Colombo Trip Overview
Travel to Sri Lanka and enjoy a captivating look into a rich cultural & natural heritage. This Sri Lankan short trip will take you to ancient Cultural Triangle sites, the misty hills of Kandy and the rolling green landscapes of the tea country near Nuwara Eliya in central Sri Lanka. Top this adventure off with a visit to Yala Safari which is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka and where you will be able to spot leopards, elephants and crocodiles.
Additional Info
Duration: 6 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
Travel to Sri Lanka and enjoy a captivating look into a rich cultural & natural heritage. This Sri Lankan short trip will take you to ancient Cultural Triangle sites, the misty hills of Kandy and the rolling green landscapes of the tea country near Nuwara Eliya in central Sri Lanka. Top this adventure off with a visit to Yala Safari which is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka and where you will be able to spot leopards, elephants and crocodiles.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Sri Lanka and Tour 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
Stop At: Kandy, Kandy, Kandy District, Central Province
Kandy City Tour
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:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: “Overnight at Hotel Topaz, a 4-Star Hotel”
Day 2: Nuwara Eliya the Little England
Stop At: Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya Road, Peradeniya 20400 Sri Lanka
Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, the finest of its kind in Asia, the largest of the botanical gardens of Sri Lanka, couldn’t be better located. In the Mediterranean climate of Kandy, the gateway to the Central Highlands, the Gardens, at an elevation of 500 meters above sea-level and tightly bounded on three sides by a loop of River Mahaweli (Great sandy river), the largest river of Sri Lanka.
The Orchid House offers the visitor a captivating display of exotic blooms of Cattleya, Dendrobium, Arachnis, Oncidium, Phalaenopsis, Vanda and their hybrids. Around the Orchid House may be seen several hardy tropical orchids including the largest orchid in the world which produces flower spikes up to 2.5 m long and the Green Orchid (Coelogyne meyeriana).
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
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
Visit to Tea Factory and Tea Plantation
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
Nuwaraeliya City Tour
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: “Overnight at Daffodils Hotel, a 3-Star Hotel”
Day 3: Drive to Yala 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: Yala National Park Sri Lanka
Stretching far across the southeast coast of Sri Lanka, Yala National Park is the second-largest park on the island with around 130,000 hectares of land.
With lush green grasslands, tanks, forests and lagoons, the park attracts a great variety of animals throughout the year, with 44 species of mammal and over 200 species of birds frequenting its grounds.
During your trip around the park, you’ll have the opportunity to spot the largest concentration of leopards in the world, as well as one of the greatest herds of elephants, that can sometimes reach up to 200 elephants grazing around one area.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: “Overnight at Oak Ray Wild Yala, a 4-Star Hotel”
Day 4: Bentota & Galle Dutch Fort
Stop At: Hummanaya Blow Hole, Kudawella, Tangalle Sri Lanka
A blowhole is a geological phenomenon which occurs when the tide fills underwater caverns with seawater resulting in the water being pushed up through the hole. Sometimes found along coastal regions, this geological feature is a process of shoreline erosion.
Hummanaya Blow Hole is the second largest blowhole in the whole entire world. The timing, height and spray of the blowhole are dependent on the tides and wave formations. Stopping at the Hummanaya Blow Hole will provide you with a show of natural proportions.
Duration: 1 hour
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
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: “Overnight at Temple Tree Resort & Spa, a 4-Star Hotel”
Day 5: Water activities in Bentota
Stop At: Ruwa River Safari, Hikkaduwa Sri Lanka
A boat safari that will take you past historical island temples, shaded mangroves and maybe the occasional crocodile. Madu River is a wetland, near Balapitiya that consists of 28 islands and 2 main wetlands.
While travelling along the river, you will encounter these islands and vast expanses of wetlands with various bird species, water monitors, dragonflies and plants along the way. You’ll pass through the secretive passages created by the mangroves.
The mangroves within this fascinating ecosystem play a vital role in preventing erosion and assist in the growth of the plants that line the rivers.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: “Overnight at Temple Tree Resort & Spa, a 4-Star Hotel”
Day 6: Colombo and local art and fabrics
Stop At: Independence Square, Independence Avenue, Colombo 00700 Sri Lanka
Independence Memorial Hall is located in the Independence Square at Colombo 7. This place was known as Torrington Square in the early days. This Hall was built for the commemoration of the independence from the British in 1948.
Every square inch of this monument is filled with lavish symbols of the island’s rich history and political freedom. At the entrance to the building is an imposing statue of D.S. Senanayake, who was Sri Lanka’s first prime minister, surrounded by four menacing stone lions with large eyes.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, Bauddhaloka Mawatha Near China Embassy, Colombo 00700 Sri Lanka
An iconic landmark venue, a combination of versatility, prestige, ambience and star class service, BMICH is a one-stop destination allowing the creation of an outstanding setting for a wide range of events.
An outright gift from the People’s Republic of China, BMICH was built as a tribute to the late Prime Minister S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike. Initiated in 1970, the completed first purpose-built conference centre in Asia was inaugurated in 1973.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct, Hospital Street Galle Fort, Colombo 00001 Sri Lanka
The Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct is one of the most attractive shopping centres in Sri Lanka. During the Dutch occupation of Sri Lanka, this building was a hospital – it is considered to be the oldest buildings in the Colombo Fort area.
It is now a heritage building and a shopping and dining precinct. The building was initially designed as a hospital for the soldiers and personnel of the Dutch East India Company. The hospital’s close proximity to the harbour also allowed it to serve Dutch seafarers.
Paintings from the era show that there was once had a canal running next to the hospital, along what is now Canal Row lane. This canal was filled in by British colonists after their capture of the city.
The courtyard in the centre sometimes plays host to live music, here you will find some great restaurants, shops, bars and a lively atmosphere.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Galle Face Green, Galle Road, Colombo Sri Lanka
Galle Face Green is a five-hectare ocean-side urban park and one of the largest open spaces in Colombo. It’s a wonderful place to partake in outdoor activities or some exercise, and it is one of the best spots in the city to watch the sun set over the west coast of Sri Lanka.
The park is rarely empty and gets particularly busy in the early evening as street food vendors take their place and locals come to feast on their snacks.
Duration: 30 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: “Overnight at Berjaya Hotel, a 4-Star Hotel”
