COMBINE SRI LANKA - MALDIVES 2021

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Airport - Dambulla

  Arrival at Colombo/Bandaranayake International Airport Welcome with flower garlands and transfer to the hotel near the airport. Around 09:00 am, departure to Dambulla. Arrival at the hotel and check-in. Rest of the day free to enjoy the hotel garden. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 2

  Dambulla - Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Dambulla

  PIC NIC breakfast AROUND 07:00 AM, continue towards Sigiriya. Visit the Citadel of Sigiriya or "Lion Rock", a romantic and grandiose ancient site, famous for the world-renowned frescoes of the "Maidens of Sigiriya". It is one of the most astonishing sites in Ceylon, considered to be the 8th wonder of the world. It is a colossal red stone rock dominating the thick forest, towering nearly 150 m above it. On this inaccessible rock remain the ruins of a grand palace, built in the 5th century by King Kashyapa. The rock evokes the silhouette of a wild beast, and the entrance to the staircase leading to the top opens between the clawed paws made of bricks and stones. This aerial palace overlooked a city of rare beauty, as evidenced by the ruins of a fortified "palace-garden", surrounded by walls and moats. One of the greatest curiosities of the rock is the painting of the "Maidens of Sigiriya", splendid and perfectly preserved, in a crevice of the rock: 18 women are depicted in these frescoes, but no one knows who these alluring creatures are. The ascent of the rock will be considered easy for experienced hikers, more complicated for others... If the foot of the rock, with its enormous lion's claws, is already spectacular in itself, what a fantastic view will again be offered to the bravest who reach its summit. Departure towards Polonnaruwa. Visit of the Polonnaruwa site by bicycle. Following the fall of power in the 11th century, the kings of Ceylon chose Polonnaruwa as their royal capital. This medieval capital, fortified by the immense Parakrama lake and a verdant plain populated by monkeys, houses several sculptures belonging to medieval art. Thus, you can discover the statue of King Parakramabahu, his palace, the audience hall, the royal bath, the relic chamber, the Galpotha (stone book measuring 8 meters), the temple dedicated to the god Shiva, and the cave temple of Gal-Vihare where the famous gigantic stone Buddha statues are venerated. Stop en route to visit a wood carving workshop, where you will discover the delicate work of the artisans. Visit of a wood carver: the commonly used woods are teak, mahogany, ebony, and sandalwood. You will mainly find elephants of all sizes, Buddhas, and secret boxes that you will have a lot of difficulty opening... Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 3

  Dambulla - Hiriwadunne - Minneriya - Dambulla

  Breakfast at the hotel. WALK IN THE RURAL VILLAGE “HIRIWADUNNA”. Guests will be accompanied by a naturalist who will explain daily life. After a journey of about 2 km from the hotel to the neighboring village, you will leave the main road and venture onto a secondary road that will lead you to the village of “Hiriwadunna”, located about 500 m from the main road. You will cross rice fields and may see farmers at work, thus witnessing their daily life. The road will continue and then take you to the Hiriwaduwa lake. You will cross the lake by "ORUWA" boat, then continue on the road to the village. Next, on the way for a ride in an ox cart. During this ride, the guide will explain the different crops and the daily life of the villagers. Short walk in the midst of lush vegetation. From the top of the hills, you can enjoy a superb panorama of the entire countryside and the large reservoirs of the region. Pm: Return to Habarana to take the 4 x 4 jeep to Minneriya. Visit of the animal reserve. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 4

  Dambulla - Matale - Kandy

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Matale. On the way, visit the Dambulla caves. Dambulla: the Dambulla caves were the refuge of King Valagambahu when he was driven out of Anuradhapura, his capital. After reconquering his capital, Valagambahu had the caves transformed into Buddhist temples. The Dambulla rock is a huge rocky outcrop that stands bare, black, exposed to the burning sun – except for a small part shaded by woods. It rises about six hundred feet above the surrounding plain. Inside this rock is a group of caves that house the historic Dambulla temple, one of the oldest Buddhist shrines in Sri Lanka. In the Mahavamsa, the most important chronicle of the island's history, it is called the Jambukola Vihara. Note: for the visit of this temple, it is required to wear clothing that covers the knees. Visit of a batik factory. On the way to Matale, visit the spice gardens offering all the local varieties: peppers, cardamoms, nutmeg, cloves, chilies, etc. Tasting of spiced tea, a small massage with natural products, and a demonstration of curry preparation. Continue to Kandy. Kandy is beautifully situated at 350 m altitude and bordered by hills, naturally arranged around the lake. The country's cultural center, the city fell into English hands as early as 1815. Nestled in a green valley (between the last rice fields and the first tea plantations), surrounded by low hills and encircled by the Mahaweli, the largest river in Sri Lanka, Kandy remains a center of crafts, music, and dance. Charm, splendor of the past, and serenity describe the city in a few words. Visit of Kandy: The lake, the city's main attraction, was created in 1807 by Sri Wickrama Rajasinha, the last monarch of Kandy. The circular road makes for a very pleasant walk. Visit of a museum and a workshop of precious and semi-precious stones where you will learn how the stones are collected and cut, and also shop if you wish. Walking tour of the local Kandy market and free time for shopping in the alleys lined with many stalls offering: silk, local crafts, jewelry, basketry, masks, umbrellas… Arrival at the hotel in Kandy and check-in to the rooms. Around 4:30 pm, transfer to the Temple of the Tooth by tuk-tuk. A must-see in Kandy, the sanctuary, built at the beginning of the 18th century, was completely finished in 1782. It contains one of the most precious relics for Buddhists: the Tooth of the "Enlightened One". This tooth is said to have been saved from the flames of the funeral pyre in 543 BC. Then, after many adventures, it is said to have traveled between Ceylon and India. The Buddha's tooth is said to have traveled in the hair of a princess from Orissa to protect it from sacrilegious hands. The relic has become a sacred object, of great piety, whose importance has continued to grow both in Sri Lanka and in the Buddhist world. It has become not only Sri Lanka's most prized treasure, but also the seal of sovereignty. (Note: for the visit of this temple, it is required to wear clothing that covers the shoulders and knees. The visit is done barefoot.) A non-private show of Kandyan dances. Kandyan dance has its roots in a ritual performed by the villagers of this mountainous region to obtain the favors of the god Kohomba. These dances are accompanied by percussionists playing the "Gatabere". Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 5

  Kandy - Peradeniya - Kandy

  Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Peradeniya to visit the world-famous Peradeniya Botanical Garden, located in the great bend of the Mahaweli Ganga to the west of Kandy. There you can admire a profusion of tropical plants, and in particular trees from all over the world, including a palm grove illustrating the great variety of this species, impressive bamboos, orchids, as well as blue and pink lotuses blooming in an artificial pond. You will also discover the "sensitive flowers": a small plant that reacts as soon as you touch it by curling up. Visit of the city of Kandy on foot. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 6

  Kandy - Nuwara Eliya

  Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Kandy train station. Boarding a local train towards Nawalapitiya. A one and a half hour journey. Seats – always subject to availability. The train is an original and very pleasant way to discover one of the most beautiful regions of Sri Lanka. You will find yourself in the heart of a mountainous region where tea plantations follow terraced rice fields. Departure towards Nuwara Eliya. You will discover the "land of tea": the plantations give the landscape a very distinctive look. Connoisseurs know that the flavor and quality of tea depend on the altitude where the plant was grown. The harvest is always carried out by women. The pickers, dressed in brightly colored "longhis", go from bush to bush, skillfully stripping the young buds and tender leaves with one hand and, with a quick gesture, tossing them into the basket attached to their shoulders. Along the way, visit a tea factory and plantation with tea tasting and free time in the factory shop. Continue towards Nuwara Eliya. Arrival at the hotel, check-in to the rooms. In the afternoon, a short walk in the famous hill station, once created by the English and also called "Little England". Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 7

  Nuwara Eliya - Kitulgala - Negombo

  Breakfast at the hotel Departure to Negombo via Kitulgala Afternoon: arrival at the hotel and check-in Dinner and overnight stay.

• day 8

  Negombo - Airport - Maldives

  With breakfast, transfer to the airport Take the flight to the Maldives Arrival at Malé airport and transfer by speedboat to Huduranfushi island Arrival at the island and check-in Dinner and overnight stay

• day 9

  Maldives

  Free day on full board: starts with lunch on the day of arrival and ends with breakfast on the day of departure.

• day 10

  Malé Airport - Transit

  After breakfast, transfer to the airport.