Sri Lanka - NorthIncludes:
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Itinerary
Day 1 - Colombo - NegomboArrive in Colombo on suggested Air Lanka flight UL605, arriving CMB approx. 22.30. Welcome at the airport and transfer to hotel.
For those making alternate flight reservation, we can organise airport pick up at additional cost. Check in at Jetwing Beach is from 2pm. Accommodation Jetwing Beach, Negombo |
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Day 2 - Tour of Negombo, Lagoon Boat Ride
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After breakfast, we will take a tour of Negombo town. Negombo is one of the major commercial hubs in the country and the administrative center of Negombo Division. Negombo is known for its long sandy beaches and centuries old fishing industry. Negombo has a large bilingual (Sinhala/Tamil) population with a clear Roman Catholic majority.
This evening, take a boat ride on the Dutch Canal. Negombo Lagoon is a large lagoon in south-west Sri Lanka with several small rivers and canals. The water body is full of numerous varieties of fish, crabs and lobsters that make it an excellent location for fishing. Accommodation Jetwing Beach |
Day 3 - Negombo Fish Market, Sigiriya, Cooking Class.
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After an early breakfast, we will travel to Negombo Fish Market. Negombo made its start as a fishing community, and fishermen today continue to hawk their wares on the city’s sandy shores. Starting from as early as 4am, fishing boats begin to make their way to the beach laden with the morning’s catch. Shrimps, crabs, and lobsters are hunted at the famous Negombo Lagoon, while fresh fish is hauled in from the waves of the Indian Ocean.
En route to Sigiriya, Lunch at the Saruketha. Saruketha is a popular restaurant in Sri Lanka known for its authentic Sri Lankan cuisine. One of their specialties is the Sri Lankan show cooked lunch, which offers a unique dining experience. This evening we will have our first cookery class at the hotel. Accommodation Aliya Resort & Spa www.themacollection.com/aliya-resort/ |
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Day 4 - Sigiriya Lion Rock, Dambulla Cave Temple.
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After breakfast, drive to Sigiriya.
Sigiriya rock fortress is a UNESCO world heritage site and is home to a series of rock frescoes that are the oldest in the world. You will have the opportunity to climb to the top of the rock to witness its elaborate ancient fortress complex (approximately 2.5 hours round-trip on foot, including stairs). The 200-metre-high ancient citadel built during the 5th century features a mirror wall with some of the world’s oldest graffiti, terraced gardens and splashing fountains. This evening we will climb to the impressive Dambulla cave complex. A UNESCO world heritage site, located high on a cliff face. You will have time to explore these cave temples and admire the many Buddha statues, frescoes, and paintings. Accommodation Aliya Resort & Spa www.themacollection.com/aliya-resort/ |
Day 5 - Hiriwaduna Village, Anuradhapura.
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After Breakfast proceed to Habarana.
Proceed to do a Village Tour at Hiriwadunna and Lunch at the Hiriwadunna Village. This village tour begins with a short walk to a man-made reservoir during which you will encounter birdlife, butterflies and the occasional crocodile. Mount a bullock cart on a dirt track for a traditional travel experience that lasts roughly fifteen to thirty minutes. You will ride across scrub lined mud paths; rice fields; picturesque Hiriwadunna Lake and observe local villagers as they go about their tasks of fishing or washing clothes at the periphery of the lake. After Lunch, proceed to Uga Ulagalla. Check-in to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Ulagalla Resort inhabits a largely unspoiled 58-acre estate outside the city of Anuradhapura, capital of Sri Lanka’s North Central Province and home to some well-preserved and seriously ancient Buddhist shrines. To ensure that the land remains a suitable home for the peacocks and monkeys that roam freely through its fields and forests, Ulagalla keeps its footprint minimal, generating half its energy from an on-site solar farm and providing bicycles so guests can traverse the expansive grounds without leaving too much of a mark. Accommodation Uga Ulagalla www.ugaescapes.com/ulagalla/ |
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Day 6 - Wilpattu National Park.
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After a leisurely breakfast, proceed to Wilpattu.
Lunch at The Backwaters Lodge. After Lunch, jeep safari at Wilpattu National Park. Wilpattu National Park, is a sprawling sanctuary renowned for its natural beauty and diverse wildlife. Spanning nearly 1,300 km’s, it is the largest national park in the country. Wilpattu is celebrated for its unique landscape of lakes, scrubland and dense forests, creating an ideal habitat for a variety of species, including leopards, elephants, sloth bears, and a multitude of bird species. Its name translates to ‘Land of Lakes’ highlighting the parks numerous water bodies that attract wildlife. Safari enthusiasts are drawn to this park for its opportunities to witness wildlife in their natural habitats. On completion, return to the hotel. Accommodation Uga Ulagalla www.ugaescapes.com/ulagalla/ |
Day 7 - Mannar Island, Talaimannar, Jaffna Fort.
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After Breakfast, check out of the hotel and proceed to Mannar Island and Talaimannar.
Mannar Island, which lies off the north-western coast of Sri Lanka rise to prominence can be attributed to its large pearl banks, which attracted traders and monarchs from far and wide. For over 2000 years, this barren island served as a bustling town, exporting vast quantities of pearls to kings and queens worldwide. Jaffna Fort is a fort built by the Portuguese in 1618 following the Portuguese invasion of Jaffna. It was captured by the Dutch in 1658 who expanded it. In 1795, it was taken over by the British, and remained under the control of a British garrison till 1948. Buildings inside the fort include the Governor's residence (King's House), Queen's House, Kruys Church, the Garrison Parade Ground, Police quarters and several buildings from the Portuguese era. Accommodation Fox Resorts www.foxresorts.com/fox-jaffna |
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Day 8 - Point Pedro, Kantarodai, Cooking Class.
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After Breakfast, proceed to Point Pedro and Kantarodai.
Point Pedro is a town located at the northernmost point of the island. The eastern coast of Point Pedro forms a 3-mile-wide, 20-mile-long beach with sand dunes up to 100 feet high, extending to Thalayady. The porous soil has a water table deep underground with an estimated one billion liters of fresh water. On completion, proceed to Kantarodai. Kantarodai is a small hamlet and archaeological site. On the side of a grove of lovely palm trees is a collection of stupas and mounds, the remains of ancient buildings. Archaeological investigations done at Kantarodai in 1966-7 found that the site was inhabited from about the 2nd century BCE to about the 13th century CE. On completion, proceed to a popular local restaurant, Hotel Rolex for lunch, followed by Ice cream at Rio Ice-Creamery. This evening we will have our second cookery class at the hotel. Accommodation Fox Resorts www.foxresorts.com/fox-jaffna |
Day 9 - Nallur Kandaswami Temple, Jaffna.After Breakfast, check out of the hotel and proceed to Trincomalee.
On the way visit the Nallur Kandaswami Temple and the Jaffna Public Library. In the hot arid lands of Nallur, in Jaffna, rises the majestic Hindu temple for Skanda/ Murugan – the god of love, war and beauty. It has reigned over the land for centuries, attracting devotees from various walks of life. The temple itself embodies a kind of peace that can only be felt in the most divine of places. The temple was originally founded in 948 AD. On completion, visit the Jaffna Public Library. Jaffna Public Library is one of Jaffna's most notable landmarks. The library was built in 1933 and burnt in 1981. During the early 1980s, it was one of the biggest libraries in Asia, containing over 97,000 books and manuscripts. Over a million books burned in an arson attack in1981. Some ancient Sinhala and Tamil books were never recovered. On completion, proceed to Trincomalee. Trincomalee, on the island’s northeastern coast is situated on a peninsula in Trincomalee Bay—formerly called Koddiyar (meaning “Fort by the River”) Bay—one of the world’s finest natural harbours. Accommodation Uga Jungle Beach www.ugaescapes.com/junglebeach/ |
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Day 10 - Leisure
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After Breakfast at the hotel, spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Set in a ten-acre reserve beside both the jungle and beach, the Uga Jungle Beach is a boutique hotel located on the eastern coast of Sri Lanka. Built with its surroundings in mind, the property has teak walkways and steppingstones bringing the outside, indoors. There are a total of 48 villas facing the beach, lagoon or situated in the jungle. With a modern style and amenities, the villas are also in keeping with the tropical surroundings of the property. The hotel invests in the local economy so far, it’s built two wings for nearby hospitals and trains local people in hospitality.40% of its staff were refugees from the civil war. War widows do the hotel laundry, and the hotel has planted more than 2,000 trees along its three-kilometer coastline. Accommodation Uga Jungle Beach www.ugaescapes.com/junglebeach/ |
Day 11- Pasikudah, Dinner on the Beach.After Breakfast, check out of the hotel and proceed to Pasikudah.
Pasikuda is the pin up of picture postcard beaches thanks to its soft white sand and translucent water. Between May and September, this is the best place in Sri Lanka for a Sri Lankan beach holiday. Most days are cloudless, the ocean is warm, and water clarity is very good which makes it ideal for snorkeling, diving, sailing and a host of other water sports. The curve of Pasikuda bay means that swimming can be enjoyed throughout the year. This hotel is mentioned in the Michelin Guide. Accommodation Uga Bay www.ugaescapes.com/ugabay/ |
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Day 12 - Leisure.
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After Breakfast, spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodation Uga Bay www.ugaescapes.com/ugabay/ |
Day 13 - Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, Kandy.After Breakfast, check out of the hotel and proceed to the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa.
Polonnaruwa is the second oldest of Sri Lanka’s cities and served as the capital under King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Indian Chola invaders in 1070 CE. With its rich history, Polonnaruwa’s ancient ruins provide one of the best archeological sites in the country. Today the ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains one of the best planned archaeological relic sites in the country, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom's first rulers. The Ancient City of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. On completion, proceed to Priyamali Gedara for Lunch. Accommodation Mahaweli Reach Hotel Mahaweli Reach Hotel |
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Day 14 - Kandy City Tour, Royal Botanical Gardens, Cultural Show, Cooking Class.
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Breakfast at the Hotel. This morning we will drive to Kandy town and take a sightseeing tour.
Kandy, a UNESCO world heritage town, is Sri Lanka’s hill capital and the stronghold of the last king of Sri Lanka. It is the islands 2nd most visited place. Home to tea plantations and biodiverse rainforest. The city's heart is scenic Kandy Lake, we will learn of its interesting and sometimes gruesome history. We will then take a tour of the ‘Sacred Temple of the Tooth’ and learn of its unique history and tales of an underground/underwater tunnel to the lakes island. Following our sightseeing tour, we will travel to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya. The gardens are considered the finest of its kind in Asia and contain 4000 different species of plants. This evening you will experience a Kandyan Dance and Cultural Show. Following the cultural show, we will gather on the lawn beside the pool where we will have our third cooking class. Accommodation Mahaweli Reach Hotel Mahaweli Reach Hotel |
Day 15 - Train ride to Colombo.Early check out from the hotel. Collect your packed breakfast and leave for the Railway station.
Enjoy the 2 1/2-hour train ride from Kandy to Colombo. Colombo is located on the west coast of the country. The official capital of Sri Lanka is a satellite city in Colombo called Sri Jayawardenapura. Colombo however, is often referred to as the capital city. Accommodation Mount Lavinia Hotel www.mountlaviniahotel.com/ |
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Day 16 - Colombo City Tour, Shopping, Lamprais @ Dutch Burgher Union, Airport.
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After Breakfast, proceed on shopping tour.
As you embark on a Colombo city tour, get ready to explore the bustling capital city of Sri Lanka. Your first stop will be the iconic Lotus Tower, a towering structure that offers stunning views of the city. Next, head over to the vibrant Pettah Market, where you can immerse yourself in the vibrant sights and sounds of local life. Continue your tour to the Old Parliament Building, a colonial-era masterpiece that now serves as a museum. Marvel at the intricate architecture of the Independence Memorial Hall, which commemorates Sri Lanka's independence from British rule. Finally, make your way to the futuristic Port City, a massive reclamation project that promises to be one of the most ambitious urban developments in South Asia. As you explore this modern marvel, take a moment to reflect on the incredible progress Sri Lanka has made over the years. With its blend of old-world charm and new-world innovation, Colombo is truly a city like no other. Lampris for Lunch at the Dutch Burgher Union. Return to Hotel. Late check out until 8:00 pm. Departure to Airport. *Please note flight leaves at 00.20hrs the next day when booking flights. |
