Compare Northern Sri Lanka tour including Jaffna by Audley Travel vs Sri Lanka by Travel for All
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
Trip |
5 | Excellent
|
5 | Excellent
|
Duration | 15 days | 13 days |
Price From | $ 3,607 | $ 3,329 |
Price Per Day | $ 240 | $ 256 |
Highlights |
N/A
|
|
Trip Style | Private guided tour | Self-guided tour |
Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
Physical Level |
|
|
Travel Themes |
|
|
Countries Visited | ||
Cities and Attractions | N/A |
|
Flights & Transport | Internal airfare and ground transport included | Ground transport included |
Activities |
|
|
Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
Description |
The cultural triangle, neatly tended tea estates, rose-gold beaches... On a tailor-made holiday to Sri Lanka with Audley, you’ll see the highlights — and much more — your way. We’ll design your ideal trip with you, paying close attention to your interests, your travel style and your budget. Our Sri Lanka specialists know the country inside out and can lead you to experiences you won’t find in a guidebook.
Admire the cave frescos of Dambulla and clamber to the top of Sigiriya Rock’s fortress. Join pilgrims as they stroll the ruins of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. Pause at a roadside fruit stall for a fresh banana. Spot elephants, bird life and, if you’re lucky, a leopard, in Yala National Park. Take a traditional mask-making class and compare your skills with those sold in the boutiques of Dutch-colonial Galle. Long stretches of coastline, Colombo’s artisanal markets, a plantation-home stay… What excites you? Travel at your own pace, in your own style, with the confidence that we’ll show you the best options, wherever you go. |
The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is an island country in South Asia. Travel-for-All can help plan your fully accessible Sri Lanka Vacation. |
Day 1 : International outbound flight
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Colombo.
Day 2 : Kandy
On arrival in Colombo you will be met by our representatives and transferred to Kandy for your first two nights in Sri Lanka. In the lower hill region, you're surrounded by lush hills and some amazing scenery.
Day 3 : Kandy
Visit Kandy and the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. Early this evening your driver will take you to a performance of the famous Kandyan dancing before visiting the famous Temple of The Sacred Tooth.
Day 4 : Sigiriya
Transfer north to Sigirya, travelling via the impressive caves in Dambulla. Dating back to the 1st century BC, the site consists of 5 temples; carved into the rock within a hill looming over Dambulla. Taking a walk up the steps to the top of the hill, you can enjoy the views of the surrounding plains before exploring these beautiful temples.Spend the night in Sigiriya, located in Sri Lanka's cultural triangle.
Day 5 : Sigiriya
Explore the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress and nearby ancient city of Polonnaruwa today with your chauffeur-guide. Polonnaruwa is still a devout holy city so you can mix with brightly robed Buddhist monks and pilgrims dressed in white bringing beautiful floral offerings.
Day 6 : Anuradhapura
Travel onwards to Anuradhapura for the next three nights. Passing rice paddies and farm, this is a great route to spot some local wildlife.The evening is free to relax.
Day 7 : Anuradhapura
Today you will visit the ancient sites which dot the towns of Anuradhapura and Mihintale. Avoid the midday sun and wear comfortable shoes.
Day 8 : Anuradhapura
Spend the day exploring Wilpattu National Park. Travel by jeep to hopefully see wild elephants, the local birdlife amongst many other species of animals.
Day 9 : Jaffna
This morning after breakfast you will drive up to the very north of the country to Jaffna - a stunning place that has a turbulent history and strong Tamil influence - it's a really unique place to visit in Sri Lanka.
Day 10 : Jaffna
Today you will be able start your tour of the Jaffna area with your guide. You are likely to be the only tourists around so you will certainly get to see the Sri Lankan way of life.
Day 11 : Jaffna
Another day to continue your explorations of Jaffna. Today you may want to visit one of the neighbouring islands or go up to the top of the peninsula to the coast.
Day 12 : Trincomalee
Travel south east today to reach the harbour city of Trincomalee. Explore the history or relax on the beautiful beaches.
Day 13 : Trincomalee
Day at leisure to explore or just relax on the beach. In summer it's possible to take a boat trip to see whales and dolphins - this can be booked directly with the hotel.
Day 14 : Colombo
Take a domestic flight back to Colombo today. If flights connect, you may be able to fly out internationally on the same day, otherwise, stop in Colombo for one night. Spend the evening relaxing or exploring one of Colombo's markets.
Day 15 : International return flight
Travel to the international airport for your onwards flight. Your return flight will arrive the same day.
Day 1: Arrival In Colombo – Negombo
Welcome to Sri Lanka!
We have conceived with care, itineraries comfortably designed to welcome manual wheelchair users, answering the needs of less mobile travelers to enable an exciting and serene visit of Sri Lanka.
We wish you a great trip to Sri Lanka, rich in encounters and discoveries.
Upon arrival, warm welcome at the airport by your guide and your driver.
Drive to the local market of Negombo located nearby the airport. This market is the 2nd most important one of the island. You will find there all kinds of fishs and sea shells displayed directly on the floor. This visit is an ideal occasion to immerse yourself sofly in the local ambiance.
Tour of the little town of Negombo.
After those visits, check in at your hotel located by the sea, in the little town of Negombo.
Lunch at the hotel.
Free time in the afternoon to relax.
Day 2: Negombo - Sigiriya
Today, drive to the center of Sri Lanka, to explore the great treasures of the island.
You will cross a part of the island of Ceylon with its rich landscapes and lush vegetation. Do not be surprised if elephants cross the road in front of your vehicle!
North of Sri Lanka offers one of the best highlights of the island with its former capitals Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura.
Lunch will be served on the way in a comfortable local restaurant.
In mid-afternoon, you will reach the great rock of Sigiriya. It is an enormous red stone overlooking by 150 meters a lush forest. Photo stop to admire this spectacular landscape.
Check-in and dinner at your hotel
Day 3: Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya
In the morning, drive north bound to explore the great archeological site of Polonnaruwa. This site was at the 11th century the capital of the kingdom of Ceylon. Numerous palaces and temples were built there, making this area the most active place of the island for art and religion.
Now that this site has been invaded by the forest, it has become a peaceful archeological park.
Have a tour of 2 to 3 hours to explore the major sites of this area.
Visit a wood art factory located nearby the site.
Lunch in a local restaurant with a fantastic view on the lake.
After lunch, drive back to your hotel.
Enjoy some time to relax in the afternoon.
Day 4: Sigiriya
In mid-morning, departure to the country side of Sri Lanka for a moment among nature.
In a traditional house of the region, be welcome by a local family for an unforgettable encounter.
In company of your host, learn about the local gastronomy and give a hand in the kitchen to help preparing the traditional meal: “Rice and Curry”!
Local lunch in a traditionnal house.
Back to the hotel for some free time.
At the end of the afternoon, head to a massage parlor for 1h30 of Ayurveda massage. Select the treatment of your choice.
Day 5: Sigiriya - Matale - Kandy
Today, drive to the city of Kandy, the spiritual capital of the island.
On your way, in Matale, visit spices gardens with pepper, cardamom, chilly etc.
With your local guide you will learn plenty about those condiments and plants.
Lunch at the spice gardens.
Continue your journey to Kandy. Located at 350 meters of altitude and surrounded by hills, Kandy is the cultural center of the country.
The city became British in 1815. Nested between rice fields and tea plantations, circled by the great river of Mahaweli, Kandy is a handicraft, art and dance jewel.
Arrival at your hotel in Kandy and check-in into your rooms.
At the end of the afternoon, head to the central lake of the city to enjoy a traditional dance show: dance of the fire, dance of the harvest, dance of the offerings etc are performed in colorful traditional costumes along with musicians.
Continue to the Temple of the Tooth. Not to be missed in Kandy, this temple which was achieved in 1782. It hosts one of the most precious relic of Buddhism: the tooth of the “illuminated”, the tooth of Buddha. This tooth would have been saved from the flames in 543 BC, then after epic stories, it would have traveled to Ceylon. It has become the most precious treasure of the island.
Day 6: Kandy - Pinnawela - Kandy
This morning, departure for the Elephants sanctuary!
The place belongs to a local family taking care of retired elephants.
Visit of the foundation.
At the artisanal workshop, the elephants’ poo is recycled to make … writing paper!
It is now time for the bath of the elephants. The peaceful giants invite you to come and scrub their back!
Lunch by the river, in the park of the foundation.
On your way back to Kandy in the afternoon, stop for a nice promenade in the great gardens of
Peradeniya : the largest botanical garden of the island, covering 60 hectares nested by the banks of the river Mahaweli. This garden offers an impressive collection of orchids and of palm trees planted in 1950.
Moment of leisure at your hotel and departure for dinner in a restaurant offering a fantastic panoramic view on the city.
Day 7: Kandy - Nuwara Eliya
This morning, departure to a hilly region of Sri Lanka: the region of Nuwara Eliya.
You will explore today the country of Tea! Landscapes of the plantations are unique. The quality of the tea depends on the altitude at which it is cultivated. The harvest is, still today, done by hand by women generally dressed in their traditional outfit: the longhi.
Visit of a tea plantation and tasting of one of the best tea in the world !
Lunch in Nuwara Eliya.
The afternoon will be dedicated to a visit of the small town of Nuwara Eliya. Nuwara Eliya is an enchanting place located in the mountains, which is very different from the rest of the country. Your are transported to the ancient colonial atmosphere of Sri Lanka, surrounded by English cottages, golf courses and colonial buildings.
Arrival in mid-afternoon at your hotel.
Day 8: Nuwara Eliya - Yala National Park
Departure to Yala, at the extreme south of the island.
You will take the most scenic road of the country before going back down the southern meadows.
Arrival in Yala National Park. Check-in in your hotel located in the heart of the National Park. You will probably witness elephants crossing the yard of your hotel.
Lunch in your lodge in Yala National Park.
In mid-afternoon you will get onboard a Jeep for an adventurous tour in the National Park. Created in 1899, this reserve is 1200 km. It is a great spot to watch wildlife.
Day 9: Yala National Park - South of Sri Lanka
Beginning of the morning to enjoy the park before driving on the beautiful road along the coast of the island.
Lunch with a great view on the ocean.
Arrival at your hotel for 4 nights.
Day 10: South of Sri Lanka - Galle
In the morning, departure for a tour to the city of Galle.
Galle is an ancient Dutch counter and is one of the most charming place of the island. Inside the fort, you will enjoy wandering in the small streets.
This quiet city of 76.000 people used to be the main Dutch counter for the trade of spices. You will see colonial buildings as well as the « Groote Kerk », a church built in 1754.
Time at leisure for souvenir shopping.
Back to the hotel in the afternoon.
Day 11: South of Sri Lanka
Day at leisure to enjoy your hotel and its surroundings.
Day 12: South of Sri Lanka - Departure
Morning at leisure to prepare your suitcase.
Transfer to the airport depending on the schedule of your international flight.
Say good-bye to the land of tea and spices!