The Ultimate Bucketlist of Sri Lanka

Welcome to the Pearl of the Indian Ocean!

Be accompanied at the Colombo International Airport by your Chauffeur Guide who will transfer you to Negombo, to relax and rejuvenate after your flight.

Given that you have just arrived, we suggest you take it easy and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

Kadjugama, home to cashew nut plantations is an essential stop while on tour. Meet the local sellers dressed in their authentic day to day clothing standing by the side of the road underneath the little huts. Don’t forget to try out these delicious snacks while you continue your journey.

We then head to Sigiriya. While the Sigiriya Rock is rich in history and has some dramatic features such as the lion’s paw and the mirror wall, we start off with the Pidurangala Rock a towering rock near Sigiriya and is home to the ancient cave temple. It is a challenging climb but the views from the top is glorious. This rock has a much more natural feel, despite also housing a temple. After you reach the temple there are only 5-10 minutes of trekking remaining. However, this part of the trail involves some bouldering. While it may seem easy to many it might be a bit challenging for some. There are no dangerous sections just a few boulders, which require a big step up. Conclude your day at one of the most beautiful hotels Sigiriya has to offer.

Today we visit Anuradhapura, experience this city tour afoot, or bicycles or a tuk tuk. This is the cradle of the glorious Sinhalese Buddhist civilization. Up next we venture out to Sigiriya and contribute to nature, by planting a tree, which in turn would favourably affect he natural surroundings. Bask in the glorious creation which is the frescoes on the ramparts of the Sigiriya Rock. Visit the magnificent rock carvings of monumental richness and remarkable grace; colossal stone pillars that stand proud amidst the ruins of royal palaces, Buddhist monasteries and temples; magnificent stone cut swimming pools of sophisticated hydrology.

Before we visit the Dambulla cave temple, we give you an opportunity at Sigiriya to live, eat and dress like a local (we give you the choice of wearing the traditional Sri Lankan attire, and spend the day the way the locals do). We then proceed to the beautiful Royal Rock Temple complex that sits about 160m above the road in the southern part of Dambulla. We enter five separate caves that contain about 150 stunning Buddha statues and paintings, some of Sri Lanka's most important and evocative religious art. Everyone loves a safari. up next we explore the unique wildlife at Minneriya. Watch out for elephant, leopard, crocodile, and other native wildlife on a 3-hour private safari drive at the Minneriya National Park. After entering the National Park with your guide in a jeep, you will be able to spot several species of birds and other animals that call this sanctuary their home, and finally to sum up the day we go Loris watching in Dambulla, a rare and endangered species that you simply shouldn’t miss!

Kandy is our next awaited journey, but before we explore this ancient city, we explore the Nalanda Gedige which is a collaboration of Hindu and Buddhist architecture, leaving you absolutely mesmerized by its iconic architecture, and let’s not forget that you will be standing at the center of Sri Lanka. You may feel the mist and cold in hill country so be prepared with a sweater, and clothes to keep you warm. Walk along the pathway under the shade provided by the palm tree pathway at the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.

Today we head to the Temple of the Tooth Relic located on the premises of the Royal Palace of the Last King of Kandy which houses the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. This prime landmark of Kandy is venerated by Buddhists all over the world and is one of the most visited sites in Sri Lanka. Buddhists monks hold daily worships while special ‘poojas’ or ceremonies are conducted three time of the day along with Kandyan drumming in order to restore blessings. And to wrap up the morning we visit Ambuluwawa peak situated in the center of the Gampola Kingdom established by the great Sinhalese King Buvanekabahu IV. After experiencing the beauty of the Panoramic view of the mountain ranges we end our day at NuwaraEliya.

Horton Plains is our first stop for the day, at World’s End, where the Horton Plains plateau comes to a sudden end consisting of a stunning escarpment that plunges 880m. After this we go for the next stunning experience which is the tea plantations where you will see acres and acres of jade green expanses, crowned with bright green leaves ready for the plucking, colorful dots of tea pluckers decorating the sloping, misty hills. We end the day with high tea at the Heritance Tea Factory.

Today we take a ride through tea plantations, villages and towns across bridges and through tunnels to Ella. We explore the 9 arches bridge also known as the Demodara Bridge and watch the train pass us by through the tunnel. With a small 30-minute walk through the jungle, you will reach a piece of beautiful architecture that is hidden between lush green tea fields. We then climb Little Adams Peak. Some of the views from hikes in Ella are phenomenal with the region well known for its tea plantations and spectacular mountain ranges. If you want to enjoy some of the best views without needing to hike for hours, Little Adam’s Peak is the perfect trek, especially for an unforgettable sunset.

Spend the rest of the night in Ella.

Today we venture out to Sri Lanka’s second-highest waterfall, Diyaluma Falls, and we may even be able to take a dip depending on your preference. We then proceed to Yala where we experience the evening Safari spotting Leopards, and all sorts of wildlife, and spend the rest of the night in a tent feeling closer to nature than ever before.

We start our morning off, this time with the early morning safari and then head to the Rekawa turtle hatchery, by being educated on the different species and hopefully even get to witness turtles laying eggs. We then spend the rest of the night in Tangalle and enjoy the mild climate.

Today we drive down to the Southernmost point; Dondra where the tallest Lighthouse in Sri Lanka, and one of the tallest in South Asia resides. We then move on to one of the most interesting traditional fishing methods of Sri Lanka, Stilt Fishing. This mode of fishing was more widely used all along the coast until the tsunami in 2004 which caused such activities to cease temporarily until recent years. Next is the palm tree rope swing at Dalawella Beach near Unawatuna in Sri Lanka, which is an Instagram sensation. Just like that Kandy to Ella train shot, everyone must have this one! We then proceed to see the peacock wall, coconut tree hill, a tour of the Galle Fort, and spend the night in Galle.

Today is probably the day that you have been waiting for since you landed in Sri Lanka. Whale watching in Mirissa has proven to be at the top of the list of your most desired activities In Sri Lanka. we then proceed to Amangalla where high tea will be prepared for us, and we end the rest of our day in a hotel in Galle Fort.

Hikkadauwa is our next most awaited activity, snorkeling and exploring the diversity under the ocean is something you simply cannot miss. After a tiring day spent on the ocean we proceed to Colombo and enjoy some Sri Lankan authentic cuisine and the spend the rest of the night in Colombo.

On our final day before the day of departure, we visit either the Sambodhi Chaithya and the Seema Malakaya all located within Colombo. Ride in Sri Lankas unique mode of transportation, the “tuk tuk” in and around Colombo and Pettah and head back to the hotel to relax before the day of departure.

We wish you a warm goodbye, hoping you have enjoyed your holiday in Sri Lanka and will be taking home memories to cherish a lifetime.