Sri Lanka: Spice Gardens & Seasides
12 days, Negombo to Colombo
Itinerary
Day 1Negombo
Arrive at any time.
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Optional Activities - Day 1 HideShow
Welcome Dinner
You've arrived! Why not share a meal and a drink with your new travel mates?
Day 2Negombo/Polonnaruwa
Opt to explore Negombo in the morning before transferring inland to the Dambulla Province.
Free Time
Head out to discover the area.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Fishing Market Walking Tour
FreeTake a walking tour of a fishing market. There's no better way to learn about the life of the locals than to head to the sea to take in the action. Watch the fishermen bring their boats to shore, clean their nets, dry the fish, and sell to waiting buyers.
Dambulla Cave Temple Visit
12USD per personVisit the ancient Dambulla cave temples at one of the most well-preserved temple and cave sites in Sri Lanka. See Buddhist mural paintings that line the walls of the seventh-century caves as well as a collection of hundreds of statues of Buddha in different poses.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Polonnaruwa
Meet locals and share a meal in a local village. Enjoy free time to go on safari or explore nearby ruins.
Your Local Living Moment: Local Lunch and Village Visit
Visit a village to meet the locals and share a Sri Lankan meal together.
Free Time
Get out and explore.
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Sigiriya Rock Fortress Visit
35USD per personBe mesmerized by this rock fortress, which captivates every visitor with its well-laid out gardens, caves, monasteries, and palaces adorned with beautiful wall motifs. Start at the water gardens and climb more than 1,200 steps to reach the top. Pass caves with frescoes and boulders to find the ruins of a palace on the flat surface of the old volcanic magma rock. The rock rests 370m (1,213 ft) above sea level with a shear drop on all sides.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 4Polonnaruwa
Enjoy a free day to explore more of the region. Opt to visit Sigiriya Fortress, Polonnaruwa Temple, or Dambulla Caves.
Free Time
Get out and explore the region.
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Sigiriya Rock Fortress Visit
35USD per personBe mesmerized by this rock fortress, which captivates every visitor with its well-laid out gardens, caves, monasteries, and palaces adorned with beautiful wall motifs. Start at the water gardens and climb more than 1,200 steps to reach the top. Pass caves with frescoes and boulders to find the ruins of a palace on the flat surface of the old volcanic magma rock. The rock rests 370m (1,213 ft) above sea level with a shear drop on all sides.
Dambulla Cave Temple Visit
12USD per personVisit the ancient Dambulla cave temples at one of the most well-preserved temple and cave sites in Sri Lanka. See Buddhist mural paintings that line the walls of the seventh-century caves as well as a collection of hundreds of statues of Buddha in different poses.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Polonnaruwa/Kandy
Visit a spice garden en route to Kandy. Opt to visit the Temple of the Tooth, take in a cultural show, or watch a cricket match.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Spice Garden Visit
Visit a herbal centre where students of Ayurveda learn the traditional medicinal uses of various spices for massages and treatments. Enjoy demonstrations and learning about the different plants and their uses.
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Kandyan Cultural Dance
5-8USD per personBe swept away by an entertaining performance that will provide insight into the local culture in Kandy.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Tour
10USD per personEnjoy a tour of the Temple of the Tooth, which houses an important relic – a tooth of Lord Buddha kept in a well-preserved golden casket. Learn about the importance of this site from local guides.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Kandy/Nuwara Eliya
Travel by train and tuk tuk to stunning Nuwara Eliya. Visit a tea plantation and opt to explore the nearby hills on foot.
Local Train
Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
Tea Plantation Visit
The town of Nuwara Eliya produces the finest Orange Pekoe Ceylon tea, and is inhabited mainly by tea planters and plantation workers. Pay a visit to one of the factories to learn all about tea production.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7Nuwara Eliya/Bandarawela
Opt to trek the trails of Horton Plains NP in the early morning, then travel to Bandarawela.
Local Bus
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Horton Plains Trek
60-70USD per personGet close to nature and stunning scenery on this Horton Plains Trek. Hike 9km (6 mi) into the Horton Plains and walk through the clouds to discover a majestic drop that provides amazing views over the plains into the sea.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Bandarawela
Set out on a hike through the cooler hills cloaked in tea bushes, and opt to take a cooking class or visit the local market during free time.
Hill Hike
Set out on a hike through the lush, cool hills cloaked in tea bushes.
Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow
Cooking Class
Refine your culinary skills with an optional cooking class. Discover the secrets of the delicious local cuisine.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Bandarawela/Unawatuna
Set off towards the southern coast and finish the day's journey oceanside.
Local Bus
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Unawatuna
Enjoy a free day to bliss out seaside, go on a whale or dolphin watching tour, or take a day trip to the colonial port town of Galle.
Free Time
Enjoy a free day to do as much or as little as you'd like.
Optional Activities - Day 10 HideShow
Day Trip to Galle
Head to the port town of Galle and explore. Opt to check out the UNESCO-listed fort and the city's natural harbour.
Dolphin Watching Tour
Set off on a tour to spot these playful creatures.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 11Unawatuna/Colombo
Travel to the capital, Colombo. Enjoy an orientation walk of the fort area and Pettah Bazaar.
If you would prefer to leave the tour a day early and finish at the beach, there is ample accommodation both in Unawatuna and nearby beach towns. The Colombo airport can be reached by taxi for approximately USD100, or there are train and bus connections from nearby Galle for much less.
Local Bus
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Pettah Bazaar Visit
Visit the Pettah district of Colombo and wind your way through a series of open-air bazaars and markets. The area is home to Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, one of the oldest and most visited mosques in Colombo, and also hosts Kayman's Gate, Colombo Town Hall, and the Khan Clock Tower.
Optional Activities - Day 11 HideShow
Farewell Dinner
10-25USD per personEnjoy a meal with your new found friends and reminisce about the fantastic adventure you've all had.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 12Colombo
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.