Itinerary
COLOMBO - NEGOMBO
DAY 1
Arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport where a representative of Sri Lanka Escapes will welcome you. 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. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Colombo
DAY 2
COLOMBO – UDAWALAWE
After breakfast we start our journey and arrive early in the afternoon and time to see 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 then release 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. Arrive at your hotel and relax. Includes Breakfast/Dinner.
Feeding Baby Elephants at Orphanage
DAY 3
UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK – ELLA
This morning we will join our exciting safari in the Udawalawe National Park with lots of photo opportunities of local wildlife. We then continue on and see the beautiful Ravana Waterfall as we continue driving and enjoy the diversity of scenery until we reach Ella. On arrival in Ella, 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. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Spotted Deer, Udawalawe National Park
DAY 4
ELLA
We walk through a beautiful path to see the Nine Arch Bridge, a connection of two mountains 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 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 return to the hotel via a scenic road. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
DAY 5
ELLA - NUWARA ELYIA
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, giving 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 followed by an afternoon at leisure at your hotel. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
The Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya
Tea plucking
Majestic Train ride
DAY 6
NUWARA EYLIA - KANDY
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.
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 fully operational tea plantations. En route we will see local families from 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. Arrive at your hotel in time to relax. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Little Adams Peak
Ramboda Ella Waterfall
KANDY
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, and 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 gems producers in the world.
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
DAY 7
DAY 8
Matele Spice Garden
KANDY - SIGIRIYA
As we drive to Sigiriya 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.
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 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
Bullock ride Sigiriya rice plantations
SIGIRIYA
Adventures begin as we visit a local village and enjoy a tractor or bullock ride through 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 green 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 our Adventure 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. Relax and enjoy an Ayurvedic massage
Include Breakfast/Dinner
Wild elephants on Safari
DAY 10
Fortress Sigiriya 'Lion Rock'
Leopards Wilpattu National Park
SIGIRIYA – WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK
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.
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 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. Include Breakfast/Dinner
DAY 11
Koneswaram Temple
WILPATTU – TRINCOMALEE
Visit Trincomalee town to see temples and 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.
Arrive in your hotel and relax by the beach. This afternoon you will experience a local cooking class to learn the secrets of spices to develop wonderful flavours of the world. Include Breakfast/Dinner
DAY 12
Today is a day of leisure, relaxation, or swimming in the pool on the beach. Or do an optional day trip 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 colorful underwater symphony alive. Enjoy and experience some snorkeling 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 colorful fishes, etc. There is also a high chance of seeing huge sea turtles and even blacktip sharks. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Pigeon Island National Park
DAY 13
Today is a day of relaxation. Or you may wish to do an optional trip to go Whale watching in the early hours of the morning or just enjoy a day of leisure around the pool or the beach. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Trincomalee Beach
DAY 14
TRINCOMALEE – COLOMBO AIRPORT
This morning enjoy a leisure breakfast and free time to relax.
This morning, travel to the Airport from the east to west coast to connect with your International to for your homeward bound flight.
Farewell to beautiful Sri Lanka. Transfer to Colombo Airport to connect with your homeward-bound flight. Include Breakfast/Dinner