Sri Lanka & Maldives Discovery 12D/11N

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12 Days From

~~$2358~~

$2246

Sri Lanka & Maldives Discovery 12D/11N

12 Days Starting in Negombo, Sri Lanka and ending in Malé, Maldives

Visiting: Negombo, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Minneriya National Park, Matale, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Unawatuna, Maafushi, Malé

Tour operator:

Bamba Travel

Tour code:

54457

Guide Type:

Partially Guided

Physical rating:

Easy

Tour operated in:

English

From: $2358 $2246 (USD) Travel Club discount: -$112

NB: Prices correct on 22-Feb-2025 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Embark on a 12-day journey through the cultural and natural wonders of Sri Lanka and the idyllic beaches of the Maldives. Begin your adventure in Sri Lanka, exploring ancient temples and fortresses, including the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. Experience the thrill of a safari in Minneriya National Park, where you can witness elephants in their natural habitat. Transition to the Maldives, where you'll unwind on the pristine beaches of Maafushi, with opportunities for canoeing and yacht parties. Enjoy comfortable accommodations in 3-star or 4-star hotels, with seamless transfers and an English-speaking guide for select activities. This tour offers a perfect blend of cultural exploration and beach relaxation, making it an unforgettable escape.

Highlights

Visit ancient Sri Lankan temples and fortresses.
See elephants in the wild at Minneriya National Park.
Explore the Sigiriya Rock Fortress and its ancient architecture.
Discover the UNESCO World Heritage city of Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth Relic.
Relax on the beautiful beaches of Unawatuna.
Enjoy the paradisiacal crystal clear seas of Maldives.
Experience a canoeing session in the Maldives.

Itinerary

tourhub | Bamba Travel | Sri Lanka & Maldives Discovery 12D/11N | 54457 | Route Map

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Day 1: Negombo, Sri Lanka

Location: Negombo

Accommodation Name: hotel

Airport Transfer and City Tour

Welcome to Sri Lanka, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean! Upon arrival to the airport, you will be transferred to your hotel in Negombo. Check in to the hotel and relax. Negombo, situated by the shores of a lagoon of the same name, was once a trading port for Portuguese and Dutch and it's an ideal place for those who want quick access to and from the airport. Attractions in the city include the old Dutch fort gate built in 1672 now a part of the prison, the Dutch Canal which was then a supply route to the Dutch administration, old churches and fishing villages. The 100km long canal running through the town is still being used and it's an attraction for those who want to see the country from a different perspective. If you have the time, you will be able to embark on a city tour in the afternoon. During this 3-hour activity, you will visit the street markets, the busy beach, some ancient catholic churches, claywork factories and the lagoons of the city. Optional: Boat Ride activity.

Day 2: Negombo - Dambulla, Sri Lanka

Location: Sigiriya, Dambulla

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Transfer to Dambulla (B)

Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast at the hotel and catch your transfer to Sigiriya which is in the central part of the country. On the way, you will pass by many paddy fields and ancient man-made Lakes/Reservoirs. If you like, we can make a few stops on the way to experience some Sri Lankan style activities or take some pictures. You will stop at Koskele Forest Reserve where you will enjoy a hot cup of tea with a local snack called “roti” or freshly made corn by the roadside, a true Sri Lankan experience! This place is famous for travellers to refresh and enjoy a small snack on their way towards the Cultural Triangle. Continue the journey to Sigiriya and visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress in the evening, which is nearly 200 Meters in height. This will open your eyes about the ancient Sri Lankan architecture as you will see water gardens, boulder gardens, art galleries and ruins of the castle. Enjoy the ancient beauty of Sri Lankan heritage once you climb down, and drink a fresh king coconut, which is tasty drink popular around the Sigiriya rock fortress, to refresh yourself. Check in to the hotel and chill.

Day 3: Dambulla, Sri Lanka

Location: Polonnaruwa, Minneriya National Park, Dambulla

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Visit to Polonnaruwa and Minneriya National Park (B)

After your breakfast at the hotel, catch your transfer to Polonnaruwa. This is an ancient site with lots of archeological monuments. The Royal Kingdom of Polonnaruwa is the second kingdom in Sri Lanka and the largest city in north central province. UNESCO has declared this ancient city as one of the World Heritage sites in Sri Lanka. Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya with the 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in 'Upright', 'Sedentary' and 'Recumbent' postures carved out of rock, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, the statue of king Parakramabahu, and the Parakrama Samudraya - a lake built by King Parakramabahu the great. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to Minneriya National Park, where you will enjoy a safari that covers an area of 8,889 hectares. The gathering of wild elephants is the highlight of the National Park and is one the largest gathering seen anywhere in the world; unlike in other national parks, elephants can be spotted at a relatively close distance. Also, dry zone plants, amphibians and a variety of local and immigrant bird species are common. After this amazing experience, you will be transferred back to your hotel at Dambulla to enjoy the evening.

Day 4: Dambulla - Kandy, Sri Lanka

Location: Dambulla, Matale, Kandy

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Dambulla Rock Temple - Matale Spice Garden - Kandy City Tour - Temple of the Tooth Relic and Cultural Show (B)

After your breakfast at the hotel, begin your trip towards Kandy. Along the way, the first stopover will be at Dambulla Rock Temple. The popular cave temple complex in Dambulla dated to the 2nd century BC and it's declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This Rock temple have five separate caves containing 153 magnificent Buddha statues. It's valued for its unique wall/ceiling paintings along with the statues. This site also has over 80 caves, which some of them are used to practice deep meditation by Buddhist monks.
Your next stop will be at a Spice Garden in Matale where you will see different plants and spices of Sri Lanka.
In the afternoon, you will embark on a city tour in Kandy to discover its wonders. Kandy is the hill capital of Sri Lanka and a UNESCO world heritage city, surrounded by sky kissing hills, green valleys, pure rivers, lakes and waterfalls. You will be able to explore the Kandy Lake, visit the Kandy town and Bazaar, the arts crafts centre, a gem museum, souvenir shops, and many more modern and ancient attractions. In the evening, you will visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic (the sacred tooth of the Buddha), the most respected religious monument in Sri Lanka. To finish your day, you will witness a cultural show performed by the local traditional dancers.

Day 5: Kandy - Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

Location: Nuwara Eliya

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Transfer to Nuwara Eliya (B)

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and continue your journey to Nuwara Eliya which is known as “The Little England” due to its climatic conditions and vegetation. Upon arrival, check in your new accommodation and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to relax and venture in Sri Lanka's most popular hill resort. Nuwara Eliya is also the Heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country, producing a significant share of the world's best tea. It is home to one of the finest 18 hole golf courses in South Asia and the highest mountain of the country, Pidurutalagala (8282 feet), is located here. In the evening you can explore Nuwara Eliya city while having a stroll along the Gregory Lake.

Day 6: Nuwara Eliya - Unawatuna, Sri Lanka

Location: Unawatuna

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Transfer to Unawatuna (B)

Today, after having breakfast at your accommodation, you will continue your journey towards the seaside town of Unawatuna. Check in your new accommodation and enjoy the rest of the day to discover this beautiful town on your own. Breathe salty sea breeze and if you are into sea bathing, now it’s your time to jump into the warm salty waters! Unawatuna is a major tourist attraction in Sri Lanka and it's famous for its beautiful beach and corals. It is a suburb of Galle, about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) southeast to the city center and approximately 108 kilometres (67 mi) south of Colombo. Unawatuna is situated at an elevation of 5 metres (16 ft) above the sea level. When you reach this area you will see traditional Sri Lankan stilt fishermen which is a spectacular view.

Day 7: Unawatuna, Sri Lanka - Maafushi, Maldives

Location: Unawatuna, Maafushi

Accommodation Name: resort

Meals Included: Breakfast

Airport Transfer (B)

After enjoying your breakfast, today you will be transferred to the airport to to catch your flight to Maldives. Time to say good bye to Sri Lanka!
Upon arrival in Maldives, we will be waiting for you at the airport to assist you. Enjoy a speedboat ride to reach your resort and check in. You will have the rest of the day at leisure!

Day 8: Maafushi, Maldives

Location: Maafushi

Accommodation Name: resort

Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Day (B)

Enjoy your lovely breakfast overlooking the Indian Ocean and start your first of 4 full free days relaxing on the beach. You can join Yacht parties on the middle of the sea if you wish to have exciting floating party experience. Boat transfers are free to and from the yacht to the hotel.

Day 9: Maafushi, Maldives

Location: Maafushi

Accommodation Name: resort

Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Day (B)

Enjoy another free day relaxing on the beach. In one of these days you can enjoy a canoeing session for 1 hour.

Day 10: Maafushi, Maldives

Location: Maafushi

Accommodation Name: resort

Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Day (B)

Enjoy another free day soaking up the sun in paradise. You also have the option of taking part in some optional activities (to be booked and paid direct from the resort). Additional water sports activities can be enjoyed in the resort.

Day 11: Maafushi, Maldives

Location: Maafushi

Accommodation Name: resort

Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Day (B)

Enjoy your last free day on the beach, relaxing, partying or taking part in activities.

Day 12: Maafushi - Male, Maldives

Location: Malé

Meals Included: Breakfast

Airport Transfer (B)

After your delicious breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport in time for your outbound flight. Time to say good bye!

What's Included

Accommodation

Stay in 3-star or 4-star hotels for 11 nights across various locations including Negombo, Kandy, Maafushi, Unawatuna, Dambulla, and Nuwara Eliya.
Transport

Includes transfers between cities in Sri Lanka, a flight from Colombo to Male, round-trip shared speedboat transfers in Maldives, and all airport transfers.
Activities

Participate in city, cultural, nature, and safari expeditions including tours of Negombo, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla Rock Cave Temple, Kandy City, a cultural show, a canoeing session in Maldives, Minneriya National Park Safari, and Kandy Temple of the Tooth Relic.
Guides

An English-speaking guide is provided for some activities.

What's Not Included

Tips and gratuities

Tips and gratuities are not included in the tour package.
Personal Expenses

Personal expenses are not covered in the tour package.
Seasonal Supplement

Any seasonal supplements are not included in the tour package.
Items not mentioned

Any items specifically not mentioned in the itinerary are excluded.
Video and Camera permits

Permits for video and camera usage are not included.
Extra mileages and entrance fees

All extra mileages and entrance fees out of the program are not included.
Meals and beverages

Lunch, dinner, mineral water, and other beverages throughout the tour are not included.
Optional Activities

Activities mentioned as optional are not included in the tour package.

Mode of Transport

Travel seamlessly with transfers between key locations in Sri Lanka, a flight from Colombo to Male, and round-trip shared speedboat transfers in the Maldives, ensuring a smooth journey throughout your adventure.

Accommodation

Enjoy 11 nights in comfortable 3-star or 4-star hotels across Sri Lanka and Maldives, including stays in Negombo, Kandy, Maafushi, Unawatuna, Dambulla, and Nuwara Eliya.

Check out our Q&As

What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?

The tour includes 11 nights in 3-star or 4-star hotels, with stays in Negombo, Kandy, Maafushi, Unawatuna, Dambulla, and Nuwara Eliya.
Are meals included in the tour package?

The tour package includes breakfast for 11 days.
What activities are included in the tour?

The tour includes city, cultural, nature, and safari expeditions such as a Negombo City Tour, Sigiriya Rock Fortress visit, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla Rock Cave Temple, Kandy City Tour, a cultural show, a canoeing session in the Maldives, and a safari in Minneriya National Park.
Is there a guide provided during the tour?

An English-speaking guide is provided for some activities during the tour.
What transportation is included in the tour?

The tour includes transfers between various locations in Sri Lanka, a flight from Colombo to Male, round-trip shared speedboat transfers in the Maldives, and all airport transfers.

What is the highlight of the Minneriya National Park visit?

The highlight of the Minneriya National Park visit is the gathering of wild elephants, which is one of the largest gatherings seen anywhere in the world.
What can I do during the free days in the Maldives?

During the free days in the Maldives, you can relax on the beach, join yacht parties, enjoy a canoeing session, or participate in optional water sports activities offered by the resort.
Is there an age limit?

No! Most of our bamba travellers fall between the ages of 18 - 35, but everyone is young at heart and welcome to come experience the world with us! If you are between the ages of 18 and 118, we invite you to travel with bamba and have the time of your life! Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

Most of our trips cater to the adventurous independent traveller. In fact, many of our travellers arrive on their own and quickly find that they easily meet like-minded people along the way at their hostels, on transportation, or during activities.
Do I need travel insurance?

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance for your trip, especially when travelling in developing countries. Bamba does not include travel insurance of any type.Your current medical insurance may cover part of your trip, so it is important for you to become familiar with your current coverage. We recommend purchasing additional travel insurance that provides coverage for medical emergencies, emergency evacuation and repatriation, lost or stolen items and unforeseen cancellations. If you plan to participate in activities such as white-water rafting, trekking, sand-buggy rides, etc please make sure they are included in your policy.

Reviews of this operator

Jonas Nesset(Norway)

The company is exceptional. When...

Dec 10 2019

The company is exceptional. When I had questions, I always got prompt and professional answers. The excursions that Bamba organized were fantastic! Thank you once again for everything!

Shane Alce(United Kingdom)

For true explorers....

Aug 12 2019

For true explorers.

Marian Reder(Germany)

To this day, this is...

Oct 2 2019

To this day, this is the best tour we've ever done together as a couple! The fun activities, great hotels and nice guides worth the money! We were always taken care of and they made sure that we had a good time. This tour is definitely worth taking.

Tanja Ottosen(Denmark)

The Bamba Team really made...

Jan 9 2020

The Bamba Team really made my journey one of the most memorable experiences of my life! Still so nice and supportive! They handled everything and responded to each question within a few minutes. I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone. Especially if you want to do a lot of activities and travel to a lot of different places without feeling rushed. They've also helped me with specific issues that weren't covered by the tour, as well as answering general questions. Thank you so much for making my journey so enjoyable!

Braiden Rowe(United States)

The tour was fantastic; I...

Feb 12 2020

The tour was fantastic; I was able to visit some of Japan's most beautiful locations, and the accommodations were excellent, with convenient access to the city's best attractions. Also, our tour guide was fantastic. I will pick bamba again and recommend the tour to anyone who wants to see Japan while having a good time!!

Aaron Davies(Australia)

I only have good words...

Oct 23 2019

I only have good words about our trip to Kenya. The entire experience was totally magical and I struggle to say how fantastic it was. We were fortunate enough to have a brilliant vehicle for ourselves, but we had great luck with David for our guide too. He was very knowledgeable, courteous and nice. Thank you for helping to create this fantastic safari experience. I Highly recommend this company.

Matteo Hoffmeister(Germany)

Bamba Experience has been the...

Jun 5 2019

Bamba Experience has been the best tour guide I've ever had. Every tour has been a thrilling experience. There are so many things to choose from. Bamba has been extremely helpful in providing us with all of the necessary information for our departures and activities! Bamba has made this a simple and enjoyable experience. I'll certainly tell my friends and family about it! Thank you very much, Bamba!!

Melanie Liu Chang(Australia)

We organized a trip through...

Feb 20 2020

We organized a trip through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia on the hop-on, hop-off bus. It made the trip so much simpler for us as first-time travelers because we just had to send an email to arrange the bus, which avoided the hassle of looking for the best price and so on! We also had a number of tours included, they were all amazing and saved us the trouble of trying to find the best offers on our own; it also meant we got to see a lot of stuff we wouldn't have seen otherwise. Overall, it was a fantastic experience that I will strongly suggest and use again!

Marius Halvorson(Norway)

Our Bamba tour of Vietnam...

Jun 25 2019

Our Bamba tour of Vietnam was fantastic. We had a lot of new experiences and all of the help we needed to make this a stress-free vacation. The well-organized accomodation and transportation were excellent. We will certainly use Bamba in the future.

Alexis Helman(Australia)

I had booked our Uyuni...

Jun 25 2019

I had booked our Uyuni Salt Flats & Desert Adventure 3D/2N (Uyuni to Atacama) tour via an Australian travel agency, but they had made an error and refused to assist us or take responsibility. This was very difficult for us because we wanted to have a stress-free honeymoon. I contacted Bamba and I asked if we could talk on the phone so they made the improvements to our tour reservation that our travel agent declined to make. The quality of service was exceptional and they generously offered to us a complimentary gift because it was our honeymoon. I can't say enough good things about Bamba.

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~~$2358~~ $2246 (USD)