Sri Lanka Classic

Day 2: WILPATTU- Explore a lively fish market followed by an exciting jungle safari. 

After breakfast, visit the Negombo Fish market, known locally as “Lellama“. It is the market that sells fresh seafood that is located at a point on the Negombo beach. The most interesting activity here is the Fresh Fish Auction that takes place early every morning, when the overnight fishing vessels return from sea. It is the ideal place to interact with local fisherman selling their daily catch.

Depart Negombo and travel north to Wilpattu National Park for an afternoon safari (Approx. 3-6pm). Wilpattu is the largest national park on the island. The wildlife park boasts over 60 natural lakes known in the native language as “Willus”. This is also how the name Wilpattu, meaning an area of lakes/tanks, has evolved.  The park is an important habitat for a variety of fauna and flora including the Sri Lankan sloth bear, water buffalo, elephants, spotted deer, crocodiles, a variety of birds and the star attraction; the elusive Sri Lankan leopard.

Day 3: ANURADHAPURA- Explore ancient Sri Lanka’s first Kingdom and the holiest Buddhist city. 

If last evenings’ safari was not sufficient, proceed on a morning safari at Wilpattu National Park (6-10am).

Spend the rest of the day exploring the neighboring city of Anuradhapiura, Sri Lanka’s first capitol from 5th Century B.C. to 10th Century A.D. The city has since been declared a Buddhist Holy City and is also referred to as the ‘cradle of Buddhism’ as this is where the religion was first introduced to the then King by the disciples of the Buddha that arrived from India. Buddhism is the official religion of Sri Lanka. Attractions include the oldest documented tree in the world, the Sri Maha Bodhi that grew from a sapling of the sacred Bo Tree under which lord Buddha himself gained enlightenment, the old city, the Brazen Palace built in 2nd Century B.C. and several majestic temples and pagodas, one of which is believed to enshrine the collarbone of Buddha. Anuradhapura is one of several UNESCO World heritage sites in Sri Lanka.

Day 4: DAMBULLA & MINNERIYA- Discover an ancient Cave Temple complex followed by a safari in search of wild elephants. 

After breakfast, travel to the city of Dambulla, in the heart of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle. Visit one of Sri Lanka’s many UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Cave Temples of Dambulla. Climb to the top for sweeping views and an exploration of a series of 5 cave temples. The ancient kings of Sri Lanka turned the rock caves into a temple complex almost 2000 years ago. The caves showcase a variety of well preserved, Buddhist paintings, inscriptions, statues and other archeological artifacts.

Set off on an afternoon safari at the nearby Minneriya National Park. The National Park surrounds the ancient Minneriya Tank, that is one of a series of water sources supplying the surrounding farmlands and the native wildlife. Minneriya is best known for its healthy population of wild elephants who form larger “super herds” creating the Great Elephant Gathering, when congregating around the tank during the dry season (May-October) for fresh grass, a drink of water and a bath.

Day 5: SIGIRIYA & POLONNARUWA- Climb an ancient rock citadel in the morning followed by an exploration of Sri Lanka’s second oldest kingdom on bicycles. 

Set out with a packed breakfast, climb the Rock Fortress, Sigiriya. The most iconic of Sri Lanka’s UNESCO world heritage sites, the Sigiriya rock fortress, sits a top a monolith rising 200m high from the scrub jungles of an otherwise flat terrain. The rock fortress still stands as a testament to the master engineers of ancient times, boasting its detailed architecture, fortifications and look outs, cut out on the rock face and a network of ponds and streams a top the rock.  A series of steps and steel stairways ascend to the top of the rock. The famous-colored paintings of the Sigiriya Damsels can be found along the way, as well as an enormous set of lion paws carved out of the rock, the remains of an ancient gateway. Enjoy amazing views a top the rock along with the archeological ruins of the citadel. The roundtrip to the top of the rock and back to the hotel takes about 4 hours.

The afternoon is yours to decide. Relax in the comfort of your hotel or visit the old city of Polonnaruwa, another magnificent UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore ruins of Sri Lanka’s second oldest kingdom and its vast network of man-made lakes and rivers that still enables this dry zone region to be the largest rice producer on the Island. The old city archeological site houses ruins of the ancient city, from buildings and monuments to royal palaces and magnificent temples. Certain sites are approachable by car, while other can be explored by foot or bicycle.

Day 6: KANDY- Immerse yourself in Sri Lanka’s hill capital and cultural epicenter. 

Travel from Dambulla to Kandy, in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. Kandy, also known as ‘The Hill Capital’ is the second largest city as well as the last Kingdom of ancient Ceylon which was prior to British colonization of the Island. The city today is a colorful mix of ancient and modern architecture and culture. It is the best place to discover Sri Lankan arts and crafts. Explore the city and its many attractions. The temple of the sacred tooth relic, which was built in the gardens of the Kings Palace in ancient time, is the most venerated Buddhist temple on the Island as it is home to the sacred tooth relic of lord buddha himself. Other attractions include the Royal Botanical Gardens, and the Kandy Lake.

Day 7: NUWARA ELIYA- Share an exciting train ride with locals to visit a tea factory and more. 

Board the morning train to the hill station, Nuwara Eliya. This picturesque journey takes you through rolling slopes of green tea plantations, forests and villages in the central hills of Sri Lanka.  Upon arriving in Nuwara Eliya, visit a local tea factory to witness the production process of world-famous Ceylon tea.

Spend the evening relaxing at your hotel in Nuwara Eliya town center. If inclined explore the town at your own pace. Nuwara Eliya is an important tea plantation town with a visible Victorian colonial influence that it is nicknamed “little England” by the locals. It was a favourite hill country retreat for British rulers who enjoyed the cool climate similar to that of England. Attractions include, Lake Gregory, Botanical gardens, the street market, numerous tea factories, Victoria Park and the Nuwara Eliya Golf Course, established in 1889.

Day 8: HORTON PLAINS- Hike through a protected highland nature reserve to “Worlds End”! 

Set off early morning to Horton Plains National Park (1 hour drive) for a trek through a highland platue covered with montane grassland and cloud forests. Your trek takes you to “Worlds End” and back. “Worlds End” is where the plateau comes to an abrupt stop and opens up to a steep 1000m drop with amazing views of the lands below. The entire trek is 9km long and takes approximately 3 hours. You also have a chance to spot various species of mammals and birds that live in this habitat.

Travel to a tea plantation bungalow in Bandarawela for the night and spend the evening at leisure.

Day 9: BANDARAWELA & ELLA- Relaxation and exploration in the hills.  

Spend the morning relaxing on the tea estate. Visit neighboring town of Ella for lunch and sightseeing.

Ella is a small hillside town popular amongst tourists for its scenic hiking trails, waterfalls, cool weather, yoga retreats and lively city center full of shops, pubs and restaurants.

Day 10: UDAWALAWE & SOUTH COAST- Swap tropical hills for tropical beaches with an elephant orphanage in between.  

After breakfast, travel to the Elephant Transit Home Udawalawe for feeding time (12 noon). Sri Lanka’s prevalent human elephant conflict leaves many baby elephants orphaned. The ETH is operated by Sri Lanka wildlife authorities to foster and care for these baby elephants (usually for up to 4 years) until they are fit to re-enter the wild. They are raised in a controlled wild habitat, in an especially protected area of the surrounding Udawalawe National Park, another elephant hotspot in Sri Lanka. The elephants congregate 2-3 times a day at the orphanage headquarters to get their daily quota of milk prior to heading back into their jungle habitat.

Enjoy a typical village style lunch at a nearby eatery and proceed to one of many beach destinations on Sri Lankas south coast for some much-needed rest and relaxation.

Day 11: SOUTH COAST BEACH- A day on the beach.

Spend your day relaxing on the beach. If your feeling adventurous visit local attractions accompanied by your Wayfarers tour guide. Water sports, snorkeling and surfing is also available at most stops along the southern coast.

Day 12: GALLE- Get swept up in the old-world charm of a Portuguese era fort city.  

Spend the day exploring the Galle Fort, another captivating ‘live’ UNESCO World Heritage site.

Galle, the city, is the largest and busiest in southern Sri Lanka. Tucked away in a corner sticking out into the ocean is the old city, fortified by a fort, where time has surely slowed down. This UNESCO World heritage site was built in 1600’s by the Portugese followed by an extensive fortification by the Dutch. You will discover that the fort ramparts are well-preserved along with a lighthouse, clock tower, houses, churches and buildings, built by the Dutch and Portuguese. Many of these buildings now host chic restaurants, private villas, boutiques and guesthouses, without compromising on the authenticity of the fort. The fort is best and easiest explored on foot.

Day 13: COLOMBO- Discover the capital city and heartbeat of Sri Lanka. 

After breakfast travel to Colombo (2 bours drive) and spend the day exploring this lively hub of Sri Lanka. Colombo is home to around a million people and has an interesting blend of cultures due to being a trading port for 2000+ years, a colonial era city and a modern-day metropolis. It’s a perfect mix of old and new with shopping malls in restored colonial era buildings, restaurants serving traditional Sri Lankan food and international cuisines and centuries old mansions nestled amongst modern skyscrapers. As a city with interesting activities for the young at heart, the old souls and everyone between, you are sure to have a packed, ‘to do’ list when in Colombo.

Day 14: Transfer to the airport 

Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.