Heritage, History & Wildlife By World Journeys
Heritage, History & Wildlife By World Journeys
14 Days / 13 Days from $15,275 Price Per Person
Sales from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025
**Day 1 : Colombo > Kotugoda**
Upon your arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Kotugoda.
**Day 2 : Kotugoda > Wilpattu National Park > Anuradhapura**
This morning transfer to your hotel in Anuradhapura. After check in you will be driven to Wilpattu National Park for your first safari. After the safari experience return to your hotel for overnight.
Wilpattu National Park is located just a short drive from your accommodation and is considered the largest national park in Sri Lanka. Home to elephants, the elusive Sri Lankan leopard, the unique sloth bear and a wild diversity of fauna and flora.
**Day 3 : Wilpattu National Park**
Early wake up as you full say safari awaits. You will get a delicious packed lunch and be driven to Wilpattu National Park to explore the area and learn about incredible wildlife. Return to your hotel for overnight.
**Day 4 : Anuradhapura > Sigiriya**
After breakfast you will begin your tour exploring monuments and historic sites. Start in Anuradhapura Archeological Site, A UNESCO Heritage Site that once served as the first capital and the epicentre of Sri Lanka’s Buddhist traditions. See the Sri Maha Bodhi, considered one of the oldest trees on earth, visit the island’s oldest Buddhist shrines and fascinating relics and monuments adorned with incredible stone carvings.
Next visit Jethawanaramaya – a 121 metres high stupa (a Buddhist monument, typically dome-shaped, that serves as a shrine) Comprising over 93 million bricks, it stands as one of the largest ancient structures, believed to have housed over 10,000 monks during its prime time, symbolising significant developments in Sri Lanka. Explore the Kuttam Pokuna, Elephant Pond, and Abhayagiriya, showcasing remarkable architectural vision and ancient civilization achievements.
After the tour, drive to your hotel in Sigiriya and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. You can relax at your hotel or explore other parts of the city.
**Day 5 : Sigiriya > Polonnaruwa > Sigiriya**
After breakfast you will embark on a tour to explore the history and architecture of Sigiriya. Visit the spectacular Rock Fortress, the Water Gardens and the ancient Mirror Wall famous for its adornments and frescoes. Stop at Lion Rock, constructed by King Kashyapa (477- 495 A.D) and known for its massive column of rock that reaches nearly 200 metres high. Although the old stairway once passed through the mouth of a crouching lion, today only the massive paws remain, offering a glimpse into its colossal proportions. Atop the summit lie remnants of the grand royal citadel, along with meditation caves, audience platforms, and baths, completing this extraordinary site.
Return to your hotel for a few hours of relaxation before continuing to Polonnaruwa where you will visit a local farmer’s house with picturesque paddy fields. Here you will take part in a cooking demonstration followed by a delicious lunch.
Your journey continues to the Polonnaruwa archaeological site, another UNESCO Heritage Site. The region’s landscape is dotted with immense man-made reservoirs, with the Parakrama Samudra, or Sea of Parakrama, standing out as the most notable, surpassing even the Colombo harbour in size. The monuments here offer well-preserved glimpses into Sri Lanka’s illustrious past, including the Royal Palace complex, the Lotus Bath and the Gal Vihare complex, featuring four massive Buddha statues carved from a single granite slab. After your tour you will return to your hotel for overnight in Sigiriya.
**Day 6 : Sigiriya**
Begin your day with an early exhilarating ascent to the summit of Pidurangala Rock, situated 3 km north of Sigiriya Fortress. Pidurangala hosts an ancient Buddhist monastery complex. The panoramic view from Pidurangala Rock’s apex, particularly at sunrise, presents an unmatched spectacle. After descending from the rock, head back to your hotel for breakfast and relaxation.
In the evening, experience a centuries-old demonstration of martial arts unique to Sri Lanka. Your guide will take you to a village to meet “Gurunnanse,” the chief of the tradition. Following the customary rituals, engage in a conversation with the chief, who will elucidate the historic aspects of Angampora through intriguing folklore and stories.
You will have the opportunity to learn a few self-defence techniques and partake in a yoga and meditation session. Return to your hotel at the end of the experience.
**Day 7 : Sigiriya > Dambulla > Kandy**
After breakfast and check out from your hotel, you will visit the Dambulla Rock Cave Temple, a UNESCO Heritage Site with origins dating back to the 1st century BC.The complex consists of five caves with incredible inscriptions, paintings and the famous Buddha images, including a colossal figure spanning 15 metres.
After the visit you will head towards Kandy, stopping at a local spice garden along the way. Upon arrival in Kandy, check into your hotel and enjoy the remainder of your day.
**Day 8 : Kandy > Peradeniya > Kandy**
Today visit the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya renowned for its extensive collection of over 300 varieties of orchids, as well as spices, medicinal plants, and palm trees. After the visit you have time at leisure to explore the city or relax.
Later in the evening, take a short drive to the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. Familiarly known worldwide as the Temple of the Tooth, Sri Dalada Maligawa dates back to the 16th century. This impressive temple complex comprises numerous buildings, decorated with paintings and carvings depicting the Buddha.
**Day 9 : Kandy > Nuwara Eliya**
After breakfast you will depart for Nuwara Eliya with a stop at a traditional tea factory. Sri Lanka’s hill country is renowned for producing some of the world’s finest teas. At the factory, you’ll have the opportunity to witness the entire tea-making process, culminating in a delightful cup of the world’s finest tea, all while enjoying a scenic views of the tea plantations.
Later check in at your hotel and spend some time relaxing. In the evening, explore the charming town. Nuwara Eliya is the heart of Sri Lanka’s hill country. It is the home of the famous Ceylon Tea, and the rolling mountains are a carpet of velvety green tea plantations, interspersed with gushing streams and tumbling waterfalls.
**Day 10 : Nuwara Eliya > Horton Plains National Park > Nuwara Eliya**
Wake up early and depart for Horton Plains National Park for a wildlife experience. Horton Plains is renowned not just for its wildlife; being there feels like stepping into another dimension, with mesmerizing views. The climate is cool and invigorating, making it ideal for trout fishing and excellent hiking opportunities. The plains feature distinctive flora, including many English field flowers, along with vibrant butterflies and rare highland birds. Return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
**Day 11 : Nuwara Eliya > Galle**
This morning depart for Galle, the charming provincial capital with Portuguese and Dutch heritage. Upon your arrival, check in at your accommodation and relax.
**Day 12 : Galle**
In the morning, indulge in leisure activities on the beach and take time for self-exploration. Later in the day, join a captivating dining experience with our esteemed host and knowledgeable historian residing in Galle. The evening commences with an engaging walking tour of the Galle Fort. Delve into the rich history, art, architecture, and culture encapsulated within the fort. After immersing yourself in the fort’s history, enjoy a traditional Sri Lankan dinner before returning to your hotel.
**Day 13 : Galle > Lunuganga > Colombo**
Today embark on a journey to Bentota, where you will be enchanted by one of Geoffrey Bawa’s architectural marvels, Lunuganga. Nestled behind a rugged dirt road, Lunuganga is a sanctuary for Sri Lanka’s diverse wildlife and a beloved retreat. Following a captivating tour of Lunuganga, you will indulge in a delectable lunch before continuing to our next destination: Colombo.
Renowned as a bustling metropolis brimming with cultural diversity and commercial activity, Colombo boasts a rich tapestry of history and heritage. You can explore its historic landmarks, immerse yourself in its religious sites, or delve into its vibrant markets and culinary delights.
**Day 14 : Colombo**
Your arrangements conclude after breakfast.
Type of Journey: Tailor-made journey: This itinerary focuses on wildlife and cultural experiences and it can be tailor-made, with the number of days, places visited, and activities varied to suit you.
Inclusions
- 13 nights’ accommodation
- 13 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners
- VIP Meet & Greet at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport
- English-speaking driver/guide
- Private transfers by SUV as per the itinerary
- Private sightseeing by SUV as per itinerary
- Entrance fees as per itinerary
- Value Added Tax (VAT) and Tourism Tax
