Private Sri Lanka Budget Tour Itinerary

DAY 1 
Airport – Anuradhapura

After you get picked up at the airport or your hotel, you will proceed to the ancient city of Anuradhapura while visiting coconut plantations and observing the famous toddy tappers at work. After you’ve checked into your hotel it’s time to explore the
city dating back to the 3rd century B.C to the 10th century A.D. You will visit the Sri Maha Bodhi (the oldest tree in the world with a written history and it is a sapling from the original tree under which Buddha got enlightened), the Brazen Palace, the
Ruwanweliseya Dagoba (biggest dagoba in Sri Lanka), the Thuparama Dagoba (oldest dagoba), the Lankarama Dagoba, the Elephant Pond, the Abhayagiriya Monastery Complex, the world-famous Samadhi Buddha Statue, and the Isurumuniya
Temple (Stone carving of the Sri Lankan Romeo & Juliet).
Overnight at Gamodh Citadel Hotel (Deluxe Room B&B), Anuradhapura.

DAY 2
The ancient city of Polonnaruwa

Sightseeing of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa (10th-12th century A.D). You will visit the modern museum, the Parakrama Samudra (gigantic reservoir made by king Parakrama the Great), Statue of King Parakrama, the Library Shrine, Palace of King
Parakrama, the Kumara Pokuna (pond used by the royal family with the water flowing system), the Shiva temple, the Thuparama shrine room with its glittering statues, the Alahana Monastery Complex, the Gal Vihare (a masterpiece of stone carving), the Lotus Pond and a traditional wood carving factory. After your afternoon tea, you will proceed to Sigiriya.
Overnight Kassapa Lion Rock Hotel (Deluxe Room B&B), Sigiriya

DAY 3
Sigiriya Rock Fortress – Dambulla Cave Temple

In the early morning, you will have the opportunity to climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, built 5th century A.D (claimed by some as the 8th wonder in the world), see the water garden, boulder garden, mural paintings, the mirror wall, the lion’s paws and the royal swimming pool on top. Back to the hotel for your well-deserved breakfast.
After Sigiriya, you will proceed to the Dambulla Cave Temple (built by King Walagamba in the 1st century B.C with 22.000 square feet of ceiling paintings). This is followed by Nalanda Gedige (a temple built in the geographical center of Sri Lanka), the spice gardens in Matale, and the Aluvihare Cave Temple (this is where Buddhism was brought into book form in the 1st century B.C).
Overnight Topaz Hotel (Deluxe Room B&B), Kandy

DAY 4
Kandy Sightseeing – Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic – Royal Botanic Gardens

Kandy Sightseeing includes the famous Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha.

In the afternoon visit the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kandy. Established in 1816, these gardens are located about 6.5km before Kandy on the side of the Colombo-Kandy Highway. Initially planted with Coffee and Cinnamon, it now includes beautiful Sri
Lankan and overseas species. No vehicle is allowed entry to this 147-acre garden. It is bounded on three sides by a loop of the Mahaweli River. The Avenue of Royal Palms, Bamboo-fringed riverside drive, Bat drive, Spice garden, Orchard house,
Cactus house, a Glasshouse of anthuriums, begonias, African Violets, and other species, and the giant Javan fig tree on the great lawn attract locals and visitors from overseas. It covers an area of 1600 sqm. Keep your eyes open for an oxen-driven lawn mower.
Overnight Topaz Hotel (Deluxe Room B&B), Kandy

DAY 5
Elephant Orphanage – Tea Plantations – Tea Factory – Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast, visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, the largest elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka, accounting for around fifty elephants at any given time. The orphanage is open all day but it is best to time your visit with the twice-daily feeding
and bathing. At 9.15 am and 4.15 pm, the baby elephants are taken into the stalls where they are tethered and then bottle-fed with milk, providing endless photo opportunities. This might be a crowd pleaser but it’s not the highlight; what really
steals the show is the bathing of the baby elephants.

Afterward, embark on a picturesque drive through Sri Lanka’s hill country. En-route visit a tea factory and tea plantations.
In the afternoon you will reach Nuwara Eliya (so-called Little England) with its  colonial hotels, the racecourse, and golf courses. Nuwara Eliya or City of Light is the tea capital of Sri Lanka at an altitude of 1889 m and is the most visited hill station on
the island. Nuwara Eliya was found by a group of British officers during the earlier part of the 19th century, who as the story goes, had gotten lost while elephant hunting. The British governor at the time, Sir Edward Barnes, was told about this little
town and subsequently decided to take residence there, soon creating a health resort, which soon became internationally renowned.
Nuwara Eliya is surrounded by a seemingly endless array of tea plantations populated by tea pickers who are almost exclusively Indian Tamils, who are distinct from the Ceylonese Tamils who live in the Northeast of the country.
Overnight at Queenswood Cottage (B&B), Nuwara Eliya

DAY 6
Horton Plains National Park

After early breakfast, you will be taking a trip to Horton Plains, Sri Lanka’s highest and most isolated plateau. Set on a backdrop of the hauntingly beautiful landscape of cloud forests and endless grasslands, Horton Plains is the perfect place for nature lovers, with its rich biodiversity and stunning views. Those who visit Horton Plains can’t help but be enamored by the sight of many wild animals and different species of birds enjoying the resplendent surroundings. Walk through Horton Plains to the
precipice known as World’s End – a sheer drop of an astonishing 1,050 meters, an excellent place to look out over the surrounding hills, and a popular spot for photos.
Return to the hotel in the afternoon and then be free to walk around the town & local markets.
Overnight at Queenswood Cottage (B&B), Nuwara Eliya

DAY 7
Scenic Train Ride to Ella

The train journey from Nuwara Eliya to Ella is the most beautiful train ride in Sri Lanka, if not in the world! Board the train and experience breathtaking views of lush green tea plantations, mountains, viaducts, valleys, and dense jungle. What’s more, it’s the perfect way to experience Sri Lankan life. Meet smiling locals on the train, wave to the running children along the tracks, and eat the spicy snacks sold by vendors who board at each stop. The route takes you through tea plantations, jungles, and mountains. As the journey goes on, you move into the lush green highlands, dotted with tea plantations, beautiful hilltop villages, and waterfalls. The train was brought to life in the mid-1800s when Sri Lanka was under British colonial rule. During this time, it was used as a train to transport tea from the plantations to Colombo, where it would then be exported internationally.
Ella is a small village located among the peaks of Sri Lanka’s central highlands. This sleepy village is nestled in a valley peering straight through the Ella Gap to the plain nearly 1000m below and across to the coastline. Apart from the mesmerizing natural views, ELLA is surrounded by hilly countryside perfect for walks; through tea plantations, waterfalls, ancient temples, and artifacts. This hidden sanctuary with the perfect climate is probably one of the best-kept secrets of the country and is easily accessible from the comfort of your hotel in Ella.
Overnight at Morning Dew Hotel (Deluxe Room B&B), Ella

DAY 8
Yala National Park – Tangalle

Sri Lanka is one of the best places in Asia for seeing wildlife. The island’s isolation from the mainland, the heavy rainfall of the two diagonally blowing monsoons, and the country’s wide range of altitudes have given Sri Lanka a variation in climate and biodiversity normally found only across an entire continent.
The top draw is the Sri Lankan leopard, a sub-species endemic to the country; in certain areas of the park, the average leopard density at the Yala National Park is as high as one cat to every square kilometer. During the fruiting of the palu trees in June and July, sloth bears are often observed.
Other animals you might spot include sambar (a large deer), spotted deer, buffalo, wild pig, stripe-necked and ruddy mongooses, langur monkey, toque monkey, golden jackal, and Indian palm civet.
The combination of freshwater, marine, scrub, and woodland areas ensures a high diversity of birds. Indeed, the park hosts 220 different types, and serious twitchers have recorded 100 species in a single day.
Overnight at Palm Paradise Beach Cabana (Superior HB), Tangalle

DAY 9
Tangalle

Among Sri Lanka’s South Coast Beaches, all with white sandy shoreline and turquoise waters, TANGALLE is still like a dream on another level. Since the beach is basically located at the end of the (coastal) road, it serves as the perfect retreat for relaxing away from the hustle and stress of daily life. The white sands, palm groves and the lovely waters, set in a tropical environment is the perfect getaway from the wintertime (or any other) blues.
Tangalle Beach is the perfect place to go for a peaceful and quiet vacation. The beautiful white sand beach will give you the true vibes of a tropical paradise. The white sands goes on for kilometers at a stretch with bays and beaches on both the north and south sides.
The beach offers some of the most spectacular views of the sunset. Though the water is deep blue and pretty, swimming at Tangalle Beach is not suitable as the tides can be quite rough and it can be quite dangerous. The small bay with a sheltering reef, is one of the places that you should definitely visit. The reef catches the bigger waves and it acts like a natural Jacuzzi. The soft sands of the beach also make it an ideal spot for a nice morning run.
There are many other beaches nearby, which you can visit on day trips from your hotel. All the land on the edge of the Indian Ocean is lined with mangrove vegetation with many beautiful lagoons.
The Tangalle Lagoon is a haven for a myriad of birdlife and marine life. Located towards the south of Tangalle, the lagoon provides a great day trip for those in the area. One of the best ways to explore the Tangalle Lagoon; especially at your own pace is by embarking on a kayaking or canoeing excursion along the gentle, emerald waters. As you paddle along the lagoon; keep an eye out for the various wildlife that calls the lagoon and the bordering mangroves; home. From birds to crocodiles, kayakers are in for an exciting safari! This off-the-beaten-path attraction in Tangalle is ideal for those looking to escape the crowds from the nearby more popular beach towns. Explore the mangroves, and remember to duck under low-hanging branches!
The nearby golden beaches of Rekawa are known to attract several endangered species of sea turtles; which include loggerhead, hawksbill, olive ridley, green and leatherback turtles. These five species make their way to the stretch of untouched beach in Rekawa to lay their eggs before heading back to the ocean.
The Rekawa Turtle Watch is a conservation project which aims at protecting the nesting sites, thereby ensuring the eggs hatch safely and the baby turtles can return home. Travelers can embark on a turtle-watching excursion in the evenings to catch a glimpse of turtles laying their eggs.
Overnight at Palm Paradise Beach Cabana (Superior HB), Tangalle

DAY 10 – 12
Beach Break – Mirissa Beach

Located on Sri Lanka’s picturesque South Coast, Mirissa still offers the charm of an idyllic fishing village. Enjoy walks along uncrowded beaches, still untouched by mass tourism, and be fascinated by the famous stilt fishing men. Mirissa is more than beach life. Much more. Surrounded by rubber and coconut plantations, ancient temples and spice gardens, natural sanctuaries, and exotic wildlife, Mirissa offers something for everybody.
Surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving or just sunbathing in front of one of the beach pubs.
Mirissa is also an ideal destination for those who wish to catch a rare glimpse of those beautiful and gentle giants of the Ocean. Situated at the southern coast of Sri Lanka from beyond the MIRISSA coast lies the Indian Ocean its vast majesty right up to the Antarctic landmass. It comes as no surprise that these amazing marine mammals migrate through the vast and fertile stretch from December to April during the annual breeding season. Mirissa itself is a quiet and peaceful coastal town boasting unspoiled beaches.
Setting off from Mirissa there is up to 90% opportunity to come across Sperm whales and a pretty good chance of sighting the Blue whale as well. There are believed to be around 26 different species of whales traversing this region and this includes the well-loved dolphins.
Overnight at Paradise Beach Club (Deluxe Room HB), Mirissa

DAY 13
Galle Fort – Colombo – Negombo

First, you will be visiting the Galle Fort. A Unesco World Heritage Site, this historic city is easy to explore on foot, an endlessly exotic old trading port blessed with imposing Dutch-colonial buildings, ancient mosques and churches, grand mansions, and museums. Most travelers are utterly seduced by Galle’s ambiance, and it’s undoubtedly southern Sri Lanka’s one unmissable sight.
Colombo is the commercial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka. It is the financial center of the island and a popular destination for sightseeing and shopping. In Colombo, you will see a fascinating mix of old and new, with a central cluster of high-rise office blocks and hotels overshadowing red-tiled colonial-era buildings and sprawling street markets which overflow with high piled fruit and vegetables, colorful silks and cotton, and deliciously fragrant spices. Also, Majestic City shopping complex, ODEL Unlimited Dress Boutique, and the ancient Pettha market in the harbor district are one of Colombo’s busiest places and the first shopping choice for most visitors to Sri Lanka. A mix of market vendors selling anything from fresh vegetables, meats, and seafood to jewelry, clothing, and electronic goods. The numerous streets are dedicated to different trades, with one of the most notable being sea street at the end of the open market, which specialized in the trading of gold and jewels.
Overnight at Beacon Beach Hotel (Deluxe Room B&B), Negombo

DAY 14
Negombo

Negombo is famous for its beach, the Dutch Heritage Sites, and, of course, fresh seafood.
Relax at a beach restaurant or your hotel’s swimming pool.
Depending on your departure time, we can also arrange for a special sightseeing tour of Negombo.

END OF PRIVATE SRI LANKA BUDGET TOUR

Book Private Sri Lanka Budget Tour 14 Days

2 PAX – USD 900 pp 

4 PAX – USD 800 pp 

6 PAX – USD 750 pp 

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