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Sri Lanka: Spice Gardens & Seasides

12 days, Negombo to Hikkaduwa

Map of the route for Sri Lanka: Spice Gardens & Seasides
Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Itinerary

Day 1Negombo

Arrive at any time and welcome to Negombo, know for its lazy beach, wandering canals, and fresh seafood markets.

Get to know your fellow travellers over optional dinner and drinks at a favourite local restaurant. Soak up the lively atmosphere as you're introduced to Sri Lankan delicacies, and cheers to new adventures and friends!

Your Welcome Moment: 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.

Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends

Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.

Accommodation

Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.

Hotel J Negombo (or similar)
Hotel

Day 2Negombo/Sigiriya

Travel to the centre of the island to explore the UNESCO World Heritage City, Sigiriya. Opt to visit the Dambulla Cave Temple or the ancient Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

Private Vehicle
Negombo – Sigiriya3h30m135km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Free Time
Sigiriya

Head out to discover the area.

2

Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow

Sigiriya Rock Fortress Visit
Sigiriya2h-3h
30USD per person

Be 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
Sigiriya1h-1h30m
12USD per person

Visit 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.

Accommodation

Lario Resort Sigiriya (or similar)
Hotel

Day 3Sigiriya

Spend the day freely exploring more of this ancient yet luscious region. Opt to visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, view elephants on a safari drive in Minneriya national park, or go back in time at the Anurhadhapura historical site.

Free Time
Sigiriya

Get out and explore.

3

Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow

Sigiriya Rock Fortress Visit
Sigiriya2h-3h
30USD per person

Be 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
Sigiriya1h-1h30m
12USD per person

Visit 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.

Polonnaruwa Ancient Capital Visit
Sigiriya1h30m-2h 60-70km
25USD per person

Visit Polonnaruwa, the second ancient capital city (for three centuries), and home to many well-preserved ruins of palaces and monasteries. Don't feel like walking around? Opt to rent a bike and cycle through the ruins instead.

Accommodation

Lario Resort Sigiriya (or similar)
Hotel

Day 4Sigiriya/Digana

Visit a medicinal spice garden en route to Digana. After, enjoy lunch before embarking on a guided village walk for insight into rural daily life. Maybe stop at the home of a crafter who hand-makes delicate Kandyan jewellery or the cottage of a local woman making incense. Later, learn how to cook Sri Lankan bread or sweets while helping out with dinner.

Private Vehicle
Sigiriya – Digana Morning

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Spice Garden Visit
Kandy

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.

Digana Guided Village Walk
Digana Afternoon

Get a crash course in local life with a village walk through Digana. Learn about some of the essential local industries and meet with local families, going about their daily routines. Visit their humble abodes to learn about their way of life before enjoying a traditional herbal drink.

Accommodation

Oruthota Chalets (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Lunch | Dinner

Day 5Digana/Kandy

Enjoy breakfast and soak in the views of the Victoria Reservoir over tea before departing for Kandy. Have an afternoon of free time to explore the sweet city, opting to visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth, view a traditional Kandyan cultural show, or root for a team at a cricket match.

Private Vehicle
Digana – Kandy Afternoon

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Free Time
Kandy Full Day

Explore Kandy with a full free day.

3

Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow

Royal Botanical Gardens Visit
Kandy1h30m-2h 2-3km
12USD per person

Enjoy a leisurely walk in the colourful Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya. See 300 varieties of orchids of Sri Lanka as well as a range of other plants.

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Tour
Kandy 1km
10USD per person

Enjoy 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.

Kandyan Cultural Dance
Kandy
5-8USD per person

Be swept away by an entertaining performance that will provide insight into the local culture in Kandy.

Accommodation

Queens Hotel (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 6Kandy/Nuwara Eliya

Enjoy a traditional breakfast prepared by women and youth living with disabilities at G Adventures-supported Sthree Craft Shop and Café. Travel on to the rolling hills and luscious forests of Nuwara Eliya. Visit a tea plantation and opt to explore the beauty on foot.

Private Vehicle
Kandy – Nuwara Eliya4h30m90km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Your G for Good Moment: Breakfast at Sthree Craft Shop and Café

Make a pit stop at Sthree Craft Shop and Café to enjoy a local breakfast prepared by women and youth living with disabilities. Led by the Women's Development Centre, they provide livelihood opportunities through hospitality and handicraft training, empowering the surrounding community.

Tea Plantation Visit
Nuwara Eliya1h-1h30m

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.

Accommodation

The Golf Green Nuwara Eliya (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 7Nuwara Eliya/Ella

If you want to experience morning mist flowing through the valley, wake early and trek the serene trails of Horton Plains National Park. In the afternoon, cruise to the laid-back village of Ella and enjoy a free evening to explore or relax.

Private Vehicle
Nuwara Eliya – Ella1h30m-2h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Free Time
Ella Afternoon

Enjoy a free afternoon to relax or explore.

1

Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow

Horton Plains Trek
Horton Plains Nature Reserve – Negombo4h-4h30m 9km
60-70USD per person

Get 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.

Accommodation

Oak Ray Ella Gap Hotel (or similar)
Hotel

Day 8Ella

Spend the morning trekking Little Adam's Peak to get a 360-degree view of Sri Lankan countryside encompassing the giant Ella Rock and textured green mountains. For the rest of the day, enjoy the freedom to explore scenic Ella more in-depth. Opt to trek Ella Rock, venture to the iconic Nine Arches Bridge, or hunt for some waterfalls with your fellow explorers.

Free Time
Ella Full Day

Get outside and explore scenic Ella.

Little Adam's Peak Trek
Ella2h-3h

Enjoy a hike up Little Adam's peak to catch stunning views of the town below.

1

Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow

Trek to Ella Rock
Ella4h-5h
5USD per person

Set off on a trek to Ella Rock, passing through the lush surrounds and forest of rubber trees. Take in scenic views of the surrounding green valleys and plains from the peak.

Accommodation

Oak Ray Ella Gap Hotel (or similar)
Hotel

Day 9Ella/Hikkaduwa

Set off towards the southern coast stopping en route to explore the indestructible Galle Fort. Finish the day's journey oceanside on the white sand beaches of Hikkaduwa.

Private Vehicle
Ella – Galle4h30m-5h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Galle Fort Tour
Galle – Hikkaduwa

Visit the Galle Fort, a 16th-century fort first built by the Portuguese, and later occupied by the Dutch. The ramparts are still standing even after being battered by Mother Nature, including the 2004 tsunami.

Private Vehicle
Galle – Hikkaduwa30m

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Coral Rock by Bansei Hikkaduwa (or similar)
Hotel

Day 10Hikkaduwa

Enjoy a free day to bliss out on the beach sipping your favourite drink or jump on a boat in search of whales and dolphins. For your big night out, follow your CEO to the best beach bar in town and dance under the stars. Perhaps take a night swim, who knows, see where the night takes you.

Free Time
Hikkaduwa

Enjoy a free day to do as much or as little as you'd like.

Your Big Night Out Moment: Hikkaduwa Beach Bar

Follow your CEO to the best beach bar and cheers to all the life-changing adventures you've shared with new friends. Dance under the stars and perhaps take a night swim, who knows, see where the night takes you.

1

Optional Activities - Day 10 HideShow

Dolphin Watching Tour
Unawatuna

Set off on a tour to spot these playful creatures.

Accommodation

Coral Rock by Bansei Hikkaduwa (or similar)
Hotel

Day 11Hikkaduwa

Another day in paradise to recover from last nights fun. Relax on the beach, snorkel with sea creatures, or wander through the bustling beach town. Pick a local restaurant with your buds and reminisce about all the awesome adventures you've experienced over a farewell dinner.

Free Time
Hikkaduwa Full Day

Don't waste a single second. Whether it's on the beach or throughout the town, get out and explore!

1

Optional Activities - Day 11 HideShow

Dolphin Watching Tour
Unawatuna

Set off on a tour to spot these playful creatures.

Accommodation

Coral Rock by Bansei Hikkaduwa (or similar)
Hotel

Day 12Hikkaduwa

Wow! What a trip, right? Luckily there is no such thing as goodbye, only until next time. Hug your new friends, exchange social medias, and depart at any time.

Departure Day

Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

Sri Lanka: Spice Gardens & Seasides

| 12 days - Negombo to Hikkaduwa - from $862 USD