Sri Lanka Classic Cultural Photo Tour 

Ayubowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka. When you arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, you’ll be met by an Intrepid representative and transferred to your hotel in nearby Negombo. Here, you’ll meet your leader and fellow travellers at a 6 pm welcome meeting. If you arrive early, maybe take some time to relax on the beach under the blue sky. After your welcome meeting, your leader will take you to a local restaurant for a seafood dinner. Sri Lankan food is famous for its rich scents, spices and flavours, and this evening you’ll find out why as you sample some local favourites like pol sambol (a tasty coconut dish) and roast paan (crispy roasted bread).

Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Some travellers have reported being approached by locals offering excursions before their Intrepid trip commences. This has been particularly prevalent in and around the hotels used by Intrepid. These guides are in no way connected to Intrepid and we cannot guarantee the safety or quality standards of their tours. We advise customers against joining any tour offered by the unauthorised guides.

Arrival transfer:
Included on Group flight basis only

Accommodation:  Jetwing Sea Negombo or similar
Meals included: Welcome dinner

Today we will start off with a very early start to get to the famed Negombo Fish Market. Here fishermen will be landing fish on a stunning beach and carrying them to the bustling fish market, where they will be auctioned, displayed and sold.

On the beach we will be able to see another of the great Negombo sights: fish being laid out to dry before being taken to the market. Negombo is colourful, lively and very photogenic – usually! However, today is the known as the Full Moon Poya Day, which makes it the perfect day to see pilgrims and devotees at Anuradhapura later in the day.

Poya Day might also mean that the Negombo Market is closed, or at least quiet. If this is the case then we have built in the time to visit in on our last morning, as the market is only 30 minutes from the International Airport.

After the market, we will travel north by private vehicle to Anuradhapura These grand ruins the point to its status as Sri Lanka’s ruling city for almost one and a half millennia. We will visit the many archaeological sites, which will include stupas, a citadel and monasteries. This will include the Ruwanweliseya Stupa, which was built around 140 BC to house relics of the Buddha, and the Jetawanaramaya Stupa, which at 122 metres was the third largest structure in the World when it was built in the 3rd century CE; behind the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Pyramid of Khafre.

We will also visit the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Temple, which houses a sacred fig tree grown from a cutting of the original Bodhi Tree in India under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. Planted around 288 BCE, it is recognised as the oldest human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date and remains one of Sri Lanka's most revered Buddhist pilgrimage sites.

Because we are visiting these sacred sites on the Poya Day, which is also a public holiday, it will be incredibly atmospheric, and like a festival in its own right. There will be many devotees and monks, and a very spiritual atmosphere. Once we have finished we will proceed to our hotel and the rest of the day will be at leisure.

Special Information: Our total travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

Included activities:
• Negombo Fish Market
• Anuradhapura - World Heritage Site of ancient kingdom ruins
• Anuradhapura - Bodhi Tree Temple

Accommodation: Rajarata Hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, we’ll take a short drive to the incredible Dambulla Cave Temple. Here, you’ll discover five caves filled with around 150 beautiful statues and paintings of Buddha – some as many as 2000 years old. Explore the magical cave complex as your leader explains why this World Heritage-listed site has been a place of worship for thousands of years. 

Outside of the cave complex is a modern temple building dating from 2001, which is topped by a 30 metre Golden Buddha, in the Dhamma Chakka mudra (the Wheel of Law or teaching posture), where the thumb and index finger touch to symbolise the transmission of Buddhist teachings.

In the afternoon we’ll head into Minneriya National Park for a safari, watching the changing landscape from your 4WD as the sun goes down.  Famed for its ancient reservoir, the Minneriya Tank, built in the 3rd century AD by King Mahasen, Minneriya is the premier destination in the country to see large herds of wild Asian elephants. After our safari, we will spend the night in leafy Habarana,  a small, vibrant city in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka.

Special Information: Our total travel time today will be approximately 3-4 hours.

Included activities:
• Dambulla - Cave Temples
• Minneriya - National Park Safari 

Accommodation: Kassapa Lion Rock or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

Early this morning, before the heat is too intense, you’ll head to Sigiriya. This ruined fortress is one of Sri Lanka's premier sights and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Those who make it to the top are rewarded with astounding views. Make sure you’re wearing sturdy footwear, as this is a very steep climb with some uneven slopes. Those unable to climb to the top can explore the gardens at the base of the rock and still get some fantastic shots of the fortress from below. 

Built in the 5th century AD by King Kashyapa, Lion Rock (Sigiriya) in Sri Lanka served as a formidable palace-fortress atop a 200 metre high granite column following a royal power struggle. After the king's death, the complex was abandoned as a royal citadel and functioned as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century.

Climbing the 1200 metal steps involves winding past ancient water gardens, a polished 'Mirror Wall,' and the iconic colossal stone lion paws guarding the final ascent to the summit.  The steps also take you past an overhang bearing the Sigiriya frescoes: beautiful, 1,500-year-old rock paintings of graceful women floating in the clouds, created during the reign of King Kashyapa.

At the top, visitors are rewarded with expansive 360-degree views of lush tropical jungle, misty hills, and the fascinating, layout-preserved brick foundations of the ancient royal palace.

We will return to the hotel for well deserved late breakfast. Next, see the age old traditions at a nearby chena cultivation area, which is one of the oldest forms of agriculture known to humans. It’s particularly popular in the dry zone of the country where it rains for only a few months of the year, and principal crops are tropical vegetables, cereals, grains, yams and corn. Then, we will feast on a tropical vegetable curry made with tapioca and fried fish caught in the nearby lake for lunch.

After lunch we will head back to our hotel where the rest of the day is free for our own adventures

Special Information: You’ll need to be of a good fitness level to climb the rock fortress at Sigiriya, as there are many steep, stone steps to the top, and also have a fairly good head for heights. The view from the top is worth all of the effort though.

Included activities:
• Sigiriya - Lion Rock at Sunrise
• Sigiriya - Chena Cultivation tour 

Accommodation: Kassapa Lion Rock or similar
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Start early for a sunrise climb at Pidurangala Rock, one of the most rewarding viewpoints in the Cultural Triangle. The short ascent leads to a wide, open summit facing Sigiriya Rock, which slowly emerges from the morning mist as first light spreads across the jungle. Soft colours, layered landscapes, and calm conditions make sunrise the ideal time for photography. After descending, return to the hotel for a well-deserved breakfast.

Afterward, start our journey to Kandy. Along the way, stop off in the city of Matale where you will visit a local spice garden and learn about the spices that have played such an important role in Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage.

Continue to Kandy where we’ll have a free evening to explore. Though it’s the second largest city in the country, Kandy maintains a laidback atmosphere. Founded in the 14th century, Kandy served as the final royal capital of the ancient Sinhalese kings and famously held out as an independent kingdom against centuries of Portuguese and Dutch attempts at colonisation before eventually falling to the British in 1815. 

Kandy's historic and cultural centre revolves around the 16th-century Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, which has long made the city the spiritual heart of Sri Lankan Buddhism.

In the evening, we can takeg a peaceful stroll along the softly lit perimeter of Kandy Lake, and unwind at one of the city's hillside rooftop lounges, like Slightly Chilled, to grab a drink and enjoy panoramic night views over the city valley.

Or we can just hang out in our is a historic, 4-star colonial-style hotel right across from the tranquil Kandy Lake. Originally built in the 17th century and operating as a hotel since 1890, it famously served as the headquarters for the South East Asia Command during World War II.

Special Information: Our total travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.

Included activities:
• Pidurangala at Sunrise
• Matale Spice Garden visit

Accommodation: Hotel Suisse or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, we will meet with a local botanist for their expert insight as we take a guided tour of the Royal Botanical Gardens. Our guide will help us spot Yellow Fronted Barbets, Layard's Parakeets and Sri Lankan Hanging Parrots, and introduce you to an unbelievable array of orchids. 

The Royal Botanic Gardens span 147 acres along a loop of the Mahaweli River and house over 4,000 species of tropical flora. It was established by the British in 1821 , though the land had been used as a Sinhala royal pleasure garden since the 1300s. It is world-renowned for its extensive orchid collection, giant Java fig tree, and towering avenues of royal palms.

After the Botanic Gardens, we will visit the gem museum and lapidary, where we can learn about the history of gem mining in Sri Lanka and see how gems are turned into beautiful pieces of jewellery.

Today’s lunch is particularly special as we will dine at Hela Bojun – a social enterprise founded by the Sri Lankan government to empower, train and employ women from rural communities.

In the afternoon, we will be welcomed into the home of a local dancer where we will have the unique opportunity to watch and photograph an exclusive cultural performance in an intimate environment.

The highlight of our trip to Kandy will come as we enjoy an evening visit the famous Temple of the Tooth Relic. Located in the heart of town, this is the most important shrine in the country, housing a relic of a tooth of Buddha taken from his funeral pyre. The original temple on the site was first built around 1595 (making the site’s foundation roughly 430 years old). However, the physical structure you see today is about 300 years old.

We will time our visit to witness the evening pooja – the most atmospheric  and intense of the three daily rituals, held daily around 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. It is led by resident monks from the Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters along with traditional hereditary lay attendants.a small ceremony of reverence involving drummers and dancers.

The ceremony begins on the lower floor with traditional Hewisi drummers and flute players clad in white and red traditional attire. The echoing drumbeats signal to worshippers throughout the complex that the sacred proceedings are starting.

The chief service monk unlocks the heavy, gilded doors of the upper-floor inner chamber where the tooth relic is housed. While the actual tooth relic is never exposed to the public eye, the altar window of the inner shrine is opened. Devotees filing past in a continuous, slow-moving line get a brief, close-up look at the massive, jewel-encrusted Golden Stupa Casket that contains the relic. 

Devotees place offerings – primarily fragrant lotus and jasmine blossoms – onto long alter tables as monks chant ancient Pali prayers, burn incense, and perform ritual lamp offerings inside the inner sanctum.

After this spiritual experience at the Temple of the Tooth, we can head out for dinner before returning to our hotel.

Included activities:
• Kandy - Royal Botanical Gardens
• Kandy - Gem museum & lapidary workshop visit
• Kandy - Hela Bojun social enterprise lunch
• Kandy - Private Cultural Dance Performance
• Kandy - Temple of the Tooth pooja visit

Accommodation: Hotel Suisse or similar
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

We will depart Kandy and board a morning train bound for Nanu Oya, a station 8 km from Nuwara Eliya. Widely considered one of the most scenic railway journeys in the world, this train ride climbs slowly through emerald tea plantations, cascading waterfalls, and mist-shrouded mountain valleys. Taking roughly four hours, the classic blue train offers open windows and doors that let travelers soak in the fresh highland air and panoramic views of Sri Lanka's Central Highlands.

Situated deeper into tea plantation country, Nuwara Eliya sits at an elevation of 1800 metres, making it one of the coolest regions in Sri Lanka. Once favoured by the Scottish and the English, remnants of the past can be seen in sculpted gardens and manor homes decorating the city. When we arrive, we can explore the charming town at our own pace before heading to our spectacular accommodation.

Tucked away among tea plantations and scenic hills is the Grand Hotel – a gorgeous National Heritage Property first established in 1891 and our Feature Stay for the next two nights. A nod to the region's history, rooms are classically decorated with all modern amenities. At its core is the hotel’s sustainable practices – they’ve eliminated single-use plastic and are striving for a zero-waste future.

This afternoon, we will enjoy a high tea experience at our hotel. Converted from the former home of a British governor, the hotel now offers an impressive selection of tea paired with finger food and confectionery. Later we can explore the hotel’s palatial gardens or settle in for a first-class dining experience at the on site restaurant.

Special Information: Your total travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.

Train tickets are in very high demand. We need the passport details of the clients 45 days prior to arrival in order to try and secure train tickets. We always try our best to secure tickets, but if we cannot book them, you will continue your journey by private vehicle.

Your feature stay at Nuwara Eliya does not have air-conditioning in the rooms as it's not essential in this mountainous area where the temperature tends to be lower than other regions.

Included activities:
• Kandy - Scenic train ride from Kandy to Nanu Oya
• Nuwara Eliya - High Tea at the Grand Hotel

Accommodation: The Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast, head to the sky-scraping Single Tree temple and embark on a short 40-minute hike to the Single Tree Hill viewpoint to witness spectacular views of the surrounding hills and tea fields.

After our hike, we will head to a nearby tea factory. This fascinating factory still features some original pieces of machinery. We will have a new appreciation for our humble morning brew after learning about the production process and discovering how the finest tea leaves are transformed into Ceylon black tea. If touring the factory inspires a thirst, we will have the chance to sample some of the final product ourselves.

Along the way we will look out for spectacular views of the ornately clipped teas plants in various hillside plantations, and some of the female pickers who walk through the plantations manually picking the very best of the tea tips.

Once we are all tea'd out, we will back to the city to sit down for a lunch at the prestigious Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, which was founded in 1889, making it one of the oldest golf clubs in Asia. A Scottish soldier from the Gordon Highlanders regiment and British tea planters created the course so they could relax and play sports in the cool mountain hills.

Covering 100 acres of land next to historic tea plantations, at an altitude of 1828 metres, the club opened with nine holes in 1890 and upgraded to a full 18-hole course in 1893.

After lunch, the rest of the day is free to explore this historic town. 

Included activities:
• Nuwara Eliya - Single Tree Hill hiking
• Nuwara Eliya - Visit to Tea State & Tea Factory
• Nuwara Eliya - Lunch at Nuwara Eliya Golf Club

Accommodation: The Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya or similarMeals included: Breakfast & Lunch

This morning, make your way to the sacred town of Kataragama. On the way there, make a stop at a beautiful small town in the highlands – Ella – and visit Ella Gap, which offers beautiful vistas out across the plains.

Kataragama is a famous pilgrimage town, which is a sacred multi-religious site revered by Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and the indigenous Vedda community. It is centred around the historic Kataragama Temple complex dedicated to the guardian deity Skanda-Kumara.

In the evening, we will head to Yala National Park – Sri Lanka's premier wildlife reserve. Here, we’ll board a 4WD for a safari through open grasslands, lush forest and lagoons.Our guide will carefully listen out for the rustling of concealed animals that would go unnoticed by those not in the know. There's a good chance of spotting crocodiles, elephants, monkeys and buffalo and if we’re lucky, we may even spot a leopard – the park is considered one of the best places in the world to see these elusive big cats.

After our of wildlife spotting, we will retire to our resort for dinner. Located near the less-visited back gate of Yala National Park, our accommodation offers quick access to wildlife, without the large coaches frequently found at the front gates.

Included activities:
• Ella - Ella Gap view point
• Yala National Park - Wildlife safari

Accommodation: Chaarya Resort & Spa or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Today, we’ll enjoy another morning safari in Yala National Park. As Sri Lanka’s second largest national park, there’s so much to uncover here. Maybe take the chance to do some birdwatching – Yala is home to some 215 bird species, including the Sri Lanka wood pigeon, painted stork and Crimson-fronted Barbet. Keep an eye out for prideful peacocks strutting their way through the park.

Later, we’ll transfer to Unawatuna – a beautiful seaside town near Sri Lanka's southernmost tip.

After settling into our hotel, we will head outside nearby Galle to a small village where we can view Beeralu lace weaving activity in a local's home. This is a traditional weaving method in Sri Lanka, where intricate lace patterns are meticulously handmade using wooden bobbins on a pillow. The craft was originally brought to the island in the 16th Century by Portuguese colonisers. 

An Exclusive Experience, you’ll also have the chance to participate in the weaving and if you like, you can choose to support the village by buying some products to take home.

In the afternoon, once the light has improved, we will follow our leader on a walking tour through Galle: the best-preserved Dutch town in Sri Lanka. At its core lies a fort surrounded on three sides by the ocean with a treasure trove of ancient mosques and churches, museums, boutiques and more on its streets. We will uncover Galle’s glory as our leader shares tales from its past through to the present day.

Special information: Our total travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.

Included activities:
• Yala National Park - Wildlife safari
• Galle - Galle Fort Walking tour
• Galle - Beeralu lace weaving activity

Accommodation: Lavendish Beach Unawatuna or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning is free to spend at your leisure. There are many options: maybe visit a cinnamon plantation just outside of Galle to learn about the process of making the spice, or bird watchers may wish to explore the Hiyare Rainforest Reservoir on the outskirts of the city. As always, you can speak to your knowledgeable leader for information on how to book or access these activities.

You may just want to further explore the fascinating and historic town of Galle. Outside the historic walls, you can explore the lively Galle Fish Market on the beach to watch fishermen sell their fresh daily catch, or browse local spices at the nearby Dutch Market Gewürzmarkt. For souvenir shopping, boutique stores like Barefoot and Laksala showcase beautiful, handmade Sri Lankan crafts, fabrics, and traditional wooden items. 

Cricket fans might like to explore the iconic Galle International Cricket Stadium, a world-famous sports ground uniquely bordered by the Indian Ocean.

In the afternoon, you’ll join your leader who will take you to the local markets to learn about all the fresh ingredients that make up Sri Lanka’s flavoursome and fragrant recipes. After perusing the colourful market stalls, head to your local host’s home and take part in a Sri Lankan cooking class followed by a delicious dinner. Get a behind the scenes look at Sri Lankan cuisine as you conjure up some Ambulthiyal fish curry, lentil dhal, eggplant curry and something sweet for dessert.

Included activities:
• Galle - Farmer's market
• Galle - Home cooking class

Accommodation: Lavendish Beach Unawatuna or similar
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

This morning we bid farewell to Unawatuna (and Galle) and make our way to Colombo, Sri Lanka’s bustling capital city. When we arrive, we will head to a courtyard restaurant in the former home of a family from Jaffna and sit down for a northern Sri Lankan lunch.

In the afternoon, we will head out on a leader-led orientation walk, making a stop at the Pettah fruit and vegetable market where we'll be fully immersed in the sights, sounds and smells of Colombo as we watch vendors and shoppers go about their business.

We will also visit the striking candy cane coloured Red Mosque and its soaring minarets that can be seen from across the city. Further explorations will reveal Dutch and British influenced architecture, a hangover from the city’s past.

This evening we will head out for an (optional) group dinner to see out our Sri Lankan adventure.

 Special Information: Our total travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours

Included activities:
• Colombo - City walking tour

Accommodation: Fairway Hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

Our trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning. 

There is a lot more to see in Colombo, and I do recommend that you try to spend an extra day here if at all possible. If you’d like to stay in Colombo, just speak to Intrepid Travel to organise extra accommodation.

Meals included: Breakfast