Despite Sri Lanka's undoubted popularity, certain parts of the island remain both unknown and underexplored.
Starting at The Notary’s House in Makandura, initially six nights are spent in the 'cultural triangle' visiting some of the less familiar sights of this historic region including Yapahuwa, Medirigiriya, Dimbulagala, Ritigala, Aukana and Sasseruwa. Travelling north head to the city of Jaffna which is located at the northern tip of the island and a stronghold of Tamil culture then follow the island’s eastern seaboard via Trincomalee before ending in Passikudah to relax beside one of Sri Lanka’s finest beaches.
Colombo – Makandura – Sigiriya – Thirappane – Jaffna – Trincomalee – Passikudah – Colombo
Trip Highlights
- Hike to the summit of the towering UNESCO-listed ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya
- Passikudah, with its golden sands and pristine seas, is one of Sri Lanka’s finest beaches
- With Portuguese, Dutch, British and Tamil influences, Jaffna is a fascinating city
- Mihintale is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site with several monuments to discover
- Historic Trincomalee has a wonderful setting with Konesvaram Temple a highlight
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart the UK
Today depart the UK on the Sri Lankan Airlines flight to Colombo.
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.
The Notary’s House
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.
- Breakfast
Jetwing Vil Uyana
Day 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.
- Breakfast
Jetwing Vil Uyana
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.
Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka's oldest wildlife reserve, is located to the north-west of Thirappane and can either be visited on day trips from Thirappane or incorporated en-route between Thirappane and Jaffna. Should you wish to incorporate Wilpattu National Park into your itinerary please speak to one of our travel consultants who will be delighted to advise you further.
- Breakfast
Ulagalla Resort
Day 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.
- Breakfast
Ulagalla Resort
Day 9
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.
- Breakfast
Jetwing Jaffna
Jetwing Mahesa Bhawan
Day 10
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.
- Breakfast
Jetwing Jaffna
Jetwing Mahesa Bhawan
Day 11
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.
- Breakfast
Trinco Blu by Cinnamon
Uga Jungle Beach Resort
Day 12
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.
- Breakfast
Maalu Maalu Resort
Uga Bay Resort
Day 13-14
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.
- Breakfast
Maalu Maalu Resort
Uga Bay Resort
Day 15
Passikudah to Batticaloa – 35kms / Batticaloa to Colombo – by air
Today transfer to Batticaloa Airport and fly to Colombo.
- Breakfast
The Wallawwa
Day 16
Colombo to the UK
Today transfer back to Colombo Airport to catch the SriLankan Airlines flight non-stop to the UK.
- Breakfast
Extending your stay...
Discover Gal Oya National Park, one of the lesser known but finest reserves on the island. Forested and incorporating a large body of water, this is one of the best places to see wild elephant in Sri Lanka. Watch as they swim from island to island across the lake.
Include a stay in Galle. The buildings housed within the historic fort are some of the best preserved of the subcontinent and display Portuguese, Dutch, Arab and British influences. Walk the ramparts, watch cricket or enjoy a meal in one of the many restaurants.
Kandy is the capital of the highlands and a city famous throughout Sri Lanka as the location of the sacred Temple of the Tooth. Kandy is also the setting for the superb Peradeniya Botanical Gardens which are widely recognised as South Asia’s finest.
Explore Bundala National Park which adjoins its more famous neighbour Yala. Consisting of lagoons, waterways and wetlands, Bundala is widely recognised for its first-class birdwatching and has large resident and migratory bird populations.
Guide to Price
16 days from £4790 - £5750 per person
What's Included
- International flights
- Private car with English speaking driver-guide
- Wildlife viewing with local naturalist
- Hotel accommodation and taxes
What's Not Included
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Expenses of a personal nature
from £4790 - £5750
Travel Information
Getting There
SriLankan Airlines is currently the only airline offering non-stop flights from London Heathrow to Colombo. Other leading airlines, including Emirates, Oman Airways and Qatar Airways, offer indirect flights from most airports in the UK with changes in Dubai, Muscat or Abu Dhabi.
Flying Times From UK
A direct flight from London Heathrow to Colombo should take around 11 hours. Indirect flights usually take around 14 hours.
Time Zone
Sri Lanka is +5½ hours ahead of GMT.
Visa Requirements
You will need a visa to enter the country. Tourist visas are valid for a stay of up to 30 days in Sri Lanka. The visa must be obtained in advance of arrival and applications need to be made online via the official Sri Lankan government Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) website - www.eta.gov.lk. To enter Sri Lanka, your passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after the day you arrive, and your passports must have at least two blank pages for visa stamps. Please note the Tourist Visa Fee is USD50.00 per person. The above visa information applies only to British citizens travelling on a UK passport.
Do’s & Don’ts
Always show respect by understanding and following local customs and traditions. Sri Lanka is a welcoming country with a rich culture, and it is important to understand the destination and its people before visiting.
When you are taking photographs, avoid snapping shots of the soldiers and police and always ask permission if you take pictures of people.
Be aware of the dangers posed by local wildlife. It is natural to be wary of predators, but many visitors do not realise that other large animals, such as the much loved elephant, are also dangerous to humans if they get scared and charge.
Holy areas welcome visitors, but make sure you observe religious customs. Remove your shoes and cover up respectfully. These are also good rules to follow if you are invited into somebody's home.
When eating, only the right hand should be used. Sri Lankan culture considers the left hand to be unclean.
Money
The currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). Colombo Airport provides currency exchange facilities. Sri Lanka has a closed currency and therefore you will get a better rate by exchanging your money locally. Accessing your money is straightforward in Sri Lanka, with major cities and towns having plenty of ATMs available. If you are heading out to rural areas, you will want to have cash with you. Most vendors, transport providers and retailers will prefer cash to debit and credit cards.
Tipping
If a waiter or driver makes a special effort, feel free to tip. A driver/guide who offers a more personal service will expect you to tip, and hotels will include a service charge as standard (usually 10%). As with services in the UK, if a tip box is provided and you feel an extra fee is deserved, nobody will be offended if you leave a small tip. A guideline for tipping your driver/guide will be advised prior to travel.
Food & Drink
Sri Lanka is well known for its tea which is grown and exported internationally. The country, formerly known as Ceylon, is the world's fourth largest producer of tea and it has a reputation for creating some of the finest teas in the world. Tea drinking forms a big part of Sri Lankan culture. Visit local tea houses and cafes or pick up a cup from a street vendor while exploring the country. Sri Lanka is not as strictly vegetarian as India, and meat dishes are widely available. However, much of the local cuisine focuses on vegetables and spices, so vegetarians will be spoilt for choice. Fish is more commonly cooked than meat, with curries and stews forming a big part of the Sri Lankan diet.
Accommodation
Sri Lanka has plenty of accommodation options to suit every visitor so it is possible to experience a bygone era at an opulent and historic tea plantation, stay in a luxurious lodge in one of the country's finest wildlife parks or indulge on the finest seafood at a five-star beach resort. There is a vast range of accommodation available throughout the island from luxurious small hotels, contemporary properties and one-off boutique accommodation to atmospheric wildlife lodges and charming colonial tea planter’s bungalows. The majority of Sri Lanka’s beach resorts predominately hug the north-east and south-west coastlines with a plethora of different options including everything from larger modern hotels to small independent properties – some with only a handful of rooms. Although heritage hotels can be found throughout the country, the majority are located in and around Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and adjoining tea plantations and the historic fort at Galle.
Shopping
Colombo is the place to be if you want to pick up a bargain. Many of the high street clothes we get in the UK are made in Sri Lanka and can make it to retail there at very low prices. Sri Lankan cities are more focused on market style trading and you will find a vast array of ingredients on offer including high quality spices and herbs. Haggling over prices is strongly encouraged and shop keepers will expect it. However, most are far less persistent than in other countries, and will engage with the bartering process in good humour and fun. Feel free to offer what you feel something is worth and walk away if you feel pressured into a sale.
Suggested Reading
For a good introduction to visiting Sri Lanka, you cannot go wrong with the Footprint Rough Guide. Learn a little more about the country before you get there with some great novels and memoirs set in Sri Lanka, including ‘Running in the Family’ by Michael Ondaatje, ‘The Village in the Jungle’ by Leonard Woolf, ‘The Teardrop Island’ by Cherry Briggs, ‘Woolf in Ceylon’ by Christopher Ondaatje and ‘Mosquito’ by Roma Tearne.
Health
Your doctor is the best person to advise you on staying healthy whilst abroad but current recommended vaccinations are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Diphtheria. Yellow Fever is compulsory, but only if you have visited an affected Yellow Fever area within 5 days prior to your arrival. In some instances anti-malarial tablets may also be needed. For current information on health advice you may wish to visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website Travel Health Pro on https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/. The Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) website (www.masta.org) is also a useful resource.
Travel Advice
For current information on Sri Lanka the best resource is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) which is a comprehensive resource and updated regularly. We would also recommend visiting the Safer Tourism Foundation website (safertourism.org.uk) before you travel and will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have. If you are considering a trip to Sri Lanka, Pettitts Travel are specialists in bespoke Sri Lanka tours including Colombo holidays. We can create an itinerary around your requirements to include Sri Lanka's key experiences and sights.
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Our Reviews
What our clients say
We enjoyed every minute of it
NR - Sri Lanka and the Maldives - November 2024
We returned this morning from our trip having had a really superb holiday. We enjoyed every minute of it and I wanted to thank you for the efficient way in which you organised our fascinating itinerary and the selection of lovely hotels in Sri Lanka. Everything went like clockwork and we have returned relaxed and refreshed. I am very grateful and I shall be in touch when we plan our next adventure.
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