Sri Lanka in Depth 18 Days

Day 1: Arrive Colombo (No Meals)
Fly to Colombo. (Flight not included.). On arrival take a private transfer to your hotel in Colombo.
Stay two nights in Colombo.

Day 2: Colombo (B)
Morning of leisure. Early afternoon enjoy a Colombo city tour. Like in many capital cities, a building boom is changing the city skyline, yet in parts the old world charm is retained. You will see the 100 year old clock tower and several British built colonial buildings. Visit the Pettah Bazaar for bargain shopping, a Hindu and a Buddhist temple, and residential areas of stately homes.

Day 3: Colombo – Wilpattu Park – Anuradhapura (B)
Leave Colombo this morning for a private road transfer to Wilpattu National Park. Begin your wildlife experience with a sunset safari on the lookout for nocturnal animals such as the loris, night jars and civet cats. Continue by road on to Anuradhapura. Stay two nights in Anuradhapura, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

 Day 4: Anuradhapura  (B)
Explore the old city this morning. See Ruwanweliseya stupa, the Thuparama dagoba and the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, a sacred fig tree grown from a branch of the Sri Maha Bodhi tree in India under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. Balance of the day free.

Day 5: Anuradhapura – Jaffna  (B)
This morning travel by road to Jaffna, located North of Sri Lanka and a true off-the-beaten-track adventure. The islands around the peninsula are particularly interesting and the intrepid traveler will be rewarded with a fascinating insight into this historic region of the country. The peninsula consists of Jaffna town itself, with its crumbling but beautiful buildings, the wider countryside characterized by the Palmyra tree and the unique agriculture, and the islands of Kayts, Delft, and Nainativu. There are many attractions to keep you busy. Some of them are Jaffna Market, which is a colorful and chaotic market and a treasure trove of products that you will not be able to find in a regular shop or supermarket; Nallur Kandiswamy Kovil, built in the 15th century and used to be the ancient capital for the Jaffna Kingdom; Nagadeepa, a small island off the coast of the Jaffna peninsula that is said to have been the home of the Naga people, an ancient tribe that once inhabited Sri Lanka. Leisure time on arrival in Jaffna.
Stay three nights in Jaffna

6: Jaffna (B)
Visit some of Jaffna’s prominent sites such as Gurunagar to witness the fishing harbor and the fish market. Jaffna Fort and Clock Tower that was built to commemorate the visit of the Prince of Wales in 1875, Duraiappa Stadium, Subramaniam Park, the Jaffna Public Library which was subjected to destruction during tensions in the 1980s and later restored. Sri Naga Viharaya the temple where the sapling of the original Bodhi tree was once brought and was placed before going to the King’s palace. Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil and the Archaeological Museum of Jaffna. Later we stop by a local market place where various authentic Jaffna produce is found.

Day 7: Jaffna (B)
Have an early start to explore some of the iconic sights of Jaffna city. We first visit Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil by 7 am, an exemplar piece of Jaffna’s history. Its distinctive red and white stripes on its exterior walls reflecting great cultural and social significance. We then proceed to Jaffna Archaeological Museum, housing collections from the Buddhist and Hindu religions, in various forms of metal, wood and stone. The Jaffna Public Library is a striking piece of British colonial architecture now considered an important Tamil cultural center and historic institution. Later proceed to Jaffna Fort, overlooking the lagoon with colorful fishing boats. Stroll through the fort and observe its unique features. Then drive to Point Pedro, passing through Jaffna town, observing sights and sounds of daily life in Jaffna. Discover the northern coastline, the lighthouse sits on the west side of the shore.

Day 8: Jaffna – Dambulla (B)    
This morning travel by road to Dambulla. Tucked in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, the humble town of Dambulla is a treasure trove of historical monuments that are definitely worth a visit. Stay two nights in Dambulla.

Day 9: Sigiriya & Hiriwaduna Village (B)
After breakfast proceed to Sigiriya and its 5^th century rock fortress, a World Heritage site, built by King Kashyapa. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70-hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens ring the base of the rock.
Continue onto Hirriwaduna village and visit a local farmer’s house in Sigiriya and learn about their farming traditions, including an exploration of his organic garden. The walk goes around Hiriwadunna lake giving chance to spot birds and land monitors and cross a little jungle rivulet by Catamaran. The bullock cart ride through the paddy fields is a unique experience and feel the traveling back in time where the early Sri Lankans used the bullock cart rides as a main mode of transportation here in Sri Lanka.

Day 10: Dambulla – Kandy (B)    
Check out after breakfast then visit Dambulla Cave Temples. Towering above the plains of Dambulla is this awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage site, the Dambulla Cave Temple Complex. Continue by road on to Kandy in the foothills of the central highlands. Stop at a spice garden in Matale and learn about how the fragrant spices are grown and processed. In culturally rich Kandy, visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, the Queen’s Bathing Pavillion, the Kandy Garrison Cemetery and the Devales. This evening, enjoy a cultural dance show at Kandy Lake Club.
Stay two nights in Kandy.

Day 11: Knuckles Mountain Range (B)
Early morning depart from your hotel for a private road transfer (approximately 75 minutes) from Kandy to Tangappuwa to commence your unforgettable Knuckles Hike.  The hike begins in the peaceful village of Tangappuwa, located near the stunning forest range. You’ll first walk through lush tea fields, eventually reaching the entrance to the UNESCO World Heritage conservation forest. From there, you’ll immerse yourself in the unique surroundings of the Knuckles Conservation Forest.

First, we’ll reach a grassland in the mountains, offering panoramic views of the Knuckles range, surrounded by towering peaks. Afterward, follow a stream to a beautiful waterfall. Along the way, you’ll encounter seven breathtaking waterfalls. This is Sri Lanka’s most beautiful waterfall chain.
Explore the forest and enjoy its natural beauty and Walk through cloud forests and observe unique wildlife, including the Hone Lizard, Samba deer, leopards, and more. If you’re fortunate, you might even spot animals endemic to the Knuckles region.
The Knuckles range is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, home to over 200 species. Keep an eye out for birds like the Spot-winged Thrush, Sri Lankan Blue Magpie, and Layard’s Parakeet.
At the end of the day, return to Kandy in the late afternoon, reflecting on the stunning landscapes and unforgettable moments from your Knuckles Hike.

Day 12: Kandy – Nuwara Eliya (B)
Visit Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden, first established as a pleasure garden for a king. Continue by road onto the hill station of Nuwara Eliya which has a distinctly English village style, a journey of up to 3 hours. Stop en route to visit a tea plantation for a tour and to observe the tea making process before tasting a cup of pure Ceylon tea.
Stay two nights in Nuwara Eliya.

 Day 13: Horton Plains excursion (B)   
An excursion to Horton Plains is included today. The plains are an expanse of misty grassland with scraggy trees and ice-cold rivulets.  The unique feature of Horton Plains is World’s End, considered to be the finest view in all of Sri Lanka. The park shelters animals such as samburs, leopards, bears, monkeys and lizards and a variety of birds.
**Please note: local travel insurers currently do not offer cover for all tourist-standard vehicles travelling to/from Horton Plains. As a result, for this particular trip, a very basic non air-conditioned van will be used for this particular tour.
In the afternoon, enjoy a “high tea” at the historic Grand Hotel.

Day 14: Nuwara Eliya – Ella – Tissamaharama (B)  
Transfer to the Nanu Oya train station for a ride on a scenic train from Nanu Oya to Ella
On disembarking the train at Ella train station, meet your driver and visit the famous Nine Arches Bridge, followed by a 2-hour private scenic road transfer to Tissamaharama.
Stay two nights in Tissamaharama, near Yala National Park

Day 15: Udawalawe Park & Elephant Transit Home (B)
This morning travel to Udawalawe for safari by jeep in Udawalawe National Park, followed by a visit to the Elephant Transit Home Udawalawe for a heartwarming conservation experience.

Day 16: Tissamaharama – Galle (B)
Early morning travel to Yala National Park for a safari by jeep. Yala is the largest National Park in Sri Lanka, believed to have the world’s highest concentration of leopards, and home to wild elephants, boars, buffaloes, bears, deer and crocodiles.  Large flocks of migratory and indigenous birds are also found there.
Continue by road onto Galle, once the chief port of Ceylon, stopping at Galle International Stadium, a cricket ground situated near the Galle Fort and surrounded on two sides by the Indian Ocean. It is considered to be one of the world’s most picturesque cricket grounds.
Stay two nights in the Galle Fort.

Day 17: Galle (B)
After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of the Galle Fort. Influences of the Portuguese, Dutch and British can be found in the architecture and fortifications of the city. The area is well known for its handmade lace. Balance of the day free.

Day 18: Galle – Colombo  (B)
Morning of leisure.
Check out by 12noon then take a private road transfer to Colombo. En-route visit Mask Factory in the town of Ambalangoda south of Sri Lanka, famous for traditional masks making, mask dancing & puppetry in the country.
On arrival, enjoy a city tour of the capital city. Like in many capital cities, a building boom is changing the city skyline, yet in parts the old world charm is retained. You will see the 100 year old clock tower and several British built colonial buildings. Visit the Pettah Bazaar for bargain shopping, a Hindu and a Buddhist temple, and residential areas of stately homes.
At the end of the tour, you will be dropped off at a local restaurant for a dinner break (dinner is not included and is on your own account).
Meet your driver at the local restaurant later in the evening for private transfer to Colombo airport. (Flight not included.)
Included Meals: (B)= breakfast

HOTELS – as listed below or similar

4* locally-rated hotels

• Colombo – Cinnamon Red Colombo (Standard room)
• Anuradhapura – Heritage Hotel (Deluxe room)
• Jaffna – Fox Jaffna (Deluxe room)
• Dambulla – Oakray Elephant Lake Hotel (Super Deluxe room)
• Kandy – Radisson Hotel Kandy (Deluxe room)
• Nuwara Eliya – Araliya Red Hotel (Deluxe room)
• Tissamaharama – Oak Ray Wild Yala (Superior Deluxe room)
• Galle – Nyne Hotels Landesi (Deluxe room)

4* & 5* locally-rated hotels

• Colombo – Cinnamon Grand Colombo (Premium room)
• Anuradhapura – Heritage Hotel (Deluxe room)
• Jaffna – Fox Jaffna (Deluxe room)
• Dambulla – Jetwing Lake (Deluxe room)
• Kandy – Radisson Hotel Kandy (Deluxe room)
• Nuwara Eliya – Araliya Green Hills Hotel (Deluxe room)
• Tissamaharama – Thaulle Ayurveda Resort (Superior room)
• Galle – The Fort Printers (Church/Pedlar Wing room)

SKU: IJDB-SGJ-14-2024 / 2025 / 2026

Exclusions:

• All air arrangements to and from Sri-Lanka
• Visa fees
• Gratuities
• Travel insurance
• Early hotel check in or late hotel check out
• Beverages of all types
• Expenses of a personal nature
• Any other tours, meals or services not specifically covered herein

Group Departure Dates and Prices

Sri-Lanka In-Depth 18 Days

Tour prices valid to 31/10/2026	Twin share	Triple share	Single room
From 01Nov2025-30Apr2026 4* locally-rated hotels
Solo Traveller	N/A	N/A	$8,993
2 Travellers	$5,417	N/A	$7,313
3 Travellers	$5,071	$4,764	$6,999
4-6 Travellers	$4,885	$4,567	$6,812
From 01Nov2025-30Apr2026 4* & 5* locally-rated hotels
Solo Traveller	N/A	N/A	$10,727
2 Travellers	$6,408	N/A	$9,047
3 Travellers	$6,068	$5,553	$8,751
4-6 Travellers	$5,881	$5,367	$8,565
From 01May2026-31Oct2026 4* locally-rated hotels
Solo Traveller	N/A	N/A	$8,573
2 Travellers	$5,191	N/A	$6,882
3 Travellers	$4,841	$4,622	$6,560
4-6 Travellers	$4,644	$4,425	$6,363
From 01May2026-31Oct2026 4* & 5* locally-rated hotels
Solo Traveller	N/A	N/A	$10,318
2 Travellers	$6,193	N/A	$8,627
3 Travellers	$5,860	$5,400	$8,335
4-6 Travellers	$5,673	$5,213	$8,149

Depart any day. Surcharges may apply for travel during 20^th Dec 2025 & 15^th January 2026 and during 18^th – 28^thAugust 2026

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