Sri Lanka Christmas / New Year Tour Itinerary (14D/13N)

Sri Lanka Christmas / New Year Tour Itinerary (14 Days/13 Nights) *

Colombo Airport - Nuwara Eliya - Kandy - Sigiriya - Anuradhapura - Colombo - Galle - Yala National Park - Negombo - Airport

Our special Sri Lanka Tour Package that will let you experience Christmas and the New Year in Sri Lanka exactly the way it should be - unforgettable...
We have selected special destinations and star-class hotels living up to the occasion. Christmas around an open fireplace in the cooler hill country and New Years's Eve at a view-point hotel on Sri Lanka's South Coast, overlooking the fireworks over historical Galle and nearby Unawatuna Beach. In-between, on this special tour, you will visit unspoiled beaches, the most amazing heritage sites and have true wildlife experiences.

Please note: while the special Christmas / New Year Sri Lanka Tour below start on December 23nd, we can easily change the dates according to your travel plans. Just mention your arrival and departure dates in the form below and we will send you your own customized Sri Lanka Christmas / New Year Tour Itinerary.

This Tour can be easily combined with another Sri Lanka Tour or a Sri Lanka Holiday Package.
If you have any questions and/or need to customization, please contact us or use the "Notes" field in the form below.

SRI LANKA CHRISTMA / NEW YEAR TOUR PACKAGE DETAILS  (14 days / 13 nights)

Day 01 - 03 : After meeting you at the the airport, we drive to Nuwara Eliya, passing typical tea plantations, waterfalls and great view-points on the way. In case your flight arrives early, there is the opportunity to visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, where you can observe the feeding and bathing of an elephant herd.
Nuwara Eliya or City of Light is the tea capital of Sri Lanka at an altitude of 1889 m and is the most visited hill station of the island. The original village was found by a group of British officers during the earlier part of the 19th century, who as the story goes, had gotten lost while elephant hunting. The British governor at the time, Sir Edward Barnes, was told about this little town and subsequently decided to take residence there, soon creating a health resort, which soon became internationally renown.
The outskirts of Nuwara Eliya are like a journey into the past with colonial villas, rose gardens, a 18 hole golf course and country-club-styled hotels. You also can join the Christmas Midnight Mass at Nuwara Eliya's colonial church.
Overnight at the colonial Hill Club Hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
The Hill Club overlooks Nuwara Eliya and consists of 39 well appointed bedrooms, including two suites on the upper floor and three family rooms in the Chalet. The colonial theme can be seen at the large reading room, open fire places, the mixed lounges bars, the dining room and the original billiard room equipped with 2 full sized tables. A well manicured front lawn surrounded with a variety of colourful flowers and foliage provides direct views of Pidurutalagala Mountain, the highest elevation in Sri Lanka. The Hill Club is the perfect getaway located amidst the scenic beauty of misty mountains.
please note: the compulsory Christmas Dinner Supplement is included in the rate shown

Day 04 : On our way to Kandy, you can visit a tea factory and observe the whole process of the 'making of original Ceylon Tea' from harvesting (plucking) to the testing of the final product. Kandy was the last capital of the ancient kings era of Sri Lanka and is home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world.
The Peradeniya Botanical Garden is one of the finest in Asia and was originally build for the Queen of Kandy. On over 60 hectares you'll find over 4,000 different plant including a Royal Palm avenue of and an extensive Orchid collection.
In the evening you can attend a cultural show by the famous Kandy Dancers (optional).
Overnight at the Swiss Residence Hotel in Kandy.
The Swiss Residence Hotel is situated in the luscious green hills of Kandy. A rich blend of Swiss and Kandyan architecture perched on the highest point of Bahirawakanda where your eyes can feast on the salubrious Knuckles range forest and virgin green hills of Hantane Kale. Perched atop the steep “Bahirawakanda Hill”, the hotel offers breathtaking views of the surroundings.

Day 05 : Before arriving at our next stop, Sigiriya, we will visit the Golden Temple in Dambulla with its many cave temples. A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka.
The unique Sigiriya Rock was formed by hardened magma from an extinct volcano. The first impressing detail you will be the Lion Staircase leading to the former palace garden. Unfortunately only two lion paws and the masonry walls surrounding it are still in existence. The royal gardens are amongst the oldest landscaped gardens in the world.
The Sigiriya Mirror Wall was so well polished in ancient days that the king could see himself whilst he walked alongside it. The frescos of the heavenly maidens show Asparas, beautiful, supernatural female beings in the Indian mythology.
Overnight at the famous Kassapa Lions Rock Hotel in Sigiriya.
An ideally located hotel situated facing the magnificent Sigiriya rock in the midst of a small village named Digampathaha. "Kassapa Lions Rock Hotel" is an ideal base from which you can explore the many picturesque sites famous for its historic and cultural importance, such as Anurahapura, PoIonnaruwa, SigIriya, Dambulla and Ritigala.

Day 06 - 07 : In the early afternoon we reach Anuradhapura, the most celebrated of Sri Lanka's ancient ruined cities. This city is the repository of several priceless treasures of Buddhism and as a World Heritage site definetly a MUST to every visitor to Sri Lanka.The dagoba of Thuparama, an immense spire-topped dome that is believed to enshrine the collarbone of the Buddha, himself. The base of the temple is surrounded by a frieze of elephants in bas relief. Another remarkable treasure in Anuradhapura is the sacred Bo Tree said to have been grown from a branch of the tree under which Siddhartha Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. As the story goes, a sapling of the ficus religioso that sheltered the Buddha was brought from the Magadha Kingdom of ancient India to Sri Lanka in a golden bowl 2,250 years ago and planted on this spot in Sri Lanka, bowl and all. It is said to be the oldest authenticated tree in the world.
Overnight at the Avasta Resort and Spa in Anaradhapura.
All the rooms at Avasta Resort and Spa feature hardwood floors and air conditioning. A flat-screen TV, sofa and dining table are included as well. Bathrooms come with fluffy bathrobes and a hairdryer. Guests can enjoy soothing Ayurveda treatments at the spa and sauna facilities or refreshing workouts at the gymnasium.

Day 08 - 10: On our way to the South Coast, we are passing Colombo, Sri Lanka's biggest city and port. Here we will stop for a bit of shopping and sightseeing, before following the coastal route via Bentota and Hikkaduwa to the historical city of Galle. Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in south and southeast Asia, showing the interaction between European architectural styles and south Asian traditions. The Galle Fort is a world heritage site and the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European invaders. Other prominent landmarks in Galle include the St. Mary's Cathedral founded by Jesuit priests. You can spend hours exploring the famous Dutch fort, go shopping at one of the oldest markets of Sri Lanka or you can enjoy the feeling of "the good old times" at one of the colonial-style hotels and restaurants.
Overnight at the Lady Hill Hotel in Galle.
Nestled atop the highest point of the ancient port city of Galle sits the Lady Hill Hotel, where you will be overwhelmed by the breathtaking and panoramic “Bird’s Eye View” of the lush green countryside stretching  from the tea covered slopes of the Southern foothills all the way down to merge with the brilliant blue waters of the Indian Ocean. The best location to see the fireworks over Galle and nearby Unawatuna Bay.
please note: the compulsory New Years Eve Dinner Supplement is included in the rate shown

Day 11 - 12 : What is a holiday in Sri Lanka without having seen animals like elephants, leopards or monkeys in the wild? Especially at the Yala National Park, our next destination. The Yala National Park on the southeast of the island, is well known for its big, extensive the area of 1,259 sq km, and for the best wildlife preservation in Sri Lanka. Yala is one of the best parks in the world to observe and photograph leopards in the wild. With it considerable size, the terrain of the national park is varied from flat plains to rocky outcrops.
Overnight at the Hibiscus Garden Hotel in Yala.
Directly in the middle of beautiful tropical surroundings, far away from the tourist masses, the Hibiscus Garden Hotel offers a perfect starting point for exciting excursions in the nearby nature reserves, for safaris in the Yala National Park and the tropical rain forests, bird watching in the protected bird lands, or perhaps a chance to relax on the hotel´s own beach for regenerating the body and soul.

Day 13 : After a final morning safari or a visit to a turtle hatchery, we return to the West Coast, or more precisely Negombo Beach. Conveniently located only 15 km from Sri Lanka's International Airport, Negombo offers wide beaches, a great selection of excellent restaurants and many watersport facilities. Used by the Portuguese, Dutch and British as main export harbour for cinnamon you still can see many historical buildings.
Overnight at the Goldi Sands Hotel in Negombo.
The beach at the Goldi Sands Beach Hotel is probably one of the finest natural and un-spoilt beaches in the island and is ideal for relaxing and enjoying the sun. Take a leisurely stroll on the sandy shore; enjoy the refreshing sea breeze on your face while the waves embrace your feet. Watch the fishing boats take off to sea or even take a boat ride yourself, dip in the ocean and relax on a sundeck in the shade of the thatched huts under the swaying palm trees. Be spellbound by the beautiful sunset as it slowly disappears into the horizon.

Day 14 : After checking out of the hotel we drive you back to the airport or your next destination in Sri Lanka.
You also can continue with one of our other Sri Lanka Tours or Sri Lanka Holiday Packages. End of the Christmas / New Year Tour.

This Sri Lanka Christmas / New Year Tour Package includes transportation by a/c luxury limousine or Japanese Mini Van with driver / guide, accommodation in above mentioned hotels, excluding entry fees.
Accommodation in double room, on half-board basis.
Private transportation by a/c limousine from day 01 to day 14.
Compulsory Christmas / New Years Eve Dinner Supplements are included
Rate (per person): US$ 1.399

*can easily be combined with our other Sri Lanka Tours or one of our Sri Lanka Holiday Packages