Wonders of Sri Lanka - 9 Days
Tour Code: SL-9D8N-1
For a relatively small Island, there are a truly amazing variety of attractions for the visitor to see on a holiday to Sri Lanka. From the sleepless and fast developing capital, Colombo, to the cultural triangle, Sigiriya, and the ancient city, Polonnaruwa, to the rolling tea plantations and green hills of the Hill Country region, to the well preserved national parks. Add to all of this the thousands of kilometres of coastline, studded with idyllic palm-lined beaches, the delicious food and the friendly, welcoming people and it is little surprise that Sri Lanka has earned itself a reputation as one of the world’s best holiday destinations.
Start ~ Colombo, Sri Lanka
Finish ~ Colombo, Sri Lanka
Physical rating: 2 out of 5
The Itinerary
“Welcome to Sri Lanka” at the airport by your EMH tours’ transfer team. We then transfer you to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Meal is not included on this day.
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll set off to the cultural triangle “Sigiriya”. The driving time is around 3½ hours.
Upon arrival, we’ll check in the hotel. After a short relax, we’ll head out to the Minneriya national park. There, we’ll hire a safari jeep to explore the park.
Minneriya National park is one of the only places in the world to witness the largest Asian elephant Gathering known to exist in the planet. Watch as these huge animals drink, play and snack on the green, lush grasses that have been exposed by the receding water.
Unlike in other national parks, elephants can be spotted at a relatively close range. About 160 species of birds, 9 different types of amphibians, 25 reptiles, 26 fish, and more than 78 butterfly species have been found in this area. There are also rare bamboo trees not found in other national parks.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll drive to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most impressive sites you’ll see when you visit Sri Lanka and indeed across Southern Asia and is without a doubt, a must-do when you find yourself in the country.
When we arrive, we’ll take the opportunity to climb to the top of this striking rock with its vertical walls supporting the remnants of an ancient city constructed in the 5th century. Along the way you will see the Fountain Gardens, Boulder Gardens, the Mirror Wall, frescoes of the ladies of the king’s harem, the Lion’s Staircase and finally Sky Palace for spectacular panoramic views.
The hike up is not quite as scary as it seems from afar. There is a halfway point for you to catch your breath. The last part of the walk uphill actually has stairs so it’s fairly easy though. It takes a little over an hour to get to the top.
After that, we’ll head out to the village, where we will take a Bullock Cart Ride while enjoying sightseeing of the rural village life. Our next phase of adventure will be a Catamaran Boat Ride at the scenic lake. Finally, we’ll enjoy Traditional Lunch at a local house prepared by the village women before driving back to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll take a day trip to the “Polonnaruwa” from Sigiriya.
Polonnaruwa is an ancient city in Sri Lanka. It served as the capital city for nearly 2 centuries between the 11th and 13th centuries AD and is an incredible day trip destination in Sri Lanka. Much like the ancient city of Angkor in Cambodia, being able to walk relatively freely through the ruins, temples and shrines is an incredible way to take in the history of the country and imagine what it must have been like in its heyday.
After exploring this ancient capital, we’ll return to the hotel in Sigiriya.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast at the hotel , we’ll leave Sigiriya and continue our journey to the hill country capital “Kandy”.
En-route stops at the Dambulla Cave Temple, UNESCO World Heritage site. It is situated on top of a rock, and is built around a series of 5 caves. The oldest one dates from 10th century and it is extremely well preserved. The newest is only 150 years old. There are some cute monkeys in the trees near the entrance which is great as well.
Then, continue our journey to Kandy. On arrival, we’ll check in the hotel and we’ll spend our afternoon at leisure.
In the evening, we’ll head out to the Dalada Maligawa, also known as the temple of the tooth, one of the landmark sites in the city of Kandy. It is located in the heart of Kandy town surrounded by the lake and the commercial district. The Maligawa was once the royal palace inhabited by the king and his consorts, but after the demise of the Kandyan Kingdom the palace was transformed into a Buddhist temple that holds Buddha’s tooth. The sight of flowers, fragrance of the incense and the continuous chanting of Buddhist hymns by the worshippers creates a magical impact. Rituals and stories related to the temple are amazing. Temple is fully decorated by century-old wood carvings, paintings.
Before returning to the hotel, we’ll have the opportunity to witness the Kandy cultural show and meet the traditional dancers.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll take a scenic drive to “Ramboda” village to take a Tea Plantation and Tea factory tour.
Sri Lanka’s lush green hill country is a patchwork of rolling, seemingly endless tea plantations. A visit to one of these estates is a defining experience of any trip to this magnificent country.
This tour will give you the insight into the manufacturing process as well as an opportunity to taste the different grades of hill country tea.
Then, we’ll set off to explore:
- Ramboda waterfalls
- Royal botanical garden
- Wood carving centre and
- Gem museum
We’ll return to the hotel in Kandy at the end of the tour.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll drive to the “Bentota” beach. The driving time is approximately 4½ hours.
Upon arrival, we’ll check in the hotel and we’ll spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
A little quaint resort town, Bentota is located towards Sri Lanka’s southwest coast. Today, it is one of the island nation’s most popular destinations due to its incredible charm and beauty. Bentota attracts visitors from near and far, and is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to enjoy activities like fishing, diving, snorkeling, parasailing, paragliding, dolphin watching and more. Bentota beaches are especially beautiful and offer you the perfect location for your dream beach holiday.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, we’ll take an hour River Boat Safari. This one-hour tour takes you on a boat safari through the primitive depths of the mangrove marshes in Madu River. Traverse the dark and dangerous caverns formed by the thick mangrove forests; interspersed with bright open stretches of water. Learn more about mangroves and their positive effect on ecology. Get a chance to see crocodiles, water snakes, tree snakes and wild boars in their natural habitat. Watch the cormorants; storks and many other avianlife hunt for their prey in swift flow of Madu River. View the pots for catching prawn and shrimp left in some of the shallower areas of the river.
At the end of the tour, we’ll return to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Suggestions for your free time:
- Visit Turtle hatchery; The Turtle Hatchery Project at Bentota Beach is another important attraction. Up to five endangered species of turtles have been frequenting a stretch on this undisturbed beach for a long time now. The turtles are allowed to hatch and thrive in a protected area before being set free. A visit to the turtle hatchery is a must for nature lovers.
- Witness stilt fishing, one of the most interesting traditional fishing methods of Sri Lanka .
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Breakfast and free time until time to go to the airport for departure flight. Then, transfer you to the Colombo International Airport according to your flight departure time.
Meals: Breakfast
~ 8 nights accommodation: Standard Option (3 Star Hotels) or Premium Option (4 Star Hotels)
~ 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 5 dinners as mentioned
~ service of English speaking chauffeur guide
~ transportation by a private air-conditioned vehicle
~ Road Toll Fees
~ bullock cart to explore the village on Day 3
~ catamaran ride in the lake on Day 3
~ tea factory & tea tasting
~ one hour mangrove river boat safari tour in Bentota
~ daily bottle of water per person
~ tours & sightseeing as described in the itinerary
~ return airport transfers
~ visa fee
~ site entrance fees
~ tips to guide (Optional)
~ meals not mentioned in “Inclusions” section
~ personal insurance and other personal expense
Do I need a visa to visit Sri Lanka?
All foreign nationals need to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit Sri Lanka. To apply, visit www.eta.gov.lk.
The fee for this ETA is USD 20–35 online, depending on your nationality, or USD 25–40 if applying for an ETA on arrival. It is valid for 30 days after arriving in Sri Lanka but can be extended if need be.
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it’s important that you check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality.
Do I need any vaccinations before visiting Sri Lanka?
You should seek medical advice from your local health practitioner before travelling to Sri Lanka and make sure to schedule vaccinations 4-6 weeks before your departure date, as some require time to become effective.
Can I drink the tap water in Sri Lanka?
We do not recommend drinking the water in Sri Lanka. Filtered water is a better option; try to use a refillable canteen or water bottle rather than buying bottled water. Remember to avoid ice in drinks and peel fruit before eating.
What is currency in Sri Lanka?
The currency in Sri Lanka is the rupee (symbol: Rs, code LKR).
Pound Sterling, US Dollars or other major currencies will need to be exchanged locally, and not in advance of arrival as the LKR is not traded internationally. This also means you should spend all your LKR before you leave. There are plenty of money changers in Colombo, at the airport, in the street and at hotels. A growing number of ATMs in Colombo and Kandy accept foreign-issued cards. Credit cards are widely accepted for purchases. Visa and Mastercard withdrawals can be performed at banks.
Traveller’s Cheques are not recommended as they’re often difficult to exchange and incur high fees.
What do foods and drinks cost in Sri Lanka?
Beer in a bar = USD 3
Lunch in a local restaurant = USD 2–4
Western-style lunch = USD 6–8
Classy seafood dinner = USD 10–15
What’s the food like in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka has many influences in its food from a history of colonial occupation and its proximity to India. Rice is the most important ingredient and coconut milk also features prominently. The staple diet in Sri Lanka is rice and curry, with a large mound of rice making the centrepoint of the meal and a number of curries served alongside.
Is tipping customary in Sri Lanka?
Tipping isn’t mandatory or customary in Sri Lanka, but a tip of spare change or another small amount would be appreciated by restaurants, drivers and other service workers, especially if the service has been particularly good.
What’re the toilets like in Sri Lanka?
Squat toilets are the most common toilets in Sri Lanka. Always carry your own toilet paper and soap as they are usually not provided. Flushable, Western-style toilets can be found in upmarket restaurants, your hotels and in some tourist areas.
Is WiFi widely available in Sri Lanka?
WiFi can usually be found in most hotels, restaurants and cafes in Sri Lanka although the speed and security of the connections can vary dramatically. Internet cafes can also be found throughout the country.
Can I use my mobile phone while in Sri Lanka?
Mobile/cell phone reception in Sri Lanka is generally very good in cities and towns, though coverage may be patchy in rural areas. Travellers can either purchase a local SIM or use their own, but they must have activated global roaming before leaving their home country.
What sort of sockets are used in Sri Lanka and what is the voltage?
Electricity in Sri Lanka runs on 230-240 volts, 50Hz AC. The most common plug type is round, three pin plugs such as those found in India, type D. Some upmarket hotels may also have square three prong outlets as is found in the United Kingdom, type G. US and Canadian plugs will need adaptors, which are cheap and readily available on arrival.
Weather overview
The climate in Sri Lanka varies massively from place to place throughout the year, meaning that you should be able to find somewhere with sunshine on the island all year round. Generally speaking in the west coast (Bentota, Colombo, Negombo, Kalpitiya), the south (Galle, Weligama, Mirissa, Tangalle, Yala National Park) and most central parts of Sri Lanka the best time to visit are the months between December and March when the monsoon rains are replaced by clear blue skies and pleasant temperatures.
The Cultural Triangle (Dambulla, Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Minneriya National Park): Many of Sri Lanka’s cultural highlights, including no less than five UNESCO sites, including Dambulla, Anuradhapura and Sigiriya, are located within this ‘dry zone’. Aside from a high rainfall in November and December, conditions remain fairly arid throughout the year, although visitors during June and July may experience the hot, strong winds that help keep the south-western monsoon at bay.
Kandy & Tea Country (Kandy, Ella, Nuwara Eliya, Haputale, Hatton, Adam’s Peak): Kandy sits at a far lower altitude than the ‘Tea Country’ and because of this can expect to enjoy higher temperatures and lower rainfall than in the hills to the south. Your journey from Kandy to the Cultural Triangle climbs an elevation of 700 metres, so you feel a drop in temperature as you climb. The weather in the Tea Country is influenced by both monsoons, the result of which is a climate somewhat reminiscent of a Scottish autumn for much of the year. Sitting at nearly 2,000 metres above sea level, the region is much cooler than elsewhere in Sri Lanka. December marks the beginning of the Adam’s Peak pilgrimage season, which runs throughout the dry season until May.
The best time to visit the north (Jaffna and Sri Lanka’s Northern Islands) and east coast (Passekudah, Trincomalee, Arugam Bay, Batticaloa, Nilaveli, Kuchchaveli) of Sri Lanka is between the summer months of April and September.
When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?
It may sound cliched but Sri Lanka is genuinely a year-round holiday destination, although the best time to go to Sri Lanka is between December and mid-April, which is considered to be the peak season. Temperatures are fairly constant year round, with coastal regions enjoying average temperatures of 25-30°C and the highlands 15-18°C on average.
Don’t forget you can modify this tour. Whether you enjoy travelling as a part of a small group with other like-minded travellers, or perhaps you are looking for your very own private journey, we have the right option for you. Click on talk to us button to send us your enquiry.