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Sri Lanka with Maldives Cruise: Spice Gardens & Seasides
18 days, Negombo to Malé
When arranging your transportation, such as flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for joining and departing from your group. With these times, we have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration.
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)
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
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Head out to discover the area.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Sigiriya Rock Fortress Visit
30USD 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.
Accommodation
Lario Resort Sigiriya (or similar)
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
Get out and explore.
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Sigiriya Rock Fortress Visit
30USD 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.
Polonnaruwa Ancient Capital Visit
25USD per personVisit 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)
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
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.
Digana Guided Village Walk
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)
Meals included:
Lunch | DinnerDay 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
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Explore Kandy with a full free day.
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Royal Botanical Gardens Visit
12USD per personEnjoy 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
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.
Kandyan Cultural Dance
5-8USD per personBe swept away by an entertaining performance that will provide insight into the local culture in Kandy.
Accommodation
Queens Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 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
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
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)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 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
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Enjoy a free afternoon to relax or explore.
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.
Accommodation
Oak Ray Ella Gap Hotel (or similar)
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
Get outside and explore scenic Ella.
Little Adam's Peak Trek
Enjoy a hike up Little Adam's peak to catch stunning views of the town below.
Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow
Trek to Ella Rock
5USD per personSet 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)
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
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Galle Fort Tour
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
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Coral Rock by Bansei Hikkaduwa (or similar)
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
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.
Optional Activities - Day 10 HideShow
Dolphin Watching Tour
Set off on a tour to spot these playful creatures.
Accommodation
Coral Rock by Bansei Hikkaduwa (or similar)
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
Don't waste a single second. Whether it's on the beach or throughout the town, get out and explore!
Optional Activities - Day 11 HideShow
Dolphin Watching Tour
Set off on a tour to spot these playful creatures.
Accommodation
Coral Rock by Bansei Hikkaduwa (or similar)
Day 12Hikkaduwa/South Malé Atoll
Travel to Colombo to hop a flight down to the tranquil blue haven of the Maldives. Board your traditional Dhoni boat and after a brief meeting with your CEO, settle in, and set sail on a voyage of discovery.
Meals included:
Lunch | DinnerDays 13–17South Malé Atoll/Felidhu Atholhu
Spend the next five days cruising around the South Malé and Felidhu atolls, disembarking to visit islands and sandbars along the way. On Fulidhu, mingle with locals and experience a traditional drumming performance. Bodu Moro Island is home to idyllic uninhabited beaches – the perfect photo opt.
Aboard the dhoni, spend free time as you please – lounge on the sundecks and take in the views, relax with a good book, or socialize with fellow travellers as you enjoy delicious local seafood.
Off the boat, opt to swim and enjoy snorkelling about twice a day amongst the spectacular marine life of the Maldives. The shallow islands and amazing coral reefs make it a key feeding ground for many species of tropical fish. Keep an eye out for turtles, reef sharks, stingrays, and octopuses.
Cruise to the southernmost point of South Malé Atoll before crossing the channel into Felidhu Atoll. The main industry here is fishing and there is typically an opportunity to see traditional boat-building on at least one of the islands.
Snorkelling in the Maldives
The Maldives offer some of the most amazing snorkelling and marine life viewing opportunities in the world. The shallow islands and plentiful coral reefs make it a key feeding ground for many species of tropical fish. 70 different species of colourful corals make up the flora of this underwater city, with more than 700 species of fish and other marine life making up its fauna. Snorkelling is one of the simplest ways to experience this impressive underwater world.
Bodu Mora Island Visit
Experience one of the Maldives uninhabited islands, with a visit to stunning Bodu Mora. The island's stretch of idyllic beach is home to lush palm trees, soft sands, and crystal clear blue waters.
Felidhu Island Visit
Stroll the quaint streets of the island of Felidhu, the capital of Felidhu Atoll. This small island is home to beautiful beaches and a local souvenir shop or two.
Fulidhoo Island Visit
Spend time with the local community and see their way of life. Enjoy an evening performance of Bodu Beru, the traditional folk music of the country. Bodu beru means "big drum" and involves a group of people sitting and singing to the rhythmical beat of drums.
11m (37 ft) Converted Dhoni
Climb aboard this converted Maldivian fishing boat and float on to the next stop.
Free Time
Relax on the sundeck, snorkel in the crystal-clear waters, go for a swim, have a cocktail, or read a book. Free time is yours to enjoy!
Your G for Good Moment: Maldives Plastic Clean Up
Unrecycled plastic in the Maldives is compromising sea life, shorelines, and health for communities. On your trip you will have the opportunity to do a beach clean up to support community environmental initiatives in the country. All plastic collected through our partner is properly recycled and reused to create new materials.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 18South Malé Atoll/Malé
In the morning, make the short crossing to Malé. The tour ends on arrival at Malé International Airport.
Your CEO can offer assistance with any onward travel you may require.
11m (37 ft) Converted Dhoni
Climb aboard this converted Maldivian fishing boat and float on to the next stop.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.