Sri Lanka - the pearl of the Indian Ocean, is endowed with fascinating railway journeys, letting you behold the wonders of the highlands. This is a great journey for those who are not fond of being fastened to a vehicle and for the ones who yearn to experience the great railway tracks of Sri Lanka. Take a chance to enjoy the dynamic landscapes from city outskirts, across waterways to the paddy fields and into green mountains. Explore places that make you want to visit again and traverse more intimately. The transfers from Colombo to Kandy, Kandy to Haputale and the south beaches to Colombo are done by train with excursions and other city transfers by a private vehicle.
Day 01:
Ayubowan!
Welcoming you at the Bandaranaike International Airport, a tour guide of Hayleys Tours will take you to Colombo after all the required customs are taken care of at the airport.
Check in to the hotel and relax by the pool until dinner time.
Overnight stay in Colombo.
Day 02:
After an early breakfast, you will be taken to the Fort Railway Station in Colombo. Today, you'll be taking the train to Kandy - the last kingdom. You will witness beautiful landscapes during this 2.5 hour journey. Your destination - Kandy is a glorious city of temples and beautiful surroundings aggregating to its cultural environment. This train journey will take you to the great yonder, allowing you to collect some nostalgic fantasies!
At the Kandy train station, a representative of Hayleys Tours will meet you and continue the rest of the tour. You will then be taken to the famous Temple of the Tooth Relic.
The Temple of the Tooth Relic is a gold-roofed temple, it is an intensely significant Buddhist temple that owns a tooth of Buddha which was accumulated from his funeral pyre and brings thousands of pilgrims from across the world to worship.
After your visit to the Temple, you will be driven to the hotel. Check in at the hotel and refresh in the privacy of your own room.
Overnight stay in Kandy.
Day 03:
Today you have the option of visiting the Millennium Elephant Foundation in Pinnawela. If not, stay in Kandy to do some batik and gem shopping, and take a stroll in the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya.
Return to the hotel and be at leisure or witness a cultural dance show at approx. 1700 hours.
Overnight stay in Kandy.
Day 04:
After breakfast, you will be driven to the Peradeniya train station where you will take the train to Haputale. Known to be one of best train journeys in the world, you will be left speechless with cascading waterfalls, verdant green plains, misty mountains and lush tea plantations.
Once you arrive at the train station, you will be met by a representative of Hayleys Tours and taken to the hotel.
Overnight stay in Haputale.
Day 05:
This morning you can visit the Lipton's Seat, a viewpoint offering endless fields of green tea and tiny villages. If you want a more relaxed experience, visit the Adisham Bungalow, a monastery run by Benedictine Monks.
Spend the rest of your day enjoying the cooler climates of Sri Lanka.
Overnight stay in Haputale.
Day 06:
Leave the cooler climates of Haputale and proceed to Yala. Once you arrive at the hotel, get ready to embark on an adventurous jeep safari at Yala National Park.
Yala Park is the second largest forest reserve in Sri Lanka, and of course, it is an exciting escape for all wildlife lovers. It is known for great sightings of leopards, wild elephants, wild buffalo, musk deer, mongoose, pangolins, macaques and jackals.
Return to the hotel and spend the evening at leisure.
Overnight stay in Yala
Day 07 - Day 10:
You can have your breakfast leisurely this morning or go on an early morning jeep safari at Yala with a packed breakfast. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to a beach destination of your choice in the South Coast. After checking in, it's time to get sun-kissed! Listen to the waves of the Indian Ocean sing while relaxing, collecting seashells or even trying some of the beach activities for 4 days.
Surfing, Scuba Diving or Snorkeling, whatever your interest, Sri Lanka is blessed with the best beaches ideal for each activity!
Four night stay in South Coast.
Day 11:
Leave the coastal town just in time to catch your flight back home!
11 Days