Travel Dates
Departing 2nd Nov 2019
Package Provider: On The Go Tours
Package Type: Package
Region: Asia
Duration: 17 Nights
Go wild in Sri Lanka visiting Yala, Udawalawe and Bandula National Parks. Add to this Whale Watching in Mirissa and most of the country's famed cultural triangle and you've got the best of Sri Lanka in 10 days!
Your Fly, Stay, Cruise & Tour package includes:
Voyager of the Seas Cruise itinerary
Date |
Itinerary |
Arrive |
Depart |
4 Nov 19 |
Singapore |
|
4.30 pm |
5 Nov 19 |
Penang, Malaysia |
3.00 pm |
10.00 pm |
6 Nov 19 |
Phuket, Thailand |
9.00 am |
8.00 pm |
7 Nov 19 |
At Sea |
||
8 Nov 19 |
Singapore |
8.00 am |
Tour Itinerary
9 Nov 19 Colombo
Welcome to Sri Lanka! Day at leisure. Our start hotel located on the seafront is a short walk from Galle Road and many of the city highlights. Choose to head out and explore, take a dip in the pool or enjoy a cocktail whilst you watch the perfect sunset over the Laccodive Sea.
Overnight: Colombo
10 Nov 19 Dambulla & Polonnaruwa
Colombo - Dambulla - Polonnaruwa - Dambulla. Bidding farewell to Colombo this morning we drive inland to Dambulla, stopping en route at a fruit and vegetable market in Naramwela Town. Dambulla Rock Temple is an incredible ancient complex of caves which date back to the 1st Century BC. The five caves contain over 150 images of Buddha including an impressive 14 metre carved statue.
After exploring this ancient site we continue to Polonnaruwa. This fascinating 11th century city is home to many interesting ruins and famous monuments including the Royal Palace and the Gal Vihara. Polonnaruwa was once the capital and is also the second most ancient city in Sri Lanka. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This evening return to Dambulla for an evening at leisure.
Overnight: Dambulla | Breakfast
11 Nov 19 Sigiriya & Spice Garden
Dambulla - Sigiriya - Kandy. This morning we explore Sigiriya and the famous ‘Lion Rock’ fortress. Built over 1500 years ago, this beautiful citadel stands 200 meters high in the middle of verdant jungle and was an important stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. It can be viewed from miles around and is definitely one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic and famous sites. You’ll be able to view the world famous paintings of the Heavenly Maidens which stand in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway.
From Sigiriya we take a bullock cart ride and short canoe trip to the village of Kayanwala. Here, at Kayanwala village we take part in a cookery demonstration in the mud brick home of a local woman and enjoy a freshly prepared lunch of curry, dahl, spiced rice, pickle and more. En route to Kandy we stop off a spice garden in Matale, to see the different herbs and spices, which Sri Lanka is famous for. You will be introduced to different spices and shown how some of these spices are grown and processed.
Overnight: Kandy | Breakfast, Lunch
12 Nov 19 Kandy & Tuk Tuks
This morning we take a sightseeing tour of Kandy - the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings. Our first stop will be the Temple of the Tooth Relic. Legend has it that one of Buddha's teeth was taken from him as he lay on his funeral pyre. It was then smuggled into Sri Lanka in 313AD. It now attracts daily pilgrims who come bearing lotus flowers and frangipani. After driving around the Kandy Lake - built by the last Sinhala king, visiting the local bazaar and a gem museum we take Tuk Tuk ride up into the surrounding hills. This afternoon we stop at a working tea factory at Geragama. Geragama Tea Factory is located in close proximity to the city of Kandy was established in the year 1903, manufacturing 'Low Grown' and 'Long Leaf' tea. This evening, we watch a cultural performance of traditional Sri Lankan music and dance this evening.
Overnight: Kandy | Breakfast
13 Nov 19 Nuwara Eliya & Tea Plantations
Kandy - Nuwara Eliya. This morning offers free time before transfering to the railway station for a scenic train trip. Passing kilometre upon kilometre of verdant tea plantations that hug the winding mountain passes, we'll see waterfalls, suspension bridges and tea pickers on our journey up to Nuwara Eliya - Sri Lanka’s most popular hill resort. Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country producing a significant share of the world’s best tea.
This afternoon we take a sightseeing tour of Nuwara Eliya on a beautiful drive through 'Little England'.
Overnight: Nuwara Eliya | Breakfast
14 Nov 19 Udawalawe NP Jeep Safari
Nuwara Eliya - Udawalawe National Park. Today we head south to Embilipitiya, our base for exploring Udawalawe National Park. This national park is probably one of the best places to spot the famous Sri Lankan Elephant, the biggest of all the Asian Elephants. It is thought that there are around 400 elephants here. The park is also home to the elusive leopard, the Sri Lankan Sloth Bear and lots of types of deer. We take an afternoon game drive here before returning to the hotel for the night.
Overnight: Udawalawe National Park | Breakfast
15 Nov 19 Yala NP - Elephant spotting
Udawalawe National Park - Yala National Park. This morning we depart for Yala National Park - the second largest national park in Sri Lanka. This afternoon we take a jeep safari of the park. The park also has one of the highest concentrations of Asian elephants in the world - and about 350 live here. Also present are sloth bears, golden palm civets, Sri Lankan krait, crocodiles and some of the biggest numbers of leopards. The coastline around the park is visited by leatherback and loggerhead sea turtles.
Overnight: Yala National Park | Breakfast
16 Nov 19 Bundala National Park
Yala National Park - Bundala National Park - Mirissa. This morning we depart Yala for coastal Bundala National Park. This fantastic labyrinth of waterways, dunes and lagoons is the home to thousands of brightly coloured birds from over 200 species. It is also home to the magnificent greater flamingo and has a decent amount of Asian elephants that call the park home. We take a jeep safari here before transferring later on to the coastal town of Mirissa for the night.
Overnight: Mirissa | Breakfast
17 Nov 19 Mirissa
Mirissa - Colombo. This morning, its an early start as we transfer to the boat pier for our Whale and Dolphin Watching boat cruise (cost approx $35). During this time of year Fin Whales, Bryde's Whales, Sperm Whales, Blue Whales - the largest creatures on earth, Whale Sharks, Orcas and dolphins are very often seen just a few kilometres off Sri Lanka's southern coast. The round trip may last anywhere between 2 - 6 hours with an average of 4 hours depending on how far out at sea the mammals are located.
Next stop, is Colombo and the bustling city centre for a guided tour. We explore the Fort area in the north of the city, famous for its government buildings and interesting shops. Taking a stroll along Galle Face Green and watching locals play cricket before heading over to stunning Gangarama Temple.
Overnight: Colombo | Breakfast
18 Nov 19 Goodbye Sri Lanka
Monday. Our tour concludes today, hotel has been booked for a late checkout due to a late flight out
Includes: Breakfast
Conditions apply. Subject to availability and change without notice. Full supplier conditions apply. Valid for new bookings only. Prices valid at the time of publication. Prices are per person based on twin share occupancy unless otherwise stated and displayed in AU$. Member savings are calculated using the original advertised price.