16-days Sri Lanka and the Maldives Holiday Itinerary - Negombo, Polonnaruwa, Ella & Maldives

Today you’ll arrive in Negombo, a modest beach town on the palm-fringed west coast, not far from Colombo. During your time in Negombo, you’ll stay in an elegant villa with a swimming pool and gardens. The rest of the day is free for you to do as you please; why not relax by the pool with a good book or take a stroll along the beach. The following day, you can soak up the sights and sounds of the town with your driver. Explore the fascinating colonial history, wander through the vibrant bazaar and watch the fishermen bring in their morning catch at the market.

From crumbling ruins to majestic elephants, this trip will take you on a discovery of Sri Lanka’s fascinating Cultural Triangle. First stop is Anuradhapura, where you will spend a day exploring ancient stupas and sacred sites. You’ll start the next day by climbing Sigiriya’s mighty rock fortress before you arrive at Sri Lanka’s ancient capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Polonnaruwa. You’ll cycle around the ancient stone city with a local guide and learn about its glorious past. The highlight for many people, however, is the visit to Kaudulla or Minneriya National Park, where you’ll get to see wild Sri Lankan elephants roaming free. You’ll spend 2 nights at a lakeside hotel, where you can relax and take in the beauty of the area.

Ella is a peaceful village nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka’s hill-country, with fresh air, some lovely places to eat and a welcoming atmosphere. You’ll travel in a car through the lush countryside, before settling into your cosy hotel for the next couple of nights. All around Ella you’ll find tea plantations, temples, waterfalls and green hills. At Little Adam’s Peak and Ella Rock there are some truly spectacular viewpoints too. You can pack a day-bag and explore this wonderful part of Sri Lanka to your heart’s content, or just find a comfy chair and take it all in with a nice cup of tea.

Yala National Park is one of the most famous National Parks in Sri Lanka. During this trip, you’ll head out on a jeep safari where you can spot a kaleidoscope of colourful birds, monkeys, crocodiles, buffaloes and of course, elephants. If you’re really lucky, you might even spot a leopard sneaking past, so make sure you have your camera ready! After an exciting day of wildlife spotting, you’ll head back to your simple yet unique accommodation, located on the edge of the park. Your comfortable tent comes equipped with a bed, toilet and sink! In the evening, you can fall asleep to the sounds of the wild- an experience to make your Sri Lanka wildlife trip complete!

The time has come to dip into the hectic life os Colombo. During this trip, you’ll enjoy a traditional British high tea and spend the night in a stylish hotel in the capital. The city itself probably won’t be the highlight of your holiday, but it’s an interesting and convenient way to end your Sri Lankan adventure if you’re flying early the following day.

Top off your Sri Lanka holiday with a slice of tropical paradise in the Maldives. You’ll stay in an eco-hotel right by the beach and from your comfortable, air-conditioned room you can simply step out onto the sands and wade into the turquoise waters around you. We have arranged a guided cycling trip for you to explore the island and there’s nothing else planned for the next few days. Time to kick back, relax and soak up your exotic surroundings.