Sri Lanka Northeast Explorer - 12 days

Sri Lanka Northeast Explorer - 12 days

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12 Days From

$2865

$2292

Sri Lanka Northeast Explorer - 12 days

12 Days Starting in Negombo and ending in Colombo

Visiting: Negombo, Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Udawalawe National Park, Colombo

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Tour code:

1790/SLNE

Specialist Group:

Family/Kids

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 24

Physical rating:

Medium

Age range:

Over 16 if accompanied by an adult

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Please contact On The Go Tours with specific dietary requests

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Small Group

Interests:

Cultural

From: $2865 $2292 Operator discount: -$573 -20%

NB: Prices correct on 04-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Take in the classic sights of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle, but not before exploring ancient Anuradhapura, the northern city of Jaffna. Village visits, Elephant game viewing, scenic tea plantations and a couple days by the stunning coast in Trincomalee are all included within this incredible 12 day tour.

Highlights

  • Anuradhapura - See the ancient wonders of Sri Lanka's first capital, including sacred Ruwanweliseya, Sri Lanka's most famous dagoba

  • Jaffna - Take in the sights of Sri Lanka's northern most city, including Nagadeepa Buddhist Temple, Nallur Hindu Temple and Jaffna Fort

  • Trincomalee - Relax on the beach and explore this historic harbour city, with its revered Konesar Temple, Hot Water Wells and beautiful natural harbour

  • Colombo – Enjoy a guided tour of the city including the Old Fort area and impressive Gangaramaya Temple

  • Polonnaruwa - Explore the remarkable ruins of the ancient capital city of Ceylon

  • Sigiriya - Climb to the top of the iconic 5th century Lion Rock fortress and see the Heavenly Maidens

  • Dambulla - Discover over 150 images of Buddha in the incredible complex of caves at Dambulla Rock Temple

  • Kayanwala Village - Canoe to the village and help cook a delicious traditional lunch with a Sri Lankan family

  • Matale - Learn all about Sri Lanka's herbs and spices at the spice gardens in Matale

  • Kandy - Take in the highlights of Kandy including the famous Temple of the Tooth, enjoy a tuk tuk ride and watch a cultural performance

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Itinerary

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Day 1: Negombo

Location: Negombo

Tuesday. Colombo - Negombo. Welcome to Sri Lanka! You will be met at Colombo Airport and transferred to your hotel by the beach in Negombo. Our start hotel is located on the seafront and a short walk from Galle Road and many of the city highlights. Choose to head out and explore, take a dip in the pool or enjoy a cocktail whilst you watch the perfect sunset over the Laccodive Sea.

Day 2: Anuradhapura

Location: Anuradhapura

Meals Included: Breakfast

Negombo - Anuradhapura. This morning we make our way to Anuradhapura, the first capital and grandest city of ancient Sri Lanka and home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Upon arrival, we embark on an afternoon sightseeing tour of the city, visiting both historical and archaeological sites of interest. Highlights include the sacred bo-tree which is the oldest documented tree in the world, the 1600 columns of Brazen Palace and Ruwanweliseya, the most famous dagobas in Sri Lanka.

Day 3: Jaffna

Location: Jaffna

Meals Included: Breakfast

Anuradhapura - Jaffna. Today we journey north to Jaffna, located on the northernmost peninsula of the island. Here, we enjoy a sightseeing tour taking in sights such as the Jaffna Fort, the second largest in Sri Lanka which was built by the Dutch in 1619. Another highlight is the Nallur Hindu Temple, the most important place of Hindu worship in Jaffna. We’ll also take a boat ride to Nagadeepa Buddhist Temple, which is said to be the site where Buddha visited during his second journey to Sri Lanka.

Day 4-5: Trincomalee

Location: Trincomalee

Meals Included: Breakfast

Jaffna - Trincomalee. Departing Jaffna, we head back south to Trincomalee on the north-eastern coast. A sightseeing tour here takes us to Thirukonamalai Konesar Temple, the Temple of the Thousand Pillars and Dakshina-Then Kailasam - a classical medieval Hindu temple complex. Day 5 is free to spend relaxing in Trincomalee. Enjoy this stunning location on the coast, while away the day unwinding on the beach.

Day 6: Dambulla

Location: Dambulla

Meals Included: Breakfast

Trincomalee - Dambulla - Polonnaruwa - Dambulla. This morning we leave the coast and begin our journey inland to the impressive Dambulla Cave Temple. A spectacular complex of five caves dedicated to the Lord Buddha, within the caves of Dambulla you'll find over 150 images of Buddha, including an impressive 14-metre rock cut statue.





After exploring this ancient site we continue to Polonnaruwa, an intriguing 11th century city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we explore many interesting and famous monuments including the Royal Palace and the Gal Vihara. We then return to Dambulla for an evening at leisure.

Day 7: Polonnaruwa

Location: Polonnaruwa

Meals Included: Breakfast

Dambulla - Sigiriya - Kandy. This morning we make our way to the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Built over 1500 years ago, this beautiful citadel stands 200 meters high in the middle of verdant jungle and is one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic sites. A steep staircase up the rock side reaches the summit and on the way up you can stop to see the world-famous paintings of the Heavenly Maidens, which are hidden in a sheltered pocket of rock.





Leaving Sigiriya behind, we take a local hand tractor ride and a short canoe trip to the village of Kayanwala. Here we are welcomed into the home of a local family where we try our hand at preparing a meal of curry, dahl, spiced rice and pickle. After enjoying our homemade lunch we continue onto Kandy, stopping along the way at a spice garden in Matale. Arriving to Kandy, the evening is at leisure.

Day 8: Kandy

Location: Kandy

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning we embark on a sightseeing tour of Kandy, making our first stop at the Temple of the Tooth. The temple’s name derives from the legend that it houses one of Buddha’s teeth that was taken from him as he lay on his funeral pyre and then smuggled into Sri Lanka. From here we take a drive around Kandy Lake, visiting a local bazaar and gem museum along the way, before hopping on a tuk tuk for a ride up into the surrounding hills. In the afternoon we stop in at a working tea factory at Giragama, which has been manufacturing ‘Low Grown’ and ‘Long Leaf’ tea since 1903. This evening, we attend a cultural performance of traditional Sri Lankan music and dance.

Day 9: Nuwara Eliya

Location: Nuwara Eliya

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Kandy - Nuwara Eliya. Enjoy some free time this morning before our transfer to the train station for a scenic railway journey. Our journey to Nuwara Eliya will take us past verdant tea plantations, through winding mountain passes, across suspension bridges and much more.

Arriving in the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country in the afternoon, we’ll take a drive through an area known locally as ‘Little England’.

Day 10: Udawalawe National Park

Location: Udawalawe National Park

Accommodation Name: Overnight: Udawalawe National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast

Nuwara Eliya - Udawalawe National Park. Today we make our way south to Embilipitiya, which will be our base for exploring Udawalawe National Park. Not only is this national park renowned as one of the best places to see the famous Sri Lankan elephant, it is also home to the elusive leopard, the Sri Lankan sloth bear and varies types of deer. This afternoon we enjoy a game drive through the park before returning to our hotel for the evening.

Day 11: Colombo

Location: Colombo

Meals Included: Breakfast

Udawalawe National Park - Colombo. Today we make our way back to Colombo, but not before paying a visit to the Gem Mine and Museum in Ratnapura. Sri Lanka is famous for its gem industry and is home to 40 out of the 85 types of gems in the world. Arriving to Colombo later today, we embark on a city tour taking in the Fort area in the north of the city, as well as the stunning Gangarama Temple. We’ll end the tour with a stroll along Galle Face Green, a popular spot for kite flying and games of cricket amongst the locals.

Day 12: Colombo

Location: Colombo

Meals Included: Breakfast

Saturday. Today offers free time for you to independently explore the city, before your included departure transfer to the airport.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    3-5 star & heritage hotels

  • Breakfast daily and 1 lunch

  • 11 nights 3-5 star hotels and heritage properties

  • Guided sightseeing - Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Nuwara Eliya, Udawalawe, Gem Mine and Colombo

  • Jeep safari/game drive in Udawalawe National Park

  • Scenic train journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, canoe and tuk tuk trips

  • Escorted by an English speaking national guide for groups of 6 or more (professional chauffeur guide for groups of 5 or less)

  • Airport arrival and departure transfer on days 1 and 12

  • All relevant transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned tourism vehicles

What's Not Included

  • International flights and visa

  • Tip for your tour guide. We recommend you allow USD$3-7 per day, per traveller. Tipping your guide is an entirely personal gesture

  • Entrance Fees: USD$200-220pp, paid in USD

Age Policy

Over 15 if accompanied by an adult

Check out our Q&As

  • What is the maximum group size?

    24

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Airport arrival and departure transfer on days 1 and 12

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    3-5 star & heritage hotels

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1998

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Champaklal Mistry  

Sri Lanka Northeast Explorer - 12 days

06-Apr-2017

We had Great time on this tour and well organised with excellent tour guides. On this tour we achieved more than our expectations.

Jill Salvage  

Sri Lanka Northeast Explorer - 12 days

26-Jul-2024

A fantastic tour of the island. Our guide for the north (Ashoke) was wonderful giving us a real insight into the Tamil culture.

John Vaites  

Sri Lanka Northeast Explorer - 12 days

27-Aug-2024

The first tour guide and transport were excellent. After we met up with the group in Dambula the transport was less comfortable but the guide was also very good. Regarding accommodation we particularly enjoyed Jetwing Lake hotel and Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort. The most memorable visits were the food offering ritual at the Hindu temple in Trincomalee, The Sacred City in Anaradhapura, snorkelling on Pigeon Island arranged by the guide, the train ride, and the safari. The worst visit was probably the spice garden in Matale where we felt obliged to pay for a massage and buy their medicinal remedies. Overall though, we really enjoyed the tour, and felt it was good value for money, and met our expectations.

Candice Page  

Sri Lanka Northeast Explorer - 12 days

27-Sep-2024

Very poor communication Paid for things we did not do Many different versions of itinerary Huge difference between accommodations Got DUMPED at final hotel On the go tours VERY DISAPPOINTING

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Operator discount: -$431

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Operator discount: -$431

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Operator discount: -$431

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Operator discount: -$431

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Operator discount: -$431

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Operator discount: -$431

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Operator discount: -$431

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Operator discount: -$431

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Operator discount: -$431

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Operator discount: -$431

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$2875 $2444

Operator discount: -$431

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Nov 11, 2025 - Nov 22, 2025
$2875 $2444

Operator discount: -$431

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Nov 18, 2025 - Nov 29, 2025
$2875 $2444

Operator discount: -$431

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Nov 25, 2025 - Dec 06, 2025
$2875 $2444

Operator discount: -$431

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Dec 02, 2025 - Dec 13, 2025
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Operator discount: -$431

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Dec 09, 2025 - Dec 20, 2025
$2875 $2444

Operator discount: -$431

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Dec 16, 2025 - Dec 27, 2025
$2875 $2444

Operator discount: -$431

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Dec 23, 2025 - Jan 03, 2026
$3175 $2699

Operator discount: -$476

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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