Tour Overview

Sri Lanka’s gem industry has a very long and colorful history. Sri Lanka was affectionately known as Ratna-Dweepa which means Gem Island. The name is a reflection of its natural wealth. Marco Polo wrote that the island had the best sapphires, topazes, amethysts, and other gems in the world.

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Tour Highlights

  • Negombo
  • Galle
  • Beruwala
  • Ratnapura
  • Udawalawe
  • Ella
  • Bandarawela
  • Haputale
  • Nuwara Eliya
  • Kandy
  • Sigiriya
  • Matale
  • Colombo

Tour Highlights

  • Negombo
  • Anuradhapura
  • Sigiriya
  • Polonnaruwa
  • Kandy
  • Nuwara Eliya
  • Ella
  • Udawalawa
  • Galle
  • Colombo

Day 1 – Negombo

  •  A Warm Welcome to Sri Lanka
  •  Meet and Greet at the Airport with Assistance from Our Representative
  • The journey starts in Negambo
  • you’ll spend your first night at  Negambo.

Welcome to Sri Lanka

Negambo

Check into the Hotel

Day 2 – Galle

  • Depart from Negombo after breakfast and drive about 2 hours to Galle.
  • Explore Galle’s rich colonial history and Portuguese influences.
  • Visit the 17th-century Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Stroll around the fort area, enjoying cafés, restaurants, souvenir shops, ice cream parlors, and historic churches.
  • Overnight stay in Galle.

Dutch Fort

Cozy cafés

Historic Churches

Day 3 – Beruwala / Ratnapura

  • After breakfast in Galle, begin your return journey to Ratnapura via Beruwala, with optional stops along the way.
  • Visit Ambalangoda to admire Sri Lanka’s famous traditional masks, or stop at the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery to learn about conservation efforts.
  • Tour the Fair Gems School, where the director will welcome you, guide you around, and give you a gemstone lesson including theory and hands-on practice with rough stones.
  • After lunch, continue a 3-hour drive to Ratnapura, the heart of Sri Lanka’s gem industry.
  • Overnight stay in Ratnapura.

Ambalangoda Traditional Masks

Fair gems School

Journey to Ratnapura

Day 4 – Rathnapura

  • Explore Ratnapura, the heart of Sri Lanka’s gem industry.
  • Visit a working precious stone mine to witness the fascinating process of gem extraction.
  • Explore the bustling gem market, a lively hub for traders and collectors.
  • Conclude with a tour of the gemological museum to gain deeper insight into Sri Lanka’s rich gem heritage.
  • Overnight stay in Ratnapura.

Rathnapura

Gem mine visit

Gemological museum

Day 5 – Udawalawe

  • Drive for approximately two hours to Udawalawe and check in at your hotel.
  • Unwind and relax before heading out on an exciting jeep safari through Udawalawe National Park.
  • Spot wildlife including elephants, birds, crocodiles, sloth bears, sambar deer, and occasionally leopards.
  • Overnight stay in Udawalawe.

Udawalawe National Park

Spot Wild Animals

Overnight stay

Day 6 – Ella

  • Visit the Okkampitiya gemstone mine to observe traditional gem extraction techniques, including sieving and separating stones from earthy sands.
  • Drive approximately one hour to the picturesque hill-country town of Ella.
  • En route, stop to admire the cascading Ravana Falls.
  • If arriving early evening, hike Little Adam’s Peak for a breathtaking sunset view (2-hour round trip).
  • Overnight stay in Ella.

Okkampitiya gemstone Mine

Ravana Falls

Little Adam’s peak

Day 7 – Ella

  • Explore the towns of Bandarawela and Haputale, enjoying a scenic ride through lush landscapes and tea plantations.
  • Stop at Lipton’s Seat for a snack while taking in the stunning views.
  • Learn about Sir Thomas Lipton, the pioneer of tea in Sri Lanka, who enjoyed sitting here and savoring the scenery.
  • Overnight stay in Ella. 

Bandarawela

Lipton’s Seat

Overnight stay

Day 8 – Nuwaraelliya

  • In the morning, travel to Ella Railway Station for one of Sri Lanka’s most scenic train journeys.
  • Enjoy the train ride through misty mountains, lush valleys, tea plantations, and quaint villages, arriving at Nanu Oya.
  • Your guide will meet you and transfer you to Nuwara Eliya.
  • Explore the picturesque landscapes of Nuwara Eliya and visit key tourist attractions.
  • Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.

Train Ride

Nuwara Eliya

Visit Attractions

Day 9 – Kandy

  • Arrive at your hotel in Kandy.
  • In the evening, visit Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa), Sri Lanka’s most sacred Buddhist site.
  • Conclude the day with a vibrant performance of traditional Kandyan dancing.
  • Overnight stay in Kandy.

Kandy

Temple of Tooth

Enjoy Kandyan Dance

Day 10 – Kandy

  • Tour the Royal Botanical Garden, Peradeniya, located alongside the Mahaweli River, featuring orchids, cannonball trees, royal palms, and colorful flower beds.
  • Spend about 2 hours exploring the garden, then visit the Stone Museum.
  • Later, drive to the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage for an interactive evening with the elephants.
  • Overnight stay in Kandy.

Peradeniya Botanical Garden

Stone Museun

Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage

Day 11 – Sigiriya

  • On the way to Sigiriya, stop in Matale to explore a batik factory and learn the intricate art of traditional batik printing.
  • Alternatively, visit the Ayurvedic Herbal Gardens to discover Sri Lanka’s plants, fruits, and spices, and learn about their cultivation, harvesting, drying, and uses in cooking and body care.
  • Continue to the Dambulla Cave Temple Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring five Buddhist caves with exquisite wall paintings, Buddha statues, and stupas.
  • Overnight stay in Sigiriya.

Visit Batik Factory

Ayurvedic Herbal Gardens

Dambulla Cave Temple

Day 12 – Sigiriya

  • Early in the morning, set out for the iconic Lion’s Rock (Sigiriya).
  • Accompanied by your guide, climb the rock and visit remarkable spots adorned with ancient frescoes and paintings.
  • At the summit, explore the remnants of a fortress built by King Kashyapa, while enjoying sweeping views of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle.
  • Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lion’s Rock is one of the country’s most celebrated attractions.
  • Overnight stay in Sigiriya.
 
 
 
 

Lion’s Rock

Admire paintings

Fortress

Day 13 – Colombo

  • Arrive in Colombo and spend the day resting and relaxing.
  • Later, explore the city’s vibrant food stalls, sampling a variety of local flavors and street delicacies.
  • Overnight stay in Colombo.

Visit Colombo

Attractions

overnight stay

Day 14 – BIA

  • On the final day of your Gem Tour in Sri Lanka, you may opt for a guided Tuk-Tuk City Tour of Colombo, exploring its bustling trading hub, vibrant markets, important temples, and colonial-era landmarks.
  • Alternatively, enjoy free time to explore the city at your own pace, shop for souvenirs, and soak in the local atmosphere.
  • Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport, located about an hour from Colombo, for your departure.

Tuk-Tuk City Tour

Shopping for souvenirs

Depature

Tour Overview

Embark on a cultural journey through Sri Lanka, exploring its rich history, vibrant traditions, and timeless heritage. The tour begins in Anuradhapura, the island’s oldest kingdom, and concludes in Colombo, the bustling trading hub and modern capital. Along the way, you’ll discover iconic cultural landmarks while also savoring the serene beauty of Sri Lanka’s hill country.

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Tour Highlights

  • Negombo
  • Anuradhapura
  • Sigiriya
  • Polonnaruwa
  • Kandy
  • Nuwara Eliya
  • Ella
  • Udawalawa
  • Galle
  • Colombo

Tour Highlights

  • Negombo
  • Anuradhapura
  • Sigiriya
  • Polonnaruwa
  • Kandy
  • Nuwara Eliya
  • Ella
  • Udawalawa
  • Galle
  • Colombo

Day 1 – BIA to Kalpitiya

  •  A Warm Welcome to Sri Lanka
  •  Meet and Greet at the Airport with Assistance from Our Representative
  • The journey starts in Negambo
  • you’ll spend your first night at  Negambo.

Welcome to Sri Lanka

Negambo

Check into the Hotel

Day 2 & 3 – Anuradhapura

  • The journey continues to Anuradhapura
  •  you’ll pause to explore Yapahuwa, a striking 300-foot fortified marvel from the 13th century
  • overnight stay in Anuradhapura 
  • On the third day, you’ll immerse yourself in the ancient city of Anuradhapura
  •  Later, a visit to the sacred Mihintale Buddhist Temple
  •  Returning to your hotel for a restful evening

Explore Yapahuwa

Ancient city of Anuradhapura,

Sacred Mihintale Buddhist Temple

Day 4 & 5 – Sigiriya

  • Visit the majestic Aukana Buddha Statue, one of Sri Lanka’s finest ancient sculptures
  •  Explore the UNESCO-listed Dambulla Cave Temple, rich in history and sacred art
  •  Relax with an overnight stay at the Dambulla
  •  Discover the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa, a former royal capital of Sri Lanka
  •  Enjoy an authentic Sri Lankan Rice & Curry experience along the journey
  • Climb the iconic Sigiriya Lion Rock, offering panoramic views and unforgettable photo moments
  • A perfect blend of culture, comfort, and adventure in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle

  • overnight stay will once again be at Dambulla.

Aukana Buddha Statue

Sigiriya

Polonnaruwa

Day 6, 7 & 8 – Kandy

  • Scenic drive to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s cultural hill capital
  • En-route visits to Matale Alu Viharaya and Matale Hindu Temple, showcasing religious harmony
  • Experience a vibrant Kandyan Cultural Dance Show in the evening
  • Luxury hillside stay at Kandy
  • Visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of Buddhism’s holiest sites
  • Explore Gadaladeniya, Embekke Devalaya & Lankathilake (14th-century masterpieces)
  • Discover Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya
  • Visit iconic landmarks such as Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue and Gatambe Temple
  • Enjoy authentic local cuisine experiences in Kandy city

  • Restful night at Kandy

Kandy

Bahirawa kanda temple

Overnight in Amaya Hills

Day 9 – Nuwara Eliya

  • Scenic hill-country drive through misty mountains and winding road
  • Stop at the breathtaking Ramboda Falls
  •  Visit to Pedro Tea Factory to learn the art of Ceylon tea production
  •  Explore Nuwara Eliya – “Little England”
  •  Overnight stay at the Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya

Ramboda Falls

Night at the elegant Grand Hotel

Day 10 – Ella

  • Iconic hill-country train journey from Nanu Oya to Ella
  • Stop at the spectacular Ravana Falls
  •  Arrival in the laid-back town of Ella, known for its cool climate and peaceful atmosphere
  • Overnight stay at Mountain Heavens

Nanu Oya to Ella

Ravana Falls

Mountain Heavens

Day 11 – Udawalawa

  • Magical sunrise at Ella Gap, offering panoramic views and unforgettable photo moments
  • Early-morning serenity in Ella’s cool mountain air
  • Thrilling jeep safari at Udawalawa National Park
  •  Overnight stay at Udawalawa. 

journey continues to Udawalawa

Jeep safari through Udawalawa National Park

Centauria Wild for a restful overnight

Day 12 – Galle

  • Visit to the natural hot water springs in Embilipitiya
  • Experience the vibrant local life at Weligama Fish Market
  • Scenic coastal drive with stunning ocean views
  • Arrival in the historic city of Galle, rich in colonial heritage
  • Overnight stay at the luxurious Hotel

Nnatural hot water springs

Stilt fishing

Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel

Day 13 & 14 – Colombo

Day Thirteen – Galle to Colombo

  • Explore the UNESCO-listed Galle Dutch Fort
  • Leisure time within the fort for shopping, cafés, and photography
  • Enjoy a peaceful boat safari on Madu Lake, surrounded by mangroves and wildlife
  • Scenic drive to Colombo, Sri Lanka’s commercial capital
  • Overnight stay at Colombo

Day Fourteen – Colombo City Tour

  • Guided Colombo city tour (time permitting before departure)
  •  Visits to key landmarks, temples, and historic sites
  •  Opportunity for last-minute shopping and local souvenirs
  • Smooth transfer to the airport for your onward journey

Visit Galle Fort

Boat ride along in scenic Madu River

Galle Face Hotel for overnight stay