12 Days Glamour of Sri Lanka Tour Itinerary

Itinerary Code: IT1203

Destinations Overview

Detailed Itinerary 

Day 01 :  Colombo Airport – Colombo

Gangaramaya Temple, Seema Malakaya & Beira Lake

Gangaramaya is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Colombo, started by the famous scholar-monk Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera in the late 19th Century. The Seema Malakaya, on the other hand, is a serene meditation site nestled on the Beira Lake

Independence Square

Independence Memorial Hall is a national monument in Sri Lanka built for commemoration of the independence of Sri Lanka from British rule with the restoration of full governing responsibility to a Ceylonese-elected legislature on 4 February 1948.

Colombo National Museum

The National Museum of Natural History is a museum that covers the natural heritage of Sri Lanka. This Museum exhibits rare and threatened extinction such as the natural heritage of plant and animal species endemic to Sri Lanka, over 5,000 specimens of mammals, Jurassic period indigenous fossils and various kinds of geological rocks.

Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque)

Colombo Red Mosque, also known as Jami Ul-Alfar Masjid, is an architectural wonder for the world that would stun you with its unusual colour patterns and unconventional yet amazing design.

Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct

The Old Colombo Dutch Hospital is considered to be the oldest building in the Colombo Fort area dating back to the Dutch colonial era in Sri Lanka. It is now a heritage building and a shopping and dining precinct.

Galle Face Green

Galle Face Green is the most popular beachfront park in Colombo city, to have a relaxing evening and see the sunset. Not only that, there are many activities to do such as fly kites, taste Sri Lankan street food, do walking or jog and enjoy the fresh breeze coming from the Indian ocean

Old Parliament Building

The Old Parliament Building is the building that houses the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka. It is built in the neo-baroque style of architecture. This beautiful architecture and the history associated with the building are fascinating, to say the least. The building was opened on January 29, 1930, by Governor Sir Herbert Stanley. When the State Council of Ceylon was established a year later, the old building was used as the office space for the council.

Shopping at Colombo

Odel, House of Fashion, and One Galle Face are the best places for shopping in Colombo. You will be able to buy branded clothes and accessories.

Nightlife at Colombo

Colombo is the city for the best nightlife experiences in Sri Lanka. Casino Marina Colombo and Ballys Casino are the best casinos. Also, there are nightclubs, If you’re the one who likes to party till dawn.

Day 04 : Sigiriya 

Sigiriya Lion Rock

Lion Rock is built in the 5th century and named after the giant Lion that is carved from stone and greets visitors at the entrance, the Sigiriya rock Fortress contains a lot of history. Also known as the ancient city of Sigiriya, the remains of the palace of King Kasyapa can be found on top of this 200 meters high rock. Besides that, a Buddhist Monastery, landscaped gardens, frescoes and water gardens can be seen when visiting the Lion rock. The ancient rock fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1982 and has been declared by UNESCO as the eighth wonder of the world!

Minneriya National Park /Kaudulla National Park / Hurulu Eco-Park Safari

Minneriya national park, Kaudulla national park and hurulu eco-park are interconnected national parks. Mostly you will be able to see Elephants. they move around these parks depending on the weather and their needs. The safari jeep driver will take you to the best national park with suggestions from the previous safari jeep drivers who have seen more elephants.

Day 05 : Sigiriya – Polonnaruwa – Pasikuda

Hot Air Ballooning

Just imagine a quiet ride through the sky enjoying breathtaking views. You can feel the wind in the sky and see beautiful landscapes and villages below. Treat yourself to an experience of a lifetime by embarking on an unforgettable hot air balloon ride. It will be a stunning experience to float over the Kandalama Lake and the ancient cities of Sigiriya and Dambulla experiencing the beauty of the sunrise over the mountains. This experience is seasonal and mostly available from October to March.

Polonnaruwa Ancient City

Kings ruled the central plains of Sri Lanka from Polonnaruwa 800 years ago, when it was a thriving commercial and religious centre. The glories of that age can be found in the archaeological treasures that still give a pretty good idea of how the city looked in its heyday. The archaeological park will be a delight to explore, with hundreds of ancient structures – tombs and temples, statues and stupas – in a compact core. The Quadrangle alone is worth the trip. Due to its archaeological prominence and the ancient technological superiority, UNESCO declared Polonnaruwa a World Heritage in 1982 under the name of Ancient City of Polonnaruwa.

Pasikuda Beach

Pasikuda meaning ‘Green-Algae Bay’ is located approximately 35 kilometers away from the town of Batticaloa. The natural beauty of this beach with its horseshoe-shaped bay, endless stretch of sandy shores and sparkling blue waters attract visitors from all over the world.
There are activities available such as surfing, snorkelling, diving, windsurfing, waterskiing and kite surfing The beach of Pasikuda is home to magnificent marine species. There are a string of hotels, restaurants and guesthouses located along the shores of this beach

Day 07 :  Gal Oya

Galoya National Park

Experience the thrill of both jeep safari and the boat safari in the Gal Oya National Park of beautiful natural scenery and varied wildlife. Dominated by the largest reservoir of Sri Lanka Senanayake Samudraya the park area expanses over 25,900 hectares.
The topography consists mainly of grasslands, forests and scrubs. Though the park shelters leopards and sloth bears, they are an elusive sight. Instead, you can see some of the largest herds of elephants in this park.

Other commonly sighted species are endemic Toque Macaque, wild boar, common langur and water buffalo. The park also offers great sight for birdwatchers. Best for: Swimming elephants from boat safari.

Day 08 :  Gal Oya – Ella 

Ravana Waterfall

It is named after the demon king Ravana who according to traditional folklore is believed to have ruled Sri Lanka. It is a popular sightseeing attraction in Sri Lanka and currently ranks as one of the widest waterfalls in Srilanka

Ravana Cave

The Ravana Ella Cave lies 1,370 m (4,490 ft) above sea level on the foundation of a cliff. According to legend, it is said that Ravana (who was the king of Sri Lanka at the time) had kidnapped princess Sita, and had hidden her in the caves behind the Ravana waterfall, now simply known as the Ravana Ella Cave

Nine Arch Bridge

Nine Arch Bridge, also known as the ‘Bridge in the Sky’ was constructed by connecting two bog mountains when constructing the Badulla – Colombo railway. This bridge is 300 feet in length, 25 feet in width and 80-100 feet in height. It is one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country.

Flying Ravana

Flying Ravana is Sri Lanka’s first-ever mega dual zip-line, located amidst the luscious green estates of Ella, Sri Lanka. (near Little Adams Peak – Ella’s main attraction) The two-wire zip-line stretches for more than half a kilometer (Length 550m), slides at max 80kmph, and offers a bird’s-eye view of the beautiful hills of the island. Flying Ravana is true, Ella in all its glory. This 1-hour Flying Ravana Experience gives you an exclusive adventure enthusiasts experience.

Day 09 :  Ella – Nuwara Eliya

Train Ride From Ella to Nuwara Eliya

Take the train From Ella railway station to Nanuoya. This is the best scenic train ride in Srilanka. This train ride is 2 to 3 hours long and takes you through breathtaking views of lush green tea plantations, mountains, viaducts, valleys, and dense jungle. After you reach Nuwara Eliya station you will be picked up by the driver to Continue the tour.

Victoria Park

Victoria Park is a public park located in Nuwara Eliya, next to the Nuwara Eliya Post Office in Sri Lanka. Originally the park was the research field of Hakgala Botanical Garden. The park was formally named in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. The park was established with the planting of its first tree, an Oak, by a visiting German Princess. The Nanu Oya River runs through the park, creating several small lakes. Many rare bird species can be found in the park. At the far end of the park are a small children’s playground and miniature ridable railway.

Holy Trinity Church

Holy Trinity Church is an Anglican church in Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka.
The church was built to resemble the Canterbury Church of England and is situated in the valley between Sri Lanka’s (Ceylon) highest mountain, Pidurutalagala and the 3rd highest peak, Kikilimana, amongst Pines, Cypress, Rhododendrons and flowering shrubs. The architectural features of Holy Trinity Church are breathtaking. A work of art and a much valued stained glass window, depicting a “Madonna” was placed on the East Wall of the Chapel, to celebrate the centenary anniversary of the church in 1952.

Old Post office

Built in the year 1894, the Nuwara Eliya Post Office building displays a Tudor-era design, in keeping with the architectural style of many of the other colonial buildings within the town.
Complete with a red brick exterior and a clock tower spiralling out of the corner of the building, the building showcases a glimpse of old-world Ceylon and serves as a major tourist attraction in ‘Little England’.

Strawberry Farm

These fields are a great backdrop for the photographers who are trying to capture the scenic beauty of Nuwara Eliya. During the strawberry season, visitors can go around the plantation and pick up strawberries on their own. It is also possible to arrange a tractor tour around the premises. Some of these fields also have an attached shop where freshly picked strawberries along with jams, juices, and other strawberry-based products are readily available.

Day 10 :  Nuwara Eliya – Horton Plains With World’s End

Horton Plains with World’s End

Horton Plains, Sri Lanka’s only national park declared a World Heritage Site, is an eerie highland plateau popular with hikers. A circular trail of 10 km length winds through cloud forests and open grasslands. Major attractions are scenic spots such as Baker’s Falls and the two spectacular panoramic viewpoints called “Big World’s End” and “Litte World’s End”. Horton Plains, situated at an elevation of more than 2000 meters above sea level, is Sri Lanka’s only national park within the hill country and the only one where hiking is permitted without a ranger, though strict rules have to be observed within the national park boundaries.

Gregory Lake

Named after Sir William Gregory in 1873, this is a prominent attraction used for water sports and recreational activities. Lake Park and Boat Rides are available. You can enjoy a leisurely walk on the paved walkways, with swan-shaped paddle boats for the more adventurous. There are pony rides around the lake for the kids and even adults, with plenty of fast food stalls located in a separate area where one can enjoy a meal or a snack.

Pidurutalagala Mountain

Pidurutalagala Mountain in Sri Lanka (literally translating to Straw Plateau Rock), which is also called Mount Pedro in English is the tallest mountain on the island. It is situated in the Central Province, Nuwara Eliya. It is also the only ultra prominent peak on the island, and one of only 1515 ultra prominent peaks around the world. An ultra prominent peak is a mountain that has topographic prominence (height of the peak’s summit above the lowest contour line encircling it up to the highest summit) above 1500 meters. Mount Pedro has prominence and elevation of 2524m (8281 feet) (8292 feet according to the Survey Department).

Day 11 :  Nuwara Eliya- Hatton – Kithulgala

St. Clair’s Falls

St. Clair’s Falls is one of the widest waterfalls in Sri Lanka and is commonly known as the “Little Niagara of Sri Lanka”. It is one of six waterfalls affected by the Upper Kotmale Hydropower Project. The falls are located along the Kotmale Oya, a tributary of the Mahaweli River, as it cascades over three rock outcrops into a large pool, running through a tea estate. St Clair’s falls are the 20th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka.

Devon Falls

Devon Falls, also known as the ‘Veil of the Valley’.The falls is named after a pioneer English coffee planter called Devon, whose plantation was situated nearby the falls. The waterfall is 97 m (318 ft) high and is the 19th highest in the country. The falls are formed by a tributary of Kothmale Oya, which is a tributary of the Mahaweli River. The elevation of Devon Falls is 1,140 m (3,740 ft) above sea level.

Waterfall Abseiling in Kitulgala

Enjoying the view of a stunning Waterfall is already amazing but abseiling takes this adventure far beyond the limits of a normal sightseeing of a tourist. The intense and powerful feeling of the water combined with the fact that you are hanging on a rope and that there is nothing but water beneath and above, will give adrenalin push like you have never experienced before.Water fall height is 105 ft and duration will be 3 hours for 4 people. Waterfall Abseiling is an ideal adventure activity to test your confidence.
Confidence Jumps and Stream Sliding
Travelers are given the option to trek to one of the seven magnificent natural water pools that lie within the Kitulgala rainforest region. Stream sliding involves sliding down a 5 meter high waterfall and into the rock pool. At the same spot, the confidence jump involves jumping straight into the rock pool from the top of the mini water fall. Both activities definitely don’t go without safety gear being provided

Rain Forest Trekking in Kitulgala Forest Reserve

The Kitulgala Forest Reserve (Makandawa Forest Reserve) covering 1,155 ha was established with the objective of protecting the catchment of the Kelani River. It is a secondary lowland rainforest gradually moving towards higher elevations and is accessible by crossing the Kelani River by boat (usually a traditional dugout canoe with an outrigger) and it is sometimes possible to wade across during the dry seasons. The forest reserve with its rain forest habitat, similar to the Sinharaja Rain Forest is home to many endemic species of fauna and flora, in addition to scenic waterfalls; such as the Makulu Ella and Lenakiri Ella.

The bird species found here include 54 rare species; this includes the Green billed coucal, the Chestnut-backed owlet, Yellow-fronted barbet, Ceylon jungle & spur fowl, Layard’s parakeet, Ceylon lorikeet, Ceylon rufous babbler, Red faced malkoha, Ceylon blue magpie, Sri Lanka spot-winged thrush, Grey hornbill, Common hill mynah in addition to the newly discovered Serendip Scops Owl and many migrant waders who visit the forest reserve during the migration season. The mammals commonly seen here are the Grizzled-tailed giant squirrel and the rarely seen Red slender loris.

Day 12 :  Kithulgala – Colombo Airport

Makandawa Forest Reserve & Belilena Cave

The Makandawa Forest Reserve is one of Sri Lanka’s richest and most unspoiled rainforests. It covers an area of 1155 hectares and lies close to the village of Kithulgala, one of Sri Lanka’s centers for adventure sports. The reserve hosts a plethora of rare and endemic flora and fauna. It also hides one of Sri Lanka’s well known ancient treasures; the Belilena Cave. Makandawa is also the selfsame rainforest where the famous World War II movie, ‘The Bridge over the River Kwai’.

Belilena is a well known large cave in Sri Lanka, located 8 km (5.0 mi) from the town of Kitulgala. Evidence of prehistoric human presence as early as 32,000 years ago was recorded at the site. The skeletal remains of ten individuals were discovered by Paul E. P. Deraniyagala, who attributed them to Balangoda Man (Homo sapiens balangodensis). Balangoda Man is assumed to have lived as early as 32,000 years ago and occupied high altitude territories of up to 2,000 ft (609.6 m) above sea level. From 1978 to 1983 the site was scientifically excavated and researched by the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka. Rich assemblages of cultural, faunal and human remains were discovered. The results of radiometric dating confirmed deposits of cultural material from 30,000 to 9,000 years before present. These materials include bone tools, evidence of the use of fire and geometric microlithic stone tools which, at 30,000 years old are of remarkable age. The site also yielded numerous remains of game animals, such as Sambar deer, Wild boar, Indian muntjac, several monkey species, porcupines, Indian giant squirrels and a large number of local reptiles and fish. Small mammals, aquatic and tree snails were prominent in the diet of Balangoda man, as were edible parts of plants such as wild breadfruit and the Kekuna nut.

The Nalagana Falls

Springing from the Ritigaha Oya reservoir, the Nalagana Ella Falls comprises a number of chutes, each measuring about 40m in height. The fall is situated at Dedugala, 9km east of Bulathkohupitiya. Flowing parallel to the Bulathkohupitiya-Dedugala road, though not visible most of the time due to the trees and shrubs, it comes down like a veil over a broad granite rock bed into a deep pool situated on a steep slope about 08 km from Bulathkohupitiya. It flows in two steps and the total height is about 40m. It was called as Ritigaha Oya falls and Ritigaha Falls in old days and currently named as Nalagana Falls.

White Water Rafting

The Kitulgala’s main attraction is White water rafting where you can ride the tides of the Kelani River. All instructions and equipment, including helmets and life vests, are laid on. You’ll paddle a shared raft through calm waters and rapids on the jungle-fringed Kelani River—all with the guidance of the instructor, so you can enjoy the thrills and scenery worry-free.