Sri Lanka, Colombo

Authentic immersion in Ceylon

On arrival in Colombo, you will be met by our representative at the airport and then transferred by private transport to Negombo. Lunch at a restaurant. Day at leisure.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Start the day with the hustle and bustle of Negombo’s fish market. Onwards to Sigiriya. After your lunch at the hotel, it’s time to unwind and relax straight away with an Ayurvedic massage (head and shoulders). Next, a bike ride with an English-speaking naturalist to explore the flora and fauna of the neighbouring villages, then round off the day with a traditional pottery workshop at the hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Start the day in harmony with some sunrise yoga. After breakfast, set off for the Lion’s Rock in Sigiriya. This mythical UNESCO fortress will reveal its hanging gardens and legendary frescoes as you make the spectacular climb. Meet the pupils at a local school and take part in the Dhane, the sacred offering to the monks, followed by a peaceful meditation session. Explore the countryside on a mini-tractor and in a traditional dugout canoe, then enjoy a home-cooked lunch after a cooking demonstration. Discover a show featuring folk dances and fire-walking.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Morning yoga at sunrise, breakfast at the hotel, before setting off for the mystical mountains of the Knuckles range. Explore the Golden Temple of Dambulla. Climb its steps to discover five ancient caves housing hundreds of statues and vibrantly coloured frescoes depicting the life of the Buddha. Then visit a spice garden to uncover the secrets of cinnamon and cardamom, followed by a lunch featuring local flavours. Escape for a 9km hike in Burnside through pine forests and stunning scenery. Round off your day with a visit to a Hindu temple, a timeless spiritual retreat tucked away in the mountains

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, set off on an immersive hike through the Heel Oya valley at the foot of the Knuckles mountain range. This 10 km hike (around 4 hours) takes you through forests filled with exotic birds to spectacular terraced rice fields. Here, time seems to have stood still: villagers still grow rice using traditional methods. Take a refreshing break at the foot of a wild waterfall. Enjoy an authentic, heart-warming lunch in a local home.

In the afternoon, head to Kandy, the spiritual heart of the island. Visit the prestigious Temple of the Tooth, a UNESCO-listed gem. Let yourself be captivated by the mystical atmosphere of the Puja ceremonies, driven by traditional drums in honour of the Buddha’s relic.

In the evening, explore the city on foot before giving in to the temptation of local street food for dinner, an explosion of flavours along the bustling streets.

Overnight with a local host for an unforgettable cultural experience.

Breakfast at the hotel. Your morning begins with an enchanting visit to the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens. Nestled in a bend of the Mahaweli River, this legendary 60-hectare park reveals one of the world’s most impressive collections of subtropical plants, set amongst avenues of palm trees and rare orchids. Lunch en route.

In the afternoon, set off on a walk from your hotel, passing through the tea plantations of the village of Kabaragalla with spectacular views of the valley and the Pidurutalagala Forest Reserve. After a 3.5 km walk, you’ll reach a hidden waterfall. Treat yourself to a relaxing break at the foot of the falls. Return to the hotel via the picturesque tea-plantation trails.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, take centre stage with the “Leaf to Cup” experience. Accompanied by an expert tea grower, learn the basics of tea picking alongside the locals, then follow every stage of the processing at the hotel’s factory. You’ll leave with the rare privilege of having picked, produced and packaged your own tea for your loved ones. Then head east towards Gal Oya. Lunch at a restaurant or at the hotel.

In the afternoon, you’ll set off on a boat safari on Lake Gal Oya. Enjoy a unique adventure on the water. This safari offers a fascinating natural spectacle. Keep an eye out, observe and enjoy this immersion in the wilderness. Return to the hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel, then set off to discover the indigenous Vedda community, one of the last tribes with a chief who lives in the country’s forests. This walk will give you the chance to learn about this people’s way of life, origins and culture. On the way back, or before the walk, stop at the Vedda people’s cultural centre to find out more about their origins and to discover their ancient caves. Then visit a farm and have lunch at the hotel. Time at leisure in the afternoon.

Optionally, you can choose a Jeep safari to observe herds of elephants (payable locally at an extra cost: $US 100 – 2 hours).

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, you’ll set off for the town of Bandarawella, situated in the Badulla District. Thanks to its high altitude, the town enjoys a mild climate all year round. Board the famous Badulla–Ella Tea Train. A unique experience in Sri Lanka, during which you’ll spend an hour taking in the magnificent tea-plantation scenery. Lunch, followed by a hike up Mini Adam’s Peak, a mountain standing at 1,141 metres

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, your day begins with a visit to the Ravana Falls, one of the island’s most spectacular waterfalls. You will then head south, driving past palm-fringed beaches and the famous coral gardens of Hikkaduwa, before reaching the fascinating city of Galle. Lunch at your leisure in the city.

Discover this UNESCO World Heritage Site during your tour of the city, where Dutch, British and Arabic architectural styles blend together. Stroll along the historic ramparts overlooking the vast Indian Ocean. Return to the hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and a private transfer to Colombo Airport to catch your return flight.

During this tour, you will be accompanied by an English-speaking driver-guide.

However, if you wish, you can opt for a French-, German-, Spanish- or Italian-speaking driver-guide (subject to availability), for an additional charge to be paid before departure:
Approximately $US 100 per day per booking (estimate only).

For any enquiries, please contact our customer service team.