Explore the North East of Sri Lanka

Welcome at the airport (Arrival time to be advised) & proceed to Galle for check-in ( Standard check in time : 14.00 hrs).

(150 KM / 2h 0m)

Evening leisure to stroll around the Old Galle Fort.

Overnight stay at Galle

Tips & suggestions :

• First night booked on “room only” since there are many restuarants and cafes located inside the Old Galle fort to experience.  

After breakfast engage in a tour of the Old Galle Fort. (Mostly by foot)

Galle (Duration of visit : approx 1 ½  – 2 Hours)

Galle is a town situated on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka, 119 km (74 mi) from Colombo. Galle was known as Gimhathiththa (although Ibn Batuta in the 14th century refers to it as Qali) before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century, when it was the main port on the island. Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, before the arrival of the British, who developed the harbor at Colombo.

Thereafter proceed to Arugambay. (290 KM / 5h 30m)

Overnight stay at Arugambay

Note : Arugam bay is one of the best destinations in the world for surfing.(Suitable for beginners to professionals) Beginer courses in Surfing are available in Arugam Bay, however minimum number of overnights are required for the course. Overnights at Arugam Bay are booked on Bed & Breakfast since many local restuarants are available at close proximity to Hotel to expereience.

Early morning (05.30hrs) proceed to Kumana National Park and engage in a safari (With Packed breakfast) (48 KM / 1h 15m per way)

Kumana National Park(Duration of visit : approx 3 ½  – 4 Hours) 

The Kumana National Park is the most important and most popular bird sanctuary in Sri Lanka. Kumana birdlife supported by Some 20 lagoons and tank is an ornithologist’s paradise. During April–July, tens of thousands of birds migrate to the Kumana swamp area annually nearly 255 species of birds have been recorded in the National Park. Regular sightings of birds include pelicans, painted storks, spoonbills, white ibis, herons, egrets and hundreds of little cormorants. The very rare black-necked stork has also been spotted at the swamp.

Afterwards en-route to Arugam witness the majestic sand dunes and beach at Panama.      

Late afternoon free to self-explore Arugam Bay and its famous surfing spots.       

Overnight stay at Arugambay

After breakfast proceed to Pasikudah. (150 KM / 3h 15m)

Passikudah Bay (Duration of visit : approx 30 – 45 mins)

The beaches of Passikudah are largely untouched compared with other beaches around the island, making it the ideal spot to soak some rays and discover the vibrant marine life beneath the azure waves. Indulge in some popular water sports such as scuba diving and snorkeling, and feast your eyes on an uncharted world of wonders lingering in the crystalline waters of Pasikudah Bay. Come nose-to-nose with species of multi-hued fish and intriguing crustaceans peppering the sun-dappled depths of the Indian Ocean.

Overnight stay at Pasikudah

Note : Water sports activities available in Pasikudah which can be done at your own expense. Detroves Travel can assist with prices & bookings for water sport packages wished to be booked in advance.

After breakfast drive to Trincomalee. (105 KM / 2h 15m)

Thereafter explore the Trincomalee town including a visit to the Koneswaram temple (Hindu Kovil).

Trincomalee(Duration of visit : approx 1 ½  – 2 Hours)

The very old port of Trincomalee situated on the northeast coast of Sri Lanka has an idle natural harbor that has created the region an award to be fought over by foreign powers for generations. During the Second World War the port was an important British naval settlement. Erected on an isthmus with deep bays to seaward, Trincomalee is the biggest city in the region.

Koneswaram Temple: The Koneswaram Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated mainly to Lord Shiva. It is one of the five Sivan temples found on the island. It is believed that the temple has been there for more than 2,500 years now.

Overnight stay at Trincomalee

After breakfast travel to Thiriyaya and visit the ancient “Girihandu Seya Temple” which is recorded to be the first stupa in Sri Lanka.  (43 KM / 1h 0m per way)

Thiriyaya (Duration of visit : approx 1 – 1 ½ Hours) 

Thiriyaya is believed to be the first ever Dagaba (stupa) which was built during the life time of Buddha by his two followers who came from India to sri lanka as merchants, to day we find Dagabo's and well preserved circular chamber on the top of the Mountain and you will get a nice view to sea and the lagoon areas from the top, except poya day being a less crowded place, this site remain very calm and quite with no disturbance even to meditate.

Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the beach at Nilaveli, Trincomalee. 

Optional Visit – Pigeon Island Boat Ride (US $ 35.00 per person)

Pigeon island boat ride (Duration of visit : approx 1 Hour per way) 

Imagine being alone to see the bottom of the ocean for a stretch of 300m and more towards the ocean. That is one of the rare sights that a boat ride to Pigeon Island offers. The location is ideal for half-day of snorkeling excursion or suited for a short board ride.  The island is named after the endemic inhabitant – the blue rock Pigeon that call this place their home that was once used by the British army as a gunnery.

Overnight stay at Trincomalee

Tips & suggestions :

If you wish to relax on the beach this day, Girihandu Seya Temple can be visited next day (Day 7)on your way to Jaffna. You can discuss this with your driver guide on tour. The drive time will increase by another hour on day 07 since an alternative route will be used in case this option is selected.

After breakfast proceed to Jaffna. (233 KM / 4h 0m)

Evening at leisure and alternatively visit Nallur Kovil by foot.

Overnight stay at Jaffna

After breakfast engage in a Jaffna city tour.

Jaffna City(Duration of visit : approx 2 ½ - 3 Hours)

City of Jaffna is the capital city of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. It is the administrative headquarters of the Jaffna district located on a peninsula of the same name. Jaffna is approximately six miles away from Kandarodai which served as a famous emporium in the Jaffna peninsula from classical antiquity. Jaffna's suburb, Nallur served as the capital of the four centuries-long medieval Jaffna kingdom. Prior to the Sri Lankan civil war, it was Sri Lanka's second most populated city after the commercial capital Colombo. Since the 1980s insurgent uprising, military occupation, extensive damage, expulsion and depopulation has happened. Since the end of civil war in 2009, refugees and internally displaced people are returning to their homes and government and private sector reconstruction has begun.

Thereafter visit Naga Deepa.

Naga Deepa(Duration of visit : approx 2 ½ - 3 Hours)

Nainathivu or Nagadeepa is a small but notable island off the coast of Jaffna Peninsula in the Sri Lankan Tamil dominated Northern Province, Sri Lanka. The name of the island alludes to its aboriginal inhabitants, the Nayanair or Nāka people. It is home to the ancient Hindu shrine of Shree Nagapooshani (Bhuvaneswari) Amman; one of the prominent 64 Shakti Peethas, and the Buddhist shrine Naga Vihare. Historians note the island is mentioned in the ancient Tamil Sangam literature of nearby Tamil Nadu (such as Manimekalai) and ancient Buddhist legends of Sri Lanka (such as Mahavamsa). Ptolemy, a Greek cartographer, describes the Tamil territory including islands around the Jaffna peninsula as Nagadibois in the first century CE.

Overnight stay at Jetwing Jaffna / Standard room / 4 star

After breakfast proceed to Anuradhapura en-route quick stop at Elephant Pass which was a strategic crossing during the conflict.

Thereafter visit Anuradhapura ancient kingdom.

Anuradhapura Ancient Capital (Duration of visit : approx 2 – 3 Hours)

Anuradhapura, is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, world famous for its well preserved ruins of the Great Sri Lankan Civilization. The Civilization which was built upon this city was one of the greatest civilizations of Asia and in the world. The city now a UNESCO heritage site, lies 205 km (127 mi)north of the current capital Colombo in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka, on the banks of the of the historic Malvathu Oya. Founded in the 4th century BC it was the caital of the Anuradhapura Kingdom till the beginning of the 11th century AC.

Evening at leisure.

Overnight stay at Alakamanda Hotel / Deluxe room / 3 star / www.hotelalakamanda.com

Breakfast and check out for departure (Standard check out time : 12.00 hrs)

After breakfast clients could decide to either proceed to Hotel near Airport in order prepare for departure or proceed back to Nilaveli/Pasikudah (Please find below columns for extension supplements) in order to continue beach extension.

Kindly note : Driving times mentioned above are approximate and subject to change due to traffic, weather conditions or unexected interruptions en-route. It does not take into account stoppages for site visits, photo oppurtunities, lunch etc. (Purely driving time)

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