SRI LANKA NORTHEAST EXPLORER

• Upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, meet your Let’s See Asia representative and transfer to your hotel in the nearby coastal town of Negombo.
• After checking in, take time to settle into your surroundings and recover from your flight. Negombo provides a comfortable introduction to Sri Lanka, with its fishing heritage, sandy coastline and lively local neighbourhoods.
• Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a short orientation of the town. See the Dutch Canal, which reflects the area’s colonial trading history, and visit St. Mary’s Church, known for its painted interior. Alternatively, spend the afternoon relaxing at your hotel before taking a gentle walk along the beach at sunset.
• Arrival-day sightseeing will be adjusted to the flight schedule and guests’ energy levels.
• Dinner & overnight stay in Negombo

• After breakfast, leave Negombo and travel inland towards Anuradhapura. The journey introduces you to Sri Lanka’s rural landscapes, passing coconut plantations, small towns, paddy fields and village communities.
• On arrival, explore the sacred city of Anuradhapura, once the centre of a powerful kingdom and still an important place of Buddhist pilgrimage. Discover how religion, irrigation and architecture shaped this ancient civilisation.
• Visit Sri Maha Bodhi, the sacred fig tree revered by Buddhist pilgrims, and Ruwanwelisaya, the magnificent white stupa that remains one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. Observe devotees offering flowers and taking part in daily religious practices.
• Continue through the Abhayagiri monastic complex, where extensive ruins reveal the scale of the former monastery.
• See the Samadhi Buddha statue, admired for its serene expression, and the Kuttam Pokuna, or Twin Ponds, which demonstrate the craftsmanship of ancient builders.
• Visit Isurumuniya Temple, known for its rock setting and stone carvings, before transferring to your hotel.
• Sightseeing involves walking between selected monuments, with vehicle transfers between the main areas.
• Dinner & overnight stay: Anuradhapura

• After breakfast, travel north to Jaffna. As you approach the peninsula, the scenery changes, with palmyrah palms, lagoons and open landscapes introducing a region with its own distinctive history, traditions and cuisine.
• Pass through the Poonaryn area over the Sanguppidi Bridge, the narrow connection between the peninsula and the mainland, before continuing to Jaffna.
• After checking in and taking a break, begin your introduction to the city with a visit to Jaffna Fort. Explore sections of the historic fortifications and learn about the Portuguese and Dutch influences on the northern coast.
• Continue to Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, one of the region’s most important Hindu places of worship. Its colourful architecture and religious atmosphere offer an introduction to Jaffna’s living Tamil heritage. Visits will follow the temple’s opening hours and dress requirements.
• See the exterior of Jaffna Public Library, an important cultural landmark, and explore the local market area if time permits. Look out for regional produce, spices, and products made from the palmyrah palm.
• Take a drive to Point Pedro- heading up to Sri Lanka’s northernmost point, Point Pedro, you’ll likely pass motorcycles stacked high with heavy stalks of bananas on the cusp of turning from pale green to yellow, and men hauling mounds of grass (for goats) onto ancient bicycles. On arrival in Point Pedro, there seem to be two points vying for the northernmost point’s crown. It’s worth stopping at both. Coming from Jaffna, you’ll reach Sakkotai Cape first, where a fairly nondescript sign and coral reef mark the tip of the land, but drive on a bit further, and you’ll reach a faded old white lighthouse dating back to 1931, and a more official-looking northernmost point. The old burgundy and cream PO letterbox provides the ideal photo opportunity for reaching Sri Lanka’s northernmost tip, and there’s a small hole-in-the-wall shop across the unpaved road selling postcards emblazoned with a Point Pedro stamp.
• During your stay, there will be opportunities to try northern specialities such as Jaffna-style curries, string hoppers, traditional vegetarian dishes, and Rio Ice Cream
• Dinner & overnight stay in Jaffna

• After breakfast, set out for a full morning exploring the islands off the Jaffna Peninsula. Travel across the causeways towards Kurikadduwan Jetty, passing coastal villages, shallow lagoons and fishing communities.
• Board a local passenger boat for the crossing to Nainativu Island, also known as Nagadeepa.
• Visit Nagadeepa Purana Viharaya, an important Buddhist pilgrimage site associated with the island’s religious traditions. Take time to explore the temple grounds and learn about its significance to visiting devotees.
• Also visit the nearby Nagapooshani Amman Temple, an important Hindu shrine with an elaborately decorated entrance tower. Visiting both places offers an opportunity to understand the different faith traditions connected with this small island.
• Return by boat to the mainland and travel back to Jaffna.
• The afternoon allows time to explore any city sights not covered the previous day, browse the market, or relax at the hotel.The island excursion is subject to weather, sea conditions, and local boat operations. Boats are shared local services, and boarding may involve steps and uneven surfaces. Appropriate clothing is required for both temples.
• Dinner & overnight stay in Jaffna

• After breakfast, depart Jaffna and travel towards Trincomalee on Sri Lanka’s east coast via Elephant Pass. Stop there, and you can see War memorials from the 30-year war in Sri Lanka with the LTTE.
• This is one of the longer travelling days of the tour. The journey passes through northern and eastern countryside, with changing views of agricultural land, small settlements and coastal landscapes. Suitable stops will be made for refreshments, lunch and comfort breaks.
• Arrive in the Trincomalee area and check in to your beach hotel. The remainder of the day is kept free to unwind after the journey.
• Enjoy a walk along the shore, relax beside the swimming pool, or simply settle into the slower pace of the coast.
• Dinner & overnight stay in Trincomalee

• After breakfast, explore Trincomalee, a historic coastal town known for its harbour, religious landmarks and ocean setting.
• Travel through Fort Frederick, where colonial-era fortifications frame the approach to Koneswaram Temple.
• Positioned on the headland at Swami Rock, the temple offers sweeping views over the sea. Learn about its religious significance and the long history of this coastal pilgrimage site.
• Continue to Sri Pathrakali Amman Temple, where brightly painted sculptures and detailed decorations provide a striking example of Hindu temple architecture.
• Enjoy an introduction to the town’s harbour surroundings and local commercial streets before returning to your hotel.
• The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the beach and hotel facilities or visit famous Uppuveli Beach. Guests may choose to relax by the pool, walk along the coastline or arrange an optional activity through the local team.
• Dinner & overnight stay: Trincomalee

****Optional excursions: Pigeon Island visit/Snorkeling/ Scuba Diving *****