Compare Sri Lanka: Spice Gardens & Seasides by G Adventures vs Grand Tour of Sri Lanka with Bentota by Cosmos
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4 | Great
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| Duration | 12 days | 15 days |
| Price From | $ 664 | $ 2,439 |
| Price Per Day | $ 55 | $ 163 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Basic | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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N/A |
| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner | N/A |
| Description |
Now's the time to explore Sri Lanka on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers. Want to load up on culture on a backpacker's budget? This whirlwind 12-day tour of central and southern Sri Lanka is just the ticket. Discover beautiful ruins, hike through tea plantations, tour a spice garden, and then chill out on Hikkaduwa Beach. Explore Sri Lanka with a group of like-minded travellers and you'll head home with some new friends and new perspectives. |
One of the world’s top five biodiversity hotspots, Sri Lanka offers not only opportunities for seeing wildlife in their natural habitat, but also stunning landscapes, beautiful coastlines, the world’s finest teas, and lots of historic sites with a culture dating back over 2,500 years. In fact, this “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” has been named one of Asia’s leading destinations and on this Sri Lanka tour, you’ll experience all of this and more. Travel to Sigiriya to visit the rock fortress, an incredible volcanic formation that has served as Buddhist monastery, ancient palace of a king, and a frescoed fortress. You’ll visit the Dambulla Rock Cave Temple—the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka—with 23,000 feet of murals and statues of Buddha, Sri Lankan kings, gods, and goddesses. Also visit Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth—which holds the relic of Buddha’s tooth. Stroll through the exotic Peradeniya Botanic Gardens to see a collection of orchids, spices, and medicinal plants. You’ll pass through forests to the misty hills of Nuwara Eliya—with the perfect climate for tea production. Visit a tea factory amid the rolling hills high above sea level andsee the beautiful Ravana Falls on your way to Tissamaharama. Your value-minded vacation in Sri Lanka is never short on thrilling experiences, including morning and afternoon game drives in spectacular Yala National Park—home to leopards, elephants, sloth bears, water buffalo, and crocodiles. You’ll also visit to an elephant transit home, and embark on a whale-watching expedition in Mirissa Harbor, where you’re apt to see whales, orcas, manta rays, dolphins, and turtles. Continue your affordable Sri Lanka vacation in the paradise setting of Bentota. Relax on the beach or by the pool in this pristine resort setting. Your value vacation in Sri Lanka delivers the perfect amount of stunning sights, beautiful nights, and the right amount of free time to relax! |
Day 1 Negombo
Arrive at any time and welcome to Negombo, know for its lazy beach, wandering canals, and fresh seafood markets. Get to know your fellow travellers over optional dinner and drinks at a favourite local restaurant. Soak up the lively atmosphere as you're introduced to Sri Lankan delicacies, and cheers to new adventures and friends!
Day 2 Negombo/Sigiriya
Travel to the centre of the island to explore the UNESCO World Heritage City, Sigiriya. Opt to visit the Dambulla Cave Temple or the ancient Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
Day 3 Sigiriya
Spend the day freely exploring more of this ancient yet luscious region. Opt to visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, view elephants on a safari drive in Minneriya national park, or go back in time at the Anurhadhapura historical site.
Day 4 Sigiriya/Digana
Visit a medicinal spice garden en route to Digana. After, enjoy lunch before embarking on a guided village walk for insight into rural daily life. Maybe stop at the home of a crafter who hand-makes delicate Kandyan jewellery or the cottage of a local woman making incense. Later, learn how to cook Sri Lankan bread or sweets while helping out with dinner.
Day 5 Digana/Kandy
Enjoy breakfast and soak in the views of the Victoria Reservoir over tea before departing for Kandy. Have an afternoon of free time to explore the sweet city, opting to visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth, view a traditional Kandyan cultural show, or root for a team at a cricket match.
Day 6 Kandy/Nuwara Eliya
Enjoy a traditional breakfast prepared by women and youth living with disabilities at G Adventures-supported Sthree Craft Shop and Café. Travel on to the rolling hills and luscious forests of Nuwara Eliya. Visit a tea plantation and opt to explore the beauty on foot.
Day 7 Nuwara Eliya/Ella
If you want to experience morning mist flowing through the valley, wake early and trek the serene trails of Horton Plains National Park. In the afternoon, cruise to the laid-back village of Ella and enjoy a free evening to explore or relax.
Day 8 Ella
Spend the morning trekking Little Adam's Peak to get a 360-degree view of Sri Lankan countryside encompassing the giant Ella Rock and textured green mountains. For the rest of the day, enjoy the freedom to explore scenic Ella more in-depth. Opt to trek Ella Rock, venture to the iconic Nine Arches Bridge, or hunt for some waterfalls with your fellow explorers.
Day 9 Ella/Hikkaduwa
Set off towards the southern coast stopping en route to explore the indestructible Galle Fort. Finish the day's journey oceanside on the white sand beaches of Hikkaduwa.
Day 10 Hikkaduwa
Enjoy a free day to bliss out on the beach sipping your favourite drink or jump on a boat in search of whales and dolphins. For your big night out, follow your CEO to the best beach bar in town, enjoy a drink on us, and dance under the stars. Perhaps take a night swim, who knows, see where the night takes you.
Day 11 Hikkaduwa
Another day in paradise to recover from last nights fun. Relax on the beach, snorkel with sea creators, or wander through the bustling beach town. Pick a local restaurant with your buds and reminisce about all the awesome adventures you've experienced over a farewell dinner.
Day 12 Hikkaduwa
Wow! What a trip, right? Luckily there is no such thing as goodbye, only until next time. Hug your new friends, exchange social medias, and depart at any time.
The Colombo airport can be reached by private taxi or bus. Your CEO can help you arrange a transfer.
Day 1
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA. Welcome to Sri Lanka’s capital city! Hotel rooms are available for a mid-afternoon check-in.
Day 2
COLOMBO–SIGIRIYA. Embark on a sightseeing tour of this bustling city. Along the way, you will see the Galle Face Green promenade, Dutch Hospital precinct, Fort Railway Station, a Hindu Kovil, Beira Lake, and Independence Square. This afternoon, drive to the ancient city of Sigiriya. (B,D)
Day 3
SIGIRIYA. Today, visit the famous SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS, a giant magma plug which has served both as a long-standing Buddhist monastery and a fortress. Surrounded by a network of gardens and moats, it is a geological and anthropological landmark. The ancient ruins of the upper palace built by King Kasyapa can also be found on the summit, which, at 656 feet above sea level, affords magnificent views across the beautiful Sri Lankan countryside. On the way to the top, you will see the famous Cloud Maidens frescoes painted on the rock wall. Later, visit to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed ruins of POLONNARUWA. (B)NOTE: Please note that you must climb steep steps to reach the top of Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
Day 4
SIGIRIYA–DAMBULLA–KANDY. This morning, visit the fascinating DAMBULLA ROCK CAVE TEMPLE, containing well-preserved frescoes and statues of Buddha. Next, drive to the city of Kandy, a jumble of culture, history, and colonial buildings. Visit the TEMPLE OF THE TOOTH and enjoy a comprehensive tour of this green city, taking in the colorful KANDY MARKET and the Upper Lake Drive. (B,L)
Day 5
KANDY–NUWARA ELIYA. Begin today with a visit to the PERADENIYA BOTANIC GARDENS, which are renowned for their collection of orchids, spices, and medicinal plants. Then, journey through forests to the misty hills of Nuwara Eliya, also known as “Little England.” Set high above sea level and surrounded by rolling hills, its cool temperatures, humidity, and rainfall provide the perfect climate for tea production. Visit a TEA FACTORY en route and be enlightened on the tea manufacturing process. (B)
Day 6
NUWARA ELIYA–TISSAMAHARAMA. Depart Nuwara Eliya and view the famous RAVANA FALLS before continuing to Tissamaharama. (B,D)
Day 7
TISSAMAHARAMA. EXCURSION TO YALA NATIONAL PARK. Today, enjoy MORNING & AFTERNOON GAME DRIVES in YALA NATIONAL PARK by jeep. The park is home to one of the highest densities of leopards in the world, with sightings of these beautiful creatures not uncommon. Yala is also a bird-watcher’s paradise, with around 230 species recorded in the park. Also, you may spot elephants, sloth bears, water buffalo, macaques, and mugger crocodiles. (B,L,D)
Day 8
TISSAMAHARAMA–AHANGAMA. Journey west to visit the ELEPHANT TRANSIT HOME where orphaned elephants are cared for before being returned to the wild. Continue to Ahangama, a small town on the country’s southern coast. (B)
Day 9
AHANGAMA–EXCURSION TO MIRISSA HARBOR. Rise early and travel to Mirissa, where you board your WHALE-WATCHING BOAT in search of sea life. The harbor is home to many different marine animals, including dolphins, flying fish, orcas, turtles, and manta rays. Be sure to keep an eye out for the largest creature on Earth, the blue whale. Return to your hotel this afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (B)
Day 10
AHANGAMA–GALLE–BENTOTA. Travel to Galle, where the natural harbor offers gorgeous views of the ocean. Enjoy an orientation tour of the city, and visit GALLE FORT, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This afternoon, continue to Bentota for your beach stay. (B)
Day 11
BENTOTA. Four full days at leisure, doing as little or as much as you wish. Visit fabulous beaches or simply relax by the pool. (B daily)
Day 12
BENTOTA. Four full days at leisure, doing as little or as much as you wish. Visit fabulous beaches or simply relax by the pool. (B daily)
Day 13
BENTOTA. Four full days at leisure, doing as little or as much as you wish. Visit fabulous beaches or simply relax by the pool. (B daily)
Day 14
BENTOTA. Four full days at leisure, doing as little or as much as you wish. Visit fabulous beaches or simply relax by the pool. (B daily)
Day 15
BENTOTA. Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
