Day 01 – Relaxing day in Negombo
You will be warmly welcomed to Sri Lanka by a representative from Taprobane Leisure once you land at Bandaranaike International Airport. Proceed to your hotel in nearby Negombo for a day of relaxation after your flight.
Laze by the pool, try a delicious array of seafood, and take a walk in the long golden stretches of Negombo beach. Enjoy the view of a breathtaking tropical sunset painting the sky in gold, magenta, and purple.
Turn in for the night in world-class comfort at the hotel. Your Sri Lankan journey of discovering hidden gems in the North and East is about to begin.
Overnight in Negombo.
Day 02 – Wilpattu safari and exploring the sacred city of Anuradhapura
After breakfast, you’ll be heading to Anuradhapura, the first capital of Sri Lanka and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There is one-stop that you don’t want to miss on the way, the Wilpattu National Park Sri Lanka’s largest and the oldest national park. With lush vegetation ensconcing herds of deer, leopards, sea eagles, mammals, and reptiles, Wilpattu means land of lakes in the native language. Inland lakes – natural sand-rimmed basins or depressions that fill with rainwater in the rainy season – are what make this a unique travel spot.
There are historically important sites scattered throughout the Wilpattu jungle. This is the area where the founder of the Sinhala civilization is said to have arrived. He landed in Thambapanni or the red terrain so named for the bronze/coppery hue of its soil. The sand-rimmed water basins are said to have been used by the queen of the Yakka tribe who lived in this region at the time. As nature made its inevitable takeover of the land, these are now turned into watering holes for wildlife that roam the region. The heart of the jungle still carries traces of the by-gone era, in the form of ruins tucked away among the jungle paths, watering holes, and vegetation.
Enjoy an exciting safari through Wilpattu National Park, then continue to Anuradhapura. Check-in at the hotel in Anuradhapura and get ready to explore the ancient city in the evening.
You will be led on a guided tour, cycling if you prefer through the sites of Anuradhapura. Climb up the 1840 steps to the peak of Mihintale, revered by Sri Lankan Buddhists. It is on Mihintale that Arhat Mahinda first met King Devanampiyathissa. Thus, introducing Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Regardless of your religious beliefs, Mihintale paints a wondrous picture with ancient shrines, stupas, rock caves, and ponds strung across the wooded hills.
After Mihintale explore the Eight Sacred Sites called “Atamasthana” in Sinhalese. These are eight out of the sixteen sites that Lord Buddha is said to have visited in his three journeys to Sri Lanka.
The eight sites include:
- The sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya – A sapling from the Bo tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.
- Ruwanweliseya – A pure white stupa rising magnificently into the blue-sky containing Lord Buddha’s relics.
- Thuparamaya – The first stupa to be built in Anuradhapura after the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka.
- Lovamahapaya – A nine-story monastery that was tiled in copper plates. An architectural wonder of the times.
- Abhayagiriya – The second-highest stupa in Sri Lanka.
- Jethavanaramaya – The highest stupa built with bricks in the world.
- Mirisavetiya – A stupa built by King Dutugemunu containing his scepter, which could not be moved from this site, therefore he built the stupa around it.
- Lankaramaya – A stupa built by King Walagamba which was initially called “Somarama” in commemoration of Queen Soma who saved the King’s life.
After a day in the wild and exploring ancient ruins, head back to the hotel for a scrumptious dinner and peaceful sleep.
Overnight in Anuradhapura.
Day 03 – Discover Jaffna city
After a hearty breakfast, you’ll begin your journey up north to Jaffna, Sri Lanka’s Tamil cultural hub. Explore the unique charms of this Northern capital from its islets scattered among the azure waters of the Palk Strait to its colonial ruins and ethnic vibrance. Jaffna has withstood the test of time and the thirty years of civil war in Sri Lanka.
There is much to see and do in Jaffna. It’s a good thing you’ll be spending two days here. There are historical landmarks scattered throughout Jaffna dating back to the 13th century when the city was the seat of the ancient Tamil Kingdom, such as Manthri Walawwa, the remnants of the Royal Palace complex.
Find the many hidden gems tucked away in this peninsula. Go to the Northernmost tip of the island – Point Pedro, wade in the waves of Casuarina Beach, and explore the Nilavarai bottomless well, natural underground water well. Immerse yourself in the healing waters of Keeramalai freshwater spring. Take a boat ride over to Delft Island with its giant baobab tree, wild ponies, and decorative walls made of corals and seashells. End the day with the spectacular sunset from the Portuguese-built Jaffna Fort.
Come back to the hotel to relax, get dinner, and turn in for the night.
Overnight in Jaffna.
Day 04 – Immerse in local culture
Today you get to find out more about the Northerners’ lifestyle. Explore the vibrant marketplaces, learn about Tamil and Hindu traditions, and talk with the locals. Immerse yourself in Sri Lankan Hindu culture including religious festivals, customs, rituals, processions, and dance.
After a day of culture and getting to know the lives of locals’ head back to the hotel for a relaxing evening and sleep.
Overnight in Jaffna.
Day 05 – Walk around Trincomalee and relax by Nilaveli beach
Have a hearty breakfast at the hotel and set out to Trincomalee. The Trincomalee harbor is the fifth-largest natural harbor in the world and served as a military base for the allied forces during World War II.
A short hike up the Swami Rock will bring you to Koneswaram Temple or the Thirukonamalai Konesar Kovil, known as The Temple of the Thousand Pillars. This classical- medieval Hindu temple complex is a Hindu religious pilgrimage center and the most sacred of the Pancha Ishwarams of Sri Lanka. The massive statue of the Hindu God Shiva is visible even to a distance looking over the promontory down the path where pilgrims will be climbing up.
Apart from the various shrines of Hindu Gods, statues, and the vibrant architecture of the temple, it also offers panoramic views of the Koneswaram bay. The crystal azure waters of the bay, common to the eastern coast, dotted with a boat or two is a view like no other and one you will remember for a lifetime. Another site atop Swami rock is the lover’s leap named so for the tragic story of two lovers who jumped from the rock to profess their undying love.
Two other sites to see in Trincomalee are the iconic Portuguese build Federick Fort and Kanniya hot water springs.
You can then spend a relaxed day on the white sands of Nilaveli beach, swaying gently on a hammock overlooking the bluest ocean you have ever seen. If you like a little adventure, you can take a short boat ride to pigeon island and go snorkeling to see vibrant shoals of fish swimming through corals and probably a reef shark or two. There is also a marine park in Trincomalee where you can learn more about marine life and if it’s the season you can go whale watching.
Overnight in Trincomalee.
Day 06 – Explore the ancient city of Polonnaruwa
After breakfast, you will start your journey towards Sigiriya and en-route visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some of the sites you will see within the 11th & 12th Century medieval capital Polonnaruwa include the flora stone pillared pavilion called Nissanka Latha Mandapaya; the Royal Citadel and the ponds; the Vatadage relic house; Tuparamaya image house; the circular relic house; the golden pinnacled stupa – Rankoth Vehera; the finely engraved moonstones; guard stones and sculptures; Kirivehera dagoba; the Polonnanru Gal Viharaya with massive stone Buddha statues; Menik Vehera – a Lotus shaped stupa and the stone statue of King Parakramabahu the Great.
After you explore the ruins, take a walk around Parakrama Samudraya, the massive lake akin to an ocean built by King Parakramabahu which irrigates the city and the farmlands to this day. Relax in the quiet tranquility of the lake for a few moments before continuing to your hotel in Sigiriya for the night.
Overnight in Sigiriya.
Day 07 – Delve into Sigiriya rock fortress and climb up to the Dambulla cave temple complex
After breakfast, you start the hike up Sigiriya rock. Prepare to be amazed by the remnants of this fortress and palace built by King Kashyapa in the 5th Century AD. Another one of Sri Lanka’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Sigiriya is also endearingly termed the eighth wonder of the world. When you explore the ruins, you’ll understand why.
The fortress and the palace on top of the Sigiriya rock are a testament to sophisticated planning and technology used by ancient civilizations of Sri Lanka. Prepare to be amazed by how such a structure was built on top of a bare rock. The ruins show that not only was the fortress imposing but also aesthetically pleasing with its many ponds and gardens at the base, the frescoes inside caves, the moon wall, and the lion’s paws. After a short hike, you will reach the top of Sigiriya rock with the ruins of the palace, where you’ll be blessed with breathtaking panoramic views of the grounds below and the surrounding plains.
The museum at the base of the rock will help you learn even more about the history of Sigiriya. Check it out before your hike or after.
Next up is Dambulla, well known for the most well-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. Climb up the gentle slope of the Dambulla rock to reach the Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The climb offers panoramic views of the surrounding flatlands including Sigiriya rock in the distance. The temple itself is made up of five caves. Inside these caves are a large collection of Buddha statues with varying artistry, and well-preserved Buddhist frescoes on the ceilings and walls.
After the cave temple, explore Ibbankatuwa – one of the ancient burial sites found in Sri Lanka that dates to the prehistoric era. End the day’s adventure at the calming Ironwood Grove Forest Monastery, an ancient cave dwelling with Brahmin inscriptions.
Head back to the hotel for a long shower after your adventurous day, have a delicious dinner, and turn in for the night.
Overnight in Sigiriya.
Day 08 – Say goodbye to Sri Lanka
Your journey in Sri Lanka has come to an end. Bid farewell to this island with its many natural wonders and hidden gems. We hope you found everything you were seeking in your travels.
Proceed to Bandaranaike International Airport for departure.