Off the Beaten Track in Sri Lanka: Cultural Highlights & East Coast Beach Escape

Visit one of Buddhism's most sacred sites: The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy.
Wander through flourishing fauna at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya.
Embark on a spectacularly scenic train journey from Kandy to Nanu Oya, passing through some of the island's most bewitching landscapes.
Gain a fascinating insight into the intricacies of Sri Lankan tea cultivation and production in Nuwara Eliya.
Spend 5 nights unwinding along the East Coast, a beautiful region off the tourist trail.
Climb the 5th-century Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a former royal citadel and Buddhist monastery.
Encounter majestic Sri Lankan elephants during an enthralling game drive through Minneriya National Park.
Spend a night in the tranquil coastal city of Negombo, home to a scenic lagoon, picturesque canals and Dutch colonial architecture.

Day 1: Kandy

Transfer to Kandy & Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

Once you arrive at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport, you will be greeted by your driver-guide and transferred to the ancient city of Kandy. This scenic journey, which passes through some of Sri Lanka’s stunning natural scenery and local villages, will take approximately 3 hrs. En route, there will be plenty of opportunity to stop for pictures or for a refreshing king coconut drink.

In the evening, you’ll visit one of the most important sites in the Buddhist religion: Kandy’s Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Located in the Royal Palace Complex, nucleus of the former Kingdom of Kandy, this ornate temple houses a relic of the tooth of Buddha, which was smuggled onto the island from the eastern coastal region of India in the 4th century A.D. Renowned for its intricate carvings and beautiful artworks, visitors can visit this exquisite temple and line up to see the dazzling gold arrangement which contains the sacred tooth relic.

During your visit to the temple, you’ll be able to experience a Pooja ceremony (held daily at 06:00, 10:00 and 18:00), whereby devout Buddhists are given the opportunity to see the sacred tooth in its glittering golden case outside its chamber. Beautiful flower offerings are laid, prayers fill the room, and drummers set a steady rhythm as visitors line up to glimpse the tooth’s golden case up close.

Accommodation: Cinnamon Citadel Kandy.

INCLUDES : Dinner

Day 2: Kandy

Royal Botanic Gardens & Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

After breakfast, you’ll visit the Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya. These flourishing gardens are home to more than 4,000 species of plant including orchids, palm trees, medicinal plants and a plethora of spices. First established in 1371 when King Wickramabahu III ascended the throne, this royal park later became a botanical garden under British rule in 1821 and is the largest of Sri Lanka’s three primary botanical gardens.

In the evening, you will revisit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic to explore this magnificent temple and the Royal Palace Complex further.

Accommodation: Cinnamon Citadel Kandy.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3: Nuwara Eliya

Train Journey From Kandy to Nanu Oya & Transfer to Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast, you’ll transfer to Kandy’s train station and board a train to Nanu Oya, travelling in a 1st Class air-conditioned cabin or 2nd Class reserved cabin.

This three-hour train journey winds through some of the island’s most breathtaking scenery, including vast tea plantations and verdant hillsides lush with vegetation.

Please note that the train transfer cannot be guaranteed as ticket sale open 21 days before travel. If tickets are not available, you will instead transfer by road, which takes approximately 3 hrs. While morning train journeys are preferred, it might be that you will travel on the afternoon train instead.

Once you disembark at Nanu Oya, you will be transferred to your hotel in Nuwara Eliya, a quaint city in the heart of Sri Lanka’s rolling tea country that in places evokes a traditional British country village.

Accommodation: The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Nuwara Eliya

Tea Plantation & Factory Visit

In the morning, you’ll visit a tea plantation and tea factory located amid the stunning landscapes of the Sri Lankan hill country (the Tea Factory is closed on Sundays and on Mercantile Holidays).

During your visit, you’ll be able to sample some of the best tea in the world and gain a fascinating insight into the intricacies of the tea-making process while learning about the history of tea production in Sri Lanka.

Following your tea experience, the rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure and enjoy your hotel’s facilities.

Accommodation: The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Pasikuda

Transfer to Pasikuda

After breakfast, you’ll reconvene with your driver and embark on the five-hour road journey to Pasikuda, a peaceful resort town located on Sri Lanka’s wild east coast.

Once you arrive, you’ll have the rest of the day to spend at leisure, ensuring a gentle start to your relaxing East Coast beach escape.

Accommodation: Anantaya Resort & Spa.

INCLUDES : Breakfast

Days 6-9: Pasikuda

At Leisure

For the next four days, you’ll be able to unwind in one of Sri Lanka’s most idyllic coastal corners. Pasikuda is home to one of the East Coast’s most stunning beaches, where you can enjoy lounging under the tropical sun or relish a choice of thrilling water sports.

Furthermore, your luxurious hotel boasts a range of facilities, including an authentic Balinese-inspired spa where you can be pampered with a traditional treatment; outdoor swimming pools; sports including badminton, beach volleyball and water polo; and ocean-based activities such as snorkelling, water-skiing, deep-water diving and sunset cruises.

Please note that your driver-guide will be unavailable during your stay in Pasikuda.

Accommodation: Anantaya Resort & Spa.

INCLUDES : Breakfast

Day 10: Habarana

Transfer to Habarana

In the morning, you’ll be transferred eastwards into Sri Lanka’s Anuradhapura District and the small city of Habarana, located near some of Sri Lanka’s most important cultural sights and wildlife-rich national parks.

This scenic road transfer will take approximately 4 hrs.

Accommodation: Habarana Village by Cinnamon.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11: Habarana

Sigiriya Rock Fortress & Minneriya National Park Game Drive

In the morning, you will visit the astounding spectacle of Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a 5th-century fortress which stands atop a 600ft-high monolith that towers over the surrounding landscape. This jaw-dropping UNESCO World Heritage Site includes an ancient stairway which winds its way to the summit through what would once have been the jaws of a crouching lion - today only the paws remain. At the top, you can explore the remains of the former royal citadel established by the ancient King Kashyapa I, while along the domineering rock’s edge you can admire a series of beautiful frescoes which adorn the rockface, dating from the 5th century A.D.

In the afternoon, you’ll head out on an incredible Jeep Safari through Minneriya National Park, a thriving wilderness comprising evergreen forest and tropical shrubland. Minneriya is famous as the place where visitors can witness the world’s largest gathering of Asian elephants, with herds of up to 350 individuals gathering around the park’s waterholes during the dry season (June to September). Aside from these magnificent elephants, the park’s 8,890 hectares are also home to a plethora of species including spotted deer, sloth bear, sambar deer, buffalo, purple-faced leaf monkey, grey langer, porcupine, Indian Pangolin, some 170 species of bird and the elusive Sri Lankan leopard.

Depending on the movement of the elephant herds, the game drive may take place in Kaudulla National Park or Hurulu Eco Park instead.

Accommodation: Habarana Village by Cinnamon.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12: Negombo

Transfer to Negombo

In the morning, you will be transferred to Negombo, a tranquil city on Sri Lanka’s west coast that is home to a traditional fishing community and 17th century Dutch colonial architecture.

This scenic road journey will take approximately 4 hrs.

On arrival in Negombo, you’ll be free to spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Jetwing Sea Hotel.

INCLUDES : Breakfast

Day 13: Departure

Transfer to Colombo’s International Airport

At a prearranged time, your driver will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, where you will arrive in perfect time for your onward flight.

INCLUDES : Breakfast

Pricing

All prices shown represent a from price per person based on low season travel unless otherwise stated.
Availability of tour components and flights seats change continually, affecting the final price. The lead-in price given is therefore for guidance only.
To obtain a tailored quote for you and your party, please call one of our travel experts today.

Important Info

Inclusions

Return international flights.
Hotel accommodation and meals as specified above (Check out 1200hrs/ Check-in 1400hrs).
Travel in an air-conditioned Car with the service of a professional English-speaking chauffeur guide (except at Passikuda).
A separate Car from Passikuda until the drop at BIA.
Experiences & Monument Fees.
A visit to Royal Botanical Garden.
A visit to the Temple of Tooth Relic.
Train ride from Kandy to Nanu Oya.
A visit to the Tea Factory & Tea Plantation.
A visit to Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
1x private safari ride at Minneriya or Kaudulla or Hurulu Eco Park.
Meet and greet at the airport.
Return Airport Transfers.
All currently applicable taxes.

Exclusions

Visa Fees (Please visit www.eta.gov.lk to apply for your visa).
Early check-in & Late check-out fees.
Tips & Gratuities.
Travel & Medical Insurance.
Camera & video permit charges where applicable.
Expense of a personal nature including hotel extras.
Optional excursions.