Powered By Optimal Payments

Grand Island Tour of Sri Lanka

The Grand Island Tour is an indepth cultural, historical and enjoyable (naturally!) extravaganza lasting 22 days, encompassing many of the diverse experiences on offer during an extended holiday in Sri Lanka. From the ancient cities of Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle via Kandy, capital of the last Sinhalese kingdom, and Adam's Peak, a pilgrimage for every Sri Lankan, through the tea plantations of the Hill Country, to the wildlife park of Yala, you will eventually arrive at a palm-fringed tropical beach on the south coast, knowing that you have seen Sri Lanka at its best and experienced a holiday of a lifetime.

After a leisurely start to your holiday on a palm-fringed tropical beach on the west coast, you will head north into the island's Cultural Triangle to visit Anuradhapura, the first capital of ancient Lanka in the 3rd century BC. Following a tour of Mihintale, the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, you will continue round the Cultural Triangle to Polonnaruwa, the island's medieval capital. Visits to the impressive cave temples at Dambulla and the incredible rock fortress at Sigiriya will lead you south to Kandy, the final principal point of the Cultural Triangle. Continuing south for your sunrise rendez-vous on top of sacred Adam's Peak, you will head on to Nuwara Eliya, the British colonial capital of the Hill Country and the highest town in Sri Lanka at 1900 m above sea level. Two nights in the 'City of Light' will include a visit to a working tea factory, a trek across Horton Plains to the magnificent views at World's End, and a gentle amble around the city. Continue into the southern Hill Country before dropping down to the hot and dry southern plain and heading to Yala for a couple of jeep safaris in Yala West National Park. The quiet beach at Mirissa will then allow you to kick back and relax. A visit to the Old Dutch Fort at Galle will complete your 'Grand Tour'! The Grand Island Tour is a 22-day holiday on half board (bed, breakfast and dinner). To get a taste of what you will be doing on the Grand Island Tour, click on Holiday Highlights

Holiday Itinerary

Click on Map of Itinerary to see the route of your Sri Lanka holiday.


Day 1 Depart UK to begin your Sri Lanka Grand Tour!
Day 2
Arrive Colombo airport and greeted by your dedicated Tikalanka Tours chauffeur guide. Short transfer to the beach at Waikkal on the west coast. Night stay at Waikkal.
Day 3 At leisure. Night stay at Waikkal.
Day 4 At leisure. Night stay at Waikkal.
Day 5 Leave Waikkal and drive up into the island's Cultural Triangle. Stop off at Yapahuwa ('Fire Rock'), one of the Ephemeral Capitals of Sri Lanka, which has great views over the area and a well-preserved steep ornamental staircase (famous for one of its lion's appearing on the Rs 10 note). Continue north to Anuradhapura, the first capital of ancient Lanka in the 3rd century BC. Night stay at Anuradhapura.
Day 6 After a leisurely morning, head to the hilltop temple of Mihintale, the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, and enjoy a walking tour of this historic site. In the afternoon and early evening, visit the ancient city of Anuradhapura. Absorb the atmosphere of Ruvanveliseya Dagoba and Sri Maha Bodhi, the oldest recorded tree in the world, at nightfall. Night stay at Anuradhapura.
Day 7 Continue round the Cultural Triangle to Sigiriya, visiting Sri Lanka's finest cave temples at Dambulla on the way. Night stay at Sigiriya.
Day 8 Head to the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa for a guided tour of its historic temples and exquisitely carved statues. In the afternoon, drive back to Minneriya for a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park to see elephants and a spectacular array of Sri Lankan bird life. Night stay at Sigiriya.
Day 9 Early morning ascent of the rock fortress of Sigiriya to view the surrounding countryside at dawn - a very special experience indeed. Tour of Sigiriya's rock palace and ornamental gardens before visiting the Dravidian-influenced stone temple at Nalanda and the rock temple and scriptorium at Aluvihara on your way to the third and final point of the Cultural Triangle - Kandy, the seat of the last Sinhalese kingdom. Night stay at Kandy.
Day 10 After an early breakfast, experience the Buddhist puja (blessing ceremony) at the Temple of the Tooth, which houses Sri Lanka's most revered religious relic. Continue with a guided walking tour of Kandy, taking in the Hindu devales (temples), the lake and the municipal market. In the afternoon, visit the beautifully kept and well presented Peradeniya Botanic Gardens on the outskirts of Kandy before enjoying the early evening's performance of the famous Kandyan Dancers and Drummers, with a fire-walking finale. Night stay at Kandy.
Day 11 Leisurely drive from Kandy to Dalhousie, passing spectacular mountain scenery and through Sri Lankan 'jungle' on your way to Adam's Peak. Night stay at convenient but basic accommodation at the start of the pilgrimage trail to sacred Sri Pada (Adam's Peak).
Day 12 Very early morning (02.00!) wake-up call for your 1000-metre,
4800-step ascent of Adam's Peak, which normally takes 3-4 hours to complete. An awe-inspiring sunrise producing the famous spectacle known as the 'Shadow of the Peak' is your reward. A well-deserved
Sri Lankan breakfast awaits your return at the guesthouse before heading off to Nuwara Eliya, the highest town in Sri Lanka at 1900 m above sea level, with a visit to a working tea factory on the way. Spend a restful afternoon in the British colonial capital of the Hill Country. Night stay at Nuwara Eliya.
Day 13 After a leisurely morning, amble around the 'City of Light' and enjoy a little piece of England in the tropics! Night stay at Nuwara Eliya.
Day 14 Drive to Horton Plains for an early morning trek through the heath and forest of Horton Plains National Park in time to see the spectacular views at World's End before the cloud sets in. Continue to Ella in the southern Hill Country before dropping 1000 m to the southern plain through Ella Gap. Visit the 10th century rock temple of Buduruwagala before driving on across the hot and dry southern plain to Yala. Night stay at Yala.
Day 15 Early morning AND afternoon jeep safaris in Yala West National Park, Sri Lanka's principal wildlife reserve, which has the highest density of leopards in the world. Other inhabitants include elephants, sloth bears, sambars, spotted deer, wild boars, crocodiles, wild buffaloes, mongooses, jackals, monkeys, and over 150 species of birds. Night stay at Yala.
Day 16 Enjoy a leisurely drive west along the picturesque southern coastline to the quiet tropical beach at Mirissa. Relax under the palms or take a dip in the Indian Ocean. Night stay at Mirissa.
Day 17 At leisure. Night stay at Mirissa.
Day 18 At leisure. Night stay at Mirissa.
Day 19 At leisure. Night stay at Mirissa.
Day 20 Continue west along the southern coastline to Galle for a tour of the Old Dutch Fort, a World Heritage Site. Amble around the ramparts and stroll through the Arab Quarter. Night stay at Galle.
Day 21 A leisurely drive north along the west coast to the airport, via Colombo. Night stay at Airport.
Day 22 Depart Colombo airport with grand ideas for your next Sri Lanka holiday!



To ensure that you will enjoy the Grand Island Tour in Sri Lanka, please click on Tikalanka Tips for more information.

If you would prefer to discuss your Sri Lanka holiday options with a Sri Lanka holiday expert, feel free to call Tikalanka Tours on 020 313 76 763 or email us at holidays@tikalanka.com where you can also order your Tikalanka Tours brochure or book a Sri Lanka holiday.


Holiday Price

The Grand Island Tour is available at various prices according to the holiday season you wish to travel. Click on Holiday Price for up to date holiday prices.

BOOK NOW!