Sea, Tea and Safari – Sri Lanka

This morning, set off for a guided tour of Dambadeniya, one of Sri Lanka’s lesser-known ancient kingdoms. Here you have the opportunity to climb up the rock fortress where you can visit Vijayasundaramaya, a site rarely visited by tourists and is well off the beaten track. The climb is relatively easy.

Early in the evening, set off on foot to explore the nearby village on the other side of the lake. Walk through the quiet village and visit the local temple where you will meet the local Buddhist priest for a blessing. Spend time talking with the locals and learning about their simple yet peaceful life before returning to hotel. (B)

Overnight – The  Notary’s House or similar

This morning you will transfer to your hotel not far from Anuradhapura. After checking in, this afternoon, you will have the opportunity to visit two of Sri Lanka’s most significant sites. Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Sinhalese culture for over 1500 years, was built during a golden period of architectural and artistic development. This stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site is home of ancient Sri Lankan culture.

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is the sacred Bo Tree which is said to have generated from one of the branches of the historical Sri Maha Bodhi at Buddha Gaya in India – this is the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. You will have the rare opportunity to offer flowers, light incense and light up oil lamps as offerings to the Bo tree as you participate in an evening pooja.

Return to your hotel for an incredible dining experience. Tonight, dinner will be served in the middle of a rice paddy. Surrounded by candle light and lanterns, this magical setting is enhanced by your meal being lovingly prepared in a traditional mud hut with the chorus of frogs, crickets and birds. (B,D)

Overnight – Ulagalla hotel or similar

Setting off this morning, your day will start with a traditional farmers village experience. Learn about local life in Sri Lanka’s rural villages both in the fields and at home. Why not try your hand at some of the agricultural techniques the locals still use today? Explore the village by tuk-tuk, tractor and on foot, as you completely immerse yourselves into farm life. For lunch today, enjoy a home-cooked meal with all produce (apart from the papadams) coming straight from the paddock.

After lunch, continue to Sigiriya Rock Fortress which you have the opportunity to climb. The fortress is set amid dry zone scrub jungle and is home to a great variety of Sri Lanka’s fauna. Sigiriya, a mighty 180-metre high rock-fortress of a 5th century King, is famous for its entrancingly beautiful frescoes which are found in a sheltered pocket of the rock.  You cannot fail to marvel at the masterful execution of the sinuous forms of these women (originally 500, of which only 19 remain today). The old stairway to the top (1200 steps) led through the mouth of a huge crouching lion, carved from the rock. Today, only the paws remain.  Remains of the impressive royal citadel are on the summit.

The most impressive facets of the unique complex are the Water Gardens, the frescoes of beautiful maidens, the Mirror Wall with ancient graffiti, the lion platform and the summit of 1.6 hectares, which was completely covered by buildings during the period of Sigiriya’s glory.

While strenuous, the climb to the top is not very difficult however involves some steep areas and 1200 steps, including a steep spiral staircase to see the frescoes. (B,L,D) 

Overnight – Water Garden or similar

The first kingdom of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura, after a reign of over 1500 year, crumbled under the attacks of the Cholas. The new kingdom was established in Polonnaruwa and flourished for over 150 years. The golden period of the kingdom was under the rule of King Parakramabhahu I and during his period, irrigation and agriculture thrived. Many Kings and Queens added to the array of site you will be exploring today, which include Buddhist and Hindu temples, houses, palaces, audience halls, bathing ponds and tanks that span over 5000 acres.

For lunch today, enjoy an authentic and delicious Sri Lankan rice and curry served at a local home with a cookery demonstration for you to participate in before setting off on safari.

Spend your afternoon in Minneriya National Park. This National Park, which is 8889 hectares in extent, is famous for it large population of elephants in herds of 100 to 150, roaming through the jungle and often seen in the catchment areas of the lake. Wild buffaloes, wild boar, spotted deer, sloth bear, sambhur, leopards, crocodiles, jackals, 9 kinds of amphibians, 25 kinds of reptiles, 160 species of birds, 26 varieties of fishes, 78 varieties of butterflies are all found in the Minneriya National Park. (B,L,D)

Overnight – Water Garden or similar

Today en route to Gal Oya, you will visit Dambulla Cave Temple. The temple is a vast isolated rock mass, 500 feet high and a mile around the base. The famous Rock Temple dates back to the 1st B.C. Climb 365 steps (a fairly easy climb) to the caves of Dambulla where King Walagamba sheltered during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne, he built the most magnificent of Rock Temples found on the island. In the first cave, there is a recumbent image of Buddha 47ft long cut out of the rock. There are images of deities associated with Buddhism all around.

Continue to Gal Oya Lodge, a beautifully designed eco-lodge, providing stylish and comfortable accommodation in a remote and undiscovered setting. After settling in, set off for a discovery walk with the Chief of the Vedda community. Gal Oya Lodge neighbours one of the last remaining communities of the Vedda – the forest-dwelling, indigenous people of Sri Lanka.

The Veddas are the true indigenous people of Sri Lanka and have been found to be linked to Australia’s aborigines and the San Bushmen. The Vedda culture is diminishing fast with their language almost completely lost. These indigenous peoples have adapted from cave living to forest dwelling to now living in basic huts and regular houses. From leaf clothing to loin clothes to sarongs, the Vedda’s have now cross bred with the Sinhalese and Tamil people changing the shape of their almost neanderthal physiques and characteristics. The Vedda’s still hunt for bee honey in the forests found inside hollowed tree trunks which is sold to locals, and they practice only bush medicine rituals concoctions to heal ailments and illness.

Enjoy an exclusive walk with the village Chief as you venture through the jungles of his ancestors. Discover and learn about life amongst nature as he brings the forest alive, explaining his tribe’s use of medicinal plants, ancient hunting grounds and cave dwellings. It’s a fascinating insight into how the hunter-gatherers lived in the jungles of Gal Oya. (B,L,D)

Overnight – Gal Oya Lodge or similar

This is the only place in Sri Lanka where you can experience a water-based safari – and magical it certainly is! Immerse yourself amongst the wildlife here and with a little luck, you may spot elephants swimming between islands or bathing on the lake’s edge. A 2-3 hour safari by boat, and a scenic 40- minute drive from the lodge to the lake is perfect to explore the national park and surrounding villages. Witness the local fisherman pulling in their nets and cruise slowly through the tree cemetery in Gal Oya Dam. Home to many cormorants and their chicks, the landscape is incredibly diverse and simply breathtaking.

Gal Oya National Park really is one of Sri Lanka’s undiscovered natural treasures. This afternoon, you will set off on a jeep ride (2.5 hours) into the forgotten Nilgala section of the park, once the protectorate of ancient royalty for the abundant medicinal plants and endemic birdlife unique to this ecosystem. Although shy and sometimes hard to spot, the park hosts most of the animals found on the island, with some of the more likely species to look out for including herds of elephants, four species of deer as well as many bird species. Our more intrepid guests may also opt for the hike to the Makara river mouth with one of our expert naturalists, to further experience the jungle and for the chance of seeing wildlife on foot. (B,L,D) 

Overnight – Gal Oya Lodge or similar

This morning following breakfast, it is time to farewell your incredible naturalist team at Gal Oya and travel to Ella in the high country (165km, approx. 4.5 hrs). Visit the Nine Arch Bridge known as the ‘Bridge in the Sky’, which is one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction in Sri Lanka.

You will continue to your hidden resort, Living Heritage Koslanda. The villas are simple yet luxurious and the pool is wonderful. Truly a hidden gem! Take a guided tour through the jungle to a spectacular waterfall. There are squirrels, and chattering monkeys, as well as the jackfruit trees that give Koslanda its name. Diverse native plants and an abundance of exotic birds that are beautiful to watch, fill the air with a chorus of their songs. By the waterfall, you’ll find a Forest Ambalamba, a perfect spot for relaxing after a swim in the natural plunge pool and watching the water cascade into the pool below. (B)

Overnight – Living Heritage Koslanda or similar

This morning, set off on a short trek to Lipton’s Seat and visit to Dambethenna Tea Factory. The Dambethanna Tea Estate was founded by Sir Thomas Lipton, who is probably one of the most famous figures connected to the country’s long history of tea production. From the vantage point of ‘Lipton’s Seat,’ Sir Thomas would survey his domain, enjoying some truly spectacular views out across his estate and the landscapes of southern Sri Lanka. Situated over 1900 metres above sea level, the views from the top are considered to rival those from World’s End on the Horton Plains and, on a good day, you can see the southern coastline and the national parks at Yala and Udawalawe. Visit Dambethenna tea factory to see the procedure of how tea is made.

Take a walk through the Sherwood tea estate to the home of an estate worker. Amidst vegetable gardens and a scattering of brightly coloured houses, you will be introduced to a different side of Sri Lankan cuisine. The Tamil community in the hills came to Sri Lanka from Southern India during the Colonial period and brought with them the culinary traditions of ‘dosas’ and ‘vadeis’. You can see the preparation of some of these classic dishes and enjoy a delicious vegetarian lunch. (B,L)

Overnight – Living Heritage Koslanda or similar

Today you will transfer to Galle (approx 5hrs). On arrival, check into your hotel. Your hotel is an 18th century mansion that has been restored into an elegant small private hotel, which is a wonderful addition to the 16th century Galle Fort. This evening is free to explore the city and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Galle Fort. (B)

Overnight – Fort Printers Hotel or similar

Today is yours at leisure to explore Galle, or perhaps visit one of the nearby beaches. (B)

Overnight – Fort Printers Hotel or similar

Today you will transfer from Galle to Colombo (130km, 2.5-3 hrs). Your hotel is centrally located and in close proximity to restaurants and attractions. This evening, enjoy a 7-course tasting menu showcasing Sri Lanka’s favourite dishes. This evening, a 7-course dinner will be arranged at the hotel restaurant, showcasing Sri Lanka’s favourite dishes. You will learn about the origins and history of each dish and how ingredients now central to Sri Lankan home cooking arrived during the country’s colonial past. (B,D)

Overnight – Maniumpathy Colombo or similar

This morning you will visit historic Negombo for a walking tour which really brings the old city to life. Negombo was used by the Portuguese, Dutch and British as the main export harbor for cinnamon and there are still many historical buildings remaining today. Explore markets and churches, visit the city’s bustling fishing harbour and enjoy the beautiful setting of the Negombo Lagoon. The birdlife here is abundant. Watch traditional outrigger canoes fishing the waters for shrimp and lobster as they have for generations. From here, continue to the airport for your onward flight this evening. (B)