Highlights of Northern Sri Lanka

This 7-day tour offers a captivating exploration of the northern regions of Sri Lanka. Starting with your arrival at the airport, you’ll be whisked away to the serene coastal town of Kalpitiya, where an enchanting boat ride awaits in its lagoon. The journey continues with a thrilling safari in Wilpattu National Park, known for its rich wildlife including leopards and elephants. As the tour progresses, you’ll delve into the cultural heart of Jaffna with visits to significant sites like Mantri Manai and the ancient Nagadeepa Temple. The trip culminates with a return to Colombo, this tour will leave you enriched with unforgettable memories of Sri Lanka’s majestic landscapes and rich history.

This tour can also be booked as an extension with ‘Signature Sri Lanka’ 3 March & 22 March 2025.

Overview

From $1,599

Itinerary & Map

Expand All

Highlights: Holy Cross-National Shrine, Sri Munneswaram Kovil temple, St. Anne’s Church, Kalpitiya Dutch fort.

Transfer from Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo to Kalpitiya. Kalpitiya is located bordering Puttlam Lagoon & Dutch Bay. Kalpitiya’s ideal location is a haven for beautiful beaches and water sports.

En-route, visit Holy Cross-National Shrine, Marawila. It is called ” Kurusa Palliya ” in Sinhala or ” Holy Cross-National Shrine ” in English. This place is known to be a miraculous place. The church is located near the sea and the church is built on the sea sand. Only the altar and a tiny passage have been cemented and there is sand in the other areas.

Lunch at Marawila

After lunch, visit the Munneswaram temple. An important regional Hindu temple complex in Sri Lanka. It has been in existence at least since 1000 CE, although myths surrounding the temple associate it with the popular Indian epic Ramayana, and its legendary hero-king Rama. 

Later, visit St. Anne’s Church, one of the most beautiful attractions in Talawila near Puttalam in Sri Lanka. Located amid the scenic beauty and surrounded by lush green forests, this church has equally emerged into a famous tourist spot for the visitors who are certainly the followers of different religions. 

Continue to Kalpitiya. 

This evening, visit the Kalpitiya Dutch fort. Its walls are 4 meters high and constructed out of coral and limestone from the surrounding area. It has a single entrance, which fronts the lagoon, which has a pediment, with a belfry above and looks like the entrance to a church; the yellow bricks that comprise the entrance arch were reportedly brought especially from Holland. The story is that the King of Kandy had granted permission only to build a church here and that the Dutch had built the arch to mislead the King into believing that this was simply a fortified church. 

Proceed to the hotel and check-in.

Unforgettable Moment: Kalpitiya lagoon boat ride 

With a packed breakfast, transfer to Kalpitiya lagoon for your serene boat ride. Your boat ride will take you across the pristine waters of the Lagoon in Kalpitiya towards the sand dunes and Salt Pans in the distance. The little fishing villages and local community living on the border of the Lagoon, the stretch between the lagoon and the mighty ocean will let you see the hard work the locals put in to earn their livelihood from the locally available natural resources. 

Leave Kalpitiya for Wilpattu. 

On arrival in Wilpattu check in-to your hotel and relax. 

Highlight: Game Drive in Wilpattu National Park 

Set off early this morning for your safari game drive at Wilpattu National Park by Jeep. Wilpattu is the largest and one of the oldest National Parks in Sri Lanka. It is among the top national parks world-renowned for its leopard population. Meander through the park’s tranquil waterways and marvel at the diverse range of species that call this park home. Keep your eyes peeled for the majestic Sri Lankan Elephant, the elusive Leopard, lumbering Lankan Sloth Bear, elegant Spotted Deer, powerful Buffalo, graceful Sambar, and agile Mongoose, among others. After completion head to the hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

(Optional): Afternoon Game Drive in Wilpattu National Park

Highlight: Sightseeing in Anuradhapura

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Leave Wilpattu for Anuradhapura. On arrival, commence sightseeing in Anuradhapura. It is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of an ancient Sri Lankan civilization. It was the third capital of the kingdom of Rajarata, following the kingdoms of Tambapanni and Upatissa Nuwara. The city, now a World Heritage site, was the centre of Theravada Buddhism for many centuries. The city lies 205 km (127 mi) north of Colombo in the North Central Province, on the banks of the historic Malvathu River and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and one of the eight World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka. 

Check in-to the hotel & relax.

Highlights: Panoramic city tour of Jaffna with visit to Kudurugoda Viharaya 

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Leave Anuradhapura for Jaffna. Later today, enjoy a panoramic tour in Jaffna. Jaffna, the Capital of Northern Sri Lanka was identified as one of the most underrated cities of the Island. In contemporary Sri Lanka, Jaffna is surmised as the epitome of the Hindu-Tamil Culture. However, archaeological evidence confirms that in the ancient times, the Buddhist culture had spread to the north as well as across the entire island. In the 13th Century AD, Jaffna was established as the controlling centre of the trade route between Sri Lanka and India. 

Later today, visit the Kudurugoda Viharaya. It is considered one of the ancient Buddhist remains in existence today in Jaffna Peninsula.

Highlights: Nagadeepa Temple, Fort Hammenhiel 

Breakfast at the hotel.. 

Early morning, visit the Nagadeepa Temple. 

Nagadeepa Purana Vihara is an ancient Buddhist temple situated in Jaffna district of Northern Province, Sri Lanka. It is among the country’s sixteen or seventeen holiest Buddhist shrines. According to contemporary history, the Gautama Buddha visited the site after five years of attaining Enlightenment to settle the dispute between two warring Naga kings, Chulodara and Mahodara. 

Lunch at the Fort Hammenhiel restaurant

After lunch, transfer by short boat ride for your guided tour of this magnificent Fort. The fort was built around a small island between the islands of Kayts and Karaitivu off the Jaffna Peninsula in Northern Sri Lanka. 

Return to your hotel upon completion of the day’s activities.

After breakfast, proceed to Colombo. 

Drop off at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport en-route or Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo, where your journey will end.

Inclusions & Exclusions

  • Daily Breakfast, 2 Lunches & 6 Dinners 
  • Transport in an Air-conditioned Private Vehicle from Day 01 Colombo to tour conclusion Day 07. 
  • English Speaking Chauffeur Guide services throughout the tour. 
  • Sightseeing with Entrance fees 
  • Boat transfers to Nagadeepa and Fort Hammenhiel 
  • Unforgettable Moments
  • International Airfare
  • Airport transfers unless specified on day 07
  • Tips & portages 
  • All meals not mentioned on the above program during the tour 
  • Early check in or late checkout charges. 
  • Visas
  • Travel Insurance
  • Expenses of a personal nature 
  • Any service not specifically mentioned in the inclusions. 
  • Camera or Video permits.

Book Now

    *Select Your Travel Date

    Passengers

    Select shared room if you are booking individually and will share your room with a known travel companion or a fellow traveler of the same gender. Your room will have two separate beds.

    Enter the name and/or booking ID of your known travel companion in the below fields to share the room with him/her.

    This 4-day cultural extension tour covers iconic UNESCO World Heritage sites and scenic experiences in Sri Lanka. It begins with a visit to the Dambulla Cave Temple, renowned for its ancient Buddhist statues and intricate ceiling paintings, followed by a stay in Sigiriya. Day two explores the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, offering stunning views, and the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, with its impressive archaeological treasures. Optional safaris at Minneriya National Park provide a chance to spot elephants and diverse wildlife. The journey continues to Kandy, with stops at Matale Spice Garden and the Temple of the Tooth Relic, before concluding with a city tour of Kandy and a return to Colombo or Negombo.

    Read More >>

    Add Ons do not need to be selected at the time of booking.


    Private Car Airport Transfer


    Accommodation

    Pre & Post Accommodation Colombo

    Upgrade Capital Wind to Koddu Kalpitiya


    Optional Wilpattu afternoon game drive - Day 3

Total Travelers: