SRI LANKA CIRCUIT WITH MALDIVES 2021

Arrival at Colombo/Bandaranayake International Airport

Welcome by garlands of flowers and transfer to the hotel near the airport.

Around 09h00, departure to Dambulla

Arrival at the hotel and installation

Rest of the day free to enjoy the hotel garden.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

PIC NIC Breakfast

TO 07H00 Continuation towards Sigiriya.

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". It is one of the most surprising sites in Ceylon, considered to be the 8th wonder of the world.

It is a colossal red stone rock dominating the thick forest which it overhangs by almost 150 m. On this inaccessible rock, however, remain the ruins of a grandiose palace, built in the 5th century by King Kashyapa. The rock evokes the silhouette of this tawny beast, the entrance of the staircase which goes up to the top opens between the clawed legs made of bricks and stones. This airy palace dominated a city of rare beauty, as evidenced by the ruins of a fortified "garden palace" surrounded by walls and ditches.  One of the greatest curiosities of the rock are the splendid and perfectly preserved paintings of the "Demoiselles de Sigiriya" in a rock crevice: 18 women are depicted in these frescoes, but nobody knows who these seductive creatures are. The ascent of the rock will be considered easy for those who are used to hiking, more complicated by others.... If the foot of the rock with its enormous lion's claws is already spectacular in itself, what a fantastic view will once again be offered to the most courageous who will have reached its summit.

Departure to Polonnaruwa.

Visit of the Polonnaruwa Site by bike. Following the fall of power in the 11th century, the kings of Ceylon chose Polonnaruwa as their royal capital. This medieval capital, fortified by the immense Parakrama Lake and a green plain populated by monkeys, is home to several sculptures belonging to medieval art. Thus, you can discover the statue of King Parakramabahu, his Palace, the Audience Hall, the Royal Bath, the Chamber of Relics, the Galpotha (a stone book measuring 8 meters), the Temple dedicated to the God Shiva and the cave temple of Gal-Vihare where the famous gigantic stone statues of Buddha are venerated.

Stop along the way for a visit to a woodcarving workshop where you will discover the delicate work of the craftsmen.

Visit of a wood carver: the species commonly used are teak, mahogany, ebony and sandalwood. You will find elephants of all sizes, Buddhas and secret boxes that you will have a lot of difficulty opening...

Back to the hotel

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

WALK TO THE RURAL VILLAGE "HIRIWADUNNA".

''Guests will be accompanied by a naturalist who will explain the daily life'' After a journey of about 2 kms from the hotel to the nearby village, you will leave the main road and venture on a secondary road that will take you to the village of "Hiriwaduna" located about 500m from the main road. You will cross rice fields and you may see farmers at work and witness their daily life. The road will continue and then lead you to the lake of Hiriwaduwa. You will cross the lake by boat ''ORUWA'', then back on the road to the village. Then on the way to a ride in an ox-cart. During this ride the guide will explain the different cultures and daily life of the villagers.

Short walk in the middle of lush vegetation. From the top of the hills you can enjoy a superb panorama over the countryside and the large reservoirs of the region.

Pm : Return to Habarana to take the jeep 4 x 4 to Minneriya

Visit of the animal sanctuary

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure to Matale.

On the way visit the caves of Dambulla.

Dambulla : Dambulla caves, refuge of King Valagambahu when he was driven out of Anuradhapura, his capital. After having reconquered his capital, Valagambahu had the caves transformed into Buddhist temples. The rock of Dambulla is a huge rocky outcrop that stands naked, black and exposed to the scorching sun - except for a small part shaded by woods, it dominates the surrounding plain by some six hundred feet. Inside this rock is a group of caves that house the historic temple of Dambulla, one of the oldest Buddhist shrines in Sri Lanka. In the Mahavamsa, the most important chronicle of the island's history, it is called the Jambukola Vihara.

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

Visit a Batik factory.

On the way to Matale, visit the spice gardens offering all the indigenous varieties: peppers, cardamoms, nutmeg, cloves, chili peppers ... etc...

Tasting of spice tea, small massage with natural products and demonstration of a curry preparation.

Continuation for Kandy

Kandy is beautifully situated at an altitude of 350m and bordered by hills, naturally ordered around the 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 handicrafts, music and dance. Charm, splendour of the past and serenity describe the city in a few words.

Visit Kandy :

The Lake, the focal point of the city, was created in 1807 by Sri Wickrama Rajasinha, the last monarch of Kandy. The circular road is a very pleasant walk.

Visit a museum and a workshop of precious and semi-precious stones where you will learn how stones are collected and cut but also make purchases if you wish.

Walking tour of the local market of Kandy and free time for shopping in the narrow streets lined with numerous stalls offering: silk, local handicrafts, jewellery, basketry, masks, umbrellas...

Arrival at the hotel in Kandy and installation in the rooms.

Around 16H30 transfer to the Tooth Temple in Tuk Tuk.

Not to be missed in Kandy, the sanctuary, built at the beginning of the 18th century, was completely finished in 1782. It contains one of the most precious relics for Buddhists: the Tooth of the Enlightened One. »

The latter would have been saved from the flames of the funeral pyre in 543 BC, then, after many adventures, would have travelled between Ceylon and India. The Buddha's tooth is said to have travelled in the hair of a princess of Orissa to protect her from sacrilegious hands. The relic has become a sacred object of great piety, whose importance has continued to grow both in Sri Lanka and in

the Buddhist world. It has become not only the most prized treasure of Sri Lanka, but also the seal of sovereignty. (Attention for the visit of this temple, it is required to wear clothes that cover shoulders and knees. The visit is done barefoot).

A non-private show of Kandyan dances. The Kandyan dance is rooted in a ritual performed by the villagers of this mountainous region to obtain the favours of the god Kohomba. These dances are accompanied by percussionists playing "Gatabere".

Back to the hotel

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departures to Peradeniya to visit the world famous botanical garden of Peradeniya, located in the great curve of Mahaweli Ganga west of Kandy. Here you can admire a profusion of tropical plants, especially trees from all over the world, including a palm grove illustrating the great variety of this species, impressive bamboos, orchids and blue and pink lotus blossoming in a

artificial pond and "sensitive flowers": small plant that reacts as soon as you touch it by cowering. 

Walking tour of the town of Kandy

Back to the hotel

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Kandy train station.

Board a local train to Nawalapitiya. One hour and a half ride. Seating is subject to availability.)

The train is an original and very pleasant way to discover one of the most beautiful regions of SRI LANKA.

You will find yourself in the heart of a mountainous region where tea plantations succeed rice paddies in stairs.

Departures to Nuwara Eliya.

You will discover the "land of tea": The plantations give the landscape a very special aspect. Tea lovers know that the flavour and quality of tea depends on the altitude where the plant was grown. The harvest is always carried out by women. The pickers, dressed in brightly coloured "longhis", go from bush to bush, skillfully stripping the young buds and tender leaves with one hand and then, with a quick gesture, throwing them into the hood attached to their shoulders.

Along the way, visit a factory and a tea plantation with tea tasting and free time in the factory shop.          

Continuation to Nuwara Eliya.

Arrival at the hotel and installation in the rooms.

In the afternoon, a short walk in the famous health resort, once created by the English and also called "Little England".

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel

Departure to Negombo via Kitulgala

Pm: Arrival at the hotel and installation

Dinner and night

With breakfast, transfer to the airport

Fly to Maldives

Arrive at Male Airport and take the speed boat to Huduranfushi Island.

Arrival on the island and installation

Dinner and night

Free day on FULL PENSION - from lunch on the day of arrival to breakfast on the day of departure.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport.