Sri Lanka’s Northern Heritage (12 nights / 13 days)
Duration
13 days
Max People
50
Pickup
Airpot
Guider
Udaya
Overview
Discover the far north of Sri Lanka with our Sri Lanka’s Northern Heritage tour, journey through varied landscapes and discover Jaffna’s renewed ambition. The Kalpitiya peninsular and the white sands of Nilaveli provide some escapist beach days and the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura offers a taste of Sri Lanka’s ancient culture. Nature lovers might wish to travel during the migrant birding season from October to March when the Jaffna and Mannar lagoons are lined with pink flamingos and numerous other birds. Share in the reawakening of this resilient region which is coming alive once more.
Tour Highlights
- Lie on the palm-fringed beaches of Alankuda
- Go whale and dolphin spotting off the north-west coast of Kalpitiya
- Explore the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura
- Visit Hindu kovils and colonial-period churches in Jaffna
- Visit glorious East Coast beaches
- Watch graceful wild horses on Delft island
Following are recommended optional activities
- Windsurfing in Sri Lanka
Negombo, North-West Coast
Windsurfing in Sri Lanka was first started in Negombo, which continues to be a popular spot for windsurfing during the season from December to April, as is Kalpitiya, another north-west coastal town.
- Kitesurfing in Sri Lanka
Kalpitiya, West Coast
The best place to go kitesurfing in Sri Lanka is along the north-west coast, in Negombo and Kalpitiya, both of which are laidback beach towns that are also home to a vast lagoon
- Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu, North-West Coast
Wilpattu National Park is arguably Sri Lanka’s most beautiful park. Its varying natural habitats – coastal belt, natural lakes, scrublands, open grasslands and dense forest – house numerous animals.
- Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura, Cultural Triangle
Discover the majestic remains of Sri Lanka’s first capital, originally built in the 4th century BC, the ruling place for over 100 Sri Lankan kings. You can explore these extensive ruins by bike.
- Mihintale
Anuradhapura, Cultural Triangle
Mihintale was recorded as being the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in 3rd century BC. The peak is home to magnificent pieces of ancient Sri Lankan architecture and a majestic 40ft dagoba.
- Birdwatching on Mannar Island
Mannar, North-West Coast
Mannar Island, one of the most lightly-visited areas of Sri Lanka, is one of the best spots in the island for spotting migratory birds, as well as other animal species.
- Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil
Jaffna
One of Sri Lanka’s most prominent Hindu temples, Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil was originally built over 1,000 years ago. It boasts many beautiful pieces of colourful and dramatic architectue.
- Jaffna Dutch Fort
Jaffna
It was the Dutch who expanded Jaffna Fort in 1680 and, more than three centuries later, they are financially supporting its renovation.
- Jaffna Islands
Jaffna
The Jaffna islands are fascinating to explore. Spend a day out at Delft Island with its small village homes, wild horses that roam the plains, and ruins of a Portuguese For
- Sailing in Trincomalee or Pasikudah
Pasikudah, East Coast
Set out from the shores of Trinco or Pasikudah in a catamaran and explore the splendour of Sri Lanka’s eastern coastline. Go to beautiful private coves and snorkel off colourful reefs.
- Dambulla Cave Temple
Dambulla, Cultural Triangle
The most famous cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, the ancient Dambulla Cave Temple boasts the largest number of Buddha statues to be housed in one place, as well as stunning ceiling paintings.
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Sigiriya, Cultural Triangle
Sigiriya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most majestic, awe-inspiring and stunning historical locations in the world, built in the 5th century AD by ‘mad’ King Kasyapa.
Included/Excluded
- Accommodation in a shared double / twin room
- Chauffeur-guide and vehicle for the duration of the tour (including leisure days)
- Both airport transfers
- Expert advice and support prior to and during the tour
- Cost of personal spending (tips, laundry, mini bar, telephone, fax etc.)
- Cost of Extra Meals & Beverages
- Entrance Tickets
- Meal (Lunch) arrangement outside hotels
- Rights to use cameras / video (in most places it’s free)
Tour Plan
From your pick up at the airport transfer straight to Kalpitiya on the north-west coast (approximately three hours away) for the first three nights of your holiday. Kalpitiya offers beaches untouched by mass tourism, picturesque lagoons and a wide range of water-sports including kite-surfing and windsurfing. The waters around Kalpitiya are home to dolphins, whales, sting rays and marine turtles: go on a whale and dolphin watching expedition with strong ethical credentials or snorkel around the coral reefs and spot plenty of colourful tropical fish. Relax on the quiet beaches and enjoy some spectacular sunsets.
Spend today in Wilpattu National Park. Wilpattu is one of Sri Lanka’s largest and oldest wildlife parks – as well as the most beautiful - and has a wide range of habitats, from the coastal belt and lakes to open grassy plains and thick forest. Spot leopards, water buffalo, crocodiles or kingfishers. As Wilpattu is positioned away from the common tourist trails, an entire day of safari can pass in splendid isolation.
Travel to the Cultural Triangle where you can visit the famous ruins of Anuradhapura – Sri Lanka’s first capital, and the greatest monastic city of the ancient world, ruled from the 4C BC to the 11C by more than 100 Sri Lankan kings.
Just 13km away from Anuradhapura is Mihintale, one of Sri Lanka’s most significant religious sites where Buddhism originated on the island in 247 BC. This is a great morning activity en route to your end point, Mannar Island, a lightly-visited spot and one of the great gathering spots for migratory birds in Sri Lanka. This is the closest point in Sri Lanka to India where the countries were once connected centuries ago by a series of small sandy islands known as Adam’s Bridge. Also take time to visit the ruins of Mannar Fort which was built by the Portuguese in 1560 and which can be eerily quiet in the late afternoon sunshine.
Transfer to Jaffna and the northern tip of Sri Lanka. Explore Jaffna town where sacred Hindu kovils dedicated to various gods are found on every street corner. Visit the ruins of Jaffna Fort and explore the heritage sites such as the ancient Naguleswaram Kovil, hot springs of Keerimalai and the ruins of Kantharodai Buddhist temple. To the west there is the Casuarina Beach, Fort Hammenhiel and birdwatching on the Jaffna to Karainagar causeway. During the migrant birding season from September to March, water birds in their thousands line the Jaffna lagoon: a spectacular site not to be missed.
The more adventurous might wish to make full use of a stay in Jaffna by spending a day out in Delft Island, a remote and charming island where wild horses graze the barren plains. Otherwise, visit the nearer island of Nainativu, home to the historic Nagadeepa Buddhist temple and the Naga Pooshani Ambal kovil.
One of the oldest cities in Asia, Trincomalee has historically been an important trading port due to its large natural harbour. The British once called it "the most valuable colonial possession on the globe". A few miles to the north are the glorious sands of Nilaveli, where the weather is at its most glorious for sun worshippers from June to September. This is Sri Lanka’s equivalent to the Maldives: never-ending white sandy beaches and shimmering blue seas.
Wind your way south west as you make a quick return to the Cultural Triangle. Climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, built in the 5C by King Kasyapa. The ruins of the fortress, the wall frescoes, and the symmetrical royal gardens surrounding the rock are amazing feats of this period. Visit Dambulla’s ancient cave temple. Its rock ceiling is one large sweep of colourful frescoes, some of which date back more than 2,000 years, depicting Buddhist mythology and the tales of the Buddha's previous births. This cave temple has the largest number of Buddha statues housed in one place.
Journey close to Colombo’s international airport for your final night’s stay.
Tour Map
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