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Sri Lanka: Spice Gardens & Seasides

Description

Embark on an unforgettable adventure through the stunning landscapes of Sri Lanka, where every moment offers a new experience.

Traveling with a group of like-minded adventurers, you'll forge new friendships and return home with fresh perspectives and cherished memories from this tropical paradise.

Average 12-16 travelers in a group.

** Age Requirements **

18 - 39 y.o.

The departure day is every Friday starting from 16th September

Duration: 11 nights / 12 days

Itinerary

Day 1 Negombo

Arrive at any time and welcome to Negombo, know for its lazy beach, wandering canals, and fresh seafood markets.

Get to know your fellow travellers over optional dinner and drinks at a favourite local restaurant. Soak up the lively atmosphere as you're introduced to Sri Lankan delicacies, and cheers to new adventures and friends!

Hotel J Negombo (or similar) accommodation

Day 2 Negombo/Sigiriya

Travel to the centre of the island to explore the UNESCO World Heritage City, Sigiriya. Opt to visit the Dambulla Cave Temple or the ancient Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

Private Vehicle transport

Negombo – Sigiriya, 4h30m

IORA Resort (or similar) accommodation

Resort

Optional Activities

Sigiriya Rock Fortress Visit

Sigiriya

Be mesmerized by this rock fortress, which captivates every visitor with its well-laid out gardens, caves, monasteries, and palaces adorned with beautiful wall motifs. Start at the water gardens and climb more than 1,200 steps to reach the top. Pass caves with frescoes and boulders to find the ruins of a palace on the flat surface of the old volcanic magma rock. The rock rests 370m (1,213 ft) above sea level with a shear drop on all sides.

Dambulla Cave Temple Visit

Visit the ancient Dambulla cave temples at one of the most well-preserved temple and cave sites in Sri Lanka. See Buddhist mural paintings that line the walls of the seventh-century caves as well as a collection of hundreds of statues of Buddha in different poses.

Day 3 Sigiriya

Spend the day freely exploring more of this ancient yet luscious region. Opt to visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, view elephants on a safari drive in Minneriya national park, or go back in time at the Anurhadhapura historical site.

Free time activity

Get out and explore.

Visit Polonnaruwa, the second ancient capital city (for three centuries), and home to many well-preserved ruins of palaces and monasteries. Don't feel like walking around? Opt to rent a bike and cycle through the ruins instead.

IORA Resort (or similar) accommodation

Day 4 Sigiriya/Digana

Visit a medicinal spice garden en route to Digana. After, enjoy lunch before embarking on a guided village walk for insight into rural daily life. Maybe stop at the home of a crafter who hand-makes delicate Kandyan jewellery or the cottage of a local woman making incense. Later, learn how to cook Sri Lankan bread or sweets while helping out with dinner.

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

Private Vehicle transport Sigiriya – Digana

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Spice Garden Visit activity

Kandy

Visit a herbal centre where students of Ayurveda learn the traditional medicinal uses of various spices for massages and treatments. Enjoy demonstrations and learning about the different plants and their uses.

Digana Guided Village Walk activity

Digana

Get a crash course in local life with a village walk through Digana. Learn about some of the essential local industries and meet with local families, going about their daily routines. Visit their humble abodes to learn about their way of life before enjoying a traditional herbal drink.

Oruthota Chalets (or similar) accommodation

Day 5 Digana/Kandy

Enjoy breakfast and soak in the views of the Victoria Reservoir over tea before departing for Kandy. Have an afternoon of free time to explore the sweet city, opting to visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth, view a traditional Kandyan cultural show, or root for a team at a cricket match.

Meals included: Breakfast

Private Vehicle transport

Digana – Kandy

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Free time activity

Full Day

Explore Kandy with a full free day.

Oak Ray City Hotel (or similar) accommodation

Optional Activities

Royal Botanical Gardens Visit

Kandy

Enjoy a leisurely walk in the colourful Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya. See 300 varieties of orchids of Sri Lanka as well as a range of other plants.

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Tour

Enjoy a tour of the Temple of the Tooth, which houses an important relic – a tooth of Lord Buddha kept in a well-preserved golden casket. Learn about the importance of this site from local guides.

Kandyan Cultural Dance

Kandy

Be swept away by an entertaining performance that will provide insight into the local culture in Kandy.

Day 6 Kandy/Nuwara Eliya

Enjoy a traditional breakfast prepared by women and youth living with disabilities at G Adventures-supported Sthree Craft Shop and Café. Travel on to the rolling hills and luscious forests of Nuwara Eliya. Visit a tea plantation and opt to explore the beauty on foot.

Meals included: Breakfast

Tea Plantation Visit activity

Nuwara Eliya, 1h-1h30m

The town of Nuwara Eliya produces the finest Orange Pekoe Ceylon tea, and is inhabited mainly by tea planters and plantation workers. Pay a visit to one of the factories to learn all about tea production.

Breakfast at Sthree Craft Shop and Café activity

Kandy

Make a pit stop at Sthree Craft Shop and Café to enjoy a local breakfast prepared by women and youth living with disabilities. Led by the Women's Development Centre, they provide livelihood opportunities through hospitality and handicraft training, empowering the surrounding community.

Private Vehicle transport

Kandy – Nuwara Eliya, 3h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Royal Hills Hotel (or similar) accommodation

Hotel

Day 7 Nuwara Eliya/Ella

If you want to experience morning mist flowing through the valley, wake early and trek the serene trails of Horton Plains National Park. In the afternoon, cruise to the laid-back village of Ella and enjoy a free evening to explore or relax.

Private Vehicle transport

Nuwara Eliya – Ella, 1h30m-2h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Free time activity

Afternoon

Enjoy a free afternoon to relax or explore.

Oak Ray Ella Gap Hotel (or similar) accommodation

Hotel

Optional Activities

Horton Plains Trek

Horton Plains Nature Reserve – Negombo

Get close to nature and stunning scenery on this Horton Plains Trek. Hike 9km (6 mi) into the Horton Plains and walk through the clouds to discover a majestic drop that provides amazing views over the plains into the sea.

Day 8 Ella

Spend the morning trekking Little Adam's Peak to get a 360-degree view of Sri Lankan countryside encompassing the giant Ella Rock and textured green mountains. For the rest of the day, enjoy the freedom to explore scenic Ella more in-depth. Opt to trek Ella Rock, venture to the iconic Nine Arches Bridge, or hunt for some waterfalls with your fellow explorers.

Free time activity

Full Day

Get outside and explore scenic Ella.

Little Adam's Peak Trek activity

Ella, 2h-3h

Enjoy a hike up Little Adam's peak to catch stunning views of the town below.

Optional Activities

Trek to Ella Rock

Ella

Set off on a trek to Ella Rock, passing through the lush surrounds and forest of rubber trees. Take in scenic views of the surrounding green valleys and plains from the peak.

Oak Ray Ella Gap Hotel (or similar) accommodation

Day 9 Ella/Hikkaduwa

Set off towards the southern coast stopping en route to explore the indestructible Galle Fort. Finish the day's journey oceanside on the white sand beaches of Hikkaduwa.

Private Vehicle transport

Ella – Galle, 4h30m-5h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Galle Fort Tour activity

Galle – Hikkaduwa

Visit the Galle Fort, a 16th-century fort first built by the Portuguese, and later occupied by the Dutch. The ramparts are still standing even after being battered by Mother Nature, including the 2004 tsunami.

Private Vehicle transport

Galle – Hikkaduwa, 30m

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Coral Rock by Bansei Hikkaduwa (or similar) accommodation

Day 10 Hikkaduwa

Enjoy a free day to bliss out on the beach sipping your favourite drink or jump on a boat in search of whales and dolphins. For your big night out, follow your CEO to the best beach bar in town, enjoy a drink on us, and dance under the stars. Perhaps take a night swim, who knows, see where the night takes you.

Free time activity

Enjoy a free day to do as much or as little as you'd like.

Hikkaduwa Beach Bar activity

Hikkaduwa

Follow your CEO to the best beach bar, grab a drink on us, and cheers to all the life-changing adventures you've shared with new friends. Dance under the stars and perhaps take a night swim, who knows, see where the night takes you.

Optional Activities

Dolphin Watching Tour

Unawatuna

Set off on a tour to spot these playful creatures.

Coral Rock by Bansei Hikkaduwa (or similar) accommodation

Day 11 Hikkaduwa

Another day in paradise to recover from last nights fun. Relax on the beach, snorkel with sea creatures, or wander through the bustling beach town. Pick a local restaurant with your buds and reminisce about all the awesome adventures you've experienced over a farewell dinner.

Free time activity

Full Day

Don't waste a single second. Whether it's on the beach or throughout the town, get out and explore!

Optional Activities

Dolphin Watching Tour

Unawatuna

Set off on a tour to spot these playful creatures.

Coral Rock by Bansei Hikkaduwa (or similar) accommodation

Day 12 Hikkaduwa.

The Colombo airport can be reached by private taxi or bus. Your CEO can help you arrange a transfer.

Departure Day activity

Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

Price Details

Price is from €929 pp ( 2 sharing).

What's Included:

Accommodation in Hotels/Guest houses and Tours

2 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 1 dinners

International Flights are not included.

Enquire Now