Experiential Tour of Sri Lanka

Rise early this morning for a visit to the Negombo fish market. Morning is the best time to visit the market – your leader will help you navigate the organized frenzy of vendors displaying delicacies like crab, lobsters, and squid. Say goodbye to Negombo and make the drive to Dambulla.

On the way visit a coconut plantation to discover why this ‘super food’ is so central to life in Sri Lanka. The coconut tree is a palm family. They form a regular part of the diets of many people in the Sri Lanka. Learn how all parts of the tree play an important part in daily life, sip the water of a king coconut. There after visits local Coir Mill. Learn about Coir or coconut fibre and get a chance to contribute some volunteer work yourself

In the evening, head out for one of the highlights of any visit to Sri Lanka, a visit to the magnificent palace of Sigiriya (Lion Rock). This dramatic rocky outcrop, rising from the surrounding plains is topped by a ruined palace. It’s a good workout to get to the top – your leader will share stories of the ancient civilization who once lived atop the rock as you climb, and the sight at the top makes it well worth it. In the evening, return to Dambulla.

This morning you can take optional visit to incredible Dambulla Cave Temple. Here you’ll discover five caves filled with around 150 beautiful statues and paintings of Buddha – some as many as 2000 years old. Explore the magical cave complex as your leader explains why this World Heritage-listed site has been a place of worship for thousands of years.

In the afternoon, start your journey to Kandy. Along the way, stop off in the city of Matale where you will visit a local spice garden and learn about the spices that have played such an important role in Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage. Continue on to Kandy where you’ll have a free evening to explore. Though it’s the second-largest city in the country, Kandy maintains a laidback atmosphere. Perhaps take a peaceful stroll around the city’s centerpiece lake.

Encircled by verdant hill country and home to a picturesque lake, bustling market, old shops and some great restaurants, Kandy is one of Sri Lanka’s most pleasant cities. It was at one time also home to Sri Lanka’s last king, who managing to resist European control long after the coastal areas had surrendered. This morning you’ll visit Dalada Maligawa (the Temple of the Tooth), which houses the country’s most sacred relic: a tooth said to be the Buddha’s. Pilgrims have been coming to pay homage at this site since the 16th century.

There after visit Giragama Tea Factory. Giragama Tea Factory is one of the oldest in Sri Lanka. The eponymous English “cuppa” might have been somewhat stronger if not for the 1865 coffee blight. Old Ceylon’s up-country plantations were devastated – but not so the spirits of the pioneering planters. They threw in a crop of tea and never looked back. You will visit a tea plantation and observe how the plant is grown and harvested. From here you will travel to a factory and learn about the whole processing procedure and how different types of teas are created.

Optional visit the magnificent Peradeniya Botanical Gardens with its immense fig tree and impressive orchid collection. Considered among the finest botanical gardens in all of Asia, this is a great spot for the kids to run around in.

On the way visit The Mahiyangana Temple. It is said that this is the site of Lord Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka. The Mahiyangana Temple initially began its life a tiny stupa enshrining a handful of Buddha’s hair and was the very first stupa of the island. Later in 543 BC an Arahant named Sarabhu brought the Buddha’s left collar bone, recovered from his funeral pyre, and enshrined it alongside his hair whilst also enlarging the stupa to 18 feet in height. Subsequent kings continued to enlarge the stupa until it reached its current size. The temple was renovated approximately four decades ago, and continue to be a peaceful and historic sight. You will be visiting this temple and learning more about it.

In the evening enjoy high Tea on the boat. Taste a cup of freshly brewed Sri Lankan Tea or Coffee with 12 verities of western and local snacks, while enjoying the sunset over the Mapakada Lake.

Raise early and enjoy breakfast with sunrise from Weheragala Mountain top or Mapakada Lake with live cooking. Stay leisure till evening and start Veddha Village tour. This programs includes , A Visit to the Museum – Hunting Demonstration – Ancient herbal Medicare, in-case of an injury or a snake bite…First Aid – Lighting the fire…with Kahanda stone – Singing Lullabies – Kiri-Koraha dance Blessings from ‘God Kalubandara’ – Meeting the Chieftain at his abode.

Depart Badulla and board a morning train bound for Ella. Enjoying the Scenic drive through Misty Mountains and Lush Green Tea Plantations, your driver guide will meet you at Ella Railway station and drop you at your hotel in Ella.

Raise early start Undiscovered Ella Experience local village tour. Program start 6:00am and duration will be 10hrs. Program includes, Village Breakfast experience, Toddy collecting traditional experience, Jeep drive and Hike, Making Kithul Trickle, Thawalama, Thal Mat weaving experience, Water Fall and swimming, Make on Lunch, Pepper Harvesting.

In the morning, head to Yala National Park, Sri Lanka’s premier wildlife reserve. Here you’ll board a 4×4 and embark on a safari through open grasslands, lush forest and tranquil lagoons. Your guide will carefully listen out for the rustling of concealed animals that would go unnoticed by those not in the know. There’s a good chance of spotting crocodiles, elephants, monkeys and buffaloes and if you are lucky, you may even spot a leopard – the park is considered one of the best places in the world to see these ever-elusive beauties.

After visiting Jeep safari, you can try buffalo curd, served in bright terracotta pots with thick, golden treacle.

After breakfast you will be travelling back home today. Pack your bags and check-out of the hotel and one of our representatives will take you to the Bandaranaike International Airport in time for your flight. We will say our goodbyes and part, until we meet again!