Colombo Trip Overview
A short and sweet introduction to Sri Lanka, to its ancient inland and the sacred city of Kandy. Starting off from Colombo airport you will appreciate your soft landing and your stay in the laid-back beach town of Negombo. Explore its colonial past and lively present. Then head towards Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Climb your way to the summit of Sigiriya Rock Fortress and you will have the world at your feet. Flow to Dambulla to lay eyes on the ancient Rock Temple and finally give in to the cultural capital of Kandy.
• Car with private driver as per itinerary giving you the freedom and flexibility to explore and make stops at your own pace.
• Your key to getting close to the heart and culture of Sri Lanka.
Additional Info
Duration: 5 days
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Multi-day & Extended Tours >> Multi-day Tours
Explore Colombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
A short and sweet introduction to Sri Lanka, to its ancient inland and the sacred city of Kandy. Starting off from Colombo airport you will appreciate your soft landing and your stay in the laid-back beach town of Negombo. Explore its colonial past and lively present. Then head towards Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Climb your way to the summit of Sigiriya Rock Fortress and you will have the world at your feet. Flow to Dambulla to lay eyes on the ancient Rock Temple and finally give in to the cultural capital of Kandy.
• Car with private driver as per itinerary giving you the freedom and flexibility to explore and make stops at your own pace.
• Your key to getting close to the heart and culture of Sri Lanka.
Itinerary
Day 1: Ktunayake Airport to Negombo
Stop At: Negombo, Negombo, Western Province
Day 1: Arrival in Colombo Airport – Negombo
Welcome to Sri Lanka – a charmingly beautiful country where 5 days of ancient cultural immersion and beautiful escapes awaits you. Upon arrival in the airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to Negombo. Negombo is approx. 20 minutes drive from the airport embracing slow life and beachfront location. For newly arrived travelers it is often a welcomed alternative to the hectic and happening Colombo. Check in to your hotel and rest for a few hours before capturing the streets of Negombo on a city tour. You will visit the colonial remains of the Dutch period, a Buddhist temple and a catholic church. You will get close to slow life in the local fishing village; walk the lively fish market, and the bustling bazaar.
Overnight stay in Negombo
Duration: 30 minutes
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Negombo
Day 2: Negombo to Sigiriya
Stop At: Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka
Having acclimatized to a new country and new customs, you are ready to venture inland’s to the ancient escapes of Sri Lanka. Start with a slow breakfast and enjoy a cup of hot Sri Lankan tea. Then travel to Sigiriya. Climb the 5th century Sigiriya Rock Fortress – an UNESCO world heritage site, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The ‘Lion Rock’ is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 metres from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Discover the world-renowned frescoes of the ‘Heavenly Maidens’ of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster.
Overnight stay in Sigiriya
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Sigiriya
Day 3: Sigiriya- Dambulla- Polonnaruwa
Stop At: Dambulla Cave Temple, Jaffna Hwy, Habarana 50150 Sri Lanka
Have your breakfast and be transferred to Dambulla, which is about an hour’s drive from Sigiriya. Here you will find the World Heritage Site of Dambulla Rock Temple – the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. Built by King Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. the complex of five caves holds over 2000 sq. metres of painted walls and ceilings. This makes it the largest area of paintings found in the world. It contains over 150 images of Buddha of which the largest is spanning 14 metres and is a colossal figure of Buddha carved out of rock. Stop for lunch in a nearby restaurant
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Polonnaruwa, Polonnaruwa, North Central Province
in the afternoon you have the option to visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa – An UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best planned archaeological relic sites in the country. The relics stand as testimonials of the greatness of the Kingdom’s first rulers and are spread across a huge area. Therefore, expect a decent amount of walking, but we guarantee it’ll be worth it.
Overnight stay in Polonnaruwa
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Polonnaruwa
Day 4: Polonnaruwa to Kandy
Stop At: Matale Herbal and Spice Garden, No 25 Koholangwela Madawala Ulpatha, Matale 21000 Sri Lanka
Have your breakfast and steaming hot Sri Lankan coffee before you check out from your hotel. Your onwards transport will be an exploration in its own right with magnificent views beyond your windows, just as you may visit the Spice Garden in Matale on your journey to Kandy.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
The name “Kandy” conjures visions of splendor and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798 – a tranquil place in the heart of the city. In the evening visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic – a golden roofed Buddhist temple that houses Sri Lanka’s most sacred Buddhist relic – a tooth of the Buddha. It is not possible to see the actual tooth as it is kept in a gold casket shaped like a stupa, you will feel the sacred ambience and take in the colors, the gilded gifts and the shrines that comprise the temple complex. Late in the evening you will experience a Cultural Show. Some find this funny, while others find it spectacular. You will see the traditional Sri Lankan drummers stirring up a rhythm and decoratively dressed dancers showing their amazing moves. You will see fireworks and fire stunts in a show that truly has something for all.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Kandy
Day 5: Kandy to Colombo
Stop At: Colombo, Colombo, Western Province
Have your breakfast at the hotel and proceed to Colombo. Upon arriving to Colombo enjoy a city tour and get dropped to the airport when its time for your flight back
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: No accommadation for this day
