Gems tour in Sri Lanka
11 Days | USD 1445
*
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Sri Lanka is one of the biggest gem producers in the world and is famous for its blue sapphires. Gems are extracted and shaped on site, then exported to the greatest jewelers in the world. Our travel experts invite you to discover Sri Lanka’s rich culture and lush nature while learning about the gem field. From the mines to the jewelers, professionals will share their passion and knowledge with you. Learn how the raw stones are found and experience finding one at first-hand. Visit a gem mine and see what it is really like inside these mines, that have the expensive gems. You will not only observe how gems are cut and polished, but also learn how to do it yourself. Only after the cutting process is finished, you are able to see the beautiful sparkling colors of the gems. If you like, buy some for yourself or your loved ones to take back home.
Customize and order this tourItinerary Plan
Day
1
Beach day
Bandaranaike Airport To Beruwela
Arrive at Bandaranaike Airport, where our representative welcomes you. After a southbound 3 hours’ drive you will reach Beruwela, where you will be transferred to your hotel to relax after your long trip. Watersports activities or a boat ride on the lagoon can be enjoyed for those who want to explore. Have dinner at the hotel and leave all stress behind.
Travel duration - 1 hour
Day
2
Gem cutting lesson
Beruwela
In the morning after having breakfast visit to the Fairgems Girls School, where the director will welcome you and show you around. About 15 girls study gem cutting and general knowledge, in order to help them find a job afterwards. Meet the girls studying the gem trade and chat with them about their school life. After lunch with the students, join them for a gem cutting lesson. First learn some theory, and then it is time to practice! You start with a rough stone, and gradually give it shape using professional tools. Transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Travel duration - 3 hours
Day
3
Faceting lesson & Galle Fort visit
Beruwela To Galle
After breakfast, you return back to the school for your lesson number two in stone cutting, which is called faceting. At the end of the training you finish with a teacher demonstration in polishing the gemstones. The stone is now ready to be set into beautiful jewelries. Stop for lunch on the way before arriving at your hotel near Galle. In the afternoon, visit the Galle Fort and stroll through the lanes full of shops, designer’s boutiques and jewelries. Return for dinner at the hotel and overnight.
Travel duration - 2 hours
Day
4
Yala safari
Galle To Tissamaharama
Head to the east of the country to visit Yala national park. Check in at your hotel, then go for an afternoon safari guided by a naturalist guide. This huge park has a large variety of animals, including leopards, elephants, crocodiles, bears, wild boars, mongooses, monkeys, spotted deer and birds. What animals you see on a safari depends, in part, on the experience of your guide and a good measure of luck! Have your camera ready and look carefully by the watering holes, where the animals gather to drink at dawn and dusk. Transfer to your hotel and have dinner.
Travel duration - 4 hours
Day
5
Gem mine visit
Tissamaharama
In the morning after your breakfast, you visit a gem mine in Kataragama. You will have the opportunity to discover the extraction methods, especially the techniques with tools like conical-shaped basket sieve (basket shaped tool), which separates gravel and mud from potential gems. Enjoy a good lunch at a close by local restaurant. Enjoy your free time in the afternoon. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day
6
Tea factory visit & plantation walk
Tissamaharama To Nuwara Eliya
Make an early morning start to the mountainous region in the middle of the island. Stop in Haputale and visit a tea factory with a guided tour. After learning everything about the tea manufacturing process, enjoy a stroll through the tea plantations. Arrive at your hotel in Nuwara Eliya and relax with a hot drink by the fireplace.
Travel duration - 5 hours
Day
7
Nuwara Eliya city tour & Kandy Temple of the Tooth
Nuwara Eliya To Kandy
Have a walk in town, famous for its colonial British architecture and tea plantations. Then drive to Kandy, the last royal capital of Sri Lanka. On the way, stop at Kothmale reservoir viewpoint and at Ramboda waterfalls. Kandy is a large city surrounded by hills. Go for a walking city tour, starting with the Temple of the Tooth, a holy Buddhist temple. The site is well decorated and houses the tooth relic of Buddha. Enjoy a walk around the lake (about 4km). We suggest you the visit of the Gems museum, a perfect place to learn more about the semi precious stones. Later, transfer to your hotel to check in and relax.
Travel duration - 4 hours
Day
8
Peradeniya Botanical Gardens & elephant bathing
Kandy
Visit the beautiful botanical gardens in Peradeniya, covering over 150 acres along Mahaweli river. Must-sees: the royal palm trees path, cannonballs trees, the orchid collection and multicolored flowerbeds… A walk in this garden cannot be missed! In the afternoon, go to the Millennium Elephant Foundation and meet with elephants, the ultimate Sri Lankan animal. Visit their local museum and go on an elephant ride. This experience usually ends up in the river with the elephant and even an elephant shower if you desire! Transfer to the hotel and have dinner.
Day
9
Dambulla Cave Temple & Sigiriya Lion Rock
Kandy To Sigiriya
Early morning, drive to reach Dambulla caves, a UNESCO world heritage site. After 20min hiking, discover the Buddhist caves, a site made out of five caves where you can see amazing wall paintings and Buddha’s statues. Enjoy a beautiful view of the surroundings. After lunch, proceed to Sigiriya, whose massive rock is called “Lions rock” and is 200 meters’ high. Your guide show you the different parts of the site, gardens and natural caves, painted caves covered by ladies frescoes and ruins of the former palace on top of the rock. This site owes its reputation to a king, who built its residence here in the 5th century. It is also ranked as UNESCO site and is the most visited cultural site in Sri Lanka. Transfer to your hotel and overnight.
Travel duration - 4 hours
Day
10
Colombo city tour & meeting gemology specialist
Sigiriya To Colombo
On the drive back to Colombo enjoy the passing rice paddy fields, coconut plantations and mountains. Explore Colombo and have lunch at the legendary Galle Face Hotel. In the afternoon, meet with an astrologer specializing in gemology, who will explain his work and advise you on the most suitable stone according to your star sign. Visit a jeweler and end the day with dinner at one of the best seafood restaurants in town.
Travel duration - 5 hours
Day
11
Colombo city sightseeing
Colombo To Bandaranaike Airport
The morning is dedicated to shopping and a visit to the areas of Colombo fort and Pettah market, to explore the colonial architecture with its Dutch and Portuguese influences. Stop for lunch at the restored Dutch hospital in the fort area, built in the 17th century. Visit also the Dutch period museum in Pettah. Then transfer to the international airport and end of your journey.
Travel duration - 1 hour
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Testimonials
Very pleased with the performance of the agency. Very attentive to their clients. A reputable and reliable travel agency.
-Nadine K. | France
Top agency, top driver, country was great, thank you Mai Globe! And thanks Akila!
-Jeremy C. | France
Very good quality/ price ratio, very good contact with Aurélie, the agency has identified our expectations. Wonderful stay in Sri Lanka, very diverse and payment organized by Mai Globe Travels . Thanks to the whole team.
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