11 day itinerary
DAY 1
COLOMBO/NEGOMBO
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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. 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
Dambulla Cave Temple
NEGOMBO – SIGIRIYA
Sri Lanka is home to at least 8 UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites. Five of these ancient sites are situated in what is known as the cultural triangle, in the center of the island. Habarana – Sigiriya is the gateway to Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle. 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 the 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 Sigiriya .
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Dambulla, 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 colourful 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. Afternoon arrive at your hotel and time to relax. Include Includes Breakfast/Dinner.
Village tour
Wild elephants on Safari
DAY 4
SIGIRIYA
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.
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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 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 recognised 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.
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Experience true Sri Lanka hospitality enjoying the tastes and secrets of traditional Sri Lanka with a hands-on cooking class in a local Sri Lankan home.
Time to wind down and enjoy a traditional Ayurvedic massage, commonly known as "Abhyanga", is a full-body massage performed using warm, medicinal oils, aims to harmonize the body, mind, and spirit. The idea is to stimulate specific energy points (marmas) on the body, thereby promoting physical healing, improving circulation, and enhancing mental clarity. Return to your hotel and relax.
DAY 3
SIGIRIYA
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Today the adventures begin as we visit a local village and enjoy a boat cart ride via 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 a local farm 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.
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After lunch, we will join an adventurous Safari to see the wild elephants. This is one of the most exciting safari experiences and a highlight in Sri Lanka. An opportunity to take photos up close and personal photos to share with family and friends. Include Breakfast/Dinner.
Sigiriya
Cooking with a local
DAY 5
Matale Spice Garden
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
SIGIRIYA - KANDY
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.
Visit the Town of Kandy and walk along the local street to experience local shopping as we make our way to the Gem 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. Take a walk through the streets of Kandy and visit the local markets and visit of a Hindu Temple if time permits.
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 Ancient 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. Arrive at your hotel relax and unwind. Includes Breakfast /Dinner
DAY 6
The Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya
Nuwara Eliya tea growing region
KANDY – NUWARA EYLIA
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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.
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During our adventure today we will visit Ramboda known for its marvelous landscapes, consisting of highlands, ridges, plains, streams, and hilly mountains, and see the scenic Ramboda waterfall.
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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.
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This afternoon on arrival you will enjoy an optional traditional High Tea in the beautiful Grand Hotel and stroll the beautiful Little English well-manicured grounds. Transfer to your hotel. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Ramboda Ella Waterfall
DAY 7
Marketplace Nuwara Eliya
Majestic train famous Train
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.
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Enjoy a spectacular viewpoint of the city and the sweeping views of the Tea Plantations for a photo candid shot opportunity.
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This afternoon we board the famous Majestic 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 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 with your luggage and transfer you to the hotel and relax and free time Includes Breakfast/Dinner
DAY 8
Nine Arch Sky Bridge
ELLA
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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.
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.
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.
Return this afternoon and enjoy the beautiful majestic views.
Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Little Adams Peak
DAY 9
Feeding Baby Elephants at Orphanage
ELLA – UDAWALAWE - BEACH RESORT
After breakfast, we will start our journey to Udawalawe and en route will visit some beautiful viewpoints until we reach Udawalawe for an optional visit The Baby Elephant orphanage refuge is a refuge where we 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.
We continue our travel to the beautiful south coast of beaches and white sand. Situated on the South coast of Sri Lanka facing out to the Indian Ocean is the beach and fishing resort town on South. Arrive in the afternoon at your tropical beach Resort hotel, relax, settle into your room and enjoy the resort. Take a swim in the pool, walk the beautifully manicured grounds lined with picturesque coconut trees and lush vegetation or wander to the private beach. Includes Breakfast.
Beautiful Beaches
DAY 10
BEACH RESORT
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Free day to refresh, take a walk along the beach, and relax for the day and unwide. Includes Breakfast
Beach Resort
DAY 11
Galle
BEACH RESORT - COLOMBO
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We depart after breakfast and we will visit the famous Turtle Hatchery on the beach of Habaraduwa, this is set up to conserve the turtle population.
We continue our trip and see the famous unique Stilt Fishing, which is a traditional style of fishing practised by local fishermen in Sri Lanka, especially on the southern coast. With a perfect balance and an insurmountable amount of patience, fishermen perch themselves on cross-shaped beams and wait for their catch of the day.
Visit the amazing Galle Fort, a unique Town designed by the Portuguese and Dutch dating back to 1584. Continue to Negombo to our transit hotel to freshen up and enjoy dinner. Transfer to your transit hotel to refresh prior to your transfer to your Airport for your homeward bound flight. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Farewell to beautiful Sri Lanka
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Turtle Hatchery