2 NIGHTS

Our wonderful South-East Asian adventure begins as we fly to Sri Lanka and transfer to the coastal city of Negombo.

Overnight: Negombo

Negombo is a popular resort destination, known for its long sandy beaches and centuries old fishing industry. Enjoy a morning at leisure before lunch at a local restaurant.

The legacy of Portuguese and Dutch colonial occupation can be seen in Negombo’s architectural heritage and its strong Christian community. Today Negombo’s population is largely Roman Catholic, and our city tour takes in St Mary’s Church, one of the largest cathedrals in Sri Lanka. This neoclassical style cathedral is a true testament to the incorporation of European techniques into to Sri Lankan art and architecture, with the unique depictions of Christ on the ceiling painted by a local Buddhist painter.

Overnight: Negombo

3 NIGHTS

Cashews (kaju) are believed to have been introduced to the island by the Portuguese over 350 years ago. For over a century the colourfully dressed ladies of Kajugama (cashew town) have hailed down vehicles to stop and buy cashews from their stalls. We continue this tradition so you can buy spiced, roasted and un-roasted nut varieties (now sold in sealed plastic packaging) to eat en route.

Today, we are off to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, a captive breeding and conservation institute for wild Asian elephants. A world first, the orphanage was founded in 1975 to care and protect the many orphaned unweaned wild elephants found wandering in and near the forests of Sri Lanka. Pinnawala has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world and in 2023, there were 71 elephants, including 30 males and 41 females from 3 generations, living here. If we are lucky, we may even be able to bottle feed the baby elephants and watch them being bathed – wow!

Overnight: Habarana

This morning, we visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa; this World Heritage site became the capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993 AD and the ruins represent the numerous civilizations that rose and fell from this time. Brimming with archaeological treasures there are temples and shrines plus the monumental ruins of a royal palace and fabulous garden-city created in the 12th century. Enjoy an authentic Sri Lankan meal in Girithale before we return to our delightful accommodation to relax.

Overnight: Habarana

Today is all about the 8th Wonder of the World, the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya (Lion Rock). This 200-metre-high volcanic plug was chosen by King Kasyapa (477-495 AD) as the site of his new capital, his impressive palace being built on top of this massive rock column and accessible only through the mouth of an enormous carved lion. Choose to climb up to the Lion’s Paws or further for stunning cave frescoes and an incredible 360-degree view across the palace gardens below and Sri Lanka’s countryside. Alternatively, you can wander around the base of the rock, exploring the remains of the extensive network of gardens, reservoirs and other structures.

Exhibits in the Archaeological Museum showcase the history of King Kashyapa, the fortress’s construction, and life during that era, giving real context to this amazing structure.

NOTE – Climbing to the top of Lion Rock takes about 60 mins (1200 stone / steel steps) one way – it is perfectly acceptable to hire locals to assist your climb.

Overnight: Habarana

2 NIGHTS

Sri Lanka has been world renowned for its spices for millennia and this morning we visit an Ayurvedic Village & Spice Garden. One of the world’s oldest medical systems Ayurveda is based on ancient Indian writings and uses herbs and spices to promote good physical and mental health. See how spices such as cloves, pepper, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and saffron grow and learn of their medicinal healing properties and how you can use them in your daily life.

We travel on to beautiful Kandy, the cultural capital of Sri Lanka and island’s most picturesque city. Surrounded by mountains and biodiverse rainforest and built around a scenic lake, UNESCO-listed Kandy is home to sacred landmarks, landscaped gardens, and cultural museums and retains much of its old-world charm.

Our city tour takes us to a Batik and Wood carving centre where we can see traditional craftsman at work. Kandy is also the perfect place to go gem shopping as Sri Lanka has the greatest concentration of gems on earth and boasts the best sapphires in the world (including green, yellow, pink, violet as well as the famed Ceylon blue).
Kandy is home to Sri Lanka’s most important national treasure, a relic of Buddha which is housed in the monumental Temple of the Tooth. At the temple entrance we will see lotus hawkers who provide the many white-clad pilgrims with their floral offerings. Take in the incredible 17th century architecture which includes exquisitely carved arches and a dazzling, golden interior. We top off our evening with a wonderful Cultural Show of traditional music and dancing.

Overnight: Kandy

Our Sunday begins with an early English worship service at St. Paul’s Church; formally consecrated on St. Paul’s Day (25th January) in 1853 it served as the garrison church to many British regiments during colonial rule.

Travel to Panabokke, a Sri Lankan village, for a traditional lunch and experience the warmth and vibrancy of the local culture. Walk through paddy fields, spice gardens and orchards as we tour and bird watch for Fishing Eagles, Golden Orioles and local parrots. Enjoy a traditional lunch at a villager’s house.

Then it is off to the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens renowned for its collection of orchids. Occupying 59 hectares (146 acres) the garden has over 4000 species of plants, including spices, medicinal plants, flowering trees and avenues of palms. Keep an eye out for the amazing fig tree! A day filled with natural beauty and the glory of God.

Overnight: Kandy

Sri Lanka is famous for its tea and each year the island produces about 340 million kilograms of its globally renowned Ceylon Tea. We travel to Nuwara Eliya, considered to be the most important location for tea production in Sri Lanka. With an altitude of 1,868 metres, it was considered by the British as the perfect environment for growing tea and today the town is surrounded by huge tea plantations. We visit a Tea Plantation and Tea Factory to learn about growing and processing the world’s favourite brew.

Nuwara Eliya was first settled by the British in 1818 and, with its cool climate reminding them of “home” (and lots of wild game to hunt), it became such a popular refuge during the warmer months that it was soon dubbed “Little England”. With its colonial era bungalows and well-ordered streets, the former hill station retains its English style, all set amidst a far more dramatic landscape than Britain’s – rugged mountains, terraced tea plantations, beautiful Lake Gregory, waterfalls and clear blue skies. Wow!

We check-in to our hotel before enjoying lunch at the nearby Grand Hotel – soak up the colonial atmosphere of this historic English manor house and admire its manicured gardens. This afternoon is yours to spend at leisure.

Overnight: Nuwara Eliya

2 NIGHTS

Travelling by train in Sri Lanka is a unique experience and the spectacular journey from Nuwara Eliya to Ella is considered one of the world’s most beautiful train trips.

The hilltop town of Ella is known for its glorious mountain scenery of jungles, cloud forests, rolling tea plantations and epic waterfalls. Enjoy lunch with a side order of wonderful views across the Ella Gap and the southern plains of Sri Lanka. Then it is time to check-in, relax and enjoy the cooler climate of this stunning location.

Overnight: Ella

The picturesque town of Demodara is best known for its “Bridge in the Sky”, the colonial engineering masterpiece that is the Demodhara Loop. First conceptualised by a Sri Lankan, the design has a tunnel at one end of the bridge and as the train passes the station, the railway line loops upon itself, encircles an adjoining hilltop, and passes through a tunnel underneath the station which is about 20-30 metres below that. The design enabled engineers to take the railway track to a higher elevation whilst continuing to operate at a standard gradient – legend has it that the Demodhara Loop was inspired by watching someone retie their turban!

This mountainous country provided many challenges for the engineers building the railways, including how to traverse deep valleys. Located between Ella and Demodara train stations, the dramatic 9 Arch Bridge has tall arches built on a semicircular path to connect with the mountains. Built with blocks of stone and cement without any reinforcing iron or concrete, this railway bridge really is a marvel and well worth stopping for a photoshoot.

Enjoy lunch at the beautiful 98 Acres Resort; built of mostly recycled materials it is designed to blend into its environment whilst offering sensational views. This afternoon is free choice – relax or take the opportunity to hike one of the many walking tracks.

Overnight: Ella

Before we leave the Highlands, we visit beautiful Ravana Waterfalls; this is one of Sri Lanka’s widest falls and the water cascades 25 metres from a concave rock outcrop above.

We head Southeast to Sri Lanka’s dry, semi-arid region bordering the Indian Ocean, an area that is home to Yala National Park and it’s 44 different species of mammals.

Yala is not only considered the best place to see all the ‘Big Three’ (elephant, water buffalo and leopard) it also has one of the highest leopard densities in the world.

Our Evening Safari takes us around Yala’s wide variety of habitats – lakes, beaches, jungle, rivers, and scrubland – all offering excellent game viewing opportunities. Time to get your camera ready! Keep an eye out for the elusive leopard as well as elephant, buffalo, spotted deer, sambar, sloth bear, jackal, mongoose, pangolins and crocodiles.
What an incredible way to finish our day!

Overnight: Yala

Stilt fishing is a mind-boggling method of fishing that is unique to Sri Lanka; the fishermen sit on a cross bar called a ‘petta’ tied to a vertical pole and driven into the sand a few metres offshore. Watch as the fisherman balances high above the water, casts his line, and patiently waits to make his catch.

Visit a Beeralu Lace Centre to experience the age-old Sri Lankan tradition of Beeralu, an intricate form of lace weaving (bobbin lace). This ancient art is being kept alive by skilled weavers in villages on the south coast of the island.

Then it is off to see Galle Fort, one of Sri Lanka’s must-see attractions and one of the best-preserved examples of 17th-century colonial fortifications in the world. The Galle Fort was first built by the Portuguese in 1588 (the same year as the Spanish Armada sailed against England) and then extensively fortified during Dutch occupation before the British took over the island in 1798. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this ancient citadel is packed with history and charm and showcases the interaction between European architecture and South Asian traditions.

Galle is brimming with fascinating museums, antique shops, boutiques and restaurants to explore so enjoy time at leisure before we travel on to our beachside hotel in Ahungalla.

Overnight: Ahungalla

2 NIGHTS

Enjoy a peaceful morning gliding down the Madu and Bentota Rivers on a River Safari through 64 small islands to Madu Ganga Lake. Cruise through open waters and thick mangrove marshes where the branches form arched tunnels. Learn the important role the mangroves play in the local ecology as we watch for sleeping fruit bats, water monitors and maybe even a crocodile.

Out in the free-flowing river we will see blue-eyed cormorants and storks hunting for prey and maybe catch sight of baby monkeys clinging onto fishermen as they sail their narrow boats across the water. We cruise past the tiny rock island and temple in the middle of Madu Ganga and return for lunch at the Captain’s Boathouse.

Time to leave behind the river as we travel on to Colombo, the largest city and the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Located on the East-West Sea trade routes, and blessed with a large harbour, Colombo has been an important trade port for at least 2000 years! European merchants first came from ancient Greece and Rome, learning of Sri Lanka from the Arab traders who sought out the island’s many spices and gemstones.

Three major European powers – the Portuguese, Dutch and British – ruled over the colony known as Ceylon from 1597 – 1948 and their colonial influence can still be seen in Colombo today. To the north of the city is the Fort District, named for the Dutch and Portuguese forts that were built there, and at the Galle Face Green, you can see cannons that were used during colonial war times.

Step back into yesteryear as we dine at the charming colonial landmark that is Galle Face Hotel. Enjoy a High Tea Buffet with beautiful views across the Indian Ocean before we check-in to our nearby hotel.

Overnight: Colombo

A very special Sunday in Colombo when we attend an English worship service at historic St Paul’s Church, Milagiriya (from the Portuguese word meaning miracles). It is one of the oldest churches in Sri Lanka. We travel south to Mount Lavinia for a special cooking class; this hotel was made famous by Chef Publis Silva, the legendary chef who brought Sri Lankan cuisine to the world. Enjoy learning some cooking tips before eating your delicious creations for lunch – yum!

This afternoon we will visit a local Orphanage to meet the children and learn about those who care for them.

Overnight: Colombo

Depending on flight times we will enjoy some last-minute sightseeing and shopping in Colombo before we say goodbye to Sri-Lanka and farewell new friends.

Overnight: In-Flight

We say goodbye to Sri Lanka and farewell new friends as we take our different flights back to Australia.

We return home with a greater understanding of Sri Lanka and its people, feeling blessed to have shared our travel experiences with like-minded people