Deal negotiated for you
- The 9-day, 8-night tour, with accommodation in the hotels as mentioned or similar
- Half-board from dinner on the day of arrival to breakfast on the day of departure
- Flights departing from the city of your choice
- Round-trip airport/hotel transfer
- Private transfers in air-conditioned vehicle with English-speaking driver (except days 7 and 8)
- A cooking experience with a local family
- An Ayurvedic massage experience
- A visit to the Spice Garden in Matale
- A visit to the temples of Dambulla and Kandy
- Stay in a working tea factory
- One 500ml complimentary bottle of mineral water per person on arrival
Customise your trip on the Options page.
Your stay starts here
Discovering the 5 senses in Sri Lanka 4*
A visit to Sri Lanka is an experience which will stimulate all of the senses. This private programme has been devised to showcase the best of what this island nation has to offer. From discovering the temples of Dambulla and Kandy, to trekking to see a sunrise, to experiencing ayurveda and making your own curry and tea in a working tea factory, this itinerary will stimulate your senses.
Your itinerary day by day:
Day 1: Arrival in Sri Lanka - Transfer and rest at Sigiriya
Day 2: Discover Pidurangala, local cuisine and ayurveda
Day 3: Kandy. Dambulla caves, sacred Buddha's Tooth Relic temple and traditional dance performance
Day 4: Mandaramnuwara. Discovery of a tea plantations and stay in a working tea factory
Day 5: Mandaramnuwara. Leaf to cup" experience: create your own tea, from leaf to cup
Day 6: Beruwala. To the beautiful beach (Sight, touch)
Day 7 and 8: Beruwala. Relaxing on the beach
Day 9: Colombo, return flight to France
Your detailed itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN COLOMBO AND TRANSFER TO SIGIRIYA
Arrival at Colombo airport.
Welcome and assistance at the airport by a representative.
Direct transfer to hotel in Sigiriya (approx. 3h 30min drive). Arrival and installation at the hotel. Free time at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Meals included: dinner
DAY 2: PIDURANGALA - LOCAL CUISINE AND AYURVEDA
In the morning, around 04:30, departure to visit Pidurangala (approx. 30 min drive).
Experience: The View
Visit Pidurangala at sunrise for a breathtaking view that will be a feast for your eyes.
Pidurangala is a mountain at the foot of which lies a monastery still in use. One of the rocky paths leads through caves used by monks as far back as the first century BC. Near the summit stands the colossal Buddha image, which has recently been restored. The views from the summit, including of Sigiriya and the famous Lion Rock, are breathtaking. Early in the morning, you can watch the sunrise. Duration: Approx. 1h30 to 2h00.
Return to the hotel for breakfast and free time.
Experience: Taste
Then challenge your culinary skills by preparing and tasting your own Sri Lankan curry with a local family.
Pottery Experience: The Touch
Join a local potter to discover the transformation of clay into pottery. Based at Ayurvie Sigiriya, a holistic wellness retreat, you can take part in creating your own sculpture with the help of the local potter. The potter will teach you the basics and techniques passed down to him from his ancestors. So join in the soothing experience and shape your own pottery. Please note that an interpreter will be present. Sri Lankan cooking demonstration and lunch to sample the country's typical cuisine.
In the afternoon, relax with an initiation to Ayurvedic massage at the Aliya Hotel (duration approx. 45min).
Thousands of years before modern medicine found a connection between mind and body, the Rishis of India developed the therapeutic system of Ayurveda. Ayurveda, meaning the science of life (Ayur = life, longevity - Veda = science or knowledge), was designed to help people stay vibrant and healthy, while realizing their full human potential.
Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
DAY 3: KANDY - DAMBULLA CAVES AND A TRADITIONAL DANCE SHOW
Morning: breakfast at the hotel and departure for Kandy
Visit to Dambulla temple (approx. 30 min drive from hotel).
Dambulla Temple, also known as the "Golden Temple" of Dambulla, was founded in the 1st century by King Valagamba. Ancient sculptures and paintings of Buddha and various Hindu deities are located in five central caves. Duration: approx. 01h30.
**Please note: Bring clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Tours are barefoot, so please bring socks
Experience: The sense of smell
Explore the smell, uses and history of Sri Lanka's various spices. Visit the spice garden in Matale. For centuries, spices have been one of Sri Lanka's most famous exports. Spices are mainly grown in home gardens (as a cottage industry) and used not only to flavor food but also in medicine and cosmetics. Visit a spice garden and sample aromas and flavors such as cinnamon, ginger, pepper, vanilla, cardamom and more. A Blind Test with spice tea tasting will be organized especially for customers. A gift will be given to the best tester!
Continuation to Kandy (approx. 1h25min drive)
In the afternoon, visit the Tooth Temple in Kandy, home to the famous relic of the Buddha's tooth, the city's star attraction. Puja** (Thevava) ceremonies take place every morning and evening to honor the relic, and visitors can see the casket where the sacred tooth relic has been preserved. Watching these rituals accompanied by traditional drumming is a must for any traveler to the sacred city of Kandy. Duration: 2 hours.
Please note: Please bring clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Tours are barefoot, so please bring socks.
Experience: L'Ouïe
In the evening, we invite you to attend a performance of classical Kandyan dances "Ves", typical of this region (Sri Lanka is famous for its traditional and folk dances). A show featuring more than a dozen different dances, with 5 to 6 drums.
Arrival at your hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner.
DAY 4: MANDARAMNUWARA - STAY IN A TEA FACTORY
Experience: La Vue
Morning breakfast at the hotel.
Depart for the village of Mandaramnuwara, located at the foot of Mount Pidurutalagala, surrounded by tea plantations (drive: approx. 1h50 min). New experience: visit and stay in a tea factory surrounded by plantations.
In the afternoon, arrive and settle into the factory. Explore the nature and ornithological trails and walk with the naturalist.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner.
DAY 5: MANDARAMNUWARA - DISCOVERING GREEN GOLD
Morning: after breakfast, a unique "Green Gold" experience.
Spend around two hours learning everything you need to know about tea from a resident tea planter. Engage in a tea picking session with locals and then visit the factory to prepare your own tea, which you can take home with you. You'll leave having picked, produced and packed your own tea.
In the afternoon, experience Leaf To Cup.
Learn about the various stages of tea making: weighing, wilting, fermenting, dehumidifying, sorting and preparing your own box of tea to take home, as well as enjoying a cup of tea.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner.
DAY 6: BERUWALA - HEADING TO THE BEACH
In the morning, after breakfast, leave for Beruwala (approx. a 5.5 hr drive).
In the afternoon, arrival and installation at the hotel by the sea.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner.
DAY 7: BERUWALA - FREE DAY
Free day to enjoy the beach.
Please note: driver and vehicle not available.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner at the hotel.
DAY 8: BERUWALA - FREE DAY
Free day.
Please note: driver and vehicle not available.
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner at the hotel.
DAY 9: COLOMBO - RETURN FLIGHT
Breakfast.
Transfer to Colombo airport for flight (approx. 2h 45min drive).
Please note: You must be at the airport 3 hours before your departure flight.
Meals included: breakfast at the hotel.
Your accommodation
During your tour, you'll stay for 8 nights in the hotels listed below (or similar):
- Nights 1 and 2: Sigiriya - Aliya Resort & Spa 4* Hotel
- Night 3: Kandy - Mountbatten Bungalow 5* Hotel
- Nights 4 and 5: Mandaramnuwara - Tea & Experience Factory 4*
- Nights 6, 7 and 8: Beruwala - Earl's Reef 4* Hotel
Your board
During your tour, you will stay on a half-board basis (breakfast and dinner, excluding drinks) from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 9.
GOOD TO KNOW
On arrival, collect your luggage and proceed to the arrivals hall where a representative will be waiting with a sign with your name on it.
ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE FOR AN EXTRA CHARGE
Visiting Lion Rock: this fortress in Sigiriya is a remarkable feat of engineering and a fascinating example of Sinhalese art. Carved out of a living rock, the Sigiriya fortress was the stronghold of King Kashyapa. Sigiriya, or the 'Lion Rock', is most famous for its frescoes. The visit is in three stages: the cave paintings, the terrace and the top of the rock, where the ruins of the royal castle are. Please note: there are about 1000 steps to climb.
Duration: approx. 2 hours.
Value: approx. 30 USD/person