14 DAYS TOUR
TRIP DETAILS
Duration
14 Days 13 Nights
Location
Negombo - Anuradhapura - Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Kandy - Pinnawala - Adam's Peak - Nuwara Eliya - Ella - Yala - Mirissa - Bentota - Colombo
Day 1 – Arrival and booking into a hotel in Negombo
When you arrive for your 14-day Sri Lanka sightseeing tour, a representative from our company will be waiting for you at Bandaranaike International Airport. After that, you will be transported to your hotel in the lovely seaside city of Negombo, where you may spend the rest of the evening resting.
Day 2 – Negombo sightseeing
On day two, we will be going on a sightseeing tour in Negombo. Negombo is a popular place for fishing. A trip to the fishing community is informative. The city was founded on fishing, which continues to be the foundation of the neighborhood.
Tourists can spend a peaceful time exploring the fishing hamlet on the outskirts of the city to learn more about how the locals survive. Afterward, we will be heading to the Dutch Fort, one of Negombo’s top tourist attractions. The fort’s architecture is reminiscent of Sri Lanka’s colonial period under the Dutch administration. A trip to this fort will take you back to the city’s past when it was under the Dutch. Then the Dutch Clock Tower is one more attraction in Negombo. A small hill serves as the location of the Dutch Clock Tower. To go to the tower, visitors must pass through the prison’s entrance. A trip to the clock tower will transport you to the period of exploration. After the clock tower, you will be heading to a beach of your choice. The Negombo Beach Park and beaches in Negombo are what draw tourists to this city. Your vacation to this city will be enjoyable thanks to the fine sand beaches and lovely resorts along the coast. For thrill-seekers, these beaches also provide a variety of water activities. You will not want to leave the city once you are at Negombo beach, for sure. Afterward, you will be taken back to the hotel for the night.
Day 3 – Negombo to Anuradhapura
On the third day, we will be heading to Anuradhapura. First, we will be heading to Mihintale, which is 12 kilometers from Anuradhapura and is well known for its religious variety, monarchy, conflict, and military history. Mihintale, a Buddhist monk who lived in the eleventh century, is known as Mahinda’s hill in the Sinhalese language. The oldest wildlife sanctuary in the world, this city has been a designated refuge for animals for more than 2,200 years. Sri Lankans hold this location in high regard as the location of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa that officially established Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Afterward, we will be visiting the Atamasthana; the Buddha visited a number of places in Sri Lanka during his three travels, known as the Atamasthana, or “Eight Sacred Places.” Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, Ruwanwelisaya, Thuparamaya, Lovamahapaya, Abhayagiri Dagaba, Jetavanarama, Mirisaveti Stupa, and Lankarama are some of the holy sites. They are located in the old Anuradhapura Kingdom’s capital city of Anuradhapura.
- Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya– Emperor Asoka in India sent his daughter Theri Sangha Mitta to the island with a branch of the Sacred Bodhi, which was taken from the main stem of the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, under which Buddha received enlightenment after Mahinda Thero brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka in 250 BC. In 249 BC, King Tissa received the sapling and placed it where it is now.
- Ruwanwelisaya– The renowned king Dutugamunu, who ruled from Anuradhapura from 137 BC to 119 BC, constructed Ruwanweli Maha Seya. The most revered Buddhist landmark in Anuradhapura is the Ruwanweli Seya temple, which is second only to Sri Maha Bodhi. Even though Ruwanweli Maha Seya is not the biggest or the oldest of the stupas built in Anuradhapura, Buddhists revere it more than any other notable stupa. It has the largest collection of Gautama Buddha artifacts ever housed in a Dagaba on the island.
- Thuparamaya– Following the spread of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, this is the first stupa to be constructed in the nation. Built during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa (250 BC–210 BC), this complex had both a stupa and an aramic structure (monastery). Currently, the complex’s remains take up over 3 1/2 acres. Thero, who introduced Buddhism to the island, gave the order for the stupa to be erected in order to house the right collarbone of Lord Buddha.
- Lovamahapaya– Lovamahapaya is situated between Ruwanweli Seya and Sri Maha Bodhiya. Due to the bronze tiled roof, it is also known as the Brazen Palace or Lohaprasadaya. More than 2000 years ago, King Dutugamunu constructed it for the first time, but over the centuries, it was extensively restored, each time with a somewhat less opulent design. All that is left of this enormous palace, which according to archeological data had nine stories and could hold about 1000 monks and attendants, are the fragments of 1600 columns.
- Abhayagiri Dagaba- It was constructed throughout King Wattagamini Abhaya’s reign (commonly known as King Valagamba). It is one of the largest archaeological sites in the world and a holy Buddhist pilgrimage city. In the past, it was a significant monastic center as well as a royal capital, with beautiful monasteries rising to many stories with roofs made of burned clay tiles with brilliantly colored glazes or gilded metal.
- Jetavanaramaya- The Jetavanaramaya is a stupa that may be seen amid the Jetavana Monastery ruins in Sri Lanka’s revered Anuradhapura, a city that is included as a world heritage site. Following the fall of Mahavihara, King Mahasena (273–301 AD) began building the stupa, and his son Meghavanna continued the project. [10] The relic that is kept here is thought to be a piece of a belt or sash that the Buddha fastened.
- Mirisaveti Stupa– Following his victory over King Elara, King Dutugamunu constructed the Mirisaveti Stupa. He had left the sceptre behind after putting the Buddha relics within it and gone to take a bath in Tisawewa. He went back to where the sceptre was put after taking a bath, and it is reported that it was immovable. A stupa was erected in the spot where the sceptre had stood. He allegedly remembered that he ate a spicy dish without giving any to the sangha. In order to punish himself, he built the Mirisavetiya Dagaba.
- Lankarama– King Valagamba erected the stupa known as Lankarama on the historic site of Galhebakada in the former Sri Lankan kingdom of Anuradhapura. The ancient shape of the stupa, which was later restored, is unknown. The remains reveal rows of stone pillars, and it is obvious that a building was erected to surround and conceal the stupa (vatadage).
Over countless centuries, the sacred city of Anuradhapura had a significant impact on the country’s architectural advancement. In 1982, the city was proposed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After visiting the Atamasthana, you will be driven to your hotel in Sigiriya.
Day 4 – Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa and back to Sigiriya
On the fourth day of your tour, you will be taken to the historical city of Polonnaruwa. Polonnaruwa is the second-most ancient kingdom in Sri Lanka. After Anuradhapura was destroyed in 993, Polonnaruwa served as the country of Sri Lanka’s second capital. Along with the Chola-built Brahmanic structures, it also has the magnificent remains of Parakramabahu’s magnificent garden city, which was erected in the 12th century. The city is filled with temples, shrines, palaces, and ruins and is brimming with archaeological riches. Discover King Parakramabahu I’s (1153-1186) royal residence.The walls of the once huge building with 50 rooms are still solid today. Intricately carved stone elephants flank the walls of the king’s audience hall, while lion sculptures stand watch. The king’s swimming pool features gigantic crocodile-mouth statues that spit fresh water. The oldest Hindu temple in Polonnaruwa, Shiva Devale No. 2, is made of stone and is hidden away in a small woodland clearing. After visiting the ancient Polonnaruwa,
We will be heading next to the Minneriya National Park. It is a very popular wildlife sanctuary to watch Sri Lankan elephants. In the dry season, you can watch 150-300 wild elephants together near Minneriya Tank. The Minneriya National Park spans 888.4 ha and is home to wild animals such as the Sri Lankan Leopard, Sloth Bear, Sri Lankan Sambar Deer, Buffalo, and endemic monkies.
Then we head back to your hotel in Sigiriya for an overnight stay.
Day 5 – Sigiriya to Kandy
You will get to take part in some mountaineering activities on day five before heading to Kandy. famous for its rock stronghold, Sigiriya. The Sigiriya, often known as the “lion rock,” served as both the stronghold and the capital of King Kashyapa. The rock is 180 meters high. The legend behind the name Sigiriya claims that King Kashyapa constructed a gateway in the shape of a massive lion halfway up a cliff. It was known as the “lion rock” because of its structure (Sigiriya). After the king died, the stronghold was abandoned. However, it continued to be used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century. The fortress’s remains are preserved today and are designated as a world heritage site by UNESCO.
Afterward, we will be heading towards Kandy. On the way, we will first visit Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as the Dambulla Golden Temple, which will be our destination. The complex, which is made up of five caverns, is Sri Lanka’s largest and best-preserved cave temple. A 2100 m2 portion of the walls are painted with murals. There are 157 statues in all at the shrine. The temple’s existence is a natural marvel because of the enormous 150m-tall rock that serves as its roof. Following a restoration project, the massive 15-meter-tall golden statue and pagoda were constructed. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well. We will travel to your hotel in Sri Lanka for supper and the night after touring the temple.
After that, we will be going to the spice garden, a mystical place filled with scents and vegetation. Additionally, you will have the chance to discover how spices are used in both cooking and medicine. After that, we’re going to the Matale Muthumariamman Temple. The name Muthumariamman is a combination of Muthu, which means pearl, Mari, which means rain, and Amman, which means mother. It is a temple dedicated to Mariamman, the Hindu goddess of fertility and rain. The temple is a lovely place to visit. People for devotion and weddings frequently visit the temple. The chariot festival, which is a festive celebration, is the primary religious event held in the temple during the month of March. After that, we’ll go directly to Kandy, so you can have dinner and spend the night there.
Day 6 – Kandy City Tour
You will be able to enjoy the magnificent Kandy city on day six of your 14-day tour of Sri Lanka; we will also visit a number of nearby locations. After breakfast, our car will pick you up from the hotel. The Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist attractions, is among the places we’ll go. For any Buddhist on the earth, it is a highly sanctified and important area. It is the temple where Gautama Buddha’s left canine tooth is revered. It was recognized as a global treasure by UNESCO in 1988.
Kandy Lake, also known as the Kiri Muhuda (or “Sea of Milk”) by locals, is the next location after that. It is located in the center of the city, and was constructed in 1807 by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe. It is a fictitious lake. Although the size has decreased with time, fishing is still prohibited in this protected lake. Take a leisurely stroll around the lake.
Later, you’ll travel to the Bahirawakanda Temple, another popular tourist site on the Bahirawakanda hill and renowned for its magnificent Buddha sculpture. Later on, we will travel to the Kandy viewpoint, which offers a comprehensive overview of the city of Kandy. The next location is the neighboring market, where you may buy various items, including organic goods and presents. The National Gems and Gemmological Museum, an educational destination where you can learn about the gems in Sri Lanka, will be our next stop. Additionally, it provides comprehensive details about Sri Lanka’s ancient past, which dates all the way back to 4.6 billion years ago. Additionally, the display space features some of the world’s most spectacular minerals. The tea plant, where you may learn about the process of producing tea, is the next destination.
We shall then proceed to the Kandy Cultural Dance Show after that. It is an astounding display of Sri Lankan dance, expressiveness, and cultural heritage. You shouldn’t miss it; the dancers from the Kandy Lake club have been organizing it since about 1982. Its main goal is to perform all of the Sri Lankan dances on a single platform. The Kandy retail complex is the last destination. Each destination would take the full day to see, and you would be dropped off at your hotel that evening.
Day 7 – Kandy and Pinnawela and back to Kandy
On day seven, we will be heading to Pinnawala. In Sri Lanka, Pinnawala is a unique location to watch elephants. The facility was founded in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation to care for juvenile elephants that were abandoned and lost in the untamed jungles. These lovely animals are adopted, raised, and reproduced in captivity. It is situated 13 kilometers northeast of Kegalle town in Pinnawala village. The world’s largest herd of captive elephants resides at the Pinnawala orphanage. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. is the best time to visit the orphanage. As a result, this is when young elephants are fed milk and given regular baths. The chance for the visitors to observe these domesticated elephants playing and bathing in the surrounding river is fantastic.
On the way back, we will be visiting the Embekka Devalaya, which is located in Medapalata Korale in Udunuwara. In Sri Lanka, during the Gampola Era (AD 1357–1374), King Vikramabahu III constructed the Embekka Devalaya (Embekka Temple). The Kataragama deviyo is the focus of the Devalaya. At this location, people also worship Devatha Bandara, a local god. The “Sanctum of Garagha,” the “Digge” or “Dancing Hall,” and the “Hevisi Mandapaya” or “Drummers’ Hall” are the three components that make up the shrine. Visitors have gravitated into the Drummers’ Hall because of the exquisite woodcarvings on its elaborate pillars and its steeply pitched ceiling. Afterward, we will be heading to an ancient Buddhist temple called Gadaladenyia Vihara, which is located in Pilimathalawa, Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is also referred to as Saddharmatilaka Vihara or Dharma Kirthi Viharaya. King Buwanekabaghu the fourth, according to an inscription etched into the walls constructed the temple in 1344 AD. The South Indian architect Ganesvarachchari created the temple in a style resembling South Indian architecture. Afterward, we will be heading to Kandy for your overnight stay.
Day 8 – Kandy to Adam’s Peak
On the eighth day, we will be heading to Adam’s Peak. On the way, we will first visit the Damro Labookellie Tea Center and Tea Garden, which is one of the tea estates we will explore. This Sri Lankan teashop has been around the longest and was once called Mackwoods. It is a sizable 5000 hectares of opulent tea estates. Because every tea has a different method of production, you will get to learn about both high-contrast tea methods. The tour of the industrial plant is free, and it is followed by a delicious tea tasting. Then you will we driven to the Adam’s peak.
At 2,244 meters, the magnificent Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada) is Sri Lanka’s fourth-highest peak. The Sri Pada or Adam’s Peak is a significant pilgrimage location. Buddhists think the footprint on the peak is actually that of Lord Buddha. Although it takes five hours to get to the summit, followers of many religions ascend the mountain every day to ask for blessings. Samanala Kanda, or Butterfly Mountain, is another name for the mountain. The Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, one of Sri Lanka’s highest protected forest reserves, lies on each side of the route as you ascend the mountain, which takes around three and a half hours and is paved with stairs. The views from the summit are breathtaking, especially in the early morning when the land is illuminated by the warmth of dawn, creating an infinite panorama of woods, valleys, mountains, and lakes.
Afterward, we will be heading back to the hotel in Adam’s peak.
Day 9 – Adam’s Peak to Nuwara Eliya
On day nine, we will be heading to Nuwara Eliya. On the way, we have a few stops planned, including St. Clair’s fall, known as the Little Niagara of Sri Lanka, and Devon Falls, which has the name of an early English coffee farmer by the name of Devon, who formerly had a plantation close to Devon falls. Afterward, we will be heading directly to Nuwara Eliya.
Day 10 – Nuwara Eliya to Ella
On the tenth day of the journey, you will board the most magnificent train to the wonderful Ella city. Before that, we will be visiting a few places in Nuwara Eliya. First, we will be visiting Gregory Lake, which is located near the town’s southernmost point. The lake provides a tranquil atmosphere and a lovely view. It is a distinctive vacation spot that bears Sir William Gregory’s name; it was given that name in 1873. Visitors may take horseback rides, boat tours, leisurely strolls along the pathways, or visit the lake park, which is also a stunning location for a day trip.
Then we will be heading to the post office in Nuwara Eliya. In the center of the city is where the post office is located. The fact that the post office is one of the oldest in Sri Lanka is what makes it special. The building, which was built by the British in 1894, is a two-story redbrick edifice in the Tudor style with a clock tower. Vacationers can use the mailing station’s top level as an inn.
Then, you will be driven to the Nanu Oya Railway Station, where you will board the train. The journey is one of Sri Lanka’s most romantic by rail. A must-do activity in Sri Lanka is to take in the breathtaking views of the country’s opulent green tea estates, mountains, bridges, valleys, and dense wildness. Additionally, it’s the best way to experience Sri Lankan culture. On the train, chat with friendly locals, wave to children running along the rails, and consume the hot snacks offered by vendors who board at each stop. At the end of the journey, you will be picked up from the Ella station and driven to your hotel.
Day 11 – Ella to Yala
On day eleven, we will be heading to Yala; we will be visiting a few locations on the way, like Little Adam’s Peak. Due to the resemblance between the two summits, Little Adam’s Peak (also known as Mini Adam’s Peak) was named after the revered Adams Peak (Sri Pada). An accessible climb to Little Adams Peak ascends a stunning peak covered with tea plantations, where you may observe people picking tea. Sceneries of thick jungles are breathtaking. You will never forget this ascent.
Then we’re going to the Nine Arch Bridge, which you may have seen on your train ride, but it’s worth going back to see the beauty and the bridge’s design. The Bridge in the Sky is another name for the Nine Arch Bridge. It is a structure from the Colonial era with a viaduct bridge structure.
Then, the Ravana Falls, also called Ravana Ella and named for the mythical king Ravana, will be our destination today. King Ravana, who then concealed her in a cave beneath the waterfall, allegedly took hostage Princess Sita. It is the country’s largest fall. The waterfall takes on the appearance of an areca blooming in the rainy months.
We will then head straight to Yala National Park, the nation’s second-largest national park and one that is bordered by the Indian Ocean, for your safari excursion. Only two of the park’s five blocks, Ruhunu and Kumana national parks, are accessible to the general public. Yala was designated as a refuge for animals in 1900. You will be driven to the hotel for supper and a night’s stay after the safari.
Day 12 – Yala to Mirissa
On day twelve, you will be taken directly to Mirissa. We will go to the Coconut Tree Hill when you get to Mirissa. It is most likely Mirissa’s most well-known place. A mineralized headland next to the Indian Ocean may be seen near Mirissa. Walking along the beach from the street takes around 10 to 15 minutes. You must take a picture in this wonderful frame as you reach the top, which offers a stunning view of the beach and Mirissa bay. You may then meander through the town before checking into your accommodation for the evening.
Day 13 – Mirissa to Bentota
On day thirteen, you will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe whales since we have scheduled a whale-watching cruise for the morning. You may get very close to these lovely animals. Additionally, you will get an opportunity to observe a lot more marine species.
After that, we will go through Galle to get to Bentota, stopping along the route to see the well-known Galle Fort, which is located on Galle Cove. The Portuguese built it in 1588, and the Dutch strengthened it in the 17th century, starting in 1649. Despite being over 432 years old, it still has an elegant aspect and is today recognized as an architectural historical landmark. After that, we’ll travel to the See Turtle Hatchery Farm in Galle, which aims to increase the resilience of young turtles. An adviser will give you a tour of the building, starting at the entrance. Then, in the town of Balapitiya, we will travel to the Madu River for a boat trip on the lovely Madu River. Numerous islands are created by the stream that runs through the region; a lovely wetland is also created by the biological system. We are now at the conclusion of the day, and you will be taken to the hotel.
Day 14 – Departure
On day 14, the final day of your incredible 14-day Sri Lanka sightseeing tour, our guide will drop you off in time to catch the flight departing the airport. Your amazing and beautiful 14-day Sri Lanka sightseeing tour will be completed by LANKA SAFE TOURS.
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