UK Package - 12 Nights

Day 1 - Airport - Negombo

Arrive in Sri Lanka.

You will be met by representatives of Serene Travels and transferred to Negombo.

Negombo (The excursion will take approx: 45 minutes) Famous fishing village North of Colombo, with a Dutch built Canal. The canal itself is a hive of activity with fishermen traveling up and down in their daily-painted boats. On the shores of the canal you will find many homes and many species of birds including spectacular Kingfishers.

Overnight stay at a Hotel in Negombo

Day 2 - Negombo - Pinnawala - Sigiriya

Breakfast at the Hotel.

Depart to Sigiriya.

En route visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - App. 55 miles from Colombo, off the Colombo - Kandy road is Pinnawala, where an orphanage was started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded elephants. The number of elephants has increased to more than 65 now; including Baby Elephants brought from various parts, as well as the 23 babies born, as a result of the captive breeding programme. The best time to visit is the feeding time from 0930-1000 hrs and 1330-1400 hrs and the bathing time from 1000-1030 hrs and 1400-1430 hrs when all the elephants are taken to the river close by. (The excursion will take approx: 1 & ½ hrs)

Proceed to Dambulla

Arrive In the hotel and check in

Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress – The Eighth World Wonder - Sigiriya is a “World Heritage Site” and 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 Palace on the summit of the 600-foot high rock. On its summit are the foundations of the Royal Palace, Water Tanks to supply water and all other buildings and at the edges the guardhouses. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of Frescoes of 21 life sized damsels still shining in their original colors. The Water Gardens, Fountain Garden, Summerhouses, Boulder Gardens and the Caves within the enclosed area should not be missed(The excursion will take approx: 3hrs for climb and decent)

Overnight stay at a Hotel in Dambulla / Sigiriya / Habarana

Day 3 - Dambulla / Polonnaruwa / Hiriwadunna - Dambulla

Breakfast at the Hotel.

Depart to Polonnaruwa.

(The excursion will take approx: 2-3hrs)

Polonnaruwa, the 2nd most ancient kingdom of Sri Lanka is an interesting mix of Buddhist and Hindu structures that are a testament to the different kings who reigned over this ancient kingdom. Polonnaruwa rose to prominence between the 11th and 13th centuries and thrived during the reign of the famous monarch, King Parakramabahu I, who did much to create a resplendent city. His greatest achievement was the construction of the sea of Parakrama, a huge water reservoir spanning an area of 6280 acres.

The ruins at Polonnaruwa are within walking distance and many of them set in tree-shaded areas, a welcome refuge from the tropical sun.

This ancient city is one of the best planned archeological relic sites in the country, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom's first rulers. Duran, Duran used Polonnaruwa as a back drop to their music video 'Save a Prayer' in 1982.

Depart to visit Hiriwadunna village.

A beautiful rural area in Habarana city. The tour starts with a bullock cart ride near the village pond, and from there, you will experience a boat ride to the next side of the rural village. After a short walk through the paddy fields and vegetable cultivation, you can reach the village house. At the village house, you can relax and taste a delicious Sri Lankan lunch. Then take a Tuk Tuk ride to the tour’s start location. After you finish the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel by a tuk-tuk.

Overnight stay at a Hotel in Dambulla / Sigiriya / Habarana

Day 4 - Dambulla / Matale / Kandy

Breakfast at the Hotel.

Visit Dambulla cave temple.

Dambulla Cave Temple - Dambulla cave is a vast isolated rock mass 500 feet high and a mile around the base. Here is found the famous Rock Temple dating to the First Century B.C. The caves of Dambulla sheltered King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne he built the most magnificent of Rock Temples to be found in the Island. In the first Cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha 47ft long cut out of the Rock. There are images of deities associated with Buddhism all around. The frescoes on the walls and the ceiling are the oldest here but they are over painted in the Kandy period. In the Second Cave, the finest and the largest of all, there are 150 life-size statues of the Buddha in various postures with few statues of Gods and Kings. The ceiling is also covered with frescoes, which depict great events in the life of the Buddha and landmarks in the history of the Sinhalese people. (The excursion will take approx: 1 & 1/2hrs for climb and decent)

Today morning you will be transferred to Kandy.

En – route visit Matale Spice Garden.

Arrive to Kandy.

Gem Gallery visit Evening witness the colorful Kandy Cultural Show.

VisitTemple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - ever since 4th Century A.D, when the Buddha's Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orissan princess' hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka's most prized possession.

Overnight stay at a Hotel in Kandy

Day 5 - Kandy - Peradeniya - Kandy

Breakfast at the Hotel

Visit Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden - 147 acres in extent; Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy. There are more than 4,000 species of trees, plants and creepers. Some rare and endemic as well as flora from the tropical world are found in the gardens. Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourists. There are 5 Palm Avenues beautifying the gardens, the earliest and tallest Palm Avenue (Royal Palm Avenue) was planted in 1905 and the Double Coconuts from the Seashells Island, with the largest seed of all plants in the world is one such avenue. (The excursion will take approx: 2 hrs)

Return to Kandy & visit Kandy city in the evening.

Evening free and relax in Kandy.

Overnight stay at a Hotel in Kandy

Day 6 - Kandy - Nuwara Eliya

Breakfast at the Hotel.

Today morning you will be going to Nuwara Eliya (Travel time approx: 02 & 1/2hrs)

En route visit Tea Plantation & Ramboda Falls.

Afternoon proceed to Nuwara Eliya & enjoy the scenic beauty of hill country

Nuwara Eliya- The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coolest places in the Island, but it is really just like an English spring day, although the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence, houses like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions. The Victoria Park, in the middle of the town, is a lovely place for a stroll or a picnic and is also good for Birding as you get some rare birds in this Park. Seasons may be absent elsewhere in Sri Lanka, but here you can read them by the flowers, which bloom in the spring (March to May) and the fall (August and September). These are the “seasons” when low-country folk flock to Nuwara Eliya to escape the sea level heat and humidity.

Seetha Amman Temple & Asoka Vatika

Gregory Lake & Boat Ride

Overnight stay at a Hotel in Nuwara Eliya

Day 7 - Nuwara Eliya - Hortain Plains - Nuwara Eliya

Breakfast at the Hotel.

Today morning you will be going to Hortain Plains.

Horton Plains National Park

(The excursion will take approx. 2-3hrs by feet)

20 miles (32 km) from Nuwara Eliya via Ambewela and Pattipola, is the Horton Plains only 3160 hectares in extent. Known to Sri Lankans as Mahaeliya, it became Horton Plains after Sir Robert Horton, British Governor from 1831- 1837. Horton Plains became a Nature Reserve in 1969 and upgraded as a National Park in 1988 due to its unique watershed and bio-diversity values of the “Cloud Forest Reserve”. Its flora has high level of endemism. The hills are covered with diverse wet low evergreen forest with even large trees grown flattened to the ground on the higher windswept slopes. Horton Plains harbors 52 species of resident birds and 11 species of migrant birds. More then 2,000 to 3,000 Sambhur, Bear Monkey, Leopard, Barking Deer, Giant Squirrel, Fishing Cat, Wild Boar and Hares roam in the forests and grasslands but only seldom they could be seen other than the Sambhur in the evening and morning. Two escarpments- “World’s End” and “Little World’s End” falling from the Horton Plains 1000 feet and 3000 feet respectively, to the land below and the Baker’s Falls are places you should visit. This is the only National Park where visitors could walk on their own on the designated tracks.

Return to Nuwara Eliya

Overnight stay at a Hotel in Nuwara Eliya

Day 8 - Nuwara Eliya - Ella

Breakfast at the Hotel

Morning, take the train from Nanu Oya to Ella. (Subject to train ticket availability)

Anyone that visits Sri Lanka should experience a train ride. It is not only a wonderful cultural experience but also a great adventure. Out of all the train rides that you can choose in Sri Lanka, the Kandy to Ella train ride is the most fascinating. It is one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful, train ride in the world.

Arrive to Ella & visit below visits.

Nine arch bridge & free and relax in Ella city.

Overnight stay at a Hotel in Ella

Day 9 - Ella - Buduruwagala - Yala

Breakfast at the Hotel.

Morning visit Mini adams peak. Ella is a hiking hotspot in the mountain country of Sri Lanka. Some of the views from hikes in Ella are phenomenal with the region well known for its tea plantations and spectacular mountain ranges. If you want to enjoy some of the best views without needing to hike for hours, Little Adam’s Peak Hike is the perfect trek, especially for an unforgettable sunset.

Proceed to Yala.

On the way, visit Buduruwagala buddha statue.

Buduruwagala is a rock temple dating back to the ninth or 10th century. It consists of seven ancient Buddhist figures carved into the face of a large cliff. The largest measures 51 feet high, making it the tallest Buddha statue in Sri Lanka.

Evening, reach to Yala and free relax in Yala.

Overnight stay at a Hotel in Yala

Day 10 - Yala - Mirissa

Early morning, depart for Yala Jeep safari.

(The excursion will take approx: 2 hrs by Jeep)

The Ruhunu National Park covers 126,786 hectares including the Strict Natural Reserve (Block II). The most familiar is Block I (14,101 hectares) and these blocks were established in 1938. Yala is famous for its big herds and large number of elephants, leopards, spotted deer, sambar deer, crocodiles, mongoose, wild boar, wild buffalo, and many other animals. More than 130 bird species are recorded which includes the resident and winter visitors.There are 7 bungalows inside the park with few camp sites.

Route to Mirissa.

Depart to Mirissa & free and relax in Mirissa.

Overnight stay at a Hotel in Mirissa

Day 11 - Mirissa

Breakfast at the Hotel.

Optional: Whale watching excursion.

Mirissa is the ideal place for whale and dolphin watching between the months of November to April, as the waters become a playground for a myriad of whales and dolphin species. Some of the most commonly spotted whales include sperm whales, killer whales, Bryde’s whales, short finned whales, while you’ll be able to see schools of bottlenose dolphins and striped dolphins as they playfully frolic around your boat! However, the main whale type to look out for is the blue whale – the largest animal in the world! Whale and Dolphin watching in Mirissa is ideal for nature lovers as they set sail into the ocean. The best time to embark on your adventures is at dawn, and since most boats leave the harbour by at least 6am, an early rise is required. Base yourself at one of our boutique hotels in Mirissa so you can’t save on the extra travel time and get a few more winks in before your day out in the sea begins!

Afternoon, visit coconut tree hills & relax in Dalawella and enjoy swing in the beach.

Overnight stay at a Hotel in Mirissa

Day 12 - Mirissa - Galle - Colombo

Breakfast at the Hotel.

Depart to Galle.
(The excursion will take approx: 1hr) Sri Lanka’s most historically interesting town is Galle. It was a major port until about 100 years, but today still handles shipping and sailing boats in the natural harbor. Stroll around the lighthouse and harbor or visit the old town where you can see the traditional lace makers and wood carvers and purchase some the finest souvenirs.

Proceed to Colombo (Travel time approx: 02hrs)

Guided Colombo city and shopping tour(The excursion will take approx: 3 – 4 hrs)

Colombo - a drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area, where is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings, and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha & the Independence Square.

Shopping Colombo.......visit ODEL Unlimited provides ample opportunity indulge, not only in shopping for designer wear apparel for the whole family, but also take taste buds on a voyage of discovery.

Overnight stay at a Hotel in Colombo

Day 13 - Colombo - Airport

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight back.