Pearls of Sri Lanka II

Day 1: Negombo – Wilpattu National Park

Accommodation: Wilpattu

• Leave Negombo and travel north towards the peaceful surroundings of Wilpattu National Park.
• Enjoy the changing landscape as you leave the coastal area and travel through the Sri Lankan countryside.
• The journey takes you closer to one of Sri Lanka's most famous wildlife regions.
• Arrive at your accommodation near Wilpattu and take time to relax after the journey.

Day 2: Wilpattu National Park

Accommodation: Wilpattu

• Spend the day exploring Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka's largest national park, famous for its peaceful wilderness and natural lakes known as villus.
• Enjoy a safari through the dry-zone forest and around the beautiful villus, where wildlife often gathers.
• Keep your eyes open for leopards, elephants, sloth bears, deer and a variety of birds in their natural surroundings.
• Experience the quieter atmosphere of Wilpattu, where the dense forest and open landscapes create a very different safari experience from Sri Lanka's more visited parks.
• After a day in nature, return to your accommodation and relax in the peaceful surroundings of Wilpattu.

Day 3: Wilpattu – Mannar – Jaffna

Accommodation: Jaffna

• Leave Wilpattu and travel towards Mannar, a region known for its distinctive landscape and historic sites. e day and discover some of its most interesting places.
• In the afternoon, continue your journey from Mannar to Jaffna, the cultural heart of northern Sri Lanka.
• Arrive in Jaffna and settle into your accommodation after a day of travelling and exploring.

Day 4: Nainativu, Nagadeepa Island

Accommodation: Jaffna

• Take a boat to Nainativu (Nagadeepa), a small island with deep religious and historical significance.
• Visit Nagadeepa Purana Vihara, one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in northern Sri Lanka, traditionally associated with a visit by the Buddha.
• Explore Naga Pooshani Amman Kovil, an important Hindu temple, and experience the fascinating religious heritage of the island.
• Take time to explore the island and enjoy its peaceful atmosphere and beautiful surroundings.

Day 5: Jaffna – Nallur, Kadurugoda and Keerimalai

Accommodation: Jaffna

Day 6: Delft Island

Accommodation: Jaffna

• Take a boat to Delft Island (Neduntivu), a remote and fascinating island off the northern coast of Sri Lanka.
• Explore the island's unique landscape, shaped by coral, limestone and the dry northern climate.
• Discover the remains of the Portuguese and Dutch colonial presence, including the historic fort and old buildings.
• See the famous wild ponies of Delft Island, which have lived on the island for generations.
• Visit the impressive baobab tree, traditionally believed to have been brought to the island by Arab traders centuries ago.
• Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this remote island, far from the main tourist routes.

Day 7: Dambakola Patuna & Golden Boat

Accommodation: Jaffna

Day 8: Jaffna Fort

Accommodation: Anuradhapura

Day 9: Mihintale

Accommodation: Anuradhapura

Day 10: Anuradhapura

Accommodation: Anuradhapura

• Discover Anuradhapura, one of Sri Lanka's most important ancient cities and a sacred centre of Buddhist culture.
• Explore magnificent ancient stupas, monasteries, stone carvings and ancient reservoirs.
• Visit Sri Maha Bodhi, one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka.
• See the impressive Ruwanwelisaya Stupa and other remarkable monuments surrounded by peaceful gardens and ancient ruins.
• Visit the Ranmasu Uyana, the ancient Royal Pleasure Garden, known for its peaceful setting and fascinating archaeological remains.
• Discover the mysterious Star Gate (Sakwala Chakraya), an unusual stone carving located within the ancient garden and one of the most intriguing sites in Anuradhapura.
• Enjoy the beautiful ponds with golden fish and the peaceful atmosphere of this historic garden.
• Discover the history, religious traditions and ancient engineering of Anuradhapura.

Day 11: Ritigala

Accommodation: Polonnaruwa

• Visit Ritigala, an ancient Buddhist monastic complex located on the slopes of Ritigala Mountain.

• The archaeological remains mainly date from the 8th to 10th centuries, although Buddhist monks lived in the area much earlier.

• Walk along the ancient stone-paved paths connecting the different parts of the monastery.

• See the characteristic double-platform meditation buildings, designed for the austere forest-dwelling monks known as the Pamsukulikas.

• Visit Banda Pokuna, a large ancient reservoir associated with the monastery and measuring about 366 metres around its perimeter.

• Observe the remains of meditation platforms, bathing facilities, service buildings and other structures built from carefully cut stone.

• Discover one of Sri Lanka's important archaeological sites connected with the tradition of forest meditation monasteries.

• Enjoy the natural surroundings of Ritigala, a mountain rising to about 768 metres, with the archaeological complex situated within its forested landscape.

Day 12: Danigala

Accommodation: Polonnaruwa