Sri Lanka – Maldives Highlights 12 Days

Description:

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

DAY PLAN:

> En route to Dambulla, you’ll visit the Millennium Elephant Foundation. Take the opportunity to feed them and give them a bath at the nearby river.

> Upon arrival at Dambulla, you’ll enjoy a wonderful cultural village tour while exploring the beautiful countryside (ADMISSION FEES INCLUDED). 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 enjoy a canoeing boat ride across the lake and a pleasant TukTuk ride before reaching the farmer’s house where you will experience the typical Sri Lankan countryside hospitality.

> Evening, you will visit the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE), since it is the best time to witness and capture the sunset. King Kasyapa (477 – 495 BC) built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colorful frescoes.

Overnight stay in a nature-friendly resort at Sigiriya/Dambulla.

Description:
After breakfast, proceed towards Kandy, 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 rainforests. Kandy is also famous for its sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth Relic.

DAY PLAN:

> Early morning, join with the Pidurangala Rock hike to witness and take pictures of the sunrise (optional activity).

>After breakfast, visit the Royal Cave Temple (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE). Dambulla has the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 meters over the surrounding plains and houses 5 cave temples with some of the most unique and significant historical drawings.

>Upon arrival at Kandy, vist the Temple Of Tooth Relic (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE) and Kandy view point.

>Evening, you’ll enjoy walking around Kandy’s city centre before engaging with a cultural dance show which is inspired by Sri Lankan arts, traditional dance and cultural heritage (ADMISSION FEES INCLUDED).

Overnight stay in a cozy mount view hotel at Kandy.

Description:
After breakfast, you’ll have a wonderful journey towards Sri Lanka’s 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.

DAY PLAN:

> Morning, visit Gem Museum; get to know more about the World-renowned and most prestigious Sri Lankan gems and jewelry in a gem museum tour.

> En-route to Nuwara Eliya, stop at the Peradeniya Royal Garden, which is known as one of the best botanical gardens in Asia.

> Thereafter, 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 kept alive up to date. Make sure to end your factory visit in style over a perfectly blended cup of tea.

> Afternoon, you will enjoy your own walking through Nuwara Eliya city center and the fruit and vegetable market.

Overnight stay in cosy mount view hotel at Nuwara Eliya.

Description:
> 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 tickets included, will be arranged at the station).

> Explore the village, 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 a great place for walking and climbing and its most famous trekking route is to “Little Adam’s Peak”.

> Afterwards, continue your journey towards Yala National Park, the largest and most stunning national park in Sri Lanka.

Overnight stay in a safari Resort at Thissamaharama

Description:
After a fantastic journey through the coconut palms, mountains and waterfalls, you will finally arrive at the world-famous beachside of Sri Lanka. Mirissa/Dickwella is a delightful sandy beach that was a well-kept secret in the past, but now few restaurants and pubs are opening up to visitors. It’s a magnificent place characterized by white sands and coconut palms growing right from the edge of the sea as if in imitation of a postcard of a perfect tropical beach.

DAY PLAN:

En-route, stop at Hummanaya Natural blowhole. Caused when sea water rushes through a submerged cavern and is pushed upwards. It is considered to be the second largest blowhole in the world.
Upon arrival at your hotel, you may grab a towel to relax on the beach while enjoying a cocktail or a chill beer under the shade of a palm tree.
Optional activities; whale waching, Jet Ski, Banana & Tube Boating, Diving, Snorkeling, Surfing, Fishing & Deep sea fishing are few among the popular list.
Overnight stay in a wonderful seafront resort at Mirissa/Dickwella.

Description:
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.

DAY PLAN:

> Upon arrival at Colombo, you have the opportunity to visit all the highlighted places in the city such as Red Mosque, Gangarama temple, Independent square, and so on.

> Evening, take a walk at Galle Face Green while enjoying the evening atmosphere and try-out some street food.

> Thereafter, Perhaps, you may pop into a famous and internationally renowned restaurant in Colombo to end your Sri Lanka visit over an unforgettable meal.

Overnight stay in Colombo city hotel.

Description:
After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel and you will be transferred to the airport for your short flight to Male (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.

DAY PLAN:

> Upon arrival to Male, you will meet a hotel representative, who will transfer you to the hotel by a 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: We give shared speed boat transfers which leave at scheduled times or private speed boat transfers can be arranged anytime, but there will be an additional cost.

Shared speed boat transfer time: (Airport to Maafushi) 10.45 hrs. /15.00 hrs. / 18.00 hrs.
Overniht stay at Maldives

Description:
After breakfast, if you are up to it, you will enjoy a half-day excusion tour. Your day starts with a speed boat ride that will take you to 3 different spots, perfect for going snorkeling 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. NOTE: This is an optional experience, thus it can be purchased separately from the resort. Overniht stay at Maafushi Island

Description:
Today, if you are up to it, you could enjoy a full-day trip to a resort, where you will be able to discover the luxurious beauty of the Maldives. Picture yourself crossing the pure white sands of the beach and stepping onto a boardwalk hoisted a few feet above the water by sturdy columns. This optional day tour to a nearby luxury resort island costs between USD 125 and USD 130 per person, based on the island you choose to visit. The price includes speed boat transfers, buffet lunch, unlimited drinks including alcoholic beverages, full use of the resort pools, sunbeds… Optional activities: scuba-diving > jet-skiing > snorkeling. Overniht stay at Maafushi Island

Description:
It’s a free day: after breakfast, you could spend your time relaxing on the beach or exploring the underwater sea life. Evening, you could sit back and enjoy the sunset or you may join a fishing safari by boat. The hotel may give you a chance to catch fish to be prepared for dinner. Drinking a glass of wine while watching fish being cooked is always a pleasure. NOTE: This is an optional experience, thus it can be purchased separately from the resort. **Optional activities: scuba-diving >snorkeling >jet-ski >kayaking.

Overniht stay at Maldives

Description:
Today is your last day in the beautiful Maldives. After breakfast, you will check out from the hotel and you will be transferred to the airport by a shared speed boat.

NOTE: We arrange shared speed boat transfers that leave at scheduled times or private speed boat transfers can be organized anytime with an additional cost.

Shared speed boat transfer time: (Maafushi to Airport) 08.00 hrs. / 12.30 hrs. / 17.00 hrs.