Nescoffee

Circle Sri Lanka

4 reviews | Write a review

Good for: Tours in Sri lanka, Tour Package in Sri lanka, Negombo, Holiday in Sri lanka, Visit Sri Lanka

Not good for: public

All content by Intrepid

15 days (ex Negombo)

Destinations visited: Sri Lanka, Negombo, Colombo, World

Physical rating:
Culture shock rating:

Physical Ratings

The physical rating gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the trip. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our ratings follows:

Rating 1

These trips are a relaxing break. You don't have to worry about doing anything physically demanding unless you want to.

Rating 2

Some easy physical activities included in your trip. No physical preparation is required to make the most of the journey.

Rating 3

This trip will raise your heartbeat. Moderate physical activities are included and a good level of fitness is required.

Rating 4

Be prepared for some serious physical activity. The majority of activities included on this trip will be challenging. The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your holiday.

Rating 5

Intrepid’s highest physical rating. Get ready for a heart-pumping adventure with plenty of challenges and some extreme conditions. You will be required to be seriously fit for this trip as difficult activities are included.

Culture Shock Ratings

The culture shock rating considers the level of development in the location, the area's infrastructure and how easy it is to access services. It also takes into consideration how different the food and customs are and whether English is widely spoken. While generalisations are always tricky, here’s a summary of the ratings:

Rating 1

This is the least confronting of Intrepid's product range. English is the native language and the food, customs and access to services will be familiar to you.

Rating 2

You will probably have experienced food like this in restaurants back home and English is commonly spoken. Services are available most of the time but there may be some cultural differences.

Rating 3

Expect some culture shock. You will be exposed to signs of poverty and access to services may be sporadic. The food will be quite different to home and English speakers harder to find. Respecting the local culture will make it easier to fit in and really experience the location.

Rating 4

The comforts of home are more of a rarity. English is not common and the food will be quite different to what you are used to. It is important to observe some of the local customs to not cause offence. Many of the locals' standard of living may be confronting.

Rating 5

You're really out there! You'll need to pay specific attention to health and hygiene. A large proportion of locals' living conditions are a world away from standards you are used to. You may have difficulty finding an English speaker and there is little or no access to services. Paying heed to local customs is essential.

from USD$1,625

Book now

Description

A jewel in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is jam-packed with ancient sites, fascinating culture, beautiful wilderness and idyllic beaches. From ancient Anuradhapura city and the well-preserved Polonnaruwa ruins, to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and the impressive Sigiriya rock fortress, Sri Lankan culture spans more than 2,000 years and still remains vibrant and alive today. Trek through lush tea plantations, indulge in seafood feasts in quaint fishing villages and dip your toes in the calm, clear waters of Mirissa beach on this all-encompassing adventure for those seeking a unique travel experience.

Highlights

Bliss out beachside in Mirissa.
Learn the secrets of Sri Lankan cuisine in Bandarawela.
Shop up a storm in Colombo.
Walk the ramparts of Galle.
Witness elephants bathing in the river in Kandy.
Visit the sacred Bo Tree in Anuradhapura.
Feast on fresh seafood on Negombo beach.
Work up a sweat trekking to Sigiriya rock.
Cycle through the ancient Polonnaruwa ruins.

Itinerary

Day 1 Negombo

Arrive in Negombo where the Circle Sri Lanka tour gets underway. Find a comfortable perch to watch the fishing boats heading out to sea. Stroll along the beach to see the daily catch drying in the sun and perhaps settle in to enjoy a fresh seafood feast.

Days 2-3 Anuradhapura

Take a guided cycle tour around the ruins of Anuradhapura city, an important ancient site, and visit the sacred Bo Tree, a symbol of the beginnings of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

Day 4 Polonnaruwa

Enjoy a bicycle ride through the well-preserved, ancient Polonnaruwa ruins. Visit the famous reclining granite Buddha.

Day 5 Dambulla Caves/Sigiriya

The tour continues to the celebrated Dambulla Caves and then on to Sigiriya rock, an impressive fortress built as a royal citadel atop a 200m-high rock. Hike to the summit and be rewarded with magnificent views.

Days 6-7 Kandy

Sniff out fragrant herb gardens en route to Kandy. Join pilgrims as they visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic. Be entertained by a traditional dance performance and visit the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage to see these gentle giants bathing in the river.

Days 8-10 Bandarawela/Haputale

Head to the cool, green climes of the Bandarawela highlands. Learn the secrets of local cuisine and enjoy relaxing walks through lush tea plantations.

Days 11-12 Mirissa

Soak up the sun, relax on the beach and take a dip in the calm, clear waters of Mirissa. Perhaps hire a bike and ride to nearby fishing villages.

Day 13 Galle

Explore the colonial city of Galle and watch the sunset from the ramparts of the town's fort.

Days 14-15 Colombo

Say goodbye to the lovely south coast and travel to Colombo. Catch up on some last minute shopping before bidding farewell to magical Sri Lanka.

Group Size

Maximum of 12 travellers per group

Accommodation

Guesthouse (9 nts), Hotel (5 nts)

Transport

Auto rickshaw, Train, Bus, Private Bus, Bicycle

Budget

Allow USD $300 for meals not included.

Check dates and prices
Book this trip with Intrepid Travel on their site

from USD$1,625

Book now

Traveller reviews for Circle Sri Lanka (4)

To write a review sign in, register or

Recommend

Add your experience Your experience “ ”
Say more…
Write your review Your review

Tags

Good for…

Not good for…

Photo Upload

Add a photo

Note: when you submit posts to our site (including images), you’re giving us permission to reuse your material elsewhere and also to pass it to others for use. Full website terms here.
Ayubowan, Welcome to Sri Lanka.

hemalsrilanka 1 1 -1 recommends this, May 10, 2012

Ayubowan,

Welcome to Sri Lanka.

Free travel advice for people who wish to travel Sri Lanka.

For pleasure, vacation, official ,studying, spiritual etc.

English speaking widely traveled professional conducts tailor made tours within Sri Lanka, By Car , Pickup truck or Jeep.

For further details please contact 0094-77-6265975

report
tour is good to discover paradise. but the costin price is t

kersly 1 1 -1 recommends this, April 19, 2012

have a nice trip

report
Great Time in Sri Lanka

saninel 1 1 -1 recommends this, April 18, 2012

We're 2 family, we had great tour, Our guide is Daniel, he make us great time in our holiday,,,, He can make nice package with reasonable rates, Who will looking tour in Sri lanka, we will highly recommend Daniel, You can get any information by him, His
Email: sgchinthaka2005@yahoo.com
Mobile: +94 714804632

Good for: Visit Sri Lanka, Tours in Sri lanka, Tour Package in Sri lanka, Negombo, Holiday in Sri lanka

Not good for: public

report
Sri Lanka - a truly Different Discovery...

sofiazairaargentina 1 1 -1 recommends this, February 13, 2012

I am from Argentina. I thought I would share some of my experiences which might be important to new-comers to this lovely island. I'm just about to leave from my last hotel in Negombo namely Goldi Sands this evening. I had a tour throughout the country for 8 days and I enjoyed the southern beach for 5 nights again and, this is my last day in Sri Lanka.
It was early morning but a representative from Different Discovery Tours was waiting for me at Colombo International airport. He carried a chilled drinking-water bottle for me. It was a warm welcome even I had a long flight. I need to mention Sri Lankan was a very nice flight and the service was brilliant.
I really wanted to relax myself and sleep. I was glad that I had a nice driver-guide namely Chinthaka who was able to drive me to Sigiriya within 3 and half hours. All the time I was sleeping and, he was a great driver that I did not know until we reached the hotel. My first hotel was Sigiriya Village Hotel. It’s a finest garden hotel and the atmosphere was very green and silent. Rooms are cozy, but dinner was not that fantastic. The staffs were absolutely smiley and friendly.
Next day morning we climbed the Rock Fortress Sigiriya. It is always better take the service of area-guide. They seem well-trained to present the Sigiriya. I tipped 25US$ and, my driver said It’s a very good tip for a guide. Always take a chilled drinking water when you climb Sigiriya. The tour company, Different Discovery offered 03 water bottles per days and some exotic fresh fruits in the noon. It’s a nice arrangement.
Afternoon we visited Polonnaruwa which was an interesting ancient site. I recommend you at least need a half day to cover this site. I visited a wood carving work shop on the way back to Hotel. There were some extraordinary carvings which I never seen in Bali or Egypt.
Next day morning I enjoyed a hot-air-ballooning tour for about 01 hour. Their general price was 200 US$ but I got a special offer via my tour operator and, only had to pay 160 US$. Then we moved to Dambulla Golden Temple. It was also a piece of history but I found the monk who manages this place has already converted this into a commercial place. The devils face is no more create the simplicity or empathy of Buddha.
En route to Kandy I visited a Spice Garden which was an amazing place to study about exotic spices and herbs. They explained everything in a nice manner and gradually forced me to shopping. It’s big place and called RANWELI 99 and they have nearly 50 staff to manage this place. They offer herbal drink and 10 minutes massage free of charge but then forced me to buy some spices. My driver said not to buy if I am not interested.
Kandy is a piece of history and the climate was also different from Sigiriya. The hotel was Queens Hotel since the Queen Victoria was also accommodated in this lovely mansion. There I met many visitors from Different Discovery as they often use this lovely property for most of their clients from Denmark. Queens’s hotel is just located in the middle of city and very close to Temple of the Tooth. I spent two nights without having any problem but rooms seemed very old and big. However, their hospitality was excellent. I visited Botanical Garden, Elephant Orphanage, and a nice old shrine called Ambekke.
I visited a Gem Museum which was exciting. They played a video and presented how the gems are mining. Gems and Jewelries were fairly cheaper than what we have seen in other Asian countries. I specially need to mention about the Batik Factory in Kandy. It’s all about human skill and tradition. I have seen many Batik shops in Indonesia but Sri Lankan Batik shows their tradition, history and Buddhist art.
I trust in buying some local stuff from local shops and road-markets are very interesting than shopping in super markets like ODEL or Crsecat in Colombo. The most important and interesting thing is smiley faces of local people and their honest attempt for a sale.
I stayed one night in The Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya. It is the biggest hotel in city but their service is not big or good.

Good for: couples or family

report