Day 1: Arrive Colombo
Today our Brisbane passengers will meet with our Tour Host at Brisbane International Airport for the flight to Singapore and ongoing to Sri Lanka. Interstate passengers will meet the group in Singapore. When we arrive at Colombo International airport, our local guide and driver will be waiting to transfer us to our hotel to check in.
Accommodation: Jetwing Colombo Seven or similar (2 nights)
Day 2: Colombo
This afternoon we will take a guided city tour in Colombo. Driving through the city we are taken to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens. Visit Fort, Sea Street, the Bazaar area, a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. If time permits, we may also be able to see the replica of Avukana Buddha & the Independence Square. This afternoon we visit the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Come together this evening for a Welcome Dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 3: Colombo – Sigiriya – Habarana
We proceed to Habarana via a local village to experience a typical local lifestyle. Later this afternoon we make our way to one of Sri Lanka’s major attractions, the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Highlights of the climb include water gardens, artistic frescoes, mirror wall, the lion gate and the magnificent views from the rock summit. An extremely good level of fitness will be required to climb to the summit and involves a lot of stairs, some without hand railings.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Habarana Village By Cinnamon or similar (2 nights)
Day 4: Polonnaruwa – Minneriya
Today we have guided tour of Polonnaruwa Ancient Kingdom, founded in the 11th Century. This afternoon we enjoy a game drive at Minneriya National Park where the elephants are a highlight of the park.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 5: Habarana – Matale – Kandy
Enroute to Kandy we will make a visit to a Spice Garden located at Matale (in the Hill Country of Kandy). Touch and learn about the popular and exotic spices that are so readily used in Sri Lankan cuisines and ayurvedic treatments. Upon arrival in Kandy we visit Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Cinnamon Citadel or similar (2 nights)
Day 6: Kandy
This morning we visit The Temple of Tooth Relic (“Dalada Maligawa” as known to the locals). A sacred temple, it is also home to the palm-leaf transcripts and its history dates back to 1687. Then enjoy a city tour of Kandy. Our tour, time permitting, might include Upper Lake Drive, a visit to a Wood carving & Gem shop, Gem Museum, Kandy Bazzar/markets and visit to a Batik Factory.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 7: Kandy – Nuwara Eliya
Today we travel to Nuwara Eliya. Part of our journey will be travelling on a Scenic Train from Peradeniya to Nanu Oya before continuing by coach. We will visit a tea plantation and a tea factory to observe the everyday life of a tea-plucker. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Jetwing St Andrews or similar (1 night)
Day 8: Nuwara Eliya – Yala
Today is a travel day with approximately 4 hours of driving, to Yala, and a few stops along the way including a visit to Katharagama Devalaya for the Puja ceremony. Kataragama is home to one of the most important religious sites and draws pilgrims from various faiths.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Jetwing Yala or similar (2 nights)
Day 9: Yala
We have the morning at leisure followed by an adventure with a Wildlife Jeep Safari in the Yala National Park – the best location to sight and photograph the rare and remarkable leopards.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 10: Yala - Galle
We proceed to Galle today and commence a guided city tour upon arrival. During the tour we may also have the opportunity to visit Galle Fort, Old Dutch Church and Walk along the Rampart, time permitting.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Galle or similar (2 nights)
Day 11: Galle
Enjoy a full day at leisure. We will come together tonight for dinner where we can share the stories of our day.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 12: Galle – Kosgoda – Colombo
Departing for Colombo we get to visit a Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery enroute, one of the most recommended things to do in Sri Lanka. We continue on and arrive into Colombo for our final night.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Courtyard Marriott or similar (1 night)
Day 13: Colombo – Airport
We have the full day at leisure and a late check-out today. You may like to do some last minute shopping or arrange your additional excursions (at own expense) or simply relax and enjoying the hotel facilities. After we check-out we have a farewell dinner before we are transferred late evening to the Airport for our overnight flights home.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 14: Colombo – Brisbane
We say goodbye to Sri Lanka as we head home with newfound friends and fabulous memories.