New Year Special Sri Lanka Tour - 8 Days

New Year's Eve in Colombo

After a flight of approximately 8 hours, we arrive in Colombo at 13:20 local time. After completing passport control and collecting our luggage, we transfer to our hotel and rest.

In the evening, we welcome the new year at the New Year Gala Dinner held at our hotel.

We stay at the 4-star Mirage Colombo or similar hotels.

Dambulla's cave temple

After breakfast at our hotel, we rest until noon.

We then set off for Dambulla. Dating back to the 1st century BC, Dambulla Rock Temple (Golden Temple) is one of the country's sacred sites. After visiting the complex, which consists of five caves containing 150 statues dedicated to Buddha and colourful frescoes, we transfer to our hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel in the Sigiriya area.

Our hotel is the 4-star Camellia Resort & Spa Sigiriya or similar.

Sigiriya Rock to Kandy

After breakfast at our hotel, we set off to visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress in Sri Lanka. Built in the 5th century by King Kashyapa, the fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also known as Lion Rock. As we climb to the top of the 200-metre-high rock fortress, we will see the frescoes, the mirror wall and the remains of the ancient water gardens. From the summit, we will look out over Sri Lanka's green landscape.

After visiting Sigiriya, we head to the ancient city of Anuradhapura, the country's first capital. One of the first major centres of Sinhala civilisation, the city is home to the sacred Bodhi tree. Here, we will visit Ruwanwelisaya Stupa, Isurumuniya Temple and Sri Maha Bodhi, the world's oldest tree planted by human hands.

We then set off for Kandy, Sri Lanka's cultural capital. Along the way, we stop at Matale Spice Garden to learn about the cultivation of tropical plants such as cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla and black pepper. We have dinner at a local restaurant.

Upon arrival in Kandy, we check in to our hotel. We spend the night at our hotel in Kandy.

We stay at the 4-star Royal Kandyan Hotel or similar hotels.

Temple of the Tooth and tea country

After breakfast at our hotel, we travel through Sri Lanka's natural landscape to our first stop, Dalada Maligawa - the Temple of the Tooth. Located in central Kandy, the temple is considered one of the most sacred sites for Sri Lanka's Buddhists. We visit the temple, where a tooth of the Buddha is believed to be kept, and explore its architecture and religious atmosphere.

After the visit, we set off for Nuwara Eliya, the country's tea production centre. Along the way, we see tea plantations and waterfalls. At a tea factory on our route, we learn about the stages of Sri Lanka's Ceylon tea production and taste a freshly brewed cup of tea.

We arrive in Nuwara Eliya around midday and begin our city tour. Founded by British governors in the 1800s, this mountain town is known as Little England for its colonial buildings, cool climate and green surroundings. During the tour, we see Gregory Lake, Victoria Park and buildings with English-style architecture. We have dinner at a local restaurant.

At the end of the day, we transfer to our hotel and settle into our rooms. We stay overnight at our hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

Our hotel is the 4-star Araliya Red Hotel or similar.

Mountain train to Colombo

This morning, after breakfast at our hotel, we leave the cool mountain air of Nuwara Eliya and set off for Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka.

We travel by train from Ambewela Train Station to Badarawela. Along this route, known for its scenery, we see tea plantations, mist-covered mountains, small local stations and tropical vegetation.

Upon arrival in Badarawela, we board our waiting private vehicle and continue by road to Colombo. As we travel from Sri Lanka's interior towards the coast, we pass along palm-lined roads and through local villages.

On arrival in Colombo, we transfer to our hotel and settle into our rooms for a short rest. In the evening, guests who wish can join a short sightseeing tour of the city centre or relax and use the hotel's facilities.

Dinner and overnight accommodation are at our hotel in Colombo.

We stay at the 4-star Mirage Colombo or a similar hotel.

Colombo city tour

After breakfast at our hotel, we begin our panoramic city tour of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. The city brings together colonial-era buildings, modern skyscrapers and tropical surroundings.

During the tour, we see Galle Face Green, Independence Square, Beira Lake, the Red Mosque (Jami Ul-Alfar), the Indian Quarters, the Lighthouse, the Dutch Hospital Building, Petah Market and the city walls on our panoramic route.

We then visit Gangaramaya Temple, one of Sri Lanka's important Buddhist temples. The small museum inside the temple displays statues, religious objects and traditional works of art.

Next, we head to the National Museum. Here, we learn about the kingdoms in the island's history, the colonial era and the path to independence. The museum's collection includes historic royal belongings, masks, weapons and manuscripts.

In the afternoon, guests who wish can enjoy free time in Colombo's world-renowned tea and spice shops, jewellery shops or shopping centres.

Dinner and overnight accommodation are at our hotel in Colombo. Accommodation is at the 4-star Mirage Colombo or similar hotels.

Negombo coastal town

After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for Negombo, a town on Sri Lanka's west coast along the Indian Ocean. Located approximately 40 km from Colombo, this coastal town is known for its historic character and tropical atmosphere.

Previously under Portuguese and Dutch colonial rule, Negombo is now known as Little Rome. Fishing and its Catholic identity are among the town's defining features. We first visit St. Mary's Church. Built in the 19th century, the church is noted for its colourful ceiling decorations and Gothic architecture.

We then visit Negombo Fish Market, where dried fish and freshly caught seafood are sold. We take a short walk with our guide to observe daily life and local culture.

Later, we explore the Dutch Canal, Negombo Lagoon, the historic harbour area and the beach surroundings. During our walk along the lagoon, we see mangrove forests and tropical birds.

For the rest of the day, we check in to our hotel on the Negombo coast and enjoy free time by the sea. Guests may relax on the beach, watch the sunset or use the hotel's facilities.

Dinner and our overnight stay are at our coastal hotel in Negombo. Accommodation will be at the 4-star Jetwing Sea or similar hotels.

Overnight flight to Istanbul

This morning, after breakfast at our hotel, we check out and transfer to Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport. With our guide's assistance, we complete passport and baggage procedures and depart for Istanbul at 22:00 on a scheduled Turkish Airlines flight. We spend the night on board.

Arrival in Istanbul

After our flight, we arrive at Istanbul Airport at 04:35 in the early morning, Türkiye time.

This brings our Sri Lanka tour to an end. We were happy to host you on this journey. We hope to see you again on your next trip.