Live like locals

Ayubowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka!

Arrival at Katunayake airport and welcomed by your Guide.

Continue to Kurunegala for an unforgettable experience!

Spend the night in a monastery. Here you will have the opportunity to attend a religious ceremony with the Buddhist monk of the temple. Participate in a meditation session and free time for a discussion with the monk. 

Visit the organic farm where you can choose your choice of vegetables.  Return to the monastery and prepare different dishes for lunch in a typical Sri Lankan way.

Lunch includes 

DINNER and Night in the Monastery

Breakfast in the monastery

Route to the Cultural Triangle.

En route visit the Golden Temple of Dambulla, which was built by King Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. It is now one of the World Heritage Sites. You will pass from room to room to discover magnificent sculptures of Buddhas. Its walls and ceilings, covered with colourful paintings, represent the largest air of frescoes in the world. Attention for the visit of this temple, it is required to wear clothes that cover the knees and shoulders.

Take a tour in one of the most authentic areas of the city centre and experience a unique moment of sharing with the locals by discovering the local market of Dambulla.

Dambulla is a lively, bustling place, where everyone shouts to be heard, it's a very special atmosphere. The market used to be in the streets, but for hygienic reasons a building has been built, not very charming but very modern but big enough to welcome the buyers. Overall, at lunchtime, you will find food stalls with fried rice or spicy curries, delicious and cheap. Finish with some fresh fruit and you will have a quick and healthy lunch, but don't forget to wash the fruit!

Continue to your accommodation and free evening.

Free lunch (Not included).

DINNER and Overnight at Hingurakgoda Homestay

Habarana - Polonnaruwa : 45Km / approx. 1Hr

Polonnaruwa - Minneriya: 20Km / approx. 30mins                                                                        

After breakfast departure to Polonnaruwa - the splendid medieval capital of Sri Lanka.

The site is quite extensive and contains many ruins. The vehicle will be at your disposal to move you. However, to visit the ruins it is necessary to go there on foot (approx. 3-4 km). Possibility to make the excursion by bicycle.

** Recommended - Usual clothing for warm countries, preferably cotton, trekking shoes, hat or cap.

Polonnaruwa was the second capital of the island for two centuries (11th and 13th), is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka. At the edge of the romantic Parakrama Lake and in a park populated by monkeys, you can discover the statue of King Parakramabhu, his Palace, the Audience Hall, the Royal Bath. In addition to this, there is the Chamber of Relics, the Galpotha (a stone book measuring 8 meters), the Temple dedicated to Shiva as well as the famous cave temple of Gal-Vihare and its 4 statues of Buddha.

After the discovery of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, road to Minneriya.  In the late afternoon around 2:30 pm, you leave on safari in the Minneriya National Park.

Departure for a photo safari in the Minneriya National Park, where you will be able to observe different animals, especially rare birds, deer and elephants, on the shores of Lake Kaudulla. From the entrance of the Park, the visit will be done by 4x4.

It is possible to observe a herd of 300 pachyderms around the lake. The largest concentration of Asian elephants occurs during "The Gathering", a seasonal event that takes place in Minneriya National Park during August and September. "The Gathering is ranked as the sixth best wildlife show in the world by the Lonely Planet.

Free lunch (Not included).

DINNER and Overnight stay in Hingurakgoda.

Habarana - Kandy: 95Km / approx. 3Hrs

Breakfast at the hotel.  

Visit of the Citadel of Sigiriya or "Lion's Rock", a romantic and grandiose ancient site with the world famous frescoes of the "Ladies of Sigiriya". Climb the Sigiriya Rock fortress which dates back to the 10th century and is now the World Heritage Site built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The 'Lion Rock' is a citadel of rare beauty, more than 200 meters above the jungle. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens are at the base of the rock. Visit a grandiose and ancient site, which is littered with world-famous frescoes, the "Demoiselles de Sigiriya".

Continue on to Matale to visit the spice gardens for which Sri Lanka is very famous. This is an opportunity to learn more about the culture of these spices and its different transformation processes. Afterwards, spice tea tasting and massages with natural products in the gardens. Finally, some free time in the shop (sale of spices and herbal products).

Arrival in Kandy and in the evening attend a show of classical, folk and traditional Kandyan dances, typical of this region. Over the years, Sri Lanka has preserved the traditional, authentic and folkloric character of its dances. The show lasts about 1 hour, with more than a dozen different dances, accompanied by several kinds of drums.

DINNER and Night at the inhabitant's house

Breakfast at a local's house.

After breakfast go by "tuk tuk" to the local market in town, to do some shopping to prepare your lunch. Here you can choose your choice of vegetables and also learn the names of Sinhalese and the varieties of different types of vegetables that are grown locally by the people of the village. See also the cutting and cleaning of fresh fish for your meal.

Return to your home and prepare different dishes for lunch in a typical Sri Lankan way with wood. Lunch in a local's house.

In the afternoon free time for a personal discovery of the city. 

Kandy, the capital of Buddhism, situated at 350m altitude and bordered by hills, naturally ordered around the Sacred Lake.

Cultural center of the country, the city fell to the English in 1815. Nestled in a green valley (between the last rice fields and the first tea plantations), surrounded by low hills and buckled by the Mahaweli, the largest river in Sri Lanka, Kandy remains a centre for crafts, music and dance. Charm, splendour of the past and serenity describe the city. Visit the Royal Palace, the Temple of the Tooth or "Dalada Maligawa" which contains the sacred relic of the Tooth of Buddha.

Attention for the visit of this temple, it is requested to wear clothes that cover the knees and shoulders.

Dinner and night at the inhabitant's house.

This day after breakfast, take the local train to Nanu Oaya (Nuwara Eliya).

Taking the train between Kandy and Nanu Oya is not only a typical Sri Lankan transport experience, but you will also witness the splendid scenery of the lush green mountains in the centre of the island.

Departure from Kandy: 08H45

Arrival in Nanu Oya: 12:30 pm

** Note- Seats subject to availability at the time of booking. Reservations can be made 30 days prior to departure date.   

Your driver guide will wait for you at Nanu Oya station and transfer to Nuwara Eliya by car (approx. 30min drive).

Arrival at Nuwara Eliya and free time for a personal discovery of the city.

Nuwara Eliya called "Little England". This mountain resort (1900m altitude) spreads out in an elliptical valley at the foot of Mount Pidurutalagala (2520m) the highest peak in Ceylon. This charming English town attracts tourists for its soothing setting but also Sri Lankans for the various cultural events. Nuwara Eliya dates back to the English colonization but it has kept the British charm ever since. During your visit, you will find English architecture but you will also be in the heart of an incredible nature.

Visit also a factory where the famous Pearl of the Indian Ocean teas are made. See how the teas are graded and taste the world's best.

Free lunch (Not included)

Dinner and Overnight at the hotel in Nuwara Eliya

This day after breakfast free time for a visit from a local family.

You will have free time to discover the surroundings and to share with locals.

Then you take the local train from Nanu Oya to Ella.

Departure from Nanu Oya: 12H45

Arrival in Ella : 15H15

Installation in your rooms and the evening free.

Free lunch (not included).

DINNER and Night at the locals' house

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for a hike to the hill known as "Little Adam's Peak" (approx. 2Hrs round trip). This hike of about 9 km passes by a tea plantation, in the morning you will meet the Tamil families who work in the plantations. From the top of Little Adam's Peak you will see waterfalls and some tea factories.

It is best to do this hike in the morning to avoid the heat and enjoy the beautiful views. In the late afternoon sometimes fog covers the landscape. In any case to be seen on the spot according to the weather.

Then, direct transfer to Galle.

Stop at Weligama to see fishermen on stilts.

Weligama is a fishing village that stretches over a long bay and it is a main stop on the Matara-Colombo line because it is known for its stilt fishermen who are the joy of photographers. (Attention: they ask for tips to make photographers)

Installation in your room and free evening.

Free lunch (not included).

Dinner and night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and free morning to enjoy the beach.   

In the afternoon free time for a walk in the city of Galle.

This peaceful town of 76,000 inhabitants was the main Dutch trading post in Ceylon with a once busy port and the hub of the spice trade. The old city, surrounded by ramparts dating from the Dutch occupation, has a delightfully nostalgic colonial charm. There are old houses and the Groote Kerk, a church dating back to 1754.  The lacemakers still sell their works on the ramparts, perpetuating a tradition inherited from the Portuguese. Visit of the fort and the ramparts, the church and the colonial houses.

Free evening.

Free lunch (not included).

Dinner and night at the hotel.

Depending on the flight schedule, transfer to the airport to catch your return flight.

Free lunch and dinner (not included)

Optional: visit the city of Colombo in the evening.

*** End of our service ***

NOTE :

** Rooms are generally available from 14H00 and vacated from 12H00.

** It is recommended to arrive at the airport about 3 hours before the scheduled departure time.