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Journeys: Discover Sri Lanka
11 days, Colombo to Marawila
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The itinerary on this trip has been improved! View the new itinerary.
Be enchanted by Sri Lanka on an unforgettable 11-day journey. Explore Sigiriya Rock Fortress and refresh your spirit at the unusual Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stroll spice gardens and tea plantations, and ride through Wilpattu National Park with a forest ranger in search of elephants and leopards. Come away with a deep understanding of why early Arab traders called this island country “Serendib,” a name that gave English speakers the word “serendipity.”
This specific trip is no longer running.
Trip Code: ASING
Is this tour for me?
Travel Style: National Geographic Journeys
Greater exploration, insider access, and the freedom to roam – all without sacrificing comfort.
Service Level: Upgraded
Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other G Adventures tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.
Physical Rating: 3 - Average
Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.
Trip Type: Small Group
Small group experience; Max 15, avg 12
Age requirement: 12+
All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
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Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.
View our Entry Requirements toolSee how your trip uplifts communities
In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.
100
Ripple Score
Create ripples that change lives. The higher the Ripple Score percentage, the more money stays in the local communities you visit.
Ripple Score for this trip: 100
[Kandy] is home to the famed temple of the Buddha’s tooth relic, tropical rain forests of the Udawattekele Sanctuary, and grandiose 16th-century buildings that add a touch of faded luxury. “The New Grand Tour,” National Geographic Traveler, October, 2004
More from Journeys: Discover Sri Lanka
Itinerary
Day 1Colombo
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included.
Day 2Colombo/Nuwara Eliya
Discover Colombo on a city tour including the Fort and Pettah areas. Travel through scenic mountains to the tea-producing town of Nuwara Eliya, stopping in Kitulgala en route. Opt for a rafting excursion on the Kelani River.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Nuwara Eliya
Enjoy a picnic breakfast and hike in Horton Plains National Park. Head back to Nuwara Eliya and indulge in high tea at the historic Grand Hotel. This evening, embark on a tuk-tuk ride and visit the town centre and market.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Nuwara Eliya/Madulkele
Travel to Kandy, stopping at a Ceylon tea plantation en route to learn about the production process. Enjoy a tour around the city and lake, with a guided visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Afterwards, head to the eco lodge for the night, located on a tea estate.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 5Madulkele
Set out for a hiking excursion in the Knuckles mountain range, following trails through lush forest past villages and tea plantations. Later, take in a lecture and demonstration on Ayurveda by an expert local practitioner. Enjoy another night at the lodge.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 6Madulkele/Dambulla
Pay a morning visit to a spice garden in Matale before arriving at the archaeological site of Nalanda Gedige – home to a unique fusion of Hindu and Buddhist architecture and imagery. Continue on to the impressive Dambulla Cave Temple and admire ancient Buddhist murals and statues.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7Dambulla
Visit the CIC Hingurakgoda farm and learn how this “seed-to-shelf” business is bringing together modern and traditional agricultural practices. Purchase local ingredients and head to a small farmhouse for lunch. Get to know the family and help prepare the meal, while getting an inside look at traditional Sri Lankan cuisine. After lunch, head to Sigiriya (Lion) rock fortress and climb the steps to the top of this captivating site to discover UNESCO-listed ruins and take in stellar views.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 8Dambulla/Anuradhapura
Travel north to Wilpattu National Park, known for its leopard population. Explore the park by jeep and meet with a knowledgeable forest ranger to learn about conservation efforts and the issues of human encroachment on wildlife reserves. Continue to Anuradhapura for the night.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Anuradhapura/Marawila
Explore the sacred city of Anuradhapura – a UNESCO World Heritage site – and discover ancient Buddhist monasteries. Later, travel south to coastal Marawila.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 10Marawila
Enjoy a relaxing day at the beach.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 11Marawila
Depart at any time.
Meals included:
BreakfastWhat's Included
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Understanding Ayurveda
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Farm Visit and Local Lunch, Dambulla
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Wilpattu Safari and Conservation Talk, Wilpattu National Park
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Arrival transfer
- Colombo city tour
- Picnic and hike in Horton Plains National Park
- High tea at the Grand Hotel
- Evening tuk tuk tour of Nuwara Eliya village
- Kandy city tour and Ceylon tea plantation visit
- Temple of the Tooth guided tour
- Hiking excursion in Knuckles mountains range
- Visit a Matale spice garden
- Visit Nalanda Gedige Temple ruins
- Dambulla cave temple visit
- Tour the Sigiriya rock fortress
- Tour of Anuradhapura ruins and monasteries
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodations
Hotel/Resorts (10 nts).
Meals
10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners
Allow USD230-300 for meals not included.
Transportation
Private vehicle, boat, 4x4, walking.
Staff & experts
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.
Available extras (Add these to your tour when you book)
My Own Room - From $1339.00
If you're travelling solo and would prefer to have your own private room throughout your trip, select this option during the online booking process.
Departures
Make it a private tour
Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.