Sri Lanka – Island Explorer

ITINERARY

• DAY 1

  Welcome to Sri Lanka!

  Upon arrival at the airport, you will be given a warm Sri Lankan welcome with the words “Ayubowan” which is Sinhalese for “May You Have a Long Life”, which is the universal Sri Lankan way of greeting one another. Thereafter you will be escorted to your transportation, which will be comfortable and have ample space for you to relax while on the road.
  
  Head towards the nearby town of Colombo which is just 20 minutes drive from the airport. Check into your hotel and spend the remainder of the evening at leisure recovering from a long flight.

  What's included?

  • Accommodation
  • Transfer
• DAY 2

  Galle Fort - UNESCO heritage site

  After, checkout from your hotel and journey towards Galle, (1.5 hours drive). Upon reaching Galle, check into your hotel which is located inside the historic Galle Fort. After a quick change, head out to meet your host for the evening, who is a 5th Generation resident of the Fort. The focal point of the walk is the Galle Fort, a UNESCO recognized world heritage site, and it is conducted by a 5th generation resident of this historic city located along the island’s Southwestern coast.
  
  The Portuguese, Dutch, and British occupied the Galle Fort at various points during Sri Lanka’s colonial history, and they have each left a unique imprint on its fabric. As you navigate through the fort’s charming alleyways at a leisurely pace, a fascinating blend of local design traditions and European colonial influence become evident in the architectural style of its many interesting structures. The Galle Fort Walk is peppered with interesting facts, numbers, stories, and myths, all interwoven by the unique perspective and narrative of its host, who knows this terrain as well as the back of his hand.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• "> DAY 3

  Mirissa - Meet the “Crocodile Man"

  After, checkout from your hotel journey towards Mirissa, (1-hour drive), where you check into your hotel for lunch.
  
  In the afternoon, head to the nearby town of Matara, where you will meet the “Crocodile Man” and go on a memorable cruise along the Nilwala River, Meet Chandika of Matara, known as the “Crocodile Man”, who lives on the banks of the Nilwala River which meets the ocean in the Southern town of Matara. His passion is crocodiles, and he loves showing these amazing prehistoric reptiles along this river. A former fisherman, after the 2004 tsunami where he saw wanton destruction and where he nearly lost his and his family’s life, he decided to hang his nets, and spend the rest of his life showcasing the amazing reptiles that call the river home. The Nilwala River is home to the Saltwater Crocodile or Estuarine Crocodile, which is the largest species of reptile on earth. The largest crocodiles ready 16-18 feet or more and are truly living remnants of the dinosaurs. His river experience takes you upriver passing many amazing mangrove habitats seldom seen by foreigners, and will also showcase the daily struggles of conflict between man and reptile, as you pass many Crocodile proof cages where villagers bathe. Chandika’s genuine passion for these living dragons helps to protect them as his championing an effort to promote tourism to see these amazing reptiles rather than seeing them as a menace. The demand for crocodile meat is still existent and his fighting the good fight to change the attitude of the locals and bringing justice to the crocodiles.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 4

  Mirissa - Seaplane for an unforgettable aerial experience

  Early morning, head towards Koggala Airport, where you will hop on board a seaplane for an unforgettable aerial experience.
  
  Flying over the ocean, you will witness the world's largest animal the mighty Blue Whale by air. This is an unforgettable way to experience whales, as the aerial view gives you a full view of the giant animal. Blue Whales are resident in Sri Lanka and found throughout the year, but best seen during the calmer months from November – April. During certain months there are occasional sightings of large pods of migrating Sperm Whales as well, and also the occasional sighting of Killer Whales also known as Orca. Return back to base after your memorable flight.
  
  Return back to your hotel. Later, visit a traditional Beeralu Workshop. Beeralu or lacework is a very special craft that is practiced in the South of the Island. Beeralu lace weaving is an age-old Sri Lankan tradition that is now on the verge of being forgotten. Though this form of art is still alive in many villages on the southern coast of the country, it is an arduous process that takes skill, time, and effort to bring to fruition. Beeralu lace weaving, also known as bobbin lace making, is a lengthy practice. A weaver first needs to hand-draw the pattern of the lace on graph paper, after which the pattern is marked with pins, and wrapped around a lace pillow. Then, several lengths of thread are woven or braided with the help of wooden bobbins to create a finished piece of lace. Though this process takes up much more effort when compared to machine-cut lace products that can be produced in bulk and on-demand, the authenticity and quality of Beeralu lace are unparalleled. Chat with the beeralu weaving ladies as they work the wooden spindle-shaped bobbins on a special white pillow with incredible speed to create the delicate lace. Learn more about the weavers’ life stories and even try your hand at the weaving – don’t despair if you can’t seem to get it right, these women have practiced for years to become the expert artisans they are today!

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
  • Flight
• DAY 5

  Holy City Kataragama

  Early morning, with a packed breakfast, checkout from your hotel, and head towards Yala National Park. Reaching Yala, check into your safari camp for lunch.
  
  That evening, head out to Kataragama, for a guided tour of this holy city. Kataragama is a pilgrimage town sacred to Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim as well as the indigenous Veddha people of Sri Lanka. The ul-Khizr mosque has a tomb where a Muslim saint is buried, while the Hindu Kovil adjacent to the mosque pays tribute to the Hindu God Shiva. The main shrine at the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya (Temple) is dedicated to Skanda-Murugan also known as the Kataragama deity while there are other shrines dedicated to the Buddha and Ganesh. The Kiri Vihara Dagoba which was built in the 1st century BC is believed to be one of the sites visited by the Buddha during his third visit to the island. During the evening pooja, Kataragama comes to life as thousands of pilgrims visit the main shrine offering fruit platters and other offerings. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 6

  Yala National Park - Enjoy the safari

  Early morning, with a packed breakfast, head into Yala National Park, with your expert safari guide and host on your first game drive. The Yala National Park is the country’s premier destination for wildlife viewing. Yala’s star attraction is undoubtedly the Leopard and Yala Block I is believed to have the highest concentration of these big cats in the world. Leopards however are elusive by nature and we recommend a minimum of three to four game drives to have the best opportunities for good encounters. It is also one of the few places in the country where the endangered shaggy coated Sloth Bear can be seen. Asian Elephants are also encountered; lone bull elephants, a few iconic tuskers, and small herds of females and calves may be seen. Jackal, Sambar, Spotted Deer Buffalo, Wildboar, and the Grey Langur are among the other larger mammals that may be seen.
  
  Return back to camp, and spend the day relaxing in this luxurious camp. Your ranger/host can take you on a short bushwalk into the nearby wilderness and show you many secrets to the natural world. Their almost encyclopedic knowledge will open your world to the wonders of nature.
  
  Lunch will be served at camp, and after some tea/coffee hop back on your safari jeep and head back into the park for your evening game drive.
  
  Return back after dusk. Keep an eye out for more leopards while driving to camp as it is located right in the wilderness and it is known to have some great nighttime sightings. Enjoy the night at a roaring campfire listening to the calls of the wild and the jungle stories of your host.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 7

  Dambana - Meet the Veddha people

  After breakfast, checkout from the camp and head back out, where you will meet your chauffeur guide once again, who will take you towards Mahiyanganaya (3.5 hours drive).
  
  En-route stopover to explore the amazing rock carvings of Buduruwagala. Located in the outskirts of Wellawaya in the south of the island, lies Buduruwagala, a stunning archaeological site comprising of seven large precisely cut rock sculptures which are believed to date back to the 10th century AD and are thought to have belonged to the Mahayana school of Buddhism. The largest is a statue of the Buddha which is 16 meters (53 feet) in height and is flanked on either side by a group of three figurines.
  
  Reaching Mahiyanganaya, check into your hotel
  As the sun goes down, head out to visit the Veddhah, they are the indigenous people of Sri Lanka and have traditionally been hunter-gatherers, who have derived their livelihood from hunting, fishing, chena cultivations, and collecting indigenous medicinal plants from the jungles and their last stronghold in the remote village of Dambana which is home to around 300 families. Visitors to Dambana get the chance of meeting the Veddha’s, and to learn about their traditions and lifestyle. The Veddah Museum located in the village is also worth a visit which has a collection of artifacts, paintings, photographs that outline the history and culture of these noble people. This special arrangement is done by firelight and gives a special feel to the experience.
  
  After which a special dinner will be arranged with the Veddah chief. The meal is prepared in the traditional ways of the Veddhah. They are simple food but made naturally. The meat would be prepared using bees honey which is extracted from the jungle as well, and you can enjoy the dinner under torchlight and converse with the chief. He will tell stories of his people, and how they live side by side with nature in a true way of sustainable living, and how they survive in this modern age. This is a very special and exclusive audience and experience arranged specially for you.
  
  Afterward, return to your hotel.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 8

  Mahiyanganaya - Explore local pottery and try to do it

  Today morning, after breakfast head out to nearby Rathana Ella, Where you will hike to Rathna Ella, which is a 1.3 mile (2 km) walk that takes you to an amazing waterfall. Rathna Ella, at 332 ft (101 m), is the 14th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka. You can bring a change of clothes to change, as the waters are very inviting.
  
  Afterward, return to the car park, and enjoy a traditional village lunch. Enjoy an authentic Sri Lankan lunch when at the Rathna Ella village. The meals in store for you have been created using recipes passed down from generation to generation and made by the locals with a lot of love - which is probably why it tastes so delightful!
  
  Thereafter you will visit a local pottery maker, and explore how they keep these amazing traditions alive. Thereafter also visit a traditional pan weaver, who weaves coconut leaves to make many forms of baskets and other items for village use. You can try your hand at making your own creations as well.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 9

  Wattegama - Kandy “Cultural Capital” of Sri Lanka

  Early morning, set out at 5.30 AM towards nearby Sorabora Lake, where you will witness a magnificent sunrise over the lake, as you hop on traditional outrigger canoes and go across the lake as the sun rises.
  
  An amazing breakfast will be served atop a small rock which you can enjoy with stunning views of the lake.
  
  After checking out from your hotel, head towards Kandy (1.5 hours drive), known as the “Cultural Capital” of Sri Lanka and a UNESCO world heritage site, Kandy was established in the years 135AD by King Wickramabahu and was named Senkadagalapura at the time. In 1592 Kandy became the official Capital of the last Sinhalese Kingdom as the coastal areas were conquered by the Portuguese invaders. The hill capital remained a stronghold despite constant invasions by the Portuguese and the Dutch during the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries and also by the British (most notably in 1803) which were repelled thanks to the hilly landscapes, and guerilla tactics of the Sinhalese forces. The last ruling dynasty of Kandy was the ‘Nayaks’ of Kandy while the Kingdom preserved its independence until it finally fell to the British in 1815, mainly due to the lack of support of the noble families. The British deposed the last king, Sri Wikrama Rajasingha, and all claimants to the throne, thus ending the last traditional monarchy of Sri Lanka.
  
  Check into your hotel. Later, head to the Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic for a guided tour,
  This sacred temple was built in the 16th century AD and is located adjacent to the Royal Palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy and overlooks the expanses of the Kandy lake. Referred locally as the Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is the most revered site in the country. This temple complex houses the sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha, and with strong political sway to who holds possession of the tooth, as it was believed that the possessor of this sacred relic had the right to rule the country.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 10

  Wattegama - Meet a Kandyan Traditional Dance Master

  After breakfast, head towards Kadugannawa, where you will meet a Kandyan Traditional Dance Master. This immersive experience is focused on the traditional Kandyan Dance Form which is unique to the highlands of Sri Lanka. You will visit a home/school of a traditional dance master, who will explain the history and traditions of this ancient art form. Also, teach you some simple moves and also showcase the various types of drums and instruments used. You can also try your hand at learning to play a rhythm with the traditional drums. Thereafter learn the intricate art of dressing up in the dance costume which is a very elaborate and detailed process. The dance form that exists today is a modern creation born from original elements of the dance which became simplified in the early to mid-twentieth century. Furthermore, his family continues the tradition of making the chieftains costumes known as the “Nilame Suit”, and has an elaborate collection of these detailed costumes. Nowadays, this traditional dress is worn by bridegrooms for traditional weddings. You can try wearing this intricate and elaborate suit as well as the Osariya worn by the ladies. The details and intricacies of these garments are quite elaborate, and it takes over an hour to get dressed, but once done, the couple will look magnificent in all its glory.
  After this amazing experience, continue onwards, towards visiting 3 ancient temples which are beautiful and spectacular, Gadaladeniya- This temple complex was built atop a rock in 1344 during the reign of King Bhuvenakabahu IV, who ruled over the Kandyan kingdom. There is a cross-shaped shrine as you enter the temple complex, where each wing has attractive wall paintings and houses a Buddha image and is crowned with a small dagoba Lankathilake- The majestic temple is one of the most magnificent architectural achievements of the Gampola kingdom, and was built at the crest of a large rock that overlooks the Hantane mountain range. The history of the temple dates back to the 14th century, where several strong kingdoms ruled the land. King Buwanekabahu IV who reigned from 1341-51 AD chose Gampola as his kingdom and constructed this Viharaya with the help of a South Indian architect Sthapati Rayar. Embekke- Embekke Devale, is famous for its intricate and elaborate woodcarvings, pillars, and other structures. The temple is nestled in the upper Kandy area and lies close to Daulagala about eight miles from Kandy Town.
  
  Afterward, return to your hotel and for the evening, a special Kandyan Dance Show will be organized at the hotel where you will see the true grandeur of this ancient art form in all its glory.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 11

  Dambulla - Tea plucking experience & traditional lacquer-work

  After breakfast, you will head to the nearby Meenawatte Estate where we will provide you with a basket in which to collect your leaves. Then we will take you out to our tea fields and show you which leaves to pluck. Our professional tea pluckers will accompany you. You’ll be amazed at how efficiently and quickly they manage to fill their baskets by comparison. Then we return to the weighing shed, where our estate superintendent will inspect your efforts. he will reject any unsuitable leaves, so you must pay attention when picking or all your efforts will be in vain. After checkout from your hotel, journey towards Dambulla.
  
  En-route stopover in Matale to visit a traditional lacquer-work workshop, and witness how this intricate art is carried out. Lacquer work involves the intricate decoration of wooden objects such as bowls and ashtrays with a resin secreted from the bark of certain trees that have been infested with the lacquer beetle. The resin, also called lac, is scraped from the bark, melted down, and strained. While the lac is soft, the pigment is beaten in to produce the desired color. Then it is left to dry. Meeting the master craftsman, see how he uses his decades of skill in making beautiful creations.
  
  Later, if time permits, stopover at Nalanda Gedige,
  Nalanda Gedige is a curious hybrid between Buddhist and Hindu architecture. Some of the design elements are distinctly Hindu, such as the mandapam or hall of waiting, and yet there is no sign of Hindu gods present in the structure. There are erotic but eroded Tantric Buddhist carvings, much like the famous ones at Khajuraho in India. The richly decorated façade sections are in the 7th-century style which flourished at Madras, South India. However, the southern section has a semi-circular niche containing in high relief a squat figure of Kuvera, the god of wealth, seated on a lotus plinth – an image that is only found in Sri Lanka. Continue to Dambulla, whereupon reaching, have a quick stopover at the Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Burial Site.
  
  One of the more overlooked ruins of the town of Dambulla is the Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Tombs. These tombs are believed to be the place in which many of the prehistoric inhabitants would bury their dead. According to archaeological research, the skeletal remains and the artifacts that have been found are believed to originate between 700 BC – 400 BC, making it one of the few places where it is possible to understand the society and lifestyle the ancient Sri Lankans used to follow. There is also evidence to suggest that these bodies were buried with specific rituals, due to the many artifacts found on the premises.
  
  Artifacts that have been found in the premises range from clay pots, iron, copper, gold objects, beads, and necklaces. Intriguingly, some of the gemstones that have been found on the beads of the necklaces are not found naturally on the island, making it probable to speculate that the ancient people of Sri Lanka engaged in international trade with neighboring countries. The current excavation site measures around 15 acres, making it one of the more remarkable discoveries in the country. Moreover, the site was only found in the 1980s, making it one of the more recent discoveries in the country that provide us some insight into the prehistoric civilizations that thrived.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 12

  Dambulla - Explore Angampora traditional martial arts & Polonnaruwa

  In the morning head towards Ritigala a short drive from your hotel, from where you will hop on a jeep and drive through scenic village roads to reach a traditional Angam Maduwa, which is a school for the ancient traditional Sri Lankan Martial art of Angampora. Here you will be welcomed by the master and his students as you head to a nearby Banyan Tree where the students will perform incredible displays of their martial prowess and the master will explain the history and details about this ancient art form. Angampora is an ancient martial art form practiced in Sri Lanka for thousands of years ago. It receives its name from the Angam arts which involve hand-to-hand combat forms; and the Angam arts which incorporate traditional weaponry such as the Urumi (Ethunu Kaduwa), swords, battle axes, staves, daggers, and maces. According to legend, this martial art form originated almost 30,000 years ago from the Yaksha tribe; one of the ancient tribes that inhabited the island. However, the art later went through a decline; almost disappearing during the colonial era. The main reason for this was that Angampora was highly feared by the British during their invasion. They took extreme measures against this martial art; prohibiting the art form, burning all the practice huts that they found, and shooting the kneecaps of the existing practitioners to maim them. Despite their efforts, Angampora survived and resurfaced after the end of the British rule in 1948. In the afternoon, head back out once again, this time to Polonnaruwa, which is an ancient capital of Sri Lanka.
  
  Polonnaruwa took its place in history after King Vijayabahu I defeated the invading Cholas and moved the capital from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa. It is renowned for its well-preserved 12th-century ruins and impressive stone culture. Exploring Polonnaruwa, which is today a UNESCO World Heritage site, one can see Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas and the monumental ruins of the fabulous garden-city created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century. As dusk falls, head back to your hotel.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 13

  Colombo - The Sigiriya Rock Fortress

  In the morning, visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress that rising dramatically from the central plains, the enigmatic rocky outcrop of Sigiriya, is perhaps Sri Lanka's single most dramatic sight. Near-vertical walls soar to a flat-topped summit that contains the ruins of an ancient civilization. The top of this rock contains ruins of an ancient palace complex, built during the reign of King Kasyapa (477AD – 495 AD) and the surrounding rock is the Royal Garden. Ruins of various chambers, stairways, and pools can be seen at the top of this rock. There is a stone stairway leading from the base to the top of the mountain. About halfway to the top, there is a giant pair of lions' paws which are in fact are the remains of a huge head of a lion whose open mouth served as the entrance to the royal palace. Surrounding the palace complex are the ruins of a garden complex consisting of two moats and various pools, some with water fountains still functioning after 1500 years.
  
  After checkout from your hotel, journey back to Colombo (4 hours drive). Check into your hotel, and as the sun is setting, head towards Galle Face, by the Indian Ocean where you will go on Streetfood Tour with a local host, starting from the stalls on Galle Face, where you will try pickled fruits and prawn and crab wadeys. After-which hops on a tuk-tuk and takes a journey across Slave Island trying local favorites such as the various types of kottu roti a street food with some interesting history behind it. End at Hulfsdorph which is famous for its various food trucks that serve all manner of delicacies and some unusual items such as the mutton brain and cuttlefish eggs. Return to your hotel for your overnight stay.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 14

  Colombo Airport

  After breakfast, checkout from your hotel, and you will be dropped back at the airport to catch your flight back home.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Transfer