CLASSICAL JOURNEY (14 DAYS) + STAY AT THE BEACH
The following itinerary is suitable for journeys between September and May.
| ITINERARY SUMMARY | |
| 1 | AIRPORT – NEGOMBO |
| 2 | NEGOMBO – COLOMBO – NEGOMBO |
| 3 | NEGOMBO – SIGIRIYA |
| 4 | SIGIRIYA |
| 5 | SIGIRIYA – POLONNARUWA – SIGIRIYA |
| 6 | SIGIRIYA – ANURADHNAPURA – SIGIRIYA |
| 7 | SIGIRIYA – KANDY |
| 8 | KANDY |
| 9 | KANDY – KITULUGALLA – NUWARA ELIYA |
| 10 | NUWARA ELIYA |
| 11 | NUWARA ELIYA – ELLA |
| 12 | ELLA – ARUGAMBAY |
| 13 | ARUGAMBAY |
| 14 | ARUGAMBAY – PASSIKUDAH / TRINCOMALEE |
| X | STAY ON THE EAST COAST |
| X | AIRPORT TRANSFER |
1st DAY: AIRPORT – NEGOMBO
A warm welcome to Sri Lanka! A representative of WNG Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your first stop on your Sri Lankan adventure – Negombo. You will be accommodated in a hotel where you can spend the rest of the evening relaxing and enjoying the tropical sandy beach. The first night will be spent in Negombo.
Admission fees:
- No fees
2nd DAY: NEGOMBO – COLOMBO – NEGOMBO
We will start our day with the visit of the National museum. The National museum was established in 1877. It’s the oldest and the largest museum in the country, best known for the collection of antiques and objects of art. We can also visit the independence square and the newly renovated arcades. For lunch we will stop at a local restaurant to taste some traditional Sri Lankan food.
It’s time to continue our trip and visit one of the biggest markets in Colombo, where you can literally find everything – Petah. Next stop is the Gangaramaya temple that is divided in to two places. One on the land with a small but impressive museum and the other part positioned on a lake. Perfect time to relax.
The sunset we will enjoy at Galle Face, one of the most romantic and beautiful spots in Colombo. In the evening you’ll be dropped at the airport.
Admission fees:
- National Museum – 1500/=
- Independence Square – Free
- Arcades – Free
- Gangaramaya Temple – 300/=
- Galle Face – Free
3rd DAY: NEGOMBO – SIGIRIYA
Your driver will meet you at the reception and together you will begin your journey towards Millennium Elephant Foundation. We learn about this amazing creatures up close. The MEF charity was founded in August 1999 with the assistance of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and has been working continually to improve the care, protection and treatment of elephants in Sri Lanka by providing a place of care, medical services and facilities. Here at MEF they provide an alternative, the elephants receive specialist care with their individual mahout and the supporting team here. They do not do heavy manual work and are well provided for with food, water and medical treatment. Regular exercise is good for the elephants and we have an enrichment program in place. They also aim to help the elephant wild counterparts and raise awareness on responsible tourism. You can feed the elephants, bath them walk with tem and get to know them up close.
We will also visit a local Herbal and Spice garden where you can learn more about Sri Lankan Ayurveda medicine, natural herbs and spices used for cooking. The arrival to Sigiriya will be in the evening.
Admission fees:
- Herbal and Spice garden – Free guided tour
- Millennium Elephant Foundation 2000/= – 5000/= (Different packages)
4th DAY: SIGIRIYA
In the early morning we will head to Sigiriya. Sigiriya is a 650 feet high rock fortress, a masterpiece of construction, artistry & irrigation. The world-renowned frescoes of the ‘Heavenly Maidens’ of Sigiriya. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you prefer a more alternative option you can visit the nearby brother of Sigiriya, where an old Buddhist jungle monastery used to reside, called Pidurangala.
In the afternoon it’s time for an amazing adventure – an off-road safari by jeep in one of the surrounding national parks. Sri Lanka has been declared a biodiversity hot spot on a global scale. Much of this biodiversity is attributable to its island form, harbouring many endemic species, and to its variable topography and climate. The most amazing site between giant lizards, eagles and other interesting birds, wild buffalo and sometimes even sneaks are the big herds of wild Asian Elephants, which you can spot. It’s a memory for a lifetime!
Admission fees:
- Sigiriya 30$ (The equivalent amount in LKR is Paid)
- Pidurangala – 1000/= (Alternative to Sigiriya)
- Safari
- National park entrance fee 3500/=
- Jeep per group 6000/= – 7000/=
5th DAY: SIGIRIYA – POLONNARUWA – SIGIRIYA
Our destination today is Polonnaruwa. The second most ancient of Sri Lanka’s kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 to reunite the country once more under a local leader. Today the ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains one of the best planned archaeological relic sites in the country, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom’s first rulers. Its beauty was also used as a backdrop to filmed scenes for the Duran Duran music video Save a Prayer in 1982. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Time for a Village tour! We have an interesting excursion available in Habarana, in the form of a traditional bullock cart ride. This maximum three hour program is designed for you to experience the real traditional Sri Lankan rural village style, where you will travel in a Bullock cart to a rural village through lush green paddy fields where you will be served with lunch made according to authentic Sri Lankan cooking methods. Traditional cooking methods, and a visit to field to see how the local farmers protect their crops from the wild animals, will be demonstrated. The finale of this excursion will be a traditional canoe ride in a lake. You will return to the starting point in a tuk tuk.
Admission fees:
- Polonnaruwa 25$ (The equivalent amount in LKR is Paid)
- Village tour (Bull cart ride, canoe ride, village tour, meal, tuk tuk) 3500/=
6th DAY: SIGIRIYA – ANURADHNAPURA – SIGIRIYA
Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of an ancient Sri Lankan civilization from the 4th Century BC. It’s also considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will tour the ancient capital and visit Sri Maha Bodhi, the oldest historically documented tree in the world. Anuradhapura is a major city in Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of North Central Province, Sri Lanka and the capital of Anuradhapura District. Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Sri Lankan civilization. It was 3rd capital of the Kingdom of Rajarata after Tambapanni and Upatissa Nuwara.
Mihintale is only 12 km away from the famous Anuradhapura city and will be our first second of the day. The sacred forest mountain Missaka Pabbatha where King Devanampiya Tissa met Arhat Mahinda Thera and his companions is situated in Mihintale. The area of Mihintale surrounds with a jungle and there are rock boulders scattered around the mountainous area. There are many caves which were earlier used by monks for meditation in a quite surrounding away from the main city of Anuradhapura. There is abundance of ancient stone architecture surrounding the many Stupas, monastic complexes and other sacred places. Evening drive back to Sigiriya.
Admission fees:
- Anuradhnapura 25$ (The equivalent amount in LKR is Paid)
- Mihintale – 500/=
7th DAY: SIGIRIYA – KANDY
First stop of the day – The Golden Rock in Dambulla is a cave temple which dates back to the 1st Century BC. Its rock ceiling is one large sweep of colourful frescoes which depict Buddhist mythology and the tales of the Buddha’s previous births. The caves house the largest collection of Buddha statues in one place.
From Dambulla we will drive to Matale, where you will be able to see one of the most beautiful Hindu temple in Sri Lanka, even though it is not a tourist attraction. By nightfall we will end our day with the visit of the Dalada Maligawa golden roofed temple of the sacred Tooth relic of the Buddha in time to witness the ‘pooja’ ceremony. Night will be spend in Kandy.
Admission fees:
- Dambulla – 1500/=
- Matale temple – 100/=
- Dalada Maligawa – 1500/=
8th DAY: KANDY
We will start our day with the visit of the jungle near the city Udawata Kale. Not many people know this interesting jungle area, which is full of life and interesting local plants (Or visit the Peraddeniya botanical gardens). After that we will continue our day with visiting the big statue of Buddha on the hill that is overseeing the city and a local Hindu temple that is hidden in the streets and combines Hindu and Buddhist culture.
We will also stop at the local market that is full of interesting objects, fruits, vegetables and other products. If you would like to we can also take you to a local gem shop, where they will show you how mining in Sri Lanka is done by hand without electricity. Did you know we have the best natural sapphires in the world and all the jewellery is handmade? Later in the day you will have some time to walk around the famous Kandy Lake and enjoy its beauties.
In the evening a Cultural show awaits us in Kandy. We can witness the unique Kandyan dancing and drumming with traditional costumes and mask to scare away the evil spirits. Night will be spend in Kandy.
Admission fees:
- Kandy Lake – Free
- Peraddeniya botanical gardens – 1500/=
- Local market – Free
- Gem shop – Free guided tour
- Udawatta Kele – 670/=
- Cultural show – 1000/=
9th DAY: KANDY – KITULUGALLA – NUWARA ELIYA
Kitulgala is famous for white water rafting in the Kelani River with encounters of grade 2 & 3 rapids and relaxing walks in the village. After getting all the equipment and safety instructions we will wake up the adventurous soul in us! It’s time for rafting! Did you know that this is the actual area where the movie “Bridge on the river Kwai” was filmed and you can still see some remaining of the bridge in the water.
The agriculture around Kitulgala is typical of the hilly wet zone. The solitary fishtail palm, which is called kitul in Sri Lanka, gives rise to the town’s name. Its sap is concentrated into a delicious syrup, not dissimilar to maple syrup, and crystallized as jaggery. It is also fermented to make palm wine. The pith is used to make sago, and the fibres to make rope. In the evening we will head towards Nuwara Eliya.
Admission fees:
- Rafting – 3000/=
10th DAY: NUWARA ELIYA
Welcome to Nuwara Eliya. It’s time to admire the beautiful Tea carpeted uphill county scenery. You will be able to see some of the beautiful tea plantations and tea puckers at work. We will continue with a visit of the tea factory to see how the world’s favourite drink is prepared and enjoy a cup of real Sri Lankan tea.
The early afternoon will be filled with outdoors sightseeing in Nuwara Eliya which resembles an old English town. An interesting lake, race track, well- kept lawns with hedges, an Anglican Church, an 18 holes golf course and so much more. You can even visit the uphill Botanical gardens Hakgalla.
Admission fees:
- Tea factory – Free guided tour
- Nuwara Eliya town – Free
- Botanical gardens – 1500/=
11th DAY: NUWARA ELIYA – HORTON PLAINS – ELLA
The nature of Sri Lanka is wonderful and a unique representative of this are the Hortons Plains. Horton Plains is the coldest and most windy area in the country. It consists of ecosystems such as evergreen forests, meadows, swampy lands and aquatic ecosystems.
At an altitude of 2,100 meters, Horton Plains extends over 3,169 hectares of the highest mountain area on the island. We will take a relaxing hike on a well-established hiking route. Due to the large number of endemic plant and animal species, on 30 July 2010, the plateau was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In the evening you are up for the train ride of your life an amazing journey through the tea plantations and uphill country of Sri Lanka. Bring your cameras! The night will be spend in Ella.
Admission fees:
- Horton Plains 25$ (The equivalent amount in LKR is Paid)
- Train ride – Maximum 1500/=
12th DAY: ELLA – ARUGAMBAY
Welcome to Ella a small village located in the hills of Sri Lanka. Ella is also known for excellent Ayurveda massages. The definition of Ayurveda in simple terms means “the science of life”. Ayurveda represents a system of healing that has been perfected over more than five thousand years. After breakfast we will hike up little Adams peak and enjoy the amazing view, a nearby famous Rawana waterfall and nature.
Our journey will continue through small villages and interesting landscape all the way to the Arugambay coast. Time for the afternoon jump into the ocean.
Admission fees:
- Little Adams Peak – Free
- Rawana waterfalls – Free
13th DAY: ARUGAMBAY
The unforgettable bay of Arugam Bay, a lunar shaped bay covered with soft sand, is the home of a famous ridge, considered by many as the best place to surf in the country. This is a small place where a few hundred inhabitants along a single road with almost no traffic. In other words, paradise on earth for surfers and seekers of the sun.
Today you can attend a surfing school, go to the crocodile lake, or simply enjoy the beach and watch local fishermen at work.
Admission fees:
- Surfing lesions – 4000/= – 10.000/=
- Crocodile lake – 1500/=
14th DAY: ARUGAMBAY – PASSIKUDAH/TRINCOMALEE
Today, we will leave Arugam Bay and take off along the coast up north passing small fishing villages, interesting bays and a completely different landscape, as we have been accustomed to up until now. The chauffeur will then drop you at your chosen destination.
Admission fees:
- No fees
X.-X.DAY: STAY ON THE EAST COAST
The tour is followed by an independent stay on the coast, where guests can choose any number of days spent on the coast. Accommodation can be booked by the client or by us according to specific wishes of each individual traveller. On the last day, we can arrange airport transfer or even an airport transfer with a sightseeing tour. The price depends on the location of the hotel on the coast.
AIRPORT TRANSFER
On the last day we can organize a shuttle from the east coast to the airport. The exact price of the transfer depends on the location of the selected hotel.
The price includes: Fully A/C Car , Driver (EN Speaking), All fuel charges, Parking tickets, All drivers expenses, Government taxes, ½ Room With Attached Bathroom And Breakfast (A/C)
Please note the price is based on 2 people traveling in a standard car with AC rooms. The prices are subject to change without prior notice due to increase of the cost.
Please note the ENTRANCE FEES are NOT included and can change any time without prior notice.
