Discovering Sri Lanka: wildlife, trekking and culture

Early arrival in the morning. Meeting with one of our representatives. Transfer to Negombo. Free time for the rest of the day to relax.
Overnight in Negombo.

Early departure to Kurenagala (about 2 hours trip). You’ll spend the day with Selyn Fair Trade, an organization of artisans that takes part to the Altromercato Experience project. You will discover this authentic and interesting Fair Trade reality; a weaving centre, where expert hands “create” wonderful toys, not only with hand looms. The first stop of the visit will be at the printing department, where the production process of textiles starts with the yarn dyeing. Lunch at the centre. Then you’ll move to watch artisans women managing the manual weaving on the loom and, if you would, you could try this beautiful art. Then you’ll visit also Selyn’s kindergarten and the factory where, thanks to the Fair Trade, products are sold. Lastly, you’ll visit Wanduragala’s shop, where you’ll find products and gifts to bring home. After the visit, transfer to Anuradhapura and check in to the hotel.
Overnight in Anuradhapura (B,L,D).

After breakfast, transfer to Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka from IV century b.C. till XI century a.C.. The beauty of the city will leave you breathless. You’ll see the Jayasri Maha Bodhi ( the sacred fig), the statue of Samadhi Buddha, the sculpture in stone in the Isurumuniya’s temple, Ruwanweli’s stupa and many others attractions of this great 2500 years old city. Very interesting are the huge stone tanks used to collect and carry the water of the monsoons. This magnificent and old irrigation system, with tanks and canals, is the main attraction of Anuradhapura. Departure for Aukana (45 minutes), ancient buddhist site, for the visit of stone sculptures. After the visit, return to Dambulla.
Overnight in Dambulla (B, D).

After breakfast, departure to Polonnaruwa (1 hour and half); UNESCO heritage site, also famous for his similarity with Angkor Wat, with the royal palace and the public hearing room. You’ll have a special lunch in a farm near Pollonnaruwa. In the afternoon, trip to Sigiriya where we’ll take a 25 minutes visit of Sigiriya’s fortress, which dates back to the Mesolithic period and is more than 5000 years old. Enjoy the climbing to this ancient fortress, wanted by king Kashyapa. Known also as the Lion Rock, it has interesting frescoes and graffiti.
Overnight in Dambulla (B,D).

After early breakfast visit the Dambulla cave complex, where there are 5 caves carved into a 150m high rock with wall paintings of the life of Buddha. Transfer to Mahiangana and check in the hotel. Today you will have the chance to meet the Vedda (Vanniyaletto), the indigenous people of Sri Lanka. The term Vedda (or hunter) is a name given by Sinhala-speakers, while Veden is the term used in Tamil. The people refer to themselves as Vanniyaletto (forest dwellers). Meet your guide and tracker at the hotel lobby. On the way to the village, you will get the opportunity to visit the ‘Mawaragala forest monastery’. As you enter the village, you will meet the Chief at his residence and seek his permission to tour the village. Next, you will head towards the museum where you will receive a flambeau and a demonstration of traditional hunting methods, cultural activities and folk dance. Visit the village and explore their life style and cultural practices.
Overnight in Mahiyangana (B, D)

Early morning (if you start at 5 am you will have the chance to see the sun rise) meet your guide and tracker at the hotel lobby and start your journey by crossing the lake by boat. On top of the Weheragala mountain, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the locale where you will spot about 5 lakes, paddy fields and temples. On your return, you will enjoy some refreshments and a live cooking demonstration in a village house at the edge of the mountain. Walk back to the hotel through the village. Later transfer to Kandy (around 2,30 hours). On the way visit the much revered Mahiyangana Temple, a site pilgrimage of Buddha’s first visit to the island, and among Sri Lanka’s most sacred places. Later afternoon or evening visit the temple of the sacred Tooth, very famous relic venerated by buddhists.
Overnight in Kandy (B, D).

Breakfast. In the morning visit of Kandy and of its famous and wonderful botanical garden. Departure with car/bus; the road climbs up the hill which is rich of tea plantations that offers unforgettable images. After about two hours and half we’ll arrive in Nurawa Eliya; this place was also called “little England” because in the period of British domination, the British generals took advantage of its altitude to escape the summer heat of the plain. On the arrival at Nuwara Eliya, check into the booked hotel. Afterward, visit a tea plantation and “Pedro” Tea factory. Return to the hotel, for a dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight in Nuawara Eliya (B, D).

Early morning at 0600 hrs, leave to Horton plains by jeep (optional) with picnic breakfast. Horton Plains is a plateau at an altitude of 2,100–2,300 meters (6,900–7,500 ft) which is rich in biodiversity. Many species found here are endemic to the region. It is also a popular tourist destination and is situated 32 kilometers (20 miles) from Nuwara Eliya. The walk is about 9 km and it takes 3-4 hrs. You can witness different varieties of animals such as leopards, indigenous monkeys, Sri Lankan Sambar deer. You can see the Mini world’s end as well as the Great world’s end in your walk. The world’s end is a special landscape area which you can see the southern coastal area. Return to hotel. In the evening, city tour of Nuwara Eliya followed by a walk in the market place included with a vast range of vendors in a small complex such as vegetable stalls, fish and dried fish stalls, butcher shops filled with dashing colors. Back to the hotel, for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight in Nuawara Eliya (B, D).

After breakfast leave for Ella by train. This is the most beautiful train journey in Sri Lanka, as it travels through numerous mountain tunnels, tea plantations, eucalyptus forests, valleys and the famous Nine Arch Bridge providing you amazing views. The chauffeur will pick you up at Ella Railway Station. Arrive in Ella, check into the hotel. Late afternoon hike in Little Adam’s Peak in Ella. Starting from Bandarawela walk in the rail roads, forests, mountains with panoramic views, Climb Ella Rock, Little Adams’s Peak and reach Ella town. This is approximately 4 hours of trekking trip. Later return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight in Ella (B, D).

After breakfast visit the famous Ella waterfalls and see it cascading downhill peacefully. From the hills of Ella descend to the jungles of Tissamaharama and yala National park. After lunch proceed to the spiritual city of Kataragama. Once in Kataragama visit the Kataragama shrine, dedicated to God Skanda (Murugan) the God of Love and War. It is believed that this Devala was started in the 2nd Century B.C. by King Dutugemunu (167 –137 B.C.). Today Kataragama is a place of worship for Buddhists, Hindus and some Muslims. Later transfer to tissamaharama eco-resort. In the evening visit one of the foremost places to visit in Sri Lanka, the Yala National Park is famous for the elusive leopard and has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world. The sloth bear and Asian elephant that are also part of Sri Lanka’s Big Five can be spotted. With some good luck you will witness all these creatures and more over an evening jeep safari accompanied by a naturalist guide.
Overnight in Tissamaharama (B, D).

After breakfast transfer to Sinharaja Rain Forest (3 ,5 hours drive approximately). On arrival check in the hotel. In the the afternoon walk to the tea estate village and later have a rainforest walk. Sinharaja, the largest great lowland Gondwanan Rainforest in Southern Asia is the richest store of biodiversity in Sri Lanka. Sinharaja covers a narrow silver of land 21 km long and 3.7 km wide, covering an area of roughly 11,187 hectares. This rainforest is home to the highest concentration of endemic species of plants and animals, several of which are rare or endangered. It contains 36 percent of all vertebrates found in Sri Lanka and 43 percent of all endemic species found on the island..
Overnight in Sinharaja (B, D)

Early morning start for bird watching trail. Sinharaja Rain Forest is home to over 25 endemic species and a myriad of others, Sinharaja is fondly referred to as a bird watcher’s paradise. Indulge in the sound of the leafy everglades, in wait of the prize, Blue Magpie or the Sri Lanka White Eye. Later return to the hotel for breakfast. Later go fora jungle trek through the quaint paths of Sinharaja where placid undergrowth lie in wait for the appreciation of all who wish to indulge in the tranquil wilderness of Sri Lanka’s world renowned rainforest. In the afternoon transfer to Mirissa (around 2,5 hours by car). Check in the hotel and rest by Mirissa beach.
Overnight in mirissa (B, D).

After breakfast, go for an exciting whale and dolphin watching. Often spotted blue whales are the biggest animals in the world and Mirissa is the best place for whale and dolphin watching tours in Sri Lanka. Whale watching season in Mirissa is from November to April. Afternoon free to relax on the beach.
Overnight in mirissa (B/L).

After breakfast, transfer to Colombo for your international flight.