Around Ceylon

On arrival at the Colombo Bandaranayake International Airport, you will be driven to the city of Negombo to your homestay, situated along the coasts, 7km from the airport. Do a city tour covering Pristine Golden Beach, Dutch Fort House Prison, Negombo Lagoon, Fishermen’s Huts, Hamilton Canal, Neoclassical St. Mary’s Church, Vivid Religious Paintings, etc.

Overnight: Negombo

After breakfast, do a city tour covering Pristine Golden Beach, Dutch Fort House Prison, Negombo Lagoon, Fishermen’s Huts, Hamilton Canal, Neoclassical St. Mary’s Church, Vivid Religious Paintings, etc. Finally a lagoon safari in the sunset.

Overnight: Negombo

After breakfast in Negombo, we are heading to Puttalam; The Puttalam district, an area northwest of Colombo, is a secret treasure trove long left untouched by mass tourism. Thinly populated by a fascinating mixture of cultures and religions, this northwestern province is beautiful and wild, with looming rocks rising sharply from the earth and dreamy wewas (reservoirs) with their circling storks and eagles, flashing kingfishers, and beautiful water lilies.
The Chilaw area is a birdwatching haven, as it is on the cusp between Sri Lanka’s dry and wet zones. The Anawilundawa reserve is a particularly good and remote spot.

Overnight: Puttalam

After breakfast, head to Anuradhapura; one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilization. From the 4th century BC, it was the capital of Sri Lanka until the beginning of the 11th century AD. During this period it remained one of the most stable and durable centre of political power and urban life in South Asia.

Overnight: Anuradhapura

After breakfast, we are enjoying a bicycle tour of the city of ancient ruins that gives you a detailed explanation of Sri Lanka’s history, dating back to the 13th century. On the bicycle tour, we leisurely explore the neighborhood. Mingle with locals, a wonderful opportunity to feel the essence of Anuradhapura.

Overnight: Anuradhapura

After breakfast, we are heading to the city of Sun-blasted Mannar Island via Mihintale Temple. Mannar is a dry near-peninsula with lots of white sand and palm trees, gulls and terns, wild donkeys, and fishing boats. Culturally, it’s an intriguing place: dotted with ancient baobab trees (native to Africa and said to have been planted by Arab merchants many centuries ago) and crumbling colonial edifices built by the Portuguese, Dutch, and Brits.
Off the coast, you can see small islands named First and Second Islands. Some travelers record their experience of walking across several small islets on the Second Island, buzzing with the activity of fish, crabs, and seagulls. And some other traveler identifies the island to be the playground for rare birds. You can also have a look at a popular tourist attraction near Adam’s Bridge called the Dancing Islands. The chain of sprinkled islands here has sand dunes in which the sand keeps ‘shifting’ from one location to another. This creates the beautiful illusion of the sands constantly moving and dancing.

Overnight: Mannar

After breakfast in Mannar, we are heading to Jaffna; Jaffna or Yalpanam is the capital city of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. Most of the residents of Jaffna are Sri Lankan Tamils with a presence of Sri Lankan Moors and Portuguese Burghers. Yalpanam is believed to have got its name from Yarl and Panam meaning the land of the Yarl or Veenai, a musical instrument; derived from the myth that this land was received by a Yarl player as a royal grant in appreciation of his musical performance.
In the evening, we do a city tour of Jaffna covering culture and religions, and enjoy some food while mingling with locals.

Overnight: Jaffna

After breakfast, we proceed to the tour of Jaffna city. You will see the train station that was completely destroyed and rebuilt. Even the new tracks are being laid, and some important landmarks of the town show significant progress in the city after the war. This specially designed tour will also cover Jaffna Fort, Alfred Duraiappah Stadium, Jaffna clock tower, Jafina Library, High Court, Ariyakulam Buddhist Temple — Nallur Temple, Jamunari Bottomless well, Manthirimanai (King Sangilians Palace) with so many other spectacular and historical places.

Overnight: Jaffna

After an early breakfast, we proceed to Delft Island. Delft is a unique attraction in the Jaffna Peninsula. You can travel by boat from Kurikadduwan pier in Pungudutivu island. While inside the island you can hire a tuk-tuk or a small van to explore its attractions, Dutch fort, wild horses, coral fences, pigeon holes, horse stable, growing rock, ancient Da Gabas, etc. An ideal day excursion to see the habitat that has survived for more than 400 years.

Overnight: Jaffna

After breakfast, we proceed to Nagadeepa. Naagadeepa is the highest place for Buddhists in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. Nagadeepa is an island surrounded by the sea, about 32 km from the city of Jaffna.
Nagadeepa sacred area that the Supreme Buddha visited for the second time Dutugemunu, Saddhatissa, etc. who ruled in Sri Lanka history records that kings protected and cared for them during their reigns.

During the Portuguese, Dutch, and English rule, many temples in Ceylon were destroyed. During that period, it also destroyed the Nagadeepa temple because of their influence. Buddhists have worshiped Nagadeepa for as long as 400 years. Nagadeepa lost and could not find a place to stay.
We will visit the temple of Sri Naga Viharaya, the temple where the sapling of the original Bodhi tree was once brought and placed before going to the King’s palace.

Overnight: Jaffna

Today we are heading to Mullaitivu. To be clear, there isn’t a ton to do in Mullaitivu. Especially when compared to places like Sigiriya and Galle. However, we take this break to split up the long journey while learning about the most talked-about civil war in Sri Lanka. In Mullaitivu, you will see the war museum, monument of victory, hijacked ship, LTTE’S secret submarines, and the daily life of Tamil fishing villagers.

Overnight: Mullaitivu

After breakfast, we drive to Trincomalee, a port city on the east coast of Sri Lanka. The city is built on a peninsula, which divides the inner and outer harbors. It is one of the main centers of Tamil-speaking culture on the island. Historically referred to as Gokanna or Gokarna, it has been a sea port that has played a major role in the maritime and international trading history of Sri Lanka.
On this day, we cover Koneswaram Temple, Marble Beach with a smooth city tour.

Overnight: Trincomalee

After breakfast, we can explore villages and day-to-day life, as you visit the Trincomalee Military Museum and Arisimale Beach apart from other attractions and incredible gastronomic experiences of the East.

Overnight: Trincomalee

In the morning, we are heading to Muttur. The best way to explore the Muttur archipelago is by river and sea sailing. While you hop from island to island, you will pass beautiful scenes of village ladies picking mussels, shrimp trappers, crab hunters, anglers, and village children taking dips that can’t be found in many other places. The weather is always nice, but the sea can be a little rougher depending on the season. Most sightings of whales and dolphins occur between February and April as whales continue their migrations around the island from the south coast. The Muttur is a must-visit for every off-beat tour enthusiast.

Overnight: Batticaloa

After breakfast, we explore the southern part of Batticaloa riding along the beach and visiting the fish market. You will meet handloom weavers making colorful sarees and sarongs. You will discreetly observe the midday prayer of the local mosque and be able to interact with believers. A local family will prepare your lunch and will reflect the typical food of the community. After a tasty meal and a relaxed chat with the host family, you will go through Kathankudi a bustling Muslim town famous for its history and many businesses, visit its heritage museum, and might still have a bit of time to visit the beautiful Al-Aqsa mosque.

Overnight: Batticaloa

After breakfast in Batticaloa, we are heading to Koslanda. During the period of colonial rule, British planters found that the climate of the Hill Country could be too chilly and the low country was too hot most of the time. But between the high hill country of Bandarawela and the low country of Wellawaya and Hambantota, they found that Koslanda at 700 meters elevation has a climate that is never too hot and never too cold, but just right.

In British times, tea and rubber estates came up in the Koslanda region, along with good roads, a fine district hospital, and other government facilities. Today Koslanda enjoys the same amenities, including its mild climate and beautiful environment.

Overnight: Koslanda

After breakfast, we drive you through Kotabakma, Beragala, and Punagala. A small, yet astonishingly beautiful town located close to the Haputale mountain area. “Diyaluma” waterfall is what tourists are craving to see. The amazing Diyaluma hike is a lifetime experience for anyone who loves nature.

Overnight: Koslanda

After breakfast, leave for a full-day Galle tour (10 hours) and experience pot making, lace making, and white virgin tea production while tasting a cup of natural tea, stilt fishing & grabbing corn with a king coconut on the street before visiting the Rumassala mountain. The Hindu epic Ramayana refers to this particular mountain as Hanuman, the monkey king, grabbed this piece of soil from India and placed it in Sri Lanka. Natural silk factory, cultural sites and enjoy the endemic fruit juice of Mangrove apple (Kirala) on your way to the Dutch Fort.
Dinner will be organized over a local cookery class at Galle Organic Kitchen. You will visit a local organic market to pick the most preferred local veggie and prepare local cuisine with the guide’s family for an authentic local dinner.

Overnight: Galle

After breakfast, you can spend your day free until your transfer to the airport.