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Sri Lanka’s North

HOME > Sri Lanka > Car & Driver > Sri Lanka’s North

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day 1 - Depart
Fly from Heathrow to Colombo, arriving the next day. Other departure points including Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow are also available.

Day 2 - Habarana
You’ll be met on arrival at Colombo airport by your Car & Driver and taken to Habarana, where you’ll check in to your hotel for a two night stay. We have a selection of hotels available in the Habarana area.

Habarana is a great base from which to explore much of the Cultural Triangle as it is roughly central within easy reach of Dambulla, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura. It is also an ideal gateway to safaris in both the Habarana Jungle and the Minneriya Sanctuary, home to a great many Sri Lankan elephants as well as the leopard, loris and sloth bear.

Day 4 - Habarana to Anuradhapura

Continue with your Car & Driver to the ancient city of Anuradhapura, perhaps travelling via the spiritual location of Mihintale en route, although there are quite a few steps involved so it’s best to arrive earlier in the morning. Check in to your Anuradhapura hotel for an overnightnight stay.

Anuradhapura is one of the ancient cities of Sri Lanka and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An ideal addition to any itinerary, Anuradhapura was the capital of Sri Lanka from the 4th Century B.C. and offers well-preserved ruins of ancient Sri Lankan civilization. It sits on the banks of the historic Malvathu Oya, and is surrounded by Buddhist monasteries and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Whilst some of the ancient buildings are little more than rubble, many are still almost intact and wandering around them is breathtaking, so make sure to leave some time in your itinerary to really explore.

Day 6 - Anuradhapura to Jaffna

Continue to the far north of the island, to the city of Jaffna. On arrival, check in to your hotel for a two night stay.

A lot of travellers are looking to add the north, and in particular, Jaffna to their explorations of Sri Lanka. This small and low-rise city is a must for those looking for a different side of Sri Lanka, with a bustling commercial centre and a vast temple district. What makes Jaffna unique is that you can still see the thought-provoking remnants and effects of the island’s troubled past. However these are set to slowly vanish as time and tourism catches up, so if you want a real insight into a different side of Sri Lanka, now is the time to visit.

Day 8 - Jaffna to Trincomalee

Head back south and towards the East Coast, for a few days by the beach. Travel through the North Central Province to the resort town of Trincomalee, on the shores of the Indian Ocean, for two nights at your chosen hotel. There’s an increasing number of hotel options along the East Coast.

The East Coast is one of Sri Lanka’s most up and coming areas and with beautiful swathes of beach giving way to the calm shallow waters, it’s easy to see why. Relatively undiscovered by visitors until recently, it’s still charming and relaxed. Not only that but it’s also home to some of the best beaches in Sri Lanka and its popularity is only going to increase, so now is the time to visit.

Day 10 - Trincomalee to Polonnaruwa

Return inland to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, perhaps travelling via Minneriya National Park, renowned for its elephants. On arrival in to Polonnaruwa check in to your hotel for an overnight stay.

For three centuries Polonnaruwa was the royal capital of both the Chola and Sinhalese kingdoms, and its 1000 years of history is easy to explore and experience. Highlights include the buildings of the Royal Palace, and the Quadrangle, a compact group of fascinating buildings that are raised up and bounded by a wall. Hire a bicycle to explore the area.

Day 11 - Return or Beach Extension
Return to Colombo airport by road, where your Driver will say goodbye and you will return to the UK.

Alternatively, extend your Sri Lanka holiday with a stay in one of the wonderful beach hotels - we have a wide selection available. Your Driver will say goodbye when you arrive at your beach hotel, and pretty much any duration is possible on the beach. You’ll then be transferred back to Colombo airport for your flight home. It’s also possible to extend your Sri Lanka itinerary with a stay on the beaches of the Maldives or elsewhere.

HABARANA, ANURADHAPURA, JAFFNA, TRINCOMALEE
& POLONNARUWA by CAR & DRIVER

Visit Habarana, the ancient capitals of Anuradhapura & Polonnaruwa, the little-visited East Coast of Sri Lanka and the newly emerging far north at Jaffna, with this flexible multicentre holiday, with your own private Car + Driver taking you wherever you want to go!

You'll be met at Colombo airport on arrival by your Car & Driver, and your Driver will be with you until you return to the airport at the end of your trip. You can take in and sights that you wish at your own pace - all you need to do is pay entrance fees locally. There’s no mileage limitation and your Driver will discuss your itinerary to create the perfect trip - they’re full of local knowledge and will have plenty of suggestions for you! If you’re extending your stay in Sri Lanka at one of the beach hotels then your Driver will say goodbye when you arrive there, and we’ll arrange a transfer back to the airport for your flight home.

Car & Driver
holiday prices

2019 package holidays Sri Lanka Car & Driver holidays Prices are per person based on two sharing.

Prices include flights, transfers and accommodation, and are subject to availability. Flights from Heathrow - other departures also available, call for details.

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