North and East Tour Sri Lanka: 13 Nights / 14 Days
This itinerary covers the less explored north and east of the island. A 30-year civil war, which ended in 2009 is the main reason why these regions have been kept off the usual tourist trail. Post 2009, these areas have blossomed into world class destinations.
The east coast has the best beaches in Sri Lanka, whilst Jaffna and its surrounding islands offer a unique experience into a culture very different to the rest of Sri Lanka. Wilpattu National Park offers an enthralling wildlife experience whilst Mannar, is probably the most unusual place you are to come across, with fisher folk, wild donkeys and Flamingos all living together.
Highlights
- Leopard safari at Wilpattu National Park
- Elephant safari at Minneriya National Park
- Flamingos in Mannar
- Experience Sri Lankan rural life
- Explore the near uninhabited string of islands in the north
- Train ride through the dry zone of Sri Lanka
Arrival --> Anamaduwa --> Wilpattu --> Mannar --> Jaffna --> Trincomalee --> Polonnaruwa --> Minneriya NP --> Colombo --> Departure
DAY 1
- Welcome on arrival and transfer to eco-lodge located in the village of Anamaduwa.
- Spend the rest of the day relaxing.
- Overnight eco-lodge in Anamaduwa.
Airport-Anamaduwa: 3 hours
DAY 2
- Spend the day enjoying activities such as a farm visit, birdwatching, visit to a village and temple, cycling etc.
- Overnight eco-lodge in Anamaduwa.
DAY 3
- Morning relaxing/activities at the eco-lodge.
- Around mid-day travel to safari lodge located on the south western border of Wilpattu National Park.
- Evening at leisure.
- Overnight safari lodge in Wilpattu.
Anamaduwa-Wilpattu: 2 hours
DAY 4
- Full day game drive in Wilpattu National Park with picnic breakfast and lunch in the jungle.
- Return to safari lodge for the night.
DAY 5
- After breakfast drive through Wilpattu National Park, to Mannar island.
- Spend the afternoon exploring Mannar; a unique little island with palm trees, gulls, wild donkeys, flamingos and fishing boats.
- Overnight boutique bungalow in Mannar.
Wilpattu-Mannar: 3 ½ hours
DAY 6
- After breakfast visit the Katheeswaram Hindu Temple on the mainland.
- Proceed to Jaffna and spend the afternoon relaxing/exploring the neighborhood.
- Overnight hotel/guest house in Jaffna.
Mannar-Jaffna: 3 hours
DAY 7
- Spend the day exploring the Jaffna peninsula with a local guide. Experience the unique flavors and cultures of this Hindu majority city.
- Overnight hotel/guest house in Jaffna.
DAY 8
- Spend the day exploring the almost uninhabited string of islands off the Jaffna peninsula.
- Overnight hotel/guest house in Jaffna.
DAY 9
- After breakfast, board the morning train to Vavuniya, through the heart of Sri Lanka’s dry zone shrub jungles, civil war ruins and local towns and villages.
- Hop back into the car and proceed to Trincomalee on the east coast for your beach stay.
- Overnight beach resort inTrincomalee.
Jaffna-Vavuniya: 3 hours (train) / Vavuniya-Trincomalee: 2 hours
DAY 10
- Spend the day relaxing on the beach/snorkeling at Pigeon Island.
- Overnight beach resort in Trincomalee.
DAY 11
- Morning on the beach.
- If inclined, enjoy an afternoon city tour of Trincomalee. The eastern capital, is an ancient port city with pristine beaches, Hindu temples and colonial ruins.
- Overnight beach resort in Trincomalee.
DAY 12
- After breakfast travel to Polonnaruwa, to explore the ruins at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Afternoon safari at nearby Minneriya National Park, to see herds of wild elephants.
- Overnight hotel in Dambulla.
Trincomalee-Polonnaruwa: 2 hours / Polonnaruwa-Minneriya: 45 min / Minneriya-Dambulla: 40 mins
DAY 13
- Morning, travel to the capital Colombo a multi-cultural city with a long and interesting history.
- Spend the afternoon relaxing/exploring the neighborhood.
- Overnight small boutique hotel in central Colombo.
Dambulla-Colombo: 3-4 hours
DAY 14
- Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
Colombo-Airport: 45 mins
