The Essence of Sri Lanka

DAY 1 – 1 December 2024

NEGOMBO – AYUBOWAN!!!

On arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport, you will be greeted by your tour representative before you proceed to Negombo.

This day has been set aside just for you to arrive and orientate yourself. 

On arrival we check -in at Hotel. Transfer time – less than 1 hour. *Please note that if flying from Australia you may not arrive to Colombo until 11.30pm. In this case you may like to book an extra night. The cost is $300 AUD per room per night and can be arranged by us. Your airport transfer will still be included if you choose to arrive a day early.

The Dutch captured the town from the Portuguese in 1640, lost it, and then captured it again in 1644. The British then took it from them in 1796 without a struggle. Negombo was one of the most important sources of cinnamon during the Dutch era, and there are still reminders of the European days.

Overnight – Jetwing Beach or similar

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 2: NEGOMBO TOUR

Join us for a delightful Sri Lankan breakfast and a refreshing swim before we depart for the quaint fishing village of Negombo. Take in the sights and sounds of the local fishing market and snap some photos of the vibrant boats before continuing our journey to Dambulla. This town is located in the heart of what is known as the Cultural Zone, featuring Sri Lanka’s ancient kingdoms.

Arrive Jetwing Lake, have a swim.

Late afternoon, people who want to can go to the Cave Temple just 15 minutes away. This temple has 272 stairs (tour is optional).

Enjoy a leisurely dinner and relaxing nights sleep at our hotel Jetwing Lake.

Overnight – Jetwing Beach or similar

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 03:  SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS / SAFARI DRIVE

In the morning we visit the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya, one of the seven world heritage sites of the Island. For women who want to do the rock walk they can leave early around 6.30 and take a breakfast box. Finish around 9.30am. The van driver in the meantime can come back and pick up the other women who will be waiting in the car park where the stalls are for the rest of the group around 8.30 am after they have had breakfast and drive to Sigiriya to collect the others 9.30/10am.

Local Village Visit and lunch

Have you ever wanted to experience the true essence of a Sri Lankan village? Look no further than Hiriwadunna, a charming rural village in Habarana. Here, you can immerse yourself in the local culture and get a taste of authentic Sri Lankan cuisine through the Meet the Locals Cooking Demonstration and lunch.

The visit starts with a trip to the nearby vegetable cultivation, where you can handpick the freshest ingredients for your lunch. Then, it’s time to join the women of the village in their kitchen and learn about their traditional cooking methods. From the wood fire stove to the clay pots and ancient tools, you’ll get a glimpse into the rich culinary heritage of Sri Lanka.

But the highlight of the day is undoubtedly the mouth-watering lunch prepared by your new friends. With flavorful curries and fresh ingredients, you’ll get to taste home-cooked food at its best. And as you enjoy your meal, you’ll also get to chat with the locals and learn more about their way of life.

In the afternoon, we head to the local national park for a safari drive where we hope to see deer, many species of birds, monkeys and hopefully elephants. *The elephants move around between parks and are not always in locations close to where the park roads are. We cannot guarantee elephant sightings they are wild and do their own thing 😉

Return to our hotel Jetwing lake for drinks overlooking the lake

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 04:   DAMBULLA – KANDY

After breakfast proceed to check out and leave by 9 am. On our way, we stop at the wood carving place and the Spice Garden. There are some great ayurvedic herbs, ointments and teas to be purchased her for a natural solution to many health ailments. We will take a guided tour and have a tea.

We then arrived at Kandy. This hill station is remarkable for the natural beauty of its setting in a peaceful wooded valley overlooking a vast artificial lake.

Check-in. Freshen up and prepare for a city tour via tuk tuk.

After the city tour, enjoy a cultural performance and then conclude our visits for the day by visiting the Temple of the Tooth. The octagonal -shaped building, (Dada Maligawa) is a national palladium for it houses the Tooth Relic of the Buddha, an object of veneration to Buddhists all over the world.

Dinner (*self pay)

Overnight stay at Radisson Hotel Kanydy or similar

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 05: KANDY TO ELLA

Breakfast at the hotel.

Thereafter we board the local train from Kandy’s Train station and catch the Odyssey train. Ella Odyssey train journey is one of most scenic and beautiful train journeys in Sri Lanka climbing through lush green tea estates / waterfalls / tunnels /valleys which create super scenic train ride. This train only goes twice a week, we have reserved first class tickets for our guest in air conditioned carriage. We will stop at the iconic 9 arches bridge for a photo opportuvnity.

Arrive to Ella in the late afternoon. Free time. Welcome to everyone’s favorite hill-country village, and the place to ease off the travel accelerator with a few leisurely hours resting in some of the country’s best guesthouses. The views through Ella Gap are stunning, and on a clear night you can even spy the subtle glow of the Great Basses lighthouse on Sri Lanka’s south coast.

Dinner (*self-pay). Lets try and find a cafe with some live music and lively hippy vibe consistent with thai pretty little hill town.

Overnight Onrock Hotel Ella or similar

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

DAY 06: ELLA TO MATARA

Depart 9am for Matara and lunch at the Doctors House. This is a great café owned by a couple of Australian Guys. A bit of free time to wander, have a swim or check out the stilt fishermen. 

This afternoon check into your beachside accommodation, book a massage, relax by the pool, after all you are on holiday.

Overnight stay at Insight Hotel or similar

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 07: MIRISSA TO GALLE

After breakfast depart from the hotel and head to Handunugoda Tea Plantation. This is a lovely little tea plantation and offers guests a guided tour and tea and cake.

After the tea plantation tour, we then take a 45 minute to the historical town of Galle. We explore the cities landmarks and shop around. Visit the Galle fort, wander the many jewellery and clothing shops but be sure to head to the Galle Face for sunset followed by cocktails and dinner at a local favourite close to hour hotel.

Overnight stay at Heritage Hotel or similar

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8:  GALLE –COLOMBO – AIRPORT

Breakfast at leisure.

Today we leave for Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka for a tour of sightseeing. It is a 3 hours drive from Galle to Colombo and you will be dropped at the airport late afternoon around 5pm.

Today, Colombo is a fascinating city – a happy blend of east & west, past & present, with a charm of its own. A less known but amazingly true fact is that Colombo has a superb range of high quality restaurants serving food from all over the world and some of the best shopping opportunities in Asia.

We will visit The Geoffrey Bawa residence is considered a special architectural marvel which also houses art and artifacts from the collection of the Late Architect.

We also visit the Old Dutch Hospital, which has been impressively restored and now holds eateries, bars, boutique stores and spas. Constructed all of four centuries ago, the building is a resounding example of eastern Dutch architecture with high ceilings, thick walls, large wide windows and terracotta tiled floors.

Late afternoon we will head to the Jetwing 7 Hotel for a last sundowner watching the sunset of Colombo and dinner before being taken to the airport.

Thereafter you will be transferred to the airport in time for your departure flight. Transfer time – 45 minutes. (Airport – Colombo expressway).