Highlights

• Hop into your safari jeep and drive through the rugged terrain of Yala National in search of leopards, bears, elephants, crocodiles, etc.
• Enjoy the pristine beaches on the southwest coast and dip into the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
• Walk along the cobbled stone alleys of Galle Fort and see the many hundreds of years-old houses, cafes, bars, museums, galleries, etc.
• Enjoy the boat tour in one of the last remaining mangrove lagoons on the island and witness birds, monitors, and monkeys.
• Trekking through the tea garden, Ceylon tea trail, and spice garden.
• Guided walking tour of Galle Fort to witness ancient constructions.
• Take a break from bustling cities in the hill country resort of Nuwara Eliya, where you can catch your breath and spend the night in the faded opulence of your heritage stay.
• This trip is perfect for people who like to get the most out of a 3-day trip to Sri Lanka, as long travel days are kept to a minimum on an itinerary that hits several icons of central Sri Lanka.

Itineraries

Day 1: Colombo - Bentota - Galle - Yala
Your private chauffeur guide will pick you up at the Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport (or your hotel in Colombo) and take you on the approximately six-hour trip to Yala via Galle (during which you will stop for sightseeing along the way).

Stop Located midway between Colombo and Yala National Park, Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most popular tourist destination in southern Sri Lanka.

The Madu River is home to a diverse array of animals, including monkeys, crocodiles, monitor lizards, and a vast variety of aquatic and avian species; a safari through this Ramsar wetland is a trip you won't soon forget.

The moonstone mines, sea turtle conservation project, spice garden, and mask museum are among the highlights of the itinerary.

Sea turtle conservation project
Efforts have been made to preserve the dwindling turtle population in areas around the southern coast of Sri Lanka, where the reptiles land to nest. The female turtle excavates a nesting hole on the beach, deposits her eggs inside, and then covers the nest with sand so that the eggs may be incubated by the sun's warmth. Typically, fishermen would dig up the eggs and sell them to consumers.

The conservation initiatives now purchase the eggs and hatch them naturally in cages, protecting the young from predatory birds; after two days, the young are released at night into the ocean, where they have a higher chance of survival.

Spice/Herbal Garden
Stop by a Bentota spice garden to see where some of the herbs and spices used in Sri Lankan cooking and medicine are cultivated. Early seafaring traders were drawn to Sri Lanka by its spices and made the treacherous journey to the island to stock up.

Madu River safari
Because of its biological significance on a worldwide scale, this location was designated a "Ramsar Wetland" in 2003; it is the second biggest wetland in Sri Lanka, covering an enormous 915 hectares and including 23 islands that are home to approximately 300 people. The Coast Conservation Department has designated the River Sanctuary as both a tourist development area and a special area managed (SAM). The 'Madu Ganga' is located at Balapitiya.

Galle City Tour
Galle, a historical port on the island of Sri Lanka, played a significant role in the Silk Road. The Dutch, who came after the Portuguese, extensively fortified the area after discovering it. The United Nations has designated this fortification as a World Heritage Site.

Galle Fort
Today, the fort welcomes people from diverse backgrounds and faiths, contributing to its rich historical legacy. The government of Sri Lanka is planning to make this a contemporary wonder of the world, and many Dutch citizens still own residences within the fort. For its exceptional presentation of "an urban ensemble that illustrates the interaction of European architecture and South Asian traditions from the 16th to the 19th centuries," the fort has been inscribed as a cultural heritage UNESCO World Heritage Site under criteria iv.

Part of the shoreline of Galle town was destroyed by the tsunami on Boxing Day, but the Dutch Fort, commonly known as the "Ramparts of Galle," held strong. It was fixed afterward. The Dutch Reformed Church in Galle Fort is next to the luxurious Amangalla resort hotel. In 1684, it was constructed as a residence for the Dutch governor and his officials. In 1865, it was transformed into a hotel and renamed the New Oriental Hotel to serve the growing number of Europeans travelling through Galle Port on their way to and from Europe.

Unawatuna Beach
Located 125 kilometres from Sri Lanka's capital city of Colombo, Unawatuna Beach is a popular tourist destination. Some say this stretch of palm-fringed sand, which is around 4 kilometres long, is one of the world's top 12 beaches. Anyone who longs to relax in the calm of the ocean and swim in its deep blue waves will find heaven on this beach. The beach is sheltered by a reef, making it an ideal place to go swimming. This southern beach's shallow waters are a key draw for swimmers and scuba divers. A coral reef that is suitable for snorkelling is within its range and is easily accessible.

Hikkaduwa Beach
One of the most visited places in all of southern Sri Lanka is Hikkaduwa. Located 98 kilometres south of Colombo, this city is a popular tourist destination thanks to its stunning beaches. It's where you may witness the weird and wonderful animals that live in the ocean's depths if you dare to venture there. This area is home to the world-famous coral gardens. Get yourself some snorkelling gear or a boat with a see-through bottom.

Accommodation at a hotel in Yala.

Day 2: Yala
Have breakfast before you head out to Yala National Park for a safari.
The full-day jeep safari covers territory that is often off-limits to safari-goers. More than six hours will pass on the safari. Elephants, elk, mongooses, monkeys, deer, crocodiles, buffalo, etc. are just a few of the many creatures that may be spotted here. Your own vehicle and driver will set up a picnic for you in a scenic spot, complete with tasty rice and curry and fruit for dessert.

Accommodation at a hotel in Yala.

Day 3: Yala - Nuwara Eliya - Colombo
Travel through the hill highlands of Sri Lanka on the way to Colombo, stopping at Gregory Lake, the Sita Amman Temple, and the Haggala Botanical Gardens after breakfast.

The Haggala Botanical Garden is a must-see if you're in Sri Lanka; it's one of the largest and most well-known gardens in the country and is home to a wide variety of plant life. Spend about an hour strolling the garden.

Gregory Lake
In addition to seeing Balay Bazar, an oriental bazaar, you'll go on a walking tour of Nuwara Eliya. Return to your hotel in Colombo after your sightseeing trip

End of the tour

• 2 nights (3 days) of accommodation in standard hotels
• Daily Breakfast at the Hotel: 2 breakfasts (starting from day 2)
• Daily dinner at the hotel, 2 dinners (starting from day 1)
• Nuwara Eliya sightseeing tour
• Ceylon tea trail
• An Ayurveda spa treatment
• Entrance fees for
  • guided walking tour of Galle Fort
  • Madu river safari
  • Mask Museum
  • Spice garden
  • Sea turtle conservation project
  • Tea factory and tea tasting
  • All-inclusive Yala national park safari (with jeep hire)
• Pickup and drop-off at the airport or local hotels
• All passengers are fully insured during the sightseeing tours
• Meeting arrangements at the airport
• Entire ground transportation in an air-conditioned, modern, fuel-efficient private vehicle
• Service of an English-speaking driver/guide for the entire tour (please inquire about other languages)
• Driver/guide meals and lodging
• Highway toll
• All current taxes

• Sri Lanka visa-related fees
• Any change in tax structure resulting from the hike in published tariff
• Any video / still camera fee to the monuments and places of visit
• Any other expense not mentioned in Price Includes section
• Flight tickets
• Gratuities