Itinerary

• Day 1: COLOMBO

  Arrival at Colombo airport. Luggage collection, reception and transfer to the hotel. During the journey you will be able to enjoy a panoramic tour (*) through Colombo, the most populated city and commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Located on the western coast of the island, it is a vibrant city full of life and with a surprising mix of modern architecture, colonial buildings and some ruins. Due to its large natural harbor and its strategic position on the sea trade routes linking East and West, it has been more than 2,000 years since traders have been aware of its existence. The city is divided into different areas, the central one is the business center, restaurants and leisure area. During the tour you will pass through the most representative places of Colombo: the Fort, the residential neighborhood of Petah, the Cinnamon Gardens, the Galle Face Park and the Viharamahadevi Park. Accommodation.

  (*) On this panoramic tour there will be no accompanying guide, you will be accompanied only by the English-speaking driver of the transport vehicle.

• Day 2: COLOMBO - TRINCOMALEE

  Cold breakfast (picnic style). Early morning transfer to the train station for your train to Valvunia (the train journey takes approximately 4.5 hours). Upon arrival, continue by road to Trincomalee, the largest city in Sri Lanka's East Province and one of the country's main centers of Tamil culture and language. Panoramic city tour: visit the ancient Indian temple of Koneswaran, also known as Thirukonamalai, the second most important in the country, perched on a cliff with excellent views. The port, situated in a large natural bay, is of great importance to Sri Lanka's maritime trade and is a strategic location on all sea routes from West to East. Lunch at a local restaurant. Transfer to your hotel, located on Uppuveli Beach, a few kilometers from Trincomalee. Dinner and overnight stay.

• Day 3: TRINCOMALEE

  Breakfast at the hotel. Free day at your leisure to enjoy the beach or book one of the optional activities offered by the hotel (at an extra cost) such as snorkeling at Pigeon Island, whale watching, fishing, and other water sports. Dinner and overnight stay.

• Day 4: TRINCOMALEE - ANURADHAPURA - MIHINTALE - DAMBULLA

  Breakfast at the hotel and departure by road to Anuradhapura. Upon arrival, visit the archaeological city of Anuradhapura, one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka from the 4th century BC to the early 11th century AD. The city, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was once the most important center of political life and power in South Asia. Considered sacred to Buddhism, it is now surrounded by monasteries. Lunch at a local restaurant and departure for Mihintale, the site of the legendary meeting between Buddha and King Devanampiyatissa, marking the beginning of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Today, it is a sacred pilgrimage site with numerous religious monuments and abandoned statues. After the visit, continue to Dambulla. Dinner and overnight stay.

• Day 5: DAMBULLA

  Full board (*). Free day at your leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities or book an optional excursion (*) in the area. Overnight stay.

  Optional activities: For this free day, we offer two optional excursions: a visit to Sigiriya Fortress or a visit to Polonnaruwa.

  (*) Lunch for those who book one of the two suggested optional excursions will be at a local restaurant. For those who choose not to book an optional excursion, lunch will be at the hotel.

  
  

• Day 6: DAMBULLA - KANDY

  Breakfast and departure by road to Kandy, stopping en route to visit the Dambulla Temple. Its complex of caves, transformed into the Golden Temple, is its main attraction due to its uniqueness and because it is the largest cave system in the country. This complex also houses an important and extensive collection of Buddha images, around 153, representing the different stages of his life. These are surrounded by fascinating paintings and murals, which extend over an area of 2,100 square kilometers. This entire area of great cultural and religious significance was built by King Walangambahu in the 1st century BC and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1991. After the visit, continue the journey to Kandy, stopping again en route to visit the Matale Spice Garden, where you will be offered a 10-minute Ayurvedic massage (included). Lunch at a local restaurant. Kandy is known as the capital of the mountains, as well as the heart of Buddhism in the country. Its surroundings, architecture, and beauty led to its declaration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. It was home to Sri Lanka's last independent kingdom, which survived two centuries of colonial incursions before falling to the British Empire. Amidst the streets and bazaars, we find the Municipal Market and the Arts and Crafts Centre, places that stand out for their bustling crowds and lively atmosphere created by the local population. We will visit the Dalada Maligawa, an architectural complex of pink pavilions with red roofs, where the Temple of the Tooth Relic is located. This temple is the main religious center for Buddhist followers and houses the relic of the Buddha's tooth. Dinner and overnight stay.

• Day 7: KANDY - 3 TEMPLES - PERADENIYA - KANDY

  Breakfast and departure to visit the "Three Temples": Gadaladeniya, Lankatilaka, and Embekke. The Gadaladeniya Temple, a hidden gem dating back to the 14th century, is built on a rocky outcrop and displays South Indian influences, blending Buddhist and Hindu elements. A few kilometers away is Lankatilaka, with its traditional Sinhalese architecture, a testament to 14th-century architectural brilliance and offering panoramic views of lush vegetation and distant mountains. From the Gadaladeniya crossroads, a few kilometers further on is the Embekke Temple, notable for its royal audience hall, constructed entirely of carved wood. The carved columns feature motifs such as lotus flowers, human figures, and mythical animals. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, we will visit the Peradeniya Botanical Garden, the first botanical garden established by a Sinhalese king and later expanded by the British. Its 147 acres are filled with a wide variety of trees, plants, and flowers, primarily orchids (with over 300 varieties), medicinal plants, and palm trees. Return to Kandy. Dinner and overnight stay.

• Day 8: KANDY - NUWARA ELIYA - ELLA

  Breakfast and departure by road (*) towards the hill country, with its spectacular mountain scenery dotted with tea plantations. A brief stop en route to admire Ramboda Waterfall. Arrival in Nuwara Eliya, a town nestled among the hills. Established by the British Empire in the 19th century, it was of great value and utility, serving as a holiday retreat from the hottest months. As such, its traditional architecture blends with British colonial-style buildings. A visit to a tea plantation and factory is included. Lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a continuation to the town of Ella. Ella, which literally translates as "waterfall," is a fitting name for this small town in a corner of the hills, thanks to its breathtaking views richly adorned with waterfalls cascading down its steep slopes. In the afternoon, we'll embark on a tuk-tuk excursion, an iconic experience that will take us to the Nine Arches Bridge, a masterpiece of colonial-era engineering that stands majestically amidst lush vegetation. After a short walk to the bridge, we can admire the picturesque scene of trains winding through the arches framed by the mountains. It's an ideal spot for photography and immersing yourself in the serene atmosphere of this unique architectural gem. Later, transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

  (*)Note: The journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and from Nuwara Eliya to Ella can be made by train at no extra cost, depending on availability and to be confirmed at the destination. The carriages are 2nd or 3rd class without air conditioning, allowing you to move around inside the carriage and take photos during this scenic journey. (Subject to availability).

• Day 9: ELLA - BUDURUWAGALA - UDAWALAWE NP

  After breakfast, we depart by road for Udawalawe, visiting the ancient Buddhist temple of Budurwagala en route. It comprises three large statues carved into the rock, dating back to the 10th century and belonging to the Mahayana school. This site combines history, spirituality, and natural beauty. We then continue to Udawalawe for a 4x4 safari in Udawalawe National Park, where we may see elephants, buffalo, deer, crocodiles, and a wide variety of birds in their natural habitat. Transfer to the hotel, dinner, and overnight stay.

• Day 10: UDAWALAWE NP - GALLE - BENTOTA

  Breakfast. In the morning, depart along the south coast road to the coastal town of Galle, stopping en route to see the fishermen in Weligama. Visit the city of Galle, which reached its peak in the 18th century, before the arrival of the British. The old town of Galle was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. It is believed that the present-day city was the port of ancient Tarshish, to which the Hebrew King Solomon sent ships to obtain the ivory and peacocks mentioned in the Bible. The walk along the city walls, from Utrecht Bastion to Flag Rock Bastion, offers a good overview of the city and the old harbor. Visit the Old Dutch Fortress of Galle. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, continue to Bentota. Dinner and overnight stay.

  
  
  

• Day 11: BENTOTA - COLOMBO

  Breakfast and free time until the scheduled transfer (*) to Colombo airport, with departure scheduled for 2:00 PM.

  (*) The transfer is scheduled for flights departing from Colombo airport from 8:00 PM onwards. If the client chooses to book a flight departing before the indicated time, the transfer will have to be a private service at an additional cost.