Treasures of Sri Lanka
12 Days
ABOUT THE ITINERARY
This itinerary has been specifically designed to let you experience Sri Lanka during the summer season (from June to September), when the coasts of Eastern Sri Lanka, unlike the southern beaches, offer the ideal climate for a tourist visit. For too long, Sri Lanka, especially its eastern coast, has been absent from the lists of the most popular tourist destinations. This twelve-day tour will show you all the treasures, the majestic nature, the culture, and the stunning beaches, capturing the hearts of travelers. The itinerary will range from ancient ruins, UNESCO heritage sites, spice plantations, organic farms, and even a safari to admire magnificent elephants and leopards (if you are very lucky) in Yala National Park and Gal Oya. You will have the opportunity to discover, all at once, the historical, cultural, and natural heritage of this wonderful country, considered treasures to be preserved. One of our drivers, who speaks Italian, will take care of your transfer from the airport, thus beginning this journey with a first brief stop in the village of Kosgoda, near Hikkaduwa, where you will be hosted in a small seaside facility that organizes volunteer programs for the conservation of sea turtles.
The next stop of the itinerary, on the way to Arugam Bay, will be the city of Kattaragama, where you can observe the religious practices of a pilgrimage city welcoming devotees of different religions. It is here that you find sacred places related to Buddhism, Hinduism, and also an aboriginal faith known as Vedda. We will visit Yala National Park, one of the few parks in the world boasting a very high density of leopards. Arugam Bay will show you a different Sri Lanka. Located at the “end of the road,” that is, at the easternmost tip of the country’s coastline, about 320 km east of Colombo, it is the ideal place for those who love rural life and the adventurous atmosphere of the jungle. Called “Ullai” by the locals, it is a well-known tourist destination for surfing. Beyond surfing, there are many other activities to choose from: lagoon tours, bird and elephant watching, the Kudumbigala monastery, ancient sites, and archaeological ruins. If you are nature lovers, you could travel on foot or by jeep the 10-15 km covered by the lagoon to the south before dawn. Being an area rich in history, it’s easy to find remains of the ancient Buddhist culture in the jungle. Just outside Pottuvil, behind the dunes, excavations have brought to light a 2,000-year-old temple, the Modu Maha Vihara. In Arugam Bay, you will be offered lunch in the village of Panama prepared by the local community, and you will visit the Kudumbigala temple.
From here, we will move inland to one of Sri Lanka’s most pristine forests, that of the Gal Oya National Park, where you will stay in a beautiful eco-resort within the forest. The National Park is truly one of Sri Lanka’s hidden gems, where you can take boat safaris on the island’s largest reservoir, trying to spot elephants as they swim. Here you will have the rare opportunity to meet the only indigenous community of Sri Lanka, the Vedda (Vanniyaletto). The next destination will be the hill town of Kandy with its famous Temple of the Tooth. Here you will also have the opportunity to meet local farmers in Matale, during a visit to cocoa and spice plantations to discover their processing methods, and at the village of Heeloya, to learn about traditional farming practices. An entire day will be dedicated to the Altromercato Experience, discovering the fair trade cooperative Selyn, the only company in Sri Lanka that produces handloom textiles certified Fair Trade. Together with them, we will uncover the profound connections at the heart of Sri Lanka’s traditional weaving activity, now revived thanks to the Fair Trade practices implemented by Selyn, an Altromercato partner. The last two stops of the itinerary will be Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of the country, and the fortress of Sigiriya, which has become almost a symbol of the historical wonders that enrich this nation.
SIGN UP FOR THE TRIP
Registration can be requested for group travel or for self-travel. For group travel, registration is not binding. Upon reaching the minimum number of members necessary for the formation of the group, usually 4 or 6 people, you will be asked for confirmation of booking and payment of a deposit.
JOURNEY OVERVIEW AND PROGRAM DETAILS
DAY 1: Colombo – kosgoda
Arrival at Colombo airport, meeting with our representatives at the terminal exit and transfer to the village of Kosgoda, on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Enjoy the rest of the day relaxing at the seaside property to rest after the journey. In the late afternoon, visit the marine turtle egg collection area, with the possibility of releasing the young turtles into the sea. For dinner, enjoy a barbecue on the beach in front of the hotel. After dinner, there is the possibility of patrolling the beach in the hope of spotting sea turtles laying eggs.
Overnight in Kosgoda (B)
DAY 2: KOSGODA – KATARAGAMA
After breakfast, visit Galle Fort. Since ancient times, it was an important trading post known to the Greco-Roman world. The three-kilometer perimeter walls were built in stone by the Portuguese in 1620, replacing the original defensive palisade. In 1873, the British opened a new gate, the “City Gate,” between the Sun and Moon bastions. It takes about an hour to walk around the entire length of the walls. After lunch, depart for the sacred city of Kataragama (about 2 hours) and visit the shrine. It is said that the god Kataragama came from India, married a Sri Lankan jungle girl, and lived here.
Overnight in Tissamaharama (B, D)
DAY 3: KATARAGAMA
Early in the morning, depart for a jeep safari in Yala National Park (packed breakfast). Yala National Park, in southeastern Sri Lanka, is a vast expanse of forests, grasslands, and lagoons along the Indian Ocean coast. It is home to wildlife such as leopards, elephants, and crocodiles, as well as hundreds of bird species. The afternoon is free for visiting the city’s sacred sites. Return to the hotel.
Overnight in Tissamaharama (B, D)
DAY 4: KATARAGAMA – ARUGAM BAY
After breakfast, transfer to Arugam Bay, a crescent-shaped stretch of soft sand known as one of the country’s best surfing spots. We will stop in Buttala to visit a spice processing factory. Then we will visit a group of farmers and have lunch at a local farm. Afterwards, continue to Arugam Bay and check in at the hotel. You can test yourself on a surfboard or simply relax, take a dip, or stroll along the beach.
Overnight in Arugam Bay (B, L)
DAY 5: ARUGAM BAY
Early in the morning, depart for the village of Panama, stopping at the Okanda Hindu temple and the Kudumbigala Buddhist monastery. Lunch at one of the homes in the village of Panama. Return to Arugam Bay. Free time.
Overnight in Arugam Bay (B, L)
6° DAY: ARUGAM BAY – GALOYA
Early in the morning, take a canoe trip in Pottuvil Lagoon. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Then transfer to the village of Lahugala, where local farmers practice organic agriculture. Enjoy lunch with the local community in Uraniya, followed by a visit to the ancient Magul Maha Viharaya temple in Lahugala. Transfer to Mahiyangana and check in to an eco-resort in the Gal Oya forest.
Overnight in Gal Oya (B, L)
DAY 7: GAL OYA – KANDY
After breakfast, meet the Vedda (Vanniyaletto), the native population of Sri Lanka. ‘Vedda’ (or hunter) is the name given to them by the Sinhalese, another ethnic group in the country, while Tamils use ‘Veden’. They call themselves ‘Vanniyaletto’, meaning ‘forest dwellers’. Visit their village and learn about their lifestyle and cultural practices. Continue to the Mahiyangana Temple, one of the places where Buddha stopped during his first visit to the island and one of the most sacred sites in Sri Lanka. In the afternoon, transfer to Kandy.
Overnight in Kandy (B)
DAY 8: KANDY – HEELOYA – KANDY
After breakfast (around 7:30 am), visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Established in 1975 by the Sri Lankan Department of Wildlife, near the Maha Oya River, it was created to provide assistance and protection to the many orphaned elephants found in Sri Lanka’s jungles and to create a natural habitat for them. Afterwards, depart for Pilimathalawa to visit three important temples in the area: the Hindu temple of Ambakke, and the Buddhist temples of Lankathilaka and Gadaladeniya. All three temples are very close to each other and can be visited on foot, allowing you to discover a glimpse of rural life in Sri Lanka as you cross the rice fields surrounding the various villages. Return to Kandy and attend the Esala Perahera festival.
Overnight in Kandy (B, D)
DAY 9: KANDY – MATALE – SIGIRYA
After breakfast, transfer to Sigiriya. Along the way, stop at the cocoa and spice plantations in Matale to learn about their processing. Visit the organic garden of a cocoa grower to discover the cultivation techniques of this plant. Traditional lunch with the local community. After lunch, transfer to Sigiriya. On the way, visit the Golden Temple of Dambulla. Check in at the hotel. In the evening, visit the Sigiriya fortress, which dates back to the Mesolithic period and is over 5,000 years old. Enjoy the climb to this ancient fortress, commissioned by King Kashyapa. Also known as Lion Rock, it features interesting frescoes and graffiti.
Overnight in Sigiriya (B, L)
DAY 10: SIGIRYA – ANURADHAPURA
After breakfast, transfer to Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka from the 4th century BC to the 11th century AD. The city’s beauty is breathtaking. You will see the Jayasri Maha Bodhi (the sacred fig tree), the Samadhi Buddha statue, the stone sculptures in the Isurumuniya Temple, the Ruwanweli stupa, and many other attractions in this 2,500-year-old vibrant city. Along the way, stop at the Avukana Buddha statue, near the Kalawewa (a large reservoir) built by King Dathusena. Return to Sigiriya.
Overnight in Sigiriya (B)
DAY 11: SIGIRYA – KURUNEGALA – NEGOMBO
After breakfast, transfer to Negombo. On the way, we will stop in Kurunegala, where we will spend the day with Selyn Fair Trade, an artisan organization involved in the Altromercato Experience project. You will be introduced to this real and fascinating fair trade reality: a weaving center where skilled hands “create” magnificent toys and other products on handlooms. The first stop will be at the dyeing department, where the production process of fabrics begins with yarn dyeing. Lunch at the center. We will then move on to watch the manual weaving by female artisans, and if you wish, you can also try your hand at this art. We will also visit Selyn’s nursery school and the factory where products are sold through Fair Trade. Finally, we will also visit the Wanduragala shop, where we will find numerous products and gift items to take home. After the visit, transfer to Negombo.
Overnight in Negombo (B, L)
DAY 12: NEGOMBO – COLOMBO (Airport)
Transfer to Colombo and departure on an international flight.
ACTIVITIES
- Trying to spot turtles laying eggs during a visit to the conservation project in Kosgoda
- Exploring the sacred city of Kataragama for both Buddhists and Hindus
- Admiring the wildlife of Yala National Park during a fantastic Jeep safari
- Visiting the ancient temple in Lahugala, Magul Maha Viharaya
- Exploring the villages of Uraniya and Lahugala, where farmers practice organic agriculture
- Enjoying a traditional Sri Lankan lunch in one of the village houses in Panama
- Trying out surfing or relaxing on the beach at Arugam Bay
- Meeting the indigenous people of Sri Lanka, the Vedda
- Spotting elephants swimming in Gal Oya National Park
- Watching a traditional dance performance in Kandy
- Visiting the famous Temple of the Sacred Tooth in Kandy
- Enjoying a community experience at Heeloya Village, discovering organic gardens and rice fields
- Observing the processing of cocoa and spices in Matale
- Discovering an interesting fair trade reality, Selyn Fair Trade, involved in handloom fabric production
- Exploring Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka
- Visiting the Golden Temple of Dambulla
SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The entire itinerary is designed to bring direct or indirect benefits to local communities, environmental protection, and cultural heritage preservation. Wherever possible, we have selected traditional accommodations sensitive to social and environmental issues, according to the criteria guiding responsible tourism. During the journey, you will have the opportunity to meet and get to know local communities, discovering the organic farming initiatives they are involved in. In the village of Heeloya, the community will welcome you, showing you the village, the organic gardens, and the rice fields. The local guide will show you many spices, vegetables, and local fruits to illustrate their farming techniques. In a farmer’s home, you will be offered traditional rice and curry prepared with organic vegetables.
You will have the opportunity to discover some villages along the eastern coast and will be hosted by women’s groups to enjoy a traditional lunch. In the villages of Panama, Uraniya, and Lahugala, where organic farming is practiced, you will be shown the daily life of traditional farmers. In Kunuregala, we will visit the Altromercato partner cooperative Selyn, founded by the Sri Lankan lawyer Sandra Wanduragala in 1994. Selyn’s goal is to create employment in rural and marginal areas, where most inhabitants are forced to migrate to other countries in search of work. Selyn produces cloth toys, hand-woven on traditional looms. The toys are made in compliance with European safety standards and tested in laboratories. Through these products, Selyn has revitalized Sri Lanka’s long tradition of handloom weaving.
Furthermore, during the tour, you will visit various projects that promote the protection of natural heritage; in the lagoon of Pottuvil in Arugam Bay, you will have the chance to take an eco-tour aimed at protecting the mangrove ecosystem, involving local fishermen, the government, and tourists. During the two-hour canoe tour, you can enjoy the beauty and tranquility of this special ecosystem. Last but not least, the marine turtle conservation project in Kosgoda features a unique technique that consists of protecting the nests from poaching and predators 24 hours a day.
TIPS BEFORE DEPARTURE
During your trip to Sri Lanka, it is recommended to maintain respectful behavior towards the local culture to avoid any issues or difficulties. It is also advisable to refrain from being overly affectionate in public, such as through long kisses or hugs, as this kind of attitude is not well regarded.
It is recommended to wear long garments for two reasons: to avoid offending local people with uncovered arms and legs, and to protect yourself from unstable weather conditions. In particularly humid places, being well covered can also help avoid insect bites. Wearing long-sleeved cotton shirts and trousers may allow you to enjoy your trip more comfortably.
Sri Lanka’s time zone is +4:30 hours compared to Italy (+3:30 when daylight savings time applies in Italy), so you may experience some jet lag. We suggest setting your watch to local time even before arrival, and eating and sleeping according to local hours in order to quickly adapt to the daily rhythm. Also, try to stay awake during daylight hours once you arrive in the country.
A conscious approach to travel requires a great deal of willingness and ability to adapt to local culture and environment. If you wish to travel with us, we ask that you maintain an attitude of complete openness towards the local culture, religion, and traditions, setting aside any prejudices or preconceived notions stemming from our Western way of thinking. Looking with fresh eyes, with patience and openness, will allow you to perceive the authentic essence of Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage through the places and people you meet. By making this small effort, you will truly be able to enjoy the beauty of a completely different culture and the wonder of nature.
HOTELS
HOTEL CATEGORIES: 3-STAR SUPERIOR, HERITAGE, AND GUESTHOUSES
We have selected traditional and beautiful period hotels offering excellent services for the entire duration of the tour. All hotels have been carefully chosen based on social and environmental impact criteria.
TRANSPORT
Private cars or mini-buses equipped with AC, depending on the number of participants, will be used for all tour transfers.
WHEN TO GO
The best time for this tour in Sri Lanka is from June to September, when sunny days prevail along the entire eastern coast of the country. The climate is essentially tropical and very hot during the day.