Incredible Jaffna (7 Days): Colombo

The excursion

Itinerary

• Day 1 — Airport → Colombo
• On arrival at Colombo International Airport you are met by your chauffeur guide and driven to Colombo, with a brief city tour along the way before checking in to your hotel.
• Colombo city tour
• En route to the hotel you take in a brief tour of Colombo.
• Day 2 — Colombo → Jaffna
• After lunch you check out of the hotel and head to Colombo railway station for the overnight train to Jaffna.
• Jaffna train
• You catch the train at Colombo railway station and travel overnight to Jaffna.
• Day 3 — Jaffna
• After an early transfer to the hotel and breakfast, the afternoon is given over to a cycling tour of Jaffna city, timed to finish around sunset.
• Jaffna city cycle tour
• The cycle tour takes in most of Jaffna's attractions, including the fort, the public library, Supramaniyam park, the old park, coastal villages, Nallur temple, St James' Church, St Mary's Cathedral, a Buddhist dagoba, the statue of the last king of the Jaffna kingdom, the arch of the last kingdom's palace and the last king's minister's house.
• Local products
• Along the way you have the chance to buy Jaffna wine and nelli cordials made by Catholic nuns, as well as palmyrah products made by local women, and to taste Rio ice cream.
• Sunset viewing
• If the sky is clear, the tour includes a stop to view or photograph the sunset before returning to the hotel.
• Day 4 — Jaffna
• After breakfast, the day is spent visiting two of the peninsula's notable natural and religious sites.
• Keerimalai Naguleswaram temple
• This is one of the oldest Hindu shrines in the region and the northernmost of the island's Pancha Ishwarams of Lord Shiva. Its adjacent Keerimalai Springs are believed by Hindus to have curative properties, attributed to their mineral content.
• Nilavarai Bottomless Well
• This natural well is noted for its aquamarine colour and is said to be bottomless, with salt water at depth linking it to the sea. Legend holds that it was created when Rama struck the ground with an arrow in search of water.
• Day 5 — Jaffna
• The day combines a visit to an island shrine with time at one of the peninsula's beaches.
• Nagadeepa Island
• Also known as Nayinathivu or, in ancient times, Manipallavam, this island north of Jaffna is linked to the Naga people who worshipped snakes. It is home to the Nainativu Nagapooshani Amman Temple and the Nagadeepa Purana Vihara, both tied to this history.
• Casuarina Beach
• Found at Karainagar, this is considered the best beach on the Jaffna peninsula, with white sand and the casuarina trees that give it its name.
• Day 6 — Jaffna → Negombo
• After breakfast you check out and drive to Negombo, stopping on the way to visit a regional Hindu temple complex.
• Munneswaram Kovil
• Located in Chilaw, this temple complex has existed since at least 1000 CE and is one of five ancient temples in the region dedicated to Shiva, with legends linking it to the epic hero-king Rama.
• Day 7 — Negombo → Airport
• After a relaxed morning and breakfast, you check out and are driven to the airport for your departure flight.