Tea, Trains and Elephants

Explore the Best of Sri Lanka with Our Guided Tour Join us on an unforgettable journey to discover Sri Lanka's most significant sites. On this tour, you will explore ancient cities that date back over 2000 years, visit remote villages, observe the colonial legacy, and have the opportunity to spot various animals, including elephants, buffalos, sloth bears, blue whales, and leopards.

You'll also get to explore tea plantations, marvel at the waterfalls, and finally, unwind on sandy beaches. With your own personal chauffeur guide and vehicle, you can explore Sri Lanka at your leisurely pace.

Day 01 - Negombo

Arrival - Welcome to tropical paradise. You will be welcomed & greeted by your guide or our representative on arrival. You will travel to your hotel in Negombo. Travel time approximately 30 minutes depend on the road traffic.

Dinner and overnight stay in Negombo.

Day 02 - Colombo to Nuwara Eliya

Your destination is Sigiriya, which is approximately a three-hour drive depending on the traffic.

Visiting Dambulla Cave Temple: A Historic UNESCO World Heritage Site On your journey, make sure to stop by the Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as the Dambulla Golden Rock Cave Temple. This fascinating temple sits on a 500ft isolated rock mass, 1.6 km around the base. Built during the First Century BC, it served as a shelter for King Walagamba, who spent 14 years in exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained his throne, he built the most impressive Rock Temple on the Island.

The temple consists of five caves, featuring over 2000 sq. meters of painted walls and ceilings – the largest area of paintings in the world. The first cave shelters a 14-meter-long recumbent image of Buddha, with images of deities associated with Buddhism all around. The frescoes on the ceiling date back to the 15th - 18th Centuries. In the second cave – the finest and largest – you will find 150 life-size statues of gods from the Buddhist religion, along with numerous images of Buddha himself.

Don't miss out on this incredible UNESCO World Heritage site!

Dinner and overnight stay in Sigiriya.

Day 03 - Sigiriya

After breakfast you will climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

Discover the Wonders of Sigiriya: A UNESCO World Heritage Site Sigiriya, a colossal rock formation surrounded by lush jungle, is a must-visit destination in Sri Lanka. The site has been a sanctuary for Buddhist monks for centuries, and today, it continues to captivate tourists from all over the world. Explore well-preserved cave temples, rejuvenating bathing pools, serene ponds, and Asia's oldest surviving landscaped gardens. Don't miss the "Lion stairway," the "mirror wall," and the "water gardens" – all of which are sure to leave you in awe. The site also features the ruins of the capital built by King Kassapa I, which sprawls across the steep slopes and the summit of a granite peak standing 370 meters tall.

While in Sri Lanka, experience the healing power of Ayurveda – an ancient health care system that has been practiced for over 5,000 years. Enjoy a rejuvenating Ayurveda massage that utilizes herbs and diet to treat stress, diabetes, migraine, asthma, arthritis, immune system issues, and high blood pressure. Sri Lanka is home to some of the best Ayurveda practitioners in the world.

Embark on an afternoon safari at Kaudulla National Park – home to a diverse range of wildlife, including the nation’s largest bird, the Lesser Adjutant, and the Pompadour Green Pigeon. The park is also famous for its herds of Asian elephants, elusive leopards, and the endangered Rusty Spotted Cat. The Tank, built in 300 AD, slowly fell into disrepair before being rebuilt in 1959. Today, it features a wide variety of plant life and is home to 24 species of mammals, 25 species of amphibians, and countless bird types.

Dinner and overnight stay in Sigiriya.

Day 04 - Kandy

Explore Sri Lanka's Spice Gardens and Temple of the Tooth on the way to Kandy On your journey to Kandy, make sure to stop by one of the many spice gardens along the way. Spices have played a vital role in Sri Lanka's commercial history, with cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, and cardamom among the many indigenous herbs and spices used for medicinal purposes and in traditional Sri Lankan cuisine. Visiting a spice garden is a sensory experience that will tantalize your taste buds and awaken your sense of smell.

Afterwards, head to the Temple of the Tooth, Sri Dalada Maligawa. This temple dates back to the 16th century and is home to the most important object in the Buddhist world: the Sacred Relic of the Tooth of Buddha. This relic, brought from India 2500 years ago, is enshrined in a gold casket and kept amidst high security in the Inner Chamber. It is said that the possessor of the Relic had the right to rule the country.

In the afternoon, explore Kandy City and its markets. Take a leisurely stroll around the lake and take in the beautiful scenery and charming narrow streets. Kandy City is also a great place for shopping.

In the evening, don't miss the Traditional Kandyan Dance performance. As Sri Lanka's second largest city, Kandy is home to a Sinhalese cultural tradition of which Sri Lankans are justifiably proud. The Kandyan Dancers are a sight to behold, with their lively and exuberant movements evoking images of pageantry and traditions past. The Cultural Show is an unforgettable spectacle, complete with nimble dancers, energetic drummers, and fireproof firewalkers.

Dinner and overnight stay in Kandy.

Day 05 - Kandy l Haputale

Embark on a Scenic Journey to Haputale in the Tea Hills Start your day with a delicious breakfast before setting off on a picturesque road and train trip to Haputale. As you journey up the winding road, you'll catch glimpses of stunning waterfalls cascading down hillsides and stunning vantage points that offer breathtaking views of rugged hills stretching far into the distance. You'll soon reach the heart of Sri Lanka's tea industry, where neatly manicured tea estates become a familiar part of the landscape as you gain altitude. Acres of tea bushes extend over the hills on both sides of the road, and there are plenty of viewpoints to stop and enjoy the stunning views along the way.

In the afternoon, get ready for a truly unforgettable experience as you board an old colonial train for a 2.50-hour journey from Nanuoya to Haputale. As you pass through tea plantations and rolling hills, marvel at the panoramic scenery and enjoy one of the world's most beautiful train journeys. This train journey has even earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records!

Upon your arrival at Haputale Station, your guide will be there to pick you up and take you to your hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay in Haputale.

Day 06 - Haputale

Lipton Seat & Tea Estate Experience: Discover the Wonders of Sri Lanka's Tea Industry Your morning will be spent exploring the Lipton Seat & Tea Estate Experience, where you'll learn about the tea-making process and experience the lifestyle of a tea estate. Tea is known as Sri Lanka's 'green gold' and the estate provides insight into the British colonial past and the significance of tea in Sri Lanka today. The breathtaking views from the tea estates are sure to leave you spellbound, especially the spot where Thomas Lipton used to sit and watch over his estate.

Dambatenne, one of the few estates in the world where Sir Thomas Lipton himself planted tea, is where the term "Ceylon Tea" was coined. It was also where Lipton's Tea was founded, and where its first pound of tea was sold from the precincts of the factory that still stands today.

Dinner and overnight stay in Haputale.

Day 07 - Udawalawe

After breakfast you will visit the Udawalawe National Park. Travel time 2 hours. You will enjoy lunch with a local family to taste the traditional house food by the lake.

Afternoon safari in Udawalawe National Park known as the best national park to spot elephants. With an area of 31,800 hectares surrounded by mountain ranges, the terrain of the park is a mixture of grassland, shrub jungle, wild tea plantations and two important factors which make this park special - the large Udawalawe Reservoir and the Walewe River, which ensure a supply of water for the fauna within. Internationally renowned for its large herd of elephants, the park is also known for several species of Deer, Wild Boar, Wild Buffalo, Jackal and rare sightings of Leopard as well as many species of birds.

Udawalawe National Park Visit Itinerary.

• After breakfast, a 2-hour ride will take you to the park.

• Enjoy a delicious lunch by the lake with a local family, and savor their traditional homemade dishes.

• In the afternoon, embark on a safari to explore the vast park, which is renowned for its elephant sightings. With an area of 31,800 hectares, the park's terrain is a mix of grassland, shrub jungle, wild tea plantations, and two features that make it unique: the large Udawalawe Reservoir and the Walewe River.

• Due to the abundant water supply, the park is home to numerous species of fauna, such as Deer, Wild Boar, Wild Buffalo, Jackal, and even rare sightings of Leopard. Don't forget to keep an eye out for the many species of birds that call the park home.

Dinner and overnight stay in Udawalawe.

Day 08 - Mirissa

Explore the Elephant Transit Home and Mirissa Beach Begin your day by visiting the Elephant Transit Home (ETH) at Udawalawe, where orphaned wild elephants are nurtured, cared for, and reintroduced to the wild. Witness the twice-a-day feeding sessions and learn about the rehabilitation process. With over 40 orphaned elephants, mostly calves and juveniles, the park authorities ensure the animals are mature enough to live on their own before releasing them back into the wild. The newly-released animals receive constant monitoring from the park authorities as they adapt to their new lives.

After your visit, head to the stunning Mirissa Beach, which is a 2.5-hour drive away.

Dinner and overnight stay in Mirissa.

Day 09 - Mirissa

Full day at leisure.

Dinner and overnight stay in Mirissa.

Day 10 - Galle

Experience the Majesty of Blue Whales and Historic Galle Fort in Sri Lanka Embark on a thrilling blue whale watching tour before journeying to the historic Galle Fort in southern Sri Lanka. Galle Fort is the perfect example of a fortified city constructed by Europeans in south and Southeast Asia. It's a remarkable testament to the fusion of European architectural styles and south Asian customs. The fort, which is a UNESCO world heritage site, is the largest surviving fortress in Asia built by European invaders.

Galle provides a distinctive opportunity to showcase the conservation of its legacy, and it's an experience that you won't forget.

Dinner and overnight stay in Galle.

Day 11 - Galle l Airport

You will be taken to the airport for your departure flight or extend your stay at a beach hotel at an extra cost.

Inclusions :

• Accommodation in standard rooms as per the itinerary

• Transport is based on 01 Air-conditioned Luxury private vehicle

• Service of an English-speaking Chauffeur Guide during sightseeing tour

• Entrance and service fees mentioned on the itinerary

• 4 star hotel accomodation and can be upgraded if required at an extra cost

• All current taxes as on date

• Parking and highway tickets

Exclusions :

• Sri Lanka Visa

• Cost of Lunch & Dinner during the tour (if not mentioned in the itinerary)

• Any International Airfare / Airport taxes

• Any change in tax structure resulting from the hike in published tariff.

• Items of personal nature like tips, laundry, phone calls etc.

• Any video / still camera fee to the monuments and places of visit

• Any other item not explicitly mentioned under price includes.

• Bar, telephone and laundry bills

• Tips to guides, restaurants, and hotel lobby. Tipping is expected.

• Any others expenses

Other Conditions :

Optional excursions and additional services could be provided for which we will charge additionally. Visits to wildlife parks will be at client's own risk.

Safari vehicles (none air-conditioned) available are very basic with basic insurance cover (not comprehensive as in the case of vehicles used for tours).