What to expect
Yala & Minneriya
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
- <
- >
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?
Airport transfers
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
-
Scenic train ride from Nuwara Eliya to Ella
-
Sigiriya Rock Fortress with the option to walk to the top
-
Visit to Polonnaruwa
-
Witness the iconic Nine Arches Bridge
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
What's extra:
- International flights are not included
- Travel insurance
- Tips & drinks
- Meals not included in the itinerary
- Activities not included in the itinerary
- Optional trek in Horton's Plains when in Nuwara Eliya
- Optional Sunset Trek to Little Adam’s Peak when in Ella
Itinerary
- 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
- Onward flight
What you will be doing...
Day One: Arrive into Colombo
- Dinner Included
Day Two: Dambulla Cave Temple & Minneriya National Park
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Three: 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 Four: 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 Five: 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 Six: 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 Seven: 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 Eight: 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 Nine: 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 Ten: 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 Eleven: 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 Twelve: 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 Thirteen: Depart Colombo
This morning we will have our final morning in Sri Lanka before heading back to Colombo Airport for our onward flight.
- 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
Essential Information
We recommend that you check passport and visa requirements for the country you are visiting at the State Department if you have a U.S. Passport. Most countries require that your passport have at least six months validity when traveling internationally, and many require that you have one to two blank visa pages for either an entry stamp or visa. As a general rule, please check that your passport has six months validity beyond your planned trip, and if not, please renew your passport with plenty of time to provide Solos with your updated passport information by the final payment due date.
We recommend that you check if vaccinations are required for your destination at the CDC’s recommendations for your visited destination(s). We also recommend you purchase travel protection. A travel protection plan can often assist with medical emergencies and reimburse costs that are covered by the plan. Please verify coverage details with Solos before you travel.
- Optional trek in Horton's Plains when in Nuwara Eliya
- Optional Sunset Trek to Little Adam’s Peak when in Ella
