14 day itinerary
DAY 1
COLOMBO
Arrive at 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. 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. Transfer to your hotel.
Colombo Harbour at Night
DAY 2
Scenic viewpoints to Belihuloya
COLOMBO – BELIHULOYA
Enjoy a tour of Colombo city and continue the drive and viewpoints to Belihuloya. This is a four and half hour drive and along the way, we stop on the way to see beautiful temples and spectacular viewpoints on the way. Belihuloya is a village in the Ratnapura District, of Sri Lanka south-east of Colombo. This hillside location is a climatically transitional area, linking both the dry and wet zones and the hill and low country.
Reach your hotel in the evening and relax. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
DAY 3
Bakers Bend
BELIHULOYA
Belihuloya is one of Sri Lanka’s hidden gems and is adorned with several unique and unforgettable nearby attractions, making it a hotspot for those who take a keen interest in nature and adventure.
Today we will visit Baker’s Bend is situated in upper side of the Non Pareil Estate bordering famous wildlife reserve Horton plains. Wonderful view of low lands towards the Indian Ocean, including the Samanala Wewa Reservoir is possible on a clear day from this view point, which is more than 1700m( 5000 feet) above sea level. This picturesque bend is surrounded by some beautiful mountains of the World's End Mountain Range.
We will also visit the scenic waterfall Pahanthudawa Waterfall and then proceed to see village life around Belihuloya. Walk through rice fields and beautiful nature and meet the locals. End the day with a nice swim in a natural pool. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
DAY 4
Bambarakanda Waterfall
BELIHULOYA – ELLA
This morning we will visit the Bambarakanda Waterfall, the tallest one in Sri Lanka with a height of 263m.
We continue to 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 Lankans going about their day giving you a surreal experience of being surrounded by clouds. Explore the stunning surroundings of Haputale during your travels
Optional visit to Lipton Seat via tuk tuk. Lipton's Seat is a high observation point in the hills of Poonagala. Located on the top of the town's namesake, Poonagala Hill, it is also near the Dambatenne
We continue to Ella and arrive at your hotel late afternoon and relax. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Hapatule Village
Local returning from the market
DAY 5
Nine Arch Bridge
ELLA
We 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 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 1 - 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.
Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Little Adams Peak
DAY 6
Famous scenic train to Nuwara Eliya
ELLA – NUWARA ELIYA
Depart on the famous scenic train trip. 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 before we go to the majestic Grand Hotel, the grand style and class of hotel dating back in time, and an Optional English High tea.
Includes Breakfast/Dinner
DAY 7
Waterfall Viewpoints
The Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya
NUWARA ELIYA – KANDY
During our adventure today we will visit Ramboda known for its marvellous landscapes, comprising highlands, ridges, plains, streams and hilly mountains and see the scenic waterfalls.
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 generation to generation working in the 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.
This afternoon 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.
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.
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 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 have time to relax. Arrive at your hotel and unwind. Includes Breakfast/Dinner.
Temple of Tooth Relic
DAY 8
Matale Spice Garden
Nalanda Gehige
Muttuariamman Temple
KANDY- SIGIRIYA
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.
An 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, 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. Afternoon arrive at your hotel and time to relax
Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Cave Temples of Dambulla
DAY 9
Village tour
SIGIRIYA
Adventures begin as we visit a local village and enjoy a 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 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 curry, roti, and fruits.
After lunch, we will join an adventurous 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
Wildlife Safari
DAY 10
Fortress Sigiriya 'Lion Rock'
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.
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.
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.
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. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
DAY 11
Koneswaram Temple
SIGIRIYA - BEACH RESORT
After a leisurely breakfast, we visit Trincomalee town to see Temples, culture and traditions of east Sri Lanka. The art and cultural activities in Trincomalee will give you an insight into the city's history, traditions and artwork.
Visit The Koneswaram Temple - a popular place of worship in Sri Lanka and is one of the Pancha Ishwarams (five abodes) of Lord Shiva. The earliest mention of the temple goes way back to the 6th century BC.
In the afternoon time to relax and enjoy the beach.
Includes Breakfast.
DAY 12
Pigeon Island
BEACH RESORT
Day of relaxation or take an Optional visit via boat to Pigeon Island. The Pigeon Island National Park comprises two islands. The islands are a breeding and feeding ground for over 300 species of coral reef fish keeping the colourful underwater symphony alive.
Enjoy and experience some snorkelling in the morning and afternoon and you can witness a variety of underwater life ranging from Trumper fish, angel fish, parrot fish, eels, coral gardens, and other colourful fishes, etc. There is also a high chance of seeing huge sea turtles and even blacktip sharks. Or a day to relax on the beach Includes Breakfast.
DAY 13
BEACH RESORT
Relax Free day of relaxation a walk on the beach and dip in the crystal blue warm water. Enjoy and experience some snorkeling and you can witness various underwater life ranging from Trumper fish, angel fish, parrot fish, eels, coral gardens, and other colourful fishes, etc. There is also a high chance of seeing huge sea turtles and even blacktip sharks. Or a day to relax on the beach Includes Breakfast.
Trincomalee Beach
DAY 14
BEACH RESORT – NEGOMBO AIRPORT
Enjoy an early morning swim on a deserted beach be we depart mid morning to travel from the East Coast to the West Coast with a full day of travelling and we will reach our destination of Negombo and authentic the Fishing Village also known as little Rome.
Transfer you to a transit hotel to freshen and transfer to the airport for your evening home ward bound flight.
Includes Breakfast/Dinner.
Beautiful beaches