Combien Sri Lanka & Maldives Tour

Early morning climb the lion rock in Sigiriya.

Sigiriya is more than a fortress, a massive monolith of red stone that rises 200m. This famous Lion Rock fortress, haunted by an epic history of murder and betrayal, was built in the 5th century AD by the parricide King Kashyapa. Sigiriya was one of the Sri Lankan capitals during the reign of this king. The ascent to the summit is reached between the paws of a lion. You can see the famous frescoes "The Maidens of Sigiriya" courtesans of the king during his reign.

Refresh yourself with coconut water, locally called “Thambili”.

Return to the hotel for relaxation

In the afternoon depart to Polonnaruwa and visit the archaeological site of Polonnaruwa by bicycles.

The city of Polonnaruwa succeeded the 10th century. in Anuradhapura as the capital. It was only there for two centuries, but its vestiges extend over 15 km2 and have been listed as UNESCO heritage since 1982. You will discover the following monuments: the statue of King Parakramabhu, the former Royal Palace, the hall of audiences, the Royal bath, the chamber of relics, the Galpotha (8-meter stone book), the temple dedicated to Siva and, Gal-Vihare with its four Buddha statues.

Return to the hotel.

Wait until dinner playing Caram, local billiards at your fingertips!

Diner and overnight in Habarana
Hotel Charm – Sevanagama (Deluxe Room)

After breakfast depart to Dambulla and visit the cave temple.

Here is a collection of rock cave temples dating back to the 1st Century B.C. Dambulla Rock is 152 meters in height with a colossal recumbent figure of the Buddha, 14 meters in length. The paintings on the ceilings of the caves and the many carvings depict great events in the life of the Buddha and landmarks in the history of the Sinhala people.

Then depart to Kandy, the spiritual city in the island.

On the way visit to a spice garden in Matale, offering all the native varieties such as pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, chilli, turmeric… Tasting of spice tea, demonstration of the therapeutic virtues of each plant.

Arrival in Kandy.

This lovely city is the erstwhile Hill Capital and last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings. Encircled by hills, with a tranquil lake in its centre, it is the site of the renowned "Temple of the Tooth". Place of interest are the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and the Mahaweli Diversion Project in their impressive settings. Spice Gardens dot the outskirts of Kandy along with handicraft centres and the market-place is a hub of activity. Kandy retains an aura of grandeur which time has not effaced.

Visit of the city of Kandy and its colorful and flavorful market.

Diner and overnight in Kandy
Hotel Comfort – Fox Resort Kandy (Deluxe room)

After breakfast visit the Royal botanical garden in Peradeniya

Peradeniya Botanical Gardens are 05km from Kandy. Its creation dates from 1370. Before the arrival of the English, it was a royal park. Today it is the largest botanic garden in Sri Lanka, covering 60 hectares laid out in a loop of the Mahaweli River. Among other things, it contains a superb collection of orchids and a beautiful avenue of palm trees planted in 1950. One of the main attractions is the gigantic Java fig tree. The park contains magnificent vegetation, including: cannonball trees, palm trees, coco de mer palms who’s each fruit weighs 10 to 20 kilos, giant bamboos, Assam rubber trees.

Visit the temple of "The Tooth of Buddha" (Dalada Maligawa) where every evening a ceremony takes place.

Diner and overnight in Kandy
Hotel Comfort – Fox Resort Kandy (Deluxe room)

After breakfast drive to Nuwara Eliya via the tea route. Visit a tea plantation and a tea factory.

There are many tea production factories in the region: discovery of the manufacturing process, walk in the plantation to meet the tea pluckers (tea is still picked by hand in Sri Lanka) and tasting of different ranges of tea (tea black, green, white).

Continue to Nuwara Eliya and on the way visit Ramboda waterfall.

Arrival in Nuwara Eliya and undertake the city tour.

At an altitude of 1900 m, Nuwara Eliya was the favorite vacation spot for English settlers. It must be said that the climate is more pleasant than in the plains: the average temperature is 15°C and the nights are cool. It rains there more often than elsewhere, which has earned this region the nickname of “Switzerland of the East”. In summer, a persistent and cold fog contrasts with the heat of the rest of the island. This climate is conducive to market gardening.

In the afternoon depart by tuk tuk to Nanu Oya station using the most typical means of transport on the island: the Tuk-Tuk.

Part of the journey will be done by train and your driver will be waiting for you at your arrival station in Ella. You will enjoy a privileged moment with the locals.

Please note: This activity may be canceled or postponed due to train delays or cancellations. Tickets are not reserved in advance and purchased on the spot by the driver. Seats are not guaranteed; the trip can be done standing in case of large crowds.

Check into the hotel in Ella.

Diner and overnight in Ella
Hotel Comfort – Serenite Ella (Superior room)

After breakfast, ascent of the mini Adam's Peak, easy walk accessible to all which lasts about 1h30. Ascent to the heart of the tea plantations with a view of the surrounding mountains. Breathtaking.

Then depart to Wellawaya.

Discovery of a pottery workshop. Here the master of the turning works the terracotta and produces more than 100 pieces per day, thanks to a primitive firing technique.
Alone, he has been cranking his wrasse for decades and will give up his place to you to try to give shape to the pots that will be sold on the local markets.

Then discovery of “jaggery”. Unrefined sugar, it is handcrafted from father to son using cane sugar in a factory using techniques that reduce CO2. Here, cooking is not done with wood or coal but with sugar cane compost.

Continue to Galle and check-in to the hotel.

Evening Galle City Tour (UNESCO)

Coming to trade in spices from the island, the Europeans in turn left a legacy, the most remarkable of which is Galle, a magnificent natural port at the southern tip, which keeps intact the ramparts and residences built by the Dutch. in the 17th century.
Galle has miraculously preserved all the arrangements made during the 17th and 18th centuries. We walk there along the bastions of its gray granite rampart, which dominates the sea and encloses a European city that emerged from the time of the spice route.

Overnight in Galle – diner free
Hotel Charm – Le jardin du fort (Superior rooms)

After breakfast, depart to Balapitiya.

Ascent of the lagoon of Madu Ganga (Balapitiya) aboard a small multicolored motor boat. The landscapes are surprisingly beautiful: trees with aerial roots, coconut palms, rice fields, cinnamon plantations and countless birds (cormorants, eagles, kingfishers). You will also likely see monitor lizards, iguanas and, if you are lucky, even crocodiles!

Balapitiya is the region of cinnamon, a precious Ceylon spice. You visit a magnificent estate as an introduction to the cultivation and harvesting of cinnamon, the queen of spices. The visit allows you to see the trees, sometimes 40 years old, and how the experienced workers remove the bark using a special copper instrument to produce the famous cinnamon sticks, abundantly used in our kitchens.

Then depart to Kosgoda and visit a Turtle hatchery

Several farms aim to save the turtles that come to breed on the beaches of Sri Lanka. Opportunity to discover their action, to see how they save the eggs intended for sale in local markets, to place them in a pen until they hatch. After a short stay in a pool, the babies are released in the dark. Depending on the time of the visit, possibility of attending the release of babies on the beach.

Then depart to Colombo

Evening colombo city tour by tuk tuk. Immersion in an authentic and colorful Colombo off the beaten track. Buddhist and Hindu temples, colonial houses, popular and commercial districts and tasty stops will be part of the experience.

Overnight in Colombo – diner free
Hotel Colonial – Galle Face

After breakfast transfer to Colombo airport to catch the departure flight towards Maldives

Once you arrive to Male airport a local representative will meet you for the hotel transfer.

Arrive to the hotel and free for relaxation.

Diner et overnight in Maldives
Hotel Luxury – Kuramathi Island Resort 4*

Free for relaxation

Diner et overnight in Maldives
Hotel Luxury – Kuramathi Island Resort 4*

After breakfast transfer to Male airport to catch the departure flight