Nature and luxury in Sri Lanka

Upon arrival at the Bandaranaike Airport, your driver welcomes you. You are greeted by the tropical air of this magical island, and for your first destination you drive to Colombo. As the economic capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo has a long history as a port on ancient east-west trade routes, ruled successively by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to visit the city by tuk-tuk, with an English-speaking guide. Visit the Fort, Pettah, with its bazaar and its mosque; the City Hall with its colonial buildings and its Buddhist temple. End your day at Galle Face Green, a popular meeting place for locals. Dinner at your leisure.

Proceed to the Cultural Triangle. On the way you could stop at Kurunegala to climb to the feet of the giant Buddha overlooking the city.
Visit Dambulla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site perched on top of a hill. You will discover rock paintings, statues of Buddha and dagobas, all scattered in 5 caves. Enjoy the beautiful panorama of the surroundings.
After visiting the ancient caves, take a walk through the largest fruit and vegetable market in the country. Check in to your hotel at Sigiriya. Dinner at your leisure.

Leave early in the morning to Sigiriya Rock Fortress, whose massive rock overlooks surrounding land and villages with its 200 meters height. Your guide will show you the cave frescoes of Damsels, the gardens and the ruins of Kasyapa Palace at the top. This site owes its reputation to this megalomaniac king who built it in the 10th century. An UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is the most visited site in Sri Lanka.
Around 3pm, drive to Minneriya National Park for a jeep safari. This park is renowned for its elephant population that you will see - hopefully - by the dozens, depending on the season. Keep an eye out for other wild animals such as crocodiles, buffaloes, hinds, monitor lizards, cormorants, pelicans and a multitude of birds. Dinner at the hotel (included).

After breakfast leave for Polonnaruwa. This ancient city was the royal capital of Sri Lanka during the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and extends over ten square kilometers. Visit the ruins of palaces, temples, but especially Kalu Gal Vihara, a set of 4 statues of Buddha carved in granite. You may choose to visit the site by bike (rent on site). Visit Lake Parakrama Samudra. After you have settled in your hotel, enjoy the quiet surroundings to rest by the pool. Dinner at your leisure.

After breakfast, take the road to the southeast to Gal Oya. After settling into your luxury camp, enjoy some of the excursions offered by your ecolodge. You could take a walk with a naturalist guide or go bird watching. Dinner at your leisure.

Go for a short hike at dawn to admire the sunrise from the jungle. Return to your accommodations for breakfast. Later, go on a safari in Gal Oya National Park, and take a boat trip on the beautiful Senanayake Samudra Lake to admire the surrounding nature and many animals. Enjoy the rest of the day by the pool at your ecolodge. Dinner at your leisure.

After a early breakfast, take the road to the mountainous region with its green landscapes and cooler temperatures. Settle in at your hotel, then go for a stroll to Little Adam's Peak, from where you will enjoy a magnificent panorama of the surrounding mountains (2 hours round trip). Dinner at your leisure.

After breakfast, you'll meet your tuk-tuk driver for a ride through the tea plantations, get lost in these fabulous landscapes, take a break and walk through the tea trees. Go to Lipton's Seat where you have a picnic break in front of a magnificent view. This is where the genius of tea, Sir Thomas Lipton, liked to sit and contemplate his land. Return to Ella and visit Halpewatte Tea Factory. This is an opportunity to learn more about the process of making this national beverage, followed by a tasting. In the afternoon, you could leave for a half day of hiking. This region offers many itineraries that can adapt to your level. Dinner at your leisure.

After breakfast, leave the mountains for the more arid lands of the South. En route you can admire the beautiful falls of Rawana. Stop at Kataragama Temple, which is one of the main pilgrimage sites in the country. Visit the sacred multi-religious city and its various religious buildings: mosque, Buddhist and Hindu temples. In July and August, many festivals are held here. Depending on the season, you could attend a ceremony. Continue to Weeravila where you stay in an exceptional ecolodge. Dinner at your leisure.

Early in the morning, take a jeep safari in Yala National Park or the less touristy Lunugamvehera. This huge park is home to a variety of animals such as leopards, elephants, crocodiles, bears, mongooses, monkeys, spotted deer and birds in abundance. Safaris are a business of luck but also experience. You are most likely to observe animals at the water holes, where they come to drink. Opportunity to have breakfast by the sea in the park.
Many community projects are undertaken by your ecolodge which we recommend for a memorable activity. You then take the road along the south coast to your next destination, Koggala. Check in to your hotel. One-of-a-kind, its architecture was designed to be in harmony with the surrounding nature. Dinner at the hotel (included).

Your driver is at your disposal to take you around, as a multitude of excursions are available to you in the surrounding areas. You could go on a cycling tour through the Sri Lankan countryside; a boat ride on the lake; go swimming in the Indian Ocean. You can also simply enjoy the exceptional environment of your hotel and laze by the pool. The hotel's spa offers Ayurveda massages and treatments. Dinner at the hotel (included).

After breakfast leave to explore Galle Fort, an architectural jewel with various colonial influences. The fort, built in the 17th century by the Dutch, is a peaceful village. Disconnected from the rest of the city by its walls, go around the ramparts to the lighthouse and stroll through the small streets. Discover churches, designer shops, souvenirs, restaurants, cafes and ice cream shops. Take the opportunity to stock up on memories. On the way back, you have the opportunity to stop at Koggala beach to visit a turtle hatchery. Dinner at the hotel (included).

Today is the last day of your vacation in Sri Lanka. Enjoy a last swim in the Indian Ocean or take a dip in the hotel pool. Drive to the airport. Have a safe flight back!