Compare Sri Lanka - 8 Nights Tour/6 Nights Beach by Goa Way & Czech-It-Out vs Sri Lanka by Travel for All

Day 1: Colombo – Arrival

Accommodation: Overnight in Colombo

You will be welcomed by our driver and be transferred to your hotel for check in. Upon arrival

you are free at your leisure to sight see or relax at the hotel. Colombo has long been the traditional gateway to the orient. Today, it is a fascinating city with a happy blend of eastern and western influences with a charm of its own. The main seaport of Sri Lanka is in Colombo and adjoining it is Pettah which is the local bazaar and trading area.

Day 2: Colombo – Free and Easy

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight in Colombo

After your breakfast, you are free at your leisure to explore Colombo and sample the cities charming array of attractions or perhaps visit a local restaurant.

Day 3: Sigiriya – Full day tour

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight in Sigiriya.

AM. After breakfast proceed to Habarana via Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. This unique Elephant Orphanage situated near Kegalle, 20 km (12 miles) west of Kandy on the Colombo highway is home to young orphaned or abandoned elephants. The herd usually numbers about 50, from tiny infants to hefty adolescents and young adults where they are cared for and trained. The best time to visit is between 10:00am - 12:00pm, and 14:00pm - 16:00pm, when the keepers bring their charges down to the river to bath and play. PM. Excursion to the medieval capital Polonaruwa. This Medieval capital of Sri Lanka rose to fame as the capital after the decline of Anuradhapura. The entire landscape of the region is punctuated by huge man made reservoirs, veritable seas the most famous of which is the “Parakrama Samudra” or the “Sea of Parakrama”, larger in size than the Colombo harbour. Don’t miss the “Gal Vihare Complex”, with the fine sculptures of the recumbent, standing and seated Buddha’s.

Day 4: Sigiriya – Full day tour

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight in Sigiriya.

This morning you will leave on a full day excursion to Anuradhapura. The best known of Sri Lanka’s cities, it was the capital of the island for more than a thousand years from the 5^th Century BC. A number of Buddhist monuments here date back over 2000 years. “The Brazen Palace”, the “Sri Maha Bodhi” which is a sampling of the original Tree at which the Buddha sat as he attained nlightenment, “Ruwanwelisaya” & “Jethawanaramaya Dagoba” are some of the main highlights.

Day 5: Sigiriya – Kandy

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight in Kandy

After early breakfast, transferred to the magnificent Rock Fortress of Sigiriya. The remains of Sigiriya, constructed by King Kasapa I, whom the Mahavansa introduces as a preside, lie five miles off Inamaluwa on the Dambulla-Habarana Road. On the west of the rock are ponds, the remains of summer palaces and other structures, and the first part of the ancient road, which led to the summit. In the past the entire western face of the rock had been covered with plaster and painted upon, but only those paintings in two sheltered pockets now survive. The last lap of the ancient path to the summit had been through the mouth of a lion. At present only parts of the lion's legs and some of the lime stone steps from within the lion's mouth survive. Thereafter proceed to Kandy visiting a batik factory and spice garden en-route. Kandy, whilst being the last independent kingdom of the Singhalese kings, it is the most important place of worship for the present day Buddhist as the sacred “Temple Of The Tooth Relic” is situated in Kandy. It is also termed as the most beautiful city of Sri Lanka due to its location, where the city is surrounded by hills with its picturesque lake built by the last king. Some of the highlights in the city are its devales, the oldest being the “Natha devale” belonging to the 14th century, the palace of the last king of Kandy, which are now the districts courts and the Archaeological museum. This is also the centre for Buddhist cultural affairs. On reaching Kandy, check in to your hotel. Late afternoon, city tour of Kandy including visits to the bazaar and market place, upper lake drive, sacred Temple of the Tooth and ending with a traditional cultural dance performance in the evening.

Day 6: Kandy – Nuwara Eliya

Accommodation: Overnight in Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast visit the famous Royal Botanical Gardens in Kandy. The Royal Botanical Gardens, located 460m above sea level, close to Kandy and surrounded from three sides by the River Mahaweli, Paradeniya Botanical Gardens was founded in the year of 1824. Some of the best and most valuable collection of plants and trees in the world (More than 4000 species, indoor and outdoor) can be found here. Giant trees of “Ficus” family, different species of bamboo and palm trees of the world and rare Ayurvedic plants are just some of them.After an upper lake drive, visit the bazaar area and the arts and crafts centre after which you will proceed to “Little England” or the town of Nuwara Eliya. P.M. City tour of Nuwera Eliya, Sri Lanka’s picturesque hill resort at 5199 ft above sea level is renowned for its perennial spring like climate, pretty waterfalls, and carpets of lush green tea between deep chasms. Once the favourite town of British planters, the buildings still resemble old English cottages.

Day 7: Nuwara Eliya – Tissamaharama Free and Easy

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight in Tissamaharama

After your breakfast, you will check out of your hotel to then be met by our driver. He will then transfer you to Tissamaharama, home to the Yala National Park where you will check in to your hotel. From there you are free to wonder and explore at your leisure.

Day 8: Tissamaharama Full day park tour

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight in Tissamaharama

Early morning jeep safari of the Yala National Park.Yala National Park is Situated 309 km. south of Colombo. Yala is approximately 1,259 sq/km in extent and is located in the south eastern corner of the island. Its northern boundaries border on the Lahugala Elephant Sanctuary and it has the added bonus of a scenic ocean frontage. The terrain is varied flat plains alternating with rocky outcrops. The vegetation ranges from open park- land to dense jungle. Water holes, small lakes, lagoons and streams provide water for the animals and birds. The specialty here is the large numbers of elephants and the Leopard population.P.M. Free to explore the surrounding.

Day 9 – 14: Tissamaharama – Beruwala via Galle

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight in Beruwela

Following your breakfast and check out from hotel, your driver will meet you where you will be transported to your beach hotel. En-route visiting the historical city of Galle. Galle (pronounced “gawl” in English and 'gaar-le' in Sinhala) is the big omissible destination in the south. It's at once endlessly exotic, bursting with the scent of spices and salty winds, and yet also, with its wonderful collection of Dutch-colonial buildings, a town of great beauty. Classic architecture melds with a dramatic tropical setting to create a reality that is endlessly interesting. From Galle you will then be transferred to the City of Beruwala where you will enjoy the entirety of your stay relaxing on its simply stunning beaches.

Day 15: Beruwala – Departure

After your breakfast, you will then proceed to the Bandaranaike International Airport for your international flight back and complete your journey

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!