Colombo Trip Overview
Many people visit Sri Lanka and spend most of their time exploring Colombo, the country’s capital, and Ella, renowned for its rich natural resources. But just northeast of the country, and you’ll also find Trincomalee which is a lovely coastal city known for its paradise-like beaches! You can witness the faith of the locals when you visit the Koneswaram Temple, travel back into the city’s past at Fort Frederick, and be wowed by its natural beauty at Rawana Abyss. Enjoy the port city and stunning beaches of Trincomalee along with the most famous Pigeon Island National Park to witness the best corals. You’ll also be accompanied by a friendly driver who will also act as your guide as you explore. This is a must visit for any traveler who tours to Sri Lanka!
• Enjoy round trip hotel transfers plus the accompaniment of a friendly driver
• Visit a number of iconic attractions within two days
• All fees and accommodation included
Additional Info
Duration: 2 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
Many people visit Sri Lanka and spend most of their time exploring Colombo, the country’s capital, and Ella, renowned for its rich natural resources. But just northeast of the country, and you’ll also find Trincomalee which is a lovely coastal city known for its paradise-like beaches! You can witness the faith of the locals when you visit the Koneswaram Temple, travel back into the city’s past at Fort Frederick, and be wowed by its natural beauty at Rawana Abyss. Enjoy the port city and stunning beaches of Trincomalee along with the most famous Pigeon Island National Park to witness the best corals. You’ll also be accompanied by a friendly driver who will also act as your guide as you explore. This is a must visit for any traveler who tours to Sri Lanka!
• Enjoy round trip hotel transfers plus the accompaniment of a friendly driver
• Visit a number of iconic attractions within two days
• All fees and accommodation included
Itinerary
Day 1: Colombo/Negombo – Trincomalee
Stop At: Koneswaram Temple, Trincomalee Sri Lanka
Surrounded by jaw-dropping scenery on all sides, the colourful Koneswaram temple sits high above the bay, a classical-medieval complex in the Eastern Province city of Trincomalee. The site is a religious pilgrim centre, and is one of the five “Pancha Ishwarams” (abodes of Shiva) that were built in coastal regions of Sri Lanka to honor the supreme god of Hinduism. The dates of the temple have been debated, with some scholars citing the original to around 400 BC, and later construction from as early as the 5th century to as late as the 18th. The original temple is claimed by some to have been the greatest building of its age, for both its architecture and its ornamentation. It combined key features to form a typically southern Indian plan, such as a thousand-pillared hall (similar to the famous “Aayiram Kaal Mandapam” in Madurai, India) and raised platform (or “jagati”) configuration, features that had been destroyed.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Fort Frederick, Trincomalee Town, Trincomalee 31000 Sri Lanka
Occupying the neck of a narrow peninsula, Fort Frederick has been a defensively important site for centuries. Fort Fredrick, also known as Trincomalee Fort or Fort of Triquillimale, is a fort built by the Portuguese at Trincomalee, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka, completed in 1624 CE, built on Swami Rock-Konamamalai from the debris of the world famous ancient Hindu Koneswaram temple (Temple of a Thousand Pillars). Inside, you will also stumble across the Gokana Temple and the Wellesley Lodge, among other historical imprints. The remarkable landmark offers an unparalleled experience, taking you on a journey back in time.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Trincomalee Harbour, Trincomalee 31000 Sri Lanka
Trincomalee harbor is the second best natural harbor in the world and the available water and land area is about 10 times as much as the Port of Colombo. The Portugese, Dutch and the British have all engaged in sea battles to control and conquer the harbor. It was formerly a British naval base which was taken over by the Ceylonese government in 1956 to be developed as a commercial port. Trincomalee was tentatively identified to cater for bulk and break bulk cargo and port related industrial activities including heavy industries, tourism and agriculture etc. The Trincomalee Harbor is one of the largest natural harbors in the world with 1630 hectares of water and an entrance channel which is 500 m wide.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Uppuveli, Trincomalee Sri Lanka
Uppuveli beach is the main Trincomalee beach located in the centre of Trincomalee. Uppuveli is a small coastal resort town, shrouded in golden sandy shores, turquoise blue waters and laid back vibes. A neighbour to the equally famous town of Nilaveli, Uppuveli has a historical track record of being a popular destination in Trincomalee for backpackers and casual travellers from both, local and international shores to just soak in some tropical sun and relax.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in a 3 star hotel in Trincomalee
Day 2: Trincomalee – Colombo/Negombo
Stop At: Pigeon Island National Park, Public Beach Road, Nilaveli 31010 Sri Lanka
Pigeon Island is one of the most popular marine national parks in Sri Lanka. It is brimming with some of the country’s most breathtaking coral reefs and is also home to a stunning array of exotic marine species. Lush greenery and white sandy shores enveloped by the foaming waves of the bright sapphire ocean, the park is a must visit for any ocean and adventurous lovers. The name of the Island “Pigeon” was derived from the Rock Pigeons which colonized it. This national park contains some of the best remaining coral reefs of Sri Lanka. There are over 100 species of corals and more than 300 species of reef fish have been identified from the Trincomalee area, and many of these species are found within the Pigeon Islands National Park.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Nilaveli Beach, Nilaveli Sri Lanka
For years Nilaveli has been considered one of Sri Lanka’s best beaches. It certainly has that feeling of paradise-island remoteness, with plenty of bending palms swaying over the golden sand. Languish on the golden sands, as the ocean invites you to cool down or enjoy an evening stroll and capture the striking sunset. Exuding a laid-back atmosphere and simple way of life, Nilaveli captures the essence of a paradise island, with endless possibilities for a relaxing holiday.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Trincomalee War Cemetery, Nilaveli Road, Trincomalee 31000 Sri Lanka
The Trincomalee British War Cemetery is a British military cemetery situated on the Trincomalee–Nilaveli Road. It is built for soldiers of the British Empire who were killed or died during World War II. The cemetery is one of the six Commonwealth war cemeteries in Sri Lanka. Established in 1948, the British War Cemetery is owned by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and maintained by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defense. There are 303 graves in the cemetery. It is one of the most beautifully maintained cemeteries therefore a visit will not make you regret it.
Duration: 30 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.
