Highlights
- Visit Kalugala Monastery.
- Enjoy orientation-tour of Galle Fort
- Visit Galle Lighthouse,Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Art Museum
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01 - Welcome to Sri Lanka – The Mesmerizing Island Nation
Upon arrival at Colombo International airport, you will be welcomed by our ambassador and escorted to your hotel, where you will be assisted with the check-in process. Blessed with a varied landscape ranging from verdant green tropical forests, highlands, dry plains, to pristine white sandy beaches, Sri Lanka has something for everyone. Colombo, the capital city is a modern hub displaying urbane life. Besides the polished urban glimmer, the city is home to some prominent forts and heritage buildings of the colonial era. A popular destination with tourists, Sri Lanka offers an array of sightseeing and entertainment options. Enveloped by the Indian Ocean in southern Asia, this scenic tropical island country has a rich history dating back to the birth of time. A nation where the soul of Buddhism is still alive, Sri Lanka is a place where you can discover untouched and abundant mother nature.
Day 02 - Experience the wonders of Sri Lanka
After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing to Kalugala Monastery. Located in proximity to the wilderness of the Sinharaja natural forest reserve, a Buddhist monastery named Kalugala Arannanaya is an ideal setting for peaceful meditation. Then, head to Makeli Ella Fall, which is a 10m waterfall, which magically resembles a bride’s veil from a distance. Visit a large natural pool, and a downstream fairytale-like islet watershed named Thumodara. Your last stop will be the Fa-Hsien Cave, which is the biggest cave in Asia, which boasts of evidence of a 30,500-year-old ancient man who was recently discovered. With a history of over 3000 years, Sri Lanka is a diverse country, which is home to various religions, ethnicities and languages. Also blessed with varied wildlife, Sri Lanka offers tourists a diverse experience – be it the modern city of Colombo which highlights its skyscrapers or its wildlife in national parks, its religious and cultural buildings of numerous origins.
Day 03 - Explore the Rubber and Tea Plantations
After breakfast, take a stroll through the estate. Meander through the lower rubber and tea plantations and if you’re keen to see some breath-taking views, take a trek on the upper portion of the estate. Optional activities include water sports and bird watching. Water Sports: Head to Bentota, the water sports capital of the island. Here, you could try a range of activities such as jet-skiing, waterskiing atop the lagoon, diving, and snorkelling, and fishing. Bentota’s 4km stretch of pristine beach is simply beautiful. Bird watching: Take a glimpse of colourful birds and wildlife. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 04 - Welcome to the Coastal and Historical City of Galle
The day begins with a drive to the city of Galle. This town is an amalgamation of classic Dutch architecture with a tropical setting that creates a vivid setting. Explore this historic town on foot to see the exotic old trading port, imposing Dutch-colonial buildings, old mosques and churches, majestic mansions, and museums. Begin your orientation-tour with Galle Fort, a Portuguese fort built in the 15 century and finished by the Dutch later. The British designated it as a World Heritage Site in 1988. Then, you’ll visit the Galle Lighthouse, which is also known as Pointe de Galle Light, this was the very first light station built in Sri Lanka. It was built by the British to safeguard the arrival of their ships at the Galle Harbour. Upon arrival, check-in at your hotel. The optional activity includes tea factory visit. Visit the nearby Handunugoda Tea Estate, to know what goes into making your favourite cup of steaming hot tea. After the tour of the factory, have a sample tasting and see their speciality, White Tea! Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 05 - Koggala – See the longest and most attractive beach of the country
After breakfast, you have a day free for leisure. The village of Koggala offers stretches of stunning beaches, and a great spot or those seeking a holiday in solitude surrounded by nature. You could visit the Buddhist hermitages located on the islets of Koggala Lake or visit the Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Art Museum to acquaint yourself with the local traditions. Optional activities include the following listed activities. Whale Watching: Enjoy an enthralling boat trip to witness these amazing creatures off the southern coast. Spot a Blue Whale, Sperm Whale, or if you’re lucky, you may see Spinner Dolphins and Bottle Nosed Dolphins. Boat Trip: Take a boat trip on the scenic Koggala Lake for two hours and visit Talathuduwa Temple Island and a Spice Garden. Then, go around a Bird Sanctuary before returning back. Bike Ride: Explore the area on bikes to experience the real Sri Lanka. Cycle down to the coast, crossing the paddy fields and reaching Wijaya for a swim and a cocktail. Followed by an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 06 - Welcome to tropical settings of Tangalle
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and drive towards Tangalle. Upon arrival, check-in at your hotel. Tangalle beach is an incredibly massive expanse of golden sand, twinkling waters and a lot of serenity. The beach is an untouched and undisturbed one, quite far from the hustle-bustle of city life. Tangalle, a small town situated in Hambantota district in Southern Province of Sri Lanka, is famous for its vast stretches of beautiful beaches with a typical tropical setting. Tangalle Beach is often voted as the best beach by the travellers and the tourists who want to rent a canoe, explore the mangroves, or enjoy solitary activities.
Day 07 - Try Beach Sports or Surfing in Tangalle
With stunning beaches and amazing opportunities for swimming and diving, this holiday destination is becoming a bigger hit among tourists every year. Try playing beach sports, undertake solitary activities like writing, sketching, listening to music, or binge on the seafood and coconut. After breakfast, visit the famous Mulgirigala Rock Temple. Mulkirigala Raja Maha Vihara is an age-old Buddhist temple in Mulkirigala, Sri Lanka, which is built on a 210 m high natural rock, enveloped with four more rocks named Benagala, Kondagala, Bisogala and Seelawathiegala. Later, visit traditional village or artisans’ studios to get an insight into the Sri Lankan culture. Optional activities include spa and wellness experiences. Relax your body and soul with a massage or a natural treatment. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 08 - A Day to Soak Yourself in Adventure
After a hearty breakfast, enjoy a day free for leisure on the picturesque beaches. Have you tried swimming in the ocean? Or if you are an adventure-lover, then go surfing and snorkelling in the nearby villages like Medilla, Pallikaduwe, Mawella and Seenimodera, or simply enjoy sea-bathing or sunbathing and some moments of quietude. Tangalle is the most popular tourist destination on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. One of the best excursion from Tangalle is a magnificent cave temple of Mulkirigala. You have to climb several rock steps to get to a series of natural caves that have many exquisite wall paintings and Buddha statues.
Day 09 - One of the Most Beautiful Beach Locations in the South
After enjoying a hearty breakfast, you can spend the day at leisure. Tangalle offers beautiful attractions and captivating views of its sandy beaches. One of the main reasons for its popularity is its mesmerizing beaches which never fail to seize one’s attention. However, visitors should be mindful of its rough and strong waves and be careful while swimming. Optional Activities include the following listed. Turtle watching: Rekawa Beach is famous for turtle-watching. From April to September, green, hawksbill and occasionally even leatherback turtles come ashore at night to lay their eggs. Village visit: Master potter B. Karunasena invites the guests into his home workshop to learn how to make his family’s renowned terracotta designs. He also encourages visitors to try and make a unique piece of their own. Snorkelling: You can also catch a sight of amazing blue whales on their annual migration from December to April. If you’re lucky, you can also spot sperm whales and spinner dolphins. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 10 - Discover the Hidden Gem of Sri Lanka - Kotugoda
Relish the delicious kingly breakfast and then head out to drive towards Negombo. On arrival, check-in at your hotel and enjoy the day at leisure. Kotugoda is a hidden gem in Sri Lanka which should not be missed before ending your luxury trip to Sri Lanka. Escape from the maddening crowds and relax in a serene retreat. Tranquil and secluded, this destination offers a calm getaway with the benefit of all the city attractions and beautiful beaches nearby. Optional activities include rejuvenating treatments. Enjoy varied Ayurveda therapies to rejuvenate to body and mind. The collection of signature massages, body scrubs and wraps, which are a blend of Asian techniques and Ayurveda, or try a shiatsu session, a herbal compress, or a cleansing facial. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 11 - Time to bid adieu
After breakfast, checkout from the hotel. The drive next to the Colombo International airport to board flight for your onward destination.