Explore Northern Sri Lanka, an exotic yet unique region steeped in history, tradition and culture on a ten day tour covering key attractions of the north. Jaffna, wrapped in festivity and colour, is dotted with multi-coloured kovils, the longest causeway in the country, untouched beaches, vibrant marketplaces; delicious Jaffna food and its friendly people welcome travellers into their lives with positivity making the region an open destination after the end of the long civil war. Anuradhapura, birthplace of Buddhism, lined with ancient temple complexes, making the place a time capsule of 2500 years.
Day 1 – Arrival and overnight stay in Negombo
Day 2 – 3 – Explore the Munneswaram Kovil, a hindu temple of significance in the Ramayana legend and spend some free time at the beach destination of Kalpitiya
Day 4 – Experience a wildlife safari at Wilpattu National Park witnessing exotic birds, animals and landscapes
Day 5 – 6 – Discover colourful Jaffna on a city tour taking you to all the major attractions that make the place uniquely different
Day 7 – Reflect to thousands of years in history whilst exploring the ancient complexes of Anuradhapura
Day 8 – Climb the mountain of Mihintale where Buddhism was introduced to the country
Day 9 – 10 – Drive to Colombo to rest and relax with overnight stay before departure
You will be picked up from Bandaranaike International Airport and escorted to your vehicle. Drive to Negombo, north of Colombo, an area not only popular for its beach but for its bustling city with colonial architecture, seafood and charming fishing communities. Check into your hotel, rest & relax. Overnight stay in Negombo.
Meals: None
Accommodation: Arie Lagoon, Suriya Luxury Resorts or Similar
Entrance tickets and excursions included: None
Other inclusions: Airport pick up in air conditioned vehicle with guiding services
After breakfast, drive to Munneswaram Kovil, which was built in the place where Lord Rama had stopped to pray to Lord Shiva asking for a remedy to get rid of the Bhraman Dosha, after killing King Ravana. This colourful hindu kovil is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Upon completion, drive to Kalpitiya, a popular beach destination on the north western coast.
Overnight stay in Kalpitiya.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Aarya Lagoon Resort or Similar
Entrance tickets and excursions included: Day Trip tp Munneswaram Kovil
Other inclusions: Airport pick up in air conditioned vehicle with guiding services
Spend an extra day in Kalpitiya to rest and relax along the beach. Choose many optional excursions such as kite surfing which is extremely popular in this area; dolphin and whale watching; diving and snorkelling at the bar reef along the Kalpitiya peninsula.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Aarya lagoon resort or Similar
Entrance tickets and excursions included: None
Other inclusions: None
Early morning take a boat ride to the Wilpattu National Park with a packed breakfast and indulge in a jeep safari experience. Grab a chance to spot exotic species of wildlife such as elephants, leopards, sloth bears, spotted deer, buffalo, sambar, mongoose and many species of birds. Upon completion, leave for Jaffna, the rising city on the northern tip of Sri Lanka, this offers an interesting mix of Tamil and colonial cultures. Overnight stay in Jaffna.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Fox resorts Jaffna or Similar
Entrance tickets and excursions included: Wilpattu National Park Safari
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle with guiding services
Explore the sights and sounds of vibrant Jaffna, a unique city that has risen from the ashes after being closed off to tourists during the civil war. Navigate through the lively streets of this enigmatic city that has a blend of colonial history with Tamil, Sinhala and Muslim identities on a full day city tour passing by busy markets, visiting major attractions such as the intricate Nallur Kovil with its golden arches and elaborate tower, the star-shaped Jaffna Fort with breathtaking views on the sides facing the lagoon, the restored Jaffna Library, Keerimalai springs a natural hot water spring just in front of the ocean, Point Pedro which lies on the northernmost tip of the island facing the Bay of Bengal, and Jaffna Archaeological Museum with collections from the ancient era to the colonial era including some excavation findings from Kandarodai. Relish a special Jaffna style crab dinner in a restaurant. Overnight stay in Jaffna.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Fox resorts Jaffna or Similar
Entrance tickets and excursions included: Jaffna city tour
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle with guiding services
Spend an extra day in Jaffna and explore the city at leisure. You may choose from many optional excursions such as a day tour to Delft Island which was once a forgotten land, famous for its limestone structures and wild horses that roam freely on the open plains; or visit the Kandarodai Viharaya where you can see Buddhist stupas and you may see the Dambakola Patuna Sanghamitta Temple which is a significant place for the Buddhists as it was where the daughter of Indian emperor Ashoka had arrived with the sapling of the Bo Tree marking an important timeline of events in the introduction of Buddhim to Sri Lanka.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Fox resorts Jaffna or Similar
Entrance tickets and excursions included: None
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle with guiding services
After breakfast, leave for Anuradhapura, the first royal capital of Sri Lanka. Explore timeless ruins by visiting the ‘Sacred City’ Archaeological Park that reflects Sri Lanka’s historical heritage and ancient civilization such as the Abhayagiri monastery complex; Sri Maha Jaya Bodhi tree where Lord Buddha had attained enlightenment. See the Ruwanwelisaya Dagoba which was considered a masterpiece of architectural glory of ancient Lanka and the oldest stupa in the island. Jetavaranama Stupa, the largest brick structure in the world was built with over 90 million bricks, a spectacular sight to see. Visit the once pleasure garden of Mahamewna Park which is steeped in legend where there was heavy downpour of rain when constructing this park believing it to be an auspicious time and place during ancient times. Return back to hotel. Overnight stay in Anuradhapura.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Rajarata Hotel, Palm Garden Village or similar
Entrance tickets and excursions included: Anuradhapura Day Tour
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle with guiding services
Early morning after breakfast, drive to the Mihintale Hill, the birthplace of Buddhism. Climb the rock steps leading you to a monastic sanctuary that was built under royal patronage covered with forest.
Upon completion, return for overnight stay in Anuradhapura.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Rajarata Hotel, Palm Garden Village or similar
Entrance tickets and excursions included: Mihintale
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle with guiding services
Drive to Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, a compact city that has a blend of colonial grandeur and modern glamour. Take in the wonders of the city on a city tour covering key attractions such as the Colombo Fort, Gangaramaya Temple, National Museum, Viharamahadevi park, Independence Square, Galle Face Green and more completing with some retail therapy at Colombo’s finest shops. Overnight stay in Colombo.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Fairway Colombo or similar
Entrance tickets and excursions included: Colombo City Tour
Other inclusions: Transport in air conditioned vehicle with guiding services
After breakfast leave for the Airport to catch your departure flight. Depending on your flight time, you may have some free time in Colombo.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
Entrance tickets and excursions included: None
Other inclusions: Airport drop off in air conditioned vehicle with guiding services
