Itinerary
Day 01: Airport – Negombo
Upon arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), you will be met by our courteous English-speaking Chauffeur Guide and transferred to a delightful beachfront hotel in Negombo.
Negombo is a perfect introduction to Sri Lanka – lovely seafront resort hotels, 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.
Night stay at selected hotel in Negombo.
Day 02: Negombo – Hikkaduwa
After breakfast leave for the popular beach destination, Hikkaduwa. Visit the Hikkaduwa National Marine Park. Enjoy a glass-bottom boat reef safari combined with scuba diving or snorkelling in the protected reef zone.
Hikkaduwa is Sri Lanka’s long-standing beach hangout. With a variety of hotels and guesthouses, modest beach front restaurants and bars, an alluring beach, a protected reef teeming with colourful marine life, an abundance of water sports, hedonistic beach festivals and an effervescent nightlife, Hikkaduwa seems to have it all!
The Hikkaduwa Marine National Park is a star attraction in this delightful coastal destination. It is home to 170 species of tropical fish, 60 species of coral and many migrating sea turtles, with sea grass and marine algae providing habitat and character to the seabed.
Night stay at a selected hotel in Hikkaduwa.
Day 03: Hikkaduwa – Mirissa – Yala
Leave early for a whale watching excursion in Mirissa and proceed to Yala thereafter.
Apart from its gorgeous turquoise sea front, glistening white sand and endless strips of lush coconut palms, the idyllic southern coast town of Mirissa is one of the best Cetacean sighting locations in the world. This coveted title has been backed by years of research work undertaken by many eminent marine biologists in the world. Mirissa’s coastline hosts many varieties of whales such as the blue, killer, sperm and brydes whales and large pods of spinner dolphins. December through to April is the best time of the year for whale and dolphin watching in Mirissa.
Night stay at a selected hotel situated on the border of the Yala National Park.
Day 04: Yala
Leave early morning for a safari at the Yala National Park where you will encounter leopards, elephants, sloth bear, spotted deer, sambar, jackals, buffaloes, monkeys and many other colourful mammal species. Yala is also home to over 200 species of migratory and native birds such as the vibrantly hued peafowl and endemic Ceylon junglefowl.
Day 05 : Yala- Bundala/Sithulpawwa
After breakfast leave for one of two excursions.
Excursion option 1 – Visit the Bundala National Park.
The Bundala National Park is an excellent addition to your itinerary if bird watching and bird sighting is of interest to you. The scenic wetland sanctuary includes winding waterways, lagoons and dunes providing conducive habitat for its large proliferation of wildlife.
Excursion option 2 – Visit the Sithulpawwa Buddhist Monastery, which is an archeological as well as pilgrimage site hidden within the confines of Yala National Park. This ascetic abode is believed to have housed over 12,000 Buddhist monks, who were served by the royalty and commoners of the ancient Ruhunu Kingdom.
Night stay at hotel in Yala.
Day 06: Yala – Ella
After breakfast leave for the scenic hill country retreat of Ella.
Be mesmerised by the pristine natural beauty of Ella and the breathtaking panoramas that present themselves from every quarter.
Night stay at a selected hotel in Ella.
Day 07: Ella
Choose one of three excursions.
Option 1 – Visit the Nine Arches Bridge in Demodara, a colonial heritage masterpiece in structural railroad engineering. Trek through the surrounding emerald green tea plantations.
Option 2 – Climb the rugged Ella Rock. This can be strenuous for some (a 4 hour round trip), but the stunning view from the summit is well worth it. Alternatively, choose the short climb up Little Adam’s Peak (a 2 hour round trip), which offers a stunning panoramic view of the Ella Gap.
Option 3 – Trek to the beautiful Ravana Ella waterfall.
Day 08: Ella – Haputhale – Belihul Oya
After breakfast leave for Haputale. Visit a tea plantation and factory. Thereafter proceed to the iconic Benedictine Monastery – Adisham. Its sturdy Tudor style architecture, luscious orchards and bird sanctuary make it a delightful place to visit during your hill county jaunt.
Night stay at a selected hotel in Belihul Oya.
Day 09: Belihul Oya
After breakfast, opt for one of two excursions.
Option 1 – Visit the 152m Galagama Ella waterfall that nestles in a deep gorge in Belihul oya which makes the hike somewhat challenging. However, visitors find the soothing burble of the falls and the scenery rewarding.
Option 2 – Visit the 60m Surathali Ella falls. Enjoy a refreshing bath in the Belihul Oya river.
Night stay at a selected hotel in Belihul Oya.
Day 10: Belihul Oya – Sinharaja
After breakfast visit the Sinharaja Rain Forest, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site and a world biosphere reserve. Access the reserve through its Kudawa entrance in Kalawana.
Night stay in a forest lodge bordering the Sinharaja Reserve.
Day 11: Sinharaja – Colombo
Leave for Colombo after breakfast. Check in at a chic luxury hotel in Colombo. Relax in the pool or at the hotel spa.
Day 12: Colombo
Your reliable chauffer guide will take you on a guided city tour, following breakfast. Seize some shopping bargains along the way.
Day 13: Colombo – Airport
Departure transfer to the airport.
