Sri Lankan Discovery

Sightseeing

Negombo and nature

• Cruise the Negombo Lagoon at sunset
• Enjoy a BBQ welcome dinner
• Observe Negombo's local fish markets
• Tour the cave temples of Dambulla

Ancient city ruins

• Take a journey through the ancient city of Anuradhapura
• Tour the monastic ruins of Ritigala
• Visit the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa
• Enjoy lunch with a local family in their own backyard

Sigiriya, safaris, spices and serene temples

• Enjoy an afternoon jeep safari in Minneriya National Park searching for sambar deer, leopards and elephants
• Tour the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya
• Visit a typical home in a Sri Lankan village for lunch
• Visit the Coconut House
• Visit the Matale Spice Plantations

The cultural heart of Sri Lanka

• Tour the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy
• Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya
• Enjoy a cultural show and local traditional Kandyan dance performance

Unwind with a cup of Ceylon tea in Nuwara Eliya 

• Learn about the tea-making process and sample Ceylon tea at a plantation
• Join the locals and marvel at the stunning highland scenery for a short journey by train to Thalawakale Station
• Visit the St. Clair and Devon Falls
• Enjoy High Tea at the Galway Heights Hotel

Safaris and the South Coast

• Visit the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe
• Enjoy a jeep safari in Yala National Park
• Drive along the south coast to Galle and see the World Heritage-listed Dutch Fort
• Enjoy a walking tour of Galle
• Learn about endangered turtles at a local hatchery
• See the famous Stilt Fisherman in Weligama
• Cruise the Madu River and visit the Moonstone Mine

• Visit the moving Tsunami Museum which remembers the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami

Cosmopolitan Colombo

• Enjoy morning tea and a tour of Gradely Cinnamon Estate
• Tour Sri Lanka's capital of Colombo
• Stay in the historic Galle Face Hotel

Travel

• Return economy-class flights from Australia to Sri Lanka. Taxes included
• Airport transfers on the first and last day of tour
• All touring in air-conditioned vehicles (excluding jeep-safari vehicle)
• Local train from Nanu Oya to Thalawakale Station

Accommodation

• 15 nights in 3-5 star hotels

Properties include:

• Jetwing Lagoon, Negombo
• Habarana Village, Habarana
• Cinnamon Citadel, Kandy
• Galway Heights, Nuwara Eliya
• Ekho Safari, Tissamaharama
• Radisson Blu Resort, Galle
• Galle Face Hotel, Colombo

Meals

• 15 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 13 dinners, including group welcome and farewell dinners

Tour Guides

• English-speaking national guide throughout (based on a min. of 6 passengers)
• English-speaking locally based guides

Porterage

• Porterage included where available

Some things to note

Please note:

• Women may need a head scarf to enter some mosques and temples, and wear modest clothing that covers knees and shoulders. Also, a good tip is to pack a spare pair of socks in your daypack, as sometimes shoes need to be removed when entering and the ground can be hot. 
• The Department of Wildlife Conservation may close or restrict access to national parks from time to time due to local weather conditions, provide respite for wildlife or other reasons such as maintenance. Should the park not be open during one of our departure dates our groups will visit an alternative park, such as Kaudulla National Park. 
• On Day 10, if the train services do not operate for any reason, we will travel by coach to Devon Falls and St. Clair's Falls. 
• The Department of Wildlife Conservation may close or restrict access to national parks from time to time due to local weather conditions, provide respite for wildlife or other reasons such as maintenance. Should the park not be open during one of our departure dates our groups will visit an alternative park, such as Lunugamvehera National Park. 

Optional Excursions 

• All optional excursions are based on minimum participants and are subject to availability. The length of optional excursions advised is an approximate only. Optional excursions can be booked on tour directly with your Tour Director or guide. We recommend arranging the booking at the beginning of the tour to avoid disappointment. Please note some optional excursions may also be available on multiple or alternate days. Prices are a guide only and are subject to change without prior notice. Payment by cash is preferred as there are no guarantees that credit card facilities will be available. Please check with your Tour Director or guide locally for information relating to this. Credit card fees and exchange rates are at the discretion of your bank.