Spiritual Adventure in Sri Lanka

DAY 01 Airport – Negombo

Ayubowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka!

Your journey begins with your arrival at Colombo International Airport.

Meet and greet, then transfer to Negombo, just a 15-minute drive from the airport (approximately 8 kilometers). Negombo, nicknamed "Little Rome," is a bustling port with a large, predominantly Catholic fishing community. You can admire numerous churches along the shore where fishermen moor their catamarans. Every morning, except Sundays, fishermen sell their catch at auction.

The rest of the day is free to relax. You will spend the night in Negombo.

DAY 02 Negombo - Pinnawala - Dambulla – Habarana

After breakfast, you will leave Negombo towards Sigiriya.

Along the way, you'll visit St. Mary's Church. Located in Negombo, it's one of Sri Lanka's most iconic churches. It's particularly known for its exceptional religious depictions painted on its ceiling, making it a major tourist attraction in the region.

Next, you'll head to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, a sanctuary established in 1975 to care for orphaned baby elephants. Today, it houses many abandoned or injured elephants, who are cared for with love and affection. The orphanage's elephants bathe daily in a nearby river.

You will then continue to Dambulla to visit the famous Rock Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This temple houses impressive murals and Buddha statues, the largest of which is carved directly into the rock and measures 14 meters long. It is located in a Buddhist cave complex dating back to the 3rd century BC.

Finally, you will be transferred to Habarana, where you will spend the night.

Day 03 Habarana - Anuradhapura - Mihintale – Habarana

After breakfast, you will depart for Anuradhapura and Mihintale, about 1.5 hours drive (approx. 59 km).

Anuradhapura, the first capital of the island of Ceylon, is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can visit the Sri Maha Bodhi, a sacred tree over 2,200 years old, the Brazen Palace with its stone columns, the Ruwanweliseya, the Isurumuniya rock temple, and many other historical and archaeological sites.

Mihintale is the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, where it was first introduced. You can climb Mihintale Mountain via a stone staircase of 1,840 steps and enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. A short lesson on the religion by a Buddhist monk can also be arranged.

You will spend the night in Habarana.

Day 04 Habarana - Sirigiya - Polonnaruwa – Habarana

After breakfast, departure for Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa, a journey of approximately 120 kilometers.

Your morning will begin with a visit to the spectacular Sigiriya Rock Fortress, perched 19 kilometers northeast of Dambulla. This impressive rock fortress was once the refuge of King Kasyapa, who had murdered his father and usurped the throne from his elder brother, the rightful heir. Kasyapa had this 182-meter-high fortress built to protect himself from his enemies. After Kasyapa's death, the fortress gradually fell into oblivion until it was rediscovered in 1907 by British explorer John Still. Today, Sigiriya is famous for its "Graffiti Wall" as well as its magnificent frescoes of the Maidens, half-goddess, half-princess creatures. The Sigiriya citadel has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982.

Next, you will visit Polonnaruwa, which was the capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to the 13th century. This city was declared the capital by King Vijayabahu I after defeating the Chola invaders in 1070. Today, the city of Polonnaruwa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its golden age under King Parakramabahu is highlighted by the construction of the Parakrama Samudhraya, one of the largest irrigation systems in the country, covering over 2,400 hectares. You will also have the opportunity to see the ruins of the Royal Palace, various historical buildings and structures, as well as the famous Gal Viharaya, which houses three splendid statues of the Buddha carved directly into the rock.

Enjoy an authentic Sri Lankan farmer’s lunch buffet in a rustic village setting. Prepared using traditional clay pots and firewood, this meal includes a variety of freshly cooked vegetables, rice, curries, pickles, and sambols—all made with organic ingredients sourced from nearby farms. Served in an open-air setting overlooking paddy fields, this experience offers a taste of true village hospitality and culinary heritage.

You will spend the night in Habarana.

Day 05 Habarana - Matale – Kandy

After breakfast, you will drive to Kandy with a stopover in Matale, a journey of approximately 95 kilometers.

You will visit the Matale Aluvihare Temple, a cave temple surrounded by hills located 30 kilometers south of Kandy. It holds great historical significance, dating back to the 3rd century BC during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa.

You'll continue your visit with a visit to the Sri Muthumariamman Temple and a trip to a herb and spice garden in Matale. This experience will allow you to learn more about the origin and uses of the various spices grown in the region, such as lemongrass, cinnamon, ginger, cocoa, nutmeg, cloves, saffron, and many more. You'll even have the opportunity to purchase fresh spices. The spice gardens in Matale are among the best in the country.

After this visit, you'll continue to Kandy, where you'll spend the night.

Day 06 Kandy

After breakfast, you can choose to participate in an optional 1.5-hour yoga and meditation session, starting at 7 a.m.

Next, you'll visit the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) and attend a morning Pooja ceremony. The temple is located within the royal palace complex of the ancient Kingdom of Kandy and houses one of the most revered Buddhist relics: a tooth of Buddha. This relic played an important role in local political history, as whoever held it was believed to have power over the country. Kandy, which was the last capital of Sri Lanka's kings, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You'll also experience the grand Esala Perahera festival, a competition of elephants and dancers that lasts for more than ten days in the month of Esala (Only during Jul / August – Tickets not included, to be reserved).

Next, you will visit Gadaladeniya Raja Maha Viharaya & Embekke Devale-Carpentry. Gadaladeniya is a village known for its traditional Sri Lankan metal handicrafts.

In the evening, you will have the opportunity to attend a traditional show. You will spend the night in Kandy.

Day 07 Kandy - Peradeniya - Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast, you can choose to participate in an optional yoga and meditation session.

You will then visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens (optional). This magnificent garden, located about 6 kilometers from Kandy, was originally designed as a pleasure garden by a Sinhalese king. Spanning approximately 60 hectares, it is home to over 5,000 species of endemic trees and plants. You can stroll through the park and admire a superb collection of orchids, an avenue of palm trees, a gigantic Java fig tree, and many other botanical specimens. One of its star attractions is the Orchid House.

Afterwards, you will be transferred to Peradeniya Railway Station to embark on a magnificent train ride to Nanu Oya (Tickets are strictly subject to availability)

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Nuwara Eliya. The rest of the day will be free for you to relax.

Nuwara Eliya, also known as the "City of Lights" and "Little England," is a hill station popular with the British, who sought to create a quintessentially English village. The city boasts a refreshing climate and panoramic views of valleys, meadows, mountains, and lush greenery. It is at the heart of Sri Lanka's tea production, producing a significant portion of the world's finest tea. A trip to the Sri Lankan highlands wouldn't be complete without a visit to a traditional tea plantation and a tasting of Ceylon tea.

You will spend the night in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 08 Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast, you will visit a tea plantation.

Next, you'll head to the Sita Amman Temple, located about a 25-minute drive (8 kilometers). This temple is dedicated to Sita, the wife of King Rama, and is considered the only temple of its kind in the world. According to the legend of the Ramayana, this is the place where Sita was held captive by King Ravana. The temple houses an impressive statue of a seated Buddha.

You will continue your tour with a stop at Mani Katthuther in Labookellie. Mani Katthuther is a small, flat rock in the heart of the Labookellie tea estate. Today, a temple with statues of Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman has been erected on this rock, and it is frequently visited by locals.

You will spend the night in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 09 Nuwara Eliya - Buduruwagla - Kataragma - Kiri Vehera

After breakfast, you will depart for Tissamaharama, a journey of approximately 145 kilometers.

Along the way, you'll visit Ravana Waterfall, which is about 25 meters high. During the rainy season, the waterfall resembles an areca flower with fading petals, but during the dry season, the water flow decreases considerably.

Next, you will head to Buduruwagala Temple, an ancient Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. The complex houses seven statues that date back to the 10th century.

You will also visit Kataragama, a temple complex dedicated to Skanda Kumara, worshipped by the majority Sinhalese Buddhists, Hindu minorities, Sri Lankan Tamils, Sri Lankan Moors, and the Vedas. You will explore a collection of modest shrines, the most important of which is dedicated to Skanda Kumara. The tour will continue with Kiri Vehera, one of the five most important sites of worship.

You will spend the night in Yala.

Day 10 Yala National Park

Early morning, you will enjoy a day safari at Yala National Park, also called Ruhuna.

This is a major national park located on the southeast coast of Sri Lanka. The reserve covers 979 km², although only 141 km² is open to the public. The reserve is home to a wide variety of landscapes, including jungles, beaches, freshwater lakes, rivers, and scrublands. Yala has the largest concentration of leopards in the world, although spotting these nocturnal predators requires luck. The park is also home to numerous elephants, crocodiles, wild boars, wild buffalo, mongooses, jackals, and a multitude of birds, including eagles and storks.

Breakfast at the hotel and leisurely in the evening.

You will spend the night in Yala.

Day 11 Yala – Galle

After breakfast, you will depart for Galle, a journey of approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes covering approximately 170 kilometers.

Along the way, you will visit the Wewurukannala Raja Maha Vihara Temple, one of the most extraordinary Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka. It is topped by a 48-meter-high seated Buddha statue, the largest Buddha statue in Sri Lanka, dating from the 18th century (1782-1798). The temple has three parts, the oldest of which is about 250 years old. A special feature of the temple is the presence of a resident elephant.

After your visit, you will explore the city of Galle, the fourth largest city in Sri Lanka. Located 115 kilometers south of Colombo, Galle is rich in history and was the center of Dutch rule in the 17th century. The majestic Galle Fort is a rich testament to this era. The city is one of the best-preserved colonial cities in Southeast Asia and has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Galle was a major port in Sri Lanka and still welcomes expedition yachts and cruise ships. You will also visit famous attractions such as the Dutch Museum, the Groote Kerk (Big Church), and the National Maritime Museum. Galle is also renowned for its delicate lacework and ebony carvings.

You will spend the night in Galle.

Day 12 Galle

After breakfast, you will have a free day in Galle. Your driver will be available for travel within a 50-kilometer radius. You will spend the night in Galle.

Day 13 Galle – Colombo

After breakfast, you will depart for Colombo, a journey of approximately 136 kilometers.

Along the way, you'll stop in Aluthgama to visit the hilltop Kande Viharaya Temple. Established in 1734, Kande Viharaya Temple has become a regional Buddhist center. You'll also see the recently constructed Samadhi Buddha statue, visible from afar.

You'll also visit Kalutara Bodhiya, a sacred site revered by all Buddhists in Sri Lanka. Pilgrims frequently stop at the shrine to pay their respects with offerings and prayers. You'll also find a hollow dagoba with interesting paintings.

In the evening, you will visit the city of Colombo and the Kelaniya Temple. Colombo, Sri Lanka's largest city and its economic capital, combines ancient history with modernity. With a history dating back to the 5th century, Colombo is constantly evolving, with skyscrapers built alongside colonial buildings from the British era. You will visit colonial buildings, the Pettah Bazaar, mosques, churches, and Hindu and Buddhist temples. You will spend the night in Colombo.

Day 14 Colombo – Departure

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Bandaranayke International Airport for your return flight, a journey of approximately 37 minutes covering approximately 32 kilometers.