Precious stones in Sri Lanka

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Colombo International Airport to Beruwala

  

  You are welcomed by your driver at the airport. You have now arrived in tropical land, with your first stop being Beruwela, a quiet seaside resort on the West coast. After settling into your hotel, you can finally rest from your long flight! Enjoy a moment of relaxation by the pool or on the beach. At the end of the day, you could take a short boat trip through the mangroves of the Madu Ganga river. This is one of the last mangrove forests in Sri Lanka. Madu Ganga has a unique charm, reminiscent of the Amazon forest, a little paradise for wild animals. A near-essential stop at Cinnamon Island, where you will be shown how cinnamon is made. Overnight in Beruwala.

• day 2

  Beruwala to Ambalangoda and Beruwala (1h)

  

  Your hotel is nestled along a golden sandy beach. The Moorish architecture of this hotel pays tribute to the Arab merchants who stopped over in Sri Lanka in the 10th century. Here, your main activity is simply to enjoy the gentle way of life at the Spa center, by the pool, under the swaying palm trees... The staff will pamper you and the restaurants offer a wide choice of world cuisine. Finally, relax on the beaches of the Indian Ocean, recharge your batteries these last few days! You could visit a turtle farm: these farms aim to protect the turtles that come to breed on the beaches of Sri Lanka. You can discover their work, how they save eggs destined for sale at local markets, to place them in an enclosure until they hatch. After a short stay in a tank, the babies are released into the darkness. Depending on the time, you may be able to witness the release of the babies on the beach. If you wish, you can visit the mask factory in Ambalangoda, a small museum that will explain the significance of masks in Sri Lankan culture. Or, why not visit the turtle farm in Kosgoda, which aims to protect the turtles that come to breed on the beaches of Sri Lanka. After a short stay in a tank, the babies are released into the darkness. We suggest you visit a moonstone mine in Meetiyagoda, these stones are typical of Sri Lanka. You can see the stones in their raw state, then their transformation into precious stones. You could simply lounge on the beach. Don't miss tasting fresh fish in the evening, served on the beach. Night in Beruwala.

• day 3

  Beruwala and Ratnapura (3h)

  

  You start with a visit to the "London Gem Lab" school. You are welcomed by the director Rikaz, who shows you around the premises. You take your seat on the school benches for a lesson in gemstone cutting. After a theoretical introduction, you move on to practice with the preforming stage of the rough stone. You then head to Ratnapura. Ratnapura gets its name from "Ratna" (gems) and "pura" (city). It is famous for being the gemstone trading center of Sri Lanka. You will also be able to discover picturesque sites and many waterfalls around this region. Overnight in Ratnapura.

• day 4

  Around Ratnapura

  

  A few kilometers from Ratnapura, "the city of precious stones", you will reach Nivithigala for an unusual experience at the heart of the life of an artisanal mine, like the hundreds that exist in Sri Lanka. The extraction of precious stones is still done today using the traditional method, by hand. Then, head to the gem market. In the afternoon, you have the option to visit the gemology museum. Night in Ratnapura

• day 5

  Ratnapura and Udawalawe (2h30)

  

  You take the road towards the arid area of Udawalawe for your safari stop. After settling into your hotel, enjoy the surrounding calm and your hotel's pool. Around 3 p.m., you set off for a jeep safari through this park with tall grasses, which is worth a visit for its elephant population and abundance of birds. You can also see crocodiles, bears, sambars, monitor lizards, and even leopards for the luckiest visitors. Overnight in Udawalawe.

• day 6

  Udawalawe to Buduruwagala and Ella (2h)

  

  After breakfast, you could visit the "Elephant Transit Home", a center where baby elephants are cared for before being released into Udawalawe Park. You then head towards Buttala. Take a break at the Buduruwagala temple to admire the splendid Buddhas carved into the rock. This walk, in the coolness of the surrounding jungle, is pleasant. Then, you continue on the road to Ella. On the way, admire the beautiful Ravana Falls. Overnight at the hotel in Ella.

• day 7

  Ella and its surroundings

  

  We advise you to climb Little Adam’s Peak to enjoy the magnificent panorama from the summit (easy 2-hour walk). After breakfast, you meet your tuk-tuk driver in Bandarawela for a ride through the tea plantations. You lose yourself in these fabulous landscapes. You take breaks to walk among the tea trees. You go to Lipton’s Seat, where you have a picnic break facing a magnificent view. This is where the tea genius, Sir Thomas Lipton, liked to sit and contemplate his lands. Overnight at the hotel in Ella.

• day 8

  Ella to Nuwara Eliya, to Ramboda Falls and to Kandy (5h including 2h by train)

  

  You board a train in the heart of the mountainous region. Admire the magnificent panoramas offered by this train journey through forests, tea plantations, and small villages. Your driver will pick you up at Nanu Oya station. Nuwara Eliya, the highest city in Sri Lanka, is full of charm and British influences. It is renowned for being the country's vegetable garden. Arrival in Nuwara Eliya, the highest city in Sri Lanka. A former English colony, the city has a certain original charm that is quite unique on the Asian continent. Many buildings indeed bear witness to a typically British architectural style, with the elegant post office as its masterpiece. In the city center, you will also find Victoria Park, named on the occasion of Queen Victoria's 60th year of reign. You continue the journey by car to Kandy, the last royal capital of the island. On the way, you stop at the viewpoint over the great Kothmale reservoir as well as at the Ramboda waterfalls. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 9

  Around Kandy

  

  This morning, we suggest you visit the Peradeniya Botanical Garden, which stretches over 60 ha on the banks of the Mahaweli River. A must-see: the avenue of royal palms, the cannonball trees, the orchid collection, and the multicolored flower beds. This garden offers a very beautiful walk, a must-see; it is said to be one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world. At the beginning of the afternoon, you could return to stroll around the city of Kandy. In the very heart of the city is Kandy Lake (or Bogambara Lake), which attracts many walkers. You could then visit the vegetable market not far from the lake, which is very lively and sometimes crowded with touts, but is worth a visit for the diversity of products and the atmosphere. At 5:00 pm, come and discover Sri Lankan culture by attending a performance of traditional Kandyan dances! Dating back to the Kandyan kings, these ritual and religious dances, with their splendid colorful costumes, are still an integral part of the island's cultural richness and are well worth seeing. Highly appreciated in Kandy, this type of performance covers many traditions in an original and entertaining style. Overnight in Kandy.

• day 10

  Kandy and Colombo International Airport

  

  All good things must come to an end… Today, your driver will take you back to the airport according to your flight schedule. We hope you will leave with many wonderful memories. ***END OF YOUR TOUR***