Sri Lanka Encompassed

For most travellers, Sri Lanka has been off the map for too long. Well, it's back. Discover the vibrant colours, diverse...

Sri Lanka
DAY 1 Colombo

Arrive at any time. There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.

Administrative

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

DAY 2 Colombo/Negombo

Enjoy a guided city tour of Colombo before heading to Negombo. With evening free time, explore the stunning Portuguese and Dutch architecture.

Landmark

Pettah Bazaar Visit

Colombo1h-1.5h1km

Visit the Pettah district of Colombo and wind your way through a series of open-air bazaars and markets. The area is home to Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, one of the oldest and most visited mosques in Colombo, and also hosts Kayman's Gate, Colombo Town Hall, and the Khan Clock Tower.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Colombo- Negombo1h35km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Golden Star Beach Hotel

Hotel
DAY 3 Negombo/Sigiriya

Begin the day visiting the seaside and observe fisherman sorting through their haul ashore. Board a boat to glide along the Dutch canal and get a closer look at the lives of the locals. Travel to the Dambulla province and visit the cave temple before watching the sun set over the lake. Travel through the countryside to Sigiriya in Dambulla, the central province of Sri Lanka. Visit the the World Heritage Site of the Golden Cave Temple of Dambulla. In the evening, try to catch a beautiful sunset over the Kandalamma Lake.

Watersport

Negombo Lagoon Boat Ride

Negombo1.5h5km

Get a closer look at daily life while cruising calmly along the Dutch canal, one of many canals in the city linking estuaries and lagoons together. Watch as Negombo's residents collect coconuts, and keep an eye out for the multitude of bird species in the area.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Negombo- Sigiriya3.5h135km

Negombo - Sigiriya

Landmark

Dambulla Cave Temple Visit

Sigiriya1h-1.5h

Visit the ancient Dambulla cave temples at one of the most well-preserved temple and cave sites in Sri Lanka. See Buddhist mural paintings that line the walls of the seventh-century caves as well as a collection of hundreds of statues of Buddha in different poses.

Land Tour

Fishing Market Walking Tour

Negombo0.5h-0.75h1km

Take a walking tour of a fishing market. There's no better way to learn about the life of the locals than to head to the sea to take in the action. Watch the fishermen bring their boats to shore, clean their nets, dry the fish, and sell to waiting buyers.

Accommodation

IORA Resort

Resort
DAY 4 Sigiriya

Guided tour of the rock fortress of Sigiriya — a World Heritage site. Meet locals and share a meal in a nearby village. Enjoy a walking tour of a local village to learn about residents' way of life while getting a chance to try the local cuisine at a lunch prepared by the families of the community. Later, visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Built in the fifth century, this rock fortress boasts well-laid out gardens, caves, monasteries, and palaces with beautiful wall motifs. In the afternoon, opt to go for a tour of Polonnaruwa, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka, where you can cycle through the ruins.

Cuisine

Sri Lanka Village Tour

Sigiriya1.5h-2h3km

Wander through a typical Sri Lankan village to learn more about its residents and their way of life. Enjoy some local cuisine prepared by locals of the town and get a chance to interact with the community.

Landmark

Sigiriya Rock Fortress Visit

Sigiriya2h-3h

Be mesmerized by this rock fortress, which captivates every visitor with its well-laid out gardens, caves, monasteries, and palaces adorned with beautiful wall motifs. Start at the water gardens and climb more than 1,200 steps to reach the top. Pass caves with frescoes and boulders to find the ruins of a palace on the flat surface of the old volcanic magma rock. The rock rests 370m (1,213 ft) above sea level with a shear drop on all sides.

Free Time

SigiriyaEVENING

Head out and explore.

Accommodation

IORA Resort

Resort
DAY 5 Sigiriya/Kandy

Drive through the Knuckles Mountain Range and visit a spice plantation en route to Kandy. Stop for lunch at G Adventures supported-Sthree Craft Shop and Cafe. Take a guided visit to the famous Temple of the Tooth. En route to Kandy, stop at the herbal centre of spices. Students of Ayurveda will explain different uses for each herb. Arrive to Kandy in the afternoon. Go for a stroll around Kandy Lake and visit the famed Temple of the Tooth. Enjoy an included lunch at G Adventures supported-Sthree Craft Shop and Cafe. In the evening, opt to attend a Kandyan Cultural Dance.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Sigiriya- Kandy3h139km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Land Tour

Spice Plantation Tour

Kandy1h-1.5hMORNING

Visit the herbal centre of spices for an interactive session with students of Ayurveda. Learn all about the medicinal uses of various herbs used by the people of Sri Lanka in their massages and treatments.

Land Tour

Kandy Orientation Walk

Kandy1h1km

Walk through the city and around Kandy Lake to get a better feel for the place.

Land Tour

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Tour

Kandy1h-1.6h

Enjoy a tour of the Temple of the Tooth, which houses an important relic – a tooth of Lord Buddha kept in a well-preserved golden casket. Learn about the importance of this site from local guides.

Planeterra

Your G for Good Moment: Lunch at Sthree Craft Shop and Café

Kandy

Stop for a delicious traditional Sri Lankan lunch prepared by Sthree Craft Shop and Café. This social enterprise offers opportunities for local women and youth living with disabilities, through handicraft and hospitality training.

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Optional Activities - Day 5Show

Accommodation

Ganga Addara Hotel

Hotel
DAY 6 Kandy/Digana

Enjoy a free morning in Kandy then travel to Digana. Arrive at the nature resort for lunch before embarking on a guided village walk. Stop at the home of a jewellery maker who handcrafts delicate Kandyan jewellery and the cottage of a local woman making incense. Learn to make Sri Lankan bread or sweets while helping out with dinner. Accommodations at a nature resort are simple and authentic.

Free Time

KandyFULL_DAY

Head out and explore.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Kandy- Digana1h-1.5h25km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Land Tour

Digana Guided Village Walk

Digana

Get a crash course in local life with a village walk through Digana. Learn about some of the essential local industries and meet with local families, going about their daily routines. Visit their humble abodes to learn about their way of life before enjoying a traditional herbal drink.

Cuisine

Your Foodie Moment: Sri Lankan Cooking Demonstration

Udawalawe0.5h-1h

Enjoy a cooking demonstration and see how local Sri Lankan delicacies are prepared.

Planeterra

Nature Resort Stay

Digana

Explore the small village of Digana, lend a hand with the farm, learn to cook authentic Sri Lankan dishes, and wake up in tranquility surrounded by palm trees. A dolomite mining community, this project supports efforts for alternative income in Digana as well as improved access to food and water.

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Optional Activities - Day 6Show

Accommodation

Oruthota Chalets

Hotel
DAY 7 Digana/Nuwara Eliya

Enjoy a free morning of exploration before transferring to Nuwara Eliya. In the afternoon, explore a traditional tea plantation in the central highlands. Gain insight into the process of growing tea and its effect on the Ceylon region. The town, also known as 'Little England', offers a lot of options for visitors. Explore the nature trails, visit the plantations, or go golfing or horseback riding.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Kandy- Nuwara Eliya3.5h75km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Landmark

Tea Plantation Visit

Nuwara Eliya1h-1.5h

The town of Nuwara Eliya produces the finest Orange Pekoe Ceylon tea, and is inhabited mainly by tea planters and plantation workers. Pay a visit to one of the factories to learn all about tea production.

Accommodation

Top Rich Hotel Nuwara Eliya

Hotel
DAY 8 Nuwara Eliya/Ella

Spend a free morning hiking in the Horton Plains Nature Reserve or strolling local markets. Later, hop on the local train and take the scenic route to Ella. Use free time to explore the area. Opt to stay close to the city, wandering local markets or head further afield. There's a 9km (6 mi) trek in the Horton Plains Nature Reserve. Wander around Victoria Lake and take in the views.

Free Time

Nuwara EliyaMORNING

With so much to see and do, don't waste a minute.

Rail

Local Train

Nuwara Eliya- Ella3h

Take the scenic route and observe the stunning scenery from the local train.

Free Time

EllaEVENING

Get to know Ella with some free time this evening.

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Optional Activities - Day 8Show

Accommodation

Oak Ray Ella Gap Hotel

Hotel
DAY 9 Ella

Enjoy a free day in the charming town of Ella. Opt to tour the iconic Nine Arch Bridge, hike to Little Adam's rock, admire views of Ella Rock, or simply relax and wander around town.

Free Time

EllaFULL_DAY

Enjoy a free day to visit Ella's sights, or simply relax in town.

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Optional Activities - Day 9Show

Accommodation

Oak Ray Ella Gap Hotel

Hotel
DAY 10 Ella/Yala National Park

Enjoy a free morning. In the afternoon, travel to Yala National Park and enjoy a safari.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Ella- Yala National Park2.5h100km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Nature

Yala National Park Safari

Yala National Park3h-3.5h

Head out on a safari in Yala National Park. Keep an eye out for leopards, elephants, jackals, sloth bears, sambars, spotted deer, crocodiles, and more than 200 bird species. Learn about its diverse wildlife and the history of the park.

Free Time

EllaMORNING

Experience more of hill country with a free morning. Opt to shop or trek to Little Adam' Peak.

1

Optional Activities - Day 10Show

Accommodation

Big Game Camp Yala

Campground
DAY 11 Yala National Park to Mirissa

Enjoy one last morning visiting Yala NP then bid farewell and travel south to idyllic Mirissa Beach.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Yala National Park- Mirissa3h130km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

1

Optional Activities - Day 11Show

Accommodation

Olu Ayurveda Resort

Hotel
DAY 12 Galle

Take a day trip to Galle and tour the colonial city and historic fort before returning to Mirissa.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Mirissa- Galle1h42km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Land Tour

Galle Fort and City Tour

Galle

Visit the Galle Fort, a 16th-century fort first built by the Portuguese, and later occupied by the Dutch. The ramparts are still standing even after being battered by Mother Nature, including the 2004 tsunami. Explore more of the beautiful capital, taking in the Dutch architecture and lively atmosphere. The Dutch Hospital shopping complex is a great place to scoop up some souvenirs.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Galle- Mirissa1h42km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Olu Ayurveda Resort

Hotel
DAY 13 Mirissa

Enjoy a free day in peaceful Mirissa. Opt to relax on the beach or take a surfing lesson.

Free Time

MirissaFULL_DAY

Kick back and relax on the beach or give surfing a try.

Accommodation

Olu Ayurveda Resort

Hotel
DAY 14 Mirissa

Depart at any time.

Administrative

Departure Day

Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

Day
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