Sri Lanka, between discoveries and relaxation

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Negombo, first step in Sri Lanka

  

  You will be greeted by your driver upon your arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport. Here you are in tropical land, with Negombo as your first stop, nicknamed the "Little Rome", which is home to one of the largest fishing communities on the island. Optional: you have the possibility to take a boat ride on the Dutch canal or in the Muthurajawela marsh, south of the city.

• day 2

  Kegalle, meeting with elephants.

  

  Early this morning, before heading to Kandy, we recommend a stroll through the fish market and on the beautiful beaches where fresh fish are salted and dried. On the way to Kandy, you will stop at Kegalle to meet the elephants, Sri Lanka's emblematic animal. You will visit the "Millenium Elephant Foundation" care center and have lunch at the center. You will start with a short tour of the local museum, then accompany the elephants on a walk and bathe them. This center also has a paper mill that recycles elephant dung to make quality paper. You will then continue on to Kandy. You can start your visit of the city with the various viewpoints located on the outskirts, such as the Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha statue, before exploring the city center on foot. Don't miss the 6:30 pm ceremony at the Temple of the Tooth, a sacred Buddhist site, sumptuously decorated, which houses the relic of the Buddha's tooth.

• day 3

  Kandy and its splendid garden

  

  This morning, you will visit the Peradeniya Botanical Garden, which covers 60 ha on the banks of the Mahaweli River. This garden brings together majestic royal palms, a sublime collection of orchids, numerous beds of multicolored flowers, as well as spices and medicinal plants. Allow a good two hours for this visit. You will then set off for a short hike. On the program, the discovery of three majestic temples: Gadaladeniya, adorned with murals and statues, Lankatilaka, built on top of a hill, and finally the Dewala of Embekke, famous for its rich carved wood decorations.

• day 4

  Two-day wellness retreat in the Knuckles.

  

  Today, you will join your specialized accommodation, not far from Kandy, for two days of a full-board wellness retreat. You will be able to enjoy meditation and yoga sessions, as well as massages, in a calm environment close to lush nature that invites you to completely disconnect.

• day 5

  Second day of wellness retreat in the Knuckles.

  

  You will continue this day at your accommodation in order to recharge yourself in the midst of Sri Lankan nature.

• day 6

  Discovery of Dambulla

  

  After a good early breakfast, you will start the cultural triangle route with the Golden Temple of Dambulla. Before that, you will have the chance to take part in a Sri Lankan cooking class at your eco-lodge and learn the secrets of preparing the must-try "rice & curry." After lunch, you will head towards the cultural triangle. On the way, you will stop in Matale to visit the spice garden. This visit is an opportunity to discover many spices and learn more about their uses: cooking and body care. You will then visit Dambulla, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This archaeological site, perched on top of a hill, is made up of five caves where you can admire incredible murals and beautiful Buddha statues. From up there, you will also enjoy an exceptional panorama of the surroundings. Finally, don't miss the famous Dambulla fruit and vegetable market, one of the largest on the island.

• day 7

  Unmissable Lion Rock and jeep safari

  

  On this new day, you will set out to discover the Lion Rock of Sigiriya, where you will enjoy the coolness, away from the crowds, in this most visited place in the country. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this massive rock, which towers over the village at 200 meters high, owes its reputation to Kasyapa, a megalomaniac king who built his residence there in the 10th century. You will visit with your guide the different parts of the site: the gardens, the natural caves, the frescoes of the Maidens, and the ruins of Kasyapa's palace. After that, you can enjoy a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park, renowned for its elephant population, which is close to 400 individuals. You can also see other wild animals there: crocodiles, buffaloes, deer, monitor lizards, cormorants, pelicans, and a multitude of birds. The landscapes, between swamps, lakes, and mountains, are also interesting and extremely exotic.

• day 8

  The sacred city of Anuradhapura

  

  You will visit today the holiest and northernmost city of the cultural triangle: Anuradhapura. On the way, you will discover the Ritigala nature reserve, which is home to an ancient Buddhist monastery. These remains, dating from the 2nd century BC, are in the middle of the jungle, making the walk very pleasant. An Indiana Jones movie was filmed here! Once settled at your hotel, you will set out to explore the ancient city of Anuradhapura. The royal ruins adorn this territory with an area of 50 km². There are a multitude of Buddhist temples still in operation as well as the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree. If you choose to take this tour, you will be able to admire the most beautiful dagobas and you will be told about the prosperity of this city for more than 10 centuries.

• day 9

  Ascent of Mahinda Hill in Mihintale and departure for the wild coast.

  

  At dawn, this morning, accompanied by your guide, you will visit Mihintale, located about fifteen kilometers from Anuradhapura. This site is considered an entry point of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is here that Mahinda, the disciple of Buddha, came to settle in order to spread his master's teachings. You will reach the top of Mahinda's hill after climbing some 1840 steps, but once at the top, you won't regret it: the magnificent landscape over the region is well worth it. Next, you will head towards Kalpitiya. This region is located on the northwest coast of the country. Still little visited, this beautiful wild coast is renowned for its corals and dolphins. It is also a recognized spot for kitesurfing. So, a heads-up to enthusiasts!

• day 10

  Free day by the sea

  

  Several excursions are available to you in the surroundings of Kalpitiya. You will have the opportunity to go snorkeling on the "Bar Reef", a coral barrier where the ecosystem is well preserved. You can also go out to sea to watch dolphins (optional excursion). Kalpitiya is renowned for dolphin watching, it all depends on your luck! If you want a quieter day, you can also take the opportunity to relax on the paradise beach with white sand, among the coconut trees, and/or unwind at your hotel.

• day 11

  End of the stay on the pearl of the Indian Ocean.

  

  This stay in Sri Lanka, between discoveries and relaxation, is already coming to an end. Through the various visits and experiences on this magnificent island, you have certainly been able to create wonderful memories. You will calmly head towards the airport.