12 Days Explore East Coast of Sri Lanka

Route

Negombo – Anuradhapura – Trincomalee – Pasikudah – Pasikudah – Ella – Nuwara Eliya – Nuwara Eliya –Kandy – Dambulla – Sigiriya 

Tour Description

This exciting 11 Nights and 12 days package covers much of the breath-taking Beaches, landscapes, the diverse culture and history influenced by successive colonization of Sri Lanka.

Day 1 – Arrival in |  Negombo (7.8 km)

On arrival at the Bandaranayake International Airport, you will be greeted by our representative and proceed to the city of Negombo, situated along the coasts, 7km from the airport. Relax and unwind beneath the coconut groves as you enjoy the pristine golden beach, while you savour an authentic Sri Lankan Seafood Cuisine. Thereafter, transfer to your hotel on Bed & Breakfast basis.

Negombo is renowned for its tourism and fishing industry and earned the title ‘Little Rome’ due to several structures within the town, primarily the Roman Catholic Churches, which can be dated back to the Dutch and Portuguese reign of Sri- Lanka.

Experiencing Place

Relax beneath the Coconut Groves | The Pristine Golden Beach | Sri- Lankan Seafood Cuisine | Dutch Fort House Prison | Negombo Lagoon | Fishermen’s Huts | Hamilton Canal | Neoclassical St. Mary’s Church | Vivid Religious Paintings

Accommodation

As you want (available from 3 stars to 5 Stars )

Day 2 – Travel to | Anuradhapura (168 km)

Travel back in time after breakfast as you explore the ancient city of Anuradhapura. Meander amongst the age-old dagobas (brick stupas) which rival only the pyramids of Giza in size amongst the structures of old, the crumbling monastic buildings, and the vast Pokunas (pools). Hidden away in the dense jungle, this 4th century religious and political capital persevered for 1300 years before it was abandoned. Today, this sprawling city still serves as a religious centre and has been recognised as a UNESCO world heritage site.

After an eventful day, turn in to your hotel for your overnight stay in Anuradhapura.

Experiencing Place

Explore the ancient city of Anuradhapura | Age-old dagobas | vast Pokunas | crumbling monastic buildings

Accommodation

As you want (available from 3 stars to 5 Stars )

Day 3 – Travel to | Trincomalee (108 km)

Set out, post breakfast, for the port city of Trincomalee, which has been a focal point of trade and a place of Hindu pilgrimage dating back to 400 B.C. Enter the Fort Frederick, which hosts many popular tourist destinations. This fort, built by the Portuguese in 1623, was subsequently used by the Dutch and British as a naval base. You will find that the insignia of the British Empire still crowns its entrances.

Entering via the fort, behold the famed Koneswaram Kovil (temple) built atop the Swami rock by a cliff where pilgrims from across the world gather here to pay homage to the Hindu God, Lord Shiva. Although established as an ancient place of worship for at least 2 millennia, the current structure dates back to 1952 – but is beautifully designed with intricate details. Given its location, it offers an unparalleled view of all of Trincomalee.

Visit the popular lover’s leap, which hosts a monument that speaks of perhaps a more tragic than a romantic tale of a daughter of Dutch General who leapt into the ocean to her death. Thereafter transfer to your hotel for your overnight stay.

Experiencing Place

Fort Frederick | Koneswaram Kovil | lover’s leap

Accommodation

As you want (available from 3 stars to 5 Stars )

Day 4 – Travel to | Pasikudah (109 km)

Enjoy a hearty breakfast and set off from Trincomalee to spend a relaxing day lazing under the tropical sun on the beach of Pasikudah, which boasts one of the longest stretches of shallow coastline in the world. Experience the calm blue waters of the Indian Ocean nipping your ankles as you venture a few hundred metres into the sea on an idle walk.

After a revitalizing day at the beach, you will transfer to your hotel for your overnight stay.

Experiencing Place

tropical sun on the beach of Pasikudah

Accommodation

As you want (available from 3 stars to 5 Stars )

Day 5 – Travel to | Arugam Bay (146 km)

You’ll never be able to get enough of the infamous beaches of Sri Lanka – least of all Arugam Bay, which you will depart for after breakfast. Kick back, relax and drink in the spectacular surroundings before you transfer to your hotel for your overnight stay.

Experiencing Place

Beaches | Lakes | Sunrise | Sunset

Accommodation

As you want (available from 3 stars to 5 Stars )   

Day 6 – Explore | Arugam Bay

Hit the beach post breakfast to find the perfect surfing conditions at the 4th best wind surfing location in South East Asia and the 10th best location in the world. What better way to kick start your day than with roar of the waves and the wind in your hair?Venture through

Venture through the wilderness of Kumana, the 2^nd largest National Park in Sri Lanka, on an exciting safari in search of, among other species, slinking leopards, majestic elephants and hundreds of rare species of migratory and endemic birds. Follow this with a canoe ride in the Pottuvil lagoon where crocodiles and water monitors lurk under the calm waters, the silence interrupted by the chattering of the monkeys and the thousands of aquatic birds that lay claim to the mangroves. After an exhilarating day, you will transfer to your hotel for your overnight stay in Arugam Bay.

Experiencing Place

Surf Lesson | Kumana National Park | Lagoon Safari | Archaeological Places

Accommodation

As you want (available from 3 stars to 5 Stars )

Day 7 – Travel to | Ella (133 km)

Post breakfast, the journey from Arugam Bay to Ella for a spellbinding experience, as you are taken around the hills, through the lush, green tea plantations, into the clouds and through the tunnels of the salubrious hill country of Sri-Lanka. The small town of Ella, nestled amidst the green, misty hills, serves as the ideal retreat from your busy lifestyle. Take a hike through Little Adam’s Peak—a popular tourist destination, renowned for its breathtaking vista atop the mountain.

Subsequently, visit the magnificent waterfall—Ravana Falls, a popular local and tourist attraction. Thereafter transfer to your hotel for your overnight stay at Ella.

Experiencing Place

Ella| World End | Rawana Fall

Accommodation

As you want (available from 3 stars to 5 Stars )

Day 8 – Travel to | Nuwara Eliya (54.6 km)

Subsequent to a hearty breakfast, travel through the winding green hills to the salubrious, misty hills of Nuwara Eliya—a prominent tourist and local holiday destination, assuring you tranquillity and relaxation amidst the exhilarating vista of tea plantations, waterfalls, and lakes.

En route, visit a tea factory to witness the tea industry of the island, as Sri- Lanka is one of the largest producers and exporters of tea in the world. Thereafter transfer to your hotel for your overnight stay.

Experiencing Place

Tea Factory | Waterfall | Hakgala Botanical Gardens | Seetha Amman Temple | Galway’s Land National Park

Accommodation

As you want (available from 3 stars to 5 Stars )

 

Day 9 – Travel to | Kandy (76.9 km)

Depart for Kandy after breakfast, the second largest city in Sri- Lanka and a UNESCO world heritage site, due its rich, vibrant culture and history. This historic city was the Royal Capital during the 16^th century and maintains its sanctified glory predominantly due to the sacred temples. Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, lined with large processions of devotees seeking the blessings of their Lord. Built in the 16^th century, the temple has remained to be the most blessed site for Buddhists of the island as it holds Lord Buddha’s relic—a tooth. Thereafter transfer to your hotel for your overnight stay.

Experiencing Place

Kandy Lake | Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

Day 10 – City Tour | Kandy

Embark on a tour of the city of Kandy following breakfast. Stopover and stroll through the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya—a 60 hectare garden with over 4,000 species of plants, a wide range of orchids, herbs and spices, and vibrant hues of flowers bespeckled throughout the magnificent Royal Garden.

Thereafter, experience the distinctive, rich culture of the island demonstrated through a Cultural Dance Show, consisting of 12 different traditional dances, and a fire walking the show. As the night draws to an end, transfer to your hotel for your overnight stay.

Experiencing Place

Kandy City Tour | Gem Museum | Royal Botanical Garden | Cultural Dance Show

Day 11 – Travel to | Dambulla | Sigiriya (89.1 km)

Breathe in the pure aroma of the spices, as you visit the Spice Gardens in Matale post breakfast. Witness the numerous spices that are endemic to the island, and learn how they are grown and harvested.

Proceed to Dambulla to explore the extensive golden cave temples, a sacred site of pilgrimage with 5 monasteries. This UNESCO world heritage site contains over a 150 statues and exquisite murals of the Lord Buddha and famous kings of old depicted in various stages of Buddhist religious history, collected and carefully preserved over millennia. The earliest paintings are believed to have been created in the early 8^th century.

Prepare to be whisked away on a fascinating tour of Sigiriya. Encounter the ancient Sigiriya rock fortress and citadel, which illustrates the 6^th century technological and architectural prowess of ancient Sri Lanka, built and fortified by the parricidal King Kasyapa. A UNESCO world heritage site, the infamous lion Rock provides an insight into captivating Sri Lankan History and culture. Boasting some of the oldest landscaped gardens and other artistic wonders, the rock is perhaps most famous for the approximately 1600-year-old stunning frescoes of the heavenly maidens or Apsaras adorning its walls. After exploring the ruins, enjoy the breath-taking view of the surrounding rainforest and reserve.

Experiencing Place

golden cave temples | Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium | Sigiriya rock fortress | landscaped gardens

Accommodation

As you want (available from 3 stars to 5 Stars )

Day 10 – Departure to | Airport ( km )

Post breakfast, travel in comfort to the Bandaranayake International Airport for your departure.