• Spice garden Sri Lanka

Nature And Discovery Tour In Sri Lanka

  • 12 days
  • Prices from £980pp
Price details

Immerse yourself in the abundant nature of Sri Lanka and discover a country with a variety of beautiful landscapes. From the tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya to the lush vegetation of Maussawa going through two safaris, this tour was designed to enthrall nature lovers! You will also get an insight into Sri Lanka’s history with our must-see visits of Sigiriya, Dambulla and Kandy. A train ride and a night at a homestay enable you to get acquainted with the Sri Lankans and their friendly smiles.

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Day 1

Arrival in Sri Lanka and transfer to Negombo

Arrival at Colombo International Airport where you will be met by a representative of our local agency and taken to your hotel in Negombo.
You will spend the afternoon relaxing on Negombo beach after your flight.
Dinner and night at the 3-star Catamaran Beach Hotel (or similar).
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Day 2

Pinnawala and Dambulla

After breakfast it's time to meet the elephants at Pinnawala's orphanage. On your visit you will see how they get fed and witness an impressive sight as the whole herd takes a bath in the river!
You will then carry on to Dambulla, to visit a cave temple: the Golden Temple. The walls of five immense caves used as sanctuaries are entirely adorned with Buddhist murals. You will then go to your hotel at the end of the afternoon.
Dinner and night at the Namala Eco Lodge (or similar).
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Day 3

Polonnaruwa then safari in Minneriya National Park

After breakfast, you will drive to the archaeological site of Polonnaruwa. This site extends over 15 km2 and is packed with historic monuments that you can either see on foot or on a mountain bike.
You will discover many remnants dating from 10th to 12thcentury AD, period during which Polonnaruwa was the capital of Sri Lanka. Of particular interest are the statue of King Parakramabahu, the former Royal Palace, the audience hall, the royal baths, the relic room, the Gal Potha (an eight-meter tall stone book) and Gal Vihara, with the four statues of Buddha.
After this historical visit, you will go on a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park late afternoon to see wild elephants.
Dinner and night in a private home.
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Day 4

Sigiriya and Kandy

After breakfast, you will climb to the top of Lion Rock in Sigiriya . The summit of this impressive outcrop affords magnificent views over the valley and you can explore the remains of the fortress.
Back on the ground you will visit a batik workshop before driving on to Kandy. You will stop to visit a spice garden where you can learn all about the origin, cultivation and uses of a variety of spices.
Arrival in Kandy, where you can go for a walk near the lake and the Royal Palace before visiting the Temple of the Tooth (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988). This is where the Relic of the Tooth of Buddha is kept, an object of reverence for Sri Lankans even today.
Early evening you will see a traditional dance performance featuring a fire walking demonstration, and attend the impressive evening ceremony at the Temple of the Tooth.
Dinner and night at the 3-star Serene Garden Hotel (or similar).
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Day 5

Peradeniya Royal Botanic Gardens and free afternoon in Kandy

After breakfast you will go on a short drive to visit the Peradeniya Royal Botanic Gardens, home to a huge variety of exotic flowers and trees. A former royal park, these famous gardens are actually the largest of their kind (60 hectares) in Sri Lanka.
Among other things you will discover a magnificent orchid collection and an avenue of palms more than 50 years old  ; the latter can bear fruit weighing 10 to 20 kg each.
In the afternoon you will have time to visit Kandy independently, go shopping and maybe try a wonderful Ayurvedic massage.
Dinner and night at the 3-star Serene Garden Hotel (or similar).
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Day 6

Maussawa

In the morning you will head for Nuwara Eliya , nestled in the stunning tea-growing region. You will then continue to Maussawa , where your hotel, the Eco Lanka Villa, is situated. Nature lovers will adore this lush hidden paradise. Here you can discover Sri Lanka's natural charm and feel completely in harmony with nature.
Dinner and night at the Eco Lanka Villa (or similar).
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Day 7

From Nuwara Eliya to Bandarawela

In the morning you will visit the town of Nuwara Eliya, located at an altitude of 1,900 meters at the heart of the hill country. This likeable town with a colonial past was a favourite retreat for English colonists, which is why it is also called “Little England”. Strolling around the pleasant streets, you will quickly fall under its charm.
After visiting Nuwara Eliya you will take a tuk-tuk to the Nanu Oya train station to catch the 1 p.m. local train (subject to timetable changes). Expect a highly authentic and magical journey through tea-covered hills and past many waterfalls. A new way to discover Sri Lanka!
Arrival at Bandarawela Station at 3 p.m., where a driver will be expecting you. He will take you around Bandarawela, a very pretty town surrounded by tea plantations. You will then drive on to Balangoda where you can get settled at the hotel, a charming guest house situated in a small village.
Dinner and night at the Mount Field Cottage (or similar).
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Day 8

Bambarakkanda and Belihul Oya

In the morning you will go on a three or four-hour hike to the renowned Bambarakanda Fallsin order to admire gorgeous vegetation and discover the Sri Lankan way of life in small villages. You can even go for a swim when you get to the falls!
After the hike you will have lunch in a private home, an authentic way to find out more about Sri Lankan culture. A demonstration of Sri Lankan cookery will also be offered at your hotel in the evening.
Dinner and night at the charming 2-star Water Garden Hotel (or similar).
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Day 9

From Belihul oya to Kuda Oya

You will have breakfast around 6.30 a.m. and go for a two to three-hour hike in the area to admire nature at dawn.
Then you will drive to Buduruwagala to see the statue of Buddha.  This 15-meter tall statue carved out of the rock face is the tallest one of its kind in Sri Lanka. This impressive sculpture is surrounded by two groups of 3 figures on each side, with a 12-meter Bodhisattva at the centre of each grouping. In the afternoon you will drive to Kuda Oya where you can get settled at the campground. You will spend the night close to nature.
Dinner and night in a bungalow (no A/C) at the Kuda Oya Cottage Site.
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Day 10

Kataragama and safari in Yala National Park

In the morning you will visit Kataragama Temple. This is actually a three-temple complex that displays true religious diversity (Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam). The Hindu temple is the most impressive of the three; it is dedicated to the god Skanda who protects the Kataragama region. You will then stop in front of the sacred “Bo-Tree”, protected by gold railings and more than 2000 years old.
In the afternoon you will head for Yala, where you will go on a jeep safari in Yala National Park. This wildlife reserve offers magnificent scenery of the kind seen in African safari parks. You will drive through grasslands, plains and lagoons past rocky outcrops and see a great many species: elephants, of course, and also bears, leopards, deer, crocodiles, wild boars, monkeys, Indian buffaloes as well as a huge variety of birds.
Dinner and night at Hotel Okrin (or similar).
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Day 11

Kan Eliya, Galle and Bentota

After a good night sleep you will drive to Galle. On the way you'll stop at Kanneliya Forest Reserve, renowned for its birdlife and mammal populations.
Galle, your destination, is a city steeped in history. The Europeans left behind many visible marks, in particular the ramparts and a number of colonial edifices.
Dinner and night at the Marina Hotel (or similar).
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Day 12

Bentota - Airport

Enjoy a free day and make the most of Bentota's magnificent beach. It's time to rest after an exciting journey of discovery!
In the evening you will be taken to Colombo International Airport to fly home.
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Dilhani, our travel expert of Sri Lanka
  • Your trip

  • 12 days
  • Prices from £980pp
Price details

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Nature and discovery tour map

£980 per person, based on 2 people sharing a double room

The price includes :

  • Airport transfers on arrival/departure and 24/7 assistance;
  • Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle for airport transfers, for the tour itself and the visit of sites with an English-speaking driver guide. This is a private tour so you will be on your own (as a couple, a family or a group of friends, etc.) and your driver guide will escort you for the duration of your stay;
  • Hotel accommodation as stated in the itinerary (half board basis);
  • Entrance fees for the sites mentioned in the tour notes;
  • Photography permits except at the Temple of the Tooth of Buddha.

 

The price doesn’t include :

  • Flights;
  • Excursions and visits not mentioned in the tour notes;
  • Personal spending money  and incidental expenditure;
  • Insurance.