Serendib Summer Tour
Serendib Summer Tour
This tour is best taken during the May to October period where you can be guaranteed sunny weather and sun-kissed beaches as welcoming as the people you will encounter. Beginning with a city tour of Colombo, you will be transferred to the south coast where you can choose from a range of beautiful beach destinations to begin your holiday.
From there you will be taken for a quick introduction to the wilder inhabitants of Sri Lanka at the Yala National Park, before heading up into the cooler climes of Ella and Nuwara Eliya with their beautiful misty hills and tea estates – the train ride from Ella to Nanu Oya is a special experience having been described as one of the most magical train journeys in the world.
From here you will arrive in the ancient hill capital of Kandy – the home of the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic from where you will also have a chance to explore the beauty of the Royal Botanical Gardens with its extensive collection of over 400 species of tropical flora. In addition, you will also be able to experience the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage where orphaned and injured elephants are rehabilitated and cared for.
From Kandy you will move on into the heart of the cultural triangle in Habarana where you will enjoy easy access to the famed ancient cities of Dambulla and Polonnaruwa, and climb up the world famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress in the middle of the jungle.
Here on you will be introduced to the white sand and blue waters of the east coast of Sri Lanka where you can choose to stay in either Trincomalee or Passikudah and enjoy all the aquatic activities available such as snorkelling, diving, and whale watching, and visit the many sites of cultural interest in and around the area.
After five days working on your holiday tan you will then be transferred back to Negombo via the holy city of Anuradhapura with all its ancient stupas and archaeological sites. After one night in Negombo, you will then be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.
DAY 01 - AIRPORT – COLOMBO – GALLE
Arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport to a warm welcome from your chauffeur guide who will transfer you to your first stop in either Galle, Bentota, Mirissa or your choice of south beach destination.
En-route take a quick city tour of Colombo and proceed towards the south coastline, with maybe a highly recommended visit to a turtle hatchery in Bentota if you desire. Arrive in Galle and enjoy a city tour of the world famous 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.
Check in to the hotel of your choice and spend the rest of your day lounging on the beach and enjoying the sights and sounds with the many bars and restaurants around or simply relax at the hotel.
Dinner & Overnight Stay at ???
DAY 02 – GALLE – YALA
Depart Galle after breakfast for the Yala National Park, and arrive at your hotel for lunch, before the excitement of a spectacular late afternoon wildlife adventure through the park. Here you will be introduced to the most famous park inhabitants – elephants, sloth bear, mugger crocodiles, water buffalo, and the elusive leopards. Head back afterwards for some well-deserved rest and relaxation after sunset..
Dinner and Overnight Stay at Amaya Lake Resort & Spa.
DAY 03 – YALA – ELLA
After breakfast at the hotel, your chauffeur will drive you to the quaint and bustling hill station of Ella. After a delicious lunch you can explore the town or choose from the many sights on offer in the vicinity such as the famed Ella Gap, the Nine Arches Bridge, Little Adam’s Peak, or Ella Rock for some scintillating vistas.
Dinner and Overnight Stay at Mountain Heaven Ella.
DAY 04 – ELLA – NUWARA ELIYA BY TRAIN
After breakfast, your chauffeur will drive you to the Ella train station to begin a magical train journey through the winding misty hills to Nanu Oya. On arrival he will pick you up and continue your journey to your hotel in the cool climes of Nuwara Eliya – a colonial hill station and the heartland of Ceylon Tea, and called Little England due to its cool climes and misty mountains.
Dinner and Overnight Stay at Araliya Green Hills Nuwara Eliya.
DAY 05 – NUWARA ELIYA – RAMBODA – KANDY
After breakfast, set off for the hill capital of Kandy – the royal capital of the last Kingdom of Sri Lanka and home to the Dalada Maligawa – the Royal Palace now the repository of the sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha. En-route visit a traditional tea factory to watch the tea pluckers at work and learn how they choose just the right tea leaf, before stopping by at the stunning Ramboda Falls for a quick hike up to the top for some amazing natural scenery – make sure you take your camera with you.
Arrive in Kandy for lunch, and afterwards take a relaxed city tour of Kandy and view a special cultural music and dance performance before visiting the Temple of the Tooth Relic – the repository of the sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha.
Dinner and Overnight Stay at Araliya Green Hills Nuwara Eliya.
DAY 06 – KANDY – PINNAWALA – PERADENIYA
After breakfast, 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.
After lunch 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.
Kandy is a great place for a leisurely walk along its picturesque lake while taking in its special sense of history and culture unique to the city. The city also possesses some unique local handicraft, curio and gift shops for you to browse through.
Dinner and Overnight Stay at any selected hotels in south.
DAY 07 – KANDY – MATALE - DAMBULLA – HABARANA
After breakfast depart for Habarana, with a stop at Matale for a leisurely walk through one of Sri Lanka’s famous spice gardens, home to the worlds’ highest quality cinnamon, cloves, cardamoms, pepper and other exotic spices.
Afterwards stop by in Dambulla for a visit to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dambulla Golden Temple, with its beautifully preserved examples of Buddhist art and sculpture within its extensive gold cave complex.
Arrive in Habarana – the hub of Sri Lanka’s astonishing cultural triangle – and check in to your hotel where you can choose to relax and lounge by the pool, or speak to you chauffeur guide to venture out on a guided trek through the village of Hiriwaduna for an authentic Sri Lankan village experience through the picturesque countryside. This will include a bullock cart ride, a catamaran ride on the lake, as 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.
DAY 08 – HABARANA – POLONNARUWA – SIGIRIYA
After breakfast, head to the beautiful forested Polonnaruwa archaeological park and its stunning list of ancient structures – palaces, temples, tombs, and stupas.
Afterwards 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.
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.
DAY 09 – HABARANA – TRINCOMALEE / PASSIKUDAH
After breakfast set out for the east coast of Sri Lanka where your adventure will begin in Trincomalee – one of Sri Lanka’s most beautifully pristine beaches and popular for spectacular snorkelling, diving, and whale watching sites.
From here will also be able to spend your days exploring all the many historic and cultural sites around the vicinity such as Swami Rock, Nilaveli, and Pigeon Island.
Alternatively you could choose to stay in Passikudah – a fishing village on a bay bordering a lagoon with a shallow fringing coral reef ideal for snorkelling, and almost pool-like surface perfect for wading in up to 200 metres. The area has been designated as a protected marine sanctuary and remains pristine and full of natural beauty.
Dinner & Overnights Stay at ???
DAY 10 – HABARANA – TRINCOMALEE / PASSIKUDAH
Spend your day indulging in the many aquatic activities in and around the area, and don’t forget to speak to your chauffeur for recommendations on unique sites to explore. Alternatively, you can lounge at your hotel by the poolside and enjoy the many amenities they offer.
Dinner & Overnights Stay at ???
DAY 11 – TRINCOMALEE / PASSIKUDAH - ANURADHAPURA – NEGOMBO
After breakfast depart for Negombo, and en-route stop by in Anuradhapura to visit the famed “Atamasthana” (Eight sacred sites) – Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Ruvanvelisaya, Thuparamaya, Jethawanaramaya, Abhayagiri Dagoba, Mirisaveti Stupa, Lankaramaya, and Lovamahapaya.
Alternatively, immerse yourself in the many other ancient sites of interest such as the royal palaces and gardens, and the royal bathing ponds – beautiful examples of ancient hydrological engineering and artistry.
On arrival in Negombo check in at your hotel, and afterwards you be treated to a special complimentary seafood dinner at one of our partner restaurants along the popular beach strip.
Dinner & Overnights Stay at ???
DAY 12 – NEGOMBO – AIRPORT
Having come to the end of an exciting and adventure-filled holiday, your personal Chauffeur Guide will drive you after breakfast in time to catch 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!
Tour package Includes
- Meet & Greet Service, Luggage Assistance & Hotel Transfer.
- Shared Double Room Accommodation for the period, as per Tour.
- Meal plan on Half Board basis. (Bed + Dinner + Breakfast)
- Transport in an Air-Conditioned car with English speaking Chauffeur Guide.
- Service charge at hotels and currently applicable Government taxes.
- Departure and Check-out Assistance at Airport
- Food & lodging for the driver .
- Petrol, toll and parking for the vehicle.
- Vehicle insurance up to LKR 500,000 per person.
- 24hrs customer care service.
Tour Package excludes
- Entrance/excursion fees to the places mentioned in our itinerary.
- Air fare/Visa fees.
- Lunch/beverages, and any the other meals not mentioned in the program.
- Sightseeing/visits at any place other than mentioned in the tour program.
- Any extras such as Tips and other expenses of a personal nature, Ayurveda spa treatments, etc.
Relax Lanka’s Extras (Value Plus) on Complimentary Basis:
Complimentary cultural show entrance tickets for 2 pax.
01 local SIM card (data/voice) loaded with USD 03.
Free upgrade to the next room category on availability.
Important
Standard check-in time and check-out time at the hotels 1400 Hrs – 1200 Hrs.
Availability at hotels is subject to confirmation of the tour and travel dates
Payment Policy
Please note we require 30% of the payment on confirmation with the balance settled 15 days prior to arrival, or full payment can be settled on confirmation.
Payment Methods
Bank transfer.
Cancellation Policy
Any cancellation should be notified in writing, 10 days prior to the arrival date, 40% would be charged , for cancellations made within 7 days , and for ‘No Shows 100 % would be charge.