11 night Sri Lanka Tour

Breakfast at the resort.
Proceed to Polonnaruwa (Travel Time: 90 mts)

Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa is a UNESCO World Heritage site, rose to fame as the capital after the decline of Anuradhapura. Its period of greatness was from the 10th – 12th centuries AD. The entire landscape of the region is punctuated by huge man-made reservoirs, veritable inland seas the most famous of which is the Parakrama Samudra or the Sea of Parakrama, larger in size than the Colombo harbor.

Lunch:
Enjoy a typical Farmers lunch overlooking paddy fields

Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park

Jeep Safari to Minneriya or Kaudulawewe National Parks, Sri Lanka’s newest sanctuaries, which were recently declared conservation areas to protect a large migratory herd of up to 300 elephants’ feedings and washing.

Back to the resort

Early breakfast at the resort. Today we visit the 5th century rock fortress of Sigiriya.
Travel Time: Approx. 30-45mts

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

This UNESCO World Heritage site, a spectacular Rock Fortress, is undoubtedly Sri Lanka’s major attraction and mostly visited. The story and legend behind Sigiriya is truly inspiring considering the great King’s vision and his taste to design one of the most stunning ancient gardens of Asia.
The most impressive facets of the unique complex are the fascinating Water Gardens, the Frescoes of beautiful maidens, the Mirror Wall
with ancient graffiti, the Lion platform and the view from the Summit. The 1.6-hectare complex was once completely covered by buildings during the period of Sigiriya’s glory.

Meditation Session with Buddhist Monk

After lunch you can meet with a Buddhist monk in the monastery, and engage in a discussion on his personal journey towards becoming a monk.

Guests will be able to ask questions and understand the daily routine of a typical monk and their lifestyle. The monk will establish a discussion mediated by your local guide and he introduces the principal elements of Buddhism and how he came to become a monk. He leads the discussion to the topic of meditation and its close integration to Buddhism and wellbeing and shares some of the salient features of meditation, its techniques, and benefits. We indulge in a 15-20 minute meditation session with the monk during this spiritual interchange. (The entire discussion takes about 45mts to an hour) following which you may ask any questions.

Breakfast at the resort. Check out from the resort and proceed to Kandy.
Travel Time: Approx. 2hrs, 30 mts

On Route to Kandy

We visit a private spice garden, where you be met by a specialist who will share his knowledge of the history of spices and talk about fragrant cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, mace and pepper, and many other favorites such as cocoa and vanilla. Your guide will explain the different spices and show how some of these spices are grown, processed and practically applied for cooking and medical purposes. A processing and training unit has been set up in the area and farmers are grouped in a cooperative to ensure fair prices.

Accomodation

Kings Pavilion- 2 nights

Perfectly placed in the cosy confines of the misty mountains and verdant forestlands, Kings Pavilion Kandy, transports you back to an era of bliss; a time when great kings ruled the central highlands of Sri Lanka! Bringing you a profound sense of peace with its luxurious offerings, our Kandy hotel, lets you slip into a sense of serenity and lets you enjoy the retreat that you have been longing for all along!

Breakfast at the resort.
(Optional) If required, we can feature a private session on Yoga or Meditation with a Guru in Kandy (Travel time: Approx. 30 mts)

At 1100hrs, we meet with a local off the city of Kandy and we visit a local market in Tuk Tuk’s and pick up our favourite vegetables.
Return to the place in Kandy and we will learn how to cook and create delicious Srilankan curries using exotic spices.

Sri Lankan Cooking Experience

We visit an organic farm maintained by a typical villager in the North-West Zone; understand how the monsoon and seasons operate in these areas. The man-made tanks and reservoirs play a huge role in deciding the type of crop or vegetables to be planted coinciding with the weather patterns, monsoons and the markets demand.

We pick some of our favourite vegetables and if the need arises, we could visit a local village “Pola” market where you will choose your favourite vegetables. Learn simple methods of preparing the vegetables and with the use of exotic Srilankan spices; we learn how to cook a typical Srilankan curry with the locals. Your host will assist you during the entire session of picking your vegetables and cooking.

You could add your own touches and spice it up to your satisfaction and enjoy this delicious Srilankan curries and boiled rice which forms a staple diet amongst Srilankans. You could take back this special recipe back home where you could try your own spice-infused Srilankan curries and dishes.

Enjoy a delicious Lunch with the local family.

Kandyan Dancing Academy

We visit a local Dancing school outside the city of Kandy. The Kandyan art reflects the unique signifies our heritage and culture. The dancing school is conducted by a renowned Kandyan dancer recognised by the main Kandy Temple.

The teacher conducts dancing and drumming lessons to emerging young students who aspire to be temple dancers and drummers. This is an important ambition to these students and the practice has been going on for several generations.

The rather charming dancing school is located in the outskirts of the Kandy cit. It is common that the villagers nearby come over to witness the lessons admiring the skills and techniques passed on for many generations.

The school conducts both Kandyan dancing and drumming lessons and clients too could take part in drumming lessons and learn some of the techniques.

Overnight in Kandy

Breakfast at the resort.
Take the morning train and enjoy the journey through the tea country.
Train journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya: Approx. 4hrs

Many visitors consider the train journeys from Kandy to the central hills one of the most scenic and memorable experiences. The carriages and seats are simple as they are purely designed for locals and government servants at a cost, which is marginal for them to commute between majour cities. The opportunity for visitors would be to travel with locals, observing the lifestyles and behaviours, which can be quite intriguing and interesting. The luscious, verdant tea plantations and estates are simply breathtaking as we travel to cooler climates as we reach the high altitudes.

Reach Nuwara Eliya, check in to the hotel
PM: Enjoy a walk in the Nuwara Eliya town with your guide.

Accomodation

2 nights at Lake Gregory/Stafford Bungalow, Tea Trails

Welcome to our holiday home in the hills – Stafford Bungalow -which provides the perfect choice for couples or families.

Stafford has 4 spacious bedrooms each with its own character and ensuite bathrooms. The rooms are large and very tastefully furnished.

Breakfast at the resort.
We visit a tea factory and plantation in the area and learn the history and the traditional processes and techniques adopted by the factories to date.

Tea Plantation

We visit a Tea Plantation and Factory to learn about the history of the tea industry and how the British and Scottish planters introduced Tea to Sri Lanka. We observe the techniques and skills of the tea pluckers and the process of turning the raw green leaf into the familiar black / brown final product.

You will also learn how tea is grown is different geographical conditions (such as low grown, medium grown & high grown tea), the manner in which they are plucked, weighed and fermented, processed and stored for distribution.

You will also get to understand how the bulk tea is auctioned by reputed tea brokers at the tea auctions which has been conducted for over 150 years and later branded, packaged

Rest of the day at leisure.

Breakfast at the resort. Check out from the hotel and travel to Tissamaharama/ Yala
Travel Time: 4hrs, 30 mts
Lunch: Stop en route (Open)
PM: Optional Game drive to the Yala National Park

Yala National Park

Sri Lanka’s most known national park is popular for Elephant, Leopard, Bear, Crocodile and Wild Boar. More than three times larger than Udawalawe at 97,800 hectares, this is the second largest of Sri Lanka’s national parks. Its open undulating terrain made it famous for elephants for many years, but recently the park has also received much fame through publicity by National Geographic and the Discovery TV channels, which focused on a leopard research/conservation and identifications project.

Claims have subsequently been made that Yala National Park has the world’s highest concentration of leopard per square kilometer. This park is primarily shrub jungle with several salt and freshwater lagoons. The areas popular with leopard are rock-strewn hillocks with dense shrub in which the animals hide.

Accomodation

Wild Coast Lodge- 1 night

Indulge in an early morning game drive to the Yala National Park,
Travel Time: Approx. 30/45 mts

Return back to the resort. Brekfast at the resort

Check out and continue to the south coast for leisure
Travel Time: Approx. 3hrs

Check in to the resort
Rest of the day at leisure

Accomodation

Taru Villa Bentota- 3 nights

A blend of traditional Sri Lankan hospitality, heritage and architecture come together at Taru Villas – Rock Villa to give you a piece of our paradise – a benchmark for luxury private villas in Bentota. A sprawling, 2.5 acres of lush garden that harks back to the age-old concept of local styles leads its way to an untouched golden beach, across a single-track railway line, promising a tropical getaway where barefoot living is not just encouraged, but essential.

Breakfast at the resort. Enjoy the rest of the day at lesiure. Or you may indulge in optional activities/ experiences depending on the location of the beach resort

Optional Experiences/ Activities:
• Visit to the historical Galle Fortress and guided tour
• Mulkirigala Buddhist Temple
• 3-hour Sailing experince with Champaign (Sunset cruise or in the morning with snack/ Champaign)
• Whale watching
• Visit to the Lunuganga Estate by Geoffrey Bawa
• Visit to the Brief Garden Estate

Galle Walking Tour

Enjoy a walking tour of this “living fortress” and understand its history, secrets, and amazing architectural elements. The Galle Fort was established by the Portuguese in 1505 as a small foreign trading port. However, in 1640, the Dutch captured Galle, and by 1663 had constructed great ramparts and massive bastions to protect their interests.

Within these ramparts, narrow streets are lined with houses displaying their Dutch and English heritage. Flanked by pillared verandahs, these colonial homes and Government offices remain in use today.

Some of the important places we see within the Galle Fort are the Groote Kerk (Dutch Reform Church), the Governor’s House, vast spice warehouses, the Court Square, the Old Dutch hospital, the lighthouse and Meera Jumma mosque. Today, Galle has developed well with concept restaurants, cafés, heritage hotels and shops outbidding the other with creative handicrafts, antiques and colourful clothing and fabrics. Panoramic views of Galle and St. Mary’s Cathedral may be enjoyed from the three highest bastions of the Fort named the Sun, Moon and Star.

There are many concept cafes and restuarants in the Galle Fortress which is fantastic. Perhaps we could recommend a café or a restaurant as a dining option during lunch

Breakfast at the resort.
Check out and proceed to the Airport in time for departure.
Travel Time: Approx. 2hrs/ 3hrs (depending on the location of your beach stay on the south coast