14 Days Sri Lanka Tour – The Royal Route

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

Establish in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation; this is a nursery, orphanage, and a captive breeding ground for elephants on the island. Undoubtedly, this is the best place in Sri Lanka to see the elephants in large numbers. From elephants bathing in the Oya River to the feeding of the baby ones, you can enjoy the best of these cute animals by visiting the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.

Dambulla Cave Temple

The golden temple of Dambulla is another name given for this ancient temple, which has a significant value in terms of religious and architectural wonders. As the hugest and best-preserved cave-temple on the island, it holds five ancient Buddha sculptures and over 1,500 Buddha paintings. The history of the cave-complex runs for over 2,700 years; even before Buddhism came to the country, and the remaining that we can see even today reveal a lot about that great past. In summary, the Dambulla Cave Temple is one-of-a-kind attraction in Sri Lanka.

Overnight stay at Sigiriya

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

As one of the highest-rated travel destination on the entire planet and recognized as the 8th world wonder by many cultural analyzers, the Sigiriya Rock Fortress in Dambulla is absolutely a majestic palace that you should visit once landed on the pearl island. The history of this ancient rock fortress can go beyond 50 centuries; hence it is an absolute symbol of old architectures and their breath-taking skills. The Lion’s Paw, Mirror Wall, and artwork are the most-discussed elements of this grand fortress on the rock.

Sigiriya Village Tour

Sigiriya is famous for the majestic rock fortress, but after you enjoyed the greatness of it; a village tour is a thing to consider for knowing the village lifestyle including cultural aspects and believes. Riding on a bullock cart, village lunch, and catamaran are a few of the attractive activities that you can take part in for giving your mind and soul an authentic village experience, and with the local people. Walking through the fields with a local guide will let you know about the village life and the local community in detail.

Anuradhapura Ruin Kingdom

As the first kingdom of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura is a well- preserved city that reveals ancient Sri Lankan architectural and cultural/religious aspects. A well-known world heritage site on the island and elements/attractions that you can see here include Stupas, temples, tanks, statues, and many more. Since this is a city that highlights how Sri Lanka was in the past, you will need a guide who can explain all in detail to you. All in all, this great city will create grand memories that will last a lifetime.

Overnight stay at Sigiriya

Ceylon Spice Garden

Sri Lanka is a renowned country for spices from the ancient times, and this high-rated tourist attraction in Matale is a top garden site to witness how the spices cultivation takes place in the country. Well, many other spice gardens are there in the country too So, depending on your chosen travel destination/city, you can choose the garden that has the easiest access. Pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, and mace are the top spices that you can buy from these gardens today.

Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens

The prime botanical garden in Sri Lanka, and one of the leading gardens on the entire planet. Reserved for the Kandyan Royalty in the past, but opened to the public to explore its beauty and hundreds of plant species extending from endemic to herbs. The Peradeniya Botanical Gardens is famous for Orchids, and a variety of different orchids types have spread within the entire park over the past few decades. Fruit bats and monkeys are a few of the animal species that live in the park in abundance. This 60-acre botanical garden is one of the places that you shouldn’t miss when visiting the grand Kandy kingdom.

Overnight stay at Kandy

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

Well, this could be the most sacred place on the island for all Buddhists, and this temple in Kandy is the ancient structure that houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha. As you know, Kandy is the last kingdom of Sri Lanka, and it is a world-famous city. The temple of the tooth is an all-in-one place to witness ancient Sri Lankan architecture and Buddhists/Sinhalese culture.

Ceylon Gem Museum

Since the ancient times, Sri Lanka is a renowned country for the gem industry. Three known gems museums are there in the country; in Colombo, Kandy, and Ratnapura, and the one in Ratnapura is the prime one as Ratnapura is the city of gems on the island. You can witness many valuable gem types in these museums, and learn a lot about

different gem types as well. Anyway, don’t visit a city just for visiting one of these museums as the time/duration that you can spend in these places can be just a few hours; hence keep it as one attraction on your places-to-visit list.

Kandyan Cultural Show (Optional)

Kandyan Cultural dance show is a stimulating Sri Lankan Arts, Dance & Cultural Heritage and this is the first cultural dance show of its kind to be established in Island nation. A popular tourist attraction for keen on exploring the Kandyan cultural heritage.

Overnight stay at Kandy

Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple Ramboda

Located in a village called Ramboda along the Kandy – Nuwara Eliya main road which gives the travelers the opportunity to explore this temple during their journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya or Nuwara Eliya to Ella. Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple is one of the important Hanuman Temples in Sri Lanka. It is believed that Hanuman was searching for Sita Devi and still there are some Ramayana facts available in this area and this temple is open every day from 7.00 A.M to 1.00 P.M and 3.30 P.M to 6.30 P.M and all visitors should be appropriately dressed when visiting the temple.

Ramboda Falls

The 11th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and this 109-meter tall, charming waterfall is in Pussellawa. Panna Oya is the creating source of this beautiful waterfall. It is safe to say that this travel attraction is one of the highest-rated ones on the island; hence witnessing it when you visit Nuwara Eliya region is highly advisable. The surrounding area covered with mist and mountains result in breath-taking sceneries.

Ramboda Tea Factory

The Ramboda Tea Factory is one of the tea estates in Sri Lanka that receives the highest number of visitors. Its idyllic setting in the midst of lush greenery and towering mountains contributes to the mystique of the site. This location is highly regarded by the majority of vacationers that come to Ramboda, and thus, it is listed as one of the most important attractions on their itineraries. 

Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya

Horton Plains National Park

Well, this could be the most distinctive national park on the island with breath-taking sceneries all over the places, and the world-famous view-point, the World’s End also included here. It’s like a uniquely-different paradise in Sri Lanka that looks and feels oddly unique in all the ways. A walk through the national park on the iconic road will create memories that you will cherish a lifetime. We would rate this as a wonder on the planet.

Sita Amman Temple Sri Lanka

Located 5 kilometers from Nuwara Eliya City and this temple is the only Hindu Temple which dedicated to Princess Sita in Sri Lanka and the foot prints of loard Hanuman’s can be found in the stream close to the Sita Amman Temple.it is believed that the Sita devi was kept captive at this site by King Ravana.The Temple is open 365 days and has two puja times in the morning and evening and you can visit this temple with no entrance fee and all visitors should be decently to explore the temple.

Hakgala Botanical Garden

The second Largest Botanical Garden in Sri Lanka and one of the five botanical gardens in the country. Located on the Nuwara Eliya – Badulla main road and 16 km drive from Nuwara Eliya City which gives travelers the opportunity to explore this amazing place when they are at Nuwara Eliya. As it locates 5400 feet above the sea level the garden has a cool climate. This place mention as Ashoka Vatika in the Ramayana and it says king Ravana kept Sita hidden in this area and was offerd to sita as a pleasure garden.

Nuwara Eliya City

In other words, the city of light is one of the best cities on the entire planet for a perfect, peaceful, and memorable holiday experience. In reality, the number of places to visit and activities you can take part in here is immense; hence we can rate this as a must-visit city in beautiful Sri Lanka. As the tallest region on the island, Nuwara Eliya is the coldest region, and mountains, tea plantations, Lake Gregory, and misty skies make this city a perfect holiday destination.

Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya

Scenic Train Ride (Nuwara Eliya to Ella)

Undoubtedly, this is the most beautiful train ride that you can enjoy when in Sri Lanka, and this ride is famous as one of the best train rides on the entire planet. Ella is a beautiful small town, and train ride extends from this town to the well-known Nuwara Eliya. We can rate this as the best scenic tea-hill-country train trip. Well, many foreign travelers have rated this as the world’s most beautiful train trip as well. The ride from Nuwara Eliya to Ella can take a few hours as the train has to cross many mountains; hence you can enjoy the ride for extended hours.

The Nine Arch Bridge

The Nine Arch Bridge is a magnificent tribute to the technical and architectural excellence of the early 20th century. It was commissioned by the British in the year 1921, and it has stood proudly ever since. The bridge is conveniently located between the Ella and Demodara train stations. If you choose to walk across it, you can enjoy views of rolling hills and dense jungle. This is also known as the most scenic train in the world.

Little Adams Peak

One of the most amazing things to do in Ella is hike up Little Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka. You won’t need a guide to reach the summit since there is a well-defined trail that winds its way up the mountain. And there are plenty of signposts along the route to point you in the right direction. There will be many other people traveling the same trail, which is a reassuring indication if this is your first time on a trek. 

Overnight stay at Ella

Ravana Falls

One of the most famous sighting attractions in Sri Lanka, which is one of the broadest falls on the island. This 25-meter waterfall changes its shape throughout the raining and dry seasons. As you know, Ella is a beautiful town that contains many tourists’ attractions, and the Ravana Falls, which is just six kilometers from the iconic local railway station is a sight that you shouldn’t miss when visiting the region. The Ravana Ella Cave is another attraction that has a significant cultural value as according to the Ramayanaya Legend, the great Sri Lankan king Ravana kidnapped princess Sita and hid her in this cave.

Overnight stay at Yala

Half-Day Safari Yala National Park

As the most-visited national park in Sri Lanka, this national park consists of five blocks of which two blocks opened to the public. One of the best places on the whole planet to witness leopards as it has the highest leopard concentration in the world and the elephant herd can have up to 300 individuals. A variety of bird species including waterbirds, endemic birds, and migrators are present in large numbers in the park. In summary, this got to be your top choice when planning a tour for a wildlife experience.

Galle Fort

Every traveler’s photo and caption tell the story of the Dutch Fort in Galle, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fort was first erected as part of the Portuguese conquests that began in the 16th century. But it was subsequently strengthened and seized by Dutch forces in the 17th century. Historically, for over two centuries, the port of Galle’s old town served as a major trade center for spices and other commodities.

Overnight stay at Galle

Mirissa Whales watching

If you are a traveler who expects a different experience from traditional beach tours, this is an option to consider as spotting a whale would undoubtedly be a surprising moment. Mirissa is the best region in Sri Lanka for this adventurous activity, and November till April is the ideal period for whale and dolphin spotting.

The high chance of spotting blue whales, which is over 97% suggest that spending money on this is going to lead for a memorable experience. Anyway, make sure you go through a tourer that ensures the safety of all the parties.

Madu River Safari (Optional)

This is a river safari that lets you witness swampy marshlands covered in mangrove forests, various animal species including mammals, birds, and reptiles. You will spot 25 islands along the river, and a large number of river safari planners have established over the past few years for your convenience. Anyway, make sure you choose the best service provider that supplies well-maintained boats, experienced guides, and boat riders. The island Koth Duwa houses and ancient Buddhist and the oldest kings of Sri Lanka may have built it.

Kosgoda Turtle Conservation Center

This conversation center is a result of a turtle conservation project, and it is now the country’s pioneering turtle conservation project that operates with a robust vision of protecting these precious animals. International volunteers and local experts continue this project, and Kosgoda is the best place on the island to witness these

cute animals in large numbers like in no other places in the country. The green turtle, Hawksbill turtle, Loggerhead turtle, Olive Ridley turtle, and Leatherback turtle are the species that you can witness in this conservation center. Turtles are an endangered animal in the country, unfortunately.

Overnight stay at Bentota

Overnight stay at Bentota

Overnight stay at Bentota

Colombo City Tour

Commercial capital of Sri Lanka which consists multiple skyscrapers including the symbolic landmark 11th tallest tower in Asia the Colombo Lotus Tower and during your time at Colombo you will have the opportunity to explore BMICH, Arcade, Independence Hall, Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Theater), Viharamahadevi Park, Bare Pool, Gangaramaya Temple and Seemamalaka, Galle Face Green, Old Parliment, Twin Towers, Dutch hospital and British Colonial Houses. House of Fashion and Odel a must visit shopping places when you are in Colombo.

Overnight stay at Colombo