Sri Lanka

Private Grand Tour of Sri Lanka, from Jaffna to Galle

The only tour that goes up to the Tamil north and the island of Nainativu

Sri Lanka

Private Grand Tour of Sri Lanka, from Jaffna to Galle

A private grand tour that adds the north of the island to the classic route: Anuradhapura, then Jaffna via Elephant Pass, the Hindu temple of Nallur, the crossing to Nainativu island and its two shrines (Buddhist and Hindu), the colonial fort and the markets of Jaffna. The tour then heads back south via Ritigala, Lion Rock and Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Kandy, the train and tea, Udawalawe and Galle. Full board, English-speaking guide.

When

Dec to April

Price

From 2 453€ excl. flights

(based on 2 people sharing)

How long

11 nights

Ideal length

Negombo, Anuradhapura and Jaffna

Days 1-5

From the west coast to the Tamil north.

Day 1

Flight to Sri Lanka

Flight to Colombo. Dinner and night on board.

Day 2

Arrival in Colombo – Negombo

Welcome at Colombo airport and a short transfer to Negombo, on the coast. Depending on your arrival time, lunch at the hotel and free time on the beach.

Day 3

Negombo – Anuradhapura

Negombo fish market, then drive to Anuradhapura (about 170 km). A lunch of Sri Lankan specialities and a visit to the island's first capital, a UNESCO site: stupas, carvings and monasteries.

Day 4

Anuradhapura – Jaffna

Drive to the Jaffna peninsula (about 4 h 30) through wild country and Elephant Pass. Visit to the Nallur Kandaswamy temple, a great centre of Tamil Hinduism.

Day 5

Nainativu and Jaffna

Boat to Nainativu island: Nagadeepa Purana Vihara, one of the country's sixteen Buddhist holy places, and the Hindu temple of Nagapooshani Amman. A lunch of spicy Jaffna specialities, the colonial fort, the library and the spice and fruit stalls.

1 / 2

The Cultural Triangle

Days 6-8

Ritigala, Lion Rock, Polonnaruwa and Dambulla.

Day 6

Jaffna – Ritigala – Sigiriya

A long drive to Sigiriya (about 5 h 45), with a stop at the forest monastery of Ritigala and its meditation platforms. In the evening, traditional dances and fire-walking.

Day 7

Lion Rock and Polonnaruwa

Early in the morning, climb the fortress of Sigiriya (about 1,000 steps), a UNESCO site, and its frescoes of the 'Maidens'. After lunch, the medieval city of Polonnaruwa, its palaces and the three great Buddhas of Gal Vihara (a bike visit is possible, paid locally).

Day 8

Dambulla, Matale – Kandy

The Golden Temple of Dambulla and its five painted caves, the Hindu temple of Nalanda Gedige, then lunch in a spice garden in Matale. In Kandy, the Temple of the Tooth and its puja ceremony, to the beat of drums.

1 / 3

Kandy, tea and Udawalawe

Days 9-11

Kandy's villages, the mountain train and a safari.

Day 9

Peradeniya and the villages around Kandy

The Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, then by tuk-tuk to three old temples (Gadaladeniya, Embekke, Lankatilaka) and villages, with a local village guide. A local lunch and a tasting of Sri Lankan snacks.

Day 10

By train to Nuwara Eliya

A local train ride through the mountains, then a visit to a Ceylon tea plantation and factory. The day ends in Nuwara Eliya, the island's highest town, among the tea gardens.

Day 11

Ella – safari in Udawalawe

A stop in Ella and at Ravana Falls, then Udawalawe National Park: about two hours on safari among Asian elephants, buffalo, crocodiles and birds.

1 / 3

The south coast

Days 12-14

Weligama, Unawatuna and Galle.

Day 12

The orphaned elephants, Weligama and Galle

The Elephant Transit Home, which cares for young elephants before they return to the park, then the coast: a fish and prawn lunch in Weligama, the stilt fishermen, the Peace Pagoda at Unawatuna and the fortified town of Galle, a UNESCO site.