Lover Train Trail Tour in Sri Lanka (11 Days)
Book this Package now, just for FREE, and be pampered with the fascination of the island with Next Travel Sri Lanka. We assure you of the perfect exploration, with the comforts you desire. Need more additions? Yes, you can even plan your holiday to suit your true favours with our Tailor-Made Tour Packages! We are always here to assist you in planning the best holiday. Simply contact us, if you have any doubts about this package, tailor-made tour packages, or the bookings.
Book With Flexibility Number of Days: 11
From Colombo to Colombo
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Max Group Size 20 |
Private Tour Available |
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Physical Rating Active |
Age Range 18 to 65 |
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Operated In English |
Tour ID NTD2027 |
From $890, Price varies by group size
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Places and Experiences
A Young Woman Enjoying the Surrounding while on a Train Ride
A Young Woman Enjoying the Surrounding while on a Train Ride
Leopards at Yala National Park
Leopards at Yala National Park
A Tusker at the Wild in Yala
A Tusker at the Wild in Yala
A Foreigner Capturing an Elephant while on a Jeep Safari
A Foreigner Capturing an Elephant while on a Jeep Safari
The Building Palace of the Temple of the Tooth Relic
The Building Palace of the Temple of the Tooth Relic
Wella Devalaya
The Buddhist Shrine and the Stupa at the Wella Devalaya in Unawatuna
Visiting Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Elephants Bathing at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Seetha Amman Temple
The Seetha Amman Hindu Temple
Relaxing by Gregory Lake
The Gregory Park at Nuwara Eliya
Ravana Falls
The Ravana Falls
Negombo City Exploration
St. Sebastian Church in Negombo
Mask Factory
Traditional Masks from Sri Lanka!
Game Drive at Yala
Jeep Safaris at Yala
Experiencing Zip Lining
Experiencing Zip Lining
Ambewela New Zealand Farm
The Cattle at the Ambewela New Zealand Farm
Visiting-a-Tea-Plantation
Map
Highlights
Negombo City Exploration
Visiting Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Visiting a Spice Garden
Visiting Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden
Visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Traveling from Kandy to Nanu Oya by Train
Visiting the Victoria’s Park
Relaxing by the Gregory Lake
Visiting the Seetha Amman Temple
Visiting Horton Plains
Visiting Ambewela New Zealand Farm, Vegetable Farms and Strawberry Farms
Visiting a Tea Plantation
Taking Part in a Train Ride to Ella
Visiting Nine Arch Bridge
Visiting Ella Gap
Visiting Ravana Falls
Visiting Little Adam’s Peak
Experiencing Zip Lining
Participating in a Game Drive at Yala National Park
Whale Watching at Mirissa
Visiting Wella Devalaya
Relaxing on the Shores
Visiting a Mask Factory
Exploring the Ancient City of Galle
Visiting the Meetiyagoda Moonstone Mine
Exploring the City of Colombo
Itinerary
When you arrive in Sri Lanka, you will be able to find one of our representatives from Next Travel Sri Lanka at the Arriving Lounge of the Colombo Airport paging your name. Once your identity is confirmed, you will be heading to Negombo, the coastal town located just a few miles away from the Colombo International Airport. This bustling, yet wonderful city, holds a unique charm of its own. Thus, this visit to this city itself will help you create some amazing memories. This city exploration would help you to have an insight into Sri Lankan lives and going beyond, the fishing villages, colonial-era constructions, and pleasant surroundings are sure to amuse you. However, the beach hotel that provides you accommodation on this tour is settled in a splendid location, and thus, the time you relax on the shores out there would further magnify the delight of this day.
On the second day of this tour, we would be heading to Kandy, the beautiful ancient town of Sri Lanka, which was also the last kingdom capital of this country. On the way, you would be visiting Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, which shelters a very large number of orphaned elephants. Indeed, it is one of the best places for you to observe elephants of all ages, and thus, this visit is sure to offer you some wonderful experiences. After spending a few hours there, and observing how the elephants are fed and bathed, you would continue your journey to Kandy again. En route, you would visit a spice garden, to witness the variety of spices that this small island houses, and then, upon arriving at Kandy, you would be visiting the charming land of flowers, the Royal Botanical Garden. Following this visit, you would get a chance to explore the marvels of Kandy city. The Temple of the Tooth Relic is the iconic attraction of this splendid city, and thus, a visit to it would be a definite part of this wonderful city tour. The day would end with a spectacular cultural dance show, which would reveal to you the glamour of Sri Lankan traditional dances.
The third day of this tour is indeed special since you would be enjoying our first train in Sri Lanka on this day. It is from Kandy to Nanu Oya, and beforehand, let us assure you that it is going to be one of the best experiences that you would ever witness on this wonderful island. In fact, this ride will be taking you through some enchanting surroundings into the Central Highlands of the country. As you arrive on Nanu Oya, transportation to your hotel in Nuwara Eliya would be ready, and this trip to this mountain town would further delight you. On the way, you can even visit Victoria Park, and spend some time by Gregory lake, and visit the Seetha Amman Hindu Temple as well!
This day would begin with an early morning visit to the Horton Plains, and the Baker’s Falls. As you might already know, Horton Plains is a wonderful land of greenery that houses a large number of wild species, as well as both endemic and migratory birds. Thus, this visit is to promise you some wonderful experiences on this splendid island. On the way from this lovely attraction, you can also visit the Ambewela New Zealand farm, vegetable farms as well as strawberry farms. And why not? Having the greenery of the tea plantations surrounded all around, a visit to Nuwara Eliya won’t be ever completed without a visit to a tea estate. So, we are going to give you an opportunity to visit a tea estate and try out some tea plucking as well. Besides, this beautiful town houses a botanical garden. Thus, our plan includes a visit to this marvelous land of blossoms, Hakgala Botanical Garden as well.
On the fifth day of this tour, you are heading to another scenic mountain town on this island. Yes, it is none other than Ella, and the best thing is that you would be heading to this town by train. It is no secret that this train ride to Ella is one of the best train rides in the world. The delight you witness as you travel through the lush greenery of the beautiful surroundings and the cool climate is sure to be amazing beyond a doubt. However, after arriving at Ella, we would be visiting the Nine Arch Bridge, the massive stone bridge, as well as the Ella Gap. All these attractions that we visit have superpowers of amusing your eyes with fabulous sceneries and thus, they are sure to enhance the delight of your day.
Yes, the exploration of Ella is not over yet. During the morning hours, our plan is to visit the Ravana falls, which is one of the most fantastic waterfalls on the island. The delight won’t end here, as you would be then heading to Little Adam’s Peak, a wonderful hiking spot in this beautiful country. Following this exciting visit, you would be heading to another wonderful adventure that is indeed thrilling. Yes, you are to visit Flying Ravana to enjoy the thrill of an amazing zip lining experience. However, following these interesting activities, you would be heading to Thissamaharama (in the vicinity of Yala), where you would be staying overnight. A visit to a Hindu temple on the way will magnify the pleasure of this ride!
The seventh day of this tour is, to begin with, a wonderful wildlife exploration. Yes, you would be visiting the famous Yala National Park, for a full-day game drive. Trust us! This is surely going to be an astounding experience. Observing the Sri Lankan leopards, elephants, birds, reptiles, and amphibians amidst the greenery of a scenic surrounding is to offer you some unforgettable memories, as well as some remarkable photography opportunities. A Sri Lankan traditional lunch would further magnify the delight of this day. However, following the interesting activities of this day, you would be heading to Mirissa, a charming coastal town, which houses one of the best beaches on this island. The ride would take a few hours, yet the climate changes you witness as you head towards the Sri Lankan coasts, the scenic surroundings, and the Sri Lankan lives you observe would make this trip more interesting!
As you might already know, Mirissa is one of the major attractions on the island that offers you several amusements. And the excitement for the day is, to begin with, a trip to the sea, to witness the pleasure of whale watching and dolphin watching, on this tiny island of Sri Lanka. Next, you would visit the scenic shores of Unawatuna, which is just a few miles away from this coastal town, and a shrine, famous as Wella Devalaya as well. Besides, this trip is to offer you some fantastic opportunities to explore the charm of these coastal towns and to observe the amazing sceneries created as the stilt fishermen fish amidst the waves of the seas as well. Evening hours are dedicated for you to relax on the shores of Mirissa. So, why not? Taste a fresh fruit juice, relax a bit by the charming shores, and soothe your soul and body with the cool breeze that comes from the sea!
On the ninth day of this tour, we are to head to Balapitiya, and throughout the day, we are to enjoy some amazing activities. Visiting the majestic city of Galle, the capital of Southern Sri Lanka, and exploring the grandeur of the Galle Fort, and the other significant attractions in this town are indeed highlights of this day. Besides, you would be visiting the Meetiyagoda Moonstone Mine, and a mask factory at Ambalangoda as well. The artistic talents of the Sri Lankans who create these wooden masks, bringing out the values of the Sri Lankan arts and crafts are sure to amuse your eyes. Apart from that, we have planned to create opportunities for you to take part in a river safari in Maduganga, through the marshlands covered in mangrove forests as well. So, all these together, this day is to offer you some of the most wonderful experiences on this island!
Yes, we are slowly reaching the end of this wonderful tour. So, on this day, we are heading to Negombo, the scenic coastal town, from where we began this marvelous tour. On the way, we are planning to spend a few hours in Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. As you might already know, it is the most bustling, yet vibrant city on this whole island. Thus, exploring this city is a true delight! However, with the availability of time, we would be visiting the Gangaramaya Temple - a significant religious and cultural attraction in Colombo, the first parliamentary building, the Galle Face Green, as well as the Dutch hospital - a place where you can observe the colonial shades on this splendid island. Following this exploration, you would arrive at the hotel in Negombo, and you are free to spend the evening relaxing on the shores.
This wonderful tour ends following a delicious breakfast this morning. After all, we believe that this tour package features the best of the island, satisfying the true flavors. Besides, if you prefer to make your dream trip in Sri Lanka a reality, in exactly the way your heart desires, we are here to offer you tailor-made tour packages as well. Contact us for more information.
Happy and Safe Travelling!
What is included
Let it be a stay by the golden stretches, a chill amidst the cool breeze, or a holiday surrounded by the lush greenery! Whatever your heart desires, the wide array of hotels in Sri Lanka are ready to cater to you. And this tour includes accommodation for 10 nights (in different cities as per the itinerary) in luxury hotels & nice boutique hotels (star hotels).
Of course, there is so much on this island to explore, and getting around this country is not an issue at all! During this tour, we would be offering you transportation in a luxury van, car, or a bus with A/C, with an experienced driver. These vehicles will have free wi-fi, and baby seats can be provided if needed.
Dishes in Sri Lanka are a true delight! Hence, you should never miss a chance to experience the authenticity and the exclusivity of the mouth-watering Sri Lankan tastes. However, this package offers you Half Board meal plans in the hotels where you will be spending the nights. Yet, you have nothing to worry about the rest of the meals because our representatives would help you arrange the meals upon request. Further, any of the Sri Lankan hotels/restaurants would allow you to choose among the below selections, for each of your main meals.
Also, please note that these are the general food items that any of the hotels would offer you, and there may be a wide variety of additional dishes depending on the hotel you dine at. Further, this tour offers Vegetarian and Halal food options on request.
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It is true that one can visit the attractions on this island on their own. Still, let us assure you that having a travel guide makes your journey more wonderful, and stress-free. In fact, they know about this island like the back of their hands. They are capable of enlightening you about each and every place you visit. Going beyond, they would turn out to be a companion of yours, inspired with a passion to fulfill your expectations on this beautiful island. Hence, this tour package offers you a professional tour operator.
We recommend you have travel insurance to enjoy yourself more and travel stress-free on this paradise island of Sri Lanka. Yet, insurance is NOT INCLUDED in our tour packages. Tourists are responsible for choosing the insurance packages that suit them the most and getting themselves insured.
Of course, you will be provided with accommodation. Still, it is up to the travelers to bear personal expenses for pre and post-tour accommodation. Further, the travelers should bear their cost for anything that is not mentioned in the Itinerary, such as the rest of the meals, alcoholic/non-alcoholic drinks, snacks, visa fees, tips, and portage, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Grabbing out the best essence out of a wonderful holiday destination indeed requires a good plan. Yet, proper planning surely requires a good knowledge about the destination as well. In that case, you will certainly need a helping hand to know more about what to expect, how to get ready, and mostly, to clear out your doubts. However, as an experienced team working close to the hearts of our travellers, we clearly understand what troubles your mind, and your desire to travel with peace of mind. Thus, we have answered the most frequently asked questions, so that you can easily clear out your doubts just in a second. So, why not? Have a look at the below section, and we are sure that we have answered your question!
Abiding by the new normal, Sri Lanka is now open for tourists after the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, quarantine measures are different for the vaccinated and unvaccinated tourists.
Completing two weeks upon receiving the recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccinations will make you begin travelling on the island sooner. Apart from that, Sri Lanka requires no mandatory vaccinations before arrival.
The natural marvels of the island nation Sri Lanka, which includes the golden shores, charming cascades, scenic landscapes, and diverse wildlife are indeed capable of attracting any tourist. Besides, its rich cultural heritage, delightful festivals, pleasant climate, exclusive cuisines, and extensive range of facilities for affordable prices, simply make tourists go to Sri Lanka, at any time of the year.
Tourists are only permitted to get to Sri Lanka, by air.
Yes, of course! If you are arriving in Sri Lanka for a holiday, for medical treatments, or to take part in an event, you will require a Tourist Visa.
Any foreigner who plans to arrive in Sri Lanka should obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) through http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/. The website also contains a full guide on obtaining the ETA, along with the payment details.
The Visa is valid for 30 days.
Yes, you can. Still, you have to apply for a visa extension, before your current visa expires. All you have to do is collect the visa extension form from the Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration (You can also download the form from here), and submit the duly filled application, along with the following.
- Return Air Ticket
- Details of the place of accommodation
- The application along with a photograph of the applicant
It is always better to have your National Identity Card, and Passport with you when travelling around the island.
In brief, Sri Lanka is a year-round destination. Thus, it always has something to do and somewhere to visit on this island. Still, it is always better to choose a time where the monsoon rains do not impact the area you plan to visit in Sri Lanka. This complete overview of the weather and climate of Sri Lanka, and the official website of the Department of Meteorology, Sri Lanka will help you with regard.
You can either use public transportation which includes the bus and train services. If not, you can even hire a taxi, a tuk-tuk, or hire a vehicle to drive yourself.
Sri Lanka Rupees (SLR) is the currency used in Sri Lanka.
Not really! If you are using public transportation, enjoying meals from budget restaurants, and taking accommodation at budget hotels, you can experience the holiday at your heart’s core, at a low budget. Thus, the cost depends upon your choices. Still, a holiday in Sri Lanka is simply cheaper than many other tourist destinations across the world.
The best is to wear comfortable materials, preferable cotton, linen, or rayon since Sri Lanka is warm most of the time. Besides, if you are visiting a religious place, the best is to wear something light colour that covers from your shoulders to your knees, to blend with the culture there. Besides, having a shawl will help you to cover yourself in instances where your attire is inappropriate to visit such a place.
As long as you are travelling in a populated area it is safe to travel alone in Sri Lanka. Still, if you are a female travelling alone, the best is to wear an attire that covers your body, and also, wearing a fake wedding ring, acting familiar, etc. will help you avoid unnecessary hassles. However, the best is to avoid night rides, and use google location if you are travelling alone!
Most can! Still, some locals would only be familiar with Sinhala and Tamil languages. However, hand signals will help you in instances as such.
- Simply, cultural and religious values run through the veins of Sri Lankans. So, never disrespect any religion. Avoid posing with funny actions at religious sites. Besides, dresses or tattoos with religious slogans or images might pave the way for unnecessary disturbances.
- Avoid public nudity and kissing.
- Never take photographs without permission.
Good to Know
The delight of a Sri Lankan holiday needs no further exaggerations. Its natural splendours, pleasant weather and climate, welcoming smiles of Sri Lankans, and every other bit of this wonderful paradise are surely going to enchant anyone who visits it. Still, in order to witness the true delight of this wonderful destination, knowing a few more things would certainly benefit you. Keep calm, and have a look below. They will help you make the most out of your time on this splendid island nation!
Electricity is not an issue in the present, especially around tourist hotspots. It is true that some extremely rural areas still lack this facility. Still, we can assure you that those areas are out of the tourist zones.
However, Sri Lanka operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50 Hz. Hence, be mindful of bringing compatible devices or voltage converters. Besides, it is always better to have with you a power bank, rechargeable lamp, etc. because emergency power cuts could occur once in a while.
As you might already know, Sri Lankan Rupees is the currency used in Sri Lanka. The best would be to bring USDs with you and then to exchange them for the local currency once you arrive. Doing so will offer you opportunities to get better exchange rates as well. Besides, Mastercards and Visa Cards are widely accepted, while American Express Cards are also often accepted. Still, it is always better to have cash in hand, since most of the local boutiques around tourist attractions do not have the facilities to accept credit cards.
Also, ATMs are available islandwide. Still, not all of them accept international cards. The daily transaction limit usually ranges between SLR 100,000 to SLR 200,000 and a transaction fee is imposed upon every transaction. Moreover, banks are open on weekdays from 9 AM to 3 PM and closed on weekends. Still, some main cities have a few banks that are open 24/7, or either till night hours.
Of course, telecommunication facilities are available almost island-wide, except for the extremely rural areas. If you are planning to stay connected during your trip to Sri Lanka, the best would be to buy a local sim since the mobile service providers here offer perfect tourist plans that would simply save you money. Also, buying a sim in Sri Lanka is not that hard. You can buy one easily from the airport premises, or the outlets islandwide.
As you already know, Sri Lanka holds accommodation facilities that cover an extensive range. Starting with the Home Stays, Guest Houses, Bungalows, to Medium-Scale Hotels, and Super-Luxury Hotels, this paradise island has it all. Of course, the price might vary upon your selections and the facilities they offer. Still, accommodation facilities are indeed cheaper in Sri Lanka, when compared with tourist destinations worldwide.
However, some of the Home-stays, Guesthouses, and Bungalows might not have AC and hot water facilities. Hence, if you are concerned with regard, it is always better to ask about these little things before placing your bookings. Besides, finding accommodation during the off-season might not be that hard. Still, it is always best to hunt for accommodation a few days earlier, just to travel with pace in mind.
Discovering the unique flavours of Sri Lankan Food, seafood, and cultural dishes would simply be a delightful experience that you can ever imagine! Let it be the luxurious hotels that offer you both local and international cuisine, and the small boutiques or the street stalls that amaze you with their mouth-watering tastes, all of them are impressive beyond words. However, local dishes might be a bit spicy. Thus, it is always better to inform the cook earlier, if you prefer less spicy food. Besides, the cost of food in Sri Lanka highly varies depending on the place you choose to dine, and the dishes you select.
Photography and videography are not forbidden in Sri Lanka. Still, make sure you request permission, especially if you are capturing locals, their boutiques, or their houses. Besides, never turn your back to religious statues, or pose with them with funny poses, since Sri Lanka is a country backed with strong cultural values. Also, whenever you visit a religious or a cultural attraction, or a museum, make sure to check for notices. Photography and videography are strictly prohibited in certain places, and using the flasher is strictly prohibited in some sites with historical paintings, and murals. Going beyond, photography and videography in some places require prior permission or payments. Hence, making memories is always fine, yet, it is always better to be mindful of the restrictions. And yes, your travel guide will simply help you with these concerns!
As you might already know, Sri Lanka is a country with a rich cultural heritage. Thus, we encourage you to follow the below ethics when visiting religious places in Sri Lanka.
- Most religious places encourage visitors to wear a light colour attire that covers their body, shoulder to knees. Thus, if you are visiting a religious place, make sure that you do not wear shorts, crop tops, skinnies, etc. Also, having a shawl with you will help you cover your body at such times, in order to blend with the culture there.
- Visitors enter the religious place barefoot and caps, hats, scarfs, etc. are removed before entering the site.
- The tranquillity of the religious places in Sri Lanka is simply impressive. Hence, make sure you mind your behaviour.
Indeed, safety is first! So, it is always better to keep an eye on animals, especially on the stray dogs on the roads. Be mindful when feeding them, or touching them. And by chance, if a stray dog or any other animal bit you, make sure you arrive at the nearest government hospital, and they will make sure to treat you accordingly.
