombo
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by our friendly English-speaking Chauffeur Guide and transferred to a hotel in Negombo.
Negombo is a lively beach town on the west coast of Sri Lanka, a short commute away from the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). This tourist centric city is a perfect introduction to Sri Lanka – splendid seafront accommodation, a stash of restaurants and pubs, a wide endless beach, a busy bounty rich lagoon, saline wetlands teeming with marine and birdlife, a touch of colonial heritage and a friendly, hospitable community.
Relax and unwind in the comforts of your delightful hotel. Lay down your travel weary heads for an early night’s sleep, following a delectable dinner.
Day 02: Negombo – Pinnawela – Habarana
After breakfast leave for Habarana, visiting the Elephant Orphanage & Captive Breeding Centre at Pinnawela, en-route.
Pinnawala has the largest herd of orphaned elephants in the world, complemented by a captive breeding program. The endearing pachyderms’ mealtimes and communal river bath times are the most popular activities in the daily routine, enjoyed immensely by visiting spectators.
Habarana is a small picturesque village in the district of Anuradhapura and often serves as an ideal base for those visiting the nearby sites of the Cultural Triangle. The city has some popular mid-range and up market hotels; many with an ‘eco’ feel.
Upon arrival, check in to a selected hotel in Habarana. Evening – explore the surroundings of Habarana or opt for a swim in the hotel pool.
Enjoy a romantic dinner by the poolside under star-studded skies, serenaded by mellow music.
Day 03: Habarana – Sigiriya – Polonnaruwa – Habarana.
After breakfast proceed on an excursion to the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya. Thereafter, visit the ancient capital city of Polonnaruwa.
Sigiriya, a ‘UNESCO World Heritage’ site, was a long established Buddhist monastic abode until the 5th Century CE when King Kashyapa I (477 – 495 CE) chose the intriguing location to build his ‘citadel-in-the-sky,’ sprawled atop a majestic gneiss rock that rises 200m above the surrounding terrain. The remnants of this brilliant masterpiece are relatively well preserved and continue to inspire awe in visitors from around the world. Sigiriya is often referred to as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’.
At the height of its glory, Polonnaruwa was a prosperous agrarian city with magnificent palaces, sprawling Buddhist monasteries and temples, colorful Hindu shrines and expansive reservoirs and irrigation systems. The ruin sites of this splendid city still preserve a wealth of archeological treasures, giving the visitors much insight into its glorious past. Here ruled King Parakramabahu the Great who said, “I shall not let a drop of rain-water falling on this blessed land flow into the oceans, unless mankind has benefited from it.” To that end, he built Parakrama Samudra (translation – ‘Sea of Parakrama’), a vast man-made tank that irrigates the ‘rice bowl’ of Sri Lanka to this date.
Return to your hotel in Habarana by evening. You are bound to have worked up a voracious appetite after the day’s excursions. So why not indulge in a sumptuous dinner, meticulously put together by the culinary expert F&B staff of the hotel.
Day 04: Habarana – Pasikudah
After breakfast, leave for the east coast destination of Pasikudah. Check in to a luxury resort hotel.
Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Days 05 & 06: Pasikudah
Spend two days of leisure at the Pasikudah Bay.
Pasikudah is a beach-enthusiast’s paradise, famed for its white sandy beach and shallow bay with gorgeous turquoise waters. The secluded beach stretches are ideal for those aimless strolls with your significant other, or for lounging side by side watching clouds float aimlessly on dreamy azure skies.
Night stay at the hotel in Pasikudah.
Day 07: Pasikudah – Ella
After breakfast leave for the alluring hill country hideaway of Ella. It is a pristine village destination, which shot to recent fame; thanks to many tourists retreating to this mountainous region to experience its salubrious climate and breathtaking natural beauty.
Night stay at a selected hotel in Ella.
Day 08: Ella
After breakfast, opt for one of the below activities.
Option 1
Walk in the picturesque countryside, winding your way through emerald green tea gardens. Mingle with the friendly and charming locals. Follow a local cookery class and try your skills at whipping up some delicious local dishes on site.
Option 2
Trek to the 25m Ravana Ella waterfall. Enjoy the breathtaking view and the soothing burble of this majestic waterfall followed by a leisurely walk in the countryside.
Option 3
Visit the Nine Arches Bridge, a colonial heritage masterpiece in railway and structural engineering.
In the afternoon, following option 1, 2 or 3, climb Little Adam’s Peak (a 2 hour round trip), which offers a stunning panoramic view of the Ella Gap.
Night stay at the hotel in Ella.
Day 09: Ella – Kandy – Colombo
After breakfast take one of the world’s most scenic hill country train rides from Ella to Kandy. Upon arrival at the Kandy Railway Station, your Chauffeur Guide will meet you and transfer you to Colombo by car.
Check in to a luxury hotel in Colombo and spend the rest of the day relaxing in the hotel pool or spa. Enjoy a scrumptious dinner in one of the hotel’s trendy restaurants, before retiring for the night.
Day 10: Colombo
After breakfast head out to explore cosmopolitan Colombo, Sri Lanka’s foremost city. It is a suave and tourist friendly city with an easy-going vibe you are bound to enjoy.
Take a slow walk along Colombo’s shady boulevards, stop for a cuppa at a trendy cafe, shop for local merchandise at chic boutique outlets, visit an urban park for respite, admire the restored colonial architecture, discover Sri Lanka’s past at the National Museum, be mesmerised by the serenity of city temples and shrines and mingle with the locals to catch a glorious sunset at the Galle Face Green.
Upon returning to your hotel, enjoy a romantic poolside dinner, as you bring the curtain down on your exotic getaway in paradise.
Day 11: Colombo – Airport
Departure transfer to the airport.
Detailed/tailored itinerary and pricing provided on request.
