Sri Lanka Grand Circuit

Your flight lands at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. Your chauffeur driver welcomes you and escorts you to your air‑conditioned vehicle for the five hour drive to Habarana. En route, you stop at Ridi Vihara, a Theravada Buddhist temple dating to the 2nd century BC. You also explore the Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO site with five caves containing over 150 Buddha statues. You reach your hotel around 8:30 PM, check in, and enjoy dinner. Breakfast will be served tomorrow morning.

After breakfast, your chauffeur driver takes you to Hiriwadunna for an authentic Sri Lankan village experience. You ride a bullock cart and enjoy a catamaran safari on Hiriwadunna Lake. A traditional lunch prepared by village women is served on lotus leaves. At 3:00 PM, your chauffeur driver leads an evening jeep safari at Minneriya National Park, where you search for herds of wild elephants and other wildlife. You return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, your chauffeur driver takes you to Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s first ancient capital. You explore the sacred city, visiting the Sri Maha Bodhi (oldest documented tree in the world) and Isurumuniya Rajamaha Viharaya with its rock carvings. In the evening, you climb Mihintale, the cradle of Theravada Buddhism, where you see the Mahaseya Stupa, Ambasthala Dagoba, and Mihindu Cave. You return to your hotel for dinner and a third overnight.

After breakfast, your chauffeur driver takes you to Sigiriya Rock Fortress. You climb the 600‑foot lion rock, passing ancient frescoes and reaching the summit for panoramic views. On descent, you enjoy a refreshing King coconut. In the evening, you visit the Medirigiriya archaeological site, known for its circular relic house (vatadage) with intricately carved stone pillars. You then continue to Polonnaruwa and check into your hotel for two nights. Dinner is included.

After breakfast, your chauffeur driver takes you on an optional morning hiking adventure with primatologist Dr. Wolfgang Dittus (USD 90 per person, not included). You observe toque macaques, gray langurs, and purple‑faced leaf monkeys in their natural habitat. Later, you explore the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO site, visiting the Gal Vihara Buddha statues and the Royal Palace complex. You return to your hotel for dinner and a second overnight.

After breakfast, your chauffeur driver takes you to the living heritage city of Kandy. In the evening, you visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, which houses a sacred tooth of the Buddha. You witness the traditional Theva ceremony at 6:30 PM, with Hewisi drumming and offerings of sugar, honey, and ghee. You also enjoy an upper lake drive, visit the market crafts centre, and see the gem museum. You check into your hotel for two nights. Dinner is included.

After breakfast, your chauffeur driver takes you to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, a 147‑acre paradise with over 5,000 plant species. You admire the giant Javan fig tree, the orchid house, and the Royal Palm Avenue. At 5:00 PM, you enjoy a cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dances. You return to your hotel for dinner and a second overnight in Kandy.

After breakfast, your chauffeur driver takes you to Nuwara Eliya, the hill station known as Little England. En route, you stop at Ramboda Falls and visit a tea factory to learn about tea production. Upon arrival, you enjoy a city tour covering Victoria Park and Gregory Lake. You check into The Grand Hotel, a luxurious colonial property, for one night. Dinner is included.

Early morning at 5:30 AM, your chauffeur driver takes you to Horton Plains National Park with a packed breakfast. You hike to World’s End, a sheer cliff with dramatic views. After the hike, you transfer to Pattipola Railway Station, the highest railway station in Sri Lanka, and board the scenic train to Bandarawela. The one‑hour journey passes through tea plantations, misty hills, and tunnels. Upon arrival, you check into your hotel for two nights. Dinner is included.

After breakfast, your chauffeur driver takes you to Lipton’s Seat, a high observation point in the hills of Poonagala. You walk through peaceful tea plantations and enjoy spectacular views of Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Central provinces. In the evening, you visit Bambarakanda Waterfall, the highest waterfall in Sri Lanka, via Haputale. You return to your hotel for dinner and a second overnight in Bandarawela.

After breakfast, your chauffeur driver takes you toward Kataragama. En route, you stop at Ravana Ella Falls for photos and visit the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe, where you observe orphaned elephants being fed and rehabilitated. In the evening, you reach Kataragama, a sacred site for both Hindus and Buddhists. You check into your hotel for two nights. Dinner is included.

Early morning at 5:30 AM, your chauffeur driver takes you on a jeep safari at Yala National Park, famous for its high leopard density. You search for leopards, elephants, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species. After the safari, you return to the hotel for a late breakfast. The remainder of the day is free to relax or explore the area on your own. Dinner is included at the hotel.

After breakfast, your chauffeur driver takes you to Kataragama Temple, a sacred Hindu and Buddhist shrine dedicated to the god Kataragama. You then drive to Tangalle, stopping at Tissamaharama Stupa en route. In the evening, you visit the Tangalle Turtle Hatchery, where you learn about sea turtle conservation and may release baby turtles into the ocean. You check into your beach hotel for dinner and overnight.