Pickup from : Colombo International Airport
Category : Local Experienced | Safari | Nature | Adventure
Tour Length : 11 Days
Age Range : 18 – 60 Tour Type:
Activity
Start in Negombo and end in Colombo! With the In-depth Cultural tour Essential Sri Lanka, you have a 11 days tour package taking you through Negombo, Sri Lanka and 7 other destinations in Sri Lanka. Essential Sri Lanka includes accommodation in a hotel as well as an expert guide, meals, transport and more.
On this trip we’ve taken
Sri Lanka, boiled it like the tea leaves the country is famous for and strained
out the most delicious stuff. Wandering past barracuda at the Negombo Fish Market, searching
for
elephants in Yala, munching a spicy curry in Ella and getting horizontal on the beach in
Unawatuna,
this 11-day tour is a Sri Lanka snapshot.
Can you feel that tingling in your fingers? That my friend is power! This trip puts it in
your hands –
there are few inclusions, so you’ll have plenty of freedom to decide what you want to do. At
6 hours,
the train ride from Kandy to Ella is the longest travel day. But the only reason you’ll want
to get off
this train is to charge your camera after what is basically a long, natural photo-shoot. The
road from
Ella to Tissa Lake winds down mountains to the coast, which means it can be frustratingly
slow. It
also means that you’ll get to see the awesome scenery from literally every angle. Tourism in
Sri
Lanka is booming, resulting in a huge increase in visitors to Yala National Park.
Overtourism and lack
of sustainable management practices are of major concern to Intrepid, so in order to reduce
our
impact on wildlife and the environment we are trialling visits in a less-touristed section
of the park
known as Block 5 or Veheragala. If we determine that Block 5 is also too crowded to visit
responsibly, we will change our itinerary to visit Udawalawe National Park. Udawalawe is
home to
wild elephants, wild buffalo, sambar deer and leopards. This is the same itinerary we follow
from
September to mid-October when
After the Arrival greeted and treated by our airport Representative and will introduce your own tour guide, who will load your luggage into a yoyr private vehicle as you ride through the tree lined and sunbaked streets of Negombo to your first hotel.
Head to the fish market in
Negombo this morning. This can be quite an intense affair, but the variety
of fish being presented by the locals is a great experience. From here, begin your journey
by private
vehicle to Kandy and visit a spice garden on the way, which should take around three hours
in total
(120 kilometres). On arrival to Kandy, there's an optional visit to the Temple of the Tooth
(Dalada
Maligawa), the most important shrine in the country. It's also worth attending a cultural
show while
in town - the Kandyan dance performances are awesome. The Royal Botanical Garden is just ten
minutes away from your accommodation and there is access to the swimming pool of Kandyan
Residencies (next door). Your evening is free to do as you wish.
* Over Night stay in Kandy
Today is a free day to
explore Kandy or perhaps organise a day trip to visit both Sigiriya Rock Fortress
and the Dambulla Caves Temple. The World Heritage-listed temple has been a pilgrimage site
for 22
centuries and for good reason, these interconnected caves offer ancient Buddhist cave art.
At
Sigiriya, also on the World Heritage list, you can scale the remains of an ancient fortress
carved into
the magnificent rock that juts from the low-lying plains. Chat to your leader and fellow
travellers
about organising and booking optional activities while in Kandy.
* Over Night stay in Kandy
Feeling a little worse for wear? If you’re looking to relax you might want to book an
Ayurvedic
massage to relax those weary muscles. Or if you haven't had a chance to visit the Royal
Botanical
Garden yet, then why not take a stroll around it today.
* Over Night stay in Kandy
This morning, say goodbye
to Kandy as you hop on a train for around 6 hours to Ella. It’s a kinda long
trip, but you can buy all sorts of yum treats from the onboard sellers. On arrival to Ella,
check in to
your accommodation which is within walking distance of the station. Once you've dropped off
your
luggage, perhaps head out for a visit to a local tea factory. If this doesn't take your
fancy, go for
dinner in one of the many local restaurants and bars.
* Over Night stay in Ella
Venture out on an included
half day trek to Ella Gap this morning. We'll stop in a small mountain
village for a spicy curry lunch and a pot of Ceylon tea. This is an awesome way of getting
to know the
area and a great opportunity to rub shoulders with the locals. The rest of the day is then
free to do
what you want.
* Over Night stay in Ella
Head out of Ella in a
private vehicle for around three hours to Tissamaharama. Once settled, you'll
head out on a jeep safari where you'll come across the area's native wildlife such as
elephants,
leopards and aquatic birds. This is an amazing experience that you'll never forget.
* Over Night stay in Thissamaharamaya
Journey west in a private
vehicle for around three and a half hours to Unawatuna. This fantastic
stretch of beach has plenty of local restaurants and bars to relax in. There are no included
activities
today, so you'll have plenty of free time to explore Unawatuna and its surrounds.
* Over Night stay in Unawatuna
Life’s a beach, so spend
the day on one. With a book and a cocktail and a bottle of sunscreen.
Possibly head out early on an optional whale watching tour or take a day trip to visit the
Galle Royal
Dutch Fort. Walk around the fort for free or 'bikesplore' the lesser known areas of the city
on an
Urban Adventure. You'll be staying at a guest house on the beach tonight, so make use of the
many
beach restaurants and bars that line the shore.
* Over Night stay in Unawatuna
Leave Unawatuna behind and
make the short journey to Galle, where you'll jump on a train to
Colombo (approximately four hours). On arrival to Sir Lanka's capital, why not head out on
an
optional city walk with your leader? If you'd rather pick up some last-minute shopping, then
pay a
visit to the mass amounts of shops that are available. Tonight is free but your leader will
suggest a
spot for an optional final group dinner.
* Over Night stay in Unawatuna
We will drop you in the
Airport for your Departure Flight
11 nights in twin-share rooms at modern hotels
We give the Services of Chauffeur cum-Guide Services for whole tour.
This tour offers Vegetarian food option on request. Simply let our Customer Support team know the food option that you prefer.
Arrival & Departure Transfers
All Transportation by Private vehicle.
Included activities
Negombo - Fish market
Matale - Spice Garden visit
Kandy - Scenic train ride to Ella
Ella - Trek to Ella Gap & Nine Arch Bridge
Yala/Udawalawe National Park - Wildlife safari
Galle - Dutch Fort
Galle - Walking tour
Galle - Scenic train ride to Colombo
Colombo - Walking tour
Colombo - Guided Market Visit
Flight Rates are not included for this Tour.
Insurance is not included.
N / A
Tipping.
Departure transfer.
Other meals, snacks and drinks.
Pre and post tour accommodation.
Single supplement (Optional)