General
The Greatest Show on Earth tour explores this bountiful and spirited nation based on Active Asia’s inhouse Sri Lankan enthusiast and Creative Director. A one-off journey covering all the must-see spots, Valentina shares with you the places, experiences and people she fell in love with.
Begin your journey in Negombo, a fishing village with old world charm before heading to Anaradhapura. Once serving as Sri Lanka’s capital, the city is home to a large collection of well-preserved architectural achievements.
Next turn your focus to wildlife with jeep safaris in both Wilpattu and Minneriya National Parks. Boasting a treasure trove of historical monuments, continue on to Dambulla. Visit the famed Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the ruins of Polonnaruwa. Once a medieval capital, this amazing citadel boasts some of the best archaeological relics.
Travel north to Jaffna. Lying close to India, the city presents a largely Indian influence and offers a different perspective from the rest of the country. From Jaffna head east to Trincomalee, recognised for its natural harbour and an abundance of water related activities. Offering an urban buzz, head inland to Kandy. Boarded by beautiful hills and countryside, explore the city before travelling to Nuwara Eliya, a quaint town with colonial English charm. Surrounded by tea plantations, with tea pluckers working the slopes, the area affords a delightful landscape, as does a trek through the Horton Plains National Park where high-altitude grasslands border dramatically plunging cliffs.
Take to the train as you journey into Ella – the track snakes along the edge of the mountains overlooking breath-taking valleys of rolling tea plantations and small villages. Considered the most famous national park in Sri Lanka, head to Yala National Park for a jeep safari in search of leopards, elephants, sloth bears plus more. Continuing along the southern coastline, a stay in Galle rewards you with a unique fusion of European and Arabic charm.
Nearing the end of your journey, Bentota offers a relaxing beach stay. Small and buzzing with a friendly local atmosphere, one can spend the days languidly walking the streets, partaking in water adventures or merely enjoying the sunshine. Colombo is your final stop. This vibrant capital city offers a whirl of commotion and the perfect spot to reflect on your adventures.
WHAT’S IN STORE FOR YOU:
NEGOMBO LOCAL MARKET / RUINS OF ANURADHAPURA / JEEP SAFARIS IN WILPATTU, MINNERIYA, YALA AND UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARKS / SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS EXPLORATION / POLONNARUWA CITADEL / JAFFNA CITY TOUR / DELFT ISLAND VISIT / TRINCOMALEE CITY TOUR / WALKING TOUR OF KANDY / TEA PLANTATION VISIT / SCENIC TRAIN JOURNEY TO ELLA / GUIDED TOUR OF GALLE FORT / RELAXATION IN BENTOTA / COLOMBO STREET FOOD TOUR
| Destination | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|
| Cities and Locations | Negombo / Anuradhapura / Dambulla / Jaffna / Trimcomlee / Kandy / Nuwara Eliya / Ella / Yala / Galle / Bentota / Colombo |
| Duration | 21 Days / 20 Nights |
Itinerary
This holiday is a suggested itinerary; it can be booked as it is or used as a starting point for creating your perfect custom-made tour of Sri Lanka.
Terms & Conditions
Itinerary and price subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. Please refer to our full terms and conditions available on our brochure or from our website. Active Asia reserves the right to alter the hotels and/or the itinerary if needed due to availability and/or adverse weather conditions.
Immerse yourself in Sri Lanka’s ancient culture by visiting the famed ancient cities of Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya, all of which are found within the dubbed Cultural Triangle. Offering a treasure trove of archaeological sites, home to some of the finest in the country, many of which are declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From 
Relatively undiscovered, the east coast beaches of Sri Lanka are waiting to be explored. As an upcoming area with beautiful stretches of beach and calm shallow waters, the area offers a different vibe than Sri Lanka’s west coast. Trincomalee, or Trinco, as it’s usually called is the main city along this stretch of coast and 
Home to a largely Sri Lankan Tamil culture, Jaffna is located on a peninsula in northern Sri Lanka and lies closer to India in distance than it does to Colombo. Isolated for many years due to civil unrest, the city now openly and warmly welcomes visitors. As a less trodden path on any Sri Lankan 
Capital of the mighty hill country, Kandy sits at the heart of Sri Lanka and offers a unique laid-back charm. Surrounded by misty hills and with a beautiful lake at its core, the city remains as one of Sri Lanka’s most significant cultural and religious centres. The Esala Perahera is one of the oldest and 
Sri Lanka’s deep south coast is as long as it is stunning, incorporating beautiful beaches, cultural sights and national parks. Stretching from Matara to Yala, drive along the narrow, single road that hugs the coast and pass by beautiful beaches along the way. Luxury villas and hotels dot the coastline and the food is as 
Sri Lanka is a destination that stimulates all the senses – tropical beaches, cooler mountainous terrain punctuated with waterfalls, incredibly rich wildlife, tea plantations, fabulous food and diverse culture featuring time old ancient sites. Start your adventures in the city of Colombo, with its old-world colonial charm, temples, old churches and markets. Sit on the