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Cultural Triangle
Known as the Land of Kings, the northern plains are home to ancient capitals, rock fortresses and revered cave temples.
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Our Team
Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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Our Tour Experts
We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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Heroes and Heroines
the people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education
Sri Lanka – Jaffna and the Northern Province
This Sri Lankan holiday idea is ideal for those wanting to explore the more recently accessible Northern region of Sri Lanka and travel off the beaten track. A visit to Jaffna makes this an eclectic and varied trip, the beaches of the east coast offer respite, with the national parks and cultural highlights an easy drive away. The region, closer to India than to Colombo, is in complete contrast to the rest of Sri Lanka.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
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2
Jaffna
Explore this richly diverse town – a captivating mix of Tamil culture and colonial charm.
3
North East Beaches
Relax on long stretches of white sand over looking the Bay of Bengal
4
Wilpattu
Track leopard and search for sloth bear in Wilpattu National Park.
Why we like it
This is the most comprehensive itinerary of the island as it includes the undiscovered Northern provinces. It explores everything that Sri Lanka has to offer. Within 14 days you visit the Jaffna Peninsula, Wilpattu National Park, Anuradhapura and Sigiriya Rock Fortress as well as experiencing a breathtaking train journey to Jaffna and a beach escape on the pristine east coast. Many of these visited destinations avoid the crowds of many tourist hotspots.
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Day 1
Colombo - Horathapola (Horathapola Estate)
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Day 2
Horathapola - Wilpattu National Park (Leopard Trails)
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Day 3
Wilpattu National Park
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Day 4
Wilpattu National Park - Anuradhapura - Jaffna (Jetwing Jaffna)
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Day 5
Jaffna
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Day 6
Jaffna - Passekudah (Uga Bay)
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Day 7 - 8
Passekudah
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Day 9
Trincomalee - Sigiriya (Vil Uyana)
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Day 10
Sigiriya
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Day 11
Sigiriya - Hanthana, Kandy (The Kandy House)
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Day 12
Kandy
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Day 13
Kandy - Colombo
Day 1
Colombo - Horathapola (Horathapola Estate)
Driven to the peaceful Horathapola Estate, just one hour from Colombo.
Day 2
Horathapola - Wilpattu National Park (Leopard Trails)
Driven the three hours to Wilpattu National Park – home to birds, sloth and, if lucky, leopard.
Day 3
Wilpattu National Park
Spend the day in Wilpattu accompanied by expert guides.
Day 4
Wilpattu National Park - Anuradhapura - Jaffna (Jetwing Jaffna)
Drive via the ancient city of Anuradhapura to Jaffna, Sri Lanka’s northern capital.
Day 5
Jaffna
Spend the day exploring Jaffna, home to colourful Hindu kovils with colourful statues and colonial period churches.
Day 6
Jaffna - Passekudah (Uga Bay)
Driven to the eastern coast of Passekudah for some time on the beach.
Day 7 - 8
Passekudah
Relax on the beach or join a fisherman bringing in the catch on Passekudah Bay.
Day 9
Trincomalee - Sigiriya (Vil Uyana)
Leaving the beach behind you’ll be driven to the Cultural Triangle and Vil Uyana, near Sigirya, stopping to climb up the impressive giant rock fortress of Sigiriya.
Day 10
Sigiriya
Based in Sigiriya explore the former Sri Lankan capital of Polonnaruwa and Minneriya National Park, known for the elephant migration during the summer.
Day 11
Sigiriya - Hanthana, Kandy (The Kandy House)
Driven to Kandy and the Kandy House with its lush gardens and stylish architecture.
Day 12
Kandy
Spend the day exploring a tea estate or venture into Kandy to visit the Temple of the Tooth and a city bustling with colourful markets and local life.
Day 13
Kandy - Colombo
Bid farewell to the hill capital and head to Colombo for your onward travel arrangements.
More details
Wilpattu Safari
Venture out on a game drive into the verdant jungle, home to sloth bear, colourful birds and the elusive leopard. What sets Wilpattu apart from other parks is the peace, space and tranquillity away from other safari vehicles. Wilpattu is the largest national park in Sri Lanka, and slightly less well-known due to being off limits during the civil war. It has the largest sloth bear population in the country, and leopard sightings are possible.
Tamil Culture
Situated at the northern tip of the island, the Jaffna peninsula is steeped in history. Having lived through an insurgent uprising, military occupation and extensive damage, Jaffna has returned to a sense of normality and offers a fascinating insight to the majority Hindu north. Scattered with ancient kovils with colourful statues; colonial churches and ruins of ancient Buddhist temples. Visit some of the key sites of Jaffna by bicycle – a fun way to visit the fort, the library, and Jaffna church. Spend an evening in the home of a local family, who will cook authentic local cuisine, known as Pittu.
Trincomalee
From Jaffna, head to Point Pedro for what could possibly be one of Sri Lanka’s best beaches. Find beautiful soft white sand and cool blue sea and nothing more. Coming east, Passekudah is a pristine beach and the ocean is home to uninhabited coral islands which is great for snorkelling. We recommend Pigeon Island. Whale watching expeditions depart from Trincomalee. The waters around Trinco are inhabited by gigantic blue whales, Bryde’s whale and the sperm whale, as well as the spinner and bottle-nosed dolphins. Prime season for Blue Whales is the second week in March and the magic lasts for 30 days where there is a massive congregation of these gentle giants due to krill feeding season.
Kandy
Stop off at the second largest city in Sri Lanka, home to the largest botanical gardens in the world after Kew. Kandy is famed for the Temple of the Tooth, believed to house a tooth of Lord Buddha himself. Aside from the mass of yellow-robed priests, Kandy is bustling with colourful markets and local life. A little outside the city and you are welcomed by the verdant green of tea plantations and small villages, begging to be explored on foot.
A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
This Itinerary
Price
From $5,750 Per person
When to travel
Sri Lanka in January
Sri Lanka benefits from generally good weather all year round and experiences a tropical climate with the best and most popular to visit being during our winter months, from January to April.
Sri Lanka in February
Visit the Southern and Western coast of Sri Lanka to experience the hot and humid climate in coastal areas or visit the mountainous regions for cooler temperatures with less humidity.
Sri Lanka in March
In Northern and Central Sri Lanka, temperatures will start to rise, and these regions will become more humid with March being generally a dry month for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka in April
Overall, April is a very good time to visit Sri Lanka, with most of the island experiencing high temperatures and lots of sunshine, all before the first monsoon rains of the year begin in the South.
Sri Lanka in May
From May to August, the country experiences the first of its two annual monsoon seasons in Southwest Sri Lanka. Therefore, during these months it is best to visit Northeast Sri Lanka including Batticaloa and Passekudah.
Sri Lanka in June
Rainfall with continue in the South during the monsoon season whereas in Northern Sri Lanka, June is one of the best times to visit this area with a warm climate and high temperatures throughout.
Sri Lanka in July
In Northern Sri Lanka, the months of June and July are particularly good times to travel to the area, with minimal rainfall, particularly high temperatures and long days of sunshine.
Sri Lanka in August
Throughout the country, you can expect excellent climate conditions. August is an ideal month for those wanting to experience both the Northeast and Southwest regions of the island, typically quite unusual due to Sri Lanka’s monsoon seasons.
Sri Lanka in September
September will start to see the end of the monsoon season in the Southwest and whilst rainfall and thunderstorms are less frequent, are still likely across the region.
Sri Lanka in October
Prior to the monsoon season, rainfall is likely throughout the country and can sometimes be unpredictable, meaning disruptions in travel are likely.
Sri Lanka in November
From November to February, Northeast Sri Lanka will experience one of two annual monsoon seasons. Whilst most days will experience rainfall, it is a great time to travel to experience the lush, green countryside.
Sri Lanka in December
Due to the monsoon in the Northeast, it is best to visit the southwest coast of Sri Lanka prior to the second monsoon reaching this area in May. Experience high levels of sunshine, perfect for Sri Lanka’s beaches.
Holiday Inspiration
Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?
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