Splendours of the Wonderful Island

Welcome to this land where you will experience a moment in your history! You will be met at the airport on arrival. Head to Negombo and check into your hotel. You will enjoy a relaxing visit to this seaside resort renowned for its beautiful beaches. Depending on your arrival, you will enjoy a boat ride on the canal built by the Dutch to transport spices and now used by fishermen to access the sea. Or stroll through the colourful fish market, one of the liveliest places in the country.

Today, you will travel to the tip of the cultural triangle: the sacred city of Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka, which is full of treasures, the legacy of a thousand-year-old civilisation. This Unesco World Heritage Site is home to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, the sacred tree from a branch of the Ficus religiosa under which Buddha attained enlightenment. The Gardens of Pleasure, monastic complexes filled with statues, or the monumental stupa of Jetavanaramaya, which rises to 122 m. You will then visit Mihintale, the Mecca of Sri Lankan Buddhism.

Early in the morning, you set out to climb the Lion Rock. This is the most visited site in Sri Lanka and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ruins of the citadel are perched on top of a 370m high rock. On the way up you can admire the frescoes of the Sigiriya Damsels. At the top, take in the splendid view over the gardens at the foot of the rock. Afterwards, enjoy an oxcart ride through the surrounding countryside. Soak up the beautiful timeless scenery.

After breakfast, you will head to Dambulla, where one of the country's most beautiful sanctuaries stretches around a rocky outcrop of cave temples, the Golden Temple, dominated by a solemn Buddha. You visit the caves decorated with marvellous frescoes of this unique site classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You continue to Matale where spice gardens and batik workshops intoxicate you with intense scents and colours. You will have the opportunity to discover all the benefits of the island's spices and the traditional manufacture of fabrics with infinite colours.

This morning, you will observe the elephants collected by the Millennium Elephant Foundation. You are in direct contact with the pachyderms while they take their bath. You then visit an amazing paper mill that recycles elephant dung to produce small notebooks. Afterwards, you will visit a unique wooden temple in Embekke.

Today, you leave for Kandy, the true Sinhalese cultural centre of the country. You will discover the Temple of the Tooth which houses a relic of Buddha, a sacred place of pilgrimage for all Buddhists. Afterwards, you will admire the Royal Peradeniya Garden and its rare species, one of the most beautiful in the world. The orchid collection is a must. Walk along the shimmering waters of the lake. In the evening enjoy a Kandyan dance performance, the traditional dance of Kandyan cultural heritage.

A steam train will take you to Nanu Oya this morning. You will travel through an incredibly beautiful landscape. You reach Nuwara Eliya, surrounded by tea plantations on the surrounding hills. Enjoy the tuk-tuk ride through this ocean of green. Take the opportunity to try your hand at leaf picking. On the way, you will make a diversion to the tea factory where you will be introduced to tea making. While the tea is still brewing inside you, the Ramboda Falls will enchant you.

This morning we head to Uda Walawe National Park, a natural treasure known for its diverse wildlife. Explore this land on a jeep safari, encountering herds of elephants, bears, wild buffaloes, multitudes of birds and many colourful butterflies. You will then admire the Buduruwagala site, with its Buddhas carved in stone, including the largest in Sri Lanka.

Today, you will discover the city of Galle. A former Portuguese and then Dutch port and a demonstration of European colonial power in Asia, the walled city of Galle is home to a UNESCO World Heritage fortress. Stroll through the streets of this massive citadel and encounter history. With its shops, old houses, facades and street names, Galle is like the Montmartre of Sri Lanka. A boat ride on the Madu River will charm you with its tranquility and peaceful atmosphere.

Put your bags down in a seaside lodge with gold and sapphire colours. Make way for relaxation and rejuvenation on the edge of the Indian Ocean. You can enjoy the beach and admire the splendid sunset. Stroll through the local markets, filled with the scents and colours of a thousand shades. Take full advantage of these magical moments

Prolong these moments of relaxation. Let go, breathe the sea air, let yourself be guided by your desires. And if you take care of yourself during a massage with essential oils from the island? Fill up with energy and good vibes...

Enjoy the morning colours and amazing flavours of the island. Enjoy the golden sands and the Indian Ocean at your leisure. And what about the freshness of a coconut and its thousand nuances of flavour? The setting sun is a sign of infinite promise...

Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to Colombo International Airport. Every encounter, every glance, every smile will keep a part of you wherever you go. Your imprint will remain like a light. You take with you the memories of these moments of your personal history. Let the beauty of these moments infuse in you for a long time. Thank you Ayubowan