Sri Lanka Treasures

Departure on a scheduled flight to Colombo. Night on board.

Arrival at Colombo airport. Luggage collection, reception and transfer to the hotel. During the journey you will be able to enjoy a panoramic tour (*) through Colombo, the most populated city and commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Located on the western coast of the island, it is a vibrant city full of life and with a surprising mix of modern architecture, colonial buildings and some ruins. Due to its large natural harbor and its strategic position on the sea trade routes linking East and West, it has been more than 2,000 years since traders have been aware of its existence. The city is divided into different areas, the central one is the business center, restaurants and leisure area. During the tour you will pass through the most representative places of Colombo: the Fort, the residential neighborhood of Petah, the Cinnamon Gardens, the Galle Face Park and the Viharamahadevi Park. Accommodation.

(*) On this panoramic tour there will be no accompanying guide, you will be accompanied only by the English-speaking driver of the transport vehicle.

Cold breakfast (picnic) and very early transfer to the station to leave by Intercity train to Anuradhapura (duration will be approximately 3 and a half hours). Arrival and visit of the archaeological city of Anuradhapura, one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka from the 4th century BC to the beginning of the 11th century AD. The city was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was once the most important center of life and political power in South Asia. The city considered sacred to Buddhism is currently surrounded by monasteries. Lunch at a local restaurant and departure to Mihintale, which is believed to have been the meeting place between Buddha and King Devanampiyatissa who inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Today it is a sacred pilgrimage site where there are many religious monuments and abandoned statues. After the visit, continue to Habarana. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast and departure to visit the Sigiriya complex, an ancient complex of palaces built during the reign of King Kasyapa (477-495), declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. The ruins of the palace are located at the top of an impressive red stone rock, 180 meters above the jungle that rises at its feet in the middle of the entire complex. In the middle part is the Mirror wall where the famous paintings of the Apsara maidens are found. In addition to the Puerta del León, which gives access to the upper part. In the lowest part of the rock is the lower palace and the moats, walls and gardens that extend for hundreds of meters from the rock base. It is definitely worth climbing the more than 1,000 steps and narrow walkways to enjoy the extraordinary panoramic view of the surroundings. This spectacular complex surprises the visitor with the creativity of its construction and the magnificent location of its location. Lunchin a local restaurant and continuation to Polonnaruwa, one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, being the seat of the Sinhalese kings from the 11th century to the 13th century. In 1982 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This city, surrounded by the Prakrama Samudra reservoir built in the 12th century, extends over 122 hectares, finding numerous monuments with a high quality of conservation. Most of them are statues and religious buildings of Indian influence, although civil buildings such as the royal council chamber are also found. We will visit the famous statues of the Gal Vihara Buddhas, three large statues sculpted into a rock wall, which stand out for their detail and impress with their size. The first and second of these statues represent a Buddha sitting in a meditation position; while the third and largest, 14 meters long, represents the reclining figure. After the visit, return to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast and departure by road to Dambulla to visit its temple, whose complex of caves converted into the Golden Temple, is its main attraction due to its uniqueness and for being the largest cave system in the country. In addition, this complex preserves an important and large collection of images of Buddha, around 153, which represent the different stages of his life. These in turn are surrounded by fascinating paintings and murals that extend over an area of 2,100 square kilometers. This entire area of great cultural and religious importance was built by King Walangambahu in the 1st century BC and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991. After the visit, continue to Kandy, with a stop at the Matale Spice Garden, where we will be offered an Ayurvedic massage of about 10 minutes (included). Lunch at a local restaurant. Arrival in Kandy, known as the capital of the mountains, as well as being the heart of Buddhism in the country. Due to its setting, architecture and beauty, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988. It was home to the last independent kingdom of Sri Lanka, which survived two centuries of colonial incursion before falling to the British Empire. In the middle of the streets and bazaars, we find the Municipal Market or the Arts and Crafts Centre, places that stand out for their influx of people and for always being animated by the local population. We will visit the Dalada Maligawa, an architectural complex made up of pink pavilions with red roofs, where the Temple of the Tooth of Buddha is located, the main religious centre for Buddhist followers where the relic of the tooth of Buddha is venerated. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Breakfast and departure to the Millennium Elephant Foundation (MEF), a charity created to rescue and care for captive Asian elephants in Sri Lanka. This organization offers a unique and ethical experience, focused on the care and conservation of elephants. MEF is the only place where you do not ride an elephant, ever. The caretakers only accompany them on walks. Visitors can participate in activities such as walking alongside the elephants in a natural environment, assisting with their daily bathing routines, and participating in guided educational tours, which highlight the foundation's efforts to protect these majestic animals. The experience is both educational and immersive, providing insight into the lives of elephants while supporting sustainable tourism and conservation initiatives. MEF is not a mass tourist attraction, its goal is to give elephants a safe home. We invite you to visit and experience a special encounter with elephants, suitable for all audiences. Lunch at the foundation's restaurant and return to Kandy, stopping en route to visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, the first botanical garden built by a Sinhala king and expanded by the English. Its 147 acres are filled with a wide variety of trees, plants and flowers, mainly orchids with a variety of 300, medicinal plants and palm trees. Arrival in Kandy and rest of the afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast and departure by road to the hill country, with spectacular mountain scenery dotted with tea plantations. Brief stop en route to see the Ramboda waterfall. Arrival in Nuwara Eliya, a town nestled in the hills, was established by the British Empire in the 19th century, and of course had great value and utility, as it was a holiday enclave where one could take refuge from the hottest months. For all this, its traditional architecture is mixed with British-style colonial buildings. A tea plantation and factory will be visited. Lunch at a local restaurant and continuation to the town of Ella. Ella, which literally translates as "waterfall", is an apt name for this small town nestled in a corner of the hills, due to its impressive views richly adorned with waterfalls that slide down its steep terrain. (*) A short and pleasant walk of about 45 minutes along a railway line will take visitors to the base of the mountain. From there, a 15-minute walk up the hill through a lush tea plantation will open up the most amazing panoramas, with blue skies rising above the emerald plains below. During the course of the walk we will visit the famous Nine Arch Bridge. Built during the British colonial period, it remains one of the largest in Sri Lanka. Afterwards, transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

(*) From May 2025, this tour will be modified and will read as follows: In the afternoon, we will embark on a tuk tuk ride, an iconic experience that will take us to the Nine Arch Bridge, a masterpiece of colonial-era engineering that stands majestically amidst lush vegetation. After a short walk to reach the bridge, you can admire the picturesque scene of trains winding through the arches, framed by the mountains. It is an ideal place to take photos and soak in the serene atmosphere of this architectural gem. Afterwards, transfer by car back to Ella.

Breakfast and departure to Yala National Park, visiting the Ravana Falls en route. During this day we will continue through the central highlands, among green tea plantations, waterfalls and winding roads until we descend to practically sea level where the Yala National Park is located. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we will leave in 4X4 vehicles to visit the Yala National Park (*), located in the semi-arid region with a dry climate, with rainy seasons especially during the monsoon season. The park has a variety of ecosystems, including humid forests and marine wetlands. It is one of the 70 most important areas for birds in Sri Lanka, housing 215 species, including six endemic to the country. The number of mammals that have been recorded in the park is 44 different types and it has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world, although not easy to see. After the visit, continue to Tissamaharama. Dinner and accommodation.

(*) Every year during the month of September there is a temporary closure of the park for maintenance, in which case this visit will be replaced by a safari in the Lunugamwehera Park, with similar characteristics and within the same area.

Breakfast. In the morning, drive along the south coast road to the coastal town of Galle, stopping en route to see the fishermen at Weligama. Visit the city of Galle, which had its heyday in the 18th century, before the arrival of the British. The old part of Galle was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988. It is believed that the current city was the port of ancient Tharsis, to which the Hebrew king Solomon sent to fetch the ivory and peacocks mentioned in the Bible. The walk along the wall that goes from the bastion of Utrecht to the bastion of the flag rock, allows you to get an idea of the city with a good panoramic view of the old port. Visit the Old Dutch Fortress of Galle. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, continue to Ahungalla or Beruwalla (*). Dinner and overnight stay.

(*) From May 2025, tonight's accommodation will be in Beruwalla.