Southern Sri Lanka
Negombo to Negombo
9 Days
From
US$ 883
+ Local Payment of US$130.00
View Tour Notes
Visit areas of stunning natural beauty, national parks boasting some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in all of Asia and wander through bustling towns and cities. Southern Sri Lanka has many hidden gems and surprises.
About this tour
- Type of Travel: Private Transport
- Group Size: Normally 4-19. Average 10.
- Recommended Age: 18-65
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Physical Rating:
- Country: Sri Lanka
Itinerary
Collapse all 
Day 1 to 1 - Arrive Negombo
Negombo is situated by the shores of a lagoon by the same name. Once a Portuguese and Dutch trading port, popular attractions here include the Old Dutch fort gate built in 1672, the Dutch Canal, and the old churches and fishing villages which surround the area. It also has a huge and rather inviting white sandy beach.
The Kotchchikade area comes to life at dusk with many handicrafts for sale, boutiques, shops, gem shops and restaurants for you to explore.
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Camelot Beach Hotel or similar 
Day 2 to 3 - Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya is located in the heart of Sri Lankan hill country and its higher altitudes and cooler climate are a welcome respite, with velvety green tea plantations carpeting the rolling hills. You will have a sightseeing tour including a visit to a tea plantation and factory. The rest of day will be spent at your leisure
Included Excursions
Sight Seeing Tour in Nuwaraeliya
Accommodation
2 night(s) in hotels at Windsor Hotel or similar
Meals
1 Buffet Breakfast(s), 1 Breakfast(s)
Day 4 to 4 - Ella
Early in the morning you leave for visiting the impressive Horton Plains National Park. Once a haven for elephants they no longer inhabit this area, however it is possible to witness many other species of wildlife. The area is surrounded by the country's highest mountains, shrouded in cloud and rivers. This is the only National Park in Sri Lanka in which visitors are allowed to walk around freely so we will take the opportunity for a trek through the high mountain vegetation and lakes.
Our goal is 'Worlds End' where the 2000 metre plateau comes to an abrupt end, plunging 700-1000 meters to the valley floor. On the way we will see a great deal of wildlife, including with purplefaced langurs, wild boar and barking deer as well as a small number of leopards. We board a train from Nuwara Eliya and enjoy the slow pace through the mountain scenery as we head to Ella. Ella is a sleepy village in Sri Lanka's Hill Country.
Included Excursions
Entry & trek in Horton Plains National Park, Scenic Train ride to Ella, Sri Lankan Cooking Class including dinner
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel 88th ELLA or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast Box, 1 Dinner(s)
Day 5 to 5 - Yala National Park
Leaving Ella we stop at the Ella and Ravana Waterfalls before reaching Yala National Park where we will spend a night just outside of the park. We will take a game drive for your best chances to see elephants, leopards and bears. Yala National Park was established in 1900 and has one of the densest populations of wildlife in Asia. The park has two important pilgrimage sites, Sithulpahuwa and Magul Vilhara and has been the center of past civilisations.
Included Excursions
Ella Rock or Little Adam's peak and Ravana waterfalls,Game drive at Yala NP
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Kithala Resort or similar 
Meals
1 Buffet Breakfast(s)
Day 6 to 7 - Unawatuna
In Unawatuna we visit the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, an important sanctuary that aims to rehabilitate orphaned elephant calves for release back into the wild. There is also time to relax on some of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka. Off the coast, there are excellent diving opportunities, with a number of coral reefs and shipwrecks to be explored. Turtles come on to the beach at night to lay their eggs. There are a number of optional activities here to enjoy, and with two nights in Unawatuna, there is plenty of time to make the most of the surroundings.
Included Excursions
Visit to Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home,Galle City Tour
Optional Excursions
Whale watching – US$65
Accommodation
2 night(s) in hotels at Sanmira Renaissance or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Buffet Breakfast(s)
Day 8 to 8 - Negombo
On route back to Negombo we visit a Turtle harchery. Upon arrival to Colombo, expect a busy and vibrant city with a mixture of modern life and colonial buildings. Enjoy driving through the Commercial area or the 'Fort', so named because both the Portuguese and Dutch had a fort here. We drive past 'Pettah', a hectic bazaar full of ancient vehicles, bargains, mosques and temples, then visit a Hindu temple and drive past Jumi-UL Alfar Jumma Mosque. We continue through the Wolvendaal Dutch Church, Hultsdorf Law courts, to the residential area of Cinnamon Gardens and on to Independence Square and Bandaranayake Memorial International Conference Hall.
Included Excursions
Colombo city tour,Turtle Hatchery
Optional Excursions
Madhu Ganga River Cruise – US$10
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Camelot Beach Hotel or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 9 to 9 - Depart Negombo
Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
What you need to know
- We will try to run your tour as close to the itinerary as conditions will allow. On very rare occasions, local events may affect the way your itinerary operates. We ask for your flexibility and understanding in these situations.
- Many countries have strict rules on the age and quality of foreign cash. We therefore recommend you bring only new, unmarked and undamaged bank notes. This includes your Local Payment on tours where required.
- Most temples require you to wear modest clothing and walk around barefoot. Remember to pack shoes that you can slip on and off easily and clothes that cover the knees and shoulders.
- The first day of your tour is simply an arrival day with no pre-organised activities. You will meet your Tucan Travel rep at 18.00 for the pre-departure meeting. In order to allow time to relax and see some of the sights you may wish to add pre-tour accommodation.
- This tour includes a compulsory Local Payment that needs to be paid to the Tour Leader on Day 1 of your tour. For more information on our Local Payments please click here.
What's Included
Excursions & Activities
- Sight Seeing Tour in Nuwaraeliya
- Entry & trek in Horton Plains National Park, Scenic Train ride to Ella, Sri Lankan Cooking Class including dinner
- Ella Rock or Little Adam's peak and Ravana waterfalls
- Game drive at Yala NP
- Visit to Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home
- Galle City Tour
- Colombo city tour
- Turtle Hatchery
Accommodation
8 night(s) in hotels
Transportation
Private Vehicle
Meals
3 Buffet Breakfast(s), 4 Breakfast(s), 1 Breakfast Box, 1 Dinner(s)
Other
Tucan Travel tour leader
What's Not Included
- Visas and travel insurance
- Spending money – budget for meals, snacks, drinks, limited souvenirs, laundry, tips and any extras
- International flights to/from the start/end of your tour and departure taxes
- Tips on excursions, visas, travel insurance, personal items and single rooms.
- Optional excursions - On each trip, you may find there are some excursions that are not included. This might be because they are not to everyone's taste or there may be various options of differing value to choose from. More information on the excursions we recommend is listed under each day of your itinerary though prices may vary. If you are after something in particular, don't hesitate to ask your tour leader.
Select Dates & Book
2019
Meets Kandy's Perehara Festival
Meets Kandy's Perehara Festival
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