Colombo Trip Overview
This unique tour will give you the perfect opportunity to not only explore the cultural heritage of Sri Lank but also to experience the coastal rural lifestyle of Sri Lankans in Northern area. Jaffna and Trincomalee is the perfect place for sun seekers, thrill seekers and those hoping to relax. From imposing historic forts and colourful Hindu temples, to sacred Bhuddist sites and bustling markets, these are some of the best places to visit and things to do in Jaffna and Trincomalee.If you are looking for a raw and authentic travel experience, these two destinations are as real as it gets and it’s a must in everyone’s Sri Lanka itinerary, especially those with an adventurous spirit.
• 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: 4 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
This unique tour will give you the perfect opportunity to not only explore the cultural heritage of Sri Lank but also to experience the coastal rural lifestyle of Sri Lankans in Northern area. Jaffna and Trincomalee is the perfect place for sun seekers, thrill seekers and those hoping to relax. From imposing historic forts and colourful Hindu temples, to sacred Bhuddist sites and bustling markets, these are some of the best places to visit and things to do in Jaffna and Trincomalee.If you are looking for a raw and authentic travel experience, these two destinations are as real as it gets and it’s a must in everyone’s Sri Lanka itinerary, especially those with an adventurous spirit.
• 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 – Jaffna
Stop At: Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple, Madagal, Jaffna Sri Lanka
Dambukota Patuna which is located 10 km from Kankasanthurai of the Jaffna Penisula is the northern most peninsula of Sri Lanka.Dambakola Patuna is the sea port where the Buddhist nun Sangamitta Therani arrived in Sri Lanka bringing the southern sapling of the Bo or Peepal tree, the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi at Bodhgaya in India, in whose shelter the Prince Siddhartha attained supreme enlightenment, thereby becoming the Gauthama Buddha. Today the sacred tree is known to be the oldest recorded tree of the world and known by the name of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi of Anurdahpura. The small stupa and the temple at Dambakola Patuna (Jambukola Pattana) are modern constructions. The modern statue of Sanghamitta Therani was established there at a ceremony in 2010.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Fort Hammenhiel Resort, PV72+98H, Karainagar, Sri Lanka
The Hammenhiel fort is famous for having a reputation of being a prison. Located on a beautiful location on the mesmerising island between the Kayts and the Karaitivu Islands, the fort was built by the Portuguese as a coast guard. Later it was renovated by the Dutch and then was taken over by the British. The fort was either used as a prison or armoury storage, by its rulers and thus today it has the reputation of being a prison. Fort Hammenhiel is now a hotel open for visitors to explore history through its walls
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Stay in a 3 Star Hotel In Jaffna
Day 2: Jaffna
Stop At: Jaffna Public Library, Jaffna Sri Lanka
Resurrected from civil war destruction, this architectural attraction has become a symbol of Tamil culture.Building started on Jaffna’s striking public library in 1933. It started as a modest private collection but by 1959 it already housed seminal texts on Sri Lankan history and culture, including archival material written in palm leaf manuscripts.In 1981 amid civil conflict, however, the entire library – by that time one of the biggest in Asia – was destroyed in a fire. The libricide was a significant act in the build-up to the war and in 2001 it became one of the first buildings to be rebuilt. Architects mimicked the original neo-Mughal design and the public space is popular again today, although many of the texts that were burnt were irreplaceable.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Jaffna Fort, Jaffna Sri Lanka
The port was built by Portugese in 1619 then rebuilt by dutch in the second half of 18 th Century and this is the second largest fort that remain intact in the island. Fort resembles a regular pentagon with bastions on each point beyond this is a star shaped moat fed by the lagoon. The church erected in 1706 by the Dutch in this purely military & administrative duty fort is no longer standing due to the damage sustained by the fort by artillery fire by the Tamil Terrorist group LTTE.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Nallur Kovil, Jaffna Sri Lanka
The Nallu Kandaswamy Kovil is one of Jaffna’s most significant Hindu temples and is the fourth re-built structure, since the original temple was built in 948. The temple is a socially important institution for the Sri Lankan Tamils Hindu identity of north Sri Lanka and for the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora. Located in the ancient capital town of Nallur in Jaffna, it is recorded that the center of the city was once a bustling market place, surrounded by a square fortification that sheltered courtly buildings for kings, Brahmin priests and soldiers. The old Nallur Kandaswamy temple functioned within this ancient defensive fort, among a city that was laid out like the traditional temple town according to Hindu traditions.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Sri Pathrakali Amman Temple, New Moor St, Trincomalee 31000 Sri Lanka
Pathrikali Amman Temple is a Hindu Temple of the Godess Kali. The temple is built in the classical Dravidian style of architecture which is similar to the temple styles found in South India. The temple has a beautiful design and interior along with beautiful sculptures which are nothing short of excellence. Along with temple design, there is also an appropriate description and plenty of stories which have been visualized in the statues.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Stay in a 3 Star Hotel In Jaffna
Day 3: Jaffna – Trincomalee
Stop At: Pigeon Island National Park, Public Beach Road, Nilaveli 31010 Sri Lanka
The island just one kilometre and a few minutes by boat, from Nilaveli Coast, Trincomalee is in itself a unique destination. Lush greenery and white sandy shores enveloped by the foaming waves of the bright sapphire ocean, The Pigeon Island Marine Park is a must visit for the ocean lovers and the adventerous; snorkelling amidst the colourful schools of fish and the conserved coral reefs is an exhilarating experience! Used as a shooting ramge in Colonial era the Pigeon Islan National park is a famous site with both Locals and tourists.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Trincomalee War Cemetery, Nilaveli Road, Trincomalee 31000 Sri Lanka
The Trincomalee war cemetery is a British war cemetery located in the Trincomalle – Nilaweli road. It was built for British Soldiers who died during the 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.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Fort Frederick, Trincomalee Town, Trincomalee 31000 Sri Lanka
This was built in the 1600s, Ford Frederick is a colonial fort by the Portuguese in the Trincomalee Town. The Fort is well known to house within it, the Koneswaram Temple, yet another attraction in this area. Captured by a Dutch fleet, the Fort was re-created, to defend against any threats from the British and the French. Currently, it is manned by the Sri Lankan Army and is an alluring tourist destination depicting the footprints left behind by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Koneswaram Temple, Trincomalee Sri Lanka
Located 4000 feet above the sea, at the southern extremity of the peninsula that separate the inner from the outer Trincomallee harbor lies a magnificent Hindu Temple which is built for Lord Shiva. According to legend a Hindu Prince sailed to Sri Lanka to built a temple for Lord Shiva on the Swarmi Rock after learning that it was a fragment of Holy Mountain Meru. The temple became popularly known as Koneswaram Temple Trincomalee.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Stay in a 3 Star Hotel In Trincomalee
Day 4: Trincomalee – Negombo/Colombo
Stop At: Trincomalee Harbour, Sri Lanka
Trincomalee harbour is a seaport situated in Trincomalee Bay or Koddiyar Bay. This a large natural harbour situated on the northeastern coast of Sri Lanka. The importance of this natural harbour is immense as it has the capacity to anchor large number of ships. Currently there are some ships anchored in this harbour. Boat rides are arranged by the Navy Base of Trincomalee. Permissions has to be granted to enter the Naval Base. There are some historical stories related to this harbour. The Trincomalee harbour is one of the largest natural harbours in the world with 1630 hectares of water and an entrance channel which is 500 m wide.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Marble Beach, Kinniya Road, Trincomalee 31000 Sri Lanka
In Marble Beach you can find extensive variety of exercises, for example, swimming – the ideal method to find the miracles of the Indian Ocean and a favored action of guests to Trincomalee. There is additionally a shoreline volleyball court for the lively visitor. You will discover Marble Beach, the ideal base for your East Coast stay, with its mind blowing characteristic excellence, remedial peace, energizing exercises and liberal culinary encounters.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.
