11 days itinerary
DAY 1
COLOMBO
Arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport where you will be welcomed by a representative of Sri Lanka Escapes.
You will be welcomed by your experienced Chauffeur who will be with you for the duration of the 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. Acclimatize yourself with Sri Lanka in the city of Colombo. Transfer to your hotel.
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Colombo Harbour at Night
COLOMBO - ELLA
This morning after a leisurely breakfast, we will enjoy a city tour of Colombo. Historically Colombo was seen as a simple trading port, while today the city of Colombo is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city that serves as the island's commercial capital.
We commence our travel through the beautiful countryside on our way to Ella, stopping at beautiful viewpoints, waterfalls and little tea and lunch stops on this magical journey winding via the mountains and through local villages on our way to Ella. Seeing many locals on the way doing daily life.
We visit Haputale, a small town on the southern edge of the Sri Lankan hill country. On a clear day you can see the coastline from the mountain ridge, but on other days thick mist clings onto the deep green mountains, tea fields
We stop at local Markets and feel the real life of Sri Lankan going about their day giving you a surreal experience of being surrounded by clouds. Explore the stunning surroundings of Haputale during your travels
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We continue to Ella and arrive at your hotel late afternoon and relax
Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Haputale Village
DAY 2
Local family
Nine Arch Bridge
DAY 3
ELLA​
After a leisurely breakfast, we enjoy a walk through a beautiful pathway to see the majestic famous 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 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.
Little Adam's peak is an easy walk to reach the viewpoint. Climbing up the Little Adams Peak in Ella is one of the favourite 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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The whole journey is very pleasing while passing through the local villages and tea plantations. End the day and back to the hotel via a scenic road.
Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Little Adams Peak
DAY 4
ELLA - NUWARA ELIYA
Depart on the famous scenic train to Nuwara Eliya. The train ride to Nuwara Eliya 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 descends to Nuwara Eliya allowing you the opportunity to soak in the mystic vibes and cherish the beauty of slow travel.
Arrive at Nuwara Eliya and take a city tour and experience a few viewpoints, visit the Hill Club known as the Gentleman club dating back in time. Optional visit of the majestic Grand Hotel for optional High Tea while enjoying the grand style and class of hotel. Transfer to your hotel followed to relax.
Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Famous scenic train to Nuwara Eliya
High Tea Grand Hotel
DAY 5
NUWARA ELIYA – KANDY
​During our adventure today we will visit Ramboda known for its marvellous landscapes, consisting of highlands, ridges, plains, streams and hilly mountains and see the scenic Ramboda waterfall.
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Sri Lanka formerly known as Ceylon is famous for its quality tea and tea processing factory. Arrive in Kandy, 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, and cinchona are all unique and important to the country of Sri Lanka. The gardens also includes a beautiful orchid house and a wide variety of plant species from all over the world.
Visit the Town of Kandy and walk among the local streets to experience local shopping. Visit the Gem Factory Museum to see how the gems are cultivated from beginning to end. Sri Lanka is known as one of the largest gem producers in the world and wonder the streets of Kandy.
Early evening 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 then take an optional visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. This 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.
Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Ramboda Ella Waterfall
The Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya
Temple of the Tooth Relic
DAY 6
Matale Spice Garden
Nalanda Gedige
Muttuariamman Temple
KANDY - SIGIRYIA
​​ As we drive to Sigiriya we will stop at Matale and visit the unique Spice garden growing a large variety of spices Enjoy an informative talk about all the spices by a local qualified educational guide who explains all the natural remedies an opportunity to try and take spices and remedies home to enhance your health and wellness regime.
We will visit Nalanda Gedige is an ancient complete stone temple near Matale and its original site is considered the geographical centre Sri Lanka. The building was constructed between the 8th and 10th centuries.
Optional visit to Muttuariamman Temple in Matale was built in 1874. This temple is used by both Hindus and Buddhists. The temple was originally a small statue under a tree prayed to by the Hindu people but has been developed by the people in Matale.
Dambulla was named a UNESCO World Heritage site for its Buddhist caves perched at the top of a hill. A bonus is the beautiful panoramic view that you get of the surrounding area. Visit 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 Golden 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 local Market and discover new fruits and vegetables. Afternoon arrive at your hotel and time to relax.
Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Cave Temples of Dambulla
DAY 7
SIGIRYIA
​Adventures begin as we visit a local village and enjoy boat ride via the rice plantation making our way by boat as we enjoy the live lily pads. We exit the boat and walk a little way to see a local farm and rice fields. Learn the secrets from the locals on how to cook delicious Sri Lankan rice and curry and coconut roti. 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 of rice and curry, roti and fruits.
After lunch, we will join an adventurous 4 x 4 jeep Wildlife Safari to see the wild elephants. This is one of the most exciting safari experiences in Sri Lanka and an opportunity to take photos up close and personal to send home and share with family and friends. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Village tour
Wild Elephants on Safari
DAY 8
Fortress of Sigiriya "Lion Rock"
Cooking class with a local
SIGIRIYA
​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.
For those keen on 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.
Experience the true Sri Lanka hospitality, learn, experience and enjoy the taste and delights with the secrets of traditional Sri Lanka with a hands-on cooking class in a local Sri Lankan home. Return to your hotel Includes Breakfast/Dinner.
After a great day, time to relax and enjoy a traditional Ayurvedic massage, commonly known as "Abhyanga this is a full-body massage performed using warm, medicinal oils, that aim to harmonize the body, mind, and spirit. The idea is to stimulate specific energy points (marmas) in the body, thereby promoting physical healing, improving circulation, and enhancing mental clarity. Return to your hotel and relax.
Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Traditional Ayurvedic massage
DAY 9
Ritigala
SIGIRIYA - WILPATTU
After a leisurely breakfast, an optional visit to the Ritigala Ancient monastery. Ritigala is an extraordinary and fascinating cultural and eco-tourist site, the home to seventy rock caves that were believed to have been inhabited from the 1st century BC. A mountain range of four peaks that houses an old Buddhist monastery.
Optional visit to Anuradhapura, one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka that has earned fame for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilization. Anuradhapura, the first ancient capital of Sri Lanka, has earned fame for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilization. Founded in the fourth century B.C.E., Anuradhapura served as the capital of the Anuradhapura Kingdom until the beginning of the eleventh century C.E. During that period, the city enjoyed stability, constituting one of the most durable centres of political power and urban life in South Asia. Considered sacred to the Buddhist world, monasteries covering an area of sixteen square miles (40 km2) surround the ancient city.
We continue to Wilpattu and arrive late afternoon at your hotel.
Includes Breakfast/Dinner.
Anuradhapura Ancient City
DAY 10
WILPATTU
Today we have an early start for our full-day Wildlife Safari in Wilpattu National Park in a 4 x 4 jeep with the chance opportunity of seeing a Leopard and Sloth bears. Apart from those two mammals are elephants, spotted deer, barking deer, jackals, sambhur, barking deer, mouse deer wild pig, water buffalo, and mugger crocodiles. We will enjoy lunch and then continue with our safari to see the exotic species of Wilpattu. This is one of the most exciting safari experiences in Sri Lanka and a highlight.
Includes Breakfast/Dinner.
Wildlife Safari
DAY 11
WILPATTU - NEGOMBO
This morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast as we travel the countryside while enjoying the scenery and visiting a temple on our way to the Fishing Town of Negombo.
The coastal town of Negombo is set alongside a picturesque lagoon and an impressive infrastructure of canals built during the Dutch colonial times. Negombo was an important outpost for the trade of cinnamon in colonial times.
Complimentary transit hotel to freshen up before your flight. Transfer to the Airport to connect to your flight. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Fishing Town of Negombo