17 days discovering authentic Sri Lanka

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  International flight

  

  Departure for Sri Lanka

• day 2

  Colombo Negombo

  

  Welcome at the airport and transfer to your hotel.

• day 3

  Negombo, Galle, Ahangama

  

  You will leave early in the morning to visit the fish market, then you will head towards Galle and its fort, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as Ahangama to meet your hosts and enjoy a local experience.

• day 4

  Ahangama Morawaka

  

  You will take a boat ride on the river, or discover the city by tuk-tuk (at an additional cost). In the afternoon, departure for Morawaka to share the daily life of a Sri Lankan family. You will go to the village center to buy fruits and vegetables for the evening meal, which you will then prepare with your hosts.

• day 5

  Morawaka Udawalawe

  

  In the morning, activity with the family: a little improvised tuk-tuk driving lesson, rice harvesting (depending on the season), a walk in the tea fields or even swimming in the river if you didn't do it the day before… You will then head to Udawalawe National Park to visit an orphanage that strives to reintroduce elephants into their natural habitat, and watch the elephants being fed.

• day 6

  Udawalawe Ella Bandarawella

  

  In the early morning, 4x4 safari in Udawalawe National Park. You will be able to admire many species coming to drink around the reservoir, which is truly the heart of this park and gave it its name. You will then take the road to Ella and the mountainous region.

• day 7

  Bandarawella

  

  In the morning, a tuk-tuk will be waiting for you to take the road to Lipton Seat, the promontory from which Sir Lipton liked to admire his tea plantations. On the way, you will stop to walk to a superb viewpoint where you can admire the surrounding plantations and the different valleys. You will pass through a small village and visit the local temple. You will then reach the summit to enjoy the breathtaking view and savor a small prepared picnic as well as a cup of tea. Free afternoon to stroll around the area or continue your exploration of the region.

• day 8

  Bandarawella Medipokuna

  

  After breakfast, you will take the road (30 min to 1 h) towards the starting point of the 6-hour trek that will lead you to the Medipokuna monastery. Before starting your hike, a possible visit to a very ancient Buddhist temple will be offered to you. Then set off on foot through magnificent landscapes of forests and rice fields, where you will have the opportunity to see farmers at work. A picnic by the river is planned. After regaining your strength, you will head to a Buddhist temple to spend the night. You will enjoy the magnificent site, located in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by vegetable gardens and rice fields. You will meet a monk who will introduce you to Buddhist philosophy and guide you through a short meditation session.

• day 9

  Medipokuna Bandarawella

  

  After breakfast, set off again for a walk through the rice fields and tea plantations, accompanied by a guide who knows the local flora and fauna inside out. You can swim and cool off in a river, and you will cross a long suspension bridge. Picnic on the edge of the tea plantations. Return to the family in the afternoon and free time at the end of the day.

• day 10

  Bandarawella, Ella, Nuwara Eliya

  

  In the morning, transfer to Ella station to take the local train to Nuwara Eliya and the tea plantation region, nicknamed "Little England." On the way, you can admire the superb landscapes of the region. You can walk around Lake Gregory, have tea in the former governor's mansion, or stroll through the tea plantations.

• day 11

  Nuwara Eliya

  

  Early in the morning, about thirty kilometers from Nuwara Eliya, you can go trekking in the Horton Plains nature reserve, where you can admire the region's fauna and flora. You can also admire Baker’s Falls before reaching World’s End, where you will enjoy a breathtaking view.

• day 12

  Nuwara Eliya Kandy

  

  You will take the road to Kandy. On the way, you can stop to admire the Ramboda waterfalls. Two options are available to you: walk 30 minutes to reach a viewpoint overlooking the upper part of the waterfall, or enter the Ramboda Falls hotel to admire the lower part. In Kandy, you will discover the Peradeniya Botanical Garden, one of the most beautiful in Asia, designed in 1370. At the end of the afternoon, for the 6:30 pm ceremony, it is possible, if you wish, to visit the famous Temple of the Tooth of Buddha, which attracts hundreds of pilgrims every day, their arms full of lotus and frangipani flowers. You will also see the palace of the last king of Ceylon, which adjoins the temple. The ancient city of Kandy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• day 13

  Kandy Sigiriya

  

  In the morning, trek of the three temples. You will connect the three main temples around Kandy on foot. You will cross rice fields, villages, and may meet Sri Lankans in their daily life. A true off-the-beaten-path experience. Departure from the Gadaladeniya temple dating from 1344. You will then take the path to the Lankathilaka Vihara temple, which offers its visitors a panoramic view of the surrounding hills and rice fields (about 1h30 walk). Next, you will head towards the Embekke temple, which houses very fine and centuries-old wood carvings (1h walk). After lunch, you will leave for the cultural triangle. End of the day free for you to relax at the hotel and enjoy the pool.

• day 14

  Sigiriya Passikudah

  

  Early in the morning, climb the 8th wonder of the world, the Lion Rock at Sigiriya. Famous for its frescoes, the ancient royal fortress is one of the most captivating sites on the island. From the top, you will enjoy an exceptional view of the surrounding jungle. The Sigiriya fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will then take the road to Passikudah, for the seaside part of your stay.

• day 15

  Passikudah

  

  Beach stay on Passikudah beach. You can simply relax on the beach or by your hotel pool, or even take a catamaran excursion to explore the seabed.

• day 16

  Passikudah Dambulla Negombo

  

  At the end of the morning, you will leave for Negombo, in order to sleep near the airport for your flight the next morning. On the way, visit the Dambulla temple, a cave temple dating from the 1st century BCE, whose five sanctuary caves are entirely decorated with Buddhist murals. The Dambulla cave temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• day 17

  Negombo Colombo Airport

  

  Free day and transfer to the airport.