Sri Lanka & the Maldives – Pearls of the Indian Ocean
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Negombo
Today you’ll arrive at Colombo airport, where you’ll be collected and transferred to Negombo, a modest beach town on the palm-fringed west coast. During your time in Negombo, you’ll stay in an elegant villa with a swimming pool and gardens. The rest of the day is free for you to do as you please; why not relax by the pool with a good book or take a stroll along the beach.
Day 2 – Discover Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle
Today, you’ll travel towards Polonnaruwa and after a few hours’ drive, the giant Sigiriya rock will start to loom in front of you. In earlier times, this rock fortress, also known as the ‘Lion Rock’, was covered with hundreds of frescoes and a grand palace stood atop. Once you’ve made it to the top, you’ll get the chance to take in the stunning panoramic views of the wild green jungle before continuing your journey to the town. For a better view of Sigiriya, you can take a more challenging hike to the top of nearby Pidurangala Rock. It’s a steep climb, but it’s well worth the effort. You’ll spend 2 nights at a lakeside hotel, where you can relax and take in the beauty of the area.
Optional – hot air balloon experience
If you’re looking for a memorable experience we can arrange a sunrise hot air balloon excursion over the Sri Lankan countryside. You’ll float over fields, lakes and jungle as locals in the villages below wake and begin their day. The flight lasts around an hour, with a picnic breakfast waiting when you land. A magical way to start your day. Ask your Travel Specialist for more details.
Day 3 – Cycling tour and jeep safari
After breakfast, your driver will take you into town where you’ll collect your hired bike and cycle around the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Polonnaruwa at your own pace. The town was once the capital city of Sri Lanka, and there are still many interesting relics left over from this period, from palaces and bathhouses to ancient temples. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the country’s history. After you’ve pedalled your way through town, you’ll head to a small farmers’ restaurant where you can refuel with some super-authentic Sri Lankan cuisine.
To avoid you getting ‘templed out’ we’ll also arrange a jeep safari into nearby Minneriya National Park. The park is home to large herds of wild elephants, which are easy to spot and observe, due to the wide, open landscape. Between the drier months of June and September in particular, hundreds of elephants can be seen gathering around the park’s lakes in search of water.
Day 4 – Explore the emerald valleys of Ella
Next, you’ll travel from Polonnaruwa with your driver by private car to the green hills of Ella. The journey will take around 4,5 hours. Ella is a peaceful village nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka’s hill country, with fresh air, some lovely places to eat and a welcoming atmosphere. You’ll travel in a car through the lush countryside, before settling into your cosy hotel for the next couple of nights. All around Ella, you’ll find tea plantations, temples, waterfalls and green hills. At Little Adam’s Peak and Ella Rock, there are some truly spectacular viewpoints too.
Day 5 – Hiking in Ella
This morning, you’ll wake up to the endless mountain views that surround you. Lace up your boots; it’s time for some hard work as you set off on a trek to Little Adam’s Peak! Armed with a map of the routes and a packed lunch that we’ll provide, you’ll begin your brisk walk for about two hours through tea plantations, beautiful train bridges and remote villages.
Once you’ve climbed the large steps to the summit, you can put your feet up at the top as you look out over the gigantic ridges. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous today, you could climb Ella Rock instead. This is a more challenging trek where you’ll walk for about 4 hours through winding jungle trails to reach the top.
Day 6 – The wild heart of Yala National Park
Next, you’ll travel from Ella with your driver by private car to Yala National Park. Along the way, you’ll make a stop at the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, where injured babies and orphans are cared for. You’ll watch as they impatiently appear at the gates at feeding time and jostle each other for milk. After an exciting day, you’ll head back to your boutique glamping accommodation, located on the edge of the park. Your spacious tent comes furnished with a proper bed, toilet and sink. In the evening, you can fall asleep to the sounds of the wild – an experience to make your Sri Lanka wildlife trip complete.
Day 7 – Jeep safari in Yala National Park
Yala National Park is one of the most famous national parks in Sri Lanka. Today, you’ll head out on a jeep safari where you can spot a kaleidoscope of colourful birds, monkeys, crocodiles, buffaloes and of course, elephants. If you’re really lucky, you might even spot a leopard sneaking past, so make sure you have your camera ready!
Day 8 – Just one more thing… in Colombo!
It’s time to leave the wildlife behind you and head back to Colombo. We’ll arrange a transfer via the Southern Expressway. The journey should take around 4 hours. Settle into your centrally located hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing, or head out to explore. Sri Lanka’s capital may not be the most attractive place in the country, but it’s a buzzing city with an interesting history. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to dinner, as Colombo has some fantastic places to eat.
Day 9 – Tuk-tuk tour in Colombo
Today you’ll be picked up by a local guide who’ll take you on a unique city tour by tuk-tuk! The tuk-tuk is a typical Sri Lankan way of getting around, and what an exhilarating way to explore the capital city. It’s sensory overload as you weave through the heart of the city. You’ll stop in the colourful working neighbourhood of Pettah – alive with markets, street vendors, spicy aromas and Bollywood music blaring out of speakers by the roadside. A stop will also be made to try some local snacks by the Wolvendaal Church, before being dropped back to your hotel. Whether it’s the beginning or end of your Sri Lanka adventure, it’s a great way to get the true feel for what the capital’s all about.
Next, it’s time to wave goodbye to the tear-drop island, and your driver will take you to the airport in time for your international flight to the tropical paradise of the Maldives. It takes just 1.5 hours to fly from Colombo to Male, the capital of the Maldives. When you arrive, you’ll transfer onto a short domestic flight taking you to the tropical island that you’ll be calling home for the next few days. In a country well-known for its large all-inclusive resorts, we’ve managed to find something different for you to enjoy – a charming eco-resort on a peaceful, inhabited island. When you step onto the powder white sands and feel the warm turquoise waters lapping at your feet, you’ll feel like you’ve found paradise.
Day 10 – Local cycling trip and free time
The next day, you will wake up to the blissful sounds of the ocean right by your window. Enjoy a yoga session or simply plunge into the crystal waters of the ocean before breakfast. Later today, you will join a small group led by the hotel’s Conservation Team and head on a mini-cycling expedition through the jungle and into a local village. As you pedal, your guide will tell you everything about the tropical vegetation and wildlife common to the island. When you reach the village, dive into the local community life, enjoy traditional snacks and spend some time with the welcoming local people until it’s time to pedal back to your hotel.
Days 11 & 12 – Free time in the Maldives
There’s nothing planned for the rest of your stay, so feel free to relax and soak up your tropical surroundings. If you fancy doing something a little more active, you can snorkel and dive to your heart’s content or join one of the conservation trips offered by your hotel – we particularly like the manta monitoring adventure! If that sounds too much like hard work, simply put your feet up, unwind and reflect on all of the memorable experiences from your Sri Lanka trip. Alcohol is not served in the resort, but if you fancy a cocktail, there’s a floating boat-bar just off shore. This picture-postcard island is just the place to take it easy and refuel before heading back home.
Day 13 – Departure from the Maldives
Today, it’s time to say goodbye to this tropical haven and head back to the airport for your journey home. You can enjoy one last breakfast looking out to sea and take a final dip in the crystal clear water, depending on your international flight time, before you are taken back to Male. Remember to keep some cash back for your departure, as an airport tax of $25 is charged per person on departure from Male.
Fancy a longer stay in the Maldives? We totally get it! Just ask your Travel Specialist to add an additional night or two to your travel plan.
Accommodation
