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Wonder of Asia

Ancient Capitals, Rainforest & Wild South

Yapahuwa’s forgotten staircase, Anuradhapura’s sacred city, and a Yala safari.

A thirteen day circuit that trades the busiest Cultural Triangle stops for its quieter corners, Yapahuwa’s forgotten rock fortress and Anuradhapura’s sacred city, before Sigiriya, Kandy, tea country, a Yala safari and a colonial finish in Galle. Built for travellers who have read about Sri Lanka’s classic sites and want the ones most visitors miss.

  • Type: Heritage, Wildlife and Coast – Mid-Length
  • Best For: Travellers who have read about Sri Lanka’s classic sites and want the ones most visitors miss
  • Comfort Level: Boutique Heritage
  • Best Time to Travel: Year round, February to June driest for Yala
  • Activity Level: Moderate
  • Pace: Moderate
  • Route: Colombo – Negombo – Yapahuwa – Anuradhapura – Sigiriya – Kandy – Nuwara Eliya – Ella – Yala – Galle – Colombo

 

Unique to This Tour: A stop at Yapahuwa Rock Fortress, a little visited 13th century capital built around a granite outcrop, its steep ornamental staircase flanked by Sri Lanka’s only Chinese-style stone lions, the same lion depicted on the old ten rupee note.

Signature Moment: Yapahuwa’s ornamental stone staircase, climbed by almost no one else that morning.

Tour Itinerary

Day 01 -

Arrival - Negombo

Transfer from the airport to Negombo. Overnight in Negombo.

 

Day 02 -

Negombo - Yapahuwa - Anuradhapura

Drive north, approximately 2 hours, to Yapahuwa Rock Fortress, a briefly capital 13th century fortress rising from a jungle outcrop, well off the typical tourist trail. Continue to Anuradhapura, approximately 1 hour. Overnight in Anuradhapura.

 

Day 03 -

Anuradhapura Sacred City - Mihintale

A full day exploring the ancient sacred city, the Sri Maha Bodhi, Ruwanwelisaya Dagoba, Jetavanaramaya and Abhayagiri stupas, followed by an afternoon visit to Mihintale, where Buddhism is said to have first reached Sri Lanka. Overnight in Anuradhapura.

 

Day 04 -

Anuradhapura - Sigiriya

Drive south, approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, via the Dambulla Cave Temple. Overnight in Sigiriya.

 

Day 05 -

Sigiriya Rock Fortress - Minneriya Safari

Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress in the morning. In the afternoon, a jeep safari at Minneriya National Park, with the elephant gathering season running July to October. Overnight in Sigiriya.

 

Day 06 -

Sigiriya - Kandy

Drive to Kandy, approximately 3 hours. Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in the afternoon. Overnight in Kandy.

 

Day 07 -

Kandy - Nuwara Eliya

Drive into the highlands, approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, via a tea factory tour and tasting. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.

 

Day 08 -

Horton Plains - World’s End

Early walk across Horton Plains to World’s End. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.

 

Day 09 -

Nuwara Eliya - Ella

Scenic train from Nanu Oya to Ella. Visit the Nine Arch Bridge on arrival. Overnight in Ella.

 

Day 10 -

Ella - Yala

Drive south, approximately 2.5 hours, via Wellawaya for an afternoon jeep safari through Yala National Park. Overnight near Yala.

 

Day 11 -

Yala - Galle

Dawn safari, then drive to the south coast, approximately 3 hours. Afternoon walking the ramparts of Galle Fort. Overnight in Galle.

 

Day 12 -

Galle Leisure Day

A free day to enjoy the fort’s boutique lanes and cafes, or relax at a beach property nearby. Overnight in Galle.

 

Day 13 -

Departure

Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport, approximately 2.5 hours.

Inclusion

  • All private ground transport throughout the tour
  • Private heritage guide for Yapahuwa, Anuradhapura and Mihintale
  • Private jeep safaris at Minneriya and Yala
  • Temple of the Tooth guided visit
  • Scenic train tickets, Nanu Oya to Ella
  • Guided Galle Fort walking tour
  • All airport transfers, arrival and departure
  • 12 nights accommodation as specified above
  • Daily breakfast at each property
  • 24 hour on ground support throughout

Exclusions

  • International flights to and from Colombo
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Lunches and dinners unless specified
  • National park entrance fees
  • Personal spending, souvenirs and tipping

Tour Highlights

  • Yapahuwa Rock Fortress
  • Anuradhapura Sacred City
  • Sigiriya Rock Fortress
  • Minneriya elephant safari
  • Horton Plains and World’s End
  • Yala leopard safari

Where You’ll Stay

  • Negombo: Jetwing Blue or Jetwing Lagoon
  • Anuradhapura: Ulagalla Resort or Palm Garden Village (2 nights)
  • Sigiriya: Water Garden Sigiriya or Aliya Resort (2 nights)
  • Kandy: The Kandy House or Cinnamon Citadel
  • Nuwara Eliya: Heritance Tea Factory or Tea Trails Bungalows (2 nights)
  • Ella: Zion View or Ella Gap Tourist Rest
  • Yala: Chena Huts by Uga or Wild Coast Tented Lodge
  • Galle: Fort Bazaar or Amangalla (2 nights)