Compare Classical Sri Lanka - Small Group, 2022 2023 Small Group by Insight Vacations vs Bestseller of Sri Lanka by Payless Tours India

Day 1: Welcome to Sri Lanka

Welcome to Sri Lanka. A land of historic ruins, sweeping beaches and mouth-watering food, you’ve made it to paradise. On arrival, you’ll be picked up and transferred to your hotel, the Taj Samudra, Colombo. A contemporary, luxury build situated on the seafront, it provides an idyllic ambience at sunset. Unwind and rejuvenate before meeting your fellow travellers and Travel Director at 19:00, for a Welcome Dinner with drinks.

Day 2: Explore Colombo

There’s no better way to get to know a city than to walk through its back streets and experience it like a local. In the morning, head on a leisurely walking tour of Colombo with Mark Forbes, a photographer and wildlife enthusiast, and discover the city's hidden treasures. Journey through a myriad of buildings that date back from 17th century and were erected mostly during Dutch and British rule. Visit Pettah Market, where locals head to pick up fresh fruit and vegetables, garments and jewellery. This market place is older than the buildings around it and an area best explored with a local. Later, board your customised tuk-tuk and head out to explore the hustle and bustle of an afternoon in Colombo's oldest neighbourhoods. Cruise the city streets as the sun descends over the Indian Ocean and the city lights spring to life around a pulse of evening activity.

Day 3: Welcome to the Jungle Relaxed Start

After breakfast, begin your journey to Wilpattu National Park. A unique complex of over fifty wetlands and gravel roads that trace watering holes, the perfect place to observe wildlife. On arrival, check into your luxury safari camp located on the boarder of the park, a quintessential glamping experience and a satisfying blend of comfort and nature. Enjoy relaxing in your spacious living room, with views of the lush, green jungle just steps away. In the evening, venture deep into the thick wilderness. Explore the park by jeep safari, taking the back roads in search for Sri Lanka's big four—leopards, elephants, sloth bears and deer.

Day 4: Jungle Safari

Enjoy journeying through the jungle on your morning and afternoon safaris. Keep your eyes peeled for crocodiles, buffalos, mongooese and turtles.

Day 5: Wilpattu to Sigiriya

In the morning head south, making your way to Sigiriya. Stop on your journey at the Anuradhapura temple complex, one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, sprawling and with a rich collection of archaeological wonders. Now a World Heritage site, you’ll have the opportunity to explore its ancient ruins with your Travel Director. Meet a practicing Buddhist and embark on a guided walking tour of the Ritigala jungle’s enveloped paths. Hear the tales and secrets of the forest dwelling monks that once inhabited the reserve. Begin your gradual ascent, making your way through seemingly endless paths and flights of carved stairs. This was once a place of meditation, congregation, teaching and general life for a monastic community who today devote their lives to simple living in the forest.

Day 6: Exploring Sigiriya's Ancient Kingdom

Surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens and reservoirs, Sigiriya is steeped in history. Explore Sigiriya with Insight Choice. Choose to climb Sigiriya Rock.  Alternatively, visit Sigiriya Botanical Gardens. Later, visit the historic city of Polonnaruwa, the second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms. During a tuk-tuk ride, explore the ancient remains of temples and tombs. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site for yourself before heading back to your hotel.

Day 7: Colourful Caves and Rainforests

Today you’ll visit the colourful Dambulla Caves. Also known as the Golden Temple caves, this World Heritage Site is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. Take in its mighty artwork dedicated to Gautama Buddha as you explore with your group. S Stop at Tamarind Gardens for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. This local farm has been working to supply community members with access to clean water, nutritional food, and supports the village towards a sustainable future. Later, arrive in Kandy. Surrounded by mountains, rainforest and tea plantations, this sacred city if famous for its Buddhist sites, such as the Temple of the Tooth shrine. Once here you’ll enjoy a cultural evening of drums and a dance performance. Your accommodation for the evening is, Mahaweli Reach. Located next to the mighty Mahaweli River, this traditional hotel is based in the hill capital of Sri Lanka and offers incredible culture, history and authentic dining options.

Day 8: Tea Country Hills Relaxed Start

In the morning head to the Sacred Tooth Relic. Located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic, a tooth of Buddha is located here.Later meet Rahju, a local artist, at his contemporary art gallery. Enjoy a private viewing of his magnificent paintings and discuss his unique perspectives on life over a cup of tea. Continue to Nuwara Eliya. A city in Sri Lanka’s tea country hills, this pretty destination is famous for Seetha Amman Temple, a Hindu shrine and Galway’s Land National Park. In the evening, participate in a cooking demonstration. Learn to cook Sri Lankan and South Indian cuisine with a local chef, before indulging in the fruits of your hard work.

Day 9: Exploring Nuwara Eliya

Rise early this morning for an excursion to Horton Plains for a trek to World's End, where a stunning escarpment that plunges 880 metres down to the jungle floor. World’s End is situated in one of the most popular National Parks in Sri Lanka and is the only one where you can are able walk freely as there are no elephants. Stand in awe and capture incredible views of the expansive plateau, before mist and cloud obscure the scene. In the afternoon, learn everything there is to know about Ceylon tea during a visit to a tea plantation and garden. Walk through the plantation during plucking time and spend time with a tea plucker to learn about their life, before enjoying a tasting session hosted by an expert. In the evening, toast to your travels with your new friends over a Celebration Dinner at your hotel.

Day 10: Goodbye Colombo

It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travellers, as your journey comes to an end. You’ll be driven back to Colombo airport for your onward flight. A stop will be made in Colombo for those extending their stay.

1 Day: Colombo

You will be picked up from the central location of Colombo or the International airport the Bandaranaike International Airport by the driver and the tour escort and transferred to the hotel for resting and sleeping.

After refreshing sightseeing of Colombo starts. You will be taken for sightseeing of Colombo visiting the clock tower, Pettah bazaar, a Hindu as well as a Buddhist temple as well as the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH)- an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the People' Republic of China. You will be taken to see a famous spot for a walk called Galle Face green promenade where you can observe life of the local people. Overnight at Colombo,

2 Day: Anuradhapura

After breakfast travel to the ancient city Anuradhapura. The place was the First Capital of Sri Lanka in the 3rd Century BC. Declared as a World Heritage Site. It remained the residence and royal capital for 119 successive Singhalese kings till the year 1000 AC when it was abandoned and the capital moved to Polonnaruwa. You will see some of the most famous as well as the tallest Dagoba of Sri Lanka, remains from palaces, temples, monasteries, ceremonial baths and the temple of the holy Bo tree. This tree was grown from a sampling of the very tree under which more than 2500 years ago the Buddha found enlightenment. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Mihintale and Nilaveli Beach

After breakfast travel to Mihintale.Mihintale in the Sinhalese language means Mahinda’s hill – a Buddhist monk in the 11th century. This city was declared a wildlife sanctuary more than 2,200 years ago, making it the oldest of shelters in the world.

Later on travel to Nilaveli beach where you will have a perfect opportunity to relax. Overnight at the hotel in Nilaveli.

Day 4: Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa

After breakfast does the sightseeing of Trincomalee. Visit The Koneswaram Temple is a popular place of worship in Sri Lanka and is one of the Pancha Ishwarams (five abodes) of Lord Shiva. Next, you will see places like the Fort Frederick, Hoods tower museum and Kanniya Hot springs. After that travel to Polonnaruwa which is the second capital (846 AD-1302 AD) of Sri Lanka is a well-preserved city of ancient dagobas, moonstones, beautiful parks, massive buildings and stunningly beautiful statues. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Dambulla, Sigiriya

After breakfast do sightseeing in Dambulla which is a huge town in Sri Lanka and is popular for its rock cave temple which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. This iconic temple is also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla has just this world architecture. It is a signature tourist spot in Sri Lanka. The paintings, wall murals and statues related to Lord Buddha which you’ll find in this cave complex here are simply amazing.

Next, you will have to climb up 1200 steps to the Sigiriya Rock. There are several platforms that break up the steps and allow for a little break if you need it. From some places along the path you also get an amazing view of the surrounding area. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Kandy

After breakfast travel to the town of Kandy which is famous for a temple of the tooth, a Buddhist temple. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha. Next, you will enjoy the cultural dance show. Overnight at Kandy.

Day 7: Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast travel up to the mountains to a picturesque town Nuwara Eliya famouse for its lush green scenic tea plantations. Visit a famous tea factory with the possibility of buying some very good quality tea. You will also visit the temple of Seetha in Seetha Eliya. This place is believed to be the site where Sita was held captive by king Ravana, and where she prayed daily for Rama to come and rescue her in the Hindu epic, Ramayana.On the rock face across the stream are circular depressions said to be the footprints of Lord Hanuman. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8: Ella, Yala National Park

After breakfast drive to the city called Ella. On the way, you will have an opportunity to stop for a picture of the beautiful Ravana waterfall. Later on, drive to Yala National Park where you will enjoy a safari adventure. It’s an experience of epic proportions that brings you up, close and personal with the untamed world of wildlife. Whether you are an avid nature lover or visiting a wildlife park for the first time, if you come here with a mind that’s eager to explore and learn, you will go away with newfound meaning in life. Overnight at the hotel.

Please note that

On your request instead of car travelling, you can choose to travel by local train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella can be organised. Please note that due to a very big number of travellers we don't guarantee a sitting place on the train. The train journey takes around 4 hours and you will get a perfect opportunity to take pictures and admire the beautiful and lush green nature of Sri Lanka: tea plantations, mountain views, waterfalls and other landscapes. You will be dropped off by our driver at the Ella station.

Day 9: Galle

After breakfast travel to the city Galle. Enjoy sightseeing the places like the Turtle hatchery centre and enjoy walking in the beautiful Galle fort with the possibility of taking pictures of stunning landscape and doing the shopping. You can also visit the Dutch and English churches and the Lighthouse. After that, you will be taken for a boat safari during which you will be able to spot many bird species and admire the beautiful nature of Sri Lanka. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10 and Day 11 Mirissa Rest

 After breakfast, you will be dropped at a serene and beautiful Mirissa beach where you will have an opportunity to relax and do some of the most popular activities such as snorkelling, surfing, diving or whale watching.

Day 12: Colombo Drop Off

After hotel check out you will be dropped off at Colombo airport or another central location in Colombo.

Please note that there is a possibility of extending a relaxing stay on Mirissa beach.