Pearl of the Indian Ocean

TOUR ITINERARY

DAY 1: AUSTRALIA TO NEGOMBO VIA COLOMBO

Fly with Singapore Airlines to Colombo. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your Negombo hotel.

DAY 2: NEGOMBO

This morning tour Negombo, a stunning seaside town popular for its large harvests of lobsters, crabs and prawns. See the fish auctions down by the beach, followed by a visit to the Dutch Fort and a local Catholic Church. Later, take a boat trip through the river deltas passing rainforests and mangroves and tour a local farm.

DAY 3: NEGOMBO TO SIGIRIYA VIA MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK

Depart early this morning for Ritigala Jungle Monastery, nestled deep inside the Ritigala Nature Reserve. Here you will discover the partially excavated ruins of the ancient monastery. Afterwards, travel to Minneriya National Park, home to Sambar Deer, leopards and elephants. Enjoy a safari before continuing to Sigiriya.

DAY 4: SIGIRIYA - POLONNARUWA

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed Rock Fortress or ‘Lion Rock’, rising 200m from the jungle surrounding it. Here you will get a chance to climb to the top of the fortress and explore the gardens. Later, drive to the ancient Kingdom of Polonnaruwa, the second capital city of Sri Lanka and also a UNESCO World Heritage listed site. Tour the ruins of the Royal Palace and the Gal Viharaya, a 12th-century rock temple.

DAY 5: SIGIRIYA TO KANDY

Travel to Dambulla and tour the Dambulla Rock Temple, built in the 3rd-century BC. Continue to Kandy, a sacred Buddhist city, visiting a spice garden in Matale en route. This evening watch a cultural dance performance while enjoying dinner.

DAY 6: KANDY TO NUWARA ELIYA

This morning visit Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, which were created as leisure gardens for a Sinhala King. Later, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world. Explore a local market, gem museum and an arts and crafts centre before travelling to Nuwara Eliya.

DAY 7: NUWARA ELIYA - ST. CLAIR'S FALLS

This morning visit St. Clair’s Falls, one of the most unique waterfalls in Sri Lanka. You can view the waterfalls from the road above or walk 500m through a tea plantation to take a closer look. The afternoon is free at your leisure to enjoy the natural landscape of this lush hillside town.

DAY 8: NUWARA ELIYA TO GALLE VIA UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK

Drive to Udawalawe National Park, famous for its local elephant population. While here you will be taken on an open top jeep safari to visit the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home. Established in 1995 the transit home Focuses on providing care and rehabilitation to orphaned elephants and returning them to the wild. Afterwards, continue to Galle.

DAY 9: GALLE TO BENTOTA

Enjoy a city tour including the Dutch Museum and church before travelling to Bentota via Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery. Upon arrival in Bentota, the evening is free at your leisure to enjoy this beachside town.

DAY 10: BENTOTA - MADU GANGA WETLANDS

Journey by boat through the Madu Ganga Wetlands, one of the remaining tracts of pristine mangrove forest in Sri Lanka. Sail past traditional fishermen, farms and small cottages. Visit a cinnamon farm before returning to Bentota.

DAY 11: BENTOTA TO COLOMBO

Enjoy the morning free at your leisure. This afternoon travel to Colombo where you will tour the Fort District and surrounding merchant streets as well as the Pettah Market.

DAY 12: DEPART COLOMBO

Continue exploring Colombo, visiting a Hindu temple, Kelaniya Buddhist Temple and the Dutch Wolvendhal Church. Later, tour the Colombo and Natural History Museums and the Davatagaha Mosque. This evening after a late check-out and dinner, you will be transferred to the airport to board your overnight flight to Australia.

DAY 13: ARRIVE AUSTRALIA

Arrive home today.

Price guide

Important Note: Above prices include Fuel surcharges and tipping of $602 (correct as at May 2013 and subject to change). Please note the Tipping amount of USD70 is payable on arrival in Sri Lanka.

Though status is regularly updated, availability above is indicative only, not live and hence does not guarantee that space is available on your selected tour when you or your agent calls Wendy Wu Tours to book. Booking early is the only way to ensure availability of your selected departure date.