What to expect
Yala & Minneriya NP
Spot wildlife in their natural habitat
The Nine Arches Bridge
Witness the iconic architectural structure
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Marvel at this epic World Heritage Site
Negombo Beach Stay
Unwind in paradise on the beach
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About this trip...
About the trip
Join Solos as we head to the pearl of the Indian Ocean that is Sri Lanka and explore this fascinating island on an exciting escorted group tour. Formally colonised by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British, we will see influences of these as well as the Sri Lankan charm. The island has a host of UNESCO World Heritage Sites that we will explore, as well as many National Parks where we will get the chance to jump on board a jeep in search of elephants, leopards and many other amazing animals. We will journey on a scenic train ride through the heart of Sri Lanka, through tropical landscapes, green rolling hills with tea plantations, surrounded by mountains. We will end with a beach stay for the final couple of nights, taking in the Indian Oceans crashing waves as we relax and reflect upon the tour.
What's included?
Return flights & transfers-
Airport taxes & charges
Rooms for single use
Breakfast and dinner daily plus lunches when in Yala National Park
Welcome drink
Dambulla Cave Temple and Kandy Temple-
Safaris in Minneriya and Yala National Park
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Scenic train ride from Nuwara Eliya to Ella
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Sigiriya Rock Fortress with the option to walk to the top
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Visit to Polonnaruwa
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Witness the iconic Nine Arches Bridge
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
Fully Financially Protected
What's extra:
- Optional trek in Horton's Plains when in Nuwara Eliya
- Optional Sunset Trek to Little Adam’s Peak when in Ella
Itinerary
- Overnight flight
- Colombo
- Colombo to Dambulla Cave Temple and Minneriya National Park
- Sigiriya Fortress and Polonnaruwa
- Kandy Temple
- Nuwara Eliya
- Nuwara Eliya to Ella by train
- Ella
- Ella to Yala and jeep safari
- Yala National Park
- Galle and Negombo
- Negombo – Beach stay
- Negombo – Beach stay
- Return home
What you will be doing...
Day One: Overnight flight from the UK
Day Two: Arrive into Colombo
- Dinner Included
Day Three: Dambulla Cave Temple & Minneriya National Park
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Dambulla and visit the Dambulla Cave Temple which dates back to the first century where Buddhist Monks first carved a cave out to create a monastery. Five separate caves contain around 150 magnificent Buddha statues and paintings, where the Buddha images were first created over 2000 years ago. We then head to the hotel, check-in and then make our way to Minneriya National Park, known for its heard of elephants. We board a jeep and head out on a safari in search of them. The park is also an important habitat for Sri Lanka’s two endemic monkeys, deer, leopards and the Sri Lankan sloth bear as well many large water birds.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Four: Sigiriya Fortress & Polonnaruwa
Early this morning, we make our way to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, which dates back to the 5th-Century. Known as Sigiriya Lion Rock, this ancient rock fortress is an iconic symbol of Sri Lanka with its massive column of rock that reaches nearly 200 metres high. We have the option to climb the 1270 steps to see the well-preserved ruins of Sigirya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will return to the hotel and later that morning, drive to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is a former capital of Sri Lanka and was home to the kings. Over time, the city has become ruins with crumbling temples and palaces, where monkeys now roam. These ruins are well maintained, and we will get a good perspective of how the kings would have lived.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Five: Kandy Temple
This morning we enjoy breakfast at the hotel and drive to Kandy. We visit Kandy Temple, also known as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth - a magnificent shrine with decorative walls and a golden roof. It is also a renowned place of worship and houses Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic - a tooth of the Buddha. According to Buddhist legends, more than 2500 years ago, the Buddha was cremated, and parts of the body were saved including a tooth which was snuck into Sri Lanka and became a symbol of Sri Lankan Buddhism, and after numerous places in Sri Lanka, has found its home in Kandy. We also pay a visit to Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Kandy, boasting more than 5000 species of tress and plants that spread over 147 acres.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Six: Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast this morning we drive to Nuwara Eliya, stopping en route at a tea plantation. The tea factory and garden is known for its cultivation of Pure Ceylon Tea, grown on the terraces of the Pidurutalagala Mountain. We visit the fields and pick some tea leaves if we wish. We then continue on to the highest town in Sri Lanka - Nuwara Eliya, known as ‘Little England ’, for its cooler climate, colonial influences on buildings in the region and being a favourite of the British during colonisation. Tea estates carpet the slopes and banks of the hills, with bungalows doted in the landscapes, accompanied by tiny streams and waterfalls that fall from the surrounding mountains.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Seven: Nuwara Eliya to Ella by train
This morning we have the option to relax at the hotel and take in the lush green surroundings, or take an optional trip to trek in Horton’s Plains. The national park is spread over the two highest mountains in the area and is a wild grassland and cloud forest. It is also known for its many pools, waterfalls and rocky hills. Just after midday, we embark on one of the most scenic train journeys in Sri Lanka- Nuwara Eliya to Ella. The train ride takes us through the rolling green hills of the tea plantations, overlooked by waterfalls and mountain peaks. Upon arrival, we check-in to the hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Eight: Nine Arches Bridge
Ella is a small town tucked away in the green countryside of Sri Lanka. After breakfast in the hotel, we begin a tour of Ella, and witness the impressive Nine Arches Bridge. This is an iconic architectural structure, a stone bridge built amidst the lush green tea plantations, with the stunning mountain ranges in the background. Following this, we visit the Ravana Falls - the widest falls in Sri Lanka. We then have the option to walk to Ella Rock - one of the best hiking areas in Sri Lanka, with Ella Rock providing some of the most picturesque views at the top. The walk is approximately a three/four hour round trip and reaches an elevation of 1,041 metres at the viewpoint.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Nine: Ella to Yala National Park
Today we head to Yala National Park after breakfast, home to the highest concentration of leopards, whilst also being the home of an abundance of Asian elephants, wild buffalo, the sloth bear, jackal, deer and hundreds of different bird species. We embark on a jeep safari this afternoon through the grassy and open plains, along sparkling waterholes and lakes, hoping to witness these magnificent animals in their natural habitat.
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day Ten: Yala National Park
This morning we head out early into the Yala National Park on another jeep safari. Jeeps are allowed to enter Yala in the morning and afternoon, so while we're here, we will make the most of our time in search of wildlife. We return to the hotel for breakfast and have time at leisure before heading out again in the afternoon for our final jeep safari.
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day Eleven: Galle
After breakfast at the hotel, we head to Beruwala, but first we stop at the city of Galle. Perched on the southwestern coast, it has grown from its ancient origins. Galle has played host to the British, Dutch and Portuguese, and the city is most well known for the magnificent Galle Fort - a World Heritage Site that was first constructed by the Portuguese back in the 16th-Century. Galle is also a place where we can see traditional fishing methods, so a great place for fresh seafood. We continue our day heading to Negombo where we will spend the final days of our holiday relaxing by the beach. Negombo is a coastal city located in Sri Lanka, just north of the capital, Colombo. It is known for its beautiful beaches, historical landmarks, and vibrant fishing community.
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day Twelve: Beach stay in Negombo
Today and tomorrow, we enjoy a much more relaxed pace after touring this fascinating island. We stay in Negombo, known for its long, sandy beach. The Dutch Fort, built by the Dutch in the 17th century, the fort is a testament to the colonial history of Negombo, which was once a strategic trading port. There is a large fishing community is known as one of Sri Lanka's main fishing towns. The local fish market, "Lellama," is one of the largest in the country and provides a glimpse into the daily life of the fishing community.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Thirteen: Beach stay in Negombo
We can kick back today and spend the final day as we wish. This evening we gather one final time for our farewell dinner.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Fourteen: Return home
This morning we will have our final morning in Sri Lanka before heading back to Colombo Airport for our return flight back to the UK.
- Breakfast Included
Accommodation
Hotels or similar on this tour:
- 4* Fairway Hotel. Colombo - 1 night
- 4* Sigiriana Resort, Dambulla - 2 nights
- 4* Thilanka Hotel, Kandy - 1 night
- 4* Araliya Red Hotel, Nuwara Eliya - 1 night
- 3* Oak Ray Ella Gap, Ella - 2 nights
- 3* Oak Ray Wild, Yala - 2 nights
- 4* The Palms, Beruwala - 3 nights
Dates & Prices
Frequently asked questions
Passport validity
If you are visiting Sri Lanka, your passport should be valid for 6 months from the date you arrive.Visas
British Passport holder will be granted 30 day Tourist Visa upon arrival into Sri Lanka. Further information on eligibility is available on the Department of Immigration and Emigration website. All visitors need to comply with the guidelines imposed for tourists by the Government of Sri Lanka. Tourist visas are valid for 30 days. If you overstay your visa you could be fined or detained by the police.
Yellow fever certificate requirements
Check whether you need a yellow fever certificate by visiting the National Travel Health Network and Centre’s TravelHealthPro website. At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad. Guidance is also available from NHS (Scotland) on the FitForTravel website. General information on travel vaccinations and a travel health checklist is available on the NHS website. You may then wish to contact your health adviser or pharmacy for advice on other preventive measures and managing any pre-existing medical conditions while you’re abroad.
- Optional trek in Horton's Plains when in Nuwara Eliya
- Optional Sunset Trek to Little Adam’s Peak when in Ella
