Day 1Welcome to Sri Lanka
Upon arrival, your local guide from U Travels will meet you at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. Your tour will begin with a small city tour that will introduce you to the heart of Sri Lankan street food, including Koththu the king of street food. Following this you will have the opportunity to visit Dutch hospital shopping precinct, an area that has been developed under the influence of foreign culture. There you have the option of having lunch/dinner at Ministry of Crab, a well - known seafood restaurant. Your overnight stay will be in Colombo.
Day 2Colombo to Tissamaharama
After breakfast you will travel to Tissamaharama in the Southern province of Sri Lanka. On the way you will be able to witness stilt fishing, a traditional fishing method requiring great skill and balance. You will also visit Galle fort, an ancient fortification that has been well preserved over several centuries. Your overnight stay will be in Tissamaharama.
Day 3Explore Tissamaharama
Day 3 of this tour will begin at the crack of dawn when you will join local fisherman at Weerawila Lake to do some fishing in traditional style. The local fisherman will then infuse the fish with herbs and spices and you will have the opportunity to cook your catch. Following this, under the guidance of local experts, you will take part in the process of producing curd, a desert derived from buffalo curd. The day will end with an activity of your choice between pottery and palmyrah weaving. Your overnight stay will be in Tissamaharama.
In the olden days Sri Lankans cooked their meals in pots made out of clay and presently this method is continued by a majority of people. The clay is molded into the shape of a pot and this is heated in a kiln to form a pot that can be used for cooking.
Palmyrah trees, a species of palm found in Sri Lanka is used by locals to produce pieces like bags and hats through weaving of leaves.
Day 4Journey to Little England
Today you will leave Tissamaharama and head to Nuwara Eliya, the ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka. On the way you will see Ravana Falls, one of the many majestic waterfalls found in Sri Lanka. It measures at an approximate height of 25 m and dominates as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Sri Lanka. From there you will travel to Ambewela farm, the heart of dairy farming in Sri Lanka. Your overnight stay will be in Nuwara Eliya.
Day 5Explore Nuwara Eliya
Day 5 of your tour will be a very relaxing day during which you will visit Pedro Tea factory in Nuwara Eliya to gain an insight into the production of tea that is savoured by all Sri Lankans. Following this you will visit Sita Amman temple, a holy place dedicated to Sita, a Hindu Goddess. Your overnight stay will be in Nuwara Eliya.
This temple is linked to Ramayana, an epic Indian poem about the tale of divine King Rama saving his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana. This temple located approximately 5 km from Nuwara Eliya is believed to be one of the places where Ravana held Sita captive.
Day 6Nuwara Eliya to Kandy
Today you will leave the hill country and travel to Kandy, one of the last kingdoms of Sri Lanka. On the way you will visit Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple, a Hindu temple found in Ramboda. From there you will travel for approximately 1 hour to reach Kandy where you will explore the Temple of the Tooth relic of Buddha and witness how the teachings of Buddhism have been preserved over many years. You will also visit Kandy Archaeological museum. Your overnight stay will be in Kandy.
Day 7Kandy to Sigiriya
Today, you will travel to Dambulla and on the way you will stop at Matale.This town is known for its agriculture, where tea, rubber, spice and herbal plantations are in abundance. You will have an opportunity to visit Euphoria spice and herbal garden to get an insight into the fascinating world of spices and herbs with a demonstration by an expert on preparing Sri Lankan cuisine. Your overnight stay will be in Sigiriya.
Activities:
- 45 min - 1 hr tour around the spice and herbal garden
- Cooking lessons and lunch
Day 8Explore Dambulla
After breakfast, you will kickstart the day by heading to Sigiriya rock and a local tour guide will join the climb. He will walk you through the ancient tale of King Kasyapa and the remains of his palace. This segment of the day will take approximately 1.5 - 3 hrs. Following this, you have the option of riding on the back of an elephant in the area surrounding Sigiriya rock. Thereafter, you will enjoy a village tour experiencing traditional transportation systems and finally have lunch at a local farm house. This tour will approximately take 2.5 hours. Your overnight stay will be in Habarana.
Day 9Farewell Sri Lanka
Today you will travel from Dambulla to Bandaranaike International Airport to board your flight and say your farewell till next time.
Inclusion & exclusion
- Accommodation ( 8 NIGHTS ONLY INCLUDING DAILY BREAKFAST) in the hotels mentioned or similar comfort (Standard rooms) including breakfast – Best Rated by Tripadvisor and our past clients. Double sharing basis (BB/DBL).
- On ground transportation - air conditioned vehicle with an English speaking chauffeur guide throughout the tour (Includes fuel) with comprehensive insurance. All safari jeeps are without comprehensive insurance and non air conditioned.
- Airport transfers - all tours from & to the airport unless any special request made by the client with different pick up or drop off points, which could be arranged.
- Entry fee into attractions. (Ministry of crab, Galle ramparts, Cook your catch,curd processing,pottery or palmyrah weaving, Ambewela farm, Tea factory tour, Temple of tooth relic, Kandy archeology museum, Euphoria spice and herbal garden tour and cooking demonstration, Sigiriya lion rock, Habarana village tour)
- 24/7 customer service