RESPLENDENT ISLAND

Day 1 : Airport of Colombo/ Negombo (15 km) (- / L / D) 

Arrival at Colombo International Airport. Welcome by our representative.

Departure for Negombo. Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Free time In the afternoon, you have the choice between several options :

- Option 01 - Exploring the fishing village by bike (2-3 hours).

- Option 02 - Deep Sea Fishing Trip to Negombo (3 hours) (best seasons from February to April, and from October to December)

- Option 03 - Bird Watching at Muthurajawela by Boat (2h00)

Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Included meals: lunch and dinner.

Day 2 : Negombo / Yapahuwa / Anuradhapura (180 km, 4h30 of road) (B / L / D) 

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Yapahuwa to visit the rock fortress Yapahuwa is located in the Wayamba province of Sri Lanka. It was the capital of Sri Lanka in the latter part of the 13th century (1273-1284). Built on a massive rocky 90-meter block in the style of Sigiriya Rock-fortress, Yapahuwa was a palace and military fortress against foreign invaders.

At the top of the rock are the remains of a stupa, a Bodhi box, and a rock shelter / cave used by Buddhist monks, stating that, earlier this site was used as a Buddhist monastery, at the like many rocks and hills in the area. There are several caves at the base of the rock.

Departure for Anuradhapura. Arrival and check-in at the hotel.

Evening: visit of the city, monuments of the 3rd century BC and 8 sacred temples for Buddhists. Political and religious capital of Ceylon for 1,300 years, Anuradhapura was abandoned for Polonnaruwa in 993 following invasions. Long buried in thick jungle, the city, with its palaces and monasteries, is accessible again.

Founded in the 6th century BC by King Pandukabhaya, it was the capital of Sri Lanka from the 4th to the 11th century BC. Today, this ancient city has become sacred for Buddhists with its monasteries that extend for 40 km. It is considered one of the major archaeological sites of the country. According to Mahavamsa, the city is called Anuradhapura in tribute to a minister, pioneer of the construction of the city, called Anuradha. This minister served King Vijaya who founded the Sinhalese ethnic group.

Night and diner at the hostel.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 3 : Anuradhapura / Aukana / Namal Uyana / Dambulla (100 km, 2h30 of road) (B / L / D) 

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the statue of Buddha in Avukana. The statue of Avukana dates from the 5th century, it is 13 meters high and it is undoubtedly the oldest and best preserved sculpture of the island. This Buddha, erected by King Dhatusena, is today sheltered by a modern construction.

Afternoon: departure to visit the "Namal Uyana". The Namal Uyana in Sri Lanka is the largest ironwood forest and rose quartz mountain in Asia. The Ironwood tree is endemic in Sri Lanka and the replanted forest covers more than 260 acres. According to the findings of archeological researchers, pink quartz in this historic place has a history of more than 550 million years.

Naamal Uyana is an extremely rare forest replanted with ironwood trees in the 8th century AD started during the beginning of King Devanampiyathissa and ending with King Dappula IV. Namal Uyana had been a sanctuary for Buddhist monks during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa in the 8th century.

Later, it was used as a prison camp where the punishment was to plant Na trees. The period of King Dappula declared it as a human sanctuary. This unique natural place was brought to the attention of the world nearly 15 years ago by a Buddhist monk, the Venerable Wanawasi Rahula Thero. Arrival and check-in at the hotel.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 4 : Dambulla / Pidurangala / Hiriwadunna ou Minneriya (B / L / D) 

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to visit the rock Pidurangala with the monastery of ancient forests. This monastery complex covers an area of 13 hectares and illustrates the religious attitude of King Kashyapa who built the fortress of Sigiriya renowned worldwide during his reign. Pidurangala, the ancient monastery that is located next to Sigiriya Rock is considered the royal temple where King Kashyapa performed his devotions.

According to legend, when Kashyapa arrived in Sigiriya to build his capital, the fortress, the surrounding caves were occupied by Buddhist monks observing the meditation. The king transferred the "Sigiriya Monastery complex" to Pidurangala, but some inscriptions say that Pidurangala was also a monastery beyond the Kashyapa period.

In the afternoon, you can choose one of these visits:

Option 1: Visit the village of Hiriwadunna in oxcart, and boat on the lake. Tasting of a traditional meal.

Option 2: 4x4 safari in Minneriya National Park. The Minneriya National Park is located near three other parks, giving the area a wild character. He is well known for his large herds of wild elephants. In addition, Minneriya is located in Sri Lanka's famous Cultural Triangle where there are no less than five World Heritage Sites.

Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 5 : Dambulla / Riverston / Matale / Kandy (150 km, 4h00 de route) (B / L / D) 

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Matale. Visit of "Riverston". Riverston Peak in Sri Lanka can be reached by traveling, about 30 km from the town of Matale, on the Matale - Girandurukotte road. This road offers some of the best views of the surrounding countryside; as far as it is called "mini world's end". The hike is about two and a half kilometers in one direction, and should not take more than an hour or two for people in good health. He runs a section known as Pittawala Paththana and leads to the Riverston Summit. Throughout the hike, you can admire the view of the rice terraces, unique to some mountainous areas of the world, and the beautiful green Central Highlands.

Afternoon: visit of a spice garden in Matale. The Garden of spices in Matale offers all the native varieties to discover and sometimes to taste: bamboo, pepper, areca, banana, coffee, coconut, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, cardamom, etc. During this visit, each participant will receive a "massage of the head" with medicinal oils extracted from natural products.

Visit the Buddha Tooth Temple in Kandy. The sacred tooth of the Buddha is the most revered relic among Buddhists in the country, it is at the temple in Kandy. In the Buddhist world, it is one of the most sacred places. According to legend, the tooth was recovered when the body of the Buddha was still in the funeral pyre. It was brought to Sri Lanka in 313 AD by the Indian princess Hemamali. In Sri Lankan history, the Sinhala kings did everything to protect it from invaders from South India.

Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 6 : Kandy / Meemure / Kandy (130 km, 3h30 of road) (B / L / D) 

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the village of Meemure (full day). Meemure is an isolated village in the central province of Sri Lanka, located 324 m above sea level and hidden among the mountains. The only way to reach it is from Hunnasgiriya Mountain, which is part of the Knuckles Range, about 50 km from Kandy.

It is a difficult 33 km trail from Hunnasgiriya to Meemure, with many difficult places, although the view is excellent. The village itself receives abundant water in the form of waterfalls that have their sources in the evergreen forests of Knuckles.

East of the village is the pyramid-shaped Lakegala Mountain, while the west is dominated by the picturesque Knuckles Range. The northern limit of Meemure borders a forest that extends to the "Pitawala Pathana" meadow; and the south is bounded by Heen River. Return to the hotel.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel

Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 7 : Kandy /Nawalapitiya / Kitulgala / Nuwara Eliya (130 km, 3h30 of road) (B / L / D) 

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Kandy station to reach Nawalapitiya by local train (the train will leave at 08:40 from Kandy station and it will arrive at 09:45 at Nawalapitiya station). During the trip, you will enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery and tea plantations of this region.

Departure for Kitulgala. You can choose one of these visits:

Option 1: White water rafting in Kitulgala (01h00 - 02h00)

Over the years, Kitulgala has become a popular destination for a variety of reasons. Surrounded by a good number of waterfalls, it is now the most important starting point for excursions in the surrounding area. The rafting trade has multiplied in this region whose turbulent waters are the delight of lovers of water sports. You can also have a drink at the location of the world famous movie "The Kwai River Bridge", which was shot here and not in Thailand. The place is quiet and the beautiful river in the heart of a lush jungle. The bridge is no longer there (it is destroyed with dynamite at the end of the film), but Kitulgala seduced anyway.

Option 2: Trekking in the jungle (02h00 - 03h00)

Option 3: Canoeing (02h00 - 03h00)

Departure for Nuwara Eliya. Visit of a tea plantation and its manufacture. Tasting a real cup of Sri Lankan tea. Today, Sri Lankan tea is more commonly known as "Ceylon tea", after the name of the country until 1972. Ceylon produces almost only black tea, recognizable by its beautiful amber color. Arrival and check-in at the hotel.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 8 : Nuwara Eliya / Ella / Nuwara Eliya (100 km, 2h30 de route) (B / L / D) 

Breakfast at the hotel, and departure for Ella. Hike to Little Adam's Peak, so named in reference to the sacred peak Adams Peak (Sri Pada, where the imprint of the Buddha is preserved). This is an easy hike that will give you from the top a splendid panoramic view. You will walk through green tea plantations, waterfalls and paddy fields. You have to hike early in the morning to enjoy the light and the sky.

Afternoon: visit the bridge of 9 arches Demodara (Demodara is a city in the highlands of Sri Lanka). It is served by the Sri Lanka Railway Station on the Badulla branch. There is a spiral at this place. It is easily visible from the Demodara station. This is a tunnel that actually goes under the Demodara station. On the existing track, the tunnel is around a mountain, rising continuously to reach a higher altitude on what was the mountain under which the tunnel is built. Return to the hotel.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel

Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 9 : Nuwara Eliya / Sinharaja (150 km, 3h30 of road) (B / L / D) 

Breakfast at the hotel, and departure for Sinharaja via Ratnapura. Ratnapura is an important city in Sri Lanka. It is the capital of Sabaragamuwa province, as well as the district of Ratnapura, and is a traditional center of Sri Lanka for the jewelry trade. It is located on Kalu Ganga (Black River) in south-central Sri Lanka, some 101 km south of the country's capital, Colombo. The inhabitants of the city depend on the trade of precious stones. Visit of the precious stones mine.

Arrival and check-in at the hotel.

Afternoon : Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a national park and a hot spot of biodiversity in Sri Lanka. It is of international importance and has been designated a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The hilly virgin forest, part of the lowland rainforest eco-region of Sri Lanka, was designated a World Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and World Heritage in 1988. Return to the hotel.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 10 : Sinharaja /Bentota (85 km, 2h30 of road) (B / L / D) 

Breakfast at the hotel, and departure for Bentota. Enjoy cycling in the Bentota countryside (3- 4h). During this visit, you will visit the Buddhist temple of Kanda Viharaya, the cinnamon garden, rice paddies, rubber plantations and nature, modern fishing village of Bentota and also you can have experience of the basic process of preparation of the local alcohol. Evening: arrival and check-in at the hotel, then free temple at the beach.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 11 : Bentota / Airport (110 km, 3h00 of road) (B / - / - ) 

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport to catch your return flight.

Included meals: breakfast

End of the Tour