Colombo Trip Overview
Enjoy the panoramic view of the pearl of the Indian Ocean for five nights and visit the main highlights of our tropical island. Experience a glimpse of Sri Lanka in 7 days. Explore incredible heritage, vibrant culture, and breathtaking scenery while listening to amazing fun and compelling folk stories with authorized expert tourist guide. You must also visit cultural places across the Sri Lanka as it is one of the Buddhist cultural hubs. You can get to learn a lot about the origin and expansion of Buddhism when you make a visit to these cultural hubs that are spread across the island of Sri Lanka. For just shy of a week, come and maximize your travel to Sri Lanka through our six city, 7day adventure through the beautiful Sri Lankan isle.
• Enjoy personalized attention on a private tour
• Hassle-free hotel pickup and drop-offs
• Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle with a travel guide driver
Additional Info
Duration: 7 days
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Colombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Enjoy the panoramic view of the pearl of the Indian Ocean for five nights and visit the main highlights of our tropical island. Experience a glimpse of Sri Lanka in 7 days. Explore incredible heritage, vibrant culture, and breathtaking scenery while listening to amazing fun and compelling folk stories with authorized expert tourist guide. You must also visit cultural places across the Sri Lanka as it is one of the Buddhist cultural hubs. You can get to learn a lot about the origin and expansion of Buddhism when you make a visit to these cultural hubs that are spread across the island of Sri Lanka. For just shy of a week, come and maximize your travel to Sri Lanka through our six city, 7day adventure through the beautiful Sri Lankan isle.
• Enjoy personalized attention on a private tour
• Hassle-free hotel pickup and drop-offs
• Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle with a travel guide driver
Itinerary
Day 1: Negombo/Colombo – Anuradhapura – Mihintale
Stop At: Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya is a Scared fig Tree in Anuradhapura which is considered to be a sapling from the scared tree where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. It was grown from a cutting brought from Bodhgaya in India and is said to be the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world, tended by an uninterrupted succession of guardians for over 2000 years. Today thousands of devotees come to make offerings, particularly on poya (full moon) days and weekends. Sunset is a magical time to visit.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Abhayawewa Road, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
This stupa was built by King Dutugemunu and is said that is holdthe ashes of Lord Buddha. This magnificent white dagoba is guarded by a wall with a frieze of 344 elephants standing shoulder to shoulder. Apart from a few beside the western entrance, most are modern replacements of the originals from 140 BC. Today, after incurring much damage from invading Indian forces, it rises 55m, considerably less than its original height; nor is its form the same as the earlier ‘bubble’ shape.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Jethawanaramaya Stupa, Watawandana Road B341, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
The Jetavanarama Dagoba’s massive dome rises above the entire eastern part of Anuradhapura. Built in the 3rd century by King Mahasena, it may have originally topped 120m, but today is about 70m – similar to the Abhayagiri. When it was built it was almost certainly the third-tallest monument in the world, the first two being Egyptian pyramids.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Isurumuniya Temple, At Royal Pleasure Gardens, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
This charming Rock Temple dating from the reign of King Devanampiyatissa is set around a lovely lotus pond, the corner of which is carved with images of elephants playfully splashing water. The central temple has some particularly fine mural paintings. Climb around the back to the rock summit to see the bell-shaped stupa and a pair of Buddha footprints etched into the rock. The small museum features the famous ‘lovers’ sculpture, which dates from around the 5th century AD and is carved in the artistic style of the Indian Gupta dynasty of the 4th and 5th centuries.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Mihintale, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
This sleepy village and temple complex, 13km east of Anuradhapura, holds a special place in the annals of Sri Lankan lore. In 247 BC King Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura was hunting a stag on Mihintale Hill when he was approached by Mahinda, son of the great Indian Buddhist emperor, Ashoka. Mahinda tested the king’s wisdom and, considering him to be a worthy disciple, promptly converted the king on the spot. Mihintale has since been associated with the earliest introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Mihintale with its various shrines connected by a total of some 1,840 steps that ultimately lead to the summit – steep enough to require deep breaths and a meditative pace.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight Stay in a 3 star hotel in Anuradhapura
Day 2: Negombo/Colombo – Anuradhapura – Mihintale
Stop At: Gal Vihara, 440/225 Palm Grove State Minuwangoda road, Polonnaruwa 51000 Sri Lanka
This is a group of Beautiful Buddha images that probably marks the high point of Sri Lanka rock Carvings. They are part of Parakramabahu I’s northern monastery. The Gal Vihara consists of four separate images, all cut from one long slab of granite. At one time, each was enshrined within a separate enclosure. The standing Buddha which is 7 meters tall is said to be the best of the series along with a reclining Buddha of 14 m long and two other seated Buddha statues.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Vejayanta Pasada,King parakramabahu, W2V2+282, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
King Parakramabahu, the great Polonnaruwa monarch who built the Parakrama Samudra, had a magnificent seven storey palace, called the Vijayanta Pasada. Although much of it is now in utter devastation, one can imagine how grand it once used to be. The remaining walls show grooves where vertical timber columns and wooden floors rose up like a step pyramid, reducing in area as with each floor. The palace consists of one main wall surrounded by 40 interconnecting rooms. The palace and its courtyard are protected by walls, which were then encircled with another outer wall.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Polonnaruwa Vatadage, Sacred City, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
The Polonnaruwa Vatadge is an ancient structure located in a quadrangular area, Dalada Maluva in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka. The Vatadage occupies most of the southwestern area of Dalada Maluva and is the prominent structure among other oldest and most sacred monuments of the city. The Vatadge has a similar design with that of the structures belonging to the Anuradhapura period, especially Thuparamaya and Lankaramaya. The 4 Buddha statues are built facing the 4 cardinal points of this magnificent structure.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Lankathilaka Image House, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
One of the most evocative structures in Polonnaruwa, the Lankatilaka temple was built by Parakramabahu I and later restored by Vijayabahu IV. This massive gedige (stone Buddhist temple with corbelled roof and thick walls) has 17m-high walls, although the roof has collapsed. The cathedral-like aisle leads to a huge standing (headless) Buddha. Offerings of incense, and the structure’s columns and arches, add to the distinctly devotional atmosphere. The upper walls decorated with bas-reliefs, show typical Polonnaruwa structures in their original state.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Samudra Parakrama, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
Parakrama Samudraya is a shallow reservoir situated in Polonnaruwa. It consists of five separate reservoirs namely Thopa, Dumbutulu, Erabadu, Boo and Katu tanks which are connected by narrow channels. The northernmost reservoir which is Thopa reservoir is the oldest. The reservoir was expanded during the reign of the greatest king of Polonnaruwa, King Parakramabahu. The name Parakrama Samudraya translates to “King Parakrama’s sea”.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Minneriya Safari, Sigiri Rd, Habarana 50150 Sri Lanka
Enjoy an action-packed safari to witness The Elephant Gathering, listed by Lonely Planet as one of the Top Ten Wildlife Spectacles in the World, where over 300 elephants gather at Minneriya National Park.This gathering is listed by Lonely Planet as among the Top Ten wildlife spectacles in the world. Large mammals, including, sloth bears, Sambar deer, and axis deer, as well as smaller mammals such as the Purple-Faced Langur, Toque Macaque, and the Grey Slender Loris make the Minneriya National Park their home.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight Stay in a 3 star hotel in Sigiriya
Day 3: Sigiriya – Dambulla
Stop At: Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka
Sigiriya is one of the most dramatic and inspiring historical locations in the world, a huge rock fortress rising impossibly from Sri Lanka’s central plains, and possessed of a glorious history that has caused millions of travellers to gape in wonder. Experience amazing 360 panoramic view over 200 meters, Visit to 8th world’s wonder built in 5th century Sigiriya Lion rock fortress, wonderful gardening and ponds with architectural planning is history, trekking to 600 ft, visit Mirror wall and beautiful frescoes in UNESCO heritage site, in folk stories and legends Sigiriya mentioned as “Alaka Mandawa”.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Golden Temple of Dambulla, Dambulla 21100 Sri Lanka
Dambulla’s famed rock cave temple is an iconic Sri Lankan image – you’ll be familiar with its spectacular Buddha-filled interior long before you arrive in town. Despite its slightly commercial air, this remains an important holy place and should not be missed.Five separate caves contain about 150 absolutely stunning Buddha statues and paintings, some of Sri Lanka’s most important and evocative religious art. Buddha images were first created here over 2000 years ago, and over the centuries subsequent kings added to and embellished the cave art.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight Stay in a 3 star Hotel in Kandy
Day 4: Kandy – Nuwara Eliya
Stop At: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
The golden-roofed Temple of the Sacred Tooth houses Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic – a tooth of the Buddha. During puja (offerings or prayers), the heavily guarded room housing the tooth is open to devotees and tourists. However, you don’t actually see the tooth. It’s kept in a gold casket shaped like a dagoba (stupa), which contains a series of six dagoba caskets of diminishing size.
As well as the revered main temple, the complex includes a series of smaller temples, shrines and museums.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya Road, Peradeniya 20400 Sri Lanka
These stunning gardens were once reserved exclusively for Kandyan royalty. Today, even commoners are allowed in to enjoy the most impressive and largest (60 hectares) botanic gardens in Sri Lanka. Highlights include a fine collection of orchids, a stately avenue of royal palms, the extraordinary, aptly named cannonball fruit tree and 40m-high Burma bamboo. Another big hit is the giant Javan fig tree on the great lawn, with its colossal central trunk and umbrella-like canopy of branches.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue, Bahirawa Kanda Rd, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
The Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue is situated on a hill named just 2 km from the Temple of the Tooth Relic. This beautifully sculptured white Buddha statue was built in 1972. Standing at 88 feet, it is considered as one of the biggest Buddha statues in Sri Lanka. There is a Buddhist temple located alongside the Buddha statue in the Bahirawa Kanda hill. The hill provides panoramic views of the Kandy city including the mountain range nearby and the Bogambara prison. Devotees can worship in the temple.The Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue displays Lord Buddha seated in the Nirvana pose and can be viewed from the entire city of Kandy. The best time to climb up the hill for spectacular views of the Kandy city is at night when the entire city is lit up with lights.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Kandy Lake, Centre of Kandy City, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
Located outside the hustling city of kandy Peradeniya Botanical garden is one of the largest botanical gardens in Sri Lanka. The origin of the gardens dates back to the 14C century, but they were not formally established until 1843 when the British took control of the Kandyan Kingdom. During the development of the gardens, a wide variety of plants were moved from several other parts of the island including Slave Island in Colombo and Kalutara on the west coast. Many species were also shipped from Kew Gardens in London, which has the most diverse botanical collection in the world.The Peradeniya Botanical Garden is one prime vacation spot of slope nation and remains very overwhelmed with travelers consistently. One can pack some nourishment to appreciate an outside outing here or can savor the cafeteria inside serving neighborhood and western food.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Kandy Lake Club – Cultural Dance Show, 7 Sangamitta Mawatha, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
The Kandy Lake Club Cultural Dance Show is a stimulating Sri Lankan Arts, Dance & Cultural Heritage Show that is a must see for any visitor who visits the historic city of Kandy. The Kandy Lake Club Dance started in 1982 with the view of having a cultural dance performance bringing together all Sri Lankan dance types to one platform. It is the first Cultural Dance Show of its kind to be established in Sri Lanka. It has since become a tourist attraction for many people visiting the country and keen on a glimpse of its rich cultural heritage. Hence it has been performing continuously for the last 35 years.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight Stay in a 3 star hotel in Nuwara Eliya
Day 5: Nuwara Eliya – Ella
Stop At: Victoria Park of Nuwara Eliya, A5, Nuwara Eliya 22200 Sri Lanka
Situated next to Nuwara Eliya Post Office, the lush green Victoria Park in Nuwara Eliya is a great place to spend a lovely evening in the city. Victoria Park Nuwara Eliya was officially named so in 1897 as it commemorated Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Once it was used by Hakgala Botanical Garden as its research field, but today it is a well manicured public lawn. The park has Nanu Oya river running through it which adds on to this well maintained and beautiful public park in Sri Lanka. Open all the year round, the park sprawls over an area of around 27 acres.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Post Office Nuwara Eliya, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Nuwara Eliya 22200 Sri Lanka
Located at the centre of the town this 100 year old building is one of the most popular colonial constructions of “Little England’.The red brick exterior is hard to be missed while one is on the streets of Nuwara Eliya. Built in Tudor style, the post office has a distinctive edge and stands as a remnant of the old world Ceylon. A clock tower spirals from one side of the building.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Lover’s Leap Falls, Hawa Eliya, Nuwara Eliya 22200 Sri Lanka
This beautiful 30m high Lovers Leap fall in Nuwara Eliya is incipient of the streams and brooks of Sri Lanka’s highest mountain, the Piduruthalagala (2524m). It flows over hard granite ledges and the water is collected in a tank and used for drinking. The fall is said to derive its name from the tragic tale of Prince, who while hunting the jungle lost his way. He was rescued by a beautiful damsel, and the two became inseparable lovers. But the match was not to the liking of the prince’s subjects, so the two decided to immortalise their love by leaping from the top of the fall to their death.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Nuwara Eliya Golf Course, Grand Hotel Road, Nuwara Eliya 22200 Sri Lanka
The Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest golf clubs in Asia and probably the world. It is an institution, rich in tradition, history and carries an ambience unparalleled in this country. Founded, primarily for their rest and recreation, by the British planters who cultivated the land for tea in the Nuwara Eliya district, to this day it caters to some of the customs and traditions of the country’s colonial past. This quaint admixture of old-world charm and modern trappings invests it with a special aura, and is the essence of its attractiveness.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Gregory Lake, Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka
A lake is a place to just sit, relax and observe the world go by, and Gregory Lake is just the place to do this. Being the most prominent attraction Nuwara Eliya, this place is a hotspot for tourists from the world over. This lake was built during the British period in 1873 under Sir William Gregory, hence the name. During that period the lake was basically used for water sports and re-creational activities.
The boats rides at this lake offer an unforgettable experience with the availability of swan boats which can be taken on hire easily. The view of the surrounding misty hills can be enjoyed peacefully sitting at this spot. You can also just take a stroll around the lake and observe the surroundings. This place is perfect for family outings where you can just sit and relax with them or play with the kids. The availability of pony rides is a major attraction for kids.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight Stay In a 3 Star Hotel in Ella
Day 6: Ella
Stop At: Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory, Badulla Road, Hela Halpe, Ella, Sri Lanka 90090, Sri Lanka
The Factory provides a range of supreme quality tea using the latest manufacturing techniques. Your tour of the tea factory lasts for two hours beginning with a short lecture on the types of tea and the processing methods, which will go into the various stages and machinery in the actual working factory.The tour will usually end with the sampling of a cup of hot tea on the top floor and this floor gives you a panoramic view of the vast stretch of mountains and tea bushes. There is a sales outlet which consists of all tea products and one could visit this shop after the tour. A variety of tea products are available packed in attractive cartons and pouches.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Nine Arches Bridge, Ella Sri Lanka
ou will hike cross-country through some woods to reach the Nine Arches Bridge. This incredible historical viaduct built entirely from stone, bricks and cement (with no steel) was created in the British era of Sri Lanka. It spans a space of over 300 feet and has a height of approximately 100 feet. You will be able walk along the railroad passing over the bridge, and listen to your hiking guide explain the history and stories about Nine Arches. You can also get some excellent photographs and create some memories.Continuing on you will hike along the railroad till you reach the Demodara Railway Station. This station has a unique architectural design hailing from the British Colonial Era. The railway line loops back around to enter a tunnel running below the railway station. This spiral loop allows the trains to go through the same location twice.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Little Adam’s Peak, Passara Road, Ella 90090 Sri Lanka
Walk along rustic footpaths sandwiched between tall grass and thorny bushes as the wind blow cold gusts in your faces every now and then. Covered in deep green vegetation that surroundings would stun you with the enormity of nature. This is approximately a 2km hike and is not as demanding as conquering Ella Rock. However, the views from the top of Little Adam’s Peak are bound to leave you awestruck. It is also believed to be the place where King Ravana engaged in his daily ritual of Worshipping the Sun God.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Flying Ravana Mega Zipline, 98 Adventures (Pvt) Ltd, Little Adams Peak Uva Greenland Estate, Ella – Passara Rd, Ella 90090, Sri Lanka
Flying Ravana is Sri Lanka’s first ever zip-line, located amidst the luscious green estates of Ella. The two-wire zip-line stretches for more than half a kilometer, slides at 80kmph and offers a bird’s-eye view of the beautiful hills of the island. It is exclusively designed for adventure enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies who prefer a not so ordinary hillside experience. Swing through the trees with the greatest of ease on this adrenaline-charged longest zip line (550m) in South Asia! Guaranteeing an unsurpassed and unmatched level of adventure, right in the heart of Ella, Flying Ravana paves the way for a zip lining experience like no other. Possessing a team of outdoor adventure specialists from Sri Lanka and Europe who are well versed in the intricacies of zip lining, Flying Ravana is poised to escort you through a series of mesmeric backdrops via South Asia’s longest and fastest zip line system.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight Stay In a 3 Star Hotel in Ella
Day 7: Ella – Negombo/Colombo
Stop At: Ravana’s Cave, Wellawaya road Nature Exploration and conservation Society ,#37/2,kekunahena,opatha,Galle, Ella 90090 Sri Lanka
Ravana cave and tunnel network is a massive creation by King Ravana located in Ella Sri Lanka connected with cities / dairy farms & airports. It is proved beyond doubt of the architecture brilliance of the King Ravana. Ravana caves & tunnel network is one of the most important Ramayana tour related sites in Sri Lanka.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ravana Ella Falls, Ella-Wellawaya Road, Ella 90090 Sri Lanka
Ravana Falls are situated in Ella town on a tributary of Kirindi Oya. It stands at a height of 25 meters. Its elevation is 1050 m above sea level. The falls have been named after the famous King Ravana who appears in the Indian epic, the Ramayana. It’s one of the widest waterfalls of Sri Lanka. The Ravana Fall cascades from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. The waterfall resembles an areca flower with withering petals during the wet season. However, the flow of water reduces dramatically during the dry season. The Ravana Falls forms part of the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary which is located about 6 km away from the local railway station at Ella.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Lipton’s Seat, Haputale 90160 Sri Lanka
The Lipton’s Seat lookout is one of Sri Lanka’s most impressive viewpoints (unless it’s misty and cloudy of course, which is why early morning is the best time to visit). The Scottish tea baron Sir Thomas Lipton used to survey his burgeoning empire from here, and today it’s said you can see across emerald hills and tea estates to no fewer than seven different provinces.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
