AYUBOWAN-! Welcome to Sri Lanka, the land like no other and 16 days of explorations giving you the opportunity to touch the Unesco World Heritage sites and unique Sri Lankan culture, the lush green tea estates and waterfalls in the hills, the wildlife and exciting adventures, the beautiful soft sandy and remote beaches. Upon arrival at Colombo CMB Airport, you will meet your tour leader and you will be transferred to your hotel. The first destination will be Negombo coastal town, which has long been known as the most popular beach in Sri Lanka, famous for its golden sandy beach, food and entertainments. For day one we haven't planned any activity, so you will have a relaxing day at Negombo beach or by the pool of your cosy hotel. Evening, you may walk along the seashore while enjoying the beautiful sun setting and the pleasant evening atmosphere of Negombo beach. Overnight stay in Negombo.

After having a delicious breakfast and enjoying a hot cup of Sri Lankan tea or a coffee, you will take a wonderful journey across the stunning Sri Lankan countryside towards Anuradhapura ancient city (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE). Sri Lanka has a rich heritage and Anuradhapura is one of the greatest and oldest civilizations in the world. It was the first capital, ruled by 113 kings for over 1000 years. The jewel in its crown is the Sri Maha Bodhi, the sacred tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment and that has stood with pride for more than 2200 years. If you are interested, in the evening or morning, Wilpattu jeep sapari can be arranged. Overnight stay in Anuradhapura.

After breakfast, your tour leader will drive you to Jaffna. En-route, you will have the rare opportunity to witness the unique landscape of the northern part of the island along the A9 Highway. Jaffna, located on the top corner of Sri Lanka, is a city that was kept away from the tourist trail due to the 30-year civil war which ended in 2009. It is now rising as a must-see Sri Lankan holiday destination as it offers much to do and it has a fascinating culture that is markedly different from that of the rest of the island, influenced by many traditions from South India. Jaffna is full of hidden treasures including the famous Nallur Kandaswamy, a huge Hindu temple with golden arches and an ornate Gopuram tower. The star-shaped Jaffna Fort was built by the Portuguese in the 17th century and it was later occupied by the Dutch and British. Jaffna Public Library is the symbol of the post-war regeneration. Jaffna Archaeological Museum has Dutch cannons and pre-colonial artifacts. Overnight stay in Jaffna.

In the morning, explore around Jaffna and visit the Point Pedro, situated at the top end of Sri Lanka. Thereafter, visit Dambakola Patuna: if you are really interested in Sri Lankan history, this is your ideal destination. The history of this port, one of the most ancient in the country, started over 200 years ago. It is very famous among the Buddhist world because the first Buddhist monk came to Sri Lanka from India through this port in order to establish the roots of Buddhism. Overnight stay in Jaffna.

In the morning, you'll travel towards the eastern coast of Sri Lanka and you will visit the city of Trincomalee, a fascinating place sitting on one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Trincomalee is an amazing multicultural town with lovely places such as Nilaveli Beach, Pigeon Island and Koneshwaram Kovil. With its white sands and gentle waves, Trincomalee beach is the ultimate getaway for those who desire a relaxing vacation in Sri Lanka. Here you will experience a quiet bliss on tropical heaven, far away from the busy and chaotic life. Overnight stay in Trincomalee.

After breakfast, hit back to the beautiful golden sandy beach and jump into a boat for an amazing ride on the sea to explore Pigeon Island (Note: weather condition of the sea may cancel the boat ride, thus optional places will be suggested). The island possesses a 200m long and 100m wide coral reef with over 100 species of exquisite corals making it an unmatched live coral reef, unlike any other in Sri Lanka. It is considered an ecosystem high in biodiversity. Pigeon Island has made it a favorable feeding and breeding ground for over 300 species of coral reef fish, creating a colorful symphony. This underwater fantasy is a piece of heaven for those interested in scuba diving, snorkelling and surfing. Overnight stay in Trincomalee.

After having a delicious breakfast and enjoying a hot cup of Sri Lankan tea or a coffee, you will take a wonderful journey across the stunning Sri Lankan countryside towards Dambulla city, which is the central point of the cultural triangle in the island.

Upon arrival at Dambulla, you'll enjoy a wonderful cultural village tour while exploring the beautiful countryside (INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE). It will start with a Bullock Cart ride, one of the most ancient and prime transportation systems in Sri Lanka, still used in some villages. While on the tour you will also enjoy a canoeing Boat ride across the lake and TukTuk ride before reaching the farmer’s house where you will experience the typical Sri Lankan countryside hospitality.

Thereafter, you will visit famous Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE), where you may capture the beautiful scenery of sun setting. King Kasyapa (477 – 495 BC) built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colorful frescoes . Sigiriya refuses to reveal its secrets easily; in fact you have to climb a series of vertiginous staircases to reach the top. On the way you’ll pass quite remarkable frescoes and a pair of colossal lion paws carved into the bedrock. Overnight stay in Dambulla.

Early in the morning, you could climb to Pidurangala Forest Monastery. This location is perfect for those who prefer a non-touristic experience. Pidurangala is a Buddhist monastery complex located in a strict nature reserve. Climbing Pidurangala rock is a bit challenging, so you should not attempt it if you are not physically strong enough. From the top, you will surely enjoy the fantastic view of the landscape and of the majestic Sigiriya Rock. Make sure you have mosquito spray if bites trouble you. In the late afternoon, your tour leader will take you to Minneriya/Kaudulla National Park for an afternoon 4x4 jeep safari, since it is the best time to spot wild elephants on their natural habitat. If you're up for a serious rumble in the jungle, then Minneriya/Kaudulla is your ideal destination! Spreading over 8800 hectares, this park is mainly a sanctuary for elephants, but it is also home to herds of deer, bulls, wild boars and colorful birdlife. It is always a pleasure to watch baby elephants playing with water by the main lake of the park. This place is well known as the largest elephant gathering place in the world. Overnight stay in Dambulla.

After breakfast, visit the Royal Cave Temple and the Golden Buddha statue (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE). Dambulla has the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. It has been treasured by many kings since the 1st century B.C. The rock towers 160 meters over the surrounding plains and houses 5 cave temples with some of the most unique and significant historical drawings. Afterwards, you will visit Matale Spice Garden en route to Kandy. Thereafter, proceed towards Kandy, the capital of the last Sinhalese kingdom. It's set on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and bio diverse rainforests. Kandy is also famous for its sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth Relic (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE). In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a walk around Kandy's busy city centre, including a tour of the Central Market, before engaging with a cultural dance show which is inspired by Sri Lankan arts, traditional dance and cultural heritage. Overnight stay in Kandy.

After breakfast, you will visit the Peradeniya Royal Garden, which is known as one of the best botanical gardens in Asia. Thereafter, you’ll enjoy a wonderful journey through the lush green tea plantations, the scenic view of the mountains and the waterfalls towards the tea region of Nuwara Eliya. It is often referred to as “Little England” because many of the buildings in this city retain from the British colonial period, such as the Queen's Cottage, the General's House, the Grand Hotel, the Hill Club and the Town Post Office. Since this amazing town is located in the mountains, it is characterized by a cool climate all year long. Visit a tea plantation. Sri Lankan tea and tourism are words which cannot be separated. Explore the cold and misty hills that host lush green blankets of tea plantations. You also have the opportunity to visit a tea factory processing the prestigious brand of Ceylon Tea, to observe a rich tradition kept alive up to date. Make sure to end your day in style over a perfectly blended cup of tea. In the afternoon, you could spend your free time walking through Nuwara Eliya city center and the fruit and vegetable market. Try some snacks around lanes filled with ‘short eats’, street-food possibilities and bustling local eateries. Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.

In the morning, you will enjoy a spectacular train journey from Nanu-oya station to Ella village. It is known as one of the most picturesque hill country train journeys in the world. Ella is everyone’s favorite hill country village due to the fact that it’s a wonderful nature-friendly location. The Nine Arch Bridge, a major tourist attraction in Ella, is a massive bridge built entirely of solid rocks, bricks and cement without using a single piece of steel. Ella is a great place for walking and climbing and its most famous trekking route is to “Little Adam’s Peak”. In the evening, you could chill out at the village center where there are lots of restaurants, pubs and also evening entertainments. Ella is a stunning location that anyone who is visiting Sri Lanka should not miss out. Overnight stay in Ella Village.

After breakfast, depart from Ella towards Yala National Park. En-route, you will visit Ravana waterfall. Thereafter, visit Yala National Park, the largest and most stunning national park in Sri Lanka. Thanks to a river running through it, Yala National Park is divided into two sections. Because the river makes crossing to the other side difficult, Yala is really treated as two separate parks. But that doesn’t change the fantastic offerings! Encompassing a range of diverse ecosystems, the park has an impressive variety of wildlife, including sloth bears, leopards and lots of colorful birds. Enjoy a 4x4 jeep ride searching for leopards hanging on trees or whispering through the bushes, crocodiles patrolling the river or wild elephants drinking water and playing around under the evening sunset. Overnight stay in Yala.

After an amazing journey through the mountains and waterfalls, you have finally arrived at the world-famous beachside of Sri Lanka. In the morning, you will head towards Galle while enjoying the magnificent view of the Indian Ocean. Galle is a delightful sandy beach that was a well-kept secret in the past, but now more restaurants and pubs are opening up to visitors. Galle is also characterized by white sands and coconut palms growing right from the edge of the sea as if in imitation of a postcard of the perfect tropical beach. Upon arrival at your hotel, you could grab a towel to relax on the beach while enjoying a cocktail or a chill beer under the shade of a palm tree. In the evening, perhaps you could walk down along the seashore and you could find a seafront restaurant to try some authentic Sri Lankan seafood - a wonderful crab curry is likely to be on the menu. Overnight stay in Galle.

Early in the morning, hit back to the beautiful golden sandy beach and jump into a boat for an amazing ride on the sea to capture the blue whales and dolphins. Mirissa is one of the best places in the world to spot the biggest creature on the planet. Please note that whale watching is a SEASONAL activity. Afterwards, you will enjoy a wonderful drive along the southwest coast towards Galle Fort (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE). It is the intersection where classic Dutch and British architecture meets a tropical setting, creating a vivid atmosphere in beauty. Walk through the streets listening to the creaks of wooden saloon doors and observe how European architecture mingles with South Asian traditions nowadays flooding cultural enthusiasts on a global scale. Historical Galle Lighthouse stands proudly on the southeast tip of the fort. Overnight stay in Galle.

In the morning, you will enjoy a Madu river boat tour, which offers several memorable experiences such as Madu River fish therapy. Thereafter, you’ll visit a turtle hatchery center. Both locals and international volunteers are battling for the protection of sea turtles since they are endangered creatures. This vibrant tourist destination, apart from its traditional fishery industries and cinnamon cultivations, was later recognized by the Wildlife Protection Society which studded the region with a Sea Turtle Conservation Project that operates on a formidable scale. Thereafter, you’ll visit the capital city of Colombo, which has an interesting history running back to the fifth century. Even in ancient times, this was an important port city in the East-West sea trade. Nowadays it has become a bustling modern town with a unique atmosphere. The colourful streets, restaurants and modern shopping malls attract hordes of locals and tourists alike. Overnight say in Colombo.

After breakfast, you have the opportunity to take an optional city walk with your tour guide to visit the most highlighted places in the city and also do some last-minute shopping as well. Perhaps, you may intend to pop into a famous and internationally renowned restaurant in Colombo to end your trip over an unforgettable meal. Thereafter, proceed to the airport in time for the return flight.