Seat-in-coach Tour Sri Lanka - Winter

Arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport to a warm welcome from your  guide who will transfer you to your first stop in Negombo just six kilometres away.

Negombo has many sights and sounds on offer. From its wide beach dotted with restaurants and bars perfect for watching the stunning sunsets, a lagoon teeming with delicious crabs and prawns, its Portuguese and Dutch era fort and religious architecture, and the Hamilton Canal where one can enjoy a meandering boat ride to catch a glimpse of everyday life along its banks.

Also, a trip down to the fishing village can be quite the experience to see the wide variety of exotic seafood that comes ashore for sale every day.

Alternatively, simply lounge at the beach and enjoy some cold beverages and a special gourmet feast of a complimentary mixed seafood platter.

Dinner and overnight Stay at any selected hotels in Negombo.

After breakfast depart Negombo to Habarana – the hub of Sri Lanka’s astonishing cultural triangle. (about 4 hours) Check in the hotel .

Afternoon dedicated to a Village Safari Tour, an interesting experience that will allow you to get in touch with the rural life of the local population. A guided trek through the village of Hiriwaduna for an authentic Sri Lankan village experience through the picturesque countryside. A bullock cart ride, and a catamaran ride on the lake are also includedas well as a home cooked tropical lunch with a local family, and a visit to a local farmer for a look at the fresh produce and their simplistic way of life.

Dinner and Overnight Stay at any selected hotels in Habarana.

After breakfast, travel to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress – the imposing ancient royal citadel in the jungle and climb up to walk among the ruins of the palace of King Kassapa while enjoying the amazing vistas of the surrounding wilderness.From there, head to the beautiful forested Polonnaruwa archaeological park and its stunning list of ancient structures – palaces, temples, tombs, and stupas

Head back to the hotel for some rest and relaxation by the pool, or optionally try out a jeep safari to the Minneriya National Park to see herds of wild elephant and other animals by the watering holes.

Additionally, an elephant back safari through the Habarana Lake can be perfect as a sunset excursion.

Dinner and Overnight Stay at any selected hotels in Habarana.

After breakfast, set out for Kandy, and stop by in Dambulla for a visit to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dambulla Golden Temple, with its beautifully preserved examples of Buddhist art and sculpture within its extensive gold cave complex.

In transit to Kandy, stop at Matale for a walk through one of Sri Lanka’s famous spice gardens, home to the worlds’ highest quality cinnamon, cloves, cardamoms, pepper and other exotic spices. You can also enjoy an exotic wholesome Sri Lankan feast full of local flavour at the spice garden restaurant, and using the same spices grown on location.

Arrive in the historic hill capital of Kandy, and be entertained by the colourful cultural music and dance performance before visiting the sacred Temple of the Tooth – the repository of the sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha to pay your respects.

Dinner and Overnight Stay at any selected hotels in Kandy.

After breakfast head to the stunning Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya for a walk through some of the finest specimens of botanical life in the near 200 year old gardens. Spread around 59 hectares it boasts over 4000 species of tropical plants and trees including orchids, bamboo, spices, medicinal plants, and amazing palms lined up along the many picturesque walkways.

After visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and view orphaned and disabled elephants being cared for and rehabilitated. Enjoy lunch while watching the elephants bathe in the Mahaweli River.

Enjoy an evening of shopping and a city tour with a visit to Upper Lake Drive for the best view of the city and some iconic photographs. A walk through the market is also recommended for a look at the local fruits and vegetable, and the arts and crafts shops with traditional Sri Lankan batiks, gems and brassware, and many curio and gift shops to peruse at your own pace. The Kandy Lake promises vibrant sunsets during an evening stroll around its banks and is great setting for some holiday photographs.

Dinner and Overnight Stay at any selected hotels in Kandy.

After breakfast, head out to the colonial hill station of Nuwara Eliya – the heartland of Ceylon Tea, and called Little England due to its cool climes and misty mountains popular among expats in colonial times.

On the way, stop by at the stunning Ramboda Falls and hike up to the top for some amazing natural scenery – make sure you take your camera with you. Afterwards visit a traditional tea factory and watch the tea pluckers at work and learn how they choose just the right tea leaf.

Arrive in Nuwara Eliya and take a walk around the town after lunch and stroll through the park, or visit the picturesque little Anglican Chapel, the horse racetrack, and the beautiful old colonial style golf club for some light refreshment.

Lake Gregory, in the heart of the town, is a great place for an evening adventure promising some beautiful picture settings in addition to the many public leisure activities offered along its banks such as boat rides etc.

Dinner and Overnight Stay at any selected hotels in Nuwara Eliya.

After breakfast in the morning, transfer to the Nanu Oya train station (10 km from Nuwara Eliya) and departure by train to Ella (about 3 ½ hours): the train allows you to make one of the most picturesque routes in the country, enjoying the wonderful scenery mountain from a different perspective than the traditional one “by road”. Lunch train with lunch box (to be provided independently) Upon arrival, you will find your driver who will take you to visit Ella.

Departure for the Yala National Park. Upon arrival, accommodation in the hotel and in the afternoon Relax.

Dinner and Overnight Stay at any selected hotels in Tissa .

Depart early morning equipped with a packed breakfast, courtesy of the hotel, for your wild adventure inside Yala where you will be treated to some amazing sights and sounds, and keep a keen eye out for the elusive leopard.

Afterwards, your chauffeur will transfer you to the sunny beaches and warm crystal clear waters of southern Sri Lanka,where you can stop by in the city of Galle – a former Dutch colonial bastion. The city is built around the imposing Galle Fort – a beautifully preserved “city within a city” full of quaint restaurants, curio shops and colonial architecture. A definite must see when in Sri Lanka.

Afterwards head to your hotel at the beach of your choice on the south coast and spend your afternoon enjoying the sights and sounds of the beach at any of the popular bars or restaurants, or simply relax at the hotel.

Dinner and Overnight Stay at any selected hotel in the south.

After breakfast, spend your day on the beach enjoying the exotic beverages and cuisine in complete privacy and seclusion, or try out the many optional aquatic activities on offer such as snorkelling, whale watching, jet scooter rides, wind surfing and water skiing as per your liking.

The southern coastlines offer stunning sunsets, hence an evening on the beach with a beverage of your choice is a fitting way to end your day.

Dinner and Overnight Stay at any selected hotel in the south.

Having come to the end of an exciting and adventure-filled holiday, your Guide will drive you after breakfast to the commercial capital of Colombo where you can indulge in some last minute shopping before catching your flight home.

We hope your tour will have been as memorable as you expected, and from all of us at Relax Lanka Tours farewell and see you again soon!