17D Explore Sri Lanka

Arrive at Colombo Airport and transfer to your hotel

Traveling by road from Colombo to Mannar offers a scenic and immersive experience across the diverse landscapes of Sri Lanka. Covering approximately 320 kilometers, the journey takes about 6 to 7 hours, depending on traffic and rest stops.

Traveling from Mannar to Jaffna by road is a scenic and culturally rich journey through Sri Lanka's Northern Province. The route takes you through quiet villages, open dry zone landscapes, and historically significant areas that were once off-limits during the civil war.

Visiting Delft Island from Jaffna is a unique and memorable experience, offering a mix of natural beauty, colonial history, and rustic island charm. It’s one of the most remote inhabited islands in Sri Lanka and feels like stepping back in time.

Semi-wild ponies roam freely on the island. Introduced during the Portuguese or Dutch period. A massive Baobab tree believed to be 400+ years old. Brought by Arabian traders or colonial powers. Trunk circumference is over 7 meters! Ruins of a Dutch Fort built with coral and limestone. Unique architecture using coral stone, not bricks or cement. Pigeon Nest Tower, a coral stone structure used by the Dutch for messenger pigeons.

Queen’s Tower (Lighthouse Tower) Coral-stone watchtower that was once used for signaling. A natural or mythical large footprint carved into a rock slab. Local folklore connects it to various legends, Remote, untouched beaches with clear turquoise waters.

Point Pedro is the northernmost point of Sri Lanka, located about 30 km northeast of Jaffna town. It’s a quiet, non-touristy area known for its natural beauty, historical landmarks, and symbolic geographic significance. A trip here from Jaffna takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour by road.

Point Pedro Lighthouse -Built in the late 19th century during the British colonial period. Just past the town, a signboard and marker indicate the exact northernmost tip. Thumpalai Beach -Long stretches of sandy beach with calm blue waters. Vallipuram Archaeological Site-Near the temple is an ancient settlement site. Point Pedro is known for red onions, palmyrah products, and handwoven textiles.

Driving from Jaffna to Anuradhapura is one of the most scenic and historically rich journeys in Sri Lanka. It takes you through the heart of the Northern Province, across former war zones, and into the Cultural Triangle. The route is mostly smooth and well-paved, with occasional rural traffic. Anuradhapura is one of Sri Lanka's most sacred and historically significant cities — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and ancient capital that flourished for over 1,300 years. It’s filled with stupas, temples, monasteries, ancient reservoirs, and sacred trees that reflect the height of Sinhalese civilization and early Buddhism.

Visit to the Ruwanwelimaha Seya, the great stupa of Lanka and the Jaya Sri MahaBodhiya, the sacred fig tree, one of the oldest trees in the world. Behold the serene beauty of Samadhi Buddha Statue and spend the evening riding the waters of Kala Wawa.

Morning Safari at Minneriya NP, located between Habarana and Polonnaruwa, the 8,890 hectares of Minneriya National Park features the ancient Minneriya Tank. Constructed in an evergreen forest where sambar deer, leopards, and elephants roam. Afternoon visit Dambulla Cave Temple, Dambulla Cave Temple (also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla) is one of Sri Lanka’s most impressive and largest rock cave temple complexes. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-visit cultural landmark when you’re exploring the Cultural Triangle.

Drive from Sigiriya to Kandy via Matale, enroute visit Matale Spice Gardens: Explore aromatic gardens and learn about Sri Lanka’s spices. enjoy Scenic Views: Rolling hills, tea estates, and traditional villages between Matale and Kandy.

On arrival at Kandy proceed for a city tour of Kandy, including the Temple of the Tooth Relic and the Royal Botanical Gardens.

Sri Dalada Maligawa, commonly known in English as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, is a Buddhist temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the Royal Palace Complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya are about 5.5 km to the west of the city of Kandy in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. In 2016, the garden was visited by 1.2 million locals and 400,000 foreign visitors. It is near the Mahaweli River. It is renowned for its collection of orchids.

The drive from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is one of the most scenic road trips in Sri Lanka, taking you through lush hill country, tea estates, waterfalls, and charming towns.

This journey winds through Sri Lanka's central highlands, offering a cooler climate, spectacular views, and countless spots worth stopping for. It’s perfect for nature lovers, photographers, and those wanting to experience authentic hill country life.

You’ll leave the cool hill town of Nuwara Eliya and start driving westward toward Horton Plains National Park,the road winds through lush tea plantations and misty mountains, roads are narrow, with some sharp curves and gradual climbs, the landscape is stunning, with endless green hills and valleys. Visit the famous Horton Plains, which is a nature reserve characterized by a beautiful landscape of rolling hills, forests, and grassland. Spanning approx 10,000 hectares, the park is home to 24 species of mammal such as elk, deer, giant squirrel, wild boar, wild hare, porcupine, and leopard.

Leaving the picturesque hill town of Ella, you start descending from the cool central highlands toward the dry zone.the drive passes through beautiful tea plantations and lush forests, gradually giving way to drier landscapes, Roads are winding initially but become smoother and straighter as you approach the town of Wellawaya, from Wellawaya, continue south on well-maintained highways toward Ella.

Afternoon experience Jungle safari in Yala national park, best time to spot leopards, elephants, sloth bears, deer, crocodiles, and a variety of birds, the late afternoon light is great for wildlife photography, Cooler temperatures than midday, making it more comfortable.

Early morning, enjoy a packed breakfast before embarking on an early morning jeep safari in Yala National Park, the best time to spot wildlife.

Later the drive from Yala National Park to Galle is a beautiful and relaxing journey along Sri Lanka’s southern coastline, offering a perfect transition from the wild heart of nature to the charm of a colonial seaside city

As you leave Yala’s wilderness behind, the landscape shifts to quaint villages, lush greenery, and coconut-lined beaches. Traveling along the road, you’ll pass through small coastal towns like Tangalle, Dikwella, and Mirissa, each offering glimpses of local life and fishing culture.

Day is at leisure

Drive from Galle to Colombo, enroute experience Madu ganga cruise, cruise through a complex network of over 60 islets covered in mangroves, spot monitor lizards, monkeys, birds, and even small crocodiles. Later visit, Turtle Hatchery, learn about Sri Lanka’s Sea turtle conservation efforts, see baby turtles in tanks and rescued adult turtles, Opportunity to release baby turtles into the ocean.

Continue your drive to Colombo.

Begin your sightseeing tour of Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka. isit prominent landmarks such as the Gangaramaya Temple, known for its eclectic architecture and religious art Explore Independence Square, a historical landmark commemorating Sri Lanka's independence from British rule. Tour the National Museum to delve into Sri Lanka's rich cultural heritage and history. 

Afternoon is at leisure.