Colors of Sri Lankan Culture

Meet and assist by a representative of Mai Globe Travels at Bandaranayake International Airport on arrival, as we warmly welcome you to our tropical land. Transfer to Negombo, a seaside resort close to the airport known as 'Little Rome' due to its abundance of Catholic churches. Ideal for resting after a long flight, relax at the hotel and , later in the day, eenjoy a boat ride along the canal. Dinner at your leisure.

Drive to one of the most prominent cultural sites at the north of the Cultural Triangle. This is the holy city of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, whose royal ruins adorn a territory of 50 square km. There are a multitude of Buddhist temples still in operation, and the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree. Your driver-guide will introduce you to the most beautiful dagobas and tell you the story of this city that has been prospered for more than 10 centuries.
End the day at the Buddhist site of Mihintale. Considered the entry point of Buddhism, you will have to climb 1800 steps to reach this high place of pilgrimage perched on top of a hill. Once at the top, the landscape is worth the effort. It was here that Mahinda, the disciple of Buddha, came to settle down to spread the word of his master. Once at the top, the landscape is worth the effort, especially if you go there in the late afternoon and watch the sunset. Dinner at your leisure.

After Breakfast you will be taken to the north of the country, a less touristic area, to meet the local population. You will cross the Vanni area which was the battlefield between the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan army. upon arrival check in to your hotel and relax, later leave to visit the city of Jaffna and soak up its unique atmosphere. Start with the Fort neighborhood dating back to the colonial era and then head to the famous Jaffna Library, which was once one of the richest in Southwest Asia but was unfortunately burned down in 1981. Finish with Temple of Nallur to attend the ceremony. Dinner at leisure. We recommend you to enjoy a typical dish of Jaffna such as dosas.

Breakfast at the hotel, we recommend a trip to one of the islands in the south-west of the peninsula, such as Delft and / or Nainativu. Delf is the only island that has kept a Dutch appellation and its particularity comes from its dirt roads lined with coral walls and its population of wild horses, descendants of mounts left by the Dutch. The island of Nainativu will astonish you by the diversity of its places of worship. There are Christian and Muslim places of worship and two well-known temples: Nagapoosani Amman Kovil (Hindu) and Nagadipa Vihara (Buddhist). It is possible to combine the visit of these 2 islands by informing you about the schedules of the different boats. Dinner at your leisure.

After a scrumptious breakfast, return to the Cultural Triangle to visit the incredible site of Dambulla. This religious site perched on top of a rocky hill has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. A major pilgrimage site, this cave-like temple is composed of five caves decorated with numerous Buddha statues and covered with remarkable rock frescoes. Once at the top, enjoy an extraordinary view of the surroundings. You can also visit the fruit and vegetable market in Dambulla where you will discover many unfamiliar vegetables. Enjoy a relaxing moment by the pool at your hotel. Dinner at your leisure.

Early in the morning leave to explore Sigiriya rock fortress. Its massive "Lion Rock,” at 200 meters, high overlooks the village below. Discover, with your guide, the different parts of the site: the cave with the frescoes of demoiselles, the gardens and the ruins of Kasyapa Palace at the top. This site owes its reputation to a megalomaniac king who built his residence in the tenth century. Classified at UNESCO, it is the most visited site in Sri Lanka.
After lunch, drive to Minneriya National Park for a jeep safari renowned for its elephant population. Depending on the season you should hopefully see many. Keep an eye out for other wild animals such as crocodiles, buffaloes, deer, monitor lizards, cormorants, pelicans and a multitude of birds. Dinner at your leisure.

After breakfast leave to visit Polonnaruwa, the final destination in the Cultural Triangle. This ancient city was the royal capital of Sri Lanka during the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and extends over ten km. Visit the ruins of palaces, temples, but especially Kalu Gal Vihara, a set of 4 statues of Buddha carved in granite. You have the opportunity to browse the site by bike.
Upon completion leave for Batticaloa, a small town on the East Coast, far from mass tourism. This city, deserted by tourists due to the Tsunami and conflicts during the civil war, has many attractions. Dinner (included) and overnight in a Local Villagers house.

After breakfast spend the day at your leisure and explore Batticaloa. On the program: discovery of the Fort, visit religious buildings or walk in the city center. You can rent bicycles or walk through town. Our advice: walk along the lagoon and pass the lighthouse, you will find beautiful white sand beaches.
After lunch, we will take you to the mountainous region to reach Ella, a small yet beautiful town popular for its atmosphere and charm. We will make a quick stop en route at Rawana Falls. Check in to the hotel for overnight stay. Dinner at your leisure.

We advise you to climb Little Adam's Peak at dawn, to enjoy the magnificent panorama from the summit. Approximately 2 hours round trip. Upon return from Little Adams Peak, leave to visit the Halpewatte tea factory where you will learn more about the work of the tea pickers and the process of making this beverage so appreciated around the world. We recommend a half-day trek through the plantations to meet the pickers and drink tea with them. Overnight stay at your hotel. Dinner at your leisure.

Board a train at Ella Station to enjoy the scenic view of the lush green beds of tea covering the mountains, some of the most beautiful landscapes of Sri Lanka. Your driver will pick you up at Nanu Oya station. Drive to Nuwara Eliya, a small town with a very British vibe also known as "Little England - City of lights" because of its Georgian houses, manicured lawns and hedges, Anglican Church and beautiful parks. Located at more than 1,800 meters above sea level, the air is pleasant and fresh. Enjoy a little city tour. After lunch, drive to the village of Maskeliya, at the foot of Adam's Peak. Check In to the hotel for overnight stay. Dinner at your leisure.

Around 3AM, walk from the hotel to begin the ascent of Adam's Peak. You will live a unique experience among pilgrims with breathtaking landscapes and above all an incredible view from the top. Walking is not always easy, especially because of the steps. We recommend you be in good physical condition for this. Come back to hotel for breakfast. Read our blog article about Adam's peak
After a little rest, we will take you to Kandy, the last royal capital of the island, which still maintains an aristocratic atmosphere. Discover the city center on foot, starting with the visit of the Temple of the Tooth, a major Buddhist pilgrimage site. The richly decorated site houses the relic of the tooth of Buddha. Then attend a show of traditional dances. Dinner (included) and overnight in a Local Villagers' house.

In the morning, prepare with your host a typical Sri Lankan "Rice & Curry" for lunch. After enjoying your home-made lunch, visit the 60-hectare Peradeniya Botanical Garden on the banks of the Mahaweli River. Must sees: the royal palms, the cannonball trees, the collection of orchids, the multicolored flower beds. This garden offers a very nice walk of about two hours. Dinner (included) overnight in a Local Villagers house

After breakfast leave to Colombo, the economic capital city of Sri Lanka. Located by the sea, Colombo is bubbling with activities. After settling down at your hotel, your tuk-tuk driver, accompanied by a guide, will pick you up and take you off the beaten track to help you discover the real facets of this cosmopolitan city. You will discover the main attractions of Colombo: the district of the fort, the district of Pettah, with its bazaar and its mosque, the district of City Hall with its colonial buildings and its Buddhist temple. You will be able to taste many specialties. Dinner at your leisure.

Breakfast at the hotel, then we will take you to do some last minute shopping. Then drive to the the Airport for your departure flight. We wish you a safe flight back home.