Colombo Trip Overview
Sri Lanka is home to some of South Asia’s most captivating religious and cultural attractions. Featuring elaborate art and architecture and spectacular festivals. A trip to this beautiful country would not be complete without a visit to Nuwara Eliya which is a town that was once popular with the British settlers, the numerous Colonial buildings that still stand to this day are a testament to this.
End your adventure at Colombo, a must-see city in Sri Lanka, a port city, with a rich colonial heritage.
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
Sri Lanka is home to some of South Asia’s most captivating religious and cultural attractions. Featuring elaborate art and architecture and spectacular festivals. A trip to this beautiful country would not be complete without a visit to Nuwara Eliya which is a town that was once popular with the British settlers, the numerous Colonial buildings that still stand to this day are a testament to this.
End your adventure at Colombo, a must-see city in Sri Lanka, a port city, with a rich colonial heritage.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Sri Lanka and the city of Kandy
Stop At: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
The Temple of Tooth Relic, locally known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, is in the very centre of Kandy. This is the final location of the sacred tooth of the Lord Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics as it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country.
Sri Dalada Maligawa is in the centre of the city and is the most highly venerated religious place in Sri Lanka, and it attracts great respect from Buddhists all over the world. The magnificent temple was built by the late King Vimaladharmasooriya I in 1592 AD.
Monks of the two chapters of Malwattu and Asgiriya conduct daily worship in the inner chamber of the temple. The rituals are performed 3 times daily, at dawn, noon and in the evening. On Wednesdays, there is a symbolic bathing of the sacred relic with a herbal preparation from scented water and fragrant flowers called “Nanumura Mangalya”.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: “Overnight stay at Hotel Topaz, a 4-Star Hotel”
Day 2: Trip to the ‘Royal Botanic Gardens’
Stop At: Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya Road, Peradeniya 20400 Sri Lanka
Perfectly located in the heart of the Mediterranean climate of Kandy, the original garden dates back to 1371 as a neighbouring garden to the court of King Wickramabahu III.
The gardens became a plantation for coffee and cinnamon in 1821, before being formally established as a botanical site in 1843, when plants were brought from the new Garden in Colombo among others around the island.
Found near the Mahaweli River, the garden includes more than 4,000 species of plants, including orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees, as well as the famous Cannonball Tree that was planted by King George V and Queen Mary in 1901. The gardens are particularly well-known for their impressive variety of orchids and tropical surroundings.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Kandy, Kandy, Kandy District, Central Province
Kandy City Tour:- Kandy is the popular charming city in Sri Lanka that is surrounded by hills, valleys, rivers, lakes and waterfalls. It is the cultural center of the island and a UNESCO heritage city. The sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha is enshrined at the Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of The Tooth.
Before it was brought under British rule in 1815, Kandy was the last royal capital of Sri Lankan kings. Kandy offers an array of culture, history and heritage and attracts many visitors from around the globe.
Its main attractions include the Gem Museum and Factory, the woodcarving centre, batik factory and the Upper Lake drive. Kandy is also home to many arts and crafts bazaars as well as bustling markets filled with colourful produce.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Kandy Lake Club – Cultural Dance Show, 7 Sangamitta Mawatha, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is rich in history, culture and traditions which date back thousands of years. With all this history, it’s no surprise that this cultural and dance show is bursting with vibrant colour, energy and passion.
Kandyan dances are commonly known as Uda Rata Natum. There are many dances that serve different purposes, many are used as offerings or rituals to the gods.
The “Ves” dance is the most popular. It originated from an ancient purification ritual, the Kohomba Yakuma or Kohomba Kankariya. Then, there is Naiyandi, distinguished by the dancers in their special Naiyandi costume, who perform during the initial preparations of the Kohomba Kankariya festival, while the lighting of the lamps and the preparation of foods for the demons take place.
Lastly, there is the prestigious “Uddekki” dance. Its name comes from the “uddekki”, a small lacquered hand drum in the shape of an hourglass, believed to have been given to people by the gods.
As many as 12 different folk and traditional dances are performed by Kandy lake club dance troop within the span of one hour.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: “Overnight stay at Hotel Topaz, a 4-Star Hotel”
Day 3: Nuwara Eliya the ‘little England’ for its Victorian era structures
Stop At: Ramboda Waterfall, Pussellawa Sri Lanka
This unique waterfall is situated in the Pussellawa district in the city of Kandy. Ramboda Falls is the 11th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka, hidden just off of the Ramboda Pass.
The falls form a ‘Y’ shape in the air, as two water sources become one, to form the splurging waters of the falls. The main source is the Kotmale Oya, a river which is part of the Mahaweli River, the largest in Sri Lanka. The area surrounding the waterfall is renowned for its lush greenery comprising of hilly mountains, ridges, plains and streams.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Blue Field Tea Factory, No. 54 Haig Road, Ramboda 20590 Sri Lanka
Surrounded by misty mountains and with a lingering smell of tea plants, you’ll visit a tea factory and plantation where you see how the world’s famous “Ceylon Tea” is manufactured, the best tea in the world.
James Taylor arrived in 1852 to settle down in Loolecondera estate in Kandy. After some time, he decided to produce commercial tea and created the first commercial plantation in Sri Lanka. Today even those who know little of Sri Lanka and its history are familiar with Ceylon tea, which is known for its quality.
During the visit you will learn more about the story behind the perfect ‘cuppa’ as you walk through the tea plantation as well as sampling some of tea along the way.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Gregory Lake, Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka
Gregory Lake was built under the period of British Governor Sir William Gregory in 1873. The area was originally a swamp before the governer authorised the building of a damn and the expansion of the town.
When it was built the lake was stocked with trout for fishing. Interestingly, in 1913, the water from the lake was channelled into a tunnel which flowed into a hydropower station. To this day, this method continues to supply electricity to the town.
Today, this is the most prominent attraction in Nuwara Eliya and visitors to the area generally spend time by the lake relaxing and enjoying the magnificent views. The lake is used as a place for numerous types of water sports which can also be enjoyed at any time of year.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Nuwara Eliya, Nuwara Eliya, Central Province
Nuwara Eliya City Tour:- Nuwara Eliya is a beautiful colonial town where the British succeeded in creating a replica of the English countryside with hedges and homes in the style of Queen Anne and Georgian times.
Also known as the ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, the area is set against beautiful backdrops of mountains, valleys, waterfalls and tea plantations. It said that this is one of the coolest places on the island, situated 6,200 metres above sea level. The weather is reminiscent of the English spring months, although it gets a little colder at night.
Nuwara Eliya is bursting with British influence, with country cottages and typical English countryside farms. Victoria Park, in the middle of the town, is a lovely place for a stroll or a picnic and you will also catch a glimpse of some rare birds here.
Seasons may be absent elsewhere in Sri Lanka, but here you get all four, easily detected by the flowers, which bloom in the spring and autumn. These are the seasons when low-country folk flock to Nuwara Eliya to escape the coastal heat and humidity.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: “Overnight stay at Daffodils Hotel, a 3-Star Hotel”
Day 4: Jeep Safari in Udawalawe National Park
Stop At: Ravana Ella Falls, Ella-Wellawaya Road, Ella 90090 Sri Lanka
Hidden among the mountains of the Ravana Wildlife Sanctuary, the Ravana falls rain down from an oval concave rock, they are the widest falls in the country.
During peak season, the waterfalls form the shape of a drooping areca flower. However, this is a rare site as, during the dry season, the power of the falls is reduced dramatically.
The falls are named after King Ravana, from the Indian epic poem, Ramayana. Legend has it that King Ravana hid Princess Sita, who he had kidnapped, in the caves behind the waterfalls.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Udawalawe National Park Sri Lanka
Udawalawe National Park was founded with the need to provide safety and shelter for wild animals that were displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir, as well as to protect the catchment of the reservoir.
The area was previously used for an ancient method of agricultural farming called ‘Chena’. When the national park was declared, the farmers were slowly moved to different lands. Udawalawe is a vitally important area for water birds and Sri Lankan elephants and crocodiles to live freely.
On safari in Udawalawe National Park, you’ll travel through the marshes, forests and grasslands, discovering this sanctuary for wildlife. You’ll see the water birds and Sri Lankan elephants for which the park is famed and catch glimpses of the other mammals and birds, as well as the reptiles, amphibians and butterflies.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: “Overnight stay at Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort, a 4-Star Hotel”
Day 5: Colombo city tour and departure
Stop At: Galle Fort, Church Street, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka
Galle Fort was first built in 1588 by the Portuguese and then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century. Behind the architecture lies a colourful history which our local guide can bring to life.
As you explore the fort, you’ll notice the thick-walled ramparts that withstood the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami but within its walls are some fascinating monuments each with its own story. Our tour is timed so that you’ll finish on the fort walls to take in the panoramic views including a breathtaking sunset.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Colombo, Colombo, Western Province
Colombo City Tour:- Colombo is a principal port of the Indian Ocean, it has one of the largest artificial harbours in the world and handles the majority of Sri Lanka’s foreign trade.
Experience the colourful lights and bright life of Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka. Visit historic monuments such as the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green, Gangarama Temple, the National Museum and more.
You can also visit Independence Square or the racecourse, and visit boutique shops and designer stores.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
