Detailed Itinerary
Day 01 to Day 03
Day 1
Upon your arrival in Sri Lanka, you will have a meet and greet with your chauffeur who will drive you to our very own campsite bordering the Wilpattu National Park. Known as Big Game Safari Campsite, the camp is located 20 minutes away from the entrance of the park and has comfortably furnished tents with attached partitioned toilets. After lunch at the campsite followed by refreshing yourself post flight, you will embark on evening jeep safari at the national park. Wilpattu National Park is the oldest and largest national wildlife park in Sri Lanka with a variety of animals including the famous Sri Lankan elephant who you’ll be able to witness as they gather in herds by the lake to bathe and drink water. Since the park was closed for visitors for many years and recently opened its doors for safari goers, the park still holds a sense of virgin territory and is a must-see attraction for those wishing to explore unchartered wildlife in Sri Lanka. After your safari you will be heading back to the camp for dinner and your first night in exotic Sri Lanka.
Day 2
After breakfast at the Big Game Campsite, you will be driven to the town of Dambulla where you will be visiting Sigiriya. You will check-in to your hotel; Saunter Paradise and after lunch and freshening up, you will begin your climb up Sigiriya in the evening. Sigiriya, also known as the Lion Rock Fortress gets its name from the way one must climb up the monument – which is through the open jaws (giriya) of the lion (Sinha). However, now the only remains of this lion figure are the giant paws sculpted onto the side of the rock. The rock rises a staggering 600 feet above the shrub jungles of the surrounding area and was once proposed to be named as the 8th Wonder of the World putting it in the leagues of the Grand Canyon and Pyramids. Whist you tour the rock, make sure to watch out o Afterwards you will head back to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3
You’re in for a treat today as you will be transferred to Polonnaruwa post breakfast. The best part? Unlike being chauffeured, you will be cycling yourself to today’s destination – and don’t worry about your luggage as we will be transferring it via vehicle. Polonnaruwa is the second oldest kingdom of ancient Sri Lanka dating back to the 13th century. The cycling track is a smooth one on a fairly flat and open terrain which will be taking you through a forest patch. On your way, you will be passing the Minneriya Tank built by King Mahasen that covers an area of approximately 4670 acres. Afterwards you will be checking into the hotel and have lunch before embarking on an adventure to discover this old town for the rest of the day.
Day 04 to Day 06
Day 4
Today you will be leaving behind the dry zones of Polonnaruwa and be driven to the center of our island where you will begin your ascent of the Knuckles Mountain Range located between Kandy and Matale districts. After checking into your hotel, having lunch and freshening up, you will begin an evening trek up the Knuckles forest that covers an area of about 160 squared kilometers. This location is known for its scenic beauty and unique landscape and is without doubt the most scenic part of the island’s highlands that contain some of the most rugged, spectacular and breathtaking mountain scenery in the island. During your 3 hour trek you will learn how the mountain range represents almost all of the major climatic zones of Sri Lanka which will undoubtedly arouse interest of any nature enthusiasts and amaze any botanist or researcher. Afterwards you will trek back to your hotel for dinner and a nightcap.
Day 5
Post breakfast you will be driven to the central city of Kandy, Sri Lanka’s last kingdom before it succumbed into the hands of the British colonizers. The central location along with the thick foliage provided protection for locals to fight against colonizers through guerilla warfare. When in Kandy, you will check-in to Hotel Suisse, a work of architecture by Geoffrey Bawa that overlooks the Kandy Lake. Your city tour will begin with a visit to the local Spice Garden, afterwards a visit to a gem mine to watch locals at work, a batik factory to see how beautiful batik designs are made through hard workmanship and finally to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the most important destination for Buddhists visiting Sri Lanka followed by a cultural dance that happens in the temple for its daily religious rituals before you head back to your hotel for dinner and a nightcap.
Day 6
Today will be a day of pure adventure as you will be white water rafting down the Kitulgala River, a section of the infamous Kelani River which has a white water section. This is an adventure suited for amateurs as well as skilled professionals done under the safety and watchful eye of our highly trained staff to ensure utmost comfort and safety levels whilst you enjoy yourself. During the river run you are bound to feel the thrill of adrenaline as you soar through the waters. As the river widens you will have the opportunity to stop and view the scenic location that was used to shoot the 1956 film ‘Bridge over river Kwai’ and on a clear day allowing professional divers with correct equipment the opportunity to dive and go see the remnants of the carriages and bridge from the original film. After your thrill down the white waters, you will go on a trek down the Makandawa Rainforest, one of the oldest forest reserves in the country. Here, you will have the opportunity to see endemic birds and other biodiversity. Afterwards, you head back to the rest house followed dinner and an overnight stay at the Kitulgala Rest House.
Day 07 to Day 9
Day 7
Depending on the time of your travel, you will begin your ascent to the Adams Peak. During the season of December to May you will begin this climb at night of the previous day (day 6) and during the season of June to November you will begin this climb early in the morning today (day 7). Adams Peak is the island’s 4th highest mountain with a peak at 2,240 meters in height and looms over massive hills covered with a lush green jungle, making it a great place to view birds and butterflies. There is a mythical legend surrounding the footprint – which is now covered by an oversized reproduction in cement – found at the peak of the summit. Buddhists believe it to be the footprint made by Buddha during his 3rd visit to the island, Christians believe it is the footprint of Adam after he was banished from the Garden of Eden (hence the name ‘Adams Peak’) while other Christians believe it to be of St. Thomas the Apostle and Hindus believe it to be the footprint of Lord Shiva. The mountain is also known as the ‘butterfly mountain’ due to the large number of butterflies to who visit the peak to perish every year. Although it usually takes about 4 hours to reach the summit, during the months of pilgrimage, it can take up to 30 minutes to reach from one step to another. The summit overlooks beautiful lush flora and fauna as well as provides an uninterrupted look into the skyline causing most climbers to prefer a night ascent so they can witness the glorious sunrise in the misty morning hours. After spending some time at Adams Peak and enjoying snacks along the way, we will begin our descent to have lunch at the guest house and rest before dinner followed by an overnight stay.
Day 8
Your day will be spent amidst nature as you will be going on a nature trail in Bogawantalawa after breakfast. This trail will take you across 22 kilometers for eight and a half hours through incredible local diversity – forests, jungles, tea plantations, grasslands with ascents and descents, flat terrain, desolate and inhabited areas with changing types of vegetation showing you spectacular views of Sri Lanka you will not be able to experience with anyone else. You will begin your trek at the Bogawantalawa tea plantation itself and rapidly climb up through a jungle terrain. Once you come out of the jungle, you will reach a more open grassland which is similar to the terrains of the infamous Horton Plains. Here you will definitely see the footprints of the sambhur deer that roam around in this area and even the animals themselves if you’re lucky! Along the way, as you follow the river you will notice a number of manmade holes which are a result of gem mining that happens in this area. Afterwards you will go through a shrub-jungle which will lead you go the ‘non-peril’ estate and once you come out of the shrub-jungle you will be able to see for miles ahead including the Samanalawewa reservoir and dam. Furthermore as you reach the ‘non-peril estate’ you will pass by the tea plucker’s homes, vegetable plots and a small nursery school and finally the estate itself! As you head down through the tea plantation, you will get to a sparse and rocky area, and continue through forest patches where you can see bears, monkeys and a wide variety of birds. This part of the descent is rather steep but the panoramic views are incredible! The final part of the trail leads down through a dense pine tree plantation and finishes up at the small village of 'Galpothuthenna'. You will then be picked up from here and driven to the only a short drive from the River Garden Resort in Belihuloya where you will be having dinner and stay the night.
Day 9
You have the option to choose how you want to spend your day today.
Your first option will be a canoeing expedition down the calm waters of the Samanalawewa reservoir. You are completely free to decide if you wish to go for a leisurely paddle for a couple of hours or venture out into the mouth of Belihuloya river and spend an entire day of exploring the perimeter of the reservoir with its surrounding mountains. Afterwards you will proceed to Kinchigune and meet the locals to experience and witness the village lifestyle followed by a locally prepared lunch. This is a historic town of blacksmiths, where ancient villagers made steel weaponry for the army of the Great Sinhalese King Dutugamunu and even to Damascus Steel, the world’s finest makers of steel. Afterwards you will take part in a Bodhi Puja, a Buddhist religious ceremony to understand how Buddhism is deeply rooted in their lifestyles.
The second option will give you a fun filled day as you will embark on a cycling expedition again today from Belihulya to Udawalawe, home to one of Sri Lanka’s most beloved national parks. You will be cycling alongside the Samanala Wewa (reservoir) which is the second largest reservoir used for the production of hydroelectricity in the country. Your ride will be relatively smooth as the terrain between the two locations are primarily flat and this dry zone with its haunting yet mesmerizing scenery will keep you thoroughly enthralled throughout the ride. Along the way, you can also stop and enjoy some drinks for one of the many roadside shops and have a glimpse into the frugal rural lives lead by the locals of this area. Afterwards you will reach our campsite ‘Big Game Safari Camps’ where you will enjoy a sumptuous dinner after refreshing yourselves. You also have the option of taking an evening safari down Udawalawe National Park, however the following day is entirely dedicated to exploring the jungle.
You will end your day by heading back to the campsite to enjoy a sumptuous dinner followed by an overnight stay.
Day 10 to Day 12
Day 10
After breakfast at the campsite, you will proceed on a 4WD open top jeep safari to the Udawalawe National Park which is Sri Lanka’s oldest and first national park. The park is said to be home to at least 400 elephants residing within the park boundaries and a 2011 census reported that there are 5800 elephants around the island. When on safari in the park, you will be able to catch a glimpse of these legendary animals as they are famous for their sighting as they gather at the park’s waterhole in herds to feed and bathe. In addition to the park’s main attraction, you will also be able to see many water buffaloes, water monitor lizards, sambhar deer, monkeys and the occasional leopards as well as birds such as the hornbills, eagles and the peculiar red faced malkoha for those bird watching enthusiasts. All of this will be shown to you by our experienced and knowledgeable Eco Naturalists who will ensure you have the best wildlife safari experience!
Day 11
After the greenery of the past few days, your final couple of days in Sri Lanka will be spent by the blue ocean, getting on some much needed tan – a mandatory thing to do when vacationing in an exotic country! Today you will be driven to Galle, an ancient port city in the south of Sri Lanka which is also said to be the legendary Tarshish mentioned in the Bible that was also the country’s first international commerce and trade center that came about during the times of colonization. Today, Galle is a bustling city speckles with locals and tourists alike and is the busy administrative center of the south. Galle is also known for its famous Unawatuna Bay, where the sea is protected by the reef making it a beautiful destination for very safe swimming. You will be touring the city and cover many World Heritage Sites such as the Old Dutch ‘Star’ Fort, the Groote Kerk an old Dutch Church, the Dutch Government House, the New Oriental Hotel, an old bell tower and a tide-based sewage system that was introduced by the Dutch. Afterwards you will head back to your hotel – Garton’s Cape to freshen up and spend the rest of your day by the pool or beach followed by dinner and a stay.
Day 12
You will have an early morning – 5am in fact as you will be going whale watching in Mirissa and you will have to be at the harbor by 6.15am during the season which is from November to April every year. The southern coast of Sri Lanka is one of the best places to see Blue Whales and boasts of the longest blue whale season in the world putting Sri Lanka on an international bucket list. This is due to the annual migratory route taken by the whales as they travel from the Horn of Africa up to the waters of the Arabian Sea. You will be able to observe blue whales, sperm whales, byrde’s whales, dwarf sperm whale, spinner dolphin, striped dolphin and the indo-pacific bottlenose dolphin. After your morning expedition you will head back to the hotel and spend the rest of your day lounging about at the hotel.
Day 13 to Day 14
Day 13
Your final full day in Sri Lanka will be spent in the commercial capital of the country – Colombo. After breakfast you will be driven to Colombo and check-in at the Ozo Colombo Hotel followed by a tour of the city, with a shopping expedition and dinner at a restaurant in Colombo. Popularized by the middle-eastern traders who used the Colombo port as an exchange center who came to Sri Lanka to gather ivory and spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and pepper which were later sold in Europe for high prices. Subsequently Colombo became an important location for colonizers due to the position of the city’s port that was extremely useful for trading activities. Even though Colombo is a commercial city, you can still find many places for leisure and fun activities. Our city tour will be conducted in such a wat that even students will have the opportunity to experience the melting pot of cultures that make up Colombo and Sri Lanka while they learn about its history of trade, power and communities.
Day 14
After breakfast you will be driven to the airport for your flight back home with many wonderful memories of Sri Lanka and a longing to visit again for a taste of exotic adventure and relaxation!
Please note that you are expected to check-in at least 60 minutes before your expected time of departure.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01 to Day 03
Day 1
Upon your arrival in Sri Lanka, you will be picked up from the Bandaranaike International Airport by one of our chauffeurs and be driven to Negombo, a coastal town north of the airport. Once you reach the hotel, you can freshen up and visit the town in the evening. Negombo is a town with heavy Catholic influence due to its being under the colonization of the Portuguese, Dutch and British many centuries ago and is also known as ‘Little Rome’ due to its strong Catholic faith. Negombo is also a famous fishing town where you can find plenty of fresh seafood such as lobster, crabs and prawns. Whilst at the beach, you will also have the opportunity to visit the fish auction that takes place on the shore. The city also houses several buildings that has an influence of colonial style architecture and was once a famous village for profitable cinnamon business during the Dutch era. After a visit of the town you will head back to the hotel – Goldi Sands – where you will be staying for dinner and a nightcap.
Day 2
After breakfast you will be checking out of the hotel and be driven to Dambulla to visit the famous Sigiriya. Before visiting this World Heritage Site, you will first check-in to Lakmini Lodge, to freshen up before the mount. Then in the evening you will begin mounting the Lion Rock Fortress that gets its name from the giant carving of a lion (Sinha) whose widely open jaws (giriya) creates an entryway up the rock. Unfortunately the only remains are his paws which have been sculpted onto the side of the rock. The site is also a premier eco-tourism destination and was also proposed to be the 8th wonder of the world, making it on par with other wonders such as the Great Pyramids of Giza or the magnificent Grand Canyon. Afterwards you will head back to the hotel for your 2nd night in Sri Lanka.
Day 3
Today you will be visiting the Dambulla Cave Temples en route to Kandy. Dambulla is an ancient village known for its beautiful Cave Temples holding both a religious and historic significance. The 5 Cave Temples holds more than 150 images of Lord Buddha, a large 170 feet long 75 feet broad and 21 feet high statue of a reclining Buddha, two statues of Kings Valagambahu and Nissankamalla and in addition, a large container to collect the water that drips from the rock ceiling even during the dry season. The cave temples were first built by King Valagambahu who took refuge here and then later by King Nissankamalla who did more renovations to this place. Since the cave is located 150 meters above sea level, you are also treated to the beautiful view over the surrounding countryside. After checking out the caves, we will resume our drive to Kandy and check-into Hotel Suisse, that is constructed to make you feel like a royal in this ancient and final kingdom of Sri Lanka. Thereafter, you will visit the Kandy town and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic followed by dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 04 to Day 06
Day 4
After breakfast you will be taken for a morning stroll around the central hill town. Kandy is strategically nestled amidst 3 mountain ranges with thick forest coverage – now part of which has been cut down to facilitate the development of roads and other infrastructure – which at one point provided protection from foreign armies from invading the city. Thereafter you will proceed to Tamarind Garden in Digana and have the opportunity to interact with locals and be part of an incense stick making process. Incense sticks are often lit at temples and even homes when paying respect to Lord Buddha and they have a beautiful and pleasing smell. You will then proceed for lunch at the Eco Lodge and relax before heading to the hotel to end your day.
Day 5
Today will be a day of rapid adventure as you will begin your day by white water rafting at Kitulgala. The rafting will take place at the white water section of the Kelani River that is suitable for both amateurs as well as professionals. During the river run, you will have to work in teams and individually to get through, making you experience the thrill of shooting rapids and euphoria of having made through. As the river widens, we will be passing through the scenic location where they shot the 1956 film ‘Bridge over River Kwai’ where you could even jump in for a refreshing swim. On a clear day, we could even dive in to see the remains of the actual bridge and carriages used for the film – however we suggest this only for experienced divers with proper equipment. Afterwards you will be taken on a nature walk in the Makandawa Rainforest, one of the oldest forest reserves in the country. Here, you will have the opportunity to see endemic birds and other biodiversity. Afterwards, you head back to the rest house followed dinner and an overnight stay at the Kitulgala Rest House.
Day 6
Depending on the time of your travel, you will begin your ascent to the Adams Peak. During the season of December to May you will begin this climb at night of the previous day (day 5) and during the season of June to November you will begin this climb early in the morning today (day 6). Adams Peak is the island’s 4th highest mountain with a peak at 2,240 meters in height and looms over massive hills covered with a lush green jungle, making it a great place to view birds and butterflies.
There is a mythical legend surrounding the footprint – which is now covered by an oversized reproduction in cement – found at the peak of the summit. Buddhists believe it to be the footprint made by Buddha during his 3rd visit to the island, Christians believe it is the footprint of Adam after he was banished from the Garden of Eden (hence the name ‘Adams Peak’) while other Christians believe it to be of St. Thomas the Apostle and Hindus believe it to be the footprint of Lord Shiva. The mountain is also known as the ‘butterfly mountain’ due to the large number of butterflies to who visit the peak to perish every year. Although it usually takes about 4 hours to reach the summit, during the months of pilgrimage, it can take up to 30 minutes to reach from one step to another. The summit overlooks beautiful lush flora and fauna as well as provides an uninterrupted look into the skyline causing most climbers to prefer a night ascent so they can witness the glorious sunrise in the misty morning hours. After spending some time at Adams Peak and enjoying snacks along the way, we will begin our descent to have lunch at the guest house and rest before dinner followed by an overnight stay.
Day 07 to Day 10
Day 7
After breakfast, you will proceed to Kinchigune and meet the locals to experience and witness the village lifestyle followed by a locally prepared lunch. This is a historic town of blacksmiths, where ancient villagers made steel weaponry for the army of the Great Sinhalese King Dutugamunu and even to Damascus Steel, the world’s finest makers of steel. Afterwards you will take part in a Bodhi Puja, a Buddhist religious ceremony to understand how Buddhism is deeply rooted in their lifestyles. After checking into our campsite at Kinchigune, you will enjoy an evening canoeing session down the still calm waters of Samanala Wewa. You are completely free to decide if you wish to go for a leisurely paddle for a couple of hours or venture out into the mouth of Belihuloya river and spend an entire day of exploring the perimeter of the reservoir with its surrounding mountains (instead of taking part in the village expedition). Afterwards you will head back to the campsite and enjoy a sumptuous dinner followed by an overnight stay.
Day 8
Today post breakfast you will be driven to Udawalawe, for a 4WD open top jeep safari in Sri Lanka’s oldest and first National Camp. The park is said to be home to at least 400 elephants residing within the park boundaries and a 2011 census reported that there are 5800 elephants around the island. When on safari in the park, you will be able to catch a glimpse of these legendary animals as they are famous for their sighting as they gather at the park’s waterhole in herds to feed and bathe. In addition to the park’s main attraction, you will also be able to see many water buffaloes, water monitor lizards, sambhar deer, monkeys and the occasional leopards as well as birds such as the hornbills, eagles and the peculiar red faced malkoha for those bird watching enthusiasts. All of this will be shown to you by our experienced and knowledgeable Eco Naturalists who will ensure you have the best wildlife safari experience!
Day 9
After breakfast we will proceed to Galle, which was once an ancient port and an international commerce and trade center. Today, Galle is a bustling provincial capital and administrative center of the south and is famous for its beautiful Unawatuna Bay where the sea is protected by the reef making it perfectly safe for a swim in the ocean. You will tour the city and cover archeological and historic sites such as the old Dutch Star Fort, a 36 hectare UNESCO World Heritage Site, the well preserved Groote Kerk (a Dutch church), the Dutch government house, the New Oriental Hotel which was built in 1684, the old bell tower and a tide based sewage system which was introduced during the times of the Dutch rule. You could also see the ‘pillo lace’ introduced during the Dutch reign and even do fine ebony carving and gem polishing when in Galle. Afterwards you will be transferred to Ahangama and check-in at the Garton’s Cape Hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 10
Today being your last day in Sri Lanka, you will be heading back to the airport to catch your flight back home after making many wonderful memories and a longing to visit Sri Lanka for more.
You are advised to check-in at least 60 minutes before the time of your expected departure.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01 to Day 02
Day 1
Once you arrive in Sri Lanka, you will be met by one of our highly professional chauffeurs who will transfer you to Kitulgala. Once there, you will check-in at the Kitulgala Rest House, the ideal place to begin white water rafting.
Your daily dose of adventure will begin with a rafting session, a thrilling adventure on the white water sections of the Kelani River that is suited for both amateurs and professionals. The rafting session will cover 100 kilometers and will go on for approximately 3 hours. During the river run, you will experience the thrill of shooting rapids and euphoria of making it through after an exciting session. During your rafting session, we will pass the scenic location used for the 1956 film “Bridge over the river Kwai” that is also a great place to jump in for a refreshing swim. On a clear day we can even dive to see the remains of the actual bridge and carriages used for the film – but this is advised only for experienced divers with proper equipment. For those of you who would prefer to enjoy the river and its wonderful scenery without the thrills and spills, we can raft through the flatter section of the lower gorge as its also suitable for children over 6 and family groups.
After your rafting adventure, you will stop for lunch and resume your day’s adventure by going to explore the Makandawa Rainforest, on a soft/moderate trek covering a distance of 7 kilometers going on for approximately 2.5 hours. The forest reserve covers an extent of 192 hectares, and is one of the oldest forest reserves in the country. It is significantly protected and has unique and endangered biodiversity. One of the most rewarding things to do in the jungle is to go birdwatching as you might have the opportunity to see endemic birds such as the Black Eagle, The Trogon, Sri Lankan Orange Billed Babbler, Chestnut Backed Owlet, Blue Magpie and the Red Faced Malkoha.
You will end your first day in Sri Lanka with dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2
You will check-out of the hotel at 6.00 am and make your way to Bogawantalawa with a packed breakfast to have during your drive. When you reach Bogawantalawa, you will go on a hard nature trail that will cover a distance of 22 kilometers which will go on for 8.5 hours. This trail will take you through an incredible array of diversity from forests, jungles, tea plantations, grasslands with ascents and descents, flat terrains, desolate and inhabited areas with many changing types of vegetation and some of the most spectacular views in Sri Lanka!
From the Bogawantalawa tea plantation itself, you will begin your trail with a rapid ascent through a jungle terrain and come out of the jungle to open grasslands which is very similar to the landscape of the famous ‘Horton Plains’. During your trail you will pass a river and notice a number of man-made holes, a result of gem mining in the area and is sure to see the footprints of the leopard and sambhur deer which roam around the area and even spot the animals themselves if you’re lucky!
After you’re done with your trail, you will be picked up from Belihuloya and transferred to our Kinchigune campsite for dinner and your overnight stay.
Day 03 to Day 05
Day 3
After breakfast at Belihuloya, you will begin your drive to Yala to explore the wild! When in Yala, you will be staying at the Big Game Campsite, where you will have a real tented camp experience in the wild (under the guidance of our experience staff).
Today you will be touring the Yala National Park, which is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. The park consists of 5 blocks, out of which 2 are open to the public and adjoining parks. The blocks have interesting individual names – Ruhuna National Park, Kumana National Park and Yala Easy for the adjoining are to name some. Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and is best known for its variety of wild animals such as the Sri Lankan elephant, Sri Lankan leopard and aquatic birds.
After your safari, you will head back to the camp and enjoy a bon-fire dinner followed by an overnight stay at the camp.
Day 4
Today you can decide if you’d like to have a packed breakfast and have it in the jeep while you enjoy or a morning safari at Yala or if you’d like to have a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. After checking-out we will proceed to Negombo a historic old fishing town. This town has a very strong Catholic influence due to it being under the colonization of the Portuguese, Dutch and later British many centuries ago.
When in Negombo, you will be staying at the Goldi Sands Hotel and have the opportunity to take some time and relax in the beach, make some sandcastles or get a tan! You will end the night with dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 5
After breakfast at the hotel you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight back home with many fond memories of your adventure in Sri Lanka.
Please note its advised to arrive at the airport at least 60 minutes before time of departure.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01 to Day 03
Day 1
Once you arrive in Sri Lanka, you will be picked up by one of our chauffeurs and be driven to Negombo, a coastal city a few minutes away from the airport. Negombo has a colorful past, with Portuguese, Dutch and English influences being very evident in their local architecture scene. During the Dutch era, Negombo was much coveted and highly profitable in cinnamon. Today, the locals find their livelihood through fishing which has thus caused Negombo to be one of Sri Lanka’s most famous fishing towns.
In Negombo, you will be staying at the St. Lachlan Hotel, a beautiful place offering you the ultimate comfort and ability to enjoy the beach. In the evening you will have the opportunity to experience the city by one of specially arranged tuk tuk rides and return to the hotel for dinner and a nightcap.
Day 2
After breakfast, you will be driven to Wilpattu which will be a 4 hour drive until you reach our own campsite in Wilpattu known as Big Game Camps. These are luxury semi-permanent tented camps located in the boarder of the camp, offering you the perfect opportunity to enjoy the wilderness but also respect yours and nature’s space. Afterwar checking into the camp, you will proceed on a safari to Wilpattu National Park. This is the oldest national park in Sri Lanka, offering wildlife safari-goers ample opportunities to spot the famous Sri Lanka leopard. The camp is considered ‘virgin territory’ due to it being closed for a long time for visitors and offers uncharted area for wildlife enthusiasts. After your safari, you will head back to the campsite for a bonfire dinner, then a late night walk in the forest buffer before heading for a good night’s rest.
Day 3
On your third day you will proceed to Dambulla, the town holding the world famous ‘Sigiriya’. Once in the area, you will check-in to the Back of beyond Pidurangala and rest for a while. In the evening you will begin your ascent up the Sigiriya rock fortress, which is a premier eco-tourism destination in Sri Lanka designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. The rock was also proposed to be named as the 8th wonder of the world, indicating that it’s on the same league as The Great Pyramid of Giza or Grand Canyon. Sigiriya which translates into ‘Lion Rock’ in English is gets its name from the way the monument was erected and one must begin their climb – through the open jaws and throat known as ‘giriya’ of the lion ‘sinha’. Unfortunately the only remains are his giant paws sculpted at the side of the rock. You will have a fabulous time wandering through the passages of this marvelous rock that rises 600 feet from the shrub jungle while admiring the much preserved frescos that have been painted by hand using earth pigments.
Day 04 to Day 07
Day 4
After breakfast in Sigiriya, you will begin a 3 hour drive to cover a distance of 100 kilometers to reach the ancient city of Kandy, Sri Lanka’s last kingdom and one of the best attractions amongst both locals and international tourists. The city is strategically nestled in-between mountain ranges with a thick natural forest which made the ancient city hard to be colonized many centuries ago, unlike the coastal towns which were under foreign rule easily. After checking into your hotel, you will tour the city and visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the most important destination for Buddhists around the world. It is advices to wear white attire, covering your shoulders and reaching below knee length in order to show respect to the deity. Afterwards you will proceed to dinner at Amaara Sky Hotel and experience a royal stay at the hotel.
Day 5
Today you will be making your way towards Nuwara Eliya, via a train ride which will begin at the Kandy station and take you up to Nanu Oya. Nuwara Eliya is surrounded by mountain chains, dense moss covered cloud forests and tea plantations coupled with its perpetual English Spring weather, seasonal mists and dry winds. These favorable factors also provides the ideal weather conditions for the production of one of the world’s best high grown tea and it is rumored that its enjoyed even by the English royal family. The town’s southern end is adorned by the famous Lake Gregory, high waterfalls and scenic beauty. The cool sparkling climate with its exquisite temperature also gives bloom to some beautiful flowers which you can enjoy down your scenic route. Due to its weather and remnants of old English architecture, the town of Nuwara Eliya is also known as ‘Little England’. You will also a tour a tea factory to learn more about the famous local trade and enjoy your night at the Blackpool Hotel.
Day 6
After the misty hills of Nuwara Eliya, you will be transported to the southern beaches of Galle to enjoy some sun, sand and sea on your final day of vacation. When in Galle, you will visit the Galle Fort on a bicycle tour where you will have the opportunity to sightsee the Old Dutch Fort; a World Heritage Site covering 36 hectares, the well preserved Groote Kerk; a Dutch church, the Dutch Government House, the New Oriental Building, old bell tower and a tide-based sewage system introduced by the Dutch. You will also have the chance to take a dip in the sea, as Galle is famous for its lovely Unawatuna Bay where the sea is protected by the sea and is thus very safe for swimming. Afterwards, you can also check out the ‘pillo-lace’ weaving that still prevails in the area which was introduced by the Dutch and even some fine ebony carving and gem polishing. To end the day you will be checking into your beach hotel followed by an overnight stay at Amari Hotel.
Day 7
After breakfast you will be driven to the airport to catch your flight back home – taking with you beautiful memories made in Sri Lanka and leaving you longing for more.
Please note that you are expected to check-in at least 60 minutes before your expected time of departure.
