Hidden Treasures of Sri Lanka

18 days from £4280 per person

Large standing stone Buddha surrounded by archaeological remains in Aukana

Despite Sri Lanka's undoubted popularity, certain parts of the island remain both unknown and underexplored. Starting at the Horathapola Estate in Kurunegala, initially six nights are spent in the 'cultural triangle' visiting some of the less familiar sights of this historic region. Travelling north explore Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka's oldest wildlife reserve, and the city of Jaffna which is located at the northern tip of the island and a stronghold of Tamil culture. Leaving Jaffna travel south via Trincomalee and end in Passikudah to relax on one of the island's finest beaches.

Route: Colombo – Makandura – Sigiriya – Thirappane – Jaffna – Trincomalee – Passikudah – Colombo

Itinerary Highlights

The UNESCO-listed ancient rock fortress at Sigiriya rises majestically out of the forest. In 495 AD a palace was built on the summit and the sides decorated with colourful frescoes.

For years Wilpattu National Park was off-limits to travellers. Today this attractive reserve supports over thirty species of mammal, reptiles including mugger crocodile and threatened bird species.

Jaffna’s history is one of contest, created as a port by the Portuguese, it was lost to the Dutch, who then lost it to the British in 1796. After independence Tamils and Sinhalese disputed the city.

Itinerary: Hidden Treasures of Sri Lanka

Day 1 Depart the UK

Today depart the UK on the SriLankan Airlines flight to Colombo. (N)

Day 2 Arrive Colombo / Colombo to Makandura – 35kms

Meet your driver-guide as you arrive in Colombo and continue north by car to Makandura and The Notary's House where you will stay overnight. This small six bedroom boutique hotel is surrounded by large gardens, has spacious bedrooms and an enticing outdoor swimming pool. The remainder of the day will be at leisure to relax after your flight. (N)
Accommodation in Makandura: The Notary's House
Upgrade option: Horathapola Estate

Day 3 Makandura to Sigiriya – 165kms via Yapahuwa and Dambulla

This morning leave Makandura for the drive to Sigiriya stopping en-route to visit Yapahuwa, a rock fortress and capital of Sri Lanka during the 13th century, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dambulla. An important temple complex, the richly painted caves dating, at their earliest, from the 1st century BC with the frescoes portraying both religious and secular life. (B)

Accommodation in Sigiriya: Jetwing Vil Uyana (or similar)

Days 4 & 5 Sigiriya

Over the next two day explore the areas around Sigiriya. Highlights include the wonderful archaeological remains at Polonnaruwa, the island's medieval capital between the 11th and 13th centuries, and the astonishing frescoes and rock fortress of Sigiriya. Other places of interest include the archaeological site of Medirigiriya, the cave temples of Dimbulagala and the Gal Vihara rock temple. (B)

Accommodation in Sigiriya: Jetwing Vil Uyana (or similar)

Day 6 Sigiriya to Thirappane – 65kms via Ritigala

Today leave Sigiriya and drive to Thirappane stopping en-route to visit the 2nd century BC forest hermitage and monastic site of Ritigala. Later continue on to Thirappane. This region is Sri Lanka's cultural heart and encompasses numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ancient cities and monasteries, rock-cut caves and monolithic Buddhas. (B)

Accommodation in Thirappane: Ulagalla Resort (or similar)

Days 7 & 8 Thirappane

With your driver-guide, over the next two days explore the area surrounding Thirappane. Visit Sri Lanka's first capital Anuradhapura, the home of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, and nearby Mihintale where, according to tradition, the first Buddhist sermon was preached. Other places of interest include the little-visited Buddha statues at Aukana, Sasseruwa, the capital of medieval Sri Lanka and the Vessagiriya Cave Monastery. (B)

Accommodation in Thirappane: Ulagalla Resort (or similar)

Day 9 Thirappane – visit Wilpattu National Park

Today drive north-west to Wilpattu National Park for a day's visit. Sri Lanka's oldest wildlife reserve, Wilpattu covers a vast area stretching from the coastal shoreline between Portugal and Dutch bays to the hilly, densely forested interior. A further feature of Wilpattu are the numerous villus, natural water basins, dotted throughout the park which collect rain and attract animals. (B)

Accommodation in Thirappane: Ulagalla Resort (or similar)

Day 10 Thirappane – visit Wilpattu National Park

Today return to Wilpattu for further exploration of the reserve with a naturalist on morning and evening safaris. Birding in Wilpattu with both resident and migrant species, whilst larger mammals include elephant, sloth bear, deer, water buffalo, mongoose and the evasive leopard. Coastal regions support the little seen dugong and there is a healthy reptile population including monitor lizard, mugger crocodile and Indian python. (B)

Accommodation in Thirappane: Ulagalla Resort (or similar)

Day 11 Thirappane to Jaffna – 210kms

After breakfast, leave Thirappane and drive north to Jaffna. Jaffna, at the northern tip of the island, is a stronghold of Hindu Tamil culture and this has shaped the make-up of the city, and surrounding region. Slowly re-opening to foreign tourism, the city remains very much 'off the beaten track' and provides an interesting alternative to the busier south. (B)

Accommodation in Jaffna: Jetwing Jaffna (or similar)

Day 12 Jaffna

Today explore Jaffna with your driver-guide. The colourful Kandaswamy Temple is a particular highlight and is one of the most important Hindu temple complexes on the island. Believed to date from the 10th century, the currently structure is nearly two hundred years old and hosts the spectacular yearly 25 day chariot festival. Also visit Jaffna Fort, one of the island's oldest and largest, the interesting archaeological museum, St Mary's Cathedral and the church of St James. (B)

Accommodation in Jaffna: Jetwing Jaffna (or similar)

Day 13 Jaffna to Trincomalee – 240kms

Today follow Sri Lanka's east coast to Trincomalee. One of the earliest Indian Tamil settlements in Sri Lanka, the coming of the colonial era and Trincomalee's magnificent natural harbour combined to make this port city one of the subcontinent's political and economic powerhouses. Later enter Fort Frederick, see Wellesley House and visit the colourful Konesvaram Temple. (B)
Accommodation in Trincomalee: Chaaya Blu Trincomalee (or similar)
Alternative option in Kuchchaveli: Jungle Bay Resort

Day 14 Trincomalee to Passikudah – 120kms

Leaving Trincomalee, today drive to Sri Lanka's beautiful east coast. Located to the north of the city of Batticaloa, first landing point of the Dutch in 1602, Passikudah has one of the island's finest beaches of golden sand and gentle crystal clear waters ideal for swimming and snorkelling. (B)
Accommodation in Passikudah: Maalu Maalu Resort
Alternative option: Uga Bay Resort

Days 15 & 16 Passikudah

Over the next two days relax and enjoy Passikudah. The Maalu Maalu Resort is located directly on the beach and has a large, welcoming swimming pool and its own Ayurvedic spa. For the more active, cycle or walk to some of the small neighbouring fishing villages, dive or snorkel the virgin coral reefs or visit the Portuguese fort in Batticaloa. (B)
Accommodation in Passikudah: Maalu Maalu Resort
Alternative option: Uga Bay Resort

Day 17 Passikudah to Batticaloa – 35kms / Batticaloa to Colombo – by air

Today transfer to Batticaloa Airport and fly to Colombo. (B)

Accommodation in Colombo: The Wallawwa (or similar)

Day 18 Colombo to the UK

Today transfer back to Colombo Airport to catch the SriLankan Airlines flight non-stop to the UK. (B)

**KEY: N = No meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

What's included

International flights from the UK
Domestic flights
Private car with English speaking driver-guide
Wildlife viewing with local naturalist
Hotel accommodation and taxes

What's not included

Cost of visas
Travel Insurance
Expenses of a personal nature

Guide to Price

The above price is based on two people travelling together and sharing accommodation in low season. The price is only a guide and can vary according to selected airlines, hotels and date of travel. If you wish to travel with your family, friends or on your own we will be very happy to assist you with your arrangements.

Your Holiday In Sri Lanka

Our holidays to Sri Lanka are completely tailor-made with all arrangements made to fit your exact requirements and interests. Pettitts Travel have organised bespoke tours to Sri Lanka for over 30 years so, whether a first time visitor or a return traveller, you can be assured that we can design an itinerary unique to you that can cover all four corners of the island. All of our itineraries, whether those featured on our website or quoted following an enquiry, include hotels and transport, guided sightseeing and entrance fees. When travelling in Sri Lanka you will have a private car with driver-guide at your disposal throughout your holiday. In Sri Lanka your driver is also your guide so they will accompany you on all sightseeing visits. In most national parks and wildlife reserves you will have the additional services of a naturalist. Whilst you are on holiday you will also have round the clock support and assistance from our both from our partners in Sri Lanka and our UK office.

Most clients use the tours featured on our website as inspiration – a starting point for discussion or a series of ideas to be adapted to meet specific requirements, adding or removing days, including places of interest or adjusting the accommodation. Sri Lanka: A Tropical Jewel is ideal for the first time visitor to Sri Lanka with a focus on the cultural triangle, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya before ending with a few days of relaxation beside the beach in Bentota. A Journey through Ceylon builds on this journey with extra time spent in and around the cultural triangle as well as two days in historic Galle. Sri Lanka is also a fabulous summer family destination with the itinerary Sri Lanka: A Summer Family Adventure mixing both adventure and wildlife with relaxation and snorkelling. Wild Sri Lanka is a comprehensive itinerary featuring the island’s premier national parks and wildlife reserves whilst Hidden Treasures of Sri Lanka showcases the underexplored northern and eastern coasts. For those looking for culture followed by pure relaxation, our two-centre journey linking Sri Lanka with the Maldives is the perfect combination.

Ancient Sites of Sri Lanka

Despite its diminutive size, Sri Lanka is blessed with an astonishing number of cultural and historic treasures so there is plenty to see and do wherever you are on the island. Highlights include the 1,500 year-old cliff-top fortress at Sigiriya with its colourful frescoes and spectacular views, the Dambulla Cave Temple complex which has been a place of worship since the 1st century BC and the UNESCO protected ancient cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura – the former famed for its mammoth standing and reclining Buddhas, the latter for its well-preserved ruins including the towering terracotta stupa of Abhayagiri vihara. The bustling hill capital of Kandy is the home of the Temple of the Tooth. Located in the Royal Palace complex, the heart of the temple houses one of the most important relics in the country, the Buddha’s tooth. This temple, as well as the mountain-top shrine of Mihintale and the spectacular standing Buddha at Aukana, are significant pilgrimage sites and draw devotees from far and wide.

Wildlife in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka harbours an incredible diversity of flora and fauna and offers some of the finest wildlife viewing in Asia. Yala, a substantial reserve in the south-east of the island, is Sri Lanka’s best known national park. Although elusive, Yala is believed to have the world’s highest concentration of leopards, whilst its range of habitats supports a range of animals from deer and monkey to bear and crocodile. The national parks of Udawalawe, Minneriya and Gal Oya are all associated with elephant – Udawalawe and Minneriya have significant populations whilst Gal Oya, which is centred on Senanayake Samudraya Lake, has the unique spectacle of ‘swimming’ elephants. Wilpattu, the country’s largest reserve, remains little-visited due to its inaccessibility and, consequently offers a truly wild wildlife experience. Wilpattu is home to leopard, crocodile and deer and has excellent birdwatching. For something completely different, the primary rainforest of the UNESCO protected biosphere reserve of Sinharaja not only has fine birdwatching but is also the best place on the island to see butterflies, insects, amphibians and reptiles.

Hidden Treasures of Sri Lanka

18 days from £4280 per person

Itinerary Highlights

Itinerary: Hidden Treasures of Sri Lanka

What To Do Next?

What's included

What's not included

Guide to Price

What Is A Tailor-Made Holiday?

View On The Map

When to Visit

Your Holiday In Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Holiday Review

Ancient Sites of Sri Lanka

Wildlife in Sri Lanka

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19 Things to Do in Sri Lanka

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