Explore Northern Sri Lanka - 12 Days

On arrival at the Bandaranayke International Airport, you will get your first taste of warm Sri Lankan hospitality; a representative will welcome you at the airport and transfer you to Negombo.

Overnight stay at Suriya Arana - Standard Room or Similar

After breakfast proceed to Wilpattu, where you will enjoy a nature trail with a guide at the camp site.

Overnight stay at Big Game Camp - Tent or Similar

The day starts with an early morning game drive in Wilpattu national park with packed breakfast. Wilpattu National Park is located on the west coast, close to the historical city of Anuradhapura Wilpattu National Park and is home for many villus, or natural lakes, which dot the landscape. Experience the wonders of a jungle safari at Wilpattu National Park - the biggest and one of the oldest National parks in Sri Lanka. With over 30 species of mammals and a staggering range of flora and fauna spanning its jungles and nature trails, a visit right here is simply something to understand for a lifetime. After the national park, we will proceed to Tantirimale (also spelled Tantirimale), an old village in the Anuradhapura District of Sri Lanka. It is located approximately 40 km north west of the Anuradhapura city. The village is known for the ancient Buddhist temple Thanthirimale Raja Maha Vihara, situated in a nearby rock covered area. The temple and the junction appears to be most important center in the village. When the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi was brought from India to Sri Lanka, one night along the way to Anuradhapura, the pot containing the sapling was kept at Thanthirimale. It is believed that one branch separately grew from the pot and was planted at that village to remember the incident. Hence, some believe that this may be the first Sri Maha Bhodi plant in Sri Lanka. The Bo Tree is placed on top of large stony layer which may protect the tree up to now. Continue the journey to Jaffna.

Overnight stay at Jetwing Jaffna - Deluxe Room or Similar

Today, you will enjoy a boat trip to explore the island of Delft after breakfast. A ferry ride from Kurikadduwan will take you to Delft Island, also known as Neduntheevu by locals. The island is scattered with wild horses breeding from the stock maintained from Portuguese times. The colonial touch remains in all the places giving the island a rustic mysterious atmosphere. The ruins of the Old Portuguese Fort built from corals look beautiful and the ancient Portuguese pigeon house still exists. The giant baobab tree, the ancient Dutch stables and the interesting footprint on the rock are places that cannot be missed in the beautiful Delft Island. Enjoy picnic lunch while on the island. After lunch, it's time for another boat trip to visit Nagadeepa temple, an ancient Buddhist temple situated in Jaffna district. It is among the country's sixteen holiest Buddhist shrines (Solosmasthana). According to contemporary history, the Gautama Buddha visited the site after five years of attaining Enlightenment to settle the dispute between two warring Naga kings, Chulodara and Mahodara.

Overnight stay at Jetwing Jaffna - Deluxe Room or Similar

Breakfast at the hotel. Today is at your own leisure.

Overnight stay at Jetwing Jaffna - Deluxe Room or Similar

After breakfast, visit Jaffna city. The northern peninsula of Sri Lanka which is rising again after decades of war still has the signs of a ward damaged area which is slowly flourishing. Jaffna is one of the best places to learn about Sri Lankan Tamil culture. It is rising in popularity as a tourist destination in recent years. There are plenty of interesting places to see in Jaffna including the Jaffna Fort of which largely ruins remain was one of the greatest forts built by the Dutch in Asia. The famous Nallur Kandasamy Kovil, Naga Pooshani Amabal Kovil, Kadurugoda temple are some of the historically known places in Jaffna. You will also visit Dambakolapatuna. Following the arrival of Buddhism to Sri Lanka over 2000 years ago, Sanghamitta, the daughter of ancient Indian emperor Ashoka, landed at the ancient port of Dambakola Patuna with a sacred sapling from the Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha gained Enlightenment. The Sri Lankan King Devanampiyatissa later used this sapling to plant the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi at Anuradhapura, which today holds the honor of being the oldest surviving human-planted tree in the world. A temple was built here to commemorate the arrival of the sapling; however, no remnants of this ancient landmark exist today. The Sri Lankan Navy, however, has since built a new temple named the Sri Sangamitta Viharaya, and is one of the key Buddhist landmarks of the northern peninsula. Continue the journey to Anuradhapura.

Overnight stay at Hotal Alakamandawa - Standard Room or Similar

Breakfast at the hotel, and afterwards, visit Anuradhapura city. This was the first capital and undoubtedly the grandest city of the ancient Sri Lanka. It is the home of two World Heritage sites. Many places of historical and archeological interest could be visited. Sri Maha Bodhi (Sacred Bo-Tree) was brought as a sapling of the tree under which Prince Siddhartha attained to enlightenment and it is over 2,200 years old and is the oldest historically documented tree in the world. At Brazen Palace (2nd century B.C), the 1600 stone columns you see are all that is left of a magnificent multi-storied residence for monks. Ruwanweli Seya (2nd century B.C) is the most famous of all the Dagobas. It originally depicted the perfect 'bubble shape" that modern restoration has not been able to accurately reproduce. Samadhi' Buddha statue (4th century AD) is one of the most famous statues, depicting the Buddha in a state of 'Samadhi' or deep meditation. Isurumuniya rock temple (3rd century B.C) is well known for its rock carvings.

Overnight stay at Hotal Alakamandawa - Standard Room or Similar

After breakfast proceed to Sigiriya. In the afternoon, visit Minneriya National Park. (Herds of elephants can be spotted where the water is abundant inside the parks, so you will either visit either Minneriya, Kaudulla or Eco park). The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population. Sri Lankan Leopard and Sloth bear which are rare and endangered species also inhabit this area. The park was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in order to protect the watershed of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The tank is historically important for the country as it was built by King Mahasen in the 3rd century AD.

Overnight stay at Wewa Addara Sigiriya - Deluxe Room or Similar

Today, there is an early morning visit at Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Climb the 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress, which is a world heritage site, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The 'Lion Rock' is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 meters from the scrub jungle. Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the 'Heavenly Maidens' of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster. Return to the hotel. After breakfast, transfer to Kandy. En route, you will visit a spice garden in Matale, where the scent of cinnamon, pepper, cardamom, nutmeg and mace will overwhelm your senses. You will be provided an insight to the industry of spice production in Sri Lanka. Once the spice garden tour is over, continue to Kandy, the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings. The name "Kandy" conjures visions of splendor and magnificence. Drive around Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe,in 1798. Visit Kandy town and the bazaar, the arts & crafts center, a gem museum and a lapidary. There is also a visit to the temple of tooth relic during evening “Thewawa’’ceremony.

Overnight stay at Hotel Topaz Kandy - Deluxe Room or Similar

After breakfast, visit the Royal Botanical Garden. This botanical garden was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers. Afterwards, enjoy lunch with a local family in Kandy. In the evening, visit a tea factory in Kandy and witness the process that converts the freshly plucked leaves to the final product.

Overnight stay at Hotel Topaz Kandy - Deluxe Room or Similar

After breakfast, transfer to Negombo. The rest of the day is free to explore.

Overnight stay at Suriya Arana - Standard Room or Similar

After breakfast, transfer to the airport. This is the end of the tour.

Accommodation at specified hotels or similar standard hotels on BB basis except in Wilpattu, the meal plan is on HB Basis.
Services of an English-speaking driver
Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
One bottle of mineral water (500ml) per person per day
Lunch with a local family
Entrance fees to
- Wilpattu national park entrance + jeep
- Boat Ride to Delf island + Jeep
- Nagadeepa visit
- Minneriya National Park + Jeep
- Sigiriya rock Fortress
- Visit to a tea factory
- Temple of tooth relic
- Nature walks in the Wilpattu camp