Classical Round Tour

Overview

This is our most popular tour. Please note we can offer shorter tours of 3 night, 4 day or 4 night, 5 day tours. Alternatively longer durations are also possible: just ask for details.

Day 1
On arrival in Sri Lanka, please clear immigration, collect your luggage then proceed through customs to the arrival lobby. You will be met by a representative of Columbus Tours and transferred to your hotel in Colombo. (Transfer is approx 1 hour.)

Afternoon sightseeing tour of Colombo. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Dinner and overnight at the 5 star Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo (formerly Trans Asia Hotel).

Day 2
After breakfast transfer to Dambulla visiting the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage en route. The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is unique in that it breeds wild elephants in captivity and also takes care of orphaned wild elephants found in the jungles. Here you will enjoy watching the daily routine of feeding and bathing the elephants.

Continue on your journey to Dambulla. On arrival check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.  Dinner and overnight at the 4 star The Amaya Lake Resort.

Day 3
After breakfast, visit Polonnaruwa, a ruined city which displays the influences of both Indian and Sinhalese cultures. See the world famous Polonnaruwa Gal Viharaya consisting of three huge stone monoliths of the Lord Buddha, in sitting, standing and reclining positions.

Experience the Vatadageya, Sathmahal Prasadaya, Rajasaba Mandapaya, Nisshanka Latha Mandapaya, Parakrama, Samudra, the most famous places of Buddhist interest in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.

Dinner and overnight at the 4 star Amaya Lake Resort, Dambulla.

Day 4
After an early rise, you will have the oppportunity to climb the famous Sigiriya Rock fortress. Considered the eighth wonder of the world, Sigiriya was built in 5AD by patricide King Kasyappa and boasts world famous frescoes of women carved onto the sheer rock face. Climb the rock to marvel at the feats of architecture cumulating in the Palace on the summit of the rock, before returning to your hotel for a late breakfast.

After breakfast you will be driven up into the hills and tea growing areas which surround Kandy. En route you will visit Dambulla cave temples. The famous cave temples date to 5 BC where there are unique examples of Buddhist culture. After visiting Dambulla you will travel on to Kandy, stopping to visit a wood carving factory, spice garden and batik factory.

The drive takes approximately 3 hours with stunning scenery on the way as you begin the climb to the delightful hill station. Surrounded by hills, Kandy is a peaceful haven in which to enjoy the cooler climate.

Check in to your hotel. Evening: Participate in 'Evening pooja at Dalada Maligawa' the Temple of the Tooth where the sacred relic of Lord Buddha is stored. Witness a colourful Kandyan dance performance. Dinner and overnight at the 4 star Mahaweli Reach Hotel, Kandy.

Day 5
After breakfast, travel to Nuwara Eliya. The scenery is breathtaking as you drive on mountainous roads amidst tea gardens and cascading waterfalls. Visit a working tea factory en route and watch the process of tea making. After a while sightseeing in Nuwara Eliya Town, proceed to the Royal Golf Club.

Afternoon at leisure with the option to play a game of Golf on Nuwara Eliya's natural, eighteen-hole golf course located 5,000 feet above sea level. (Golf club rental is not included in tour cost.).

Dinner and overnight at the 3 star plus Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya (accommodation in the Golf Wing /Deluxe Wing).

Day 6
After breakfast this morning leave for Yala Tissamaharama. (Approximate travel time 6 hours.) Dinner and overnight at the 3 star Yala Village Hotel, Yala.

Day 7
Enjoy an early morning Jeep safari to Yala National Park where you can see Sri Lankan wild animals in their natural state.Inside the park you may very well encounter wild boar, deer, leopards, elephants, bears, peacocks, flamingos and many more animals roaming freely. The elephants gather at the waterholes to drink and you may watch them bathing their young and immersing themselves in the river.

After breakfast at your hotel, you will begin your trip to Galle, the southern capital of Sri Lanka. Visit the famous Dutch ramparts in the Galle Fort. This fort now houses most government offices, the old post office, the 350 year old beautiful Dutch church and other colonial style buildings typical of the architecture that prevailed in that era. Walk along the ramparts with a view of the harbour and the famous old lighthouse. Galle is well known for its cottage industries and lace making, a traditional southern Sri Lankan craft. Visit a lacemakingcraft centre and a mask making centre. These wooden masks are used in ceremonies and festivals in Sri Lanka. Each one is hand carved, reflecting a particular human emotion.

After your sightseeing tour of Galle, you will be dropped off at a beach hotel of your choice along the coast from Galle to Colombo to relax after your tour.

Price includes:

• Accommodation as specified on a half board basis. (Dinner and breakfast).
• Transport in a private air conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking chauffeur guide.
• Entrance fees at: Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy Temple of the Tooth at Daladha Maligawa
• Yala entrance fee including jeep hire and tracker fees.

Extras: 1.5% tourism and economic development levy. Lunches and any additional personal expenses. International flights are not included.

Prices from £1,135 per person (based on two persons sharing). Please note that the beach stay is not included in the tour cost.

6 night stay from £1,135 per person