The Island Storybook

On arrival at the Colombo Bandaranayake International Airport, you will be driven to the city of Negombo to your accommodation, situated along the coasts, 7 km 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.

After breakfast, our driver will drive you to Galle. Enroute, visit a turtle hatchery, and partake in a family river safari on the Madu River. Transfer to Galle. Set you free in your hotel until we meet up for dinner at your guide’s family table.

After Breakfast in Galle, explore Dutch heritage in Galle by tuk-tuk and you will explore the historical importance of Galle Fort. The ramparts, colonial buildings, clock tower, lighthouse, museum & old church, mosque & Buddhist temple are covered in this guided tour. In the evening, a cookery class at your guide’s place with an organic market visit.

Today, you’ll go on a wonderful boat ride down the Koggala River with its flourishing ecosystem. Pass through the secretive passages created by the mangroves. See the basking crocodiles and water monitors. Visit one of the small islands with its cinnamon-harvesting natives. Observe the water birds in their natural habitats. A complimentary city tour of Koggala Temple is included.

After breakfast, we are heading to a chosen rural village of the time to experience a real Sri Lankan lifestyle. Optional: As a small and medium-sized tour operator with a strong commitment to ethics and social obligation, we are working on initiatives to help the underprivileged in rural areas, particularly the children who attend school there. We would be delighted to plan a visit to one of these schools for you on this day if you are interested. Bringing a notebook and pencil on a visit with you will mean the world to these youngsters and their daily-wage parents’ hearts.

Today, we are heading to Udawalawe via Mirissa and Waligama, popular for beaches.

In the afternoon wildlife Safari in Udawalawe. Whale and dolphin watching in Mirissa is one of the most exciting water activities you can do during your holiday in Sri Lanka in the right season. Often spotted blue whales are the biggest animals in the world and Mirissa is the best place for whale and dolphin watching tours in Sri Lanka. Whale watching season in Mirissa is from November to May.

Visit a pottery workers house, where you can try your hand at pot-making or simply observe. Also, consider visiting a batik workshop to learn about the fabric design process in this industry.

Located in southern Sri Lanka, Udawalawe National Park is the island’s 6th-largest reserve, established in 1972 to accommodate wildlife affected by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir. Visitors can observe animals like elephants, buffalo, deer, crocodiles, leopards, and exotic bird species within the park’s 119 square miles (308 square kilometers)

We could do the Safari in the evening or next morning.

After breakfast, we are heading to Ella. A small, yet astonishingly beautiful town, located close to Nuwara Eliya. Explore the beautiful nature of Ella and the surrounding area by hiking or cycling. Your guide will assist you with things to do in and around.

Ella has all the best parts of Sri Lanka rolled into one: beautiful jungle mountains, rolling tea plantations, and epic waterfalls. As one of the biggest tea producers, travellers can look forward to spending their days among the greenest surroundings, enjoying the views from hilltop houses and adventurous hiking trails. Even the train ride in Ella is one of life’s most remarkable experiences, as you travel by iconic blue train through bamboo forests and tropical mist.

We set you free in Ella for these two days so you could do things at your leisure. This gorgeous green town is well-known for its hikes, waterfalls, ziplines, cycling, and tuk-tuk excursions.

Today, you are free to explore Ella. We are always accessible to assist you if you require us to guide you or transport you to any location in the city. The intention behind setting you free is to provide you with the freedom you want in this lovely and charming town. We’ve noticed that many travellers prefer to explore certain areas on their own, and Ella is one of them. Little Adam’s Peak in Ella is a popular hiking destination that many travellers are eager to experience. Just a tip.

Get on board the scenic train to Kandy (4 hours). You will be received by our driver in Nuwara Eliya on arrival.

When in Nuwara Eliya, the region for the world’s best brew of tea, take a guided tour to the tea factory perched high in the hills surrounding Nuwara Eliya. The Tea estate is one of the most easily accessible estates in the hill country and takes around 30 minutes for you to go through the entire manufacturing process, i.e. from grading to packaging, and learn how Sri Lanka’s “Green Gold” is manufactured. It is here that the crème de la crème of Sri Lanka’s teas – the fragrant and delicately flavoured “high growns” – flourish.

After lunch, we are heading to Kandy. Kandy is the second largest city in Sri Lanka and a UNESCO world heritage site, due to its rich, vibrant culture and history. This historic city was the Royal Capital during the 16th century and maintains its sanctified glory predominantly due to the sacred temples.

After breakfast, take a city tour of Kandy, including the Temple of the Tooth Relic. Have lunch in Kandy City before returning to the hotel to relax in the afternoon. In the evening, enjoy a cultural dancing show followed by a typical Sri Lankan meal at Balaji Dosai.

In the morning, we proceed to Heel Oya, a picturesque village in the hill country of Sri Lanka, renowned for its scenic beauty and cultural richness. A tour of Heel Oya offers a unique glimpse into rural Sri Lankan life, with opportunities to engage with local farmers, experience traditional agricultural practices, and enjoy home-cooked meals. Visitors can trek through amazing streams, explore verdant paddy fields, and learn about the village’s sustainable living methods. The tour often includes visits to toddy and jaggery makers houses, providing an immersive experience that highlights the region’s serene landscapes and warm hospitality.

After breakfast, we’re heading to Sigiriya via Dambulla. Enroute visit Dambulla cave temple. The Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple is a sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries. This cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 m2 ) are of particular importance, as are the 157 statues. Take the authentic village tour of the Kashyapa.

En route, discover the wonders of Sri Lankan spices at a Matale spice garden. Even though we do not buy anything, the knowledgeable guide and salesperson will provide us with valuable insights. While some may feel obligated to make a purchase, I prefer showing my appreciation by leaving a tip for the salesperson.

After a light breakfast, we are heading to Sigiriya to climb the ‘Lion’s Rock’, which dominates the jungle from all sides. A series of galleries and staircases emerging from the mouth of a gigantic lion constructed of bricks and plaster provide access to the site. Morning, we climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress with a great village tour plan in mind. Before a typical village lunch, we do the village tour, which gives you a memorable experience in a rural village in Sigiriya. You will enjoy the sightseeing of paddy fields, a traditional catamaran ride in a lake, a visit to a chena cultivation, a traditional cooking demonstration in a rural village house and an authentic Sri Lankan lunch during this tour. Being animal welfare supporters, we do not promote bullock cart rides on our excursions. We replace the bullock cart with a typical tractor. However, our visitors may choose any of these options.

Today, we are heading to the Minneriya safari. On the way, you will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with an elephant as it bathes happily in the river. You can also assist the mahout in scrubbing and rubbing playfully. During the season, elephants congregate on the banks of the Minneriya Reservoir, forming what is known as “The Gathering.” This gathering is considered the largest assembly of wild Asian elephants in the world at any given time, as recognized by wildlife authorities. Visitors have the opportunity to observe these majestic elephants as they graze on the grasses growing on the reservoir bed. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of wildlife, such as deer, wild buffalo, wild pigs, grey langurs, purple-faced leaf monkeys, porcupines, leopards, sloth bears, and various bird species. It promises a unique and memorable experience for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers. July to October is the best season to visit the Minneriya National Park.

After breakfast in Sigiriya, we are heading to Anuradhapura. Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilisation. 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 centres of political power and urban life in South Asia. Afternoon Leisure or Mingle with locals

Visit the city of ancient ruins that gives you a detailed explanation of Sri Lanka’s history, dating back to the 13th century. Highlights here are the Yapahuwa ancient city and the Mihintale Buddhist Temple. In the evening, we leisurely explore the villages. Mingle with locals, we set you free for this evening to feel the essence of Anuradhapura (A bicycle ride is ideal here with us)

We proceed 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 harbours. It is one of the main centres of Tamil-speaking culture on the island. Historically referred to as Gokarna, or Gokarna it has been a sea port that has played a major role in the maritime and international trading history of Sri Lanka.

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 bit 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. Nevertheless, the Muttur is a must-visit for every off-beat tour enthusiast.

The tour ends today. We will bring you to the airport in Katunayake for your departure.