Meeting the Sri Lankans

Between a mixture of tradition and modernity, the city of Colombo has a rich heritage with Buddhist and Hindu temples, churches with Portuguese architecture, mosques and colonial buildings. 

This metropolis, located on the seafront, is a bustling city full of activities. We recommend, among other things, taking a trip to Pettah and getting lost in this huge bazaar. 

Overnight in Yoko.

Today you will take the road to the south of the country to discover the spice that has made Sri Lanka famous throughout history: cinnamon.

You will visit a cinnamon plantation where you will learn how this spice is harvested (a unique art and knowledge known only to a few insider families).

You will stay in the heart of a tropical garden between lagoon and plantations. The opportunity to discover many plants.

Night at Arnaud's.

Get up at dawn and take advantage of this moment to observe the multitude of birds circling the property. 

On the way to Polhena, you will stop in Galle, one of the oldest towns in Sri Lanka, for a visit to the Fort, an architectural gem with various colonial influences. Built in the 17th century by the Dutch, Galle is a peaceful and welcoming village where it is pleasant to stroll. 

Night at Edith's house.

Today you will have the opportunity to explore the surroundings of Polhena by bike (provided by your host): discover the beaches of Polhena, the town of Matara and for the brave ones go to the Dondra lighthouse.

Note about your accommodation: it has a swimming pool. Overnight at Edith's.

After a good early breakfast, you will set off for the mountainous region. 

On the way, you will make a stop to visit the ancient Buddhist temple of Buduruwagala, a secluded site away from the tourist trails.

Then you'll stop at Ella, a village well known to travellers for its beautiful walks. Don't miss the Little Adam's peak, a hill that dominates the area at 1141 m above sea level. The ascent takes only about an hour from the road that originates at the intersection with Passara-Namunukula Road, about 2 km from Ella.

Overnight at Cynthia's house.

Ella is the ideal place for an immersion in the Sri Lankan tea culture.

You can take the opportunity to stroll quietly and at your own pace through the surrounding tea plantations. Accompanied by your guide, you will visit a tea factory and of course finish with a tea tasting. 

You can also take a cooking class in Bandarawela, a town just a few kilometres away. 

Overnight at Cynthia's house.

This morning, direction Kandy, the cultural capital of the island. 

We invite you to take the train, a unique experience that will allow you to discover the beauty of the island. Before your very eyes, you will see beautiful landscapes, between rice fields, forests and various plantations. It is also an opportunity to mingle with the local population, who make great use of this means of transport, especially in this hard-to-reach region. 

On arrival, you will visit the 60 ha Peradeniya Botanical Garden on the banks of the Mahaweli River, a garden with countless royal palms, an incredible collection of orchids, multicoloured flower beds, but also spices and medicinal plants. 

Overnight at Wije.

You can start your tour of the city with the various viewpoints located on the outskirts, such as the Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha statue, before exploring the city centre on foot with the famous Temple of the Tooth.

You will then set off on a short hike. You will discover three majestic temples: the Gadaladeniya, decorated with murals and statues, the Lankatilaka, built on top of a hill and finally the Dewala of Embekke, famous for its rich carved wood decorations.

Overnight at Wije.

On this new day, your driver will take you to the Cultural Triangle.

On the way, you will stop to visit the Aluvihara Rock Buddhist temple near Matale, then the Hindu temple Nalanda Gedige and end this day's visit by the caves and the Golden Temple of Dambulla, a UNESCO World Heritage Buddhist pilgrimage site.

Overnight at Kumara.

You will start your visits early this morning to avoid the crowds that have come to climb to the top of the Lion Rock of Sigiriya which overlooks the village from its 200 metres high.

Your guide will show you the different parts of the site, from the gardens to the natural caves, from the frescoes of the Demoiselles to the ruins of the Kasyapa Palace at the top. Classified by UNESCO, it is the most visited site in Sri Lanka.

If you prefer to avoid this very touristy activity, we recommend you to climb the Pidurangala Rock which faces the Lion Rock. As an option, you could go on a safari in the Minneriya National Park, known for its large population of wild elephants.

Overnight at Kumara.

Road to Negombo, the last stage of your stay. On the way, you stop at Kurunegala to see the gigantic Athagala Buddha. This site offers a beautiful view of the city, the lake and the surroundings. 

Don't fall asleep on the way, as you will pass through beautiful, typical Sri Lankan landscapes. On arrival, we recommend a walk on the beach with a beautiful view of the sunset. 

Overnight at Judith's house.

Negombo, nicknamed "Little Rome", is home to one of the largest fishing communities on the island. 

You can enjoy your last day on the island by strolling around the large fish market (to be done early in the morning!) and the beaches where the fish are salted and dried before heading to the Muthurajawela marsh, south of the town for a final boat trip on the river. 

After that, your driver will take you to the airport for your return flight. 

Your journey to one of the most beautiful islands in the world ends here, but you will have had an incredible experience in meeting the Sri Lankans and discovering its culture and nature of indescribable beauty.