Romantic getaway in Sri Lanka

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Ayubowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka!

  

  Ayubowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka! Arrival at Katunayake airport and welcome with flower garlands by an Aitken Spence representative. Direct transfer to Sigiriya and check-in at the hotel. Upon arrival in your room, a bottle of wine and a fruit basket will be offered to you. Free afternoon to rest or for a pleasant walk that will allow you to discover the natural beauty of the hotel's surroundings, perfectly integrated into its environment. Unique for its architecture (hotel entirely built into the rock and forest), this establishment is breathtaking from start to finish. Lunch at leisure (not included). Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Superior room category.

• day 2

  Route to Kandalama

  

  After breakfast, visit the Citadel of Sigiriya or "Lion Rock", a grand and romantic ancient site, famous for the world-renowned frescoes of the "Maidens of Sigiriya". Climb the Sigiriya Rock fortress, which dates back to the 10th century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The "Lion Rock" is a citadel of rare beauty, rising more than 200 meters above the jungle. A moat, a rampart, and vast gardens surround the base of the rock. Visit this grand and ancient site, adorned with world-famous frescoes, the "Maidens of Sigiriya". Return to the hotel and free time to enjoy an Ayurvedic massage at the hotel (not included) or the swimming pool. Optional: SIGIRIYA REGION BY HOT AIR BALLOON This is surely one of the most unforgettable experiences, with the memory of the impressive view of the cultural triangle carried by the wind. Flying over the jungle, you may observe wild elephants, buffaloes, natural lakes, hectares of rice fields, and typical villages in a lush and verdant setting. In short, just let yourself be carried away and contemplate the most beautiful landscapes of the island. You will take your place in the balloon basket for a flight of about 1 hour, around the villages and lakes of the region. The departure is early in the morning (04:30-5:00 am) and the return to a more down-to-earth visit is scheduled 1 hour later.

• day 3

  Route to Kandy

  

  Breakfast at the hotel, then departure towards Kandy. On the way, visit the Golden Temple of Dambulla, built by King Walagambahu in the 1st century BC. Today, it is one of the World Heritage sites. You will go from room to room to discover magnificent Buddha sculptures. Its walls and ceilings, covered with colorful paintings, represent the largest surface of frescoes in the world. Please note: for the visit of this temple, it is required to wear clothing covering the knees and shoulders. Continue to Kandy and check in at the hotel. A former colonial residence built in 1940, this place is idyllic for its tranquility and natural surroundings. Lunch on your own (not included). Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 4

  KANDY

  

  Breakfast at the hotel and departure for a walk in the Peradeniya Botanical Garden. The Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya is located about 5.5 km west of the city of Kandy, in the central province of Sri Lanka, and attracts 2 million visitors each year. It is renowned for its collection of a wide variety of orchids. It includes more than 4000 species of plants, including orchids, spices, medicinal plants, and palms. It also houses the National Herbarium of Sri Lanka. The total area of the botanical garden is 147 acres (0.59 km²), at 460 meters above sea level, with an annual rainfall of 200 days. It is managed by the Division of National Botanical Gardens of the Ministry of Agriculture. The deputy director of the Peradeniya Botanical Garden, in Sri Lanka, around 1910. Then, free time for personal discovery of the city of Kandy. Kandy has an old town that is organized around a very large lake, allowing for pleasant walks. In the late afternoon, attend the religious ceremony at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth in Kandy around 6:30 pm. Kandy, the capital of Buddhism, is located at an altitude of 350 m and bordered by hills, naturally arranged around the Sacred Lake. The cultural center of the country, the city fell into the hands of the English as early as 1815. Nestled in a green valley (between the last rice fields and the first tea plantations), surrounded by low hills and crossed 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. Visit the Royal Palace, the Temple of the Tooth or "Dalada Maligawa" which houses the sacred relic of the Tooth of Buddha. Please note: for the visit of this temple, it is required to wear clothing that covers the knees and shoulders. Lunch on your own (not included) Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 5

  Route to the famous tea road.

  

  Breakfast at the hotel, then departure along the famous Tea Route towards Ramboda. 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 at which 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, then, with a quick gesture, tossing them into the basket attached to their shoulders. Visit a tea factory and you will be able to understand the manufacturing process of this much-appreciated beverage. Why not take advantage of this visit to taste one of the teas reputed to be among the best in the world? Arrival in Nuwara Eliya and free time to visit the city of Nuwara Eliya. Nuwara Eliya, called "Little England", is a mountain resort (1900 m altitude) that stretches out in an ellipse-shaped valley at the foot of Mount Pidurutalagala (2520 m), the highest peak in Ceylon. This city with English charm attracts both tourists for its peaceful setting and Sri Lankans for various cultural events. Nuwara Eliya dates back to the English colonization, but it has managed to retain its British charm ever since. During your visit, you will find English architecture, but you will also be in the heart of incredible nature. Lunch on your own (not included). Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 6

  The visit to Horton Plains

  

  Early in the morning, around 6:00 am, departure for the visit to Horton Plains for a hiking tour (3 to 4 hours of walking). Packed breakfast. Horton Plains Park is a protected area located in the mountains of central Sri Lanka. It is covered by mountain grasslands and cloud forest. This plateau, at an altitude of 2,100 to 2,300 meters (6,900 to 7,500 ft), is rich in biodiversity and many of the species found there are endemic to the region. This area was designated a national park in 1988. It is also a popular tourist destination, located 32 kilometers (20 miles) from Nuwara Eliya. It is the wettest region, so it can be quite cold and it is advisable to bring warm clothing. Return to your hotel and free time. Lunch at leisure (not included). Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 7

  Go on a safari in Yala National Park.

  

  This day, after breakfast, transfer to Yala where a great adventure awaits you... In the afternoon, set off on a half-day safari in Yala National Park. Yala National Park: the former hunting reserve, transformed into a nature park since 1938, covers an area of 1,500 km². It is home to a wide variety of wildlife including elephants, leopards, wild buffaloes, black bears, jackals, macaques, crocodiles, wild boars, and many other animals. This national park is also a paradise for birds: more than 130 species of birds can be found here, both endemic and migratory. The park has one of the highest leopard densities in the world. Lunch at leisure (not included) Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 8

  Join beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka.

  

  This day, after breakfast, departure towards Mirissa to reach the beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka. Check-in at your dream hotel by the ocean. Lunch at leisure (not included). Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 9

  The beach

  

  Day dedicated to rest by the sea with half-board. A special candlelit seafood dinner. Lunch at your leisure (not included). Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 10

  Back

  

  After breakfast, free morning on the beach. Depending on flight times, transfer to the airport for your return flight.