Srilankan Serendipity

Start point atA - Colombo International Airport (CMB), Canada Friendship Rd, Katunayake, Sri LankaCanada Friendship Rd,???????, WP

End point atS - Colombo International Airport (CMB), Canada Friendship Rd, Katunayake, Sri LankaCanada Friendship Rd,???????, WP

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Day : 1 - Welcome Srilanka with Negombo Beach

Night stay at B1 - Negombo Beach, Negombo, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -11 Kms.

Hotel - Nico Lagoon Hotel

Star Rating of Hotel :

Halt B1 - Negombo Beach, Negombo, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -11 Kms.

Activities - Negombo Beach, Lagoon Kayaking, Wind Surfing

Factors at the Halt include : Rivers / Lakes,Beach,Small Boats / Canoes,Watersports.

On Day 1 of this wonderful trip, we shall pick you up from the Colombo International Airport and head to Negombo Beach, which is hardly a 30 mins drive away. We shall check into the hotel where you can relax and let this beautiful country sink in slowly. In the afternoon, you can do Kayaking in the lagoon and visit the nearby Negombo beach to enjoy the beautiful sunset views.

Day : 2 - The Historic City of Kandy

Night stay at C1 - Kandy, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -87 Kms.

Hotel - The SkyDeck Kandy

Star Rating of Hotel :

Halt C1 - Kandy, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -87 Kms.

Activities - Visit Udawattekele sanctuary, Kandy Lake, Visit Kandy temple of the tooth relic, Try out Srilankan Local Cuisine at Kandys iconic restaurant

Factors at the Halt include : UNESCO Heritage Site,Spiritual,Iconic Food Outlets,Wildlife,Treks,Great Views,Cultural / History,Caves / Springs,Hills,Forests.

On Day 2 of the trip, we shall head East from Negombo to reach Kandy, after about 3 and a half-hour drive. Kandy was the last capital of the ancient kings era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Our day in Kandy begins with visiting the Temple of the Tooth Relic, a world heritage site by UNESCO, one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. In the afternoon we shall try out the local cuisine of Srilanka at one of the most iconic restaurants in the city. We shall visit the Kandy lake and the most interesting Udawattakele Forest Reserve which is set on a hill-ridge overlooking the city of Kandy. The reserve is rich in its biodiversity and is thickly forested. Owing to its high altitude Kandy enjoys pleasant weather and misty evenings which can be enjoyed along with its glorious hill views from your hotel balcony itself.

Day : 3 - Ancient Rock Fortress of Sigiriya

Night stay at D1 - Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -149 Kms.

Hotel - Flower Garden Eco Village

Star Rating of Hotel :

Halt D1 - Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -149 Kms.

Activities - Visit Sigiriya Ancient Rock Fortress, Sigiriya Museum

Factors at the Halt include : UNESCO Heritage Site,Spiritual,Treks,Great Views,Cultural / History,Unique Experiences,Hills,Forests.

On Day 3 we shall head north from Kandy on about a 2 and a half-hour drive, to reach the heartland of the island, where Sigiriya the Ancient Rock Fortress, stands out tall from the thick jungle foliage of the plains. The magnificent structure looks straight out of an Indiana Jones movie set, and the mission for the day is to get on top of the Rock fortress and explore it deeply. Sigiriya is a site of historical and archaeological significance, and it is dominated by a massive column of rock standing tall of approximately 180 meters in height. According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicles, this area was a large forest, then after storms and landslides, it became a hill and was selected by King Kashyapa (477 – 495 AD) for his new capital. He built his palace on top of this rock and decorated its sides with colorful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock, he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. The name of this place is derived from this structure — Sinhagiri, the Lion Rock. The capital and the royal palace were abandoned after the king's death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century. Sigiriya today is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, and It is one of the best-preserved examples of ancient urban planning. We shall also visit the Sigiriya museum, to gain more insights into the history of Sigiriya.

Day : 4 - Ritigala and Anuradhapura

Night stay at E1 - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -110 Kms.

Hotel - Athyantha Resort

Star Rating of Hotel :

Halt E1 - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -110 Kms.

Activities - Visit Mihintale, Visit Ritigala Archaelogical site, Visit Ruwanwelisaya

Factors at the Halt include : UNESCO Heritage Site,Rural / Ethnic Stay,Spiritual,Cultural / History.

On Day 4, we shall visit various sites, around Anuradhapura, starting with Ritigala, which is just about a 1 hour and 20 minutes drive from Sigiriya. Ritigala is a mountain in central Sri Lanka that is home to an ancient Buddhist monastery. The ruins and rock inscriptions of the monastery date back to the 1st century BCE. At 766 meters above sea level, it is the highest mountain in northern Sri Lanka. The ruins of the Ritigala monastery are located on the eastern side of the mountain and it covers an area of 24 hectares. Among the ruins are a massive ancient reservoir, stone bridges, courtyards, and a number of Buddha statues in caves. Ritigala is very important to Hinduism as well, as Ritigala is the site where Lord Hanuman, the monkey god in Hinduism, dropped a chunk off a mountain of the Himalaya range, that he was carrying from India to Lanka, for its medicinal herbs. A legendary herb called Sanjeevini, is believed to have the power of conferring long life, and curing all human pain, is believed to be found in Ritigala mountain. According to legend, all vegetation on Ritigala is protected by Yakshas, the guardian spirits of the mountain. After Ritigala we shall be visiting Mihintale, a mountain peak, that is believed to be the site, which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is now a pilgrimage site, and a site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures. Among the structures are a huge Buddhist stupa, called the Maha Stupa, and an impressive statue of Bhuddha overlooking the plains below. From Mihintale we shall drive to Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of an ancient Sinhala civilization. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and it is a World Heritage Site today. As per the archaeological data, the city has been in existence as far back as the 10th century BC. In Anuradhapura, we shall visit the temple of Ruwanwelisiya, where the Great Stupa, is situated. Two quarts of Buddha's relics are enshrined in the stupa, making it the largest collection of his relics anywhere in the world. The stupa was built by Sinhalese King Dutugemunu in 140 BC, and it is one of the world's tallest ancient monuments, standing at 103 meters and with a circumference of 290 meters. Anuradhapura is a true treasure cove of monuments and history and there is always room to add more sights, depending on the availability of our time in this wonderful city.

Day : 5 - And, Trinco !!!

Night stay at F1 - Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -94 Kms.

Hotel - Cradamon Hotel

Star Rating of Hotel :

Halt F1 - Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -94 Kms.

Activities - Visit Marble Beach, Vist Koneswaram Temple, Visit Fort Federick

Factors at the Halt include : Beach,Spiritual,Great Views,Forts, Palaces & Monuments.

On Day 5 we shall leave Anuradhapura and head to touch the beautiful beaches of the East coast of the Island, starting with the spectacular Trinco or Trincomalee. Trinco is about 2 hours drive towards the East and our first destination of the day is the picturesque Koneswaram temple, a classical-medieval Hindu temple complex at Trincomalee. The temple overlooks a beautiful Trinco Bay. The age of the Koneswaram temple has been estimated by comparison between carved reliefs on the temple's ruins, literature on the shrine, and the inscriptions commonly used in royal charters, and accordingly, it was likely founded before 400 BC. The temple is also called the Temple of the Thousand Pillars, owing to a thousand pillared hall as part of the temple complex. After visiting the temple we shall visit Fort Frederick, a fort built by the Portuguese in 1624 CE. The fort is built on the debris of the Koneswaram temple, which was destroyed by the Portuguese at the time when several Hindu shrines of the Tamils were destroyed during the Portuguese occupation. A visit to the lovely Marble beach should be the highlight in Trico. Marble beach, set by Marble Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in Srilanka. The beach is under the control of the air force and the north end of the cove of Marble beach is accessible by civilians and tourists. The beach is guarded by the forests of Marble bay and the beautiful emerald water and the thick green canopy around make this a naturally protected and secluded virgin beach. Marble beach is a great spot for snorkeling and swimming. Trinco's beaches are a delight to the eyes, with the crystal clear blue ocean and white sands. Your day in Trinco is worth every minute for sure. Be it the Uppuveli beach or the stunningly pretty Nilaveli beach, where we shall rest for the night, if you are a beach person it rarely gets better than this.

Day : 6 - Scuba diving in Pasikuda Coral reef

Night stay at G1 - Pasikuda Beach, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -82 Kms.

Hotel - Amaya Beach

Star Rating of Hotel :

Halt G1 - Pasikuda Beach, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -82 Kms.

Activities - Scuba Diving in Coral reefs and ship wrecks, Snorkelling

Factors at the Halt include : Adventure,Unique Experiences,Beach,Great Views,Watersports.

On Day 6, we shall head south of the Trinco beaches through the coastline to reach another stunning spot, called the Pasikudah bay, after about a 2 and half hour drive. This day is all about the stunning Pasikudah bay, and exploring the coral reefs nearby. It is a perfect spot for scuba diving and snorkeling. We shall check into our luxurious resort, set by the most pretty stretch of the Pasikudah bay, The Kalkudah beach. And shortly later shall leave to experience scuba diving in the Pasikuda coral reefs. All the dive sites are a maximum of 30 mins ride into the sea, and the coral reefs are the best spot in Srilanka to catch the marine diversity. Those lesser adventurous can try out snorkeling, which also allows a glimpse into the rich biodiversity of the Pasikudah coral reefs. After the activities, we can return to the hotel where you can relax on its stunning private beach.

Media and additional information available for the day's itinerary.

Beautiful Pasikudah Bay
Beautiful Pasikudah Bay
The Resort at Kalkudah Beach
Kalkudah Beach
Kalkudah Beach
Snorkeling at Pasikudah
Scuba diving at Pasikudah
Scuba diving at Pasikudah

Day : 7 - And its time for the hills, Ella !!

Halt H1 - Kombukara Nature Pool and Secret Waterfall for Open Bath., Nahavila Road, Balleketuwa, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -127 Kms.

Activities - Bath at Kombukara nature pool and secret waterfalls

Factors at the Halt include : Treks,Great Views,Waterfalls.

Night stay at I2 - Ella, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -130 Kms.

Hotel - Ella Hide View

Star Rating of Hotel :

Halt I2 - Ella, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -130 Kms.

Activities - Trek to Little Adams Peak

Factors at the Halt include : Forests,Hills,Treks,Great Views.

On Day 7, of the trip, we head south to some among the prettiest of hills of the island. A 4 and a half-hour drive will get us to the beautiful Ella from Pasikudah. Just before Ella, we shall stop by to take a relaxing dip in a natural pool and a small secret waterfall called the Kombukara nature pool. The Kombukara nature pool is set in the forest and can be approached only after a small trek to reach this lovely location. A bath in the natural pool is the best therapy for relaxation especially so after a long day's drive.. Before reaching Ella, and re-energized after the bath, we shall take a short detour to undertake another short trek, to reach a pretty destination around Ella, called the Little Adams Peak. Little Adams Peak offers marvelous views around and is one of the prettiest spots to visit around Ella. After the trek we shall head to Ella, our final destination for the day. Ella is situated at an elevation of 1,041 meters above sea level. The area has a rich bio-diversity, dense with numerous varieties of flora and fauna. Ella is surrounded by hills covered with cloud forests and tea plantations. The town has a cooler climate than the surrounding lowlands, due to its elevation. The time in Ella will be a pleasant change from the sunny beaches of Srilanka.

Day : 8 - A Train ride to Nuwara Eliya

Halt J1 - Ella Railway Station, Wellawaya-Ella-Kumbalwela Highway, Ella, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -2 Kms.

Activities - Mountain train ride from Ella to Nuwara Eliya

Factors at the Halt include : Great Views.

Night stay at K2 - Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -59 Kms.

Hotel - The Mount View

Star Rating of Hotel :

Halt K2 - Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -59 Kms.

Activities - Visit the Lovers Leap waterfalls, Boating at Lake Gregory

Factors at the Halt include : Forests,Rivers / Lakes,Hills,Treks,Great Views,Small Boats / Canoes,Waterfalls.

On Day 8, we have another fun experience of the trip. We shall go on a scenic two hours mountain train ride to Nuwara Eliya, the highest hills of Srilanka. The train ride through the tea estates of Srilanka is often referred to as one of the prettiest train rides in this part of the world. Nuwara Eliya, is at an altitude of 1,868 meters above sea level and is considered to be the most important location for tea production in Sri Lanka. The city is overlooked by Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya is known for its temperate, cool climate – the coolest area in Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya has so many sights to visit. We shall begin with visiting the Lovers Leap waterfalls, a 30-meter high waterfall that lies just about 4 km away from the Nuwara Eliya City center. The drive around the mountainside is dotted with very picturesque locations and sceneries. From the waterfalls, we shall go up the Pidurutalagala mountain to reach what is called the highest point in Srilanka. On the way back we shall stop by Gregory Park and Gregory Lake, two of the most popular tourist spots in Nuwara Eliya. Gregory Lake is a pretty reservoir that is set in the middle of tea gardens in Nuwara Eliya. We can go on a boat ride,, in the calm waters of Gregory lake, to wrap up the activities for the day at Nuwara Eliya.

Day : 9 - Waterfalls, History & Jungle Safari

Halt L1 - Ellewala Waterfall, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -75 Kms.

Activities - Ella Wala waterfalls

Factors at the Halt include : Treks,Waterfalls.

Halt M2 - Buduruwagala Rock Carvings, Wellawaya, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -86 Kms.

Activities - Visit Buduruwagala Rock Carvings

Factors at the Halt include : Spiritual,Cultural / History.

Night stay at N3 - Kottawatta, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -211 Kms.

Hotel - Athgira River Camp

Star Rating of Hotel :

Halt N3 - Kottawatta, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -211 Kms.

Activities - Jungle Safari at Udawalawe Sanctuary

Factors at the Halt include : Forests,Rivers / Lakes,Wildlife.

On Day 9 of the trip, we shall descend the mountains to reach Udawalawe national park which is about a 4-hour drive away. To take a break from the long drive we shall stop at a beautiful waterfall on the way called the Ella wala falls. Ella wala falls is near the town of Wellawaya, which falls on the way to Udawalawe after about a 2 and a half-hour drive. The waterfall and natural pool are just a short trek away inside the jungle, and a bath at the beautiful pool will be the most refreshing feeling for the day. After leaving Ella Wala falls we shall stop by at the ancient Buduruwagal temple. Buduruwagal temple is an ancient Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. The complex consists of seven statues and they date back to the 10th century. At Udawalawe experience, a safari drive in the national park area and see the wild elephants and other wildlife, with an experienced private guide in a sturdy 4 Wheel Drive vehicle. Located just south of the Central Highlands, Udawalawe features a dramatic landscape that provides prime opportunities to see herds of wild elephants. Udawalawe is also home to other animals such as water buffalo, wild boar, fox, toque macaque, and jungle cats including leopards. After the safari, we shall check into our luxurious riverside resort and relax for the rest of the day.

Day : 10 - The Beautiful Mirissa

Night stay at O1 - Mirissa Beach, Mirissa, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -16 Kms.

Hotel - Paradise Beach Resort

Star Rating of Hotel :

Halt O1 - Mirissa Beach, Mirissa, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -16 Kms.

Activities - Secret Beach, Matara Beach, Polhena turtle beach, Coconut hill.

Factors at the Halt include : Beach,Great Views.

Located on the southernmost point of Srilanka, Mirissa is hardly 2 hours away from Udawalawe. Mirissa is one of the most popular beach destinations in southern Sri Lanka, and for a good reason! The area has it all, beautiful beaches, great waves for surfing, Fantastic nightlife, and waters teeming with marine life, from turtles to dolphins and to the big blue whales. One of the most beautiful beaches in Mirissa is the Secret Beach. The beach is ideal for swimming and sunbathing. In the afternoon we shall visit the amazing Polhena and Matara beaches, which is famous for its calm waters and sea turtles, which is a not-to-be-missed experience while in Mirissa. And finally, the sunset from the famous Coconut hill in Mirissa beach is undoubtedly the best experience of Mirissa.

Day : 11 - Whale Watching and Bentota Beach

Night stay at Q2 - Bentota Beach, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -73 Kms.

Hotel - Palm Beach Inn & Sea Shells Cabanas

Star Rating of Hotel :

Halt Q2 - Bentota Beach, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -73 Kms.

Activities - Bentota Beach

Factors at the Halt include : Beach.

On Day 11, we shall start early from Mirissa to go on a Whale and Dolphin watching cruise. The sightings though are not guaranteed, the chances are fairly high that you come across the giant and gentle sea creature, The Blue Whale. The Whale watching cruise typically takes about 3 hours of sea cruise, after which we can return to our hotel to check out, and proceed to the famous Bentota beach, which hardly takes about 1 and a half-hour drive from Mirissa. Stretches of golden sands lined by palm trees, crystal clear calm waters, and plenty of water sports are what make Bentota Beach special. The nearby Ventura beach is famous as the golden beach of Srilanka. The beach is most famous and has been featured by many travel magazines and media as one of the prettiest beaches of the Indian Ocean.

Day : 12 - And then Colombo..

Night stay at R1 - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -57 Kms.

Hotel - Supun Arcade Residency

Star Rating of Hotel :

Halt R1 - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Distance from days start -57 Kms.

Activities - Colombo City Tour

Factors at the Halt include : Beach,Shopping,Great Views.

On Day 12 of the trip, we shall finally get back to Colombo, the capital city and the largest city in Srilanka. The drive to Colombo from Bentota beach is just about 1 and a half hours, which will leave us with a lot of time to enjoy this vibrant city. The Colombo metropolitan area has a population of 5.6 million, and it is the commercial and financial center of the island as well as a tourist destination. Colombo is a great city for shopping and it has very vibrant nightlife too. Colombo is also famous for its casinos and fabulous restaurants that serve local as well as international cuisine. The city has a lot to offer and a city tour to the heart of the city, the Galle face is the must-do activity for anyone visiting this wonderful city. Mount Lavinia is a beach in the city that is famous for its seaside shacks, particularly popular to try out the seafood fare of Srilanka.

Day : 13 - The last day in Srilanka

The last day in Srilanka can be spent shopping in Colombo's favorite shopping malls and streets. For local shopping and bargains, the Pettah market is a good choice. On the glamorous side, there is the very famous and iconic Odel Shopping Center for clothes and western wear. Then there is the opulent and sprawling One Galle face mall, the biggest shopping mall in the country, which has become a must-visit spot for all visiting Srilanka. After shopping, we are ready to go to the Colombo International Airport to catch your return flights home. The Colombo Airport duty-free too is a great place for shopping, something more that you can take back home from the country, other than the wonderful time and memories that this island paradise has gifted you.

Media and additional information available for the day's itinerary.

The Pettah Market, Colombo
Odel Department Store
One Galle Face Mall
Colombo International Airport