Detailed Itinerary
On your arrival at Colombo International Airport you will be received and greeted by our representative and transfer you to Negombo, a seaside town situated just 20 minutes drive from the airport. After a long haul flight from Elope, it is important that you stay two nights in Negombo, by the beach to rest and settle before your round trip in tropical Island of Sri Lanka.
During these two days you could spend some relaxing time by the beach and do some leisurely strolls on the beach side roads where you could try some authentic Sri Lankan seafood at myriad of seaside restaurants and bars. On day two morning you will be taken for a guided boat trip in the Dutch built canal through to lagoon, fish market and to a fishing village where you could understand the fishermen way of life. Negombo remains predominantly a fishing village. Negombo was an important trading port during the Dutch period, as a result to date you could witness Dutch period built buildings and churches in and around Negombo.
After breakfast on day three we take a drive to the heart of the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka, Sigiriya. 4 to 5 hours drive approximately. When in Sigiriya you could explore Dambulla Cave Temple, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Polonnaruwa ruins and ancient temple monastery of Pidurangala at your own pace. Apart from these ancient heritage sites we take you to a guided afternoon safari in Minneriya National Park to see Elephants in the wild. If you are interested in exploring rural villages, jungles, rice fields and lakes, we have a very interesting,authentic jeep ride with a villager. Sigiriya is a very good place to do bird watching if you are a keen bird watcher.
In Sigiriya, you stay in a Tree House in a nature lodge surrounded by mountains and farming fields, situated away from the hustle and bustle of the town. When in the nature lodge in your leisure time you would be able to do some nature trails with a naturalist to explore the wonders of the nature and also do some interesting cycle rides around the lodge and this is an ideal way to interact with local farmers in the area.
After breakfast on day six, we drive to Kandy, the most venerated town of Sri Lanka where Lord Buddha’s Tooth Relic now calls home. When in Kandy, you could pay respect to the Tooth Relic at Kandy Temple. We recommend you visit the temple during a sermon to observe the rituals of Buddhists pilgrims. If you are interested in folk dances, Kandy’s evening cultural show is the vent to attend.
On day two in Kandy, you join with a local family at their home for a traditional Sri Lankan cooking and market experience. The housewife will take you for a guided stroll in a local market to purchase the ingredients for the meal and this is an ideal opportunity to experience the hustle and bustle of a local market where vendors yell to grab the attention of potential customers. You will learn about various local spices sold at the market. Back home with the goods purchased at the market, join with the housewife to cook an authentic Sri Lankan meal in traditional way using wood fired hearth. AT the end you enjoy the cooked meal as your lunch with the local family. This is a very good cultural exchange.
In Kandy, you stay with a local family in their home stay guest house.
After breakfast, we drive from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, the Tea capitol of Sri Lanka. The journey sets passing rolling tea estates and waterfalls, a truly scenic drive.
In the evening you could do some walk in Nuwara Eliya town, night bazaar and Nuwara Eliya market. You could also try some ice cold Beer in a local pub, local style.
You will be staying in an English/Scottish type small guest house in Nuwara Eliya.
This day, we need to set an early start as early as 6 AM. We drive to Horton Plains National Park through a very scenic road where you would be able to witness mist capped mountains, cloud forests and grassy meadows. When in Horton Plains National Park you could do a nature trail to see World’s end point and Baker’s waterfall. During the British colonial days, Horton Plains has been a hunting ground and fishing area for British planters. Horton Plains was recently named as UNESCO natural wonder of the world.
Then we get on board the train to Ella from Ohiya railway station, a truly scenic train ride, one of best in the world in terms of scenery.
On the second day in Ella, you are free to do some scenic trekking on your own to popular places such as nine arch bridge, Ella Gap and Little Adam’s Peak. Ella is popular among travelers to Sri Lanka for scenic trekking.
For two nights, you stay in a small guest house in Ella with a very scenic view of the Ella Mountains.
After breakfast in Ella, we drive to the valley below the central mountains. A 2 ½ hours drive to Wellawaya, a remote town bordering central mountains, Udawalawe and Yala National Parks. Another 10kms off the grid is this gem of a place, a rural farming field where you would be spending two nights experiencing very local things. This rural farm has eco cabanas by the lake where Elephants come to quench their thirst. So you would be able to see the wild Elephants at the comfort of your cabana. At the farm you could cook a farm dinner with the team, go canoeing in the lake, learn to make traditional delicacy of “Curd”, a dairy based traditional Sri Lankan dessert, go fishing in traditional style and also the key highlight is going for an evening picnic to nearby Elephant corridor to watch Elephants in the wild from a rock cliff where a sun downer is served. This is an authentic and very local experience.
We set for another different adventure to explore a virgin rain forest in the world, the Sinharaja rain forest. Sinharaja rain forest is blessed with myriad of species and trees. From bird watching to waterfall treks and learning about different types of flora such as carnivorous plants and colourful mushrooms, all makes this virgin rain forest a bio diversity hotspot. For these two nights you will be staying in a guest house by the border of Sinharaja rain forest.
After breakfast, you will be then driven to the south coast beach of Unawatuna, in Galle. Needless to say, Galle was a very important town in the Dutch history of Sri Lanka. Galle Fort in the middle of the town could be reached from Unawatuna within 10 minutes drive.
Apart from spending some lazy time on Unawatuna beach, you could explore Galle Fort, town, vegetable market and also fish market. There are some interesting cycle rides too in the countryside of Galle. Do not forget to visit a Turtle hatchery and see stilt fishermen of Koggala.
After breakfast, drive down to the airport for flight back home.
