NORTHERN EXPLORER
A 12 Day Tour
NEGOMBO – WILPATTU – JAFFNA – ANURADHAPURA – COLOMBO
This journey was designed pulling in the best Sri Lanka’s North has to offer. Start at Wilapttu National Park, and experience the island’s largest wildlife reserve, teaming with birdlife and its shy leopard population. Visit Jaffna, on the northern-most peninsula, once a disputed territory but now enjoying a renaissance, through tourism and agriculture. The north is full of fascinating places of interest, particularly the isolated islands at Delft and some stunning temples, such as Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil. From the north you travel to the island’s cultural triangle for a dose of historic ruins and Buddhist architecture before winding down in the capital Colombo.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
- Game drives at Wilpattu National park in search of the elusive leopard
- Delft Island tour, a destination frozen in time
- Explore the Hindu heritage and culture on a tour of Jaffna
- Visit the incredible UNESCO World Heritage sites at Anuradhapura, Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa
- Explore old and new Colombo
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
| Day | Activity | Location | Accommodation |
| Day 1 | Arrive in to Colombo where you will be met and transferred the short distance to Negombo. Check into Villa Hundira, a modern, private villa nestled amidst two acres of lush tropical gardens and edged by the tranquil Negombo Lagoon | Negombo | Villa Hundira |
| Day 2 | This morning transfer to Wilpattu National Park and check into The Ibis in Wilpattu. Nestled on the banks of a local lake amidst a green wilderness minutes away from the largest national park in the island, Ibis is a charming rustic bungalow | Wilpattu | The Ibis |
| Day 3 | Today you will be going on a morning and evening jeep safari to the Wilpattu National park. Wilpattu offers travellers the chance to get up-close-and-personal with Sri Lanka’s wildlife: go on an enthralling game drive through the park, looking out for leopards, elephants, sloth bear and deer as well as a wide variety of migrant and endemic birds, and enjoy the spectacular scenery of lakes, jungle, grasslands and the stunning coastal border. | Wilpattu | The Ibis |
| Day 4 | This morning checkout and proceed to Jaffna, the Capital city of the North of Sri Lanka. Drive through the scenic countryside passing through Omanthai and Elephant Pass.Arrive in Jaffna in the late afternoon. Check into Jetwing Jaffna. | Jaffna | Jetwing Jaffna |
| Day 5 | Breakfast at the hotel. Today take a tour of the Jaffna Peninsula, visiting Jaffna Fort, Jaffna Library and Kayts and visit a typical Jaffna house and farm. It is an opportunity to get acquainted with the typical Jaffna life, as you meet village folk and their families. In the evening you will visit the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil in Jaffna. It is one of the most significant Hindu temples in the Jaffna District. | Jaffna | Jetwing Jaffna |
| Day 6 | Today visit Sri Lanka’s forgotten island, Delft. The day is one of discovery! Your host for the day is a Pastor, who originally hails from Sri Lanka’s tea country. Having made his home at Delft, your host will show you around this remote island, allowing you to take in the sights of the old Delft Fort, an ancient Baobab tree and how Palmyra toddy and crafts are made with local farmers. Ask to see the wild ponies grazing. End the day with a simple lunch with the Pastor and his wife at their humble home. | Jaffna | Jetwing Jaffna |
| Day 7 | You will have the day at leisure to explore the city of Jaffna on your own visiting local markets and historical place. | Jaffna | Jetwing Jaffna |
| Day 8 | Today transfer to Anuradhapura and stay at Forest Rock Garden | Anuradhapura | Forest Rock Garden |
| Day 9 | Morning drive to Polonnaruwa. Visit the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa which is the second most ancient kingdom of Sri Lanka.
We suggest climbing to the top of Sigiriya Rock fortress in the evening to experience the sunset at the top of the rock fro incredible views and light. |
Anuradhapura | Forest Rock Garden |
| Day 10 | Visit the kingdom of Anuradhapura. Anuradhapura consists of more than a dozen archeological sites. The most significant sites are the 3 largest man-made stupas in Sri Lanka, which were – at the time of the pyramids of Egypt – the second largest man-made structures in the world. | Anuradhapura | Forest Rock Garden |
| Day 11 | After breakfast transfer to Colombo. Stay 1 night at the Galle Face Hotel, a heritage property that dates back to 1864. Rest of day at leisure. | Colombo | Galle Face Hotel |
| Day 12 | Transfer to the Airport for your return flight |