A 7-day journey of adventure including…
- Hot-air ballooning
- White-water rafting
- Trekking and mountain biking
- Leopard-spotting safaris
- Explore historic Galle Fort
Day 1
Colombo Airport to Sigiriya (4 hours)
On arriving at Colombo Airport, you will be met by escorts to take you to your transfer vehicle to Sigiriya.
Check into hotel in Sigiriya.
Enjoy an evening jeep safari in Minneriya National Park. You can see herds of Sri Lankan wild elephants in their natural habitat. The elephants gather at the waterholes for drinking and you may watch them bathing themselves and their young in the river. You can even see them close-up.
Rest of the day leisure at the hotel.
Accommodation: Kalundewa Retreat
Day 2
Sigiriya to Kandy (3 hours)
In the morning, enjoy a hot-air balloon ride over lakes and national parks (subject to weather). Then transfer to Kandy.
Arrival and check into your hotel.
Sightseeing of Kandy town, the lake and Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Visit Kandy’s main attraction – the ‘Dalada Maligawa’ – a magnificently adorned shrine, with decorative walls, moat, turrets, golden roof and fine woodwork. Visitors have the option to view three religious services, or ‘poojas’, with traditional music, held at dawn, midday and in the evening.
Accommodation: Villa Rosa
Day 3
Kandy
Visit Millennium Elephant Foundation. This organisation and charity was set up to rescue and care for captive Asian elephants in Sri Lanka. The foundation is situated on the 15-acre ‘Samaragiri’ estate, located 10km northwest of Kegalle, within the Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka.
Continue to the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens – the largest of the botanical gardens in Sri Lanka and the finest of its kind in Asia. During WWII the gardens were the headquarters of the allied command for the Pacific. It’s a leisurely walk in a circular fashion, you can do this independently or with a resident botanist.
Check into your hotel and have the rest of the day at your own leisure.
Accommodation: Villa Rosa
Day 4
Kandy to Kitulgala (2 hours)
Transfer to Kitulgala.
If you are looking for a fun adrenaline rush, Kitulgala is the number one location in Sri Lanka for white-water rafting. The Kelani River offers excellent rapids for hours of rafting fun. There is no physical condition requirement.
Spend the rest of the day relishing the hotel.
Accommodation: The Palm Stone Retreat
Day 5
Kitulgala to Ella (4 hours)
In the early morning, set out for a trekking or mountain biking expedition on the Horton Plains, a protected area in the central highlands covered by mountain grassland and cloud forest. Large herds of Sri Lankan sambar deer are common sightings, and the park is also an Important Bird Area with many species not only endemic to Sri Lanka but restricted to the Horton Plains. The sheer precipice of World’s End and Baker’s Falls are also among the tourist attractions of the park.
Transfer to Ella (4 hours).
Rest of the day to relax at the hotel.
Accommodation: Nine Skies Ella
Day 6
Ella to Yala (4.5 hours)
After breakfast leave for an afternoon jeep safari in Yala National Park, where you will see Sri Lankan wild animals in their natural habitat. Inside the park you will come across wild boar, deer, leopards, elephants, bears, peacocks and many more animals roaming freely. You may watch elephants drinking and bathing themselves and their young in the river. You may also see leopards sunning themselves on rocks. Herds of deer roam at will, keeping a wary eye on the predators. Peacocks flaunting their colourful feathers while strutting around is a breathtaking sight.
Rest of the day at leisure at the hotel.
Accommodation: Wild Coast Tented Lodge
Day 7
Yala to Galle (4 hours)
Travel to historic Galle for sightseeing of the Galle fort and town.
Galle was once a prominent seaport long before Western rule in the country. Persians, Arabs, Greeks, Romans, Malays and Indians all made their way into Galle throughout centuries past, but ‘modern’ Galle began in 1505, when the first Portuguese ship, under Lourenco De Almeida, was
driven there by a storm. 135 years later, the Dutch invaded, and finally, the British arrived in 1796, who preserved the Fort unchanged. Today Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site, where luxurious villas and boutique hotels sit side by side with restaurants, cafes, antique and fabric shops and so much more.
Check into your hotel.
Accommodation: Fort Bazaar
Day 8
Galle to Colombo Airport (2 hours)
Leave for Colombo Airport in order to connect to your flight home.
- Visa – visa can be obtained online prior to your arrival for US$ 35 per person at http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/
- Currency Exchange/Credit Cards – the local currency is Sri Lankan rupees (Rs.) and currency can be
exchanged at bank counters in the arrival lounge. There are many certified money changers and banks
throughout the country for currency exchange as well. All major credit cards are usually accepted at
larger hotels, shops and restaurants - General Behavior – Sri Lanka is generally a very conservative country so be respectful towards the
culture and different religions. You are required to dress appropriately (covering all parts of your body)
when visiting sacred places like temples/shrines or any place of worship. - Climate/Clothing – most parts of the island get pretty hot and humid so you will mostly need light
cotton clothing and comfortable shoes for walking/trekking. The hill country can get a little chilly at
night so you will also need a light sweater for your stay there - Electricity – Electricity runs at 230–240V. Round, three-pin sockets are the norm, though you’ll also
sometimes find square three-pin sockets, especially in more upmarket hotels. Adaptors are cheap and
widely available. - Health – bring your mosquito repellent bug spray and sun cream. You can get them at supermarkets and pharmacies locally but it’s best to bring your own if you are comfortable with certain brands.
- Festivals/Public Holidays – Sri Lanka is a land of many festivals and celebrations. You can find out the festivals taking place before your arrival into the country. Sale and consumption of alcohol is prohibited on all Poya (full moon) days and religious festivals.
- Tipping – tipping your chauffer guide is at your discretion. If you are happy with your chauffer guide’s service and would like to tip him, we recommend a starting tip of USD$10 per day.
Hotel Rules & Regulations
Check-in time is typically between 12-2pm. Check-out time is typically at 12pm