Compare Bliss of Sri Lanka by Direct Traveller vs Walking Trails of Sri Lanka by Exodus Travels

Day 1:

Accommodation: Heritance Negombo.

You will be met and assisted on arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Sri Lanka, by Direct Traveller representatives and then introduced to your English speaking chauffeur guide. Transfer from Airport to Negombo (approx. 30 minutes)

(One night stay in a Standard room on bed breakfast basis)

Day 2:

Meals: Breakfast at Heritance Negombo Hotel

Accommodation: Aliya Resort & Spa

Transfer from Negombo to Anuradhapura (approx. 4 hours)Anuradhapura holds the distinction of being the third capital (after Tambapanni and Upatissa Nuwara) and the greatest city in the history of Sri Lanka. This glorious city is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and one of the eight World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka. The Sri Maha Bodhi (Sacred Bo Tree), which is over 2200 years old, was brought here as a sapling (from the tree under which Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment). This tree is the oldest historically documented tree in the world. To add to this glory, the famous dagoba in Sri Lanka, Ruwanweliseya (2nd century BC) and The Brazen Palace too are found in Anuradhapura. Other major attractions include the Samadhi Buddha statue and the Isurumuniya Rock Temple (3rd Century BC), which is famous for its rock carvings.Transfer from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya (approx. 2 hours)

Overnight Stay at (Three nights stay in a Deluxe room on bed breakfast basis)

Day 3:

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Aliya Resort & Spa

After breakfast at Aliya Resort & Spa this morning you head to world heritage site Polonnaruwa. (approx. 1 hour & 15 minutes)Polonnaruwa became capital of Sir Lanka following the decline of Anuradhapura. It was declared a capital by King Vijayabahu the 1st who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070.  The golden age of this glorious city was under the reign of King Parakramabahu the 1st who oversaw the construction of one of the greatest irrigation systems the country has seen, the Parakrama Samudhraya, which covers an area of 6,000 acres. The ruins of the Royal Palace and various buildings and structures can be seen even today. Other highlight of this city is the Gal Viharaya which has 3 splendid statues of the Buddha in 'Upright', 'Sedentary' and 'Recumbent' postures carved out of rock, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, the statue of King Parakramabahu, the former Temple of Tooth Relic, Shivan Temple, Lankathilake, Watadage, Galpotha, and Kiri Viharaya.Transfer from Polonnaruwa to Minneriya (approx. 30 minutes)Spanning over 8,800 hectares, the Minneriya National Park is located alongside the vast, renovated Minneriya Rainwater Reservoir. As a part of the corridor which joins Kaudulla and Wasgomuwa parks, Minneriya offers an amazing sightseeing experience where one may see herds of elephants throughout the year. In October, you will witness the famous gathering of the wild elephants which is the largest known meeting place of wild elephants in the world. The park is also home to about 160 species of birds, 9 amphibians, 25 reptile species, 26 fish species and more than 78 butterfly species.Transfer from Minneriya to Sigiriya (approx. 45 minutes)

Day 4:

Accommodation: Aliya Resort & Spa

Following the breakfast at Aliya Resort & Spa, you will get an opportunity to climb 5th century rock citadel, now a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Sri Lanka's most popular historic site, Sigiriya is 200 meters citadel was home to his palace on top of the rock and derives its name as it appears to resemble the outline of a lion from distance. King Kasyapa built his palace and decorated its walls with colorful frescoes which can even be seen today. These frescoes, along with India¿s Ajantha cave frescoes are world renowned for lasting through the ages and their awe-inspiring beauty. When you climb along the side of the rock, about halfway up, you will encounter a gateway that although in ruins, resembles a gigantic lions paw.

Day 5:

Meals: Breakfast at Aliya Resort & Spa

Accommodation: Earl's Regency Hotel.

And then a transfer from Sigiriya to Dambulla (approx. 30 minutes)The Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as Jambukola Viharaya is a World Heritage Site and is the largest, preserved cave temple complex in the country. It is believed that King Valahambahu converted these caves into a temple during the 1st century BC. Although there are more than 80 documented caves in the area, the temple itself is spread over five. These caves contain statues and paintings that chronicle Lord Buddha and his life. There are 153 Lord Buddha statues, 3 statues of Sri Lankan Kings and 4 statues of Gods and goddesses found here. The latter include those of Hindu Gods Vishnu and Ganesh. The murals cover over 2,000 square metres in area. The largest image of Lord Buddha is a carving that spans over 14 metres. Transfer from Dambulla to Matale (approx. 1 hour)Matale, known for its welcoming climate is world famous for its spice gardens.  Here one may experience the intricate processes that result in Sri Lanka producing some of the best spices in the world. What¿s more, a cookery demonstration too will be held allowing visitors to learn to prepare traditional curries using local spices. Transfer from Matale to Kandy (approx. 1 hour & 30 minutes)

 (Two nights stay in a Deluxe room on bed breakfast basis)

Day 6:

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Earl's Regency Hotel

And then a transfer from Kandy to Pinnawala (approx. 2 hours)The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage provides visitors with the best chance of seeing a large number of elephants at close quarters. The orphanage was established in 1975 and commenced with seven orphaned elephants. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their calfs born in the same location. Assisted by local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawala commenced a successful captive breeding programme and the first baby elephant was born in 1984. It is most interesting to visit at feeding time to see the baby elephants being bottle fed and the entire herd taken for a bath thereafter to the river nearby. Transfer from Pinnawala to Kandy. Do a city tour in this afternoon.The World Heritage Site, Kandy, was the last capital of the Sri Lankan Kings, before the country was brought under British rule in 1815. Famous for its rich heritage and splendour, this magnificent city was last ruled by Sri Wickramarajasinghe. The Temple of the Tooth Relic is the most significant highlight of the city along with the Kandy lake, the town and other attractions. Visit the Kandy Town and Bazaar, the arts & crafts centre and a gem museum and a lapidary. In the evening, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and thereafter, witness a cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dance.

Day 7:

Meals: Breakfast at Earl's Regency Hotel

Accommodation: Jetwing Yala

Transfer from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, en-route you will visit a Tea Planation (approx. 3 hours)Visit a tea plantation and a tea factory, where the best tea in the world is produced. Upon your visit you will observe how the quality of tea is graded and also have a walk-through of the manufacturing process. The highlight of your visit will be enjoying the taste of a cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory. Overnight Stay at Grand Hotel

(One night stay in a Deluxe room on bed breakfast basis)

Day 8:

Meals: Breakfast at Grand Hotel

And then a transfer from Nuwara Eliya to Udawalawe (approx. 5 hours)The park is adjacent to the Udawalawe reservoir and Walawe river. The region is surrounded by the scenic beauty of the mountain range that wind endlessly on the Balangoda, Kalthota and Haputale escarpments. Spread over 30,821 hectares, the Park has an annual rainfall of 1,524 mm and an average year-round temperature of 29.4 C.  The Udawalawe National Park is famous for its many herds of elephants which can be observed in their natural habitats. You will see the spotted deer, sambur, barking deer, water buffalo and jackal which are also inhabitants of the park.Later on you will visit the Elephant Transit Home which is a facility within Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka that was established in 1995 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Consevation. Its primary objective is to rehabilitate orphaned elephant calves for ultimate release back into the wild.Transfer from Udawalawe to Yala (approx. 2 hours)

 (Two nights stay in a Superior room on bed breakfast basis)

Day 9:

Accommodation: Jetwing Yala.

Early this morning you will proceed on a game drive of Yala National Park by jeep(You will have the option of either taking a long a picnic breakfast provided by the hotel or having a late breakfast back at the hotel).Do a jeep safari of Yala National Park which is undoubtedly the largest and most popular in Sri Lanka. It consists of five blocks, all of which are at present open to the public. Block 1, Ruhuna is the most visited of the five. Visitors can expect to see wild elephants, wild boars, wild buffaloes, leopards, bears, deer and crocodiles.  Large flocks of migratory and indigenous birds are also found here. Thereafter you will return to the hotel and be at leisure, relaxing by the pool and later this afternoon proceeds on another game drive of Yala National Park.

Day 10:

Meals: Breakfast at Jetwing Yala

Accommodation: Ramada Colombo

And then transfer from Yala to Colombo. Overnight Stay at Ramada Colombo

(One night stay in a Standard room on bed breakfast basis)DAY 11:   This day you will proceed to the Airport in time to connect with your departure flight or transfer to a beach resort can be organised.

Day 1 Start Dambulla

The group flight arrives at Colombo's Katunayake Airport and we transfer to our hotel at Dambulla (100mi/160km, four hours' drive). Those not flying with the group can meet us at the hotel or the airport in time for the transfer. Please be aware, if you are meeting the group at the airport for a transfer you might need to purchase a ticket outside to enter the arrivals hall. We make our way to the hotel in Dambulla (100mi/160km, four hours’ drive). Accommodation: Pelwehera Village Resort (or similar)

Day 2 Visit Dambulla Caves, village walk towards Sigiriya; afternoon visit to Lion Rock fortress

After breakfast, we visit the magnificent Cave Temple at Dambulla, one of the most impressive sights in Sri Lanka. There are colourful, well-preserved paintings and statues of Buddha inside, dating to the first century BCE. We then have a short, gentle, warm-up walk through villages and rice paddies and on towards Sigiriya, where we have lunch. In the afternoon, we visit the imposing fifth-century rock fortress, which rises 590ft (180m) from the plains overlooking the countryside with far-reaching views. The route to the top is up a series of steep steps and gangways. From the base, where a moat surrounds impressive water gardens, we ascend 655ft (200m) and pass an overhanging rock, under which superb portraits of indigenous maidens holding flowers and temple offerings still adorn the walls. Crowning the flat-topped summit are extensive remains of the King's Summer Palace from where there are breath-taking views of the countryside. The descent is much easier and we have a final 35-minute drive back to our hotel in Dambulla. Accommodation: Pelwehera Village Resort (or similar)

Day 3 Drive to Illukkumbura; walk the Manigala Trail in the Knuckles Mountain Range

The next two days takes us across the Knuckles Mountain Range. We start early with a three-hour drive to the start of our walk, where we begin with an easy descent past paddies and through the villages of Pitawala Patana and Etanwala. Descending to the river, we cross a small bridge and climb up through more farmland. Finally, emerging at the top of an escarpment, we are rewarded with great views of the countryside. An easy trail takes us along the escarpment to Manigala Top at 3,660ft (1,115m), the high point of today. Next, we descend to the Mahalakotuwa village area, which leads to the main road and then it’s a 20-minute walk to our campsite by the river where we can bathe in the cool, refreshing water. Accommodation: Camping at Knuckles with Eco Team (or similar) (Occasionally, we use an alternative campsite due to high water levels, which is about 40 minutes’ drive from Illikumbura).

Day 4 Walk through forests to Meemure; transfer to Orutota

We begin with a half-hour drive to the Narangamuwa Temple at Ranamuregama. Starting our walk, we pass paddies and coconut groves before we enter a heavily forested area. The trail climbs gently for an hour and then levels out before undulating though this lush forest. The only sound we can hear is the birdsong around us. Emerging from the forest in the village of Meemure, make sure to look back for a spectacular view of the Lakegala peaks. Passing farms growing pepper and other spices, we come to a small tea shop where we have lunch. After, we take a truck or rickshaws for a bumpy 90-minute ride to Corbett’s Gap, a much-loved viewpoint. Our bus meets us here for the 1hr 30min drive to our hotel at Orutota overlooking the Victoria Reservoir. Accommodation: Oruthota Chalets (or similar)

Day 5 To Kandy; visit the Temple of the Tooth

We enjoy a relaxing morning in the hotel garden and pool. Mid-morning, we have an 11mi (18km) drive to Kandy and the afternoon to explore. The town is located around a small lake and we can walk round to look for water birds and large water monitors. Later, we visit the Temple of the Tooth, which houses the most important Buddhist relic in Sri Lanka, the Tooth of Buddha, which was taken from the funeral pyre in India in 543 BCE and found its way to Sri Lanka in the fourth century. Hundreds of worshippers visit the temple each day and in July/August the most spectacular ceremony takes place. Accommodation: Hotel Suisse (or similar)

Day 6 - 7 Ascend Adam’s Peak

This morning, we drive to Dickoya (three hours), where we stay for two nights in a simple summer house with a wonderful view of the Castlereagh Reservoir. On a clear day, we can see the outline of Adam’s Peak in the distance. In the pilgrim season (December to May), we have the day to relax or you can take a walk around the lake (approximately 3.7mi/6km). We leave around midnight for the walk up Adam’s Peak (approximately 8.7mi/14km). This will take around four hours and we should reach the top with the many pilgrims at sunrise. In the off season (May to November), we spend the first day at Dickoya and can walk around the lake and we climb Adam’s Peak during daylight hours on the following day. (Day 6: B) (Day 7: B,L) Accommodation: Summer House Hatton (or similar)

Day 8 Drive to Nuwara Eliya; optional walk to explore the town

This morning, we have a wonderful drive through tea plantation districts to Nuwara Eliya. This was the favourite hill station during the British era, situated in the cool highland air. Known locally as Little England, it is dotted with British-style houses, hotels and a racecourse. There will be an optional walk into the hills around the town and also time to explore the bazaar. Accommodation: Windsor Hotel (or similar)

Day 9 Early morning to Horton Plains; walk to World's End viewpoint; to Ella by train

Today we drive to Horton Plains, a large plateau more than 6,560ft (2,000m) above sea level, overlooked by the second and third highest peaks in Sri Lanka. The scenery is beautiful and best explored on foot. We trek through the rolling grasslands, seeing forest and unusual wildlife, such as the sambar deer and purple-faced monkey, all the way to World's End, one of the most stunning sights in Sri Lanka. Here the ground drops 3,445ft (1,050m) to the plains below. We then catch the train from the highest railway station in the country; within two hours we go from 6,197ft (1,889m) to 3,599ft (1,097m). The train travels through the cloud forest into the tea plantations, the views are spectacular; we disembark at Ella. Accommodation: Hotel Country Comfort (or similar)

Day 10 Morning trek to Ella Rock; Free afternoon

This morning, we set out to ascend the iconic Ella Rock, the highest point in Ella standing 3,743ft (1,140m). The round trip to Ella Rock takes about four to five hours. Starting off gently with flat trail where you walk through farm land, passing by locals as they get on with their day to day life. The second phase is a gradual ascent to reach the top. You look out over the Ella gap, a deep valley connecting the city of Ella with the low country. The afternoon is free to explore the vibrant and busy Ella town. Accommodation: Hotel Country Comfort (or similar)

Day 11 Drive to Yala National Park; afternoon game drive

We now head south of the hills to Tissamaharama down the plains. On the way, we stop at Ella Gap where the most of the southern part of the island is in view and the shimmering silver of the ocean is visible on a clear day . We continue on our journey visiting the spectacular Ravana waterfalls, which is 82ft (25m) tall and one of the widest waterfalls in the country. We also stop at the Buduruwagala Temple, where we see seven statues of Buddha carved out of a rock that dates to the 10th century. Tissamaharama is our base for visiting Yala National Park – its open terrain was well known for elephants for many years, but recently the park has become better known as a place to spot leopards. The park, which is primarily shrub jungle with several salt and freshwater lagoons, has one of the highest concentrations of leopard in the world. We have a game drive in the afternoon. (Please note, the sanctuary may be closed for four to six weeks from September to October allowing the park authorities to check the animals. In this instance, we visit a nearby alternative, usually Udawalawe National Park). Accommodation: Chaarya Resort (or similar)

Day 12 Walk around Yodakandiya Lake; transfer to the coast.

This morning, we drive to the beautiful Yodakandiya Lake in Tissamaharama where we walk for approximately 3hr 30min (approximately 3mi/5km). This is an opportunity to see the day-to-day life of the local people plus a range of birdlife. In the late afternoon, we drive for approximately four hours to the coast and your beach front hotel. Accommodation: Insight Resort (or similar)

Day 13 Free day to relax on the beach or optional activities including whale watching (November to April)

We have a free day to relax on the beach or by the pool. There are also numerous optional activities including a boat ride through mangrove swamps to a cinnamon plantation or you can go whale watching off Dondra Head from November to April. This is one of the best places in the world for seeing blue and sperm whales. Accommodation: Insight Resort (or similar)

Day 14 To Galle; transfer to Colombo

We drive along the coastal road to the historic port of Galle, which dates to the 17th century and is now a Unesco World Heritage site. On the way, we stop at a small folk museum inspired by the local writer Martin Wickramasinghe. The museum is a typical house from the Koggala region and is set among beautiful gardens. We continue along the expressway to Colombo reaching our hotel in the late afternoon (the drive takes around two to three hours plus stops). Accommodation: Hotel Cinnamon Red (or similar)

Day 15 End Colombo

Today is the end of your journey. If you are travelling on the group flight we will have a morning transfer to the airport for the daytime international flight. The arrangements for those not flying with the group ends after breakfast. If you would like to continue the adventure with our post-trip extension to the Maldives or a beach stay in Ahangama, speak to your sales representative.