11 days itinerary
COLOMBO - NEGOMBO
DAY 1
COLOMBO/ NEGOMBO
Arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport where you will be welcomed by your experienced Sri Lanka Escapes Chauffeur who will be with you for the duration of your trip. He is a local with exceptional years of experience and knowledge and is very excited to show his beautiful country. Let your adventure and journey begin. Acclimatise yourself with Sri Lanka as we drive to the coastal town of Negombo a unique picturesque fishing village and transfer to your hotel to relax. Includes Breakfast/Dinner.
Negombo Fishing Village
DAY 2
NEGOMBO – WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK
The coastal town of Negombo is set alongside a picturesque lagoon and canals built by the Dutch colonies. Negombo was a very important port for trade of cinnamon and has been ruled by the Portuguese, Dutch and British empires. Drive past the famous seafood markets with the fisherman selling their catch as we venture to Wilpattu for our exciting Wildlife Safari.
This afternoon we go on Safari in Wilpattu National Park where there is a chance to see Leopards and Sloth bears. Apart from those two mammals are Asian Elephants, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, jackals, sambhur, barking deer, mouse deer Wild Pig, water Buffalo and Mugger Crocodiles. This is one of the most exciting safari experiences in Sri Lanka and a highlight. An opportunity to take photos up close and personal photographs to share with family and friends. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Leopards
DAY 3
WILPATTU - SIGIRIYA
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Sri Lanka is home to at least 8 UNESCO World Heritage listed sites.
Sigiriya is nominated among travel enthusiasts as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an ancient rock fortress with awe-inspiring architecture.
This morning is the option to climb Pidurangala rock, at the top you will enjoy the amazing view of Sigiriya Lion Rock with your group and at the top you have candid photo opportunities. Or for those keen about history, Sigiriya is nominated among travel enthusiasts as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an ancient rock fortress with awe inspiring architecture, with an amazing view of Fortress Sigiriya Lion Rock’ built by King Kayapa in the 5th century for all those who are fit. It is a spectacular 200 meters high natural formation of granite some 750 steps up and at the top, preserves the ruins of an ancient fortified palace.
This archaeological site loved by tourists was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 and is considered by locals as the "eighth wonder of the world". This palace in the sky was envisioned to be a recreation of the mythological city. Travelers spend an afternoon walking among the ruins.
Then we will enjoy the taste and delights of how to cook traditional
Sri Lanka with a hands-on cooking class in a local Sri Lankan home.
Return to your hotel. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Fortress Sigiriya 'Lion Rock'
DAY 4
SIGIRIYA
Today the adventures begin as we visit a local village and enjoy a bullock cart ride through the rice plantation making our way by boat as we enjoy gliding gracefully past the beautiful lily pads.
We exit the boat and walk a little way to see local farms and rice fields. Learn the secrets from the locals on how to cook delicious Sri Lankan green curry and coconut roti with wood fire. We also have the opportunity to experience how you can hull the rice as it has been done for generations and enjoy a local traditional lunch curry, roti, and fruits.
This afternoon we will join an adventurous Safari to see the wild elephants. This is one of the most exciting safari experiences in Sri Lanka and a highlight. An opportunity to take photos up close and personal photos to share with family and friends. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Bullock ride Sigiriya rice plantations
Wild elephants on Safari
DAY 5
SIGIRIYA – KANDY
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Dambulla was named a UNESCO World Heritage site for its Buddhist caves perched at the top of a hill. An added bonus is the beautiful panoramic view that you get of the surrounding area. Visiting the stunning Cave Temples of Dambulla, built by King Valagamba back in the 1st century BC. Dambulla is named a UNESCO World Heritage site for its Buddhist caves perched at the top of a hill. It is worth the climb to see the 5 caves and stunning temples filled with over 150 colorful religious statues and paintings while experiencing the beautiful panoramic views. The monastic ensemble of Dambulla is an outstanding example of the religious art and expression of Sri Lanka and South and Southeast Asia. Then we can take a stroll through Dambulla Market and discover new fruits and vegetables if time permits. As we drive to Kandy we will stop at Matale and visit the unique Spice garden growing a large variety of spices such as nutmeg, cardamon, ginger, cinnamon, petter, and more. Enjoy an informative talk about all the spices by a local qualified educational guide who explains all the natural remedies and benefits to enhance your health and palate in the kitchen with an opportunity to try and take spices and remedies home to enhance your health and wellness regime.
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Late afternoon we will attend the Sri Lankan traditional cultural show and watch the beautiful locals dancing in a rainbow of colorful cultural costumes as they perform their dances in grace and style.
We will take a visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. It was founded back in the 16th century, it housed one of the most sacred relics of Buddhism – a tooth of Buddha collected from his funeral pyre, which is now protected within the gold roofed Temple of the Tooth. Then transfer to your hotel and time to relax before dinner. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Cave Temples of Dambulla
Matale Spice Garden
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
DAY 6
The Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya
Nuwara Eliya tea growing region
Ramboda Ella Waterfall
KANDY – NUWARA EYLIA
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This morning we will visit one of the most stunning gardens. The Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya. In 1821 the park was under British rule and it then became known as the Botanical garden. Here exotic crops such as nutmeg, tea, rubber, coffee, cinchona are all unique and important to the country of Sri Lanka. The garden also includes a beautiful orchid house and a wide variety of plant species from all over the world.
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Sri Lanka formerly known as Ceylon is famous for its quality tea. Nuwara Eliya is Sri Lanka’s lush tea-growing region, founded by the British explorer Samuel Baker in 1846 continues to give us the experience of the British colonial past with full operational tea plantations;
En-route we will see local families of generations working in the tea fields of rolling hills, picking the tea leaves manually by hand. We will visit a real-time Tea processing factory to see how the tea is produced as there are many still in full operation today giving you an opportunity to taste the delights of fresh tea and the opportunity to buy to take home for family and friends.
During our adventure today we will visit Ramboda known for its marvelous landscapes, comprising highlands, ridges, plains, streams, and hilly mountains, and see the scenic Ramboda waterfall. The town was originally built with Tudor-style houses featuring fireplaces, billiard tables, a golf course, racetrack, gentlemen’s clubs, and botanical gardens. We will visit the traditional British Gentleman’s Club. The climate here makes it the coolest area in the country of Sri Lanka, so bring a sweater with you. Transfer to your hotel and relax and refresh Includes Breakfast/Dinner
DAY 7
NUWARA EYLIA - ELLA
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Visit the local fresh produce markets and wander through the main shopping street of Nuwara Eylia while enjoying a cultural experience and trying some local snack street food. Enjoy a spectacular viewpoint of the city and the sweeping views of the Tea Plantations for a photo candid shot opportunity.
This afternoon we board the famous train from Nuwara Eylia to Ella for approximately two hours and thirty minutes enjoying the spectacular rolling hills of plantations and meandering through the Mountains across the famous well-photographed bridges enjoying this spectacular train ride with many photo opportunities. The train ride to Ella powers down through Sri Lanka's southern hill country, crossing the tea plantations before it winds up and disappears into the clouds, weaving in and out of the many mountain tunnels as it finally arrives in Ella.
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Giving you the opportunity to soak in the mystic vibes and cherish the beauty of slow travel, arrival by train in the afternoon in Ella. Your Chauffeur will meet you at the train station and transfer you to the hotel and relax and free time. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Marketplace Nuwara Eliya
Kandy to Ella Train
DAY 8
Nine Arch Sky Bridge
ELLA – UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, we will walk through a beautiful path to see the Nine Arch Bridge, a connection of two mountains and also known as the ‘Bridge in the Sky’. This bridge is 300 feet in length, 25 feet in width, and 80-100 feet in height. It is an amazing example of a colonial-era railway in Sri Lanka and this is located in Demodara and happens to be one of the best places to visit in Ella.
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Little Adam's Peak is an easy walk to reach the viewpoint. Climbing up the Little Adams Peak in Ella is one of the favorite activities of the tourists on their Sri Lankan holiday with majestic views and photo opportunities – it is only a leisurely 2-hour walk. Enjoy the view over the valley.
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We continue to Udawalawe and visit the Ravana waterfalls and arrive for an exciting wildlife safari 4 x 4 jeep in the Udawalawe National Park with lots of photo opportunities of local wildlife. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Little Adams Peak
DAY 9
Feeding Baby Elephants at Orphanage
UDAWALAWE -BEACH RESORT
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This morning we will visit The Baby Elephant orphanage refuge where you will see baby elephants being bottle-fed and cared for until they grow stronger. This Orphanage is a baby Elephant refuge home where they gather strength and are then released into protected sanctuaries. Many are orphaned or sick and this is a home to help them secure their strength and keep the population thriving. It is such a unique touching experience as we watch the more mature baby elephants shuffle the younger baby elephants into order.
Continuing our journey down to the beautiful South Coast of Sri Lanka facing out to the Indian Ocean is the beach resort of Mirissa arriving at your hotel in the afternoon with time to relax around the pool, go to the beach or go snorkeling and have the opportunity to capture a glimpse of sea turtles and enjoy the colorful marine life. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
DAY 10
Beautiful Beaches
BEACH RESORT
Rise early to go for an optional Whale watching experience if you desire. It's an exciting yet comfortable boat trip out to sea and be fortunate to see Blue Whales; the largest creatures on earth, Bryde’s Whales, Sperm Whales, Killer Whales, and Fin Whales. You can also meet pods of friendly Dolphins such as the Common dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Spinner dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, and striped dolphins as they playfully somersault and dance on the ocean waves. There’s also a good chance of seeing flying fish, turtles, manta rays, and even sharks. This afternoon, relax on the beach, go surfing, snorkeling, just read a book or book yourself in for a personal Ayurvedic experience. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
DAY 11
BEACH RESORT – COLOMBO AIRPORT
We depart after breakfast to Colombo and en-route we will visit the famous
Turtle Hatchery on the beach of Habaraduwa, is set up to conserve the turtle population.
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We continue to visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Galle Fort, this is a unique Town designed by the Portuguese and Dutch dating back to 1584 if time permits.
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Farewell to beautiful Sri Lanka. Transfer to Colombo Airport to connect with your outward-bound flight. Includes Breakfast/Dinner.
Heritage-listed Galle Fort