Journeys
Royal Cities & the Northern Road
Cultural journey
This journey traces the thread of Sri Lanka's history: the painted caves of Dambulla, the fortress of Sigiriya, the elephants of Minneriya, the royal ruins of Polonnaruwa, the sacred capital of Anuradhapura, then the northern road to Jaffna, the island's other face, Tamil and insular, that so few travellers take the time to discover. A journey for those who want to understand the soul of this country, not just cross it.
Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Route
Departing from and returning to Colombo
Who it is for
1 to 17 people, by car, van or bus depending on numbers
Price
€100 to €150 per day per person, to be confirmed
Stops
Dambulla → Sigiriya (2 nights) → Minneriya → Polonnaruwa → Anuradhapura → Jaffna (3 nights) and its islands
To be confirmed: Price and journey name to be confirmed by Aurélie.
Day by day
- 01
Day 1, Colombo to Sigiriya: the Dambulla caves
Departure from Colombo airport towards the Cultural Triangle (around 4 hours' drive), visiting the Dambulla cave temples on the way. Settle in Sigiriya for 2 nights, time to land gently.
- 02
Day 2, Sigiriya: the Lion Rock and the elephants of Minneriya
Climb the Lion Rock in the morning, when the light is beautiful and the crowds still thin. In the afternoon, safari in Minneriya National Park, famous for its great elephant gatherings. Night in Sigiriya.
- 03
Day 3, Polonnaruwa by bicycle, then Anuradhapura
A morning in the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa: cycle through the ruins, among dagobas, palaces and stone Buddhas. In the afternoon, drive to Anuradhapura (around 2½ hours). Night in Anuradhapura.
- 04
Day 4, Anuradhapura, then the Northern Road
A morning in the sacred capital, the island's first: the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree, the great white dagobas, the royal pools. In the afternoon, head north to Jaffna (around 3½ hours). Settle in for 3 nights.
- 05
Day 5, Jaffna, Tamil heart
A day in the northern capital: the Dutch fort, the Nallur Hindu temple, the markets and the unique atmosphere of this reborn city. Night in Jaffna.
- 06
Day 6, the islands of Jaffna
A day among the small islands at the island's edge: Nainativu and its sacred temple, Delft or Kayts by ferry and lagoon causeways. Another world. Night in Jaffna.
- 07
Day 7, return to Colombo
A long return drive, with stops, arriving in Colombo at the end of the day.
What is included
- Private driver and all transport
- Airport transfers
- Accommodation with breakfast
- All scheduled activities and visits, entrance tickets included
What is not
- Lunches and dinners
- Personal expenses
Extend at La Maison VEDA
Extend your journey with a few nights in our lakeside villas on Koggala Lake, in Habaraduwa: yoga at the studio, beach, turtles, massages. On request, the itinerary can be adapted to head south and end at La Maison VEDA rather than Colombo.
