Best of Sri Lanka & Maldives

AYUBOWAN-! Welcome to Sri Lanka, a land like no other, and 14 days of explorations give you the opportunity to touch all highlighted spots in Sri Lanka.

> Upon arrival at Colombo CMB airport, you will meet your tour leader and you will be transferred to your hotel. The first destination will be Negombo coastal town, which has long been known as the most popular beach in Sri Lanka, famous for its golden sandy beach, food, and fun.

>For day one we haven’t planned any activity, thus you are free to arrive in Sri Lanka at any time. If your flight arrives early in the day, relax on the beach and pool of your cozy hotel.

> Evening, you may have your own walking along the fishery village seashore while enjoying the beautiful sunset and the pleasant evening atmosphere of the beachside.

Overnight stay in a seafront hotel at Negombo.

> After enjoying a delicious breakfast with a hot cup of Sri Lankan tea or a coffee, you will have a wonderful journey across the stunning Sri Lankan countryside towards Dambulla city, which is the central point of the cultural triangle on the island.

> En route, visit the Elephant Rehabilitation Center.

> Upon arrival at Dambulla, you'll experience a wonderful cultural village tour while exploring the beautiful countryside (INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE). It will start with a Bullock Cart ride, one of the most ancient and prime transportation systems in Sri Lanka, still used in some villages. While on the tour you will also enjoy a canoeing Boat ride across the lake and a Tuk-tuk ride before reaching the farmer’s house where you will experience the typical Sri Lankan countryside hospitality.

> Thereafter, you will visit the famous Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE), where you may capture the beautiful scenery of the sun setting. King Kashyapa (477 – 495 AD) built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colorful frescoes.

Overnight stay in a Nature-friendly Resort at Dambulla/ Sigiriya

In the morning, visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE). In 1070 King Vijayabahu chose this place as his kingdom, one of the most ancient in the history of Sri Lanka.

> Cycling through Polonnaruwa ancient sites is a wonderful experience (INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE).

> Thereafter, if you are interested, you could experience an Ayurvedic herbal massage before heading back to your hotel. From a healing perspective, Ayurvedic head massage is said to relieve mental stress and fatigue and to help achieve calmness and clarity.

> Optional Activity: A hike to Pidurangala Rock Monastery(can be arranged on request).

Over Night stay in a Nature-Friendly resort at Dambulla / Sigiriya

> En route, visit the Golden Buddha Statue and the Royal Cave Temple (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE). Afterward, you will visit Matale Spice Garden.

> Thereafter, proceed towards Kandy city, the capital of the last Sinhalese kingdom. It's set on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and bio-diverse rain forests. Kandy is also famous for its sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth Relic (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE).

> Thereafter, you’ll enjoy a walk around Kandy's busy city center, including a tour of the Central Market, before engaging with a cultural dance show which is inspired by Sri Lankan arts, traditional dance, and cultural heritage.

Over Night stay in Mount View Hotel at Kandy

Today, you’ll enjoy a wonderful journey toward the Sri Lankan tea region of Nuwara Eliya. It is often referred to as “Little England” because many of the buildings in this city retain from the British colonial period, such as the Queen's Cottage, the General's House, the Grand Hotel, the Hill Club, and the Town Post Office.

> In the morning, you will visit the Peradeniya Royal Garden, which is known as one of the best botanical gardens in Asia.

> While driving through the cold and misty hills that host lush green tea plantations, stop at a tea factory to observe the rich tradition of making Ceylon Tea that is kept alive and up to date. Make sure to end your factory visit in style over a perfectly blended cup of tea.

> Afternoon, you will walk through Nuwara Eliya city center and fruit & vegetable market. Try some snacks around lanes filled with street foods and bustling local eateries.

Over Night stay at Mount View Hotel at Nuwara Eliya

> In the morning, you will enjoy a spectacular train journey from Nanu-Oya station to Ella village. It is known as one of the most picturesque hill country train journeys in the world (Train ticket class categories are subject to availability at the station). Ella is everyone's favorite hill country village due to the fact that it’s a wonderful nature-friendly location. The Nine Arch Bridge, a major tourist attraction in Ella, is a massive bridge built entirely of solid rocks, bricks, and cement without using a single piece of steel. Ella is an excellent place for walking and climbing and its most famous trekking route is to “Mini Adam’s Peak”. Evening, you could chill out at the village center where there are lots of restaurants, pubs, and evening entertainment. Ella is a stunning place that anyone who is visiting Sri Lanka should not miss out.

Over Night stay in a Nature-Friendly Resort at Ella.

After breakfast, depart from Ella towards Udawalawa National Park. En route you will visit Ravana waterfall, one of the most popular sightseeing attractions in Ella. Thereafter, Udawalawa National Park is divided into two sections. Because the lake makes the crossing difficult to the other side, Udawalawa is really treated as two separate parks. But that doesn’t change the fantastic offerings! Enjoy a 4x4 jeep ride searching for peacocks hanging on trees or whispering through the bushes, crocodiles patrolling the lake or wild elephants drinking water and playing around under the evening sunset.

Over Night stay in a Sea View Hotel at Mirissa.

> After breakfast, you will be heading towards Galle, a city well known for its Fort (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE). It is the intersection where classic Dutch and British architecture meets a tropical setting, creating a vivid atmosphere of beauty. Afternoon, visit a turtle hatchery center where baby turtles learn to take that first swim and injured adults are rehabilitated back into the wild. Both locals and international volunteers are battling for the protection of sea turtles since they are endangered creatures.

> After breakfast, you’ll visit Sri Lanka's capital city of Colombo, which has an interesting history running back to the fifth century. Even in ancient times, this was an important port city in the East-West Sea trade. Nowadays it has become a bustling modern town with a unique atmosphere. The colorful streets, restaurants, and modern shopping malls attract hordes of locals and tourists alike. At Colombo, you have the opportunity to visit the most highlighted places in the city and also do some last-minute shopping as well. Perhaps, you may intend to pop into a famous and internationally renowned restaurant in Colombo to end your Sri Lanka trip over an unforgettable meal.

Over Night Stay in a City Hotel at Colombo.

After breakfast, you will check-out from your hotel and you will be transferred to the airport for your short flight to Male (flight time-13.30 pm), Maldives (approx. 1.5 hours flight). After a wonderful tour around Sri Lanka now slow things down with a four-night relaxing beach stay in the Maldives. Upon arrival at Male Airport in the Maldives, you will meet and greet by our representative and will be transferred to your hotel in Maafushi by the shared speed boat. For day one we haven’t planned any activity, so you will have a relaxing day at the hotel or by the beach.

Note: Airport transfer times (boat time table from Male Airport to Maafushi) – 10.45 hr / 15.00 hr / 18.00 hr

After breakfast, you will enjoy a half-day island hopping. Your day starts with a speed boat ride that will take you to 3 different spots, perfect for going snorkelling and dolphin watching. As you snorkel in these unbelievably beautiful reefs, you will come across an abundance of marine life and a multitude of colorful fish. Manta rays, turtles and even sharks may be the highlight of the trip. Experience the thrill of a tiny desert beach, surrounded by crystal clear waters and the coral reef with the ultimate privacy. A packed lunch and bottled drinks are served to each guest on the sandbank.

It's a free day: after breakfast, you could spend your time relaxing on the beach or exploring the underwater sea life. Enjoy the island sunset and perhaps you may interest in evening fishing safari by boat. The hotel can give you a chance to catch fish to be prepared for dinner. Sit back and relax while the fish is being cooked over a glass of wine. overnight stay and dinner in a cozy beach resort.

**Optional activities: scuba-diving >snorkelling >jet-ski >kayaking

It's a free day: after breakfast, you could spend your time relaxing on the beach or exploring the underwater sea life. Enjoy the island sunset and perhaps you may interest in evening fishing safari by boat. The hotel can give you a chance to catch fish to be prepared for dinner. Sit back and relax while the fish is being cooked over a glass of wine. overnight stay and dinner in a cosy beach resort. **Optional activities: scuba-diving >snorkelling >jet-ski >kayaking

After breakfast, you will check-out from your hotel and you will be transferred to Male Airport by shared speed boat.

Note: Airport transfer times (boat time table from Maafushi to Male airport) – 08.00 hr / 12.30 hr / 17.00 hr