Compare Sri Lanka: Spice Gardens & Seasides by G Adventures vs Grand Tour of Sri Lanka by Cosmos

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. Welcome to Sri Lanka’s capital city. Historically, Colombo was a trading port and a city of strategic importance to the Portuguese, Dutch, and British before Ceylon gained independence in 1948. Many colonial buildings can still be seen around the city alongside more traditional Sri Lankan architecture. This afternoon, 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. (D)

NOTE:
Please arrive at the hotel by Noon to join the afternoon sightseeing.

Day 2

COLOMBO–ANURADHAPURA–SIGIRIYA. Journey through lush Sri Lankan countryside to Anuradhapura, the country’s ancient capital. The city is considered sacred to the Buddhist world and is surrounded by monasteries. Your city tour takes in the well-preserved ruins of this area and the SRI MAHA BODHI, or Bo Tree, the oldest recorded tree in the world. This remarkable tree was a sapling taken from the Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi tree in India, under which Buddha achieved enlightenment. (B,D)

Day 3

SIGIRIYA. This morning, 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 a nearby park for an afternoon SAFARI DRIVE, where you might spot elephants and sambar deer. (B,D)

NOTE:
Please note that you must climb steep steps to reach the top of Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

Day 4

SIGIRIYA–POLONNARUWA–DAMBULLA–KANDY. Begin today with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed ruins of POLONNARUWA. After lunch, visit the fascinating DAMBULLA ROCK CAVE TEMPLE, containing well-preserved frescoes and statues of Buddha. Visit a SPICE GARDEN en route to Kandy, the cultural center of Sri Lanka. (B,D)

Day 5

KANDY. A jumble of culture, history, and colonial buildings, Kandy is nestled among forested hills and is one of Sri Lanka’s most interesting cities. Visit the TEMPLE OF THE TOOTH and enjoy a comprehensive tour of this green city, taking in the colorful KANDY MARKET, the Upper Lake Drive, and the GEM MUSEUM. Also, visit the ARTS & CRAFTS CENTER and the PERADENIYA BOTANIC GARDENS, which are renowned for their collection of orchids, spices, and medicinal plants. This evening, be entertained at a CULTURAL SHOW with Kandyan dancers and drummers. (B,D)

Day 6

KANDY–NUWARA ELIYA. Board a TRAIN for a scenic journey through the forests and tea plantations 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. This evening, take a sightseeing tour around the town. (B,D)

Day 7

NUWARA ELIYA–ELLA– TISSAMAHARAMA. This morning, visit a TEA FACTORY and be enlightened on the tea manufacturing process. Continue to Ella and view the famous Demodara nine arch railway bridge located between Demodara and Ella railway stations. Later, a short 20-minute climb will take you to the top of Adams Peak for breathtaking views of a valley filled with tea plantations. Visit the famous RAVANA FALLS before continuing to Tissamaharama. (B,D)

Day 8

TISSAMAHARAMA. EXCURSION TO YALA NATIONAL PARK. Today, enjoy MORNING & AFTERNOON GAME DRIVES in YALA NATIONAL PARK. Home to one of the highest densities of leopards in the world, sights of these beautiful creatures are 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,D)

NOTE:
Yala National Park is closed to visitors during September-October. At such times, the safari drive will take place in the Udawalawe or Bundala National Park.

Day 9

TISSAMAHARAMA–GALLE. Travel to Galle, where the natural harbor offers gorgeous views of the ocean. Enjoy an afternoon city tour including GALLE FORT, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B,D)

Day 10

GALLE–COLOMBO. Transfer to Colombo for an overnight stay. (B,D)

Day 11

COLOMBO. Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)