Sri Lanka & de Malediven - rondreis & zwemmen - in kleine groep - incl. vlucht

Arrival at Colombo airport. You will be met and drive through the typical landscape of the island with many rice fields and idyllic villages to Negombo. Check-in at the hotel is possible from 14:00. Arrive relaxed and enjoy the first hours on the beautiful island. In Negombo there are still some buildings, the fort and churches from Dutch and Portuguese colonial days. The well-known scenery on the beach of Negombo are the catamarans of the fishermen, who auction their catch of fish or lobster, crabs as well as shrimps from the lagoon later on the beach or in the harbor.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will start your round trip today. The first stop will take you to Sigiriya, the royal city located in the heart of Sri Lanka. You will visit the rock fortress of Sigiriya - built under King Kassapa's reign in the 5th century and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The famous Lion Rock, considered the 8th wonder of the world, also awaits you here. This monolith, which is difficult to access, rises about 200 meters from the jungle landscape and is surrounded by the remains of the fortress moats, a monastery complex and restored pleasure gardens. Especially worth seeing are the frescoes of the famous "Cloud Girls".

Breakfast at the hotel. Continue to Dambulla. Here you will visit the Golden Temple of Dambulla - the largest and best-preserved Buddhist cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. With its 5 large rock-cut caves containing elaborate Buddha statues and magnificent frescoes, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sri Lanka is also world-famous for its spices - so continue to Matale to visit a spice garden. Experience the intoxicating variety of aromas and flavors!

You then continue to Kandy - a destination that you simply cannot miss in Sri Lanka. On a plateau, surrounded by mountains, tea plantations and rainforests, you will find the island's most important sanctuary: Sri Dalada Maligawa - the Temple of the Tooth, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to tradition, the left canine tooth of the first Buddha Siddharta Gautama from the 4th century is located here. In Kandy, you will visit the bazaar, a handicraft center and a gemstone museum. In the evening, you will experience a traditional dance show - the famous Kandy dances.

Typical for Sri Lanka is the tea cultivation - you will see tea fields as far as the eye can see ...and today you will visit a tea plantation with a factory where the world's best tea is produced. Here you will learn everything you need to know about the production of the tasty Ceylon tea and also taste it. Afterwards you will continue to Nuwara Eliya - a popular vacation resort because of its healthy, cool mountain climate and its beautiful landscape. Nuwara Eliya is located in the heart of the tea growing area and here also rises the highest mountain of the island: the 2.524 m high Pidurutalagala.

After breakfast at the hotel, continue to Tissamaharama. On the way, you will visit the 25-metre-high Ravana waterfall in the climatic health resort of Ella. The waterfall is surrounded by caves - according to mythology, the demon god Ravana, the king of the Rakshasas of Lanka, once lived in one of them. You will then visit the Dowa Temple. The temple has a history of around 2,000 years and was known as Kumbaltissa Ariyagala Vehera in the time of King Walagamba.

Optionally bookable for an extra charge: Excursion to Yala National Park

Today's first stop is Galle. This historic city was once the main port of Ceylon. It was the center of the Dutch government in the 17th century - today it still bears witness to its colonial past and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Particularly worth seeing in Fort Galle are the Dutch church and the Dutch museum.

The town is also known for its fine handmade lacework and deep black wood carvings. Continue from Galle to Colombo airport, onward flight to Malé in the evening. Transfer to your resort by speedboat.

Enjoy dreamlike days in your seaside hotel.

Enjoy dreamlike days in your seaside hotel.

Enjoy dreamlike days in your seaside hotel.

Enjoy dreamlike days in your seaside hotel.

Enjoy dreamlike days in your seaside hotel.

Enjoy dreamlike days in your seaside hotel.

After breakfast you will go by speedboat to the airport in Malé. You will fly back to Germany.

Arrival in Germany early in the morning.