Description
Embark on an adventure like no other as we unveil one of our most sought-after travel deals, making its grand return for both 2024 and 2025!
RECEIVE A $1000 FLIGHT CREDIT
WHEN YOU BOOK THIS DEAL!
Prepare to be captivated by the enchanting allure of Sri Lanka, a mesmerizing island nation brimming with natural splendor, cultural treasures, and a tapestry of experiences waiting to be discovered.
Sri Lanka, a land where paradise meets history, promises an extraordinary journey for every traveler. Picture yourself basking in the golden rays of the sun on pristine beaches, immersing yourself in the vibrant hues of lush forests, and marveling at the ancient wonders steeped in centuries of heritage and legend.
No visit to Sri Lanka is complete without delving into its rich tapestry of history and culture. Wander through the hallowed grounds of Anuradhapura, an ancient city adorned with majestic Buddhist temples, where the echoes of bygone eras resonate through the towering Ruwanwelisaya stupa and the iconic Jetavanaramaya dagoba. Ascend the breathtaking heights of Sigiriya rock fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site shrouded in mystery and grandeur, offering a glimpse into the architectural marvels of the 5th century.
But the wonders of Sri Lanka extend far beyond its storied past. Venture into the heart of the wilderness, where the call of exotic wildlife echoes through the air. Traverse the untamed landscapes of Yala National Park, where encounters with majestic elephants, elusive leopards, and a kaleidoscope of bird species await at every turn, offering a safari experience like no other.
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And let's not forget the culinary odyssey that awaits in Sri Lanka. Indulge your senses in a symphony of flavors as you savor the tantalizing aromas and spices of traditional Sri Lankan cuisine. From fiery curries to decadent desserts, each dish is a culinary masterpiece, reflecting the diverse influences and rich heritage of the island.
In the embrace of Sri Lanka's warm hospitality and the smiles of its gracious people, every moment becomes a cherished memory etched in time. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, Sri Lanka offers an unparalleled blend of experiences that will leave you spellbound.
Join us on a journey of discovery and wonder as we invite you to explore the treasures of Sri Lanka. With return international flights from Melbourne and Sydney included in this exclusive travel deal, the possibilities are endless. Surrender to the allure of Sri Lanka and embark on a voyage of a lifetime, where every moment is infused with magic and marvel.
Itinerary Downloadable Itinerary
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8
Australia Colombo Negombo
Upon arrival at Colombo International Airport, having cleared immigration, collect your luggage and pass through customs, then please make your way towards the exit of the terminal building where you will be met by a Travel Sapphire Representative who will be waiting to greet you with a paging board with your name on it.
Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo is a fascinating city with a cosy mixture of the past and present. Colombo is the commercial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka by population. It is located on the west coast of the island, a busy and vibrant place with a mixture of modern life and colonial buildings and ruins etc.
Upon arrival, travel to Negombo and check in at the hotel.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Negombo Goldi Sands Hotel
Negombo Habarana
Breakfast is at the hotel. Later, enjoy a city tour of Negombo visiting St. Mary's Church, Dutch Canal, Fish market, Dutch Clock Tower and Dutch Fort.
Negombo has been coined as ‘Little Rome’ for centuries, and you will see these beautiful (Gothic) churches towering alongside the road, over the lush trees. We stop over at the largest and Grandest church (It is called Grand Street Church after all) from the 1800’s. From there on it’s a short drive and stroll through the streets that were in the Negombo Fort area where its housing structure is yet very Dutch in all forms and manner. We also see the actual fort walls, the very British little church on the hill and the Bell Tower. Being known for its seafood, the experience would not be complete until you have visited the fish market; where you know, just by being in their presence the love and dedication they have towards this trade that is just in their blood. The dry-fish market is on the beach adjoining, and the process is quite an interesting one.
Later travel to Habarana by road. En-route visit Dambulla Cave Temple.
Dambulla Cave Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site and dates back to the 1st century BC. Originally it was the refuge of King Walagamba, and the caves were later converted into a rock temple. It has five caves under a vast overhanging rock, the ceilings of the caves are painted with complex patterns of religious images. The caves are considered to be the finest storehouse of Sinhala art and sculptures consist of an imposing 15-metre-long reclining Buddha, 150 statues of the Buddhist order, statues of Kings and Hindu deities etc.
Later travel to Habarana by road. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.
Habarana is a small city in the Anuradhapura District of Sri Lanka. The location has some mid-range and up hotels aimed at package tourists and is a departure point for other nearby locations of greater interest.
Habarana is situated nearby to the ancient rock fortress and castle/palace ruin of Sigiriya and is situated on the main road from Colombo to Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa. The population of the city is expected to be in the area of 5000-10,000.
Later, enjoy the 4x4 Jeep Safari in Minneriya National Park, 8889 hectares in extent and known for its large population of elephants in herds of 100 to 150 roaming in the jungle and seen in the catchment area of the lake. Wild elephants, wild buffaloes, wild boar, spotted deer, sloth bear, Sambhur, crocodiles, jackals, 9 kinds of amphibians, 25 kinds of reptiles, 160 species of birds, 26 varieties of fishes, 78 varieties of butterflies are recorded to be inhabitants.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Habarana Village by Cinnamon
Habarana Matale Kandy
Breakfast is at the hotel. Later visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Climb the 5th century Sigiriya Rock Fortress, which is a UNESCO world heritage site, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The ''Lion Rock'' is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 meters from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70-hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the ''Heavenly Maidens'' of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway.
These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster.
• Excursion Duration: Time Depends on how fast you climb the visit takes anything from 1.5 hours to 2.5 hrs.
• Attire or carry along: Light cool clothing, a cap and sunscreen, and a camera. It is advised to carry a bottle of water in a backpack.
Later travel to Kandy by road. En-route visit Matale Spice Garden.
Matale Spice Gardens are among the best on the island. You will be introduced to different spices and shown how some of these spices are grown and processed. A processing and training unit has been set up in the area and farmers are grouped in a cooperative to ensure fair prices and you will also be able to purchase spices.
Upon arrival in Kandy, you will be transferred to your hotel.
Kandy is the last capital of Sri Lanka. It is amongst a hilly terrain and the center of the city houses the most charming Kandy Lake. The city lies at an elevation of 465 meters above sea level. Kandy was the last home for the Kandyan Kings of yore in the 19th century and a fountain for all music, arts, crafts and culture in the country.
Later, visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic. This temple houses a tooth relic of the Lord Buddha and is consequently considered one of Sri Lanka's most holy shrines. Although you may not view the actual tooth itself, the casket within which it is said to be is displayed twice a day.
• Excursion Duration: approx. 1 hour
• Light Colored clothing with sleeves and trousers or skirts below the knee length is recommended
• Since this is a religious site – the footwear should be removed before entering the temple premises. You can wear socks if you wish to
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Cinnamon Citadel
Kandy Nuwara Eliya
Breakfast is at the hotel. Then this morning, enjoy the scenic train ride from Nuwara Eliya.
Board a local train for a journey through the hill country. A ride by local train to the little England is one of the most picturesque rail journeys in the world! You journey through dark tunnels on winding tracks, the famous Ceylon Tea. The rolling mountains are a carpet of velvety green tea plantations, interspersed with gushing streams and tumbling waterfalls.
Upon arrival in Nuwara Eliya, you will be transfered to your hotel.
Nuwara Eliya, the ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. It is 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.
Afternoon, visit to Tea Plantation and Tea Factory.
Visit to Tea plantation and Tea factory where one the best tea in the world is produced. You will be explained all about the process of processing tea and also gain first-hand experience. Taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea which begins its journey as raw green leaves in the hills and ends up as a final golden-brown graded product which we all but know too well. Also, Take part in Tea plucking season.
(Note: - Tea factories are closed on Sundays and public holidays)
Later, enjoy a visit to Gregory Lake and Victoria Park.
Lake Gregory is a reservoir in heart of the tea country hill city, Nuwara Eliya. Lake Gregory was constructed during the period of British Governor Sir William Gregory in 1873. It was supposedly created for the purpose of providing electricity. However, the lake was mainly used for leisure and recreation after it was built.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Galway Heights
Nuwara Eliya Bentota
Breakfast is at the hotel. Later travel to Bentota by road.
Bentota is a gorgeous beautiful resort town in the South West of Sri Lanka. Stretches of golden sands lined by palm trees swaying gently in the breeze, crystal clear waters, a relatively untainted, tranquil and family-friendly atmosphere, and plenty of water sports make Bentota a topnotch seaside getaway.
Upon arrival in Bentota, you will be transferred to your hotel.
The rest of the day is at leisure on the beach.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Cinnamon Bey Hotel
Bentota
Full day is at leisure on the beach.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Cinnamon Bey Hotel
Bentota
Full day is at leisure on the beach.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Bentota Colombo Australia
Breakfast is at the hotel. Later, travel to Colombo by road. En route visit Kosgoda turtle hatchery.
Turtle hatchery is operated by the Wildlife Protection Society of Sri Lanka. Several species of turtle, especially the hawksbill, are endangered; the most vulnerable of all are their eggs; which are left uncovered on beaches all around the coast. The goodwill of Kosgoda area fishermen, who bring these eggs gratis to the hatchery, has led to the hatching and release of 100,000 young turtles in only two years since the hatchery opened.
Afternoon, visit the Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers. The fort is a living monument, inhabited by a bustling community, within the great ramparts, massive bastions and pepper pot towers. The once sleepy Galle Fort is now a dynamic area with a distinctively Mediterranean atmosphere.
Upon arrival in Colombo, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Colombo.
Enjoy a walk along the promenade of the Galle Face Green overlooking the Indian Ocean. Continue past the Dutch Hospital complex dating back to the Dutch colonial era, now a heritage building and a shopping and dining precinct. Experience hustle and bustle of the commercial area of the Fort. Drive past the noisy bazaar area of Pettah or Pitakotuwa as the locals call it. Visit the Fort Railway station opened in 1917 and to-date functions as the central station for Colombo. Visit The Temple of Gangaramaya. It is one of the most important Buddhist temples in all of Sri Lanka. The temple is built on an island that is connected to the mainland by a wooden bridge. The temple's architecture demonstrates an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architecture.
Later visit the Colombo Lotus Tower. Standing at a height of 356 m, this tower is the tallest tower in South Asia, the 11th tallest tower in Asia and the 19th tallest tower in the world. The tower basically serves as a transmission center for television and radio. Besides the communication and transmission activities, the tower also houses banquet halls, museums, shopping complexes etc. A visit to the observatory deck is a must as it offers exceptional views of the city.
Later, transfer to Colombo International Airport to board a flight for your onward destination. If you are wanting to extend your time in Sri Lanka, please ask our Customer Service team about accommodation options or extra touring options.
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- $1000 Flight Credit Per Person on your choice of Airline*
- 7 nights’ accommodation on double / twin sharing basis
- Meals as mentioned in the travel program
- Daily sightseeing, excursions and entrance fee as per the program
- Services of English Speaking Chauffer Guide
- Services of Air Conditioned Vehicle throughout the program
- Packaged water bottles, Hand Sanitizers, Wet and Dry tissues in the vehicle throughout the trip
- Ground Representative for assistance upon arrival and departure at the Airport
- All current applicable taxes.
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Exclusions
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals & drinks not mentioned
- Any additional requests
Flight Credit: This deal comes with a flight credit towards your international airfare. Any balance can not be refunded and or exchanged for a cash value or transferred to your booking. Any value higher than the flight credit must be paid prior to ticketing our quoted airfare.
Solo Supplement: There is a single supplement of $799 on this trip.
Extra Services: Wanting to book pre and/or post-accommodation? Need a quote on a flight to Sri Lanka? Contact us for more details!
Travel Insurance: We recommend Covermore travel insurance. To quote and book, please click HERE.
Why not consider extending your trip to India with our
'8 Day Private Tour | India Golden Triangle | Five Star Adventure'