Enchanting Sri Lanka (18 Days)

Day 1: BIA > Negombo

1. Negombo Beach
   2h
   Enjoy the sun on the sandy beaches of Negombo on the Western Coast of Sri Lanka. Watch the flourishing fish industry, which is a centuries-old tradition. Ride an adrenaline high with some fun water sports. Enjoy the corals and underwater life while diving. See the 50-year-old ship-wreck just off the coast, where many varieties of fish make their home.

Day 2: Negombo

1. Negombo Beach
   5h
   Enjoy the sun on the sandy beaches of Negombo on the Western Coast of Sri Lanka. Watch the flourishing fish industry, which is a centuries-old tradition. Ride an adrenaline high with some fun water sports. Enjoy the corals and underwater life while diving. See the 50-year-old ship-wreck just off the coast, where many varieties of fish make their home.

Day 3: Negombo > Dambulla

1. Golden Temple of Dambulla
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   Enter the historic caves of the Golden Temple of Dambulla, dating back to the 1st century BC. View the ancient murals depicting the life story of Lord Gautama Buddha. Look at the hundreds of figurines of Buddha and other deities scattered throughout the five main caves. Visit the Cave of the Divine King, Cave of the Great King and the Great New Monastery. See the giant golden Buddha Statue just a little distance outside the cave complex.

Day 4: Dambulla > Sigiriya > Minneriya > Dambulla

1. Sigiriya Lion Rock
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   Climb the 5th century AD rock fortress, Sigiriya, where the King Kasyapa ruled. Walk through the entrance framed by the paws of a lion that is quite appropriate for its name, ' the Lion Rock'. View the beautiful unfading murals that brought Sigiriya its fame. Climb the steep staircase to see the terraced gardens and still-working cisterns. Walk through the tunnels leading to the palace as you get a feel for times long past.
2. Minneriya National Park
   3h · Admission ticket not included
   This three-hour safari takes you on a ride through the Minneriya National Park. Enjoy the sight of over 150 elephants congregating in one place during the famous Great Elephant Gathering, which happens in the dry season between May to October. In addition to elephants, get a chance to also see many mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians in the scrublands, forests and other areas.

Day 5: Dambulla

1. Sigiriya Lion Rock
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   Get a chance to go on an oxen cart ride and experience the world from the view of a village farmer. Have a relaxing catamaran safari through a calm lake. Walk through the golden fields ripe with their harvest of paddy. Watch an enjoyable traditional cooking demonstration that teaches you the basics of Sri Lankan cuisine. Delight your taste buds with a home cooked lunch; made over a wood-fire and served on fragrant lotus leaves placed over woven trays. Enjoy the life of a Sri Lankan villager, just this day.

Day 6: Dambulla > Matale > Kandy

1. Euphoria Spice and Herbal
   45m
   Euphoria Spice and Herbal is located 12 km away from Matale (The spice capital of Sri Lanka). Enriched with herbs, spice groves and plants with fragrant greenery shading from the tropical trees that enlightens the unique aroma of each spice and herb. We give the opportunity for our visitors to explore and gain knowledge on Sri Lankan spices, herbs and the benefits of Ayurveda. The tropical climate in which our plants and herbs are grown helps them preserve its ancient originality. The educational tour around the garden, which we call “The Spice Tour”, let the visitors feel the sensation of the Sri Lankan spices and herbs which is demonstrated in different foreign languages to suit our customer need.
2. Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was built in the 16th century as the place of veneration and protection for Lord Buddha’s sacred tooth. Walk through the beautifully embellished passageways and elaborately painted halls, done in red, cream and black. Lounge against delicately carved pillars and get amazed by the beautiful golden statues. Get an unforgettable experience of history and art.

Day 7: Kandy > Peradeniya > Kandy

1. Royal Botanical Gardens
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   Visit the famous Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, which were formed in the early 19th century. Walk through the vast area containing over 4000 species of plants. Enjoy the learning more about the orchids, spices and medicinal plants. Wander down avenues shaded by large and rare trees, or bordered by flowering plants. Enjoy seeing the cannonball tree, walking over the wobbly suspension bridge and through the short hedge mazes or even climbing the twisty trees that make wonderful jungle gyms.

Day 8: Kandy > Nuwara Eliya

1. Ramboda Waterfall
   45m · Admission ticket not included
   Visit Ramboda Falls, which is the 11th tallest in the country. Get a guided tour through Mackwoods Tea Estate and learn more about the varieties, processing methods and qualities of tea. Walk through the shaded avenues and colorful mazes of Hakgala Botanical Gardens. Relax and take a walk along the shores of Lake Gregory. A peaceful day filled with lots of beautiful sights.
2. Blue Field Tea Factory
   1h
   Tea Factory and a plantation where you would see how the world’s famous “Ceylon Tea” is manufactured. In 1824 a tea plant was brought to Ceylon by the British from China and was planted in the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya for non-commercial purposes. James Taylor was a British citizen who introduced commercial tea plantation in Sri Lanka (Ceylon). He arrived to Sri Lanka in 1852 and settled down in Loolecondera estate in Kandy. Today even people who have never heard of Sri Lanka are familiar with Ceylon tea, which is known for its quality.
3. Nuwara Eliya
   2h
   Nuwara Eliya is set in the heart of tea-country is a beautiful town where the British succeeded in creating a replica of the English countryside, with homes in styles from Georgian to Queen Anne. Well-kept lawns with hedges, an Anglican church, a famous golf course and beautiful parks give the place an air of nostalgia. Situated 6,200 feet above sea level, the air is cool and fresh – a serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city life.

Day 9: Nuwara Eliya > Horton Plains > Nuwara Eliya

1. Horton Plains National Park
   3h · Admission ticket not included
   Visit the beautiful Horton Plains National Park in Ohiya, with its montane grasslands and cloud forests. Enjoy the majestic views from the precipice of World's End and the cooling sprays from Baker's fall. Catch glimpses of the many endemic fauna that make their home in the plains. Get to know more about the archeological finds that were discovered in the area.

Day 10: Nuwara Eliya > Ella

1. Ella
   4h
   The Nanu Oya to Ella train journey takes you on scenic ride through some of the most beautiful highland countryside areas in Sri Lanka. Watch the brilliant greens carpets of the tea plantations. See the picturesque villages with misty mountain backdrops pass by. Peer through drizzle and mist to look at the magical landscapes of Haputale. Enjoy the amazing sights of intimidating mountains, deep and dark woodlands, and magnificent waterfalls as they go by your windows.

Day 11: Ella

1. Ella Rock
   4h
   This is a three hour hike to three of Ella’s most interesting places. Pass through bright green tea fields, and tough stretches of rock, and get to see the magical views of Little Adam’s Peak. Walk over the history seeped Nine Arches Bridge and listen to the story of its construction. End your hike at the Demodara Railway station with its unique loop-over track design. This tour gives you the chance to see the best sights of Sri Lanka

Day 12: Ella > Yala

1. Pass by
   After enjoying breakfast at the hotel check-out and proceed to Yala and check-in to the hotel.

Day 13: Yala

1. Yala National Park
   3h
   This amazing three-hour Safari offers the opportunity to visit Yala National Park, the second largest in the island based off the Southeastern coast of Sri Lanka. Get a chance to see the famous Sri Lankan leopards, indigenous wild water buffalo, Sri Lankan Sloth Bear and large herds of Sri Lankan Elephants. The park is also home to many other species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates.

Day 14: Yala > Ussangoda > Rumassala > Unawatuna

1. 45m
   Ussangoda is a strange coastal area because of its lack of trees. Its serpentine rock contains toxic heavy metals. Only specific smaller plants were able to adapt to this soil. But according to the Ramayana legends there are two more explanation for the baldness of Ussangoda. After meeting Sitadevi Lord Hanuman provoked the mighty King Ravana and his army of Rakshasas. It resulted in Lord Hanuman's tail being set on fire by Rakshasas. Hanuman in turn went on to torch parts of King Ravana's empire with his burning tail. Ussangoda is said to be one of these burnt areas. Besides the Ramyana Trail legend has it that earlier on the Ussangoda plateau was used an airport by King Ravana for his Dandumonara peachock chariot, before Hanuman devastated the landing site.
2. 1h
   Rumassala hill 3 kms east of Galle is the landmark of Unuwatuna beach because of the picturesque white Buddhist dagoba on top of it. Rumassala rock is one of the five Sri Lankan spots believed to originate from parts of Mount Dronagiri. They fell down when Hanuman carried the Dronagiri on his flight back to Lanka in order to use its Sanjiwani herb to rescue Lakhshmana and Rama who were in need of this medical plant to be reanimated after suffering severe injuries. Rumassala is also said to be an abode of Sita during her stay in Lanka.
3. Galle Dutch Fort
   2h
   Explore the secrets of Galle where the Portuguese and Dutch made their headquarters. Visit the Galle Fort which is one of the best-preserved fortifications in Asia. View the museums of Galle and the lighthouse. Walk through the cobblestoned streets with their Dutch names and listen to your guide tell their stories. Relax with a king coconut or a cup of tea caressed by a breeze of the tropics

Day 15: Unawatuna

1. Unawatuna Beach
   5m
   Walk down one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka; embraced by the warmth of the sun, the softness of the sand and the cool sea breeze. Feel the romance of the beautiful ocean at sunset. Relax in one of the luxury hotels that cluster on the beach. Watch the turtles come to nest from the sea. Enjoy the adrenaline rush of water sports such as jet-skiing, windsurfing and more.

Day 16: Unawatuna

1. Unawatuna Beach
   5h
   Walk down one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka; embraced by the warmth of the sun, the softness of the sand and the cool sea breeze. Feel the romance of the beautiful ocean at sunset. Relax in one of the luxury hotels that cluster on the beach. Watch the turtles come to nest from the sea. Enjoy the adrenaline rush of water sports such as jet-skiing, windsurfing and more.

Day 17: Unawatuna

1. Unawatuna Beach
   5h
   Walk down one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka; embraced by the warmth of the sun, the softness of the sand and the cool sea breeze. Feel the romance of the beautiful ocean at sunset. Relax in one of the luxury hotels that cluster on the beach. Watch the turtles come to nest from the sea. Enjoy the adrenaline rush of water sports such as jet-skiing, windsurfing and more.

Day 18: Unawatuna > BIA

1. Katunayake
   Pass by
   After a relaxed morning and breakfast at the hotel check out and, drive to the Airport for your flight back home!

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels