Colombo Trip Overview
Formerly known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka is home to many beaches, lagoons, mountains and forests, with landscapes and scenery that will literally take your breath away. Sri Lanka has a rich Buddhist heritage, and the first known Buddhist writings were composed on this historic island.
Visit the most prominent sights of Sri Lanka, beginning from Colombo where you are privy to the natural views of waterfalls, beaches and lush plantations, enjoy cultural attractions at museums, temples and monasteries, take in historic sites at ancient cities.
Try an optional whale watching excursion and so much more, on this specially crafted trip.
Additional Info
Duration: 9 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
Formerly known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka is home to many beaches, lagoons, mountains and forests, with landscapes and scenery that will literally take your breath away. Sri Lanka has a rich Buddhist heritage, and the first known Buddhist writings were composed on this historic island.
Visit the most prominent sights of Sri Lanka, beginning from Colombo where you are privy to the natural views of waterfalls, beaches and lush plantations, enjoy cultural attractions at museums, temples and monasteries, take in historic sites at ancient cities.
Try an optional whale watching excursion and so much more, on this specially crafted trip.
Itinerary
Day 1: Colombo the commercial capital of Sri Lanka
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: 1 hour
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:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: “Overnight stay at Cinnamon Grand, a 5-Star Hotel”
Day 2: Head up country the city of Nuwara Eliya via Kithulgala
Stop At: Rafting Kitulgala, Kalugotenna, Kitulgala, Sri Lanka
Experience white water rafting in the picturesque Kelani River, covering 5 major rapids and 4 minor rapids. This activity is for anyone above the age of 10 years. Safety gear, modern rafts, and a comprehensive safety briefing will be given by the white water rafting instructors beforehand.
The distance covered on this adventure is around 5 kilometres. The river and its surrounding scenery will be an utterly memorable experience to take away from Sri Lanka with you.
Duration: 2 hours
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
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: “Overnight stay at Araliya Green Hills Hotel, a 5-Star Hotel”
Day 3: Horton Plains National Park
Stop At: Horton Plains National Park, Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka
Horton Plains National Park is a protected area in the central highlands of Sri Lanka and is covered by mountain grassland and cloud forest. This plateau at an altitude of 2,100–2,300 meters (6,900–7,500 ft) is rich in biodiversity and many species found here are endemic to the region. This region was designated a national park in 1988. It is also a popular tourist destination and is situated 32 kilometers (20 mi) from Nuwara Eliya.
Duration: 5 hours
Stop At: New Zealand Farms Road, Ambewela, Sri Lanka
The farms span over 1500 acres of green pastures spreading as far as the eye can see dotted with brown, black and white cows twice the size of the average cow in Sri Lanka.
Ambewela Farm and New Zealand Farm raise Ayrshire cattle and Frisian cows respectively. At one point you will pass a row of massive wind turbines lying along the horizon.
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 Araliya Green Hills Hotel, a 5-Star Hotel”
Day 4: A scenic drive to the city of Kandy
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: 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: 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 30 minutes
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 The Grand Kandyan Hotel, a 5-Star Hotel”
Day 5: Dambulla cave temple and Trincomalle
Stop At: Dambulla Royal Cave Temple, Kandy – Jaffna Highway, Dambulla 21100 Sri Lanka
Dambulla cave temple is the largest cave in Sri Lanka, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There are more than 80 caves found here. The most important and accessible caves contain 153 statues and paintings related to Gautama Buddha and his life. There are also 3 Sri Lankan king statues, four of gods and goddesses, including Vishnu and the Ganesha and a 2,100 square metre mural depicting Buddha’s first sermon.
Prehistoric Sri Lankans would have lived in these cave complexes before the arrival of Buddhism and 2700-year-old human skeleton burial sites were found here.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Fort Frederick, Trincomalee Town, Trincomalee 31000 Sri Lanka
Fort Frederick sits on the neck of a narrow peninsula in Trincomalee and has been a very important site for many centuries since it was first built in 1624. The fort itself was built on the debris of an ancient Hindu temple that was destroyed by the Portuguese.
After being captured by the Ditch in 1639, the fort was dismantled and rebuilt by the Ditch in 1665 to defend themselves against the British and the French. Today the fort is used by the Sri Lankan military but you are able to explore the fort by foot or by car.
As you wander, you’ll spot cannons, artillery and tunnels dotted around the site. The fort is a beautiful setting to wander around and absorb the history of the place. There are also many wild, but tame, deer roaming around the fort which adds to the serene feel of the place.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: “Overnight stay at Nilaveli Beach Hotel, a 5-Star Hotel”
Day 6: Whale watching and Pigeon Island boat ride
Stop At: Nilaveli Beach Hotel, 11th mile Post, Nilaveli, Sri Lanka
Whale & Dolphin Watching Tour:- For nature lovers, this is paradise. Unique marine life and coral abound in the clear emerald waters, the ocean is famous for dolphin and whale watching; the Blue Whale, Byrde’s Whale and the Sperm Whale being the most sighted among the 12 species found there.
Diving, Snorkelling and fishing tours can be organised through the PADI centre with local guides. Pigeon Island, the breeding site for the Blue Rock Pigeon, is but a few hundred metres off Nilaveli Beach, it is perfect for a day out to explore, sunbathe and enjoy a secluded picnic.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: “Overnight stay at Nilaveli Beach Hotel, a 5-Star Hotel”
Day 7: Discover the 8th Wonder of the World ‘Sigiriya Rock Fortress’
Stop At: Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka
Sigiriya Rock has a unique shape that is ill-fitting with the surrounding landscape as if it were dropped there. In the 5th century, King Kashyapa built a palace on the top of the rock with ramparts and moats surrounding it for defence.
When climbing the steps, you will notice colourful frescoes with unique paintings of women and a mirror wall, full of written verses from visitors. There are very interesting irrigational technologies that can still be found in the water gardens of the fortress.
The area around Sigiriya may have been inhabited since prehistoric times. There is clear evidence that the many rock shelters and caves in the vicinity were occupied by Buddhist monks and ascetics from as early as the 3rd century BCE.
The earliest evidence of human habitation in Sigiriya is the Aligala rock shelter to the east of Sigiriya Rock, indicating that the area was occupied nearly five thousand years ago during the Mesolithic Period.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Minneriya National Park, Maradankadawala-Habarana-Thirukkondaiadimadu Highway, Minneriya 50150 Sri Lanka
Having previously been a recognised as a wildlife sanctuary, Minneriya was designated a national park in 1997 in an effort to protect the Minneriya reservoir and the wildlife in the area. The reservoir was built by King Mahasen in the 3rd century AD who was thought to be a Deity by countrymen.
The Minneriya National Park is a point of migration for elephants around the island, during the dry season there are some 200 elephants coming to the Minneriya reservoir.
In addition to the many elephants that can be seen, there are an estimated 160 species of birds, 25 species of reptile and 75 species of butterflies that can be spotted while driving around the park.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: “Overnight stay at Aliya Resort & Spa, a 5-Star Hotel”
Day 8: Negombo Coastal City
Stop At: Negombo, Negombo, Western Province
Negombo is a beach town located on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast. The local community is friendly and there are numerous resorts and restaurants in the town. There is also a nice beach and an old quarter where you can explore old colonial buildings.
Enjoy some free time in Negombo and walk around the coastal city which is filled with a rich history. There are a plethora of water activities to indulge in or relax at the swimming pool or the beach.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: “Overnight stay at Jetwing Blue, a 5-Star Hotel”
Day 9: Departure and farewell
Stop At: Bandaranaike International Airport, Canada Friendship Rd, කටුනායක 11450, Sri Lanka
Transfer to the Katunayake International Airport with your driver. May we say ‘Ayubowan’ – a Sinhalese traditional greeting meaning: ‘may you live long’.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
