Explore Sri Lanka (self- arranged accommodation)

On this 9 day tour, you will get the chance to help design your itinerary and reserve your accommodation to suit your needs. You will explore some of the country's most famous tourist places. This tour will bring you a variety of thrilling activities as well as fully submerse you in the local culture and expose you to the history of Sri Lanka.

Day 1

Arrival

Our representative tour guide will be waiting at the Airport, to warmly welcome you and take you comfortably to your hotel in Polonnaruwa. The first day allows you to relax and refresh yourself at the hotel in Polonnaruwa before the start of your adventure.

Activities

Hotel Transfer

Accommodation - Hotel of your choice in Polonnaruwa

Day 2

Explore Polonnaruwa

Visit Polonaruwa during the morning hours, which was the capital of Sri Lanka for about 200 years. The kingdom was transferred to Dambadeniya when Polonnaruwa was con-cored by Indian King Kalinga Magha.

You can visit the archeological museum, royal palace, audience hall, swimming pool, sacred quadrangle, shiva devale, pabalu vehera, rankot vihara, kiri vihara, buddha statue at lankatilaka, buddha figures at gal vihara and so much more! It will take roughly 5/6 hours to visit the entire kingdom in Polonnaruwa, as there are so many incredible sites to be seen. Then you will be driven to Sigiriya.

The magnificent Polonnaruwa Kingdom is your playground today, explore everything it has to offer.

Activities

Polonnaruwa Kingdom Tour

Accommodation - Hotel of your choice in Sigiriya

Day 3

An early start, on route to the Eighth Wonder of the World, which has huge walls, water canals, security guard rooms, natural stoned arches, mirror stone and world famous Sigiri paintings. It is an isolated rock kingdom more than 200m in height providing beautiful views.

Your second destination is Dambulla Cave Temple, which is the largest and the best-preserved cave temple in Sri Lanka. The caves were converted in to a temple complex by King Walagamba during the 1st century. There are about 153 Buddha statues and murals, which covers 2100 square meters.

Later, travel to Kandy to enjoy some authentic Kandyan dancing in the evening and spend the night in Kandy.

Experience the Eighth Wonder of the World, a Rock Kingdom that is sure to provide beautiful views.

Activities

Rock Kingdom Visit

Dambulla Cave Temple Visit

Kandyan Dancing Event

Accommodation - Hotel of your choice in Kandy.

Day 4

Knuckles Valley Hike

Starting early in the morning at 7 a.m., you will head to Knuckles Valley for hiking, passing tea estates, waterfalls, and panoramic views as you approach the peak. Additionally, you can watch many bird species and animals interact simultaneously. You will spend the night in a jungle camp and enjoy a traditional BBQ for dinner.

Explore the beautiful Knuckles Valley, witnessing the changing panoramic views as you near the peak.

Activities

Knuckles Valley Hike

Accommodation - Jungle Camp

Day 5

Knuckles Valley Decent

After your exciting and unique jungle camping experience, you will begin your decent. Climb downhill through tea plantations, sparkling waterfalls to enjoy (or even take a quick refreshing dip in) as you go. You will be dropped back at your hotel in Kandy in the evening, time to relax and relish in your Knuckles Valley adventure.

Activities

Knuckles Valley Decent

Hotel Transfer

Accommodation - Hotel of your choice in Kandy.

Day 6

Kandy City, Ambuluwawa & Nuwara Eliya

Soon after breakfast, you are taken to visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, which is situated in a World Heritage site in Kandy city. The most sacred molar tooth of the Lord Buddha is placed in seven golden caskets, under a golden ceiling.

You can see the Royal Palace of the last king, who ruled Sri Lanka until 1815. There are four Hindu Temples, the Buddhist and archeological museums are also situated at the Maligawa premises. Then go to the Ambuluwawa tower, which stands at the height of 48 meters, on an isolated mountain. Later, begin your drive to Nuwara Eliya, passing waterfalls, high grown tea plantations and world reputed tea factories.

Visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, which is situated in a World Heritage site in Kandy city.

Activities

Temple Of The Tooth Relic Visit

Royal Palace Visit

Ambuluwawa Tower Visit

Tea Estate & Tea Factory Visit

Ramboda Waterfall Visit

Accommodation - Hotel of your choice in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 7

Scenic train journey

The journey begins from Nuwara Eliya (Nanuoya) Railway station in the morning. It takes nearly 3 hours and 30 minutes to reach Ella. It's the iconic scenic train journey in Sri Lanka. The train takes you along greeny hills of tea plantation, lovely old tunnels, waterfalls, stunning landscapes and enjoy traditional village life while travelling. Then drive to hotel in Ella. In the evening When you walk for about 30 minutes towards the train track you can see nine arch bridge. Stay overnight in Ella.

It's the iconic scenic train journey in Sri Lanka.

Activities

Scenic Train Journey

Nine Arch Bridge

Accommodation - Hotel of your choice in Ella

Day 8

Tissamaharama Experience

Begins at 5.00 a.m., and drives straight way to Lipton seat to catch-up the sun rising scenery where covers 05 provincial highest view points at one place. The path drags along the tea estates, with busy tea pickers in the morning.

Next destination would be Yala. By lunchtime you can join a Yala Safari, it is interesting and one of the most popular activities among tourists.

This is due to the fact that Yala is the second largest wildlife reserve in Sri Lanka. It contains a higher density of leopard population than any national park in the world! So if you are lucky you can spot these incredible wild cats during your safari. After your exciting safari adventure, you will be driven back to your hotel where you can spend your evening as you wish. Enjoy one last Sri Lankan breakfast before your departure the next morning.

Yala is the second largest wildlife reserve in Sri Lanka and boosts a higher density of leopard than any National Park in the world!

Activities

Yala Safari

Lipton Seat Visit

Accommodation - Hotel of your choice in Tissamaharamaya.

Day 9

Begin your day, after breakfast, with a drive to the Hummanaya blow hole. Hummanaya blow hole pumps sea water up to 40feet into the sky.

Next stop is the turtle conservation project at Rekawa. Share a helping hand at this incredible turtle hatchery before finally driving back to your hotel in Unawatuna or to the nearest beach resort.

Activities

Hummanaya Blow Hole

Turtle Conservation Project at Rekawa

Accommodation - Hotel of your choice in Unawatuna