Day 1
Arrival at Colombo Airport and transfer to hotel in Negombo.
The rest of the day at your leisure.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Negombo
Negombo is the major beach resort in the west coast. Foremost attraction of Negombo is sandy scenic beauty beaches and the safe sea. Negombo is considered one of the islands" largest fishing ports, guests can view the multitudes of colourful catamarans which line the shore after hauling in their nets. Negombo has been given the name “Little Rome” as it has Dutch and Portuguese era churches and structures. A canal running through the town is an another tourist attraction. Negombo lagoon has extensive mangrove swamps and it attracts a wide variety of coastal birds
Day 2
After breakfast leave for Sigiriya, and thereafter visit the Dambulla Cave Temple.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overni ght stay in Sigiriya / Dambulla
Sigiriya - Home to the 5th century ‘Fortress in the Sky’ which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the fortress. Within its triple moated defence, the huge rock rises to a sheer height of almost 500 feet. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and gardens complete with swimming pool. On one of the stairways, the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survives in the form of frescoes of life-sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original colours.
Dambulla - Dambulla is famous for the five cave temples on a rock. The first three caves are better, older and larger than the other two. Some caves date back to the 1st century BC. All the five cave walls and ceilings are covered with Buddhist murals and there are more than 130 Buddha statues. Statues of gods and kings are also found here.
Day 3
After breakfast, leave for Trincomalee
Dinner at the hotel.
The rest of the day at your leisure.
Overnight stay at Trincomalee.
Trincomalee is a popular travel destination in Sri lanka and well known is for its beautiful deserted beaches and the natural harbour. The beautiful and magnificent bay of Trincomalee makes it one of the finest natural harbours in the world.
Trincomalee has been described as “few things surpass the tropical beauty of this harbour , lying completely land – locked, it forms glassy lake surrounded by hills covered with the waving foliage of coconut trees and palms of great variety” by the British explorer Samuel Baker . The small fishing village of Nilaveli, located north of Trincomalee, is considered to be one of the finest beaches in Sri Lanka. The hot springs at Kanniyai are said to possess therapeutic qualities. Whale watching is seasonal activity here.
The Koneswaram temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the Swamy Rock also known locally as lover’s leap are the other interesting attractions to visit.
Day 4
After breakfast proceed for an optional excursion to Pigeon Island. Pigeon Island is Sri Lanka’s 17th national wildlife park. Named after the Rock Pigeon that colonized it the island, it has some of the best coral sites in Sri Lanka.
Thereafter, visit Trincomalee War Cemetery one of the six commonwealth war cemeteries in Sri Lanka. This cemetery is for British soldiers that were killed during World War II. Finish off the day with a visit to the Koneswaram Temple & Lover’s Leap. Finish off the tour with dinner at the hotel.
Overnight stay at Trincomalee.
Day 5
Breakfast at the hotel.
Enjoy the warm tropical sun and the white sandy beaches.
Full day at your leisure.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Trincomalee.
Day 6
After breakfast proceed to Passikudah for another great beach experience.
The rest of the day at your leisure.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Passikudah.
Passikudah is a popular tourist destination in the East coast of Sri Lanka boasting one of the longest stretches of shallow coastline in the world. Their white sand, calm water and sheer beauty remain unrivalled. Close to the town of Batticaloa. Passikuda is expected to become international hotspot and as more people discover the charming beauty of this paradisiacal beach.
Passikuda used to be a popular tourist destination, however due to Sri Lankan Civil War and 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami tourist numbers have declined. Since the end of civil war in 2009 and the completion of Tsunami rehabilitation projects, Passikuda has become a popular tourist destination amongst locals and foreigners.
Day 07
After breakfast, excursion to Polonnaruwa, the second ancient capital of Sri Lanka.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Passikudah
Polonnaruwa - Polonnaruwa was the medieval capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to the 13th century AD. It has the feeling of a city that was once ‘lost in the jungle’ – which indeed it was, until it was ‘rediscovered’ by colonial administrators in the 19th Century. The Polonnaruwa period achieved a great revival in the country, politically, economically and socially specially during the periods of kings Vijayabahu 1, Parakramabahu 1 and Nissankamalla. The monuments here are better preserved than at Anuradhapura - the previous capital.
The Inner Quadrangle area of the ancient city contains the most exquisite historical remains in the whole of Sri Lanka. The highlight of any visit to Polonnaruwa is The Gal Vihare (Temple Of The Rock) consisting of 4 rock cut Buddhas that are among the masterpieces of Buddhist Art, and one of the world’s great artistic treasures.
On completion return to Passikudah and spend the rest of the day at your leisure on the beach.
Day 08
After breakfast check-out and transfer to Arugambay, en-route visit Batticaloa Lagoon.
Thereafter proceed to Arugambay.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Arugambay.
The rest of the day at your leisure.
Arugambay - World-renowned as a paradise of surfing, Arugambay ranked 3rd among the best 20 beaches for windsurfing in the world. It’s located in the south-east coast of the island.
Day 09
Breakfast at the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Arugambay.
Full day at your leisure to enjoy the sandy beaches and tropical sun.
Day 10
After breakfast, leave for Negombo, en-route visit Temple of the Tooth Relic and Kandy City Tour
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Negombo.
Kandy - The hill capital; venue of the annual Esala Perahera (Local festival at Kandy); the last stronghold of the Sinhala kings, was finally ceded to the British in 1815. Surrounded by hills, the Mahaweli River and the virgin forest, it is the center of Buddhism, arts, crafts and culture in Sri Lanka. Kandy is an example of Buddhism’s influence in Sri Lanka today. Temples, shrines and monasteries keep Buddhist traditions alive. To Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the world, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the ‘Dalada Maligawa’ - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. One would always return a second time to this beautiful city.
Day 11
After breakfast, leave for your Beach Stay extension or Airport for your onward journey