Wonders of Sri Lanka and Maldives

After breakfast departure to Mirigama

experience a first folk journey aboard a local bus, with frantic honking, along the way to reach the city Mirigama

In the heart of the coconut triangle, visit a small-scale artisanal factory.

In Sri Lanka, a proverb says that there are as many applications with coconut as there are days in the year; here, a family team works the shell to extract the fibrous part which will be transformed into ropes using ancestral machines. Processes that have gone through the last decades!

Welcome to Shashika’s home. He welcomes you with a hot drink made from brightly colored tropical flowers, which naturally detoxifies your body.

Then discover how the local chewing tobacco is prepared, made from betel, which your host masters on the fingertips. It then takes you to the heart of a rubber plantation where you will witness the different stages of rubber processing. (In case of bad weather some processes cannot be carried out). 500m away, as a way of digestion, visit the picturesque workshop of a blacksmith whose anvil is a hundred years old and the manufacture is 100% artisanal using a manual bellows.

Then departure to Yapahuwa and discovery of the fortress in Yapahuwa.

North of Kurunegala, established on a rock reminiscent of Sigiriya, Yapahuwa was for a short time at the end of the 13th century. the capital of the kings of Ceylon. Bhuvaneka Bahu had a temple built on this exceptional site to house the relic of the Tooth of Buddha. Upon his death, the citadel was attacked and the tooth relic stolen for shipment to India. A Buddhist monastery still remains at the entrance to the site.

Continue towards Anuradhapura and check into the hotel.

Diner and overnight in Anuradhapura
Hotel Comfort – Lake Forest (Deluxe Room)

After breakfast visit of the archaeological site in Anuradhapura (listed as World Heritage by UNESCO)

This city was the first capital of the Sinhalese kingdom. Here you will see the oldest tree in the world, the Sri Maha Bodhi tree under which the Buddha received Enlightenment at Gaya in North India.

Afternoon depart to Habarana and check-in to the hotel.

Around 3:30 p.m. departure to Pidurangala and watch the sunset.

Climb this ancient monastery located next to Sigiriya Rock which is considered the royal temple revered by King Kashyapa. According to legend, when Kashyapa climbed Sigiriya rock to build his rock fortress, the surrounding caves were occupied by Buddhist monks for meditation. The king named Pidurangala the "monastery of Sigiriya".

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

After the breakfast depart to visit the archaeological site of Polonnaruwa.

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.

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

In the late afternoon, 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.

Return to the hotel.

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

After breakfast continue to Matale or the kingdom of spices. Away from mass tourism and controversial gardens, go deep into the jungle of this village to discover a nourishing garden rich in biodiversity where spices rub shoulders with the vegetables that are also grown there. Its owner will pass on his passion for growing peppers, nutmegs, turmeric, ginger, curry (leaves), peppers, etc. Here, no sale, just the pleasure of sharing the story of a man whose family has lived from these cultures for several generations. Quench your thirst with an infusion of plants, offered by the house.

From Matale (350m), start of our hike 02h-02h30 through forest of rubber trees and kapok trees, spice gardens and rice fields, to the Sudu Ganga river. Our walk first takes us through a forest rich in pepper, cocoa, tea and rubber plantations. We find on our way Hindu temples built by the Indian Tamil community (395m) who live from the culture of tea and we cross one of their villages. Crossing an iron bridge over a river (300m) where women come to get water and do their daily chores (laundry, shower...). We then begin our walk through the lush rice fields. Superb panorama and contrast with the Knuckles Mountains in the background. After having skirted the Sudu Ganga river, "the white river", supplying the cultures of the region, we finish our walk in the forest (345m).

Traditional lunch provided

Continue towards Kandy, the spiritual city in the island

At the gates of the mountainous region, KANDY was the last capital of the kingdom, welcoming in the 16th century. the famous relic of Buddha's Tooth in a soberly elegant temple, the Dalada Maligawa. It constitutes, with the Devala, the sanctuaries of the four guardian gods of the relic, a sacred group that UNESCO listed as a World Heritage Site in 1988.

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

After breakfast depart to visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens

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

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.

Continue to Udawalawe via Wellawaya.

On the way, 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.

In the afternoon 4x4 jeep safari at udawalawe national park

You can see 500 elephants grouped in herds, sambars, wild buffaloes, mongooses, foxes, monitor lizards, crocodiles, sloth bears. A large population of birds and about thirty species of snakes.

Diner and overnight in Udawalawe
Hotel Comfort – Thuduwa Camp (Superior room)

In the morning, start the day by rowing on the tranquil waters of Lake Kiriibaan in front of the hotel.

Free at the hotel

Around 11 a.m. discover the secrets of making the local "cottage cheese": Curd. Produced from buffalo milk, its taste is that of a slightly bitter yoghurt, which is why the Sri Lankans serve it with palm honey (kithul).

Tuk Tuk can be driven with the help of the tuk tuk driver.

Depart to Galle and undertake the 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.

Continue to Mirissa for your beach stay

Overnight in Galle – diner free
Hotel Comfort – Jardain du Fort

After breakfast leave to Kosgoda.

Visit Turtle Hatchery.

The Turtle Hatchery Project is a popular attraction for all travellers. The pristine golden shores that draws you to our island, also provides an enticing nesting ground for several endangered turtle species from the Olive Ridley to the Leatherback turtle. The project aims at conserving and protecting the eggs from predators and other dangers. Visit the turtle hatchery to learn about these endangered graceful creatures of the sea.

Continue to Colombo

Afternoon 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 – dinner free
Hotel Comfort – Radisson Colombo

After breakfast transfer to Colombo airport to catch the departure flight to 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 Comfort – Embudu Village

Free for relaxation

Diner et overnight in Maldives
Hotel Comfort – Embudu Village

After breakfast transfer to Male airport to catch the departure flight