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.
